Reunion
Despite Mitarai Anko's ominous warning, the Genin candidates in attendance showed little concern.
Those too weak-willed had already abandoned the Chunin Exams, and the remaining shinobi were no strangers to battle. Their hands had been stained with the blood of enemy ninjas, and they had come to understand the brutal reality of the shinobi world.
After scanning the gathered Genin, Anko smirked and began explaining the rules of the second exam: the battle for the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. Each team would receive one of two scroll types—Heaven or Earth. To advance to the next phase, a team needed to collect both scrolls and reach the tower at the center of the Forest of Death within five days. This exam would test teamwork, survival skills, and combat prowess.
As the briefing concluded, Sasuke Uchiha returned to Team 7's side. His gaze, however, lingered on Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga.
Unlike most of the other candidates, Sasuke had a personal stake in this exam. He had made a deal with Kakashi Hatake—if he became a Chunin, Kakashi would tell him more about Itachi Uchiha and the massacre of the Uchiha clan. Sasuke had initially considered his success a certainty.
But reality had other plans.
First, a panda-eyed Genin (Rock Lee) had nearly matched him in combat. Then, two kunoichi—one with the ability to heal wounds instantaneously and another wielding Ice Release—had emerged, making him question whether Kekkei Genkai were truly as rare as people claimed.
Yet what disturbed him most was the presence of a shinobi from Uzushiogakure—a boy who spoke casually with Hinata. Sasuke couldn't gauge his strength at all, and that uncertainty gnawed at him.
The second exam began, and Team 7—Sasuke, Sakura Haruno, and Sai—entered the Forest of Death. They moved swiftly through the humid jungle for about ten minutes before perching on a tree branch to strategize.
This forest, a restricted area of Konoha, teemed with deadly creatures, some as dangerous as trained shinobi. But the true threat came from rival teams. To pass, they had to either steal a scroll or set an ambush near the tower.
After a brief discussion, they weighed two approaches:
1. Actively hunt down other teams and steal the missing scroll.
2. Reach the central tower first and ambush teams as they arrived.
Sasuke preferred the second option, but at Sakura and Sai's insistence, they chose the first. Sasuke wanted to test the strength of the Uzushio shinobi.
Activating his Sharingan, Sasuke led the team through the jungle toward the Uzumaki squad's direction.
Before they could reach their target, an Oto (Sound) ninja team intercepted them.
Recognizing Sasuke, the Oto-nin smirked. Orochimaru had ordered them to capture him alive.
Sasuke wasted no time, unsheathing his kunai. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
A massive fireball erupted from his mouth, distorting the air as it roared toward the enemy.
One of the Oto-nin raised a palm—a burst of air pressure negated the flames. The other two unleashed attacks: one using sound waves as cutting blades, the other sending out an illusory frequency that distorted perception.
Using genjutsu against the Sharingan?
Sasuke smirked. His crimson eyes pulsed as he reversed the illusion, trapping the enemy instead. In a flash, he disappeared—his Chidori-infused blade slicing into the entranced shinobi.
Sakura and Sai had already flanked the remaining Oto-nin, swiftly incapacitating them.
After looting kunai, ration pills, and explosive tags, Sakura's eyes lit up as she found a scroll.
"Sasuke! We got an Earth Scroll! We just need to reach the tower now!"
Sasuke ignored her, his senses heightened. He turned to Sai.
"Do you feel that bloodlust?"
Sai stiffened. His gaze darted to the dense foliage ahead. "You're right. Someone's watching us… and they're getting closer."
Before they could react, a white-haired Oto-nin wearing a shimenawa rope stepped forward.
Despite his deathly pale skin, his eyes radiated raw menace. As he advanced, bones began protruding from his flesh.
---
Elsewhere in the Forest of Death…
Not far away, Naruto and Hinata's team moved leisurely toward the central tower.
While other squads clashed for scrolls, they appeared to be on a casual outing rather than participating in a life-or-death exam.
Naruto sipped a frozen milk tea, a gift from Bai Yongxue Jijie, while discussing picnic spots with Hinata. When they settled on a location for lunch, Hinata nodded shyly.
Watching this scene, their teammates—Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame—could only sigh.
Since they all carried a Heaven Scroll, there was no urgency. Besides, neither Kiba nor Shino dared to provoke Naruto, whose presence was… unsettling.
Seated on a boulder, Hinata hesitated before asking, "What should I call you now?"
Naruto passed her the milk tea, his eyes scanning the distant treetops.
"Just call me Menma. I don't want to use my real name for now. People in this village don't welcome Uzumaki Naruto."
Hinata lowered her gaze.
She then produced a bone blade and whispered, "Menma… is this a gift from you?"
Naruto glanced at the weapon. "That's the Kaguya Clan's ability. The Hyuga bloodline already contains traces of Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse). I just helped you awaken it. With this power, at least no one can bully you again."
Hinata's voice softened. "Was it because I was too weak… that you didn't take me with you years ago?"
She kicked her feet idly, her Byakugan-trained eyes studying Naruto, searching for answers. She had once thought he was too weak to protect her—but now, she realized… he had always been protecting her from afar.
Naruto was silent for a long moment.
"You're different from me. I had nothing tying me to Konoha. But you… you still have your family here. If you disappeared, a lot of people would worry about you."
Hinata's grip on the bone blade tightened. "I worried about you too… but no one, not my father, not even Kakashi-sensei, could tell me where you went…"
Then, she hesitated. "Naruto… how long will you stay in the village this time?"
Naruto's expression darkened.
He stood up, staring into the distance. "Separation is just the prelude to reunion."
His eyes sharpened.
"Sasuke is in trouble. Let's go."
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