"You're early. No one cares about you yet."
"I haven't even finished explaining the Chunin qualifications."
Ibiki stepped out from behind the banner, his voice carrying an air of finality. Anko's cheeks flushed—a rare sight.
A bit of social embarrassment...
If she had known this would happen, she would have behaved more professionally.
At that moment, Naruto stood up.
Hinata, seated beside him, quickly followed. One by one, the twelve young elites of Konoha rose to their feet. Their actions sparked a ripple effect—Gaara and his teammates stood as well.
Anko smirked, crossing her arms. "See that?"
Ibiki sighed and spoke more swiftly. "By passing my first exam, you've earned the qualifications to become Chunin. But qualifications alone aren't enough. The next test will determine if you have the strength to claim the title."
He glanced over the gathered Genin, his tone turning ominous. "The next exam is in your hands. Don't get too confident—at least half of you will be eliminated."
Anko shot Naruto a playful look before raising her chin proudly. Though some candidates found the second-round examiner eccentric, they had no choice but to follow the twelve rising stars in front of them.
As Naruto glanced back, his gaze met Hydrangea's. She quickly looked away, avoiding eye contact. Not important—move forward.
His eyes swept across the crowd—Temari... huh, didn't expect her to be this far back.
Turning back, Naruto decided to wait until the second phase began before tracking certain targets. Kusagakure had sent six participants to Konoha's Chunin Exams—finding them wouldn't be difficult.
Behind the crowd, a crimson shadow flickered past, silently trailing the five Genin from Kusagakure. One of them—a tall, slender Kusa-nin with long hair—had their eyes locked onto Sasuke.
Anko led the way, making it inconvenient for Naruto to speak to her. Otherwise, she probably would have launched herself at him already. At the very least, she'd have slid to her knees at the speed of light.
Before long, they arrived at the infamous training ground.
Naruto immediately noticed a familiar presence. A pair of predatory eyes locked onto Sasuke from the distance. No need to think—it was Aunt Snake, lusting after the Uchiha Sharingan.
What kind of spectacle would unfold when Sasuke confronted Orochimaru this time?
"Naruto-kun, someone is watching us."
Tenten approached and whispered her warning.
Without even turning, Anko muttered, "Tch, damn Orochimaru. I knew he'd show up."
Naruto remained calm. "Anko, just follow the plan. Stick to it."
"Hmph... Fine..." Though clearly reluctant, she feigned nonchalance.
Naruto had already anticipated Orochimaru's arrival. Minato and Shikamaru had worked out the probability well in advance. The news of his presence had reached the Hokage. Yet, the Chunin Exams continued.
That could only mean one thing—Konoha's economy was strained.
This exam was crucial in attracting new employers. After all, ninjas weren't much different from mercenaries—though, in reality, their status was even lower.
"Why can I only sense faint traces of familiar chakra?"
"Orochimaru's Reincarnation Jutsu lets him hijack another body for a twisted form of immortality," Naruto explained. "Unless he exposes himself, his chakra signature won't be the same."
Nearby, Sasuke stiffened as he too felt Orochimaru's chilling gaze. He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to turn around.
"Naruto," Sasuke muttered, stepping closer, "is that the bastard after my Sharingan?"
Naruto smirked. "Bingo. Interested in a warm-up? Keep in mind—back when Uchiha Itachi first joined Akatsuki, Orochimaru tried to steal his body. He lost in a single glance."
Hearing mention of his brother, Sasuke's expression darkened. His Sharingan flickered to life automatically.
Naruto shook his head. Just as expected—he looked far too much like Uchiha Mikoto.
But his emotions were less controlled than hers.
Izumi had been the same—sensitive, unstable. Perhaps the trauma of knowing his brother massacred their entire clan had left an irreparable scar.
At the front, Anko stepped up, preparing to explain the rules of the second exam.
Naruto closed his eyes, slipping into the sealed space.
"Kurama, how's it going?"
The Nine-Tails clone stationed in Kusagakure had already sensed the presence of Karin's mother.
After confirming that her condition wasn't critical enough to drain the entire power of the Natural Sage Mode clone, he had left her in the hands of the Nine-Tails.
"Tch!" Kurama scoffed. "Damn Kusagakure—those fools wasted a fortune on third-rate ninjutsu. It pisses me off!"
Naruto chuckled. "Minato and the Hokage are investigating Kusagakure. Leave it to them."
"Hmph. Fine. Just don't bother me while I'm sorting out these idiots' finances."
Back in reality, Anko stood before the iron gates, facing the crowd.
"Welcome to the second stage of the exam!" she announced. "This is the deadliest training ground in Konoha—Training Ground No. 44, also known as... the Forest of Death."
She licked her lips, a menacing grin spreading across her face.
Some of the weaker Genin flinched, visibly unsettled. The ominous, towering trees ahead cast an eerie shadow, the canopy so dense that sunlight barely filtered through.
Sakura shivered, clutching Naruto's arm. "Anko-sensei, you make it sound so terrifying!"
From a short distance away, Temari's ears twitched. She immediately rolled her eyes.
"Tch. Damn green tea b—!"
The pink-haired girl caught the motion and, in response, hugged Naruto's arm tighter, flashing a cheeky middle finger.
Anko chuckled. "You'll soon understand why it's called the Forest of Death. Now, sign the waiver—your life and death are your own responsibility."
Several Genin gulped, their legs trembling.
"Once you've signed, there's no turning back."
She gestured randomly—unintentionally pointing at Orochimaru.
The disguised Sannin smirked, flicking out his unnaturally long tongue before signing his name. His eerie laughter sent chills through the crowd.
As the candidates queued up, Anko explained the rules.
This test was a survival challenge. Each three-man team would receive either a Heaven or an Earth scroll.
To qualify, a team needed both scrolls and had to reach the central tower within five days.
"Oh, and one more thing..." Anko's eyes gleamed with mischief. "If you're too lazy to hunt others down, just wait at the tower. Plenty of teams will show up sooner or later."
"Wait—what about food?" Chōji blurted out, anxiety written all over his face. "Five whole days? Without Naruto's cooking?!"
"Plenty of wildlife in there. Knock yourself out."
Anko pointed to the entrance. "The second exam starts in thirty minutes. Try not to die."
With that, she withdrew to discuss monitoring assignments with the other examiners.
The candidates gathered at their designated entrances, exchanging glances with their teammates.
"Begin!"
The moment Mitarashi Anko's voice rang out, the second exam began.
Whoosh—
In an instant, all the candidates vanished from their spots, entering the Forest of Death through their designated entrances. It took less than thirty seconds.
"Naruto, Kaorin's mother is still alive! Things are getting better!"
"I'll leave Xianglin's child in your care!"
Shortly after stepping into the Forest of Death, Kushina's voice echoed in Naruto's mind, filled with excitement. Since arriving in Konoha, she had always believed the Uzumaki clan was nearly extinct—only herself and the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito, had remained. But now, finding survivors changed everything.
"Don't worry, Naruto. We'll return to Konoha before our planned time."
"Be careful of Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams."
Minato's voice was as gentle as ever.
"I understand. Leave Xianglin to me, and don't be too anxious. We have time."
Just as Naruto finished speaking—
"Ahhh—!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream echoed from deep within the Forest of Death, chilling everyone who heard it.
Naruto's gaze sharpened. "The Kusagakure ninja... and what a coincidence, they ran into Hinata's team."
His eyes flickered as he extended a hand and patted a nearby tree. Instantly, the energy of nature rippled through the area, and the towering trees trembled slightly, though there was no wind.
Watching this, Sakura and Sasuke instinctively took a step back. It felt as if the trees might suddenly rise from the earth and bow before Naruto.
Sakura shivered. "That scream… it came from that direction. Looks like the team from Sunagakure."
She moved beside Naruto. "Team Eight is also in that area. Do you want to go?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "I noticed those three from the Sand Village when we first entered. The guy with the gourd looks strong."
Sakura immediately added, "That scream… it might've been Shino. Team Eight is great at reconnaissance, and Shino's from the Aburame clan. He could've fallen into a trap."
"But with Hinata's Byakugan, they won't be deceived so easily. Those three from the Sand Village are powerful, but as long as Hinata's there, they won't be in immediate danger."
Naruto patted her head. "Good analysis. Now, what about us?"
Sakura, thrilled by the praise, was about to respond—
But Naruto's next words made her freeze.
Sasuke's stance shifted immediately, assuming a defensive posture.
"Hah, looks like we've been targeted," Naruto said, his voice calm. "Team Eight was ambushed the moment they entered. Whoever's behind it wanted to eliminate them first. We're no exception."
Sakura took a deep breath, steadying herself. Damn it, Naruto-kun, stop messing with my emotions!
"Found them," Sasuke muttered darkly. "Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With a rapid sequence of hand seals, he inhaled deeply and unleashed an enormous sea of flames. The inferno roared through the dense forest, consuming everything in its path.
"Spiritual Summoning Jutsu: Rainwater Gate!"
Boom!
A massive gate rose amidst the burning forest, shielding a section from the flames.
Two figures, Long and Menghuo, emerged, scrambling toward the protective gate.
"Damn it," Long cursed, eyes wide. "This fire technique—it has elemental chakra manipulation mixed in! Even the smallest touch will burn you alive!"
Menghuo gritted his teeth. "We can't fight these three. Retreat!"
Far from the battlefield, Anko lazily skewered another dango onto her stick. "Sasuke's making his move already? Well, with Naruto there, nothing will go wrong."
Then, as she felt the rising heat behind her, she hesitated.
"…Eh, whatever. If I keep moving, I won't gain weight."
Back at the battlefield, Sasuke smirked as the flames settled. "Didn't expect such a strong defensive summoning technique."
"Heh. Impressive." A smooth, amused voice rang out.
A tall, long-haired man emerged from the shadows, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation as he watched Sasuke. "To master Fire Release nature transformation at such a young age… As expected of the Uchiha."
Neither Naruto, Sasuke, nor Sakura were surprised.
Sasuke sneered. "So, one of the legendary Sannin? You're just a snake hiding in the dark, waiting until you're desperate to show yourself."
The once-dense forest around them was now barren, exposed to sunlight for the first time in years.
"Oh? You already figured out who I am? That's impressive." Orochimaru's slitted pupils gleamed dangerously. He saw through me this fast?
"Hehehe…" His voice slithered through the air like a serpent, sending a chill down Sakura's spine.
"Disgusting," she muttered, instinctively grabbing Naruto's sleeve and pulling him back.
Orochimaru's eyes twitched.
He turned back to Sasuke, his gaze filled with hunger. "This body… truly beautiful."
Sasuke stepped forward, eyes ablaze with determination. "Naruto, Sakura. Don't interfere. I need to see just how wide the gap is between me and him."
Orochimaru smirked, unfazed. "Oh? You think you're ready? Itachi was only thirteen when he wiped out your clan. You're almost there, aren't you?"
Sasuke's pupils burned red, his fully-formed Three Tomoe Sharingan spinning rapidly.
Orochimaru chuckled, licking his lips. "What a splendid gift."
The tension thickened.
Then, Orochimaru pulled out an Earth Scroll from his pouch.
"Defeat me, and you qualify."
Before anyone could react, he tilted his head back and swallowed the scroll whole.
Sakura's face twisted in horror. "Gross. Sasuke, you better get that scroll!"
"Tch, screw that! I'll beat him, you take the scroll!"
"No need to argue," Naruto interjected calmly. "That scroll was never swallowed."
Sasuke, Sakura, and Orochimaru all turned to him in surprise. In Naruto's hand, the same Earth Scroll materialized.
"Genjutsu?" Orochimaru muttered in shock.
For the first time in years, he had been caught in an illusion without even realizing it. His eyes flickered, and his interest in Naruto grew even deeper. This illusion is stronger than I expected...
Sasuke, shaking off the residual effects of Naruto's genjutsu, sneered. "Heh. Looks like you're just a senile snake after all."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Underestimating me? Bad idea."
Then—
A suffocating, dark aura burst forth from Orochimaru's body.
Sasuke's breath hitched. His muscles tensed as the oppressive killing intent pressed down on him, reminiscent of that moment months ago—when Zabuza and Kakashi had clashed on the bridge.
But this was far worse.
Sasuke gritted his teeth as his Sharingan spun wildly, his body slowly straightening despite the overwhelming force.
His voice was firm. "You want my body?"
He raised his chin defiantly. "Come and take it."