The Third visited Anko's office five days later. Anko felt a painful sensation on her neck. The seal had recently appeared again. Inzumo and Kotetsu were with her. "Now dose the curse seal still hurt," the Third asked concerned.
"No, thank you it's much better," Anko lied covering the seal and pretending not to be in pain.
"By the way, Orochimaru is one the Legendary Leaf Ninjas right?' Kotetsu asked.
"Isn't he the hand book class 5 missing ninja that even the ANBU can't get close too? I had heard he had already died," Kotetsu asked.
"Why would he come to this village now?" Inzumo questioned.
"He probably…." Anko began.
"Sasuke right?" the Third guessed.
"Huh?" Anko pretended to be confused.
"Anko-sama," the radio beeped.
"We have confirmed that 21 have passed the second test. In accordance to the rules, for the first time in five years we will start preparations for a preliminary before the third test," the radio informed.
"Well…Let's continue the exam as planned. We will keep our eyes on Orochimaru's movements," the Third said.
"Yes," Anko confirmed.
Anko, the Hokage, Hayate, and several others met at the preliminary match, a large convention hall with balconies on both sides.
Anko noticed that Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura were present. "So he survived," Anko thought to herself. "I guess all that grief Iruka gave me was for nothing," she figured. Kakashi, Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai also showed up for their teams.
"First off, for the second for passing!" she said over the speakers.
Anko noticed a little shocked that Orochimaru was present in the crowd. "Was she the only one who could see him," she wondered. Ibiki and Iruka were also present seemingly oblivious that the S criminal was behind them. Baki from Sand was also present.
Orochimaru stared ahead pleased that his Sound group had made it. He was also equally pleased that Sasuke had managed to survive and had managed to pass the test.
"For this many to make it, and most of them rookies," the Third marveled.
"No wonder they all nominated them," the Third thought considering his four Jounins.
"Hokage-sama will now explain the third test. Listen carefully," Anko ordered.
The Third Hokage explained the old explanation for the test. Some students protested the preliminary round but the Hokage dismissed their concerns.
"If any of you wish to quit, do so now," Hayate told them. Kabuto decided to make a discreet exit. His teammates lectured him on taking his mission into his own hands. Kabuto smiled not interested in what they wanted. Orochimaru watched as Kabuto walked off. He would have to reward Kabuto for making sure Sasuke got through the test.
"I've seen him before. Didn't he quit the final test last year?" the Third asked Anko. Anko got out her clipboard and looked over Kabuto's profile. "He's falled six straight times," Anko confirmed.
"What kind of record is that?" the Third wondered displeased.
"The record of a spy," Anko thought putting her clipboard away.
"Uhm, now. There are no more retiring right?" Hayate asked.
"I thought so," the Third said looking at Sasuke's discomfort.
"What should we do?" Ibiki wondered seeing Sasuke clutch his neck.
"We should remove him from the exam and have the ANBU watching over and protecting him," Anko pressed. She didn't trust Orochimaru with that kid. She didn't want a repeat of herself.
"He's the type that wouldn't agree to that. He is after all from the Uchiha clan," Kakashi said.
"Don't be foolish, we will force him to quit," Anko argued.
"It's amazing the child is still alive," Anko added.
Orochimaru frowned as they argued. He would ague for Sasuke but it wouldn't be seemly.
"What Orochimaru has done is on my mind. Let's just see what happens," the Third said. He wanted to see what Sasuke could do.
"Hokage-sama," Anko protested.
"But if the curse begins to open and releasing power jump on him," the Third ordered.
"Yes," Ibiki responded ready to just that.
Hayate continued relating the rules to the Genins. There would be ten matches. Only ten would remain.
"And the object that controls your destiny is…." Hayate began.
"Open," Anko ordered. The electronic board was revealed. It began to generate random matches. "Uchiha Sasuke Vs. Akado Yoroi," it displayed.
Orochimaru chuckled pleased with the result. "Unfortunately for you Yoroi's ability is the worse possible ability for you Sasuke," he thought.
Yoroi quickly subdued Sasuke sending him to the ground. His blood line ability allowed himself to suck chakra away from him. "Now you will be forced to use the seal," Orochimaru thought. "Now release that beautiful power," he hoped.
Orochimaru watched fascinated as the seal went through Sasuke's system. Anko and the Third watched carefully. Sasuke resisted and allowed the seal to return. Orochimaru frowned disappointed. Sasuke slammed Yoroi to the ground breaking his back.
"I'm going to have the stop match now, Sasuke is the winner," Hayate said.
"There will be another time," Orochimaru thought. He wondered what use Yoroi would be now.
"That's surprising…to be able to stop the reaction of the curse with his own will," Anko noticed.
She helped carry Yoroi away on a stretcher. As she approached the hospital Yoroi was put on a hospital bed and monitored. "Poor, guy, his spinal cord has been severed," the nurse commented. Anko stared at him.
Kabuto walked down the halls of the hospital. Anko walked in the other direction. "Can you tell me where Yoroi's room is? I am his teammate after all," Kabuto said. Anko gave a fake smile. "Here's the number," she said. "Thank you," Kabuto smiled walking off.
Kabuto went inside the room. "That was a rather pathetic performance," Kabuto observed.
Yoroi could only mutter. "Don't worry, Orochimaru still has plans for you," Kabuto said.
Anko felt bored as she stayed at the hospital. Another Genin on a stretcher was carried in. Zaku groaned in pain as his arms were blasted full of holes. "Can we save the arms," the nurse wondered. "Yes, they'll be useless though," another nurse said.
Kabuto saw Zaku go down the hospital hall with relative indifference. "When do you think he will be released?" he asked Anko. "Probably today, he is a Sound citizen," she told him.
Orochimaru walked away from a stunned Kakashi. He didn't need to kidnap the child. It would be easier if he decided on his own to come to him, just like Anko and the others.
Misumi also came into the hospital. The nurses checked his pulse and put a white cloth over his body. Kabuto frowned disappointed. He was useless now.
Anko was given a piece of paper concerning where Sasuke was being kept. "Well I am going to have to have you leave," Anko told Kabuto.
"I see," Kabuto understood.
Anko shook his hand and Kabuto went out the door. Kabuto grinned as he read the paper in his hand.
"What are you doing here?" the ANBU captain demanded of Kabuto.
"Oh don't mind me," Kabuto said innocently. "I just got lost," he admitted.
"Well you'll have to leave," the ANBU captain said annoyed.
"Who's behind the doors?" Kabuto asked curious.
"I can't tell you that. Now move or we'll arrest you," the ANBU captain said.
"Oh?" Kabuto wondered slicing through the captain's chest. With his other hand he sliced into the other's captain's neck. Kabuto kicked the doors open and entered the room. He quickly subdued the other fighters. "Now for the fun part," he said to himself as he changed the faces of the ANBU fighters.
"If you want to ruin my plans kill Sasuke," Orochimaru told him. Kabuto stared at him in fear. "I'm just kidding, I trust you," Orochimaru smiled.
Orochimaru watched through the window wondering if Kabuto would follow through with his task.
Kabuto blasted out of the window taking off the ANBU mask as Kakashi looked below. Kabuto landed in the trees below and landed on the ground unhurt. Orochimaru looked away. He didn't expect Kabuto to defeat Kakashi in such a setting.
Orochimaru met with his three Sound ninjas. Zaku had bandages all over his arms. Kin had bandages around her head but looked okay. Dosu who normally wore bandages around his face was unharmed. "So one of you made it to the Third round," Orochimaru observed.
"You didn't tell us about your intentions concerning Sasuke," Dosu accused.
Orochimaru frowned. "You didn't need to know, I wanted him to be challenged," Orochimaru explained.
"Now, Kin and Zaku, you will go back to Sound. I will have your injuries healed and then I will give you a new mission," Orochimaru ordered. "Dosu, you will go into the Third test," Orochimaru ordered.
"I want to talk to Dosu alone," Orochimaru said. Zaku and Kin defeated and humiliated went outside. "If you want to prove yourself get through the rounds and defeat Sasuke," Orochimaru said. Dosu nodded determined to do so.
Kabuto and Baki met alone. Gaara sat alone on the top of a house. Gaara suddenly transformed and taking his morphed arm he swung at Dosu killing him instantly. Gaara's arm went back to normal, he panted hard from the strain.
"Wow, so that's his true identity," Kabuto said amazed.
"But is that all right? He was a Sound," Baki wondered. There wasn't much he could do about the matter.
"It's fine, he was no longer useful," Kabuto said not concerned.
Hayate listened as they talked wondering what a Sound and Sand agents were doing talking.
"I thought he was meant to test the strength of that Sasuke kid," Baki said.
"No, there's no need for that anymore. Actually I was already given orders to abduct Sasuke….but I failed," Kabuto chuckled.
"What?" Baki demanded.
"Yeah they discovered I'm a spy for Sound too," Kabuto said embarrassed.
"Then if they find out that you're meeting with me here our plans to crush the Leaf will be ruined," Baki warned.
"I knew you were Orochimaru's right hand man. You're uncovered by the Leaf and then you show up to meet me like this, this isn't what I expected," Baki said annoyed.
"Well to be accurate I uncovered myself to see how they would react," Kabuto defended. "Taking Sasuke is not a problem," he added
"If it appears you will fail we will withdraw. We will be in the background until the very end. This is Kazekage's will," Baki said.
"Also, here are our plans," Kabuto said giving Baki a scroll. "Oh and I should clean up here," Kabuto said.
"No, I'll do it. The Sand should do something as a partner. Besides it's only one rat," Baki said.
Hayate decided it would be in his best interest to take off. Baki quickly cornered him. Hayate took his sword and swung down on Baki. The blade didn't pierce all the way through the armor. Baki put his hands together and watched as the wind ripped into him.
The next day Hayate's body was recovered. Anko was in her office writing analysis reports on the Chuunin exam. "Hayate is dead," Kotetsu informed her. "How?" she asked stunned. "We don't know yet," he told her. Anko gave Kotetsu a hug as they both mourned the death of their friend.
Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Kimimaro looked over the city limits of Konoha. "We will soon crush Konoha," Orochimaru said savoring the moment. Kimimaro suddenly coughed.
"Is there something wrong?" Kabuto asked.
"It's nothing," Kimimaro said hiding the fact that there was blood on his hand.
"I will not delay the Third Chuunin exam," the Third said. "But I want higher security for the event and be ready for anything," the Third instructed his Chuunin team. Already things were going bad with the death of an entire ANBU squad and Hayate.
Three weeks later.
Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Kimimaro met with the Kazekage and his two Jounin representatives.
"We don't accept your plan, we think it's too risky," the Kazekage said.
"That's unfortunate," Orochimaru said frowning. He turned to Kimimaro and nodded. Kimimaro leaped at the two Jounins and slashed them with the sharp bone claws from his arms. The Kazekage looked at Orochimaru shocked and amazed. Orochimaru took his sword and sliced through him. The Kazekage gave a cry of pain as he fell to the ground.
"Sorry old friend," Orochimaru smiled.
Kimimaro suddenly coughed up blood, he fell to the ground. Orochimaru looked down at him concerned. "It looks like this is as far as you can go," Orochimaru said sorrowful. "I'm sorry," Kimimaro said as he continued coughing.