AN: Thanks for reading everyone!
"Training ground forty-four. Otherwise, known as 'The forest of death'. Is one of the most dangerous places on the planet. And we're sending you brats in there for one week." Anko said while picking her teeth with a Dango stick.
"... WHAT!?" The gathered Genin yelled.
"Now, now. No need to get so loud. After all, death is only one of the things it's known for." (Anko)
"W... What else is in there?" (Ino)
*Roar!* The ground shook and thunder boomed in the background.
"There are a few animals in there as well. No worries, though. Our security guard has graciously 'Volunteered' to go in with you. Should you feel yourself to be in serious danger (She held up a flare.) You can fire this into the air. And he will come running."
The Genin looked at a tied up Naruto sitting on the ground. He had a sign strapped to his chest that said. 'I will not cause my Sensei to lose any more money.'
"Right...Volunteered."
"Then what happens?" (Lighting ninja)
"You will be escorted from the Training ground. And your team will be disqualified from the competition."
"So... it's either fail or die? Not much of a choice is there?" (Grass Ninja)
"You always have a choice. In this case, You have three choices. (She held up three fingers.) Fight and possibly die. (One finger went down.) Run away. (Second finger) Or surrender and fail. (Last one.) Take a few moments to decide who gets the flare. Once you have decided. That person may come and take one from the table."
A few minutes pass by as the Genin all talked about who would get the flare. Then a line formed as they received their flares.
"When you get a flare. Also, take the stack of papers under it."
Ino,(who had been chosen to hold her teams flare) Picked up the papers and began looking through them.
"What are they for?" She asked.
"Basic legal stuff. They state that neither myself nor Konoha is responsible for any Injuries or loss of life that may occur during the course of this exam." She said with a smile.
*gulp* "Oh..." (Ino)
"Next, I want all team to line up at the tent off to my right. Inside, you will be given a scroll. This scroll, For the week you are inside, Is. Your. Life. Do not lose it. And do not open it until you reach your end goal."
"Which is?" (Grass *Cough *Orochimaru* Cough* Ninja)
"To take the scroll you need from an enemy team. Then, make your way to the center of the forest."
"Why there?" (Rock Ninja)
"In the center of the forest is a tower. And this tower will be the location of your third exam. Any more questions?"
"No!"
"Alright, Line up and get your scrolls as well as your target."
"Uh... Anko-Sensei, What target?"
"Oh, did I forget to mention that only one team has your opposite scroll? Each team will be told who has the scroll they need. It is then your job... To take it from them by any means necessary. Have fun!" She chirped before walking over to Naruto.
"Come on blondie. Take a bite." She waved a Dango stick under his nose.
"Never! I will not betray my Ramen!"
"For the love of God... It's just Noodles!"
*Gasp!* "Blaspheming Harlot! You take that back!"
"No. I don't think I will. Admit it, blondie. Dango is just better than Ramen."
"You... You... You Bitch! I'll get you back for this. Just you wait! One day, you'll see the error of your ways. And Ramen will lead you to the promise land!"
"Dango's Better!"
"Ramen!"
"Dango!" (Naruto gets a smirk on his face.)
"Dango!"
"Ramen!"
"Dango's better, and that's final!"
"No, Ramen's Better!"
"I agree, Ramen is better."
"... You little Shit! Dango's better!"
The two argued back and forth. While the Genin were getting their scrolls.
Team Seven's target was the Grass Ninja. (That's just unlucky.)
Team Eight's target was the Rain Ninja.
Team Nine's target was the Rock Ninja.
And team Ten's target was the Lighting Ninja.
*Ahem* "Anko-San, The genin are ready to begin." A Chunin interrupted Anko and Naruto's argument.
The two glared at each other for a few seconds.
"This isn't over, Blondie." (Anko)
"Likewise, Ya Bloody Heathen." (Naruto)
She walked over and picked up the microphone.
"Alright, The second exam begins in.. 5..4..3..2..1... GO!"
The gates opened and the teams dashed inside.
"... You know the rules, Blondie. Don't help, unless they use the flare." (Anko)
*Yawn* "Yeah, yeah. Yugao-Sensei already told me."
"Need me to cut you loose?"
"Nah, I'm just a clone. The real me has been in there since you walked off a few minutes ago." *poof*
"I'm gonna get that brat, one day..." (Anko)
The next day
Already, three out of the eleven teams had been eliminated. Two teams had arrived at the tower. The team from Suna. (Gara, Kankuro, and Temari.) And team nine.
Unluckily, one of the Teams from grass had been wiped out except for one survivor. A red-Haired girl named Karin. Who, was now resting at the tower under ANBU guard.
The reason for her being under guard? The other grass ninja had been found dead with their faces removed. So, when Naruto brought her in. She was placed under guard for her protection. (And so they could question her.)
Anko, after being called to the scene of the murder. Dashed into the forest in search of her Ex-sensei.
Unfortunately for her, however. Orochimaru was... preoccupied.
*Yikes!* "Calm down! What's wrong with you anyway!? All I said was the guard had a nice bod- eii!" Orochimaru, (Still in his female guise.) Was currently running from a really Irate, Hinata Hyuga.
He had just gotten a sample of Shino's Kikiachu for study. (Before he tracked down Sasuke.) When he figured he would also try to get a sample of Hinata's blood. (Trying to study the Byakugan.) He made the mistake of trying to 'Girl talk' about Naruto. (Read as gossip.) to distract her.
... Hinata was unamused.
"Come back here you slippery Bitch!" Hinata yelled after Orochimaru had managed to slip away from her.
"Shino..." (Kiba)
"Yes?"
"I thought she was the timid one?" *Arf* (Akamaru agrees)
"So did I."
"Does she scare you too, buddy?" Kiba looked up at Akamaru. (Who was inside his hood.)
*Whine*
"She scares me as well." (Shino)
With Orochimaru
"Damn, that Hyuga's kinda scary... Reminds me of that other Hyuga female that was obsessive about Hiashi-Chan... What was her name, again?" An image of a woman with long purple hair flashed through his mind.
*Shivers* "Right... her. She's still the cause of some nightmares... Oh, well. Let's go find Sasuke-Chan, now."
With team seven
They were running around the forest looking for the grass team. (Orochimaru, who was now looking for them as well.) When they came to a stop on one of the large tree branches.
"What's wrong, Sasuke-Kun?" (Sakura)
"We're going to take a break here. No sense in running ourselves ragged on day two. Besides, they have to find us as well."
*Chuckle* How right you are, Sasuke-Chan." Orochimaru landed on the branch in front of them.
Sasuke and Sai got into battle positions while Sakura turned around to guard their backs.
"Tell your teammates to come out. And we'll do this the right way." (Sasuke)
*Chuckle* "Teammates? Oh, You mean this body's teammates. Yeah.. they're dead."
"Dead?"
"I'm not here for the exam, Sasuke-Chan. I'm here for you." Orochimaru yanked the grass Ninja's face off and showed his real face.
"... I take it that means you're not part of the exams?" Sasuke asked.
"That's right."
"So... You're breaking the rules, right now?"
"Yes, yes. I knew you Uchiha's could be dumb. But are you really so stupid that you need to ask?"
"No, I just wanted to be sure before I did this." Sasuke ran through hand signs.
"NARUTO! WE HAVE A RULE-BREAKER!" Sasuke yelled. Then he sent a massive fireball up into the air.
"...Really, Sasuke-Chan? Are you calling for the guard? Where's your Uchiha pride, Huh!?" Orochimaru dashed at Sasuke.
Instead of running like he thought they would. Team seven stood their ground.
"Fine! Make this easy for me-"*WHAM!* Orochimaru was tackled so hard the scroll he had in his robes spun in the air for a few seconds. Before falling onto the branch. Neither Orochimaru or Naruto were anywhere to be seen.
Sai walked over to the scroll and pocketed it. (After making sure it was the one they needed.)
"Let's head to the tower, Shall we?"
"Right!"
With Naruto
Naruto had Orochimaru by the throat and he was running the forest. He had been told about him being in the forest by Anko only a few hours ago. So when he heard Sasuke yell about a rule-breaker. He had an idea of who it was.
He was moving so fast. That, although to Naruto several seconds had passed. Orochimaru still had yet to react.
Naruto arrived at the Hokage tower and dove through the open window. (With Orochimaru.) Where he finally slowed down enough that Orochimaru could react.
"What the!? What happened!?" he yelled. He kicked and punched trying to make Naruto let go of his throat. They had no effect on him, though.
"Jiji, I caught a Rule-Breaker in the forest."
*Sigh* So I see, Naruto. Orochimaru, What are you doing in my Village?"
*Chuckle* "Oh! Hey, Sensei. Long time no see... You got old."
"And you got even weirder. I'd rather be old."
"I'd rather be weird."
"Same..."
"Naruto, Please don't agree with the psychopath." Hiruzen glared at Naruto.
"Hehe... Sorry, Jiji."
"Answer the question, Orochimaru. Why are you here?" Hiruzen stood up from his desk and walked until he was nose to nose with Orochimaru.
"So scary, Sensei. It's almost like you're not happy to see me."
"That's because I'm not." Hiruzen deadpanned. He walked back over to his desk.
"Naruto."
"Yes, Jiji?"
"I made a promise to one of my students a few years back. That if I ever saw you again, Orochimaru. I wouldn't kill you. I intend to honor that promise... Naruto, you kill him."
"Roger that, Jiji." Naruto grabbed the top of Orochimaru's head. (While holding his neck with the other hand.)
"Wait, Don't kill m-" *Ripping sound* Naruto tore Orochimaru's head from his body.
His head and body, burst into flames and a note fell out of his chest. (Which Hiruzen then picked up and read.)
"Sorry, Sensei. I'm immortal. Be seeing you soon!" It had a crudely drawn Orochimaru at the bottom giving them the finger.
*Sigh* "Why did all of my students turn out so odd?"
"I'm not odd, Jiji."
*Sigh* "Why did all of my students and you, turn out so odd?"
"... You must have infected us with your oddness, Jiji." Then Naruto disappeared in a burst of speed.
"NARUTO!"
Back at the tower
The week ended with the passing of seven teams.
Teams seven through ten made it.
The Suna team passed on the first day.
The sound Ninja passed.
And a Konaha team consisting of Kabuto, Misumi, and Yoroi also passed. (Though Kabuto immediately forfeited.)
"Wow! Seven teams passed my exam. I must say, I'm surprised... I thought more of you, would have died." (Anko)
"Yes, Anko. Your exam must not have been as difficult as you believed it to be." (Ibiki)
"Says the guy who let so many Genin advance in the first place. What's that say about you, Eh Scarhead?" Ibiki glared at Anko.
"Enough!" (Hiruzen)
"Yes, Hokage-Sama!"
Hiruzen stood up from his chair to say a few words to the Genin.
"I would like to congratulate all of you for making it this far. Unfortunately... You cannot rest, just yet."
*Groan*
"Because so many of you passed the first two exams. Your third exam has been delayed until next month. And a preliminary shall be held today."
"What are we doing, Hokage-Sama!" (Sakura)
Hiruzen motioned to a large black board.
"Two names will appear on this screen. The two chosen will fight until one fighter yields, is unable to continue, or is killed. All contestants must listen to the proctor of this Exam, Hayate Gekko. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Is that clear?"
"Yes!"
"Good, Let the preliminaries, Begin!"
AN: Thanks again for reading everyone! Another short Chapter today. But, we begin the preliminaries and the one month delay in the next chapter.
:Kenaren
