Evening.
The first written exam had ended, and the candidates gradually streamed out of the examination hall. Kakashi and the other three were waiting at the academy gate.
"They're coming out," Kurenai pointed toward the entrance.
Team 7 emerged together. Naruto looked exhilarated, his face full of smug pride.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto waved enthusiastically from afar.
"Yo," Kakashi greeted them. "How did it go?"
"We passed, obviously!" Naruto bragged. "It was all thanks to me that our team cleared the first exam!"
"You?" Sasuke said coldly. "Weren't you just spacing out the entire time because you couldn't answer anything?"
"What?!" Naruto bristled. "I was thinking! Deep thinking!"
"Thinking about sleeping?" Sasuke sneered.
"What did you say, you arrogant jerk?!"
"Dead last."
"You bastard!"
The two immediately started arguing again. Sakura sighed helplessly. "You two, honestly…"
Kakashi chuckled. "Sounds like it went smoothly."
At the same time, Might Guy spotted his own team.
"Lee! Neji! Tenten!"
"Guy-sensei!" Rock Lee dashed over, burning with passion. "We passed the first round!"
"Excellent! Just as expected of my students!" Guy gave a thumbs-up, his smile sparkling. "Long live youth!"
"Long live youth!" Lee echoed loudly.
The two embraced dramatically, an intense aura flaring around them, making everyone nearby instinctively step back.
Kurenai Yūhi and Asuma Sarutobi also found their teams.
"Good work," Kurenai said gently.
"Kurenai-sensei…" Hyūga Hinata replied softly.
Asuma took a drag from his cigarette. "So, Shikamaru, how was it?"
"What a drag…" Nara Shikamaru muttered. "But yeah, we passed."
Kakashi turned to Team 7. "Get a good rest today. Tomorrow is the second exam."
"Yes!" the three answered in unison. Naruto and Sasuke were still glaring at each other, with Sakura awkwardly wedged between them.
Kakashi shook his head with a faint smile. "Let's go. I'll treat you to ramen."
"Seriously?!" Naruto's eyes lit up. "That's the best!"
"But—" Kakashi glanced at Naruto and Sasuke. "Can you two stop fighting for once?"
"Hmph." They both turned away at the same time.
Kakashi sighed. These kids…
---
Early the next morning.
Kakashi woke up early and called for Haku.
"Haku, go tell Team 7 to assemble."
"Yes, teacher."
Not long after, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at Kakashi's place.
"Sensei, calling us this early…" Naruto yawned.
"There's something important," Kakashi said seriously. The three immediately became alert.
"Today is the second exam," Kakashi continued. "It will take place in the Forest of Death."
"That area is extremely dangerous."
"There are ferocious beasts, poisonous creatures, and shinobi from other villages."
"And…" Kakashi paused. "There may also be unexpected situations."
"Unexpected?" Sakura asked, puzzled.
Kakashi didn't elaborate. He took out a scroll and handed it to Sakura. "This is a Summoning Scroll."
Sakura accepted it, sensing a strange fluctuation of chakra from within.
"A Summoning Scroll?" Sasuke frowned. "But we haven't learned the Summoning Jutsu."
"You won't need to," Kakashi said. "This is an emergency-use scroll."
"As long as you tear it open, it will activate automatically."
"Sakura, you keep it."
"If you encounter a life-threatening situation or an enemy you absolutely can't handle…"
Kakashi looked at them gravely. "Use it immediately."
"I'll come as fast as I can."
The three froze.
"Sensei…" Naruto asked quietly. "Is it really that dangerous?"
Kakashi was silent for a moment. "I hope you won't need it."
"But it's better to be prepared."
Sakura clenched the scroll tightly. "I understand, sensei."
"Good," Kakashi nodded. "Remember—protect yourselves, and protect each other."
"If things get dangerous, don't try to play the hero."
"Yes!" they answered together.
Kakashi patted their shoulders. "Go. Good luck."
---
At the entrance to the Forest of Death.
Anko Mitarashi stood atop a platform, casually licking a dango.
"Welcome, everyone, to the second exam!"
"The Forest of Death!"
She spread her arms wide, pointing toward the ominous forest behind her.
"There are savage beasts, poisonous insects, traps—every kind of danger you can imagine!"
"And…" Anko grinned wickedly. "Other ninja."
"The rules are simple!"
"Each team must obtain one Heaven Scroll and one Earth Scroll."
"Within five days, collect both and reach the central tower!"
"Of course…" She licked her lips. "People may die while stealing scrolls."
"So if you're afraid of dying, quit now!"
No one stepped back.
"Very good!" Anko nodded in satisfaction. "Sign the liability waiver!"
"If anything happens, don't blame Konoha!"
After signing, Team 7 received a Heaven Scroll.
"Alright!" Naruto clenched his fist. "Let's get that Earth Scroll!"
"Calm down, dead last," Sasuke said. "Observe first."
Sakura touched the scroll hidden in her clothes. "I really hope I won't need to use it…"
"To your positions!" Anko shouted.
"The exam… begins!"
Boom!
Teams surged into the forest all at once.
---
Deep within the Forest of Death.
Team 7 moved cautiously through the trees.
"Someone's following us," Sasuke said quietly, his Sharingan spinning with two tomoe.
"How many?" Sakura asked.
"Just one," Sasuke frowned. "But the chakra feels… strange."
"If it's only one, let's take them out first!" Naruto said eagerly.
Suddenly, an overwhelming killing intent flooded the area.
Boom—!
It was far more terrifying than Zabuza's—like standing in a mountain of corpses, a sea of blood, with countless screaming souls.
"Ugh…" Naruto went pale, his body trembling.
Sakura felt cold sweat break out across her forehead.
Sasuke clenched his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright as his Sharingan spun wildly.
"This killing intent… it's even stronger than Zabuza's…"
"Hehehe…"
A sinister laugh echoed through the forest.
A shinobi wearing an Amegakure headband dropped down from a tree. A bamboo hat concealed most of his face, revealing only his chin.
"Not bad," the raspy voice said. "You can still stand under my killing intent."
"Who… who are you?!" Naruto demanded.
"That's not important," the Rain ninja said, licking his lips. "What matters is this…"
"Hand over the scroll."
"Or die here."
Sasuke took a deep breath, suppressing his fear. Their experience in the Land of Waves had tempered them—but this presence was on another level.
"We won't give it up so easily!"
Blue-white lightning suddenly spread across Sasuke's body.
Lightning Release: Chakra Enhancement activated.
Zzzzt—
His speed surged instantly.
"Oh?" The Rain ninja's eyes gleamed. "Lightning Release body enhancement? Interesting."
A Konoha brat using a technique like this…
Sasuke moved like a flash of lightning.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball roared forward.
"Sakura!" Naruto shouted.
"Got it!"
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
Fog spread rapidly, obscuring vision.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Hundreds of Naruto clones surrounded the enemy from all directions.
"Good teamwork," the Rain ninja said calmly. "But…"
"Too weak."
He formed a seal with one hand.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A violent gale blasted through the area, dispersing the mist, extinguishing the fireball, and wiping out the shadow clones in an instant.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The clones vanished one after another.
"What?!" Naruto stared in disbelief. "All of them… at once?!"
Using his enhanced speed, Sasuke attacked from the side, kunai aimed straight for the vital point.
"Nice speed."
The Rain ninja's neck twisted at an impossible angle, dodging the strike before slamming his palm forward.
Bang!
Sasuke was sent flying, crashing into a tree.
"Ugh…!" He spat out blood.
"Sasuke!" Sakura cried out.
"Don't lose focus."
The Rain ninja suddenly appeared right in front of her.
"When did he—?!"
He struck toward Sakura, but at that instant—
"Rasengan!"
Naruto burst in from the side, slamming the spinning chakra sphere forward.
"Hm?!"
The Rain ninja leapt back just in time.
Boom!
The Rasengan smashed into the ground, blasting out a massive crater.
"Interesting…" the Rain ninja murmured. "The Fourth Hokage's Rasengan, huh."
Sasuke forced himself upright, wiping the blood from his mouth.
"This guy… he's way too strong."
"But…"
He met Naruto's gaze. Naruto nodded.
"Together!"
Lightning crackled in Sasuke's right hand.
Chirp—chirp—chirp—
The piercing sound of electricity filled the air.
"Chidori!"
"What?!" The Rain ninja's pupils shrank. "Chidori?!"
"A Genin who can use both Rasengan and Chidori…"
His excitement only grew.
"Fascinating… truly fascinating!"
"This generation of Konoha has promise!"
Naruto and Sasuke charged simultaneously, Rasengan and Chidori striking from both sides.
"Come!" the Rain ninja spread his arms. "Show me!"
The two attacks converged—
"Not bad… but still not enough."
The Rain ninja's neck stretched unnaturally, twisting like a snake. Both attacks narrowly missed.
"What?!" Naruto and Sasuke stared in shock.
"What kind of body is that?!"
The elongated neck coiled around them, restraining both.
"Hehehe… surprised?"
"This is the power of the snake."
He looked at Sasuke with interest.
"Especially you… Uchiha brat."
"Sharingan and Chidori—an excellent combination."
"But—"
A snake burst from his mouth, lunging toward Sasuke's neck.
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke struggled, unable to move.
Just as the fangs were about to sink in—
"Genjutsu: Tree Binding Illusion!"
Sakura's genjutsu activated, freezing the Rain ninja for a split second.
It was enough.
Lightning surged from Sasuke's body as he forced another burst of chakra. The shock loosened the bind, and both of them broke free.
"Excellent timing," the Rain ninja said approvingly.
"But…"
He stretched his neck again, smiling.
"Your chakra is almost gone, isn't it?"