Team 11 walked the village alongside his teammates. They decided to use the last two days to relax before the Chuunin Exams, they don't want to attend the exams sore and tired. Sakura and Sasuke were arguing about assassinating someone with Doffy just listening and laughing at them.
It was almost unbelievable. Sakura, when Doffy first saw her, would start proclaiming her love to Sasuke. Now she was arguing against Sasuke, and one time she slapped him at the back of his head, saying something about despite a genius, he's still an idiot.
Sasuke also changed, though he still strive for vengeance, he is more open now. He smiles more, laugh at something amusing, even argue about the smallest of things.
It's a welcome relief to see Sasuke like that, Doffy muses. He knew better than anyone living a life for vengeance, and it cost him everything.
They also got stronger especially Sakura. Not on the level Doffy or Sasuke, but she definitely improved. Doffy focused on her stamina as it was... pathetic, to say the least. He asked her about her everyday routine, which consisted of what a normal civilian girl lives. Her only saving grace was that at least she reads books related in medicine, add with the fact that she has a very good grasp in chakra control, Doffy could see a budding medic-nin.
Though Doffy focused on her stamina and taijutsu, experimenting on the basic academy style to suit her. Doffy asked Lee for a training regiment for Sakura, which looked like a torture for the poor girl, though at least it paid off.
The three of them just got from eating lunch when Doffy sensed someone trailing them, though he recognized who it was.
"I GOT YOU NOW!!!" A voice shouted behind the three genin.
"YOU'RE GOING DOWN, DUCKBUTT!" Another voice echoed.
Sasuke just sidestepped and grabbed the back of the little girl's shirt and lightly bop her on the head, while Doffy turned around and held his foot upfront, with Konohamaru slamming face-first into his shoes.
"You gotta do better than that, squirt." Sasuke said to Shizuka, smirking.
Konohamaru slid off, moaning. Doffy just chuckled.
"A-As e-expect-ted... of my... r-rival..." Konohamaru groaned and he suddenly stood up, his pain suddenly vanished. "But next time, I'll get you next, Boss!" Konohamaru exclaimed, pointing his finger at Doffy.
"Heh heh heh, you- where'd you get that?!" Doffy exclaimed, pointing at what Konohamaru is wearing. That oversized scarf was gone in exchange of an oversized feathery coat, light blue in color.
Sakura and Sasuke was startled when they saw Naruto looked so distressed like this.
"Naruto, w-what's wrong?" Sakura asked nervously. She was scared to know what caused Naruto to be like this. But she was ignored as Naruto grabbed hold of the kid's collar and he shook the living daylights out of him.
"TELL ME!"
"I-I-I g-got th-thiiis from a foreign *VOMIT* mer-merchant, ugh..." Konohamaru slurred, his eyes swirling.
"Where is that merchant?!" Doffy demanded.
"There's a stall near the civilian shopping district. You won't miss it. It's a colorful stand." Konahamaru replied.
Doffy didn't give a reply, and walked with a purpose, like a man on a mission.
"Hey boss! Wanna play ninja with us?!" Konohamaru shouted.
"Tomorrow Kono! I'm free in the morning!" Doffy replied.
Konohamaru grumbled, but accepted his answer.
"Sorry Kono-kun, Shizuka-chan, we don't have too much free time right now. You know the Chuunin Exams is in two days, so..." Sakura said sheepishly.
"I know. It sucks but I understand." Kono replied. "Well, see you tomorrow. C'mon, Shizuka!"
"See ya Sakura-nee, Duckhead!" Shizuka shouted, running past Konohamaru.
Sakura and Sasuke went after Doffy, though before they could walk further, they saw Shizuka being held up by a boy in a car-like suit accompanied by a girl that looked like older than them.
"Oi! Let her go!" Konohamaru shouted.
"Shut up! I'm gonna teach this brat a lesson!" The cat boy sneered.
"Kankuro, let her go. We don't have time for this. What if 'he' sees us?" The girl said.
"Don't worry Temari. Just gonna punish this brat for a minute and we're done here." Kankuro replied.
"Or, you let her go and be on your way. Unless you're the one who wants to be punished."
Kankuro looked to the source of the voice and he saw two kids. A black-haired boy and a pink-haired girl.
"Huh? Who the hell are you?" Kankuro asked arrogantly.
"We should be the one to ask that. You walk here in Konoha like it's your own and picking a fight with a civilian, especially the adopted granddaughter of the Third Hokage." Sakura said. Though the Sandaime didn't really adopted Shizuka, but he treats her like one and Konohamaru also treats her like a little sister.
Sasuke just glared at Kankuro, his Sharingan spinning menacingly.
"Kankuro, you idiot!" Temari bashed Kankuro on the head. "I keep telling you to let her go and now we'll have bigger problems because of you!"
"You really should listen to your blonde friend there, kabuki-man. After all, what you're doing right now doesn't really look like a friendly visit from an allied village." Another voice said.
Temari looked at the speaker. The kid is tall, with clothes too vibrant for a shinobi. It may looked odd for a shinobi, but she knew ninjas have their own quirks and antics. In fact, Temaari would've called him a handsome if not for the fact that his smile is a bit unsettling. His smile is wide, too wide and projects malice that she only felt from her youngest brother.
Kankuro looked to the side and saw a tall blonde haired kid with an odd choice of clothes. The blond was grinning right at him, but it projects something malicious aimed at him. Kankuro let the girl go as she hid behind black hair and pinky.
"Good choice, kabuki-man because Mr. Red Hair there up in the tree looked like gonna kill someone." Naruto continued.
A red-haired kid in their age appeared in a swirl of sand.
"Kankuro, stop. You're disgracing our village." The kid said in monotone.
"G-Gaara, I-"
"Speak, and you're dead." The kid, Gaara, said flatly, but the threat is there. He turned to team 7 and bowed slightly.
"I am sorry for the troubles my brother caused. We are here to participate fir the Chuunin Exams. And rest assured, Kankuro will receive proper punishment." Gaara said.
"Don't worry, the kids will get over it." Naruto replied. "Well, I guess we'll meet in the exams soon. And the name's Naruto, by the way."
"I see. We'll meet at the exams, and mother wants your blood." Gaara said. "Temari, Kankuro. Come, Baki-sensei awaits for us."
Naruto just grinned as he watched the trio from Suna disappear in his sight.
"What a weird kid." Sasuke muttered. "Something feels off about him though."
"Yeah. I don't know what it is but something's creepy about him." Sakura agreed.
"Because there is really 'something' in him." Naruto answered.
"So that Tanuki is here, huh." Naruto heard the fox.
'You know something?' Naruto asked.
"The Ichibi, sealed inside that brat. He's insane." Kyuubi rumbled.
'Interesting.' Naruto grinned.
*LINE BREAK*(ONE DAY BEFORE THE EXAMS)
"...and I will admit it's frightening, but it's also something impactful mission, an eye-opening to the shinobi life." Mito said.
"Yeah, I get what you mean. I know that from our first C-rank, though it was only bandits that ambushed us but still the danger is there." Hinata replied.
Ino listened as her friends chat about their missions, specifically their first C-rank. Ino and her team also experienced some difficulties in their mission, though it's the same as Team 8 with bandits. Though Teams 7 and 11's mission was surreal. The Demon Brothers, The Demon of the Hidden Mist, an unknown but skilled ninja plus hundreds of thugs and bandits and a tyrant. Ino could admit that she would be scared, though she knew forehead would be too. Speaking of...
"Where is forehead anyway?" Ino vocalized her thoughts. "Team 11 is still not here." The girls of their batch decided to have a meet-up with all Rookie 12.
"I heard that Team 11's sensei is notorious from being late. Maybe they got that from their sensei." Kiba Inuzuka of Team 8 answered her.
"Maybe forehead's hogging Sasuke-kun right now. Hey Satsuki, do you know where's your brother?" Ino asked. Her patience now was wearing thin, add to the fact that Shikamaru's finger tapping the table, looking impatient, though she didn't paid any thought about it.
"He said that- there they are." Satsuki said, pointing at the approaching Team 11.
Before Ino could launch herself, Shikamaru shouted, surprising the other genins.
"NARUTO!" Shikamaru shouted. He stood up slammed his hands at the table. "I WANT A REMATCH!"
"What the hell, Shika?!" Ino screamed, startled at her teammate's behaviour. She knew Shikamaru since they were kids, with their parents, along with Choji's, were close friends and one of the best teams of Konoha. But Ino didn't expected Shika to react like this, unless his mother was involve. But the looks Choji is having, she guessed he knew something why the Nara heir is acting like this.
"Oi, Choji. What the hell's wrong with Shika? What's got him so worked up? And what the hell does he mean a rematch?" Ino demanded.
"Well..." Choji said, but he was interrupted by Naruto.
"Heh heh heh, so you want another match?" Naruto said, clearly entertained at Shikamaru's reaction, though Ino couldn't blame him.
Shikamaru didn't answer, instead he cleared the table, kicked Kiba out of his seat, ignoring the indignant yell from the Inuzuka, and started arranging a Shogi board.
When Ino saw this, her jaw dropped as she pieced it together, thoughts about Sasuke was forgotten. She didn't bother greeting Sakura who took a seat beside her all the while smiling at Shikamaru's reaction.
The other rookies were also looking at the spectacle.
Choji, who saw the first match between his friend and Naruto, didn't react the same as the others. But he was still surprised that Shika reacted this way. Hinata's reaction looked like she didn't came from a disciplined and prestigious bloodline. Kiba's jaw dropped. Shino looked like he was not very surprised, though with his brows lifted up higher than usual was he way to tell that he was very surprised. Satsuki looked impressed, from beating Shika at Shoji and making Shika lose his calm and lazy attitude. Mito who was always acting indifferent towards Naruto, looked wide-eyed. Menma only raised a brow, though inside, he reluctantly acknowledge that Naruto beating the Nara heir was impressive.
All of the rookies and those who didn't passed in their batch that Shikamaru posses the highest level of IQ, also surpassing most of his clan members.
The fact that Naruto, who was disinherited of being a clan heir, bested one of the smartest in the village, in Shogi which Shika excelled the most no less.
"That's right, a rematch! I want one, right here, right now!" Shika demanded.
"Choji, when did this happened?" Ino whispered.
"Well... it happened last... Monday? Yeah, last Monday, and it only lasted not even half an hour..." Choji answered. He explained that the two of them were just lazing around when they saw Team 11. They said that they were going to train and that Sakura if they can teach play some shogi, saying that it would be a great mental exercise.
"...Naruto didn't know how to play, so Shika taught him at first. And after their first game, and from Shika's face alone, that was the most grating experience he's ever had." Choki finished.
Naruto chuckled. "Alright, alright. We'll have a rematch, heh heh heh..."
On the side, Sasuke smirked. He knew shogi and he can play, but he doesn't really enjoy it. The only joy he can have in shogi is to watch Nara squirm against Naruto. Aside from his teammate, the Nara heir could beat all genins in the village, and most of the chuunins and some jounins. If only he put more effort in others, not just laze around, he could be a contender on the ROTY.
Besides Sasuke, Sakura grinned viciously. She took pride in her smarts, and seeing Shika back in the academy laze around but still beat her in brains infuriated her. Even though Naruto was the one who beat Shika in shogi, Sakura took some entertainment watching him break out of his lax attitude.
The match was almost like a replay.
At first, Naruto looked at the board, recognizing some changes on Nara's strategies. All genins were silent, and even some of the patrolling ANBU also watched with the genins as they saw the seriousness and concentration etched on the Nara's face.
Though after 5 minutes, Shikamaru saw the grin on his opponent's face, dread began to creep on him. His chuckles didn't help either.
After some time, Naruto didn't bother looking at the board, he just cleaned his sunglasses and his hands would push a piece.
In the end, Shikamaru could only take comfort that he lasted two minutes longer than their first game.
*LINE BREAK*
Gai watched Lee and Tenten as they spar in their training ground. He watched as Lee evaded all the kunais and shurikens thrown by the girl, dancing like a leaf. He guessed it was Kami-e, a technique Lee learned from Naruto. Lee kicked the ground, and threw a knee towards her abdomen, which she evaded on a roll. She looked around as Lee disappeared, Soru, Gai thought, when suddenly, she was tackled from behind and a hand pinned her head to the ground. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lee's fist reeled back and launched to her face, though it didn't made contact, but Lee repeated the gesture.
"That's enough, my youthful students." Gai said as he and Neji approach the two.
Lee rose from his position and offered a hand to his teammate.
"Why won't you let me skewer you, Lee?" Tenten said in an exaggerated hurt voice, though Lee took it seriously.
"What?! What an unyouthful way of thinking, Tenten! We are teammates! How could you?!" Lee exclaimed. He looked genuinely frightened and upset at his teammate.
"A-Ah w-wait, Lee! I'm just joking!" Tenten said quickly. Neji just sweatdropped as Gai gave words of reassurance at Lee and tears of relief appeared in Lee's eyes. Neji and Tenten knew what would come next.
"A-Anyway, Gai-sensei, what do you think about my performance?" Tenten quickly changed the subject.
"You performed much better than the last few months. Your reflexes and reaction time also improved as well as your awareness on your surroundings. There are still some holes to fix but, overall it is quite a performance." Gaid said, complete with a thumbs-up as Neji gave his own input.
"I agree with sensei, Tenten-san. But from what I observed, you rely too much on using your weapons for long-range assaults. You would be in a disadvantage if you face up against a superior weapon's user, or a ninjutsu specialist especially someone with a wind affinity. The moment you face either one of those, you're finished." Neji said flatly.
"It is very unyouthful with the way Neji-san said it, but I have to agree with him, Tenten-san." Lee said.
Tenten looked disappointed but she agreed with their analysis. She couldn't blame them. Neji is a prodigy. People say that he was only a prodigy in their clan's Taijutsu style, but his smarts is also sharp that some people didn't see. Not like the Naras, but still sharp. Though with Neji spouting about fate really dampened him in mental department.
Lee is strong. She wouldn't deny that. Someone who dedicated himself to be the best even if it's only in Taijutsu. He worked hard. VERY hard. He is not good at the other shinobi aspects. So he trained his body to be his weapon. He is using his body to its full potential. So when Lee agreed with Neji, she knew what he was saying. If she want to be a weapon's mistress, she should use weapons to its full potential.
"You're right. But I guess you'll help me with that huh, Lee?" Tenten replied.
"Of course! Though I do not use weapons myself but in spars you can count me in!" Lee said with a thumbs up along with her sensei. Neji just nodded.
"Alright, my youthful students. I will let you go now so you can use the remaining to rest and relax because you know what comes tomorrow. You all need to be in your most youthful!" Gai boomed. "I will see you tomorrow, dismissed."
*LINE BREAK*(DAY OF THE EXAMS)
Kakashi leaned against the rails reading his favorite book near the Room 301 where the first exam will occur. He just came back a week before the exams from a long term mission infiltrating Iwagakure. What spurred this was because of the new Minor Shinobi Village called Sound, with rumors of the Snake Sennin being the Otokage and said village participating in the Chuunin Exams in Konoha. Rumors about mutant ninjas in Oto was also a cause of alarm, as the higher ups of Konoha really thought it is the work of Orochimaru, though they still don't have evidence to confirm it.
Kakashi was tasked to infiltrate Iwa and determine if they made contact with the new village, Konoha may face an invasion. Fortunately, there was none to report, though their hatred towards Konoha, or more specifically, towards the Yondaime didn't simmer down. Suna also came into their watch as their Daimyo sent more missions to Konoha than their own village, and that didn't help Suna as the weakest of the Big 5. Both of them could be used by Orochimaru, though Minato sent him to Iwa because of the alliance between Konoha and Suna, with Minato in a belief that they will still honor it.
He was forced out of his thoughts when he saw his students. He observed the three. He could tell that they worked hard in the past months, especially Sakura. She didn't look like a lost puppy always following Sasuke with lovestruck expression. Speaking of the Uchiha, he now looked more relaxed. His eyes doesn't look very dark now unlike the first time he saw him. Naruto, as usual, was grinning, hands in his pockets and the exaggerated walk.
"Yo." Kakashi greeted. "You're almost late."
"Got lost on the road of life." Sasuke replied in monotone voice, his face blank.
"Well, sensei, I'm on my way here when I saw a black cat cross my path, so I took a new path around." Sakura replied too innocently.
"Heh heh heh, sorry. I got held back. I couldn't find my sword, so..." Naruto replied with a shrug, his grin widening.
Kakashi sweatdropped. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Kakashi deadpanned. "Um... Naruto, you're not a swordsman."
Naruto didn't replied for a moment and just looking at him with his grin. Then he snapped his fingers, as if he had come to a realization.
"Right, I forgot." Naruto replied, chuckling.
Kakashi sighed. "Anyway, I'm not keeping you anymore here. I know you all trained yourselves from the past months. I'll see you all later. Good luck." Kakashi said with a two-fingered salute as he disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
He arrived at the Hokage Tower. He knew the Sandaime will watch the first exams with his crystal ball. He saw the other Konoha Jounins also there, and offered a wave of greeting.
"Sensei, Kushina-nee, Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama, Sandaime-sama." Kakashi said, nodding at the aforementioned persons.
"Kakashi, looks like you're passing your tardiness to your teams, I see." Tsunade said.
"Yes. They also got my excuses, but Naruto has his own set though..." Kakashi replied with his eye-smile. "He said something about he couldn't find his sword even though he's not a swordsman."
The others sweatdropped at the excuse, though the Sandaime just chuckled good-naturedly.
"What a youthful way to counter my eternal rival's attitude! Truly Naruto-kun is a genius!" Gai boomed.
"Hm? You said something?"
"One day, Kakashi, one day..." Gai muttered, silently cyrsing about hip attitudes.
Kakashi and the other Jounins watched as the rookies interact, and as Team 11 entered, most of the genins from foreign villages glared at Naruto, who was cleaning his sunglasses, and muttering about muttering about arrogant brat. Naruto glared at the Rain genin who said that while walking to a vacant seat. His teammates following him as the room became suddenly quiet. His dark blue eyes kept glaring at the Rain kid, who was sweating bullets now, waiting for the blonde to say something, until Naruto reached his preferred sit and pulled out a book, reading something.
"WILL YOU SAY SOMETHING ALREADY?!" The genin shouted. His teammate recovered after seeing the glare and demanded to Naruto.
"H-Hey! Are you messing with us?! You wanna fight?!" The genin demanded.
"Would've sound intimidating if he didn't stutter..." Kushina muttered. She wouldn't admit it, but she was having fun on what Naruto was doing right now.
Naruto's glare returned full force, making the genin who demanded cower. He didn't reply for a full 7 seconds.
"Forget it." Naruto growled. "If you do that, someone will die." He said while maintaining his glare.
"Poor kid." Asuma Sarutobi said to the Ame-nin. He heard of what Naruto did back in Wave when he was angered, and by the looks Naruto is having now...
The Ame-nin regained his composure. "Oh yeah? And who would that be?" He replied with false bravado.
"Me."
Cue face-plants from some of the genin that was getting nervous from the tension, as well as Asuma who didn't expect such a reply. His father laughed loudly, as is Tsunade. Kurenai Yuuhi giggled at the sensei of Team 10, one hand covering her mouth as Asuma stood back up, one of his brows twitching. Sasuke and Sakura looked devoid of emotion, though inside, they were laughing their asses.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered, though amusement was dancing in his eyes.
"LISTEN, YOU-" The Ame genin roared standing on his seat as his female teammate clamp a hand at his shoulder.
"Calm down, hothead. No need to get angry, alright?" The girl said. "We can talk about this in civil." She finished as her teammate backed down reluctantly.
"Hey, who are you and what made you this mad at my teammates?" The girl asked and she squeaked fearfully as Naruto aimed his glare at her. She waited for 10 full seconds before Naruto answered.
"Miss..." Naruto hissed. "...isn't it impolite to ask questions before you introduce yourself?"
"Ah! R-Right. My b-bad." The girl cleared her throat. "Ehem. My name is-"
"My name is Naruto. A genin here in the Village Hidden in the Leaves under Jounin sensei Kakashi Hatake. I am 14 years old. My favorite food-" Naruto listed.
"YOU-" The girl roared, pulling out a kunai as Sakura roared in laughter as she fell on fours, pounding her fist on the ground, her eyes tearing a bit. Sasuke just turned around, though his shoulders visibly shaking.
Kiba, Choji and, unknown to them, Lee, was laughing out loud. Neji snorted, very rare for a Hyuuga, especially on public. Tenten, Ino, and Satsuki all giggled silently on their own. Shino didn't look any different, just watching the madness. Shikamaru just muttered about troublesome blondes under his breathe. Hinata didn't know if she should laugh or stop her fellow rookies from their own bouts of laughter. Mito and Menma also looked amused. Though they may not like their older brother, but they like what he's doing to the foreign genins right now.
In the Tower, Hiruzen, Tsunade and even Kushina burst in laughter. Kakashi just shook his head as he felt pity for the Rain team being targeted by Naruto. Minato just chuckled while Jiraiya snickered to himself.
The rookies stopped laughing when Kabuto appeared and said that they were garnering attention. Kakashi watched as his team approached the other Konoha rookies talking with Kabuto.
"Oh? And why's that?" Kiba asked. Kabuto just pointed at the foreign genins glaring at them, especially the team from Rain. Naruto just chuckled.
"Take it from someone who has experience from these exams." Kabuto said.
"Experience? So you've participated before?" Shikamaru said.
"Yes. In fact this is my seventh try." Kabuto replied sheepishly.
"What a drag..."
Kabuto chuckled. "Maybe I can help you all. I have these cards with informations about all the participants here. So, do you have someone you want to know about?"
Sakura asked about Gaara.
"Ah. The youngest of the Yondaime Kazekage. It was said here that he had... no D-ranks? Mostly C-ranks and a couple of B-ranks. Hmm, impressive." Kabuto said, much to the shock of Sakura and some genins. "And get this, he didn't received a single wound from those missions!" He exclaimed.
Most of the occupants in the Hokage's office were impressed, though the Third and the Fourth narrowed their eyes slightly.
"Is that so?" Naruto grinned. "I have one also."
"Who would you want now? Me? I guess you want some info about me, huh." Menma boasted. Mito ignored him as she watched Naruto indifferently, though she was curious who he wants.
"Who do you want to know?" Kabuto asked.
"Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto replied much to shock and confusion of the others.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke whispered to Naruto. He just waved him off as he observed the glasses wearing genin.
Some of the Jounins watched in confusion but Kakashi, Hiruzen, Minato, and Jiraiya all saw the momentary panic that crossed Kabuto's face. Minato called one of the ANBU.
"Watch these...Kabuto Yakushi...after the first stage." Minato instructed to the cat-masked female ANBU.
"Okaaay, so, according to my cards, it says he is the ROTY on his batch. His team completed 17 D-ranks and...an A-rank with his teammates Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha of Team 11 under Kakashi Hatake. Though the A-rank mission is shared with Team 7."
Naruto chuckled as he went back to his seat. He just confirmed something, and if he knew the old man, he came to the same conclusion as well.
At the tower, Hiruzen nodded at the current leader and his two former students.
"Why did you ask about yourself?" Sakura questioned Naruto.
Before he could answer her, the proctor entered.
"All right, you all listen up! I'm Ibiki Morino, and I'm your proctor here on the first part of your exams." Ibiki Morino said in a gruff voice. "You all form a line in front of me and pick a number to determine your seat."
'Maybe a written exam?' Doffy thought.
He made his way to his designated seat. He recognize one of his seatmates, Hinata Hyuuga, and the other from Taki who looked nervous for some reason. Doffy looked around and saw Sasuke sat near the window and Sakura sat in the front rows.
As he saw the test papers, he knew something is wrong. He can proudly say that he's a genius but the questions looked too advanced.
He listened as the proctor explain the rules. And the rules are strange. You start with 10 points, losing a point in every wrong answers, or left unanswered. This meant that, unlike the other tests, you can pass even if you only answered one question. And the rule about cheating. They were allowed to cheat three times before they were disqualified. Doffy was confused, why let them have that number of times to cheat when they could just disqualify them after they caught them fro the first time. Unless...
Doffy looked back to his paper, reading the questions and he knew the other participants cannot answer all the questions.
'So we're supposed to cheat, huh?' Doffy grinned.
It was easy, it was almost underwhelming. Almost.
52 minutes. The time before the 10th question. Lots of time before the final question, he decided to have some fun. He stretched his Observation Haki to find the Rain genin from earlier. The kid sat on the back row beside another foreign genin. He flicked his middle finger. Time to have some fun.
'Parasite string.'
Mito suddenly sensed a sensed Naruto's chakra moving. She also discovered that they were supposed to cheat in the test, and from the number of genins using various techniques to cheat, she came to that conclusion. But sensing Naruto using some of his techniques, she was immediately on guard. Considering on what he did earlier, he knew he was stirring up trouble.
If Mito was correct, Naruto is using his strings again, this it latched on to the Rain-nin from earlier. She hears the rain ninja whispering in panic, and then a sound of flesh hitting flesh rang.
"Number 72! You're disqualified. Number 89 and 21 also failed!" The proctor announced.
"W-wait a minute! That wasn't me!..." the genin's excuses were unheard of as they were dragged out of the room by the Chuunins supervising the exams.
Mito shook her head. She couldn't stop herself, no matter how hard she tried, to stop herself from smirking. She really is Kushina's daughter. Trouble is really a part of their blood. She could only offer pity to that genin.
*LINE BREAK*
"Well, seeing that Ibiki's method did not remove most of you, expect that right now for the second part of the exam! And I welcome you to The Forest of Death!" Anko Mitarashi, the proctor of the second part of the exam exclaimed. "Now form a line in front of the Chuunins and you sign up these papers."
"What are these for?" Ino asked.
Anko smirked deviously. "Weeell, the second part of these exams has a high possibility that some of you will never make it out of these forest, dead or alive. These waivers are proof that I won't be held accountable if something happens to you." She said cheerily. Most of the genins look nervous.
Doffy chuckled silently. "I'm really liking this people from TI more and more."
"Of course" Sakura rolled her eyes. Sasuke just grunted.
Doffy just ignored them as the proctor continued.
"Your mission is to reach the tower inside the forest in five days, but you must have these two scrolls." Anko held up two scrolls labeled 'Heaven' and 'Earth'. "You also have to have your whole team when entering the tower. If one of your team members is dead or incapacitated, you're automatically disqualified. And one last thing, don't open the scrolls."
After the explanation, Sakura went to get their scroll and to the designated entrance.
They burst through the forest, jumping through branches for an hour. They decided to let Sakura to lead. Doffy knew how much she needed confidence after what the proctor said earlier. They stopped near the river.
"Okay, I have two ways to complete these test. Our priority is still to acquire the Earth scroll. The first is to find the scroll and head straight to the tower, or we could stay behind and remove some competitions." Sakura said. I'll go for the first if you ask me. We don't know what this forest have for us and we can use the reamining time to rest for the final part of the exams. Are you OK with my plan?" She asked.
Both her teammates nodded. "It'd be boring for awhile but better in the long run." Naruto said. "Well, I guess we have a plan now-" he suddenly stopped as he looked to his side, his grin gone. "Move, now." Naruto said commandingly.
Sasuke and Sakura didn't think twice, they knew he was serious, and they heard something in his voice, urgency.
They only moved for a few feet when Naruto suddenly appeared to their side.
"Spiderweb!" White strings burst from his palm and formed into what the name of the technique is.
Naruto kicked both of his teammates away as strong gust of wind burst through the trees. The trees where his strings attached were uprooted and he was hit by the gust of wind, sending him deeper in the forest. The last thing he heard was his teammates shouting his name.