Chapter 27 – Trials in the Forest
Team 8 moved silently as they entered the infamous Forest of Death. The air was thick and humid, and the massive trees blocked most of the sunlight, creating an eerie atmosphere. At the front, Hinata Hyuga ran lightly across the branches with her Byakugan activated, scanning everything around her.
"I see a team fifteen kilometers ahead," she reported calmly. "Three genin… they're moving cautiously."
Behind her, Kiba Inuzuka grinned confidently, clearly excited for the fight.
"Perfect," he said. "Let's take their scroll."
Shino Aburame adjusted his glasses slightly, his tone as composed as ever.
"An ambush would be the most efficient approach."
A few minutes later, Team 8 reached their target and struck from the shadows with perfect coordination. The opposing team barely had time to react before being overwhelmed completely.
Within moments, all three enemy genin were unconscious on the ground.
Kiba caught the scroll they had taken.
"Good," he said with a grin. "It's an Earth Scroll. Now we have both scrolls. We can head to the central tower and pass."
Shino stored the scroll calmly.
"Or," he said quietly, "we could reduce the number of participants by collecting more scrolls."
Hinata scanned the forest again, her Byakugan extending far beyond normal perception.
"I've spotted another team," she said. "About twelve kilometers east."
Kiba cracked his knuckles eagerly.
"Then let's go."
---
On the other side of the forest, Team 10 was also on the hunt.
Ino Yamanaka led confidently, her sensory abilities guiding the team. She suddenly stopped, her expression sharpening.
"There's a team ahead," she said. "Prepare for combat."
Before Choji Akimichi or Shikamaru Nara could respond, Ino had already dashed forward using Body Flicker.
By the time the two boys arrived, the fight was already over.
Three unconscious ninja lay on the ground, and Ino stood over them holding a scroll.
She tossed it toward them in irritation.
"Damn it!" she snapped. "It's an Earth Scroll. We need a Heaven Scroll."
She crossed her arms and glared at them.
"And why are you two so slow?"
Choji scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"You're just too fast, Ino."
Shikamaru sighed deeply, clearly exhausted already.
"Blondes are troublesome."
Ino huffed loudly and turned away.
"Stop complaining and help me find another team."
---
Meanwhile, Team 7 had encountered something far more dangerous.
A massive serpent crashed through the forest, attacking them with overwhelming force. The ground trembled under its weight as it lunged forward.
Sakura Haruno stepped forward without hesitation.
"Hah!"
She slammed her fist into the snake using her Monster Strength Jutsu, instantly obliterating the massive summon in an explosion of force.
The disguised Grass kunoichi laughed softly.
"Fufufu… truly worthy of being Tsunade's disciple."
Naruto Uzumaki immediately formed hand signs.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Hand over the scroll!" he shouted as he charged recklessly.
"Naruto, don't!" Sakura yelled, but he was already attacking.
Sasuke Uchiha followed right behind him, equally determined.
Sakura clenched her teeth in frustration.
"Idiots…"
She quickly took out a Flying Thunder God–marked kunai and sent a chakra signal through it before dashing after them.
The enemy dismantled Naruto's clones and deflected Sasuke's shuriken effortlessly.
"Fufufufu… you all still need more training," the kunoichi mocked. "You're pathetically weak."
Sakura's eyes hardened.
Her Eclipse Seal activated instantly.
Dark markings spread from her forehead across her body as her chakra surged.
"Hah!"
She slammed her fist toward the enemy.
The kunoichi dodged, but the ground where Sakura struck exploded, forming a massive crater.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Byakugō Seal? No… this is different," he muttered. "Tsunade improved it… and this girl learned it?"
Before he could continue—
"Yo, Orochimaru… bullying my wife?"
A calm, lazy voice echoed through the forest.
Orochimaru vanished using Shunshin, narrowly dodging a spinning sphere of chakra that tore through the trees behind him.
"Rasengan?"
He turned toward the source.
Standing there was Ren.
"Fufufu… you must be Tsunade's so-called little brother," Orochimaru said. "Ren-kun, right?"
Ren grinned casually.
"Well, didn't expect you to have the guts to come to Konoha while my big sister is still around."
Orochimaru laughed softly.
"I merely came to meet the last Uchiha."
Ren blinked innocently.
"Well, technically he's not the last," he said casually. "There's still Itachi Uchiha."
Naruto groaned, still catching his breath.
"Damn… why is she so strong?"
Sasuke stared intensely at the enemy.
"I don't know you," he said coldly. "Who are you?"
Ren and Sakura stood near them, both alert.
Sakura deactivated her Eclipse Seal but remained ready to strike at any moment. She knew her limits—this wasn't a fight she should recklessly enter while Ren was present.
Orochimaru smiled slowly.
"Well… how about you give me some face and leave, Orochimaru-san?" Ren said casually.
Orochimaru shook his head.
"Sorry, kid. I can't leave without him."
He pointed directly at Sasuke.
"Sasuke… do you desire power?" he asked, his voice turning seductive. "The power to kill Itachi?"
Silence fell.
Ren didn't interrupt.
He simply watched Sasuke closely, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
What choice would Sasuke Uchiha make?