"Heh." Naruto smirked and a small cloud of smoke surrounded him. When it cleared, a masked Rain Genin stood before them. "How unlucky! You got me. In that case..." He narrowed his eyes. "Which one of you got the scroll?"

Sasuke and Sakura narrowed their eyes and held up Kunai.

"If you listen to me obediently, I'll spare your lives."

Sakura and Sasuke remained silent and only glared back at him.

"I see... Then, I'll resort to force!" He rushed at them and they held their own Kunai at the ready.

Sasuke quickly leapt into the air and formed a series of hand seals, then made a circle in front of his mouth with his thumb and forefinger. He sucked in a deep breath and exhaled, ending a volley of fireballs down on his opponent.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

The Rain Genin dodged each fireball, then leapt up to strike at Sasuke with a Kunai, who raised his own in defense. Sasuke pushed back harder, and the Rain Genin split off and went back in the opposite direction.

Sasuke followed and found Naruto tied up, thrashing as he struggled to get free.

"Heeeey! Sasuke!"

"You've got to be kidding me, you loser." Sasuke glanced at him and gritted his teeth, then threw his Kunai at Naruto's side. It sliced the ropes and Naruto grinned and wriggled free.

"Yes!"

"I caught you off guard! Lucky!" The Rain Genin chuckled and turned to throw several Kunai at Sasuke.

Sasuke dodged and ducked down, gripping the branch to swing downward to avoid the attack. His eyes widened as a tag attached to one Kunai began to ignite.

"Paper bomb...!"

It exploded before he could react and he twisted as he fell to land on his hands and feet with a grunt. He started to stand and his opponent appeared behind him with another Kunai drawn and aimed at the back of Sasuke's neck.

"This is lucky!" He chuckled and Sasuke remained in place and glanced at him over his shoulder with a scowl. "I'll kill you if you move! So just calmly hand over the scroll!"

Sakura stopped running to catch up to them and her eyes widened and took out her own Kunai. "Sasuke!"

Oboro turned his gaze to Sakura and narrowed his eyes. Sasuke shifted his stance slightly with a smirk and Oboro turned back to him. Naruto threw a Kunai at Oboro from a branch high above, and he dodged and retreated back as Naruto landed on his feet beside Sasuke.

"I won't let you get away!"

Sasuke glanced at Naruto and frowned slightly. "You're always late, Naruto!" Sasuke focused the Chakra to his feet. He held his foot over a Kunai. The Chakra gathered in his sole attached to the knife as if magnetic and Sasuke leaned forward, his fingertips brushing the ground as his foot drew back.

"Absorption with my Chakra..."

Sasuke blinked, his Sharingan activating as he shifted his body to kick in an arc and launch the Kunai at the retreating Genin. Oboro dodged the Kunai, his eyes following its path at it whizzed behind him, as Sasuke drew a second Kunai and jumped up at him as he was distracted. He drove the Kunhai deep into Oboro's chest, and he grunted as blood spurted from the wound.

Sakura's eyes widened. "S-Sasuke..."

"Don't just stand there, Sakura!" Sasuke snapped down at her. "There's no guarantee that this guy's alone! Got it?! If you let your guard down, you'll really get killed..." Sasuke kicked back from Oboro, pulling the Kunai out of his chest as more blood flowed from the wound.

"How unlucky! I came on my own to conceal my presence, but that became my undoing..." Oboro covered the wound with his hand and retreated.

Sasuke landed on his feet and scowled as Oboro escaped. "He got away, huh?"

Sasuke sat with Naruto and Sakura some time later and looked between them. "If there's an instance that we become separated, don't trust him if he looks like your teammate. Just now there's a possibility that an enemy will transform and get close to us!"

Naruto and Sakura nodded.

"Yeah."

"So, what do we do?" Sakura leaned closer to look at Sasuke.

"We'll decide on a password." Sasuke sat straighter and Naruto blinked.

"Password?" Naruto asked.

"Listen, if the password is incorrect, no matter what he looks like..." Sasuke continued. "presume he is an enemy!" He paused. "I'll only say it once, so listen closely. You ask, Ninja Song, "Ninja Chance." And the answer is this: 'The chance to sneak up when a large number of enemies are making a scene. The quiet place has no secret hideout. It is important for a Shinobi to know the right time. The time when an enemy is tired and drops his guard.'" He paused. "That's it."

"Okay!" Sakura nodded.

"Eh..." Naruto squinted at him, sitting unmoving for a long time before blinking. "Could you say it again?"

"Huh?" Sakura crossed her arms and looked at the blond.

"I told you that I'd only say it once." Sasuke exhaled sharply and rested his arms on his knees.

"Could it be that you couldn't memorize it? You fool!" Sakura furrowed her brows. "I got it right away!"

"H-Huh?" Naruto made a face at her and crossed his arms. "I-I memorized it perfectly, ya know! I thought just in case, I'd listen one more time..."

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder from the corner of his eye and saw a small piece of bamboo disappear inside of a small hole behind them. He got up and reached out his hand to Naruto.

"I'll carry the scroll now."

"Hey, wait Sasuke!" Naruto stood and, before he could say anything else, something small and needle-like flew by his face, scratching his right cheek. "Ouch!"

They looked over to the edge of the clearing where the trees grew close together.

"What is it?" Naruto tilted his head slightly.

A large gust of wind shot through the area and they lifted their arms to shield their faces as they braced against the gale.

"A new enemy?!"

Several trees were blown down and a large cloud of dust blinded them. When it cleared, three Grass Genin stood in front of the cleared area with smirks.

"You guys go play around..." Shiore licked his lips. "I'll go alone."

Sasuke lay on his belly beneath a bush and narrowed his eyes as he watched. His eyes widened suddenly at a small sound behind him. He leapt to his feet to see Sakura staggering toward him slowly, covered in bruises and scratches.

"Sakura!"

"Sasuke!" She ran over to him with a smile and he held up his Kunai.

"Don't come closer! First, the password..." He furrowed his brows at her. "Ninja song, Ninja Chance."

"Ah!" Sakura stopped and nodded. "Right. The chance to sneak up where a large number of enemies are making a scene. The quiet place has no secret hideout. It is important for a Shinobi to know the right time. The time when an enemy is tired and drops his guard."

"Good." Sasuke lowered his Kunai and straightened.

"Owwww!" Naruto approached them, groaning as he rubbed his head. "Hey, you guys, are you okay?"

"Wait, Naruto!" Sakura held up her hand and he skidded to a sudden stop on one foot. "The password."

"I-I know it...!" Naruto chuckled and scratched his head. "The chance to sneak up where a large number of enemies are making a scene. The quiet place has no secret hideout. It is important for a Shinobi to know the right time. The time when an enemy is tired and drops his guard."

Sakura let out a sigh and Sasuke smirked and threw a Kunai at Naruto.

"Gah!" Naruto's eyes widened and he dodged, losing his balance as he fell to the ground. "W-What are you doing?!"

"This time it's someone who can dodge my attack, huh?"

"W-What are you saying, Sasuke?" Sakura looked at Naruto, and then to Sasuke. "Naruto just got the password correct."

"He was able to say the whole thing without making a mistake; that's the problem!"

Sakura blinked. "Huh?"

Sasuke glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. "Do you honestly think that guy can remember a password that long?"

"Oh!" Sakura pursed her lips and looked back at Naruto.

"If we asked the normal Naruto what the password was, what do you think he'd say?"

"'Sorry. I can't remember it.'" Sakura frowned slightly and kept her eyes on Naruto.

"Besides..." Sasuke continued. "His movements when he avoided mt attack... they were clearly different from Naruto's!" Sasuke put a hand on his hip. "Show us who you really are, you fake!"

The false Naruto licked his lips and smirked. "So, that's how it is, huh..." There was a puff of smoke, and Shiore frowned at them slightly. "But if you knew he would forget it, why didn't you just use a sorter password?"

"I knew that you were underground eavesdropping on our conversation." Sasuke smirked. "And so I chose that password on purpose."

"I see." Shiore's expression darkened and he removed his straw hat. "So you're neither tired nor letting your guard down. This will be more fun than I thought." He stuck his tongue out to lick the edge of his hat and slowly retracted his tongue, keeping his eyes on Sasuke.

"This person's so creepy...!" Sakura shuddered slightly and narrowed her eyes. "More importantly... where's the real Naruto?"

Naruto groaned from where he had been thrown hard against a tree. His eyes blinked slowly open as he regained consciousness.

"Huh?" He mumbled and slowly got up. "Owww!" He blinked. "Where are Sakura and Sasuke?"

A large figure stood in front of him, overshadowing him and he looked up quickly and his eyes widened.

"H-H-Huge!"

An enormous snake stared down at him and flicked its tongue. Naruto gulped and stayed still as he gaped at the creature.

"This is the first time I've ever seen a snake this huge!"

The snake drew closer, keeping its eyes on Naruto, then it lunged in a strike. Naruto's eyes widened and he dodged its mouth as its head crashed into the ground where he had just been. Naruto looked over his shoulder and drew a Kunai.

"Behind?!"

The snake's tail lashed out to wrap Naruto into a tight coil as he struggled, and the serpent's head reared up with a hiss. It gulped Naruto down, who screamed and wriggled as he slid down its throat. The snake flicked its tongue again and slithered away, following the scent of more prey.

Shiore took out his scroll from a back pouch and held it up for Sasuke and Sakura to see. He chuckled as their eyes widened.

"You want our Earth Scroll, don't you? Because you have the Heaven Scroll." Shiore held up the scroll in front of his face and stuck out his tongue. It wrapped around the scroll and he opened his mouth wide and stuffed the scroll down and swallowed it.

Sakura and Sasuke's eyes widened and Sakura shuddered. Shiore licked his lips and met their eyes with a smirk.

"Well then, let's begin..." Shiore chuckled. "the battle for the Scrolls. To the death!"

Shiore's Chakra swelled and his gaze intensified. Sakura and Sasuke gasped softly as their mind filled with visions of their own brutal deaths, with each new vision a different dark fate. The pressure in the air around them grew heavy and they stood fixed in place, trembling slightly as they stared blankly ahead, unable to move a single muscle. Their eyes fluttered shut for a moment and they staggered back, nearly losing unconsciousness.

Sasuke blinked and stared wide-eyed at Shiore as he caught his breath, lightheaded as he swallowed and clenched his fists. "Genjutsu?!" Acid burned the back of his throat and he fell forward onto his hands and knees, vomiting violently as Sakura sat frozen and unblinking at Shiore.

He watched them with a disinterested expression and furrowed his brows. Sasuke struggled to stand and glanced over at Sakura. "No, that's not it... this is just a thirst for blood. What's going on?! Just looking into his eyes makes me think of death. Just who is this person?!"

"Sa... kura...? Sasuke looked over at her again, unable to speak in more than a whisper.

Sakura trembled uncontrollably with tears flowing from her eyes.

"It's no good." Sasuke gritted his teeth. "We have no choice but to flee here. Unless we do, the only thing waiting for us is..." He slowly turned his eyes back to Shiore as his hands shook. "Death!"

"Hey! Let me out!" Naruto wriggled and struggled from inside of the snake as it moved through the forest. He stabbed at the snake's intestines with a Kunai repeatedly, only to have it bounce back from the sticky flesh. "Spit! Me! Out! I'm not food, ya know!" He stabbed a few more times and gritted his teeth. "Darn! It's not working!"

He reached into his back pouch and felt around.

"There's gotta be... something else..." His eyes widened slightly and he took out a rice ball. "A-hah! It's my lunch!"

The snake shifted and Naruto dropped the rice ball and he watched as it slid down the snake's belly. It quickly disintegrated and Naruto made a face.

"I-It's dissolving!" He swallowed. "I'll be digested just like that rice ball eventually..."

The snake's intestines contracted and forced Naruto to slide further down as he shouted.

"N-No! Let me out! Let me out, ya know!"

Shiore laughed as she looked between the two as they trembled. "You can't move already?"

Sasuke clenched his jaw and tried to move, but his body did not respond. "He's going to kill me! Move... move... move...!" He looked down at his hands as it inched closer to the sheath on his thigh. He gripped the handle of a Kunai and drew it out. He slowly stood and glared at Shiore.

Sasuke stood and glared at him and held up his Kunai. "Even if it's just a little... move!"

Shiore chuckled and narrowed his eyes. "What do you intend to do with that?"

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly as Shiore's eyes darkened again and he swallowed. "I can't move!"

Shiore drew out two Kunai of his own and walked toward them with a smirk. "Don't worry... I'll end this in a second. You won't even have the time to feel pain." He chuckled again and held up the Kunai and took aim. "I wanted you to entertain me more. It's too bad." He threw the Kunai and Sasuke's eyes widened before it hit.

The snake napped and rested its head against a large tree root, resting as its body began to digest. Naruto squirmed from inside and a burning, prickling sensation filled his body.

"Am I... going to die here?" His eyes started to close slowly and faces surfaced in his mind. "Iruka-sensei... Old Man Hokage... Konohamaru... Kakashi-sensei... Sakura... Sasuke... a lot happened between him and me... even though we always fought, we cooperated and saved Kakashi-sensei in that encounter with Zabuza. And during our Chakra training in the forest, we competed with each other and trained hard..."

His eyes opened. "That's right! I haven't settled things with him yet!" He gulped and furrowed his brows. "And... there's Natsumi, too... I can't die here and leave her all alone. I promised her that I would win. There's no way I can give up just yet." He clenched his fists and grinned faintly. "If this thing doesn't want to spit me out... I'll just have to make it do so at any cost!"

Shiore frowned slightly and looked down at the blood splattered on the ground, and then to his Kunai lodged into the root of the tree across the clearing. He smirked slightly and crossed his arms loosely.

"I see. They got away." His eyes narrowed slightly. "He wounded himself at the last moment... he wiped out his fear with pain. As expected, he's not average prey."

Sasuke huffed as he set Sakura down and he sat heavily down with a grunt. He gripped the handle of the Kunai lodged in his leg, gritting his teeth as he slowly tried to pull it out. He grunted in pain again, leaving the blade there as he winced.

Sakura blinked and her eyes focused, then widened as she looked him over. "Sasuke!"

Sasuke drew in a quick breath and pulled the Kunai free of his leg, his eyes closed tightly as he grunted. Sakura's eyes widened as blood splattered from the wound, and Sasuke dropped the Kunai beside him and leaned back.

"Sasuke..." Sakura leaned closer to him and looked down at his leg, then met his eyes. "A-Are you okay?!"

Sasuke clamped his hand over her mouth quickly, gritting his teeth as he peered around the tree's trunk as he started to tremble.

"If we don't escape as soon as possible, we'll be discovered here, too. How should we flee? Where will we go?"

Sakura furrowed her bows and pressed her lips together tightly. "I've never seen Sasuke... so worked up like this before."

Naruto squirmed inside of the snake and smirked slightly as he formed a hand seal.

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Clones appeared by the dozen, rapidly expanding the snake's body until is burst open in a explosion of scales, flesh, tissue, fluids, and Clones.

The Clones coughed and wiped themselves off and Naruto shook the slime from him and looked around.

"I am... the Shinobi who will become Hokage! I won't let myself get turned into snake dung in this stupid place!"

A large shadow passed over them and Sakura eyes widened. She tried to shout to get his attention, but his hand muffled her. She pulled his hand off her mouth and tugged on his arm.

"Sasuke! A snake!"

Sasuke's eyes widened and he activated the Sharingan, turning to eye the creature as it opened its mouth widened and lashed out at them. They leapt out of the way as its mouth clamped down onto the tree they had been sitting on and Sasuke scowled.

"Damn! I was too shaken up to notice the snake!" He watched it coil around a tree and lash out at him in the air. His eyes grew wider as the image of Shiore's face superimposed on the serpent's in his mind. He let out a scream and threw a volley of Shuriken at the snake. "Don't come near me!"

The Shuriken pierced the open mouth of the serpent and it hissed angrily and shook its head, then its body quivered and it crashed down onto a lower branch where it became lodged in its crook. Blood poured from its mouth and head Sasuke rested on a high branch of a different tree as he caught his breath and watched it.

The base of the snake's head cracked open and Sasuke's mouth gaped open as Shiore slowly rose out of the carcass.

"Don't lower your guard, not even for a moment..." Shiore chuckled as he looked at the boy and licked his lips. "Prey must always stay tense and try to flee desperately... when facing a predator."

He shot out of the snake with his lower body long and flexible as a serpent's and coiled around the tree quickly to where Sasuke stood. Sasuke screamed and took a step back, nearly stumbling and falling from the branch.

Suddenly, Kunai and Shuriken stuck into the tree and blocked Shiore path. He stopped and looked in the direction they had come.

"H-Huh?!" Sakura's eyes widened and she looked up to see Naruto.

"Sorry, Sasuke..." Naruto grinned and crossed his arms as he looked down at them.

"Naruto!" Sakura grinned.

"About the password..." Naruto looked at Sasuke. "I completely forgot it!"