still narrowed. I struggled, trying not to punch him in the jaw for betraying Konoha and serving Hebi-teme. "Kabuto, can you do me a favor?"
"That depends," he said warily.
"It isn't much. I want you to know that I know what you're doing. I won't give you away as long as you give your master a message," I said quietly. Kabuto's eyes flashed with panic before he killed the emotion, transforming it into arrogance.
"What message?" he growled quietly at his discovery.
"It isn't very long," I reassured him. He didn't look very reassured though, so I sighed and gave him the message. "Foxes eat snakes. Tell him to keep that in mind next time you see him."
"Why are you telling me that? Why don't you just call some ANBU and see if they can drag me away?" he smirked.
"I want to give your master a chance to stop before he gets in over his head. If he comes to Konoha, I can guarantee that both myself and the Professor will stand in his way. As for the ANBU, they might get hurt attacking you. I know you are strong and that you still have a lot of potential. Don't make me attack you and I'll leave you alone. I'm not going to tell anyone about your allegiances," I promised.
Leaving the corner I had taken for my chat with Hebi-teme's spy, I glanced around at the group. Most of the ninja were still looking at me, a number of them were scowling from trying and failing to overhear us. Sighing, I watched as the Oto nin sprinted through the crowd.
This is going to kill my ears, I complained to Kyuu. He had no sympathy for me, arguing that I should let them attack the traitor. Instead of following his advice, I ducked under Dosu, grabbing his left ankle and wincing as a sound wave attacked me, shrieking in my ears. I twisted the Oto nin around, grabbing his right wrist to meet his ankle. I glanced tiredly at the ninja now pinned under my right hand.
"Oto nin… Judging from the melody arm, you must be Kinuta Dosu," I said, my left hand going to my ear. "Crude but effective, especially if your opponent has sensitive hearing," I commented, releasing him as I stood. I offered a hand to him, he studied it with narrowed eyes. "It's just a hand, it won't bite." I bit back a grimace, remembering Deidara's techniques.
Dosu ignored my hand and stood slowly, He glared at me with his left eye.
"I don't need your help," he growled. I sighed, moving my hand to the pocket in my Sage coat.
"I'm only being polite," I shrugged, staring into the crowd of genin before raising my voice. "There will be no more fighting in here. That extends to all nations, including Konoha genin," I said, nodding at the Rookie Nine. All but Kiba stared at their feet.
A large cloud of smoke rose from the front of the room.
"Quiet, pests!" Morino Ibiki shouted from the smoke. The smoke lifted to reveal Ibiki and his crew, all facing the genin. "Sorry to keep you waiting," he said quietly. "I am Morino Ibiki, proctor of the first test in the Chuunin Exam."
Unwilling to break the tension, I stifled a laugh as the genin all froze.
"You, from the Hidden Sound!" he shouted, pointing to Dosu. "No doing whatever you want before the exam! Or do you want to fail before it even starts?" he threatened. Dosu glared at me before turning back to Ibiki.
"I apologize. This is our first time taking the exams. It will not happen again."
"I'm only going to say this once, so listen up! There will be no battles, competitions, or the like without permission from the proctors. Even if you do get permission, actions to kill your opponent will not be permitted. Anyone that messes with me will be disqualified immediately," he threatened.
"Hmm, this exam looks easy," Zaku muttered. He quieted when Ibiki spoke.
"Now then, we will start the first test of the Chuunin Exam. Turn in your applications and take a number card. Sit at the desk with your number on it. Then we will hand out the written test."
When all the applicants were seated, I stood close to Ibiki as he explained the rules. I watched as the rookies all tried not to panic.
"Know those that commit awkward cheating doom themselves. If you want to be a chuunin, know that shinobi should act like exemplary shinobi. Also, if one team member gets zero points, the entire team shall be disqualified," he announced, grinning sadistically. "This test lasts one hour. The last question will be given after forty five minutes." The second hand on the clock twitched to twelve… "Begin!"
At once, all the genin turned over their papers, reading each question. I smiled as I watched Sakura, already scribbling at the parchment. I smiled as Sasuke figured out the puzzle, activating his Sharingan behind his hair. Haku created mirrors to reflect other people's answers; Akamaru began to bark the answers to Kiba; Tenten used mirrors on the ceiling connected by ninja wire to see other people's tests; Shino began to use flies to gather the answers; Neji activated his Byakugan; Ino used her family's mind transfer jutsu on Sakura; Gaara created his third eye out of sand; Kankuro used Crow to gather the answers.
The forty five minutes sped by as the same teams were disqualified. Pacing the front, Ibiki stopped and turned to the genin.
"All right! Here is the tenth question," he announced. "But, before that, I'm going to add some rules for the last question."
Just as the room tensed, Kankuro walked back in, smiling before he read the atmosphere. Ibiki chuckled at him.
"Aren't you lucky? It looks like playing with dolls paid off. Anyway, go sit down," Ibiki ordered. Kankuro smiled and walked back to his chair, dropping the answers on Temari's desk as he walked by. "Let me explain… These are the hopeless rules.
"First," he began, "You guys will have to choose whether or not you will take this tenth question."
"What do you mean, choose?" Temari shouted. "What happens if you don't take the question?"
"If you choose not to take this question, your score will be zero. In other words, you will fail," Ibiki said, smiling evilly. I stifled a chuckle out of respect for the genin. "And of course, the same goes for your teammates."
The room got louder as the genin protested the rule. They quieted when Ibiki spoke again.
"And one more rule," he said, looking down. "If you choose to take it and are unable to answer correctly, then you will lose your right to take the Chuunin Exams ever again!" Kiba broke the inevitable silence, just as he had last time.
"What kind of ridiculous rule is that! Besides, there are plenty of people here who have taken the Chuunin Exams before!" he shouted, indignant. Akamaru barked in agreement while Ibiki laughed, silencing the room once more.
"You're just unlucky," he said, staring at the genin. "I make the rules this year. But, I give you the option to go back. For those of you who aren't confident, you can choose not to take it and take the exam next year or the year after that. Let's begin," Ibiki growled. "The tenth question… Those who will not be taking it: raise your hands! Once I confirm your number, leave the room."
Once more, the Konoha genin, number 40, was the first to leave, taking his team with him out the door. More and more genin raised their hands and I saw Kiba tense up. Briefly I wondered who would shout out and end the test.
Eventually, watching the teams dwindle down, Kiba snapped.
"Give us the damn question! None of us are going to quit at this point, just get it over with!" he yelled to the proctor. Ibiki put on his most serious face and stared at the class.
"I'll say it again. This is a life altering decision. If you want to quit, now is your chance!" No one moved. Ibiki strode forward, counting the genin. Ibiki glanced around at the sentinel ninja, each nodding their head. When he looked at me, standing at the left of the chalkboard, I grinned and nodded. "I like your determination! For those who are still here… The first exam… You've passed it!" he announced. The genin all looked surprised. Sakura was the first to recover.
"What- what does that mean? All of a sudden, you're telling us that we all passed!" she shouted, standing at her desk. "What about the tenth question?"
"There never was a tenth question," Ibiki said, laughing. "Well, you can look at your decision to stay as the tenth question." He smiled. Temari was the next to complain.
"Hey! Then what were the first nine questions for! It was just a waste of time!" the Suna kunoichi shouted at the interrogator.
"No, not a waste," he said, turning. Ibiki went on to explain the purpose of each aspect of the test, bringing in the hypothetical situation again. "Now, this mission… Will you take it or not? Because you want your life spared, because your comrades will be in danger… Can you get away from dangerous missions? The answer is… No. There are going to be missions that you must accept, no matter how dangerous or risky it may be! Showing your courage to your teammates in a tight spot, as well as the ability to get through hardships… Those are qualities needed of chuunin! In a pinch, there are those who cannot risk their own fate and those who waver and give up on their chances thinking that they will have another chance. I believe that those fools who lack determination have no right to become a chuunin. You have passed through the gates; the first part of the Chuunin Exams has been completed. I wish you-"
Ibiki's speech was cut short by the flying ball of cloth that was Mitarashi Anko. Two kunai later and the banner was up, hiding both myself and Ibiki to the genin.
"You guys! It is not time to celebrate yet! I'm the proctor of the second exam, Mitarashi Anko!" she shouted to the genin. I poked my head out from behind the curtain and sweat dropped, noting that she still wore my Sage coat.
"Quite an entrance," I commented. She glared at me, licking her lips.
"Shut up. Let's move onto the next stage! Follow me!" she yelled back at the genin, none of them moving. Ibiki stepped away from the banner.
"Read the atmosphere," he said emotionlessly. Anko glanced at the genin. I laughed as Sakura compared me to Anko.
"78?" she asked. "You let 26 teams slide by? I guess the first exam was too easy this time 'round."
"It seems that this time there are a lot of excellent candidates," he growled. Anko shrugged, looking back at the genin.
"Hmm… Well, all right… I'll drop more than half of them in the second exam," she said confidently before wincing slightly, the remnants of her hangover finding their way to her head. "I'll give you the details tomorrow. We'll be changing locations, so get a jounin to tell you the time and place. That's it, dismissed!"
~Tomorrow, Forest of Death~
"What is this place?" a Suna genin stammered, gazing at the 'no trespassing' signs and the foreboding trees.
"This is the location of the second exam, the forty fourth training ground," Anko answered, smirking at the genin. I jumped down from one of the trees, landing with a small crater as I grinned at the intimidated genin.
"Careful, Anko-chan. You don't want them to be scared before they go in there," I chuckled. "The forty fourth training ground… Better known as the Forest of Death." Anko withered.
"You're stealing my lines," she hissed. I turned to face her and winked.
"Okay, I'll back off. I just need to say something: if anyone finds any kunai that look like this," I held up one of my Hiraishin kunai, "Pick it up and throw it, doesn't matter where. Also, don't freak out if you see a yellow flash."
"Losing your Hiraishin kunai, taicho?" Gaara asked, chuckling. A few of the genin looked confused at the title.
"Kind of, some of the animals in there thought it'd be fun to scatter my kunai all over the place. I think it's revenge for monopolizing the best field," I said, shrugging before turning to the genin. "Most of you know who I am. If not, all you need to know is that I am a jounin. For the rookies here, just because you're young doesn't mean your weak. Don't let the older genin push you around," I said, smiling at Team Seven.
"Hai, sensei," Sakura nodded at me. Sasuke stood next to her, unfazed by the atmosphere resonating from the trees. Haku nodded at me, smiling.
"I'll be in the forest. Don't kill anyone, Anko, especially not my team. Watch out for the Araiguma," I warned. Anko rolled her eyes. I smiled at Hina-chan and motioned towards her necklace. She rolled her eyes too but closed her hand around the blood steel vixen.
I jumped over the fence, stopping on a tree branch out of sight.
"There's something creepy about this place," Ino said, her hands in front of her face. Anko laughed at the girl.
"Heh. This place is called the Forest of Death; you'll soon realize why. Evidently we have a lot of hothead kids this time… This'll be fun," Anko chuckled quietly.
"Before we start the second exam, you all need to sign these," Anko announced, holding the waivers. "It's a consent form; you must sign it before I can begin the test. From here on out, there will be deaths. You have to sign these, or I'll get blamed for it," she said, smiling. She went through explaining the rules and the time limit.
"Five days!" Ino leaned forward. Chouji paled.
"What will we do for food?" he asked, almost crying,
"Hunt. Eat or be eaten. There are things in this forest that will not hesitate to swallow you whole… I recommend going for the smaller prey."
"That forest is teeming with man-eating creatures, poisonous bugs, and poisonous plants," Kabuto smiled. After hearing more and more of the risks, Shikamaru raised his hand.
"So, can we quit in the middle of it?" he asked tiredly. Anko gave him a harsh smile.
"According to the rules, no. I want you to spend five days in that forest."
"Just like I thought… This is going to be such a pain," he complained.
"Moving on, conditions of disqualification. Number one, if all three members can't make it to the tower by the end of five days with both scrolls. Number two, if a team loses a member or a member becomes incapacitated. Also, do not look at the scrolls until you've reached the tower! That's it for the rules; give all three of your consent forms to the guys over there. After that, pick the gate you want to go in by. The gates will open simultaneously." Anko stopped, sighing. "Finally, I'm supposed to give you a word of advice or something. Don't die!"
Handing in the consent forms, each genin team received a scroll. Like last time, Team Seven was given a heaven scroll before they left for their gate. The other teams all drifted away from the main gate and I saw Anko stare into the trees.
"26 teams… I wonder how many of them are going to survive…"
I left Anko at the main gate, following the now familiar paths of the forest to gate 12. The time flew past and the chuunin opened the lock in preparation. When the gates finally threw themselves open, Sasuke took the lead as the trio ran into the trees.
Each time I felt one of my kunai thrown, I Hiraishined to it, scaring quite a few genin. Time passed as my kept tabs on the more important teams: Team Seven, the Sand Siblings, the Oto nin, and Kabuto's team. When one of my foxes alerted me that Orochimaru was about to attack, I ran to Team Seven, only a few miles away. When I reached them, Orochimaru had begun his attack.
Unfortunately, I arrived just in time to watch him- her- swallow the earth scroll, something I did not appreciate.
"Well, let's begin the battle for the scrolls," he said, licking his lips. He tried to freeze Sasuke with killing intent, something I had already shown him. I watched Sasuke stay frozen, by choice this time, as Orochimaru threw the kunai towards Sakura. Narrowing his eyes, Sasuke leapt to her, picking her up and taking her away. I jumped to the snake farther away, Haku struggling inside. I withdrew Mizuchi and sliced the snake's side open before he could notice I was there. Covered in slime, Haku fell out of the snake, landing on a tree branch further down.
"Oh, this is disgusting!" she complained, trying to wipe the slime off. I nodded, knowing the feeling from experience.
"Yes it is, let's go save Sasuke and Sakura; he's fighting someone out of his league," I said, jumping back to Sasuke. Again I had horrible timing, catching a glimpse of Orochimaru extracting himself from another snake.
"Never lower your guard, even for a moment," he said in a woman's voice. "Prey must always be tensed and ready to flee desperately… before a predator." I grimaced, disgusted when he started moving his tongue. He slid out of the snake, his lower body a long snake tail as he wound up a tree. Disturbed, I threw a kunai towards him, stabbing the wood above him.
"Orochimaru…" I said loudly. "Have I mentioned how… disgusting your techniques are?" At my voice, the Snake Sannin's head shot up, looking for me. "Oi, Sasuke! Sorry I'm late."
"Naruto," he said quietly. I thought he'd say something really heartwarming and grateful, a sign of how little I understand him. "Very dramatic entrance. Is Haku-"
"I'm fine. Covered in who knows what, but not inside a snake anymore," she said, shrugging. Sasuke smiled tightly before glancing at Orochimaru.
"She-"
"I know. Sasuke, meet Orochimaru, the Snake Sannin. You might've heard me refer to him as Hebi-teme. He's a body snatching maniac and very strong, a dangerous combination. Protect Sakura and Haku, you've done enough against him," I ordered. Sasuke nodded, moving in front of Sakura as Haku checked her for injuries.
"You must be the fox Kabuto was telling me about… How did you discover him?" he asked, his tongue flitting in and out of his mouth.
"By putting two and two together when other people got three. I also know about how you sent the Oto ninjas to kill Sasuke. I know that you want to put a curse seal on Sasuke. I won't let that happen," I said, drawing a kunai. "I don't let my teammates die."
"A pretty speech, Fox, but do you have the strength to back it?" Orochimaru smirked. I answered with a chuckle. He stared at me with narrowed eyes and I pointed to myself.
"Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto. The question isn't if I have enough strength to protect my team. The question is if I have enough self restraint to let you slither away with your life."
"I don't think so," he said, rolling up his sleeve revealing a seal. His hand flew to his mouth and, before I could move, he ran his bleeding thumb across the seal. "Kuchiyose no jutsu!"
A whirlwind rose up under him, destroying the trees as a large snake appeared under his feet. The snake flicked it's tongue at Sasuke and I narrowed my eyes.
"Orochimaru… Leave my team alone. This is between you and me. At least until the ANBU get here." The ninja raised an eyebrow, smirking.
"You may be a jounin but you aren't close to my level yet. Who knows, maybe I'll get you the seal," he grinned, the snake turning to me. I chuckled quietly and threw the kunai towards his head. He leaned to the side easily, allowing the kunai to bury itself in the tree behind him.
"I have a better idea; you want a battle for the scrolls? Winner takes all?"
"Now, now, Naruto-kun… If I wanted your scroll, your team wouldn't be alive right now," he smiled, licking his lips again. "But, you seem to know what I want."
"I know exactly what you want and I know exactly how to stop you. I'm giving you the chance to run with your pet before I get angry." Haku smiled hopefully at me then sadistically at Orochi-teme.
"You should leave," she advised. "You won't like Naruto-sensei when he gets angry. There is a reason why he has a flee on sight order."
"Silly girl, I know all about your sensei. Namikaze Naruto, the infamous Kiiroi Kitsune. I have no doubt that he is strong. I also have no doubt that he is not on my level. Kiiroi Kitsune may be feared in Kumo and Iwa. I am feared in every nation."
"Mostly because you're a body-snatching pedophile," I smirked. Orochimaru glanced at me with disdain. "Sorry, teme, did I hit a nerve there?"
"Do what you want, Fox. You can't stop me," he said, ignoring my insults. His hands met in front of his chest in a hand seal I had not seen in years. My eyes widening slightly, I jumped in front of Sasuke, too slow to draw Mizuchi.
"Naruto!" I heard Sasuke shouted behind me, warningly. I winced and growled as Orochimaru's fangs connected to my neck. His neck shortened, his head returning to his shoulders. I fell to my knees, clutching the three commas now forming in my skin. Forcing my head up, I glared at Orochimaru.
"Sasuke, take Sakura and Haku and get out of here. I'll keep him busy while you three get away," I coughed, my skin radiating with pain as Orochimaru's soul buried itself into my subconscious. Sasuke's eyes widened and he took a step towards me.
"I can't just-" he fell silent as he met my eyes. He nodding determinedly, and jumped towards Sakura and Haku. Both stared at me, their eyes wide, before I nodded towards them. They frowned worriedly but let Sasuke drag them away.
Watching them leave, Orochimaru laughed.
"That was foolish of you. Once I finish you, I can easily track Sasuke down and give him the seal."
Kyuu, find that piece of his soul and kill it. I'm going to summon you when you're done.
Got it, kit. Kyuubi roared into my subconscious and I felt a small shadow in the corners of my mind jump. I sat, seemingly defenseless, as Kyuubi tracked down Hebi-teme's imprint on me. Glancing at Orochimaru, I laughed humorlessly.
"If you were even a little bit human, you'd understand… If I let them stay, they'd want to fight you. I can't risk that," I said, glaring at the Oto nin. His smirk grew into a sadistic smile.
"Do you still think that they could fight me? You couldn't even defend yourself. Look at you. I'm surprised you can even move while-"
"While your soul gets comfortable in my subconscious?" I said, feeling the pain evaporate as Kyuu roared again, now in victory. I glanced at the seal, the pain gone but the tattoo still visible. "I did my research. Did you do yours'? Kuchiyose no jutsu!" I shouted, slamming my palm to the tree trunk. Instead of a whirlwind, the trees lit in an inferno, burning away as Kyuubi appeared out of the air and released a growl that echoed around the trees, a wave of killing intent pulsing away from him. I jumped to his head, placing a hand on his head. He shook as I took the chakra he had no control over. Orochimaru, still in disguise, paled at the sight.
"I will say this one more time. If you value your pathetic existence, run. Get out of this forest and then out of Konoha. If you still believe that you are even close to my level, stay and fight."
I had hardly finished when he narrowed his eyes and sank into the tree branch, retreating. I frowned.
"That wasn't fun… I was kind of hoping he'd stay and summon Manda."
"I hate that snake," Kyuubi growled, shrinking quickly. I chuckled.
"Which one?" I asked, jumping off onto a tree branch. When he had finished his transformation, he leapt up to meet me, thinking.
"Both," he decided. I laughed, petting him as Anko appeared, racing out of the trees.
"Oi, Anko-chan!" I shouted, waving. Seeing me sitting besides Kyuubi, she lost her footing and fell down a branch. Jumping back up to meet us, she panted heavily.
"Did you- see a-"
"Not very subtle and extremely disgusting snake shaped like a human? Yeah, we saw him. Before you ask, my team got away."
"While you did what?"
"Me? I got a new tattoo, courtesy of Hebi-teme," I said, exposing my left shoulder. The black curse seal was right above my mate seal. It would have looked cool if I hadn't known what it was supposed to mean. Recognizing the seal, Anko's eyes widened and her right hand went to her own seal.
"You got bitten?" she asked, panicked.
"I'm okay. I know what the cursed seal of heaven does. I already had Kyuubi track down and kill the part of Orochimaru inside my mind," I reassured the Snake Mistress. "He was aiming for Sasuke."
"Why did he- oh, no."
"Yeah, he wants Sasuke for his next body. I couldn't make it to get Sasuke out of the way so I took the bite. Sasuke doesn't have a friendly bijuu to defend his mind," I shrugged, sitting. Anko sat next to me, dazed. After a while, I leaned back, sighing. "He isn't dead. I know what he's planning."
"So you let him go?" she asked, sounding angry and surprised. I nodded slowly.
"He's going to launch an invasion of Konoha. Oto and Suna against us. We don't have to worry about Suna, I have spies and friends to watch them and help limit the damage. All we have to worry about is the Oto nin and Orochimaru. Orochimaru will attack Hiruzen while he trusts his pawns to obliterate Konoha. What he doesn't know is that most of his fighting force will be fighting for me." Anko raised her eyebrows.
"Why would Orochimaru's followers be fighting for you?"
"A lot of Hebi-teme's followers do so out of fear; if I give them someone else to fear or promise to kill Orochimaru most switch sides." I stared into the trees, my ears listening for sounds. Picking up Haku's voice, I smiled. "Hey, Kyuu. Do you want to stay out a little longer?"
"Stop beating around the bush. What do you want?"
"I just wanted to send a fox to Team Seven to tell them I'm not dead or hurt. They need to relax before they attract attention."
"I'll do it," he said, shaking his fur as he stood, stretching. "Anything else?"
"Yeah, tell Sasuke it wasn't his fault, remind Sakura that the earth prison dome is for emergencies only, and tell Haku to make sure they don't hurt themselves. I'll be waiting for them at the tower."
"Got it. Can I-"
"No, Sandstorm needs time. Come to the tower when you're done."
"Can I at least-"
"Yes, but don't kill anyone," I said tiredly, watching Kyuubi's train of thought as Anko stared at us, amused. "Get going."
Kyuubi grumbled, smacking me in the shoulder with one of his tails before sprinting into the trees, his scarlet fur swallowed by the trees. I glanced back at Anko.
"What?" I asked. She chuckled and shook her head, standing up.
"Let's just get to the tower. Maybe someone made it back already,"
"Not likely," I shrugged. "There are only two teams that could even be close to the tower: the Sand Siblings and Team Gai."
"You don't think your team covered some ground?" she chuckled. I shook my head, serious.
"They saw their sensei get bitten in the shoulder by an S-ranking missing-nin, one of the legendary Sannin. Add that to the wave of killing intent Kyuu sent out and how tired they were to start with, I'm pretty sure they didn't make it that far. On top of that, they still have to find the Earth scroll," I said, jumping into the trees. Anko ran to catch up but stayed a pace behind me. Glancing back, I smirked. "Is Mitarashi Anko scared of the dark?"
"No, I'm letting you be the bait for anything that sees us," she grinned back, licking her lips. With Orochimaru, it was disgusting. With Anko, it was intimidating.
"Everything in this forest knows me, I've been training in this forest for more than three years. I learned the Chidori, Rasengan, Hiraishin, and my other more dangerous techniques. I mastered the Rasengan in this forest, inventing what I call the Rasenshuriken."
"You've invented a jutsu?"
"Of course I have. I couldn't just use my dad's jutsu all the time. Silly Anko," I chuckled. A kunai flew past my face, slicing my cheek. I sighed. The scratch was in the same place that Anko had marked in the last timeline, slashing through the whisker marks on my left cheek. "Let me rephrase: I can't always use techniques people expect me to. You never use snakes until you need to; I don't often use Hiraishin or Chidori."
We ran in silence until the tower came into sight. Dawn was approaching and I smiled at the tower, the doors already opened.