Thanks for the reviews. I did a chapter cover page for chapter 4 located on my profile. It's the last picture. I hope you like. It won't let me put the actually website for some reason. I'm going to do that for all my chapters like in Naruto Manga.
Chapter 4-Lambs and Wolves!
The fog was fairly thick outside the harbor of Edo. Four shipment boats were on the dock ready for unloading. The dock crew was from three different villages that were already out unloading the cargo onto wooden wagons, prepared to take back to their village. One of the dock crew was from Oushiza companied by Team 8, who was waiting for the cargo to be loaded.
"Be careful with the new shipment. We can't afford for the crates to be broken!" A man named Gouga says on top of another eight foot high crate from the ground, looking up above at the cargo being unloaded off a ship.
"This is boring. No wonder why they get attacked because they practically give their enemy all the time in the world to devise a plan." Kiba says leaning on Akamaru as his white dog was lying down on the ground in boredom. Akamaru just barks at his comment thinking he was right as he looked around getting an unsettling feeling in his gut. His animal instinct was telling him there was something about to happen on this escort mission.
"Kiba, there moving as fast as they can. Please be patient." Hinata said having a worried feeling too like Akamaru of this mysterious fog that appeared out of the blue.
"Sure, sure," Kiba shrugs it off but look above him. Although he couldn't see through the dense fog, he knew daylight was running out for them. "We need to hurry this up and get back to the village," He looked to his left. "That Tetu-what you call it forest looks creeper every time I look at it."
"Hinata, is their any people live in that forest?" Shino asked her watching the forest from a distance, thinking the enemy must have some affiliation with the forest. He also felt that the head villager of Oushiza was keeping something a secret from them, another thing that made him on edge about this mission.
Hinata thought about his question unsure of a clan living in the forest. If they were, the higher shinobis in Konoha didn't want anybody to know.
"No not really." Hinata finally responded back.
"Like it matters," Kiba said in his cocky attitude. "Where here so the shipment will be smooth sailing. Right Akamaru?" He gives him a grin as his large white dog barks back in agreement.
"Hey I thought you guys were protecting our cargo. Stop yapping and come on!" Gouga shouts out at them. The cargo was already finished loading onto the wagons ready to head back to Oushiza as they were about to leave Team 8 behind.
"Hmph. This guy. So annoying." An evil glare glances at Gouga as Kiba hated that guy's attitude since he met him.
A fly lands on Shino finger as his eyes wonder in the distance looking at a tree almost unseen by the dense fog. So I see.
"This forest doesn't look scary." Nezumi says near the main entrance gate to the Forest of Death.
The twenty team that passed the first test was standing at the two gates of the deadly forest. Among them, the group concealing themselves in the back was Jishin Genins as they were scoping out the competition that was still left in the test. Kuma already had his sites on Sasuke as Sasuke had his arms folded waiting for the test to commence.
"That cocky bastard, we should kill him first thinking he's high and mighty because of that curse mark." Kuma mumbles under his breath but a devilish grin forms on his face after, licking his lips in anticipation of the next test. Soul stealing is my specialty. Heh Heh!
"Kuma," Syukumei calls his name grabbing his attention. "We are here to give the people coming to watch us see a show…demonstrate our village power. Keeping the best alive will show our neighboring countries to watch where they attack next time, even if they are our allied nations. Just because were allies doesn't mean they won't attack us."
Syukumei eyes glance towards Sakoto. "Sakoto tell us who should proceed to the third test."
Sakoto nods her head to her command and puts her index finger between her eyes to concentrate her chakra. Hidden behind her bandages her eyes glow red.
Sasuke felt a rush of chakra in the air as his left arm start to react all of sudden. He grabbed hold of it and quickly scans the area of why it was reacting.
"So it seems this curse mark knows something I don't know," Sasuke gazed his eyes towards the Jishin Genins watching their emotionless expressions as they were watching him in return like a hawk. I hate there eyes.
Anko takes her place in front of the Genins and clear her throat.
"The second test will be taken place in the The Forest of Death. But before we begin," She pulls out a pill of papers from inside her jacket and then show one piece of paper to the young Genins. "You must sign a consent form…," She smiles at them. "To hold us not responsible if you die."
"Why is she smiling about that?" Hanabi said not liking this woman's personality. Her two team members also watch the overjoyed woman and agreed with Hanabi's comment.
"Before you sign them I will explain the rules about the second test." Anko hands the papers to Hanabi as she takes one and passes them around.
"The second test is a survival test. The Forest of Death is surrounded by forty-four lock gates were each team will have a gate to start from. You will be placed with one scroll," Anko shows them. "A Heaven or Earth scroll. To finish the second test you must acquire both scrolls by the end of the fifth day and bring it to the Tower located in the middle of the forest. Ten teams will have the Earth scroll and the other ten will have Heaven scroll. Like I said before the number of teams will be cut in half."
Five days… Hanabi eyed the Jishin Genins…Will be lucky to survive the first night.
"This is a survival test meaning any ninja arts can be used," Anko continues. "That's why you're signing the consent forms because you may die or probably will die in this test. This test is to show how well you can transfer classified documents without looking inside of them. But…" Anko gives a serious look. "…If you open the scrolls…Let's just say you will fall easy prey to the hungry animals in the forest."
All the Genins give her a shock look except for Naruto and Sasuke who smirks, already understanding the rules of the test and the consequences if one decides to open the scrolls.
"Without further ado, I will explain the rules much clearer so you can not be disqualified during the exam," Anko says, "If you fail to reach the Tower in time, without having a three member cell and without both scrolls…You are disqualified. Same goes with death or sever injury in the team. No team is permitted to leave the forest when the time is up and I will repeat again…Do Not Open The Scrolls. Don't do those things and you will proceed to the third test. Now let's get this started. Each team will go to the booth and hand in their consent forms for a scroll. Choose a gate you want and wait for the test to commence."
Naruto smiles and start to laugh.
"Don't worry Nezumi, with us here this test is a piece of cake. Heh Heh!" Naruto doesn't here a word from the little Yamagata. He turns around not seeing her anywhere with a confused expression, scratching his head where she went.
Where she go this time? Sasuke asked himself looking around for her too.
"This forest is not that scary? I've seen worse." Nezumi says with her hands behind her head, relaxed.
Naruto and Sasuke mouth drop in shock talking to the Jishin Genins again.
"Nezumi, what team are you really on!" Naruto clinches his teeth together with frustration but pause when he caught the eyes of Syukumei from his overreaction. She gives him a smile as Naruto blush. She's smiling at me?
"That boy doesn't know what's about to happen. Better hope he can run as fast as a wolf." Anko smiles.
Team 7 finally grabs their scroll and start at gate 22 as the other Genins do the same thing, picking their own gates to start from.
"Yosh!" Naruto cracks his knuckles of can't wait for the second test to begin. "Flying colors all the way!"
Naruto gets excited too much but I can see why and I can't help myself as well. Sasuke thought and eyes his left arm as the curse mark was concealed under his dark blue jacket. He can tell it was reacting to his excitement. The Genins from Jishin village really caught his interest and hope he runs into them.
"Finally the game begins." Kuma says smiling with Washi and Sakoto as his original team members starting at gate 15.
"These kids have no idea!" Nikato grins devilishly as her blood starts to boil. Syukumei and Narashi were behind her eyeing the forest, less blood thirsty as she was.
Anko looked at her watch as it says 3pm. "Alright. The second part of the Chuunin Exam will begin…NOW!!"
The chains were cut off the gates by the proctors and the Genins race off in the forest quickly, anxious for the fight that awaits them.
Naruto, Sasuke and Nezumi runs through the forest not wasting anytime to find the Heaven scroll they need to pass the second test.
"Naruto!" Sasuke calls his name to get his attention being in front of the team. "We have to find the scroll we need and get to the Tower as quickly as possible. No time for play."
"I already understand that but…" Naruto smiles, "Something about this test is getting me excited. It's hard to ignore it."
"Sasuke's right," Nezumi says in a calm voice as her different color grey and green eyes focused into the distance in the forest. "We have to find the scroll we need and hurry towards the Tower. If we linger too much…Fangs of wolves will find us."
Naruto and Sasuke give her an odd look of never hearing Nezumi speak in an intellectual way. It was as if it wasn't her speaking at all. And it kind of scared them. Nezumi turned to look at them seeing their baffled expression and gives them her normal cheerful smile.
"But getting the scroll will be easy for us. Hehe!" Nezumi gave a peace sign as her voice turned back to her original talking voice.
"Yep!" Naruto says back already forgetting that awkward moment.
Sasuke kept his eye on Nezumi thinking of her last words. Something hits him.
Flashback
"Nezumi will not join." Naruto protest.
Fuchicho gives them a little chuckle and touches Naruto's left cheek as Naruto was stuck in a seductive trace by her brown eyes.
"Your so cute Naruto, Nezumi is their so the wolves won't eat you," Fuchicho started to walk out leaving Naruto dumbfounded and waves goodbye to them. "Later boys."
---
"If we linger too much…Fangs of wolves will find us." Nezumi says.
Flashback ends
Now I see. Sasuke thought. That woman…I couldn't put my finger on it before but Nezumi is here to play a role for us to pass the second test. If my hunches are correct, staying away from the Jishin Shinobis is our best option. Though I want to fight them, but for Nezumi's safety, it's best to find the Heaven scroll and run to the Tower. Something is going to happen.
Rushing through the forest, Hanabi and her team was wasting no time either to acquire the scroll they need. Although Hanabi was more on edge then her other team members of not liking this situation at all.
"Akio, Kuri, we must hurry before nightfall to acquire the Earth scroll," Hanabi says, "Because of our young age, we are their biggest target."
"Process of elimination, right?" Akio tells her.
"Yes. Let's hope the other nineteen teams will keep them occupied right after we snatch one of the scrolls." Hanabi tells them jumping off of a tree and change direction to go another way.
On a bench outside the Administration office, Fushicho was eating a rice ball admiring the clouds. Just watching the continuous moving clouds made outside peaceful to her as she smiled. She chuckled to herself remembering Tori constant daydreaming and the reason she scolded her for it.
Fushicho heard a noise behind her that put her on alert to attack. She smelled the air then relaxed her body.
"Sakura, how is the test going for Naruto and the others?" Fuchicho said not even looking away of what she was admiring.
Sakura rubs the back of her head sheepishly trying to play the quiet game on her which she knew was impossible to do. She was a high level Jounin in Jishin after all. Their sense of smell is very good.
"Pretty well actually," Sakura tells her in a polite manner of always feeling like she must talk this way with her. Fushicho may not appear to give off the authority figure to others but Sakura felt she had to be on her best manner in front of her, like Tsunade. The Jounin kind of reminded Sakura of having Nezumi and Tori's personality mixed together. She was energetic like Nezumi and did bizarre things, but had Tori's calm and wise mother figure.
Sakura walked around the bench and sat next to her. Instead of Sakura normal clothing, she was wearing the Medic-nin uniform as well as Fuchicho. They both were on nurse duty or baby sick duty as Fushicho put it.
"All three of them actually made it out of the first test and into the second test from what Ino told me. It was kind of weird how they pass the first test. Even Naruto wasn't panicking this time." Sakura told her thinking that Sasuke must have planned a way for the team to pass the first test with little effort.
"I thought so. Nezumi is one sneaky little girl I say," Fuchicho grins. Sakura gives a clueless look.
"Never mind, by this time the second test already started by now. Well…" Fushicho gets up and takes a long stretch like a cat, cracking a few bones in her body. "Enough waiting around for something to happen. I'm going to go see what your Hokage is doing. Maybe I can win some money." She smiles and started to walk away.
"Money?" Sakura thought. Though she never witness Tsunade gambling addiction, Shizune told her she can become a totally different person when money is on the table.
"Oh Sakura," Fuchihco calls her as the pink hair kunoichi looked at her. "Fushigi-sama wanted to have a word with you. You two do have a contract. Have fun." Fuchicho disappears in a puff of smoke.
"I wonder why she wants me now." Sakura told herself then slouches over with a weary look on her face. "This woman is going to be the death of me. Me and my big mouth on accepting her deal." Sakura sighs. Why me?
In the Forest of Death, Syukumei lands on a branch eyeing her surrounding as she notice it was quiet. A little too quiet hearing the noise level from the animals were not as noisy as it should be at this day of time.
She felt somebody was watching her movements. She smirked and disappeared in a blink of an eye. The person in the distance, who was watching her, eyes widen.
"You're late Kuma." Syukumei says. Kuma turns around and shrugs his shoulder catching him off guard. Washi and Sakoto appeared behind her. A second later Nikato, Narashi appeared on another tree. They all grin at one another as if they were about to face off.
"Washi, Nikato prepare the Jutsu." Syukumei ordered them.
They nod their heads to their commanding officer. They both took out one scroll and place it on the ground. They unravel having small black character signs on them. By doing quick hand seals they slam their hands on their scroll.
"Release." Washi and Nikato say in unison. Two black large sized painting brushes came out as both the young Genins held them under their arm. It was pretty hard to carry one by the size of them but the young Genins managed. Wasting no time they started to draw character symbols on the ground opposite of one another in black ink.
Syukumei looked at her wristwatch seeing thirty minutes has passed in the exam as it was peace and quiet in the forest. She was surprised she did not run into any hostels along the way, wondering if these Genins taking the test were scared of them. Unfortunately that was about to change.
"Sakoto," Syukumei walked behind her and wrapped her arms around her neck gently, wondering what her little sister was doing. Though they were sisters in terms of there Kekkei Genkai but they come from different families in Jishin of their true abilities kept in silence from other villagers. They were still feared even in Jishin where most monsters live.
Syukumei could already sense Sakoto eagerness to start the spell. Though Sakoto had few emotions to show, Syukumei always knew when Sakoto blood has awaken inside of her.
"It's time to start." Syukumei looked behind her seeing the three circle Nikato and Wash set up was done and they were already in the circle, followed by Narashi as well. They were all sitting Indian style putting their hand together making different seal signs in the Chinese Zodic, Dog, Tiger, Boar, and Roster. Sakoto nodded her head ready to join the others.
"But I want them alive…ok," Syukemei says in almost a whispering voice. "Though she is representing a different village, I still have an obligation to protect her. I owe her that much."
"For some reason…I feel it too." Sakoto explains her feelings that made her heart beat faster for some odd reason. "But why do I feel this why? I do not understand. Since that incident happen nine months ago I've seen things I'm not suppose to see with these eyes."
"Don't worry. Nor do I have a question to your answer but I have a feeling it will be explained soon, when she comes back." Syukemei says with a grin. "But now…is the time to have some fun. Yes, let's enjoy our fun with these children. Heh Heh Heh." A sinister devilish grin forms on her face as her eyes glow red.
In the forest of death the trees started to sway back and fourth, causing the morning sky to darken so sudden. The Iwa team lead by Keitaro immediately stopped, sensing the forest was off balance. But that was not all. Something was wrong and Keitaro knew it.
"Keitaro w-what is it?" One of his teammates asked nervously sensing it too.
Keitaro scanned the area cautiously, watching, listening for an ambush set by an enemy that they just fell into.
"I'm not sure but…all the animals….are staring at us." Keitaro tells them.
His teammate eyes widen in shock and looked around the forest. The birds, rabbits, squirrels, small snakes and even the insets were watching them like they were possessed by an evil unknown force.
"W-What the hell is wrong with them!?" The other boy said shaking and brings out a kunai in defense.
"Haru calm down. If you panic…" Keitaro quickly stop and looked at the ground feeling a rumble below his feet.
The ground started to shake like an earthquake as the ground started cracking, as if something was breaking itself through the harden surface ground.
"W-What the hell!" Haru says trying to keep his balance.
Bursting from the ground a large snake colored in yellow and black appeared knocking the young boys towards the ground.
Keitaro shakes his head from being thrown by the snake beast but sees a massive shadow hovering above his body. His trembled body felt large breath of air breathing on his neck that made the tiny hairs on his neck stand straight up.
Slowly turning around, his eyes widen in horror. It was the largest snake he had ever seen. The snake towered over him 20 feet tall as it golden yellow eyes was directed right at him.
That thing is huge! Keitaro thought frozen to move his body as well as his teammates.
A black distorted image started to form on top of the snake's head. Keitaro eyes widen seeing it was a Jishin Genin, Syukumei, with her arms folded watching the rats she caught in her trap. She grins and pointed at them.
"Kill them." She command the large snake as the image of her disappears again by fading back into the snake's skin.
The snake bobbles his head around slowly stalking its prey and hisses at the three young boys.
"W-What is going…on!?" Haru says as his whole body was petrified to move.
The large snake's mouth open, showing his vicious fangs with saliva dripping down from them, and charge himself at the young boys, full speed as their eyes widen in shock.
Naruto was looking around the forest taking a small break before they head out. He was wondering where all the Genins was at. Last time he took the test everybody was ready to kill them just minutes into the test. Naruto eyes notice four jet black crows were watching him from the distance. He thought it was strange the behavior they were showing. The only time he saw big crows like that was around dead corpse. Naruto quickly backtracks towards Nezumi, hoping those crows weren't waiting for him to die. Now that he thought about it, the forest started to look much spookier when the sky started to turn dark. He thought it was odd for night time to come so early.
"What is going on?" Baffled, Naruto looked around but saw Nezumi eyes focused in the distance of the forest. Does she know something I don't?
In an instant screams were heard in the forest all around them, sounding like their humans were being tortured.
W-What…Naruto heart started to pound rapidly as if it was about to burst out of his chest. His body was shaking tremendously by the screams that rung in his ears. W-Why are they screaming?!
The screams were echoing in every direction in the forest as Naruto thought they sounded like all the Genins were under attack at once.
"Stop it!" Naruto covered his ears to stop the screaming, but the screams were not disappearing as each second pass the noise grew louder. Nezumi was aware of the screams but was not in a state of panic like her older brother. Naruto was wondering why she wasn't as petrified as him of the horrible screams.
"Naruto!" Sasuke runs towards him carrying a water jug as he was fetching water for the team on their quick break.
"Sasuke." Naruto looked in his direction.
"What is going on?!" Sasuke said and looked around the forest franticly.
"Do you hear them?" Naruto asked.
"Yes," Sasuke replied. If this is an illusion to scare us, I will see through it. Sharingan!
The Uchiha blood start to awake as his onyx eyes turn red with three semi colons seeing through the forest, trying to pick up any charka signature. A shocked expression fell on his face of what he discovered.
"This is no illusion. There's nobody around us." He said narrowing his focus in the east direction, hearing the most screams coming from there. It was the same direction Nezumi was staring at.
"Damn it." Naruto looked around and stands in front of Nezumi to protect her.
"It's because they are weak," Naruto and Sasuke look at Nezumi. "It's because they say they are not worthy to pass this exam and are now being killed off." A mental image of Keitaro badly hurt passed through Nezumi's mind. Without second guessing Nezumi runs off to where she thinks his location was at.
"Hey Nezumi! Where you going!" Naruto yells and runs after her.
Shit. Sasuke follows both of them, not wanting to go in that direction. His curse mark was telling him to head the other way, away from the danger that awaited them.
Three male proctors where outside of the forest of Death, in shock of hearing all the screams coming from within the forest, nearly the same time.
"What was that?" One of the male proctors says looking at Anko for an answer.
Anko smirk. "It's the sound of eliminating your competition. Right Fushicho-san?" Anko looked out the corner of her eyes seeing the Jishin Jounin sitting on a rock, eyes focused on the forest as well.
The three proctors looked in her direction surprised of neither of them sensed her presence.
"Anko…You wanted to see a show right?" Fushicho looks at her with a grin. "My kids never let your expectations down now have they."
Fushicho started to chuckle of how everything is turning out. Though the second exam takes five days to complete, it will be done in less then two hours. A bloodbath. I love these kids. They even have the abilities to join the Shinigami in the future.
Blood spills out of Keitaro mouth as he touched his chest, trying to put pressure on his flesh wound done by a sword. He was sitting at the base of a tree to hold himself up from his lack of strength, still holding his Satori Hammer. He reared his eyes up slowly at the black snake staring at him, like a rat caught in his trap.
T-Those bastards…t-tricked us. Shit. Keitaro thought puking up blood through his fingers to try to pull himself together. So this is when you face death. Damn it. What a disgrace, a Howato being killed by a snake. My old man must be laughing at him in his grave.
Yellow orbs of the snake targets his prey as Keitaro was sited in them. He sways back and forth like a predator playing with his food then quickly charge.
Keitaro starts to chuckle and closes his eyes waiting for his death of nothing he can do.
"Oodama Rasengan!"
A powerful blue blast of concentrated chakra hits the snake dead in the middle of his head, causing a large blast to form sending the snake back. A strong and large tree stopped the snake movement, destroying the natural elements around him from the powerful attack.
Keitaro opens his eyes quickly and sees the back of Naruto. His eyes widen of the unconscious snake twenty meters from them followed by a trail from that powerful blast imprinted into the ground.
A-Amazing. Keitaro looked at Naruto's powerful attack wondering is he really a Genin.
Soon, Sasuke and Nezumi landed next to him, as Sasuke stood next to Naruto to attack the snake. However, his eyes widen looking at the distinguish coloring of the snake.
What is ohitsujiza doing in the Forest of Death? Sasuke had a stunned look on his face. Sasuke knew his snakes being trained by Orochimaru and an Ohitsujiza was a far way from home which means a lot of chakra must be produced to call upon it.
"T-These guys are from the second exam." Naruto stepped back seeing bodies all spread out in the surrounding area. He couldn't figure out if they were unconscious or dead. Judging by the kunais, senbons, windmill shuriken and shurikens thrown everywhere it looked like a bloody battle field. It was no way a snake did all this, he thought.
"What the hell happen here? Why is most of the Genins in the second exam all here?!" Naruto clenches his teeth in anger knowing some type of Jutsu did this horrible act.
"Keitaro-oniisan you shouldn't move." Nezumi says watching him pull himself up. Keitaro gives her a smile and coughs up blood at the same time.
"Why…are you helping me, kid? This is none of your concern." Keitaro says not saying he wasn't happy in seeing her team to save him at the brink of death.
Nezumi digs in her backpack and takes out a green bottle, no less medicine to help out his wounds.
"Keitaro-oniisan is Nezumi oniisan. It's my duty to protect you." Nezumi says placing the medicine on his deep cuts on his face.
Keitaro started to laugh a little, never seeing a child like her before. She was kind to him and they just met. She was even calling him his brother regardless if they were in competition with one another to fight to the death.
The green medicine that was placed on his skin started to sting a little but he looked at his hand where Nezumi placed it and it was starting to heal quickly, as the pain wasn't hurting him that much.
What kind medicine is this? This couldn't have come from Konoha. This must be from Jishin. Keitaro thought watching his wounds heal rapidly.
"Thanks kid…for helping me." Keitaro said feeling a little better but still had the wound on his chest.
The black snake poof into smoke as this relieved Naruto and Sasuke. They both look at Keitaro on the ground having numerous questions of what is going on and why almost every Genin in the Chuunin Exam was here.
"Hey big guy what happened here?" Naruto asked wanting answers.
"You should leave the forest while you still have the chance. Before they target you too." Keitaro says eyeing the ground still shaken up of what happened.
"What are you talking about?" Sasuke asked still not explaining why most of the Genins are almost half dead or is dead.
"You knew this was going to happen didn't you kid." Keitaro looked at Nezumi as she had a sadden face feeling guilty because if she was still in Jishin, she would help use this Jutsu on them too.
"It's ok," He told her of this was not her fault. "I knew this was a possibility that this was going to happen. It's how they operate. At first it was a Genjutsu, somehow probing the minds of other Genins to come to one spot and fight each other. They will make you see your worst nightmare. When your in a frighten state, you attack anything that moves, even your own teammates without you noticing it. Then they go for the final blow by summing animals to finish the job. This eliminates any pre-trail matches to advance them to the finals. However, they do leave the worthy opponents to face them in the finals because this proves to other villages how powerful their village is when they win."
Sasuke looked around then he just realized something was off that didn't make any sense to him. Why would the Jishin Genins leave the strong opponents alive and not the weaker ones?
Flashback
"But if he said she is ready then she is ready….And besides she…," Tsuande directed her attention behind both the teenage boys. "Vouch for her too."
"Well boys sorry to say this time around the Chuunin Exam have become a tad bit harder then you expect." Fushico said walking over to Tsuande front desk.
"Jishin Genins are the highest rank village of becoming Chuunins when participating in the Chuunin Exam, Naruto," Sasuke informs him.
"Your so cute Naruto, Nezumi is their so the wolves won't eat you," Fuchicho starts to walk out of the office leaving Naruto dumbfounded and waves goodbye to them. "Later boys."
--
"Syukumei-oneechan is participating in the Chuunin Exam?" Nezumi asked curiously.
"Yes I decided this Chuunin Exam will be special to be in this year. Normally I would blow it off but it's just too hard to resist who will be in it." She gives Nezumi a joyful smile.
--
Syukumei looked at Sasuke with a grin. "Of course he was bluffing. Besides, high level officials from different villages are coming to watch the Chuunin Exam this time. How can Konoha make money if the true entertainment has already been disqualified in the first test?"
Flashback ends
Now it makes sense now. Sasuke thought looking at the Genins on the ground then at Nezumi. That woman knew this was going to happen so she made sure Nezumi was on our team. Like she said Nezumi here so the wolves won't eat us. She was referring to her Jishin Genins. Because of Nezumi affiliation with that girl she would let us…no allow us to pass the second test.
Sasuke reared his eyes at Keitaro then looked at his curse arm concealed under his jacket sensing it was telling him something before this all started.
But like he said this…whatever Jutsu they used was to bring fear to other villages…it's the same with us. Sasuke thought. They allowed us to see their power instead. But to pull off this type of Jutsu require a tremendous amount of chakra to cover large distances. That's why they made sure there is no pre-matches because their chakra will be exhausted, making them at a higher risk of being disqualified, blowing their chances becoming Chuunins. I honestly didn't think they were capable of doing this. Now I see why they call the people in that village demons.
Naruto angrily looked at the wounded Genins on the ground.
"Those bastards!" He slapped his fist and hand together for payback for this. "Just wait to we get to the finals. I'm going to show them." In Naruto book fighting unfair like this was wrong and cowardly.
"Then I guess…" Keitaro digs in his back pouch and pulls out his scroll. "You will need this to pass."
"It's the Heaven scroll!" Naruto said surprised wondering why he was giving it to them.
"Why are you giving us your scroll?" Sasuke asked curious.
"Who said I was handing the scroll towards you specifically. I can care less about you two passing the exam." Keitaro says in a smart attitude towards them.
Naruto and Sasuke give him a scowling look, thinking is this guy really badly hurt so they can punch him for that comment. Keitaro gave the scroll to Nezumi as she takes it without second guessing why. She knew why judging by his condition and his teammates as well.
"I owe it to her. I would presume that you guys followed her here. Just like a Yamagata to know what is going on around them. If she didn't act, I would have been dead and I thank you…Nezumi," Keitaro give her a smile. "So take this and leave the forest as soon as possible or they may change their mind ok."
Naruto and Sasuke didn't say anything because they knew it would be more painful for him to know he was not going to pass the Chuunin Exam.
"Then we will do our best Oniisan." Nezumi says with a small smile on her face as Naruto agreed to it too.
"Will you be ok?" Naruto asked.
"Sure, thanks to the medicine I'm feeling kind of better. Now you should go. Just because you got the Heaven scroll doesn't mean other teams that are still lingering around won't take it. I'll do my best to aid to these guys."
Naruto didn't want to leave Keitaro by himself, but he could take care of himself and aid the others until help arrives from outside officials. Naruto turns around with a determine look on his face to make those Jishin Genins pay for this.
"Nezumi, Sasuke, let's go." Naruto says in a serious voice as they run in the direction towards the tower.
Keitaro take the medicine Nezumi gave him and place it on his chest wound as it started to heal already.
"Wow this works fast. I wonder what's in this green stuff anyway." He says and slowly gets up to aid his other teammates.
In the distance red eyes appear on a tree as a camouflaged invisible image of Syukumei appear watching the whole conversation between Keitaro and Team 7.
'So this test is almost over already. How are the teams that have the other scrolls?' Syukumei asked telepathy to her teammates.
'Another team has finally captured their own scroll besides that Uchiha Team.' Washi responded back.
'Good. The numbers are already cut down. Now it's time to head to the tower.' Syukumei tells them.
'Roger!' They all responded to her commend.
The finals should be interesting. Syukumei lick her lips in anticipation of her blood awakening inside of her. I will make sure he becomes my opponent.
Jishin is pretty scary shinobis and that's way they travel in a pack. It seems Syukumei have made her move bringing her closer to her opponent. Next chapter is nothing but action as Team 8 heads back to Oushiza with the cargo. Still no Tori but next chapter she will be in it.
Next Chapter: Truth in Power