Gate 44 stood like a massive barrier of metal and barbed wire. Behind it, the Forest of Death stretched out like a green stain that seemed to devour the sunlight before it even reached the ground. The air outside the fence was filled with the nervous murmur of dozens of genin, but the silence emanating from the thicket on the other side was far more eloquent.
Anko Mitarashi stood atop the metal structure of the entrance with her legs spread and an expression of pure amusement. She waved a bundle of papers with one hand while the other rested on her hip.
"Listen up, maggots!" Anko shouted, causing silence to spread through the clearing. "Before we start with the real fun, I need everyone to sign this."
Naruto, standing next to Sasuke and Sakura, reached out to take one of the forms that an examiner began to distribute. "What is this for?"
Anko jumped from the top of the fence and landed noiselessly in front of him. "It is a consent form, blondie. Basically, if you die in there, Konoha is not to blame. You sign this and accept that your life is your own responsibility from the moment you cross that gate."
"Die?" Sakura took her paper with fingers that would not stay still. "Anko sensei, what is the mortality rate of this test?"
"Enough that we need these papers," Anko replied bluntly. "The forest has predators that have not eaten in weeks, poisonous plants, and of course, everyone sitting here around you who will want to kill you for what you are carrying."
Sasuke read the document quickly. He asked no questions. He pulled out a pen and signed with a sharp, direct stroke. "It is what we came here to do."
"That is the spirit," Anko said, giving Sasuke a slap on the back that made him take a step forward. "Now, pay attention to the rules because I am not going to repeat them."
The teams moved closer, forming a circle. Naruto noticed how Hinata, Ino, and Tenten positioned themselves with their respective teams at strategic points, maintaining the facade of rivalry but connected through the link he kept active.
"This exam is a battle for the scrolls," Anko explained, pointing to a nearby tent. "There are two types: the Heaven Scroll and the Earth Scroll. Each team will be given one at random. The goal is to reach the central tower with both."
"So, we have to steal a scroll from another team," Naruto summarized.
"Exactly. And you have five days to achieve it," Anko continued. "If you lose a teammate, the team is disqualified. If you do not reach the tower within the time limit, you are out. And most importantly: do not open the scrolls until you are inside the tower."
"What happens if we open them?" Sakura asked.
"You do not want to know. Let us just say the security mechanism is quite... explosive," the examiner replied with a lopsided smile.
"Explosive how?" Kiba insisted from his position. "Like a normal explosive tag?"
"Like the ones the ANBU use when they want to erase evidence," Anko said. "So, unless you want to blow into pieces along with half the forest, keep those scrolls closed until you reach the tower."
"Great," Shikamaru muttered. "Five days carrying a bomb in my pocket."
"It is not a bomb if you do not activate it, genius," Anko replied. "Next question."
"Is there any limit to what we can do to obtain the scroll?" Neji asked, his white eyes fixed on the examiner.
"Good question, Hyūga. The answer is no. You can use any method you want. Traps, ambushes, direct theft, intimidation, or torture if you feel creative. The only thing prohibited is killing someone from your own village, but even that has exceptions if you can justify it as self defense."
A nervous murmur ran through the group of genin. Anko smiled, clearly enjoying the tension.
"Any other smart questions or can I continue?"
No one raised their hand.
Anko moved away from the groups, letting the examiners finish collecting the signed forms. Her eyes scanned the participants with a sharpness that Naruto recognized as one of her tracking skills. She stopped at a specific group standing apart near the shadow of an old tree.
They were the genin from the Hidden Sound Village: Dosu, Zaku, and Kin. They stood still, observing the movements of others without saying a word. There was no nervousness in them, only a patience that Anko found suspicious.
Something in Dosu's posture triggered her detection ability. Her Snake Intuition pulsed in the back of her mind like a silent alarm. There are inconsistencies in their body language, Anko thought. The three from the Sound maintained a calm that was too perfect, too rehearsed. Their eyes moved in a synchronized manner, scanning the area with military precision.
"Kotetsu," Anko called softly to one of the jonin helping her.
"Yes?"
"What do we know about those three from the Sound?" Anko gestured with her chin toward Dosu and his team.
"Not much. It is their first time in the exam. Their records say they are specialists in sound and group tactics. They passed the first phase with perfect scores."
"Perfect scores?" Anko frowned. "In Ibiki's exam?"
"Yes. Not a single incorrect question."
Anko clenched her jaw. "I do not like how they move. They do not look like genin. They are looking at the Uchiha as if he were a piece of prey."
"Do you think they are dangerous?"
"They give me a bad feeling," Anko whispered, concentrating on the reading of micro expressions that her new skill provided. "They have devices on their arms that do not look like standard tools. And there is something else."
"What is it?"
"They are lying about something. I do not know exactly what, but when that Dosu guy presented his credentials, there was a change in his breathing. Small, almost imperceptible, but it was there."
Kotetsu looked toward the Sound team with more attention. "Do you want us to investigate further?"
"There is no time now. But tell the ANBU to watch the sectors near Gate 12. Naruto's team is going to enter through there, and I have a feeling those three are going after them."
"Why Naruto's team specifically?"
"Because Sasuke Uchiha is on that team. And if there is one thing I have learned in all my years as a ninja, it is that when someone looks at an Uchiha that way, they are not planning anything good."
Meanwhile, at different points along the perimeter of the forest, the jonin responsible for the teams were finishing taking their positions.
Kurenai was hidden among the foliage of a massive oak about a hundred meters from Gate 27. She had the radio in her ear, but her senses were focused on the chakra flow of her students.
"Sector 27 secured," Kurenai said over the communication channel.
"Sector 12 covered," Kakashi replied from the other side. "Naruto and his team just entered the tent to receive the scroll. They look ready."
"How is Sasuke?" Kurenai asked. "After what happened with Zabuza, I thought he would be more nervous."
"On the contrary," Kakashi said. "He is too calm. That worries me more."
"Asuma, how is Gate 20?" Kurenai asked.
"Shikamaru is complaining about the heat and Chōji is putting away his last bag of chips," Asuma replied with a calm tone. "Ino seems to be focused."
"The fire of youth will not go out in my team!" Guy shouted over the radio, making Kurenai have to move the earpiece away. "Neji and Lee are at Gate 4. We are ready to start."
"Guy, lower your voice," Kakashi said. "Remember that we only intervene if there is an external threat or if the exam spirals out of control. Hiruzen sama was very clear."
Back in front of the gate, the teams were starting to come out of the tent. Naruto walked with a firm step while Sasuke tucked a cylindrical object into his tactical pouch.
"Earth," Sasuke whispered as they approached Sakura.
"Good. Then we need a Heaven," Naruto replied.
They crossed paths with Hinata and her team. She gave him a quick look and a small nod. Through the link, Naruto could feel her determination and a bit of worry.
We are at Gate 27, Hinata's voice said in Naruto's mind. Kiba is anxious to let Akamaru loose.
Be careful out there, Naruto replied mentally. Ino, Tenten, are you ready?
Ready and bored of waiting, Ino said. Shikamaru will not stop saying this is a drag.
My seals are charged, Tenten added. Neji is analyzing the chakra flows of the nearby teams. He says there is a lot of hostility.
It is no wonder, Naruto said. See you at the tower. Do not risk more than necessary.
Same to you, Hinata replied. I felt something strange a moment ago. As if someone were watching us.
Did you see anything with the Byakugan?
No. That is why it worries me.
Anko climbed back onto the platform. The clock on the central tower began to chime, marking the exact start time. The atmosphere turned frigid. The genin positioned themselves in front of their assigned gates.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood in front of Gate 12. The examiner put his hand on the heavy metal lever. The mechanism creaked, releasing steam from the hydraulic pistons.
"Hey, Naruto," Sakura said suddenly. "What do you think is really in there?"
"Nothing we cannot handle," Naruto replied with a smile. "We are Team 7. We have faced worse things."
"Worse than a forest full of traps and teams that want to kill us?" Sakura asked skeptically.
"Worse than Zabuza and Haku," Sasuke said. "Compared to that, this should be simple."
"Do not underestimate this place," Sakura warned. "Anko sensei was not joking about the mortality rate."
"Listen well!" Anko shouted one last time. "You have five days. If you do not make it, do not come back. Open the gates!"
The fence in front of Naruto slid to the sides with a metallic roar. The Forest of Death opened before them, showing a darkness that seemed to swallow the daylight.
"Let's go!" Naruto ordered.
The three jumped inside, disappearing among the gigantic roots and ferns. Behind them, the gate slammed shut with a final sound, leaving the clearing in a deathly silence as the exam officially began.
*****
In the control tower, Anko watched the monitors intensely. Her fingers drummed against the metal surface of the console while her eyes followed the glowing dots representing the teams.
"The ones from the Sound just entered," one of the operators said. "Gate 15. They are moving fast toward the west sector."
"Where did Team 7 enter?" Anko asked.
"North sector, Gate 12. If the Sound team maintains that direction, they will cross paths."
"Expand the monitoring in that area. I want cameras on every tree if necessary."
"Yes, Anko san."
****
Meanwhile, the initial advance of Team 7 was fast. Naruto led the group, jumping from branch to branch with an agility that made the effect of his improved statistics clear. Sakura and Sasuke followed closely, maintaining a triangular formation that allowed them to cover all angles.
"This place is huge," Sakura said, observing the treetops that seemed to stretch to infinity. "How are we supposed to find another team here?"
"We do not have to find them," Sasuke replied. "They will find us."
"What do you mean?"
"We are Team 7 from Konoha. The team that defeated Zabuza Momochi. Everyone in this exam knows who we are. Some will want to test themselves against us, others will want to eliminate us before we become a greater threat."
"Sasuke is right," Naruto said. "That is why we need a plan. We cannot just run toward the tower hoping for the best."
"Naruto, stop," Sasuke said suddenly, landing on a thick trunk.
Naruto braked hard, grabbing onto an upper branch. "What is it?"
"We are being watched," Sasuke whispered, activating his Sharingan.
Sakura pulled out a kunai and pressed against Naruto's back. "I do not feel any human chakra nearby."
"That is the problem," Naruto said. "If it is not human, then it is something from the forest."
"Do you think it is one of those predators Anko sensei talked about?"
From the shadows of the treetops, huge yellow eyes opened. A giant snake, the size of a redwood trunk, began to slide toward them with terrifying slowness. Its scales scraped the bark of the trees with a hissing sound.
"It seems the welcome committee is not very friendly," Naruto commented, clenching his fists. "Sakura, stay in the center. Sasuke, take the right."
"Understood," both replied in unison.
The snake launched a lightning attack, projecting its head forward with the speed of an arrow. Naruto jumped upward, avoiding the fangs by centimeters, while Sasuke threw several shuriken that collided with the scales without causing much damage.
"It is too tough!" Sakura shouted, throwing an explosive tag that went off near the creature's eye.
The explosion made the snake writhe, hitting the trunk where they were standing. The entire tree shook, threatening to break.
"Attack the soft spots!" Naruto ordered as he launched into a free fall toward the head of the reptile. "The eyes, the mouth, under the scales!"
"Easier said than done!" Sakura replied, dodging another tail swipe that destroyed the branch where she was standing.
****
At another point in the forest, Hinata stopped abruptly, forcing Kiba and Shino to brake as well.
"What is it, Hinata?" Kiba asked, adjusting Akamaru inside his jacket.
"Wait..." she whispered. "There are teams moving toward us. Three o'clock, a hundred meters."
"Good." Kiba showed his teeth in a wild smile. "Akamaru, it is time to work."
The small dog barked and jumped from Kiba's coat, growing until he reached the size of a wolf. "How many are there, Hinata?"
"Three. They are wearing Rain headbands. They are moving fast but without coordination. They seem desperate."
"Desperate is dangerous," Shino said. "Desperate teams make mistakes, but they are also unpredictable."
"Then let us not give them a chance to think," Kiba said. "Hinata, you and Shino flank the sides. Akamaru and I will go head on."
*****
Ino, for her part, was dealing with a Shikamaru who refused to run any faster.
"Shikamaru, please! The other teams are moving fast," Ino said, looking back nervously.
"I know, Ino. But if we run like crazy, we will fall into their traps," Shikamaru replied calmly. "They are trying to make us tired. Chōji, prepare the formation."
"Understood," Chōji said, stopping his eating and becoming serious.
"Formation?" Ino asked. "What formation?"
"The one we practiced with Asuma sensei. Ino, you in the center. Chōji, frontal cover. I will handle the rear and strategy."
Ino nodded, taking a deep breath. "All right. I trust you."
"Good. Now slow down a little more. I want them to think we are exhausted."
*****
In the watchtower, Anko observed the monitors with a somber expression.
"What is it, Anko?" one of the examiners asked.
"Something is not right," she replied, staring at the screen showing the Gate 12 sector. "That Sound team... they have disappeared from the thermal sensors."
"How is that possible?"
"I do not know. But if those brats lay a hand on Naruto or Sasuke before I intervene, we are going to have a very serious problem."
Anko adjusted her gloves and walked toward the exit of the control tower.
"Where are you going?"
"To do my job," she replied. "Keep your eyes on the Grass team as well. There is a woman there I do not like at all."
"What is weird about her?"
"Everything. Her posture, her way of moving, the way she looks at the other participants. Something tells me she is lying about something important, but I cannot pinpoint what."
"Do you want us to stop her?"
"No. They have not broken any rules yet. But if I see her get too close to any of the Konoha teams, I am going to intervene personally."
******
Back in the confrontation with the snake, Naruto managed to land a punch charged with chakra on the side of the creature's head. The impact sounded like thunder and the snake fell heavily toward the forest floor, kicking up a cloud of dust and dead leaves.
"That should be enough for now," Naruto said, landing softly.
Sasuke climbed down from the tree, putting away his kunai. "It was too easy. The forest is trying to test us."
"Or maybe it was just the appetizer," Sakura said.
********
Author's Note:
Hi everyone! I want to apologize for the irregular updates lately. My degree exam is coming up next month and it has been an incredibly busy season for me. I'm very grateful to everyone following this story, especially those who read every chapter even if they don't leave a comment. Your time means a lot to me.
To stay organized, I'm starting a fixed posting schedule. From now on, I will post on Monday and Friday mornings. If I happen to miss a day, please understand that my exam preparation is taking up most of my time.
Also, I have 24 advanced chapters currently available on my
P @ t r e o n . com/shurazero
Thanks for reading!