Chapter 19 – The Forest of Death
The written exam of the Chunin Exams passed without anything particularly special. Ibiki's psychological tricks still eliminated many participants, as several genin gave up under pressure.
However, without Naruto standing up and shouting dramatically, fewer teams dropped out compared to usual.
After the test ended, the remaining candidates waited quietly.
Suddenly—
The window shattered.
Glass scattered across the room as Anko Mitarashi burst inside with a wide, excited grin. Her presence immediately shifted the atmosphere.
"I'm Anko Mitarashi, your proctor for the second exam!"
She looked around at the remaining teams with sharp eyes.
"Tomorrow, you'll all come to the Forest of Death for the next round."
---
The next day, Naruto stood in front of the massive gates of the Forest of Death alongside the other teams who had passed. The air felt heavy, filled with tension and anticipation.
Unlike the written test, this stage would be truly dangerous.
Naruto's thoughts were elsewhere.
Should I let Sasuke get the Curse Mark?
He frowned slightly.
If Sasuke received it, he would become stronger faster. It might even push him toward leaving Konoha, which would accelerate his growth.
Naruto felt conflicted.
Before he could think further, Anko arrived and began explaining the rules of the second exam. The candidates listened carefully as she described the scroll system and survival conditions.
As she spoke, her eyes suddenly caught Naruto's distracted expression.
Without warning, she flicked a kunai toward him.
Naruto moved instantly.
Without even looking, he tilted his head slightly, dodging the kunai. At the same time, he thrust his own kunai toward his right side.
Anko appeared there using the Body Flicker Technique.
She was forced to jump back in surprise.
Naruto finally looked at her with mild annoyance.
"Are you done playing?"
His tone was flat.
"Start the exam already."
Anko coughed awkwardly, slightly embarrassed.
"Ahem… all teams will enter through different gates."
She pointed toward the forest.
"Now move!"
---
Each team followed their assigned examiner toward separate entrances.
As Naruto walked, he felt a gaze on him.
He glanced slightly and saw a Grass Village kunoichi staring at him with unusual interest. Her long tongue flicked out slightly, giving her a strange, almost serpentine appearance.
"The Fourth's legacy… how interesting."
Naruto's expression remained calm, but internally he grimaced.
Damn snake bastard looks even more disgusting in real life.
---
Soon, Team 7 arrived at their assigned gate.
The atmosphere grew tense as the signal was given.
"Begin!"
All teams entered the Forest of Death at once.
Team 7 immediately began moving at high speed through the dense forest. The towering trees and thick shadows made the environment feel suffocating.
Sakura glanced at Naruto and Sasuke.
"So where are we going?"
Naruto answered calmly without slowing down.
"Straight to the center."
He continued explaining.
"We'll camp near the checkpoint tower. Anyone who reaches there must have both scrolls."
Sasuke nodded.
"Fine."
Sakura also agreed.
"That's actually a smart strategy."
Suddenly—
A massive bear lunged at them from the side.
Team 7 reacted instantly.
Sasuke threw kunai attached to wires, restricting the beast's movement. Sakura formed hand seals, and her hair extended outward, binding the bear tightly.
Naruto stepped forward.
With a single swift motion, he infused wind chakra into his kunai and beheaded the creature.
The attack was clean and precise.
Naruto sealed the body into a storage scroll without hesitation.
Within minutes, they moved on.
The area looked completely undisturbed, as if nothing had happened.
Naruto glanced at his teammates.
"Our teamwork is getting better."
They were finally starting to act like real ninja.
---
Meanwhile, several of Naruto's shadow clones had already split off in different directions.
The moment the bear attacked, Naruto had secretly created clones.
Most of them were moving rapidly toward Orochimaru's location.
One clone headed toward the Grass Village team.
---
Elsewhere, Team 8 had already encountered and defeated a Sound Village team.
With Hinata's Byakugan, locating enemies and exploiting blind spots had become effortless.
"Whahaha! We're going to finish this exam first!"
Kiba laughed loudly.
"With Hinata's Byakugan, this test is super easy!"
Hinata smiled softly.
"Let's head to the central tower."
Her voice was calm.
"There's no need to fight more than necessary."
Shino adjusted his glasses.
"That is a logical decision."
The team immediately moved toward the tower.
---
Team 10 had also completed their scroll collection.
With Ino's abilities, locating and disabling enemies had become extremely efficient.
"Alright, boys!"
Ino pointed forward confidently.
"To the central tower. I'm not losing to Hinata."
She ran ahead without hesitation.
Choji followed while eating, and Shikamaru trailed behind lazily.
Shikamaru glanced back briefly.
The defeated Kumo team lay on the ground behind them.
Their faces were frozen in expressions of pure terror, as if they had witnessed something horrifying.
Shikamaru shuddered slightly.
He made a mental note.
Never… ever… make Ino angry.
---
Within just a few hours, both Team 8 and Team 10 had already secured their Heaven and Earth scrolls.
They were now heading straight toward the central tower.
---
Meanwhile, Team Guy moved swiftly through the forest.
Rock Lee ran ahead energetically, while Tenten followed behind.
Tenten glanced at Neji.
"You didn't even say hello to Hinata."
Neji's expression remained cold.
"Why should I?"
Tenten sighed and decided not to interfere in Hyuga family matters.
Lee, however, was full of energy.
"Let's go! I want to meet Sakura-san!"
Neji and Tenten both twitched slightly.
Lee had already fought Sasuke before the first exam.
He had overwhelmed him using Leaf Whirlwind, Leaf Hurricane, and even the Lion Combo.
Only Might Guy had stopped the fight before it escalated further.
Lee clenched his fists with determination.
"I will defeat the genius of the Uchiha clan!"
His eyes sparkled dramatically.
"And win Sakura-san's heart!"
He began imagining Sakura clinging to him affectionately.
Tenten immediately smacked him on the head.
"That's not how you win a girl's heart."
Lee froze for a moment.
Then he nodded seriously, as if he had learned something important.