Chapter 11: A Frightening Opponent
"Alright! Time to begin!" Anko stated. "Let me go over the rules. There are two scrolls that will be handed out."
She gestured to a number of scrolls on a nearby bench. One white the other dark blue, both having kanjis on them reading heaven and earth.
"Each team will receive one scroll," Anko continued. "But to pass the test you must acquire the other one as well. If you have a Heaven Scroll you must acquire an Earth Scroll and vise versa."
"Acquire them?" Naruto asked.
"From other teams," Anko said. "So as soon as you enter the Forest of Death, its an all out tournament. Find a team that has the scroll you need, and acquire it however you can, stealing, beat them up, or even kill them. It doesn't matter how. Just do it."
Sakura sweat dropped. She would have to fight other ninja, maybe even her old classmates and friends like Ino and Hinata, at least all the other ninja here were Genin ranked. Sasuke had no change in expression, he'd do whatever it took. Naruto smirked, looking forward to the challenge.
"In addition to other teams you will also encounter blood thirsty beasts," Anko stated. "Now, come up as a Team one by one! Then run into the forest!"
The teams of Genin came forward, slowly but surely vanishing into the Forest of Death. As they did so the piles of scrolls both Heaven and Earth began to lessen.
"Hey Sasuke! Sakura!" a voice called.
Sakura looked and saw it was Ino who had called. She noticed that they had a white scroll, the Earth one. Sasuke noticed this too. Naruto just squinted his eyes and paced back and forth impatiently.
"Good luck!" Ino called.
"Thanks, Ino! You too!" Sakura said as she waved at her old friend.
Sasuke looked at his remaining fangirl but said nothing, though it occurred to him to maybe say something. He didn't though.
I can't let myself be distracted by girls! Sasuke thought to himself. Get a grip Sasuke! You have to focus on getting stronger to kill Itachi. Then maybe.
"See you later!" Ino said. "Come on Shikamaru, Chojii!"
Team 10 vanished into the Forest of Death. Next came the Sand Ninja Trio with Gaara and his siblings. Next went Team 8.
"Good… luck… Naruto," Hinata stuttered as she looked back.
"Hmm?" Naruto looked around. "Someone say something?"
Sakura had just barely heard it and narrowed her eyes in jealousy. Team 8 went in, followed by others. Finally it was Team 7's turn at last.
"You get a Heaven Scroll," Anko said as she handed it to them.
Sasuke took the scroll, much to Naruto's chagrin.
"Hey why do you get the scroll?" the blonde asked.
"Because I'm the strongest," Sasuke stated.
"I think that would be the best choice," Sakura agreed. "No offense Naruto."
Naruto sighed. He may not be Sasuke's equal… yet. But one day he would be.
"Well, go in!" Anko ordered.
They ran through the gate, it was time for the second round of their Chunin Exams to begin!
…
They ran through the woods which were dark and dreary. Hardly any light poured through the tree tops.
"Well, no one's attacked us," Sasuke said. "Good thing we did a little zigzagging and didn't go straight. I figured that might lead us into a Team looking to ambush the next one that came through."
"Well, I need to pee!" Naruto said as he walked up to a nearby tree and unzipped his pants.
"Oh no not in front of me you don't!" Sakura yelled with a blush as she ran over and gave him a smack on the head. "Go into the woods a little bit so I don't have to see!"
"Ow! Okay okay!" Naruto rubbed his head and went into the woods out of sight.
Sasuke and Sakura waited silently for Naruto to return. Soon he did.
"Well I'm back!" Naruto said. "Whew you wouldn't how bad I had to go."
"Ugh! I don't want to hear to it!" Sakura stated in disgust.
Sasuke looked at Naruto and suddenly lunged at him, punching him in the jaw.
"Sasuke!" Sakura exclaimed. "It's not that bad!"
Sasuke just continued attacking Naruto who rolled away drawing a kunai with his left hand.
"Hey what's wrong with you?" Naruto asked. "Careful Sakura I think someone's gone crazy!"
"Where's the real Naruto?" Sasuke asked.
Sakura gasped.
"What are you talking about? I'm the real Naruto!" 'Naruto' said.
"Then where is that cut on your cheek?" Sasuke asked. "I know Naruto has a quick healing ability but there was still blood left from the wound."
Looking at Naruto's face, Sakura didn't see any dried blood. Also, the way he held his Kunai, she'd never seen Naruto use his-
"And Naruto fights with his right hand," Sasuke finished her thought. "Not his left. Your equipment pack is on the opposite hip, and your transformation jutsu is even worse than Naruto's."
'Naruto' looked surprised at them. Then grinned and undid the transformation, revealing a hidden mist Ninja with dark hair in a tan outfit with a mask over his mouth. He vaguely reminded Sakura of the Demon Brothers they'd faced on their way to the wave, though didn't have any spikes.
"Okay you got me! But I'm still taking that scroll!" the enemy stated.
He came at Sasuke but the Uchiha easily fought him off and cut his shoulder. The enemy ninja grunted in pain, realizing he was outmatched. He began retreating and Sakura and Sasuke gave chase. Soon they found the real Naruto tied up next to some bushes.
"Hey get me out of here!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke gritted his teeth at the idiocy and threw a Kunai with superb marksmanship. His shot cut the rope holding Naruto and didn't harm him at all.
"Thank you!" Naruto said as he got up.
Sasuke continued after the enemy Ninja while Sakura ran up to Naruto.
"Are you okay?" she asked in concern as she threw her arms around him.
Naruto blushed heavily at the contact with his crush. "Uh… yeah. I'm fine. We better help Sasuke though!"
They soon caught up with Sasuke but found the Uchiha alone.
"He got away," Sasuke stated in disappointment. "But he might come back be on your guard."
…
They headed into the woods for cover and to think of a plan after that little scare.
"Well, we can't take a chance after what just happened. We got lucky since that guy's transformation skills were even worse than yours Naruto, but we can't take a chance."
Naruto nodded, missing the fact that Sasuke had practically insulted his jutsu skill or was accepting the importance of this first.
"So, what do you think we should do?" Sakura asked.
"We'll need a password. A question and an answer."
"And what will that be?" Naruto asked.
"The question will be… When does a ninja strike?" Sasuke started. "And the answer will be… When he is at the fullest advantage. When all enemies have let their guard down are sound asleep and their weapons lie forgotten. You got that?"
Sakura giggled. "Yeah, I got it!"
Naruto frowned. "Don't you think we can come up with something a little shorter?"
"No Naruto," Sasuke stated.
Sakura looked at her crush. Naruto would never be able to memorize that long password. But then it clicked in her smart mind. If he ever did get that right he would be an imposter!
Suddenly as massive burst of wind came at them, creating a deep long gash in the terrain. They scattered and hid. The dust vanished and Sakura saw-
"Sasuke!" she exclaimed.
"Sakura?" he looked back.
Yeah, she said approaching him slowly while looking around for Naruto worriedly.
"Hold on when does a ninja strike?"
"Oh right!" Sakura said. "A ninja strikes when all enemies have let their guard down, are sound asleep and weapons lay forgotten."
Sasuke nodded. She was Sakura. "Well, where'd Naruto go?"
"I'm right here!" the blonde's voice said as he came out.
"Hold on what's the password?" Sakura asked.
"Oh yeah. When does a ninja strike? When all enemies have let their guard down and weapons are forgotten," Naruto said.
Sakura looked at Sasuke who nodded. They both then charged at 'Naruto'.
He dodged their attacks with seeming ease. Maybe not even seeming, very easily.
"What are you guys doing. I answered your password!" he asked.
"No way a loser like you who has no brain could ever get the password right," Sasuke said.
"Yeah!" Sakura agreed, well, at least that Naruto wouldn't get the password right. "The Naruto we know and love isn't smart enough for that!"
Sasuke made a disgusted face at the girl indirectly saying he loved Naruto. The words flashed his mind back to that kiss the two of them had accidentally shared when Naruto fell on him. As if. Sasuke felt sick just thinking about it. Though he did value Naruto as a comrade at least.
"And you definitely don't move like Naruto. Your moves are much too advanced."
'Naruto' looked at them then smirked in a similar manner to the other imposter from earlier. But his was somehow filled with much more malice. Sakura felt a shiver run down her spine as 'Naruto' licked his lips, his tongue seeming to come out a bit more than expected.
"My aren't we the clever ones?" he said in a familiar female voice.
And the transformation jutsu which had been perfect this time vanished and revealed their new assailant. It was the woman who'd returned Anko's kunai knife with her tongue. Sakura felt the creeps once again seeing her, and shuddered as she recalled how fast the woman had been.
"Tell me, if your teammate is really that dimwitted why would you come up with a password he couldn't even remember?" she asked.
"That password wasn't meant to be for Naruto," Sasuke said. "It was for any enemies that might be eavesdropping."
"I'm impressed," she praised. "You certainly haven't dropped your guard have you? This promises to be very entertaining."
She licked her lips, and Sakura shuddered as she was yet again creeped out. But another thought went through her head. Where is Naruto?
…
Naruto was lying on his stomach, groaning.
"Eh! I must have been blow away! Why's it always me?"
The pain soon faded and he looked up, only to gasp at what he saw. A giant snake! Brown with unfeeling green eyes. He shivered in fear at the sight. The serpent lunged at him, he dodged but it quickly came after him again and wrapped its coils around him. He couldn't move and could only scream as it swallowed him whole. He went down and tried to hold on to the inside of the throat, hanging just above the stomach.
What could he do? What could he do?
"Come on, I'm sure you'd like this better!" Naruto drew a riceball from his satchel and threw it down the snake's throat.
It evaporated instantly. That would be him in few minutes when he couldn't hang on and fell further in. He had to do something! Get out of here and help his friends.
…
Sakura and Sasuke stood before the woman who drew a scroll. They gasped as they saw it was the Earth scroll, the one they needed.
"Ah, you'd love to get yours hands on our Earth Scroll wouldn't you?" she asked.
She slowly swallowed the Scroll. That was disgusting and creepy. The two ninja watched in shock. Even the usually calm and controlled Sasuke had his mouth wide open.
"Well when this is all over, one of us will have both scrolls, and the other will be dead."
Everything seemed to freeze for the two young Genin. They saw an orange scene play out, blood spurted the nearby trees, Sasuke's arm reaching up, Sakura screaming. Then they were back to normal, they'd been hit but the vision made them fall over.
Is this an illusion? Sasuke wondered. No, its more than that, her thirst for blood is almost pallible. Who is she? What is she?
He looked over at Sakura. But saw her shaking. She had it even worse than him. They had to get out of here. This woman, SHE WAS DEATH.
Move! Move Sasuke move! The Uchiha thought.
He slowly drew his kunai and pushed himself to his feet. Looking in her eyes, he still found himself unable to fully move.
"Don't worry I'll make it quick. But I don't have to tell you that do I? You've seen it with your own eyes."
She slowly raised her two kunai at once. And threw both at them.
…
Naruto was still in the snake's throat. Was this how it ended for him? Faces of his loved ones went through his mind's eye. Iruka Sensei, Kakashi Sensei, Old Man Hokage, Konohamaru, Sakura, her most of all. She'd finally opened up to him and he seemed to be winning her over.
"What a life we might have had together Sakura!" Naruto said aloud as he was sure he only had moments left.
He thought of him and Sakura together, her in a white wedding dress holding flowers by his side. Her beautiful smile and his dopey grin. Them holding their children. Him with the Hokage hat!
Naruto's eyes snapped open. "I can't let that future die here! I have to become Hokage! And I will be with Sakura!"
Another face appeared as well. Sasuke. His rival that he always wanted to beat. They'd pushed each other to see who was best. Eating, training. One day they would have their final showdown and prove who was the stronger Ninja.
"I'm gonna become stronger then Sasuke too! I'll beat him someday!" Naruto declared. "I'm not gonna die!"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A bunch of Naruto's appeared in the snake which expanded and exploded.
…
Blood spilled and Sasuke moved. He'd stabbed his own leg with his kunai, not enough for a serious injury, but it had been just enough pain to break through the fear keeping him in place. He grabbed Sakura and ran. They hid in the trees. Sakura soon overcame her own paralysis once they were out of range. It had been a desperate move, but a clever one.
"That wounds deep! Are you alright?" Sakura asked worried.
He covered her mouth and looked over his shoulder shivering.
I've never seen Sasuke like this! Sakura thought. He's got me scared!
The ninja she admired so much seemed to be gone. What was gonna happen? Suddenly a shadow creeped over them. Sakura gazed behind and saw… a giant snake!
"Sasuke! Watch out!"
They leapt out of the way. Sasuke couldn't believe he hadn't heard it coming. Looking at the snake he saw an image of her, their pursuer. That caused him to panic.
"No! Stay away!" he yelled throwing his shuriken.
The snake fell dead, and the woman emerged from the inside of its neck.
"I sense your fear and desperation," she said. "Its only natural. The prey must never let down its guard. Not even for a moment, in the presence of its predator.
She then moved like a snake! Coiling up the tree trunk to get to Sasuke. But suddenly weapons were thrown in her path. Everyone looked for its source and saw him.
"Looks like I came just in time!" Naruto stated.
"Naruto!" Sakura yelled in joy and relief. She was visited by an urge to leap over and hug him. But now was not the time.
"Oh, by the way what was that password again?" Naruto asked.
It was him alright since he couldn't get the password.
"Naruto get out of here! You don't know what you were up again!" Sasuke shouted.
"So, Naruto you managed to escape from my friend." The woman, or whatever it was said.
So, the snake had been sent by her, or it, whatever this thing was, Naruto realized. Sasuke looked at him and could tell he wasn't getting it.
"Alright I don't know what's been going on here but you've been picking on my friends and I don't like that! So you better just slither on back into your hole snake lady before I make a pair of shoes out of ya!" Naruto declared.
Sasuke gritted his teeth. He had to do something before the reckless blonde could get them all killed.
Sakura noticed he was still scared.
Finally, Sasuke came up with a plan.
"You can have it!" Sasuke said reaching into his pocket and tossing the scroll to her. "That's what you want isn't it? Take it and leave us in peace."
Naruto and Sakura looked at him in shock.
"Sasuke what are you doing? You're just gonna hand our scroll over to the enemy. Are you crazy?"
"Shut up and stay out of it!" Sasuke yelled at Naruto.
"Very wise, very sensible," she said. "Sometimes the prey must distract the predator with something even more precious."
"Take it!" Sasuke threw the scroll at her.
"No!" Naruto leapt at the scroll and caught it before it could reach her. He rebounded and landed on the branch next to Sasuke.
"Stop playing the hero! Just stay out of this and let me!"
"Arrgh!" Naruto aimed a punch, but not at the enemy.
He hit Sasuke in the jaw, to Sakura's shock.
"Stupid fool! You don't know what you're doing!"
Naruto panted. "I may not know the password. But I know you I am. I can't say the same about you."
"Naruto what are you talking about it? Its him!" Sakura stated.
"Stop this nonsense its me you loser!" Sasuke said.
"Liar. The Sasuke I know would never just give up! You've choked!"
"Sad but true. It doesn't matter, as far as the scroll goes and I can simply kill you and take it!" the woman said.
"Let's see you try it!" Naruto said as he charged in.
She summoned another snake. That caused Naruto to retreat for a moment. The snake lashed out and threw him against a tree. Naruto fell back down toward the snake, seemingly unconscious as it was ready to devour him. But he opened his eyes, which had turned a feral red.
"Eat this!" he yelled.
Striking the snake with his bare hands, he forced it back (much to everyone's surprise) including the woman.
That power! Sakura thought. Could it be… the Nine tails?
"Whoa," Sasuke said. "Is that… Naruto?"
The woman sent a fireball at Naruto as he struck again. This knocked him down, breaking several branches as he fell.
"Naruto!" Sakura screamed.
The woman then turned her attention to Sasuke.
"Well, let's see how you do, Sasuke!" she said.
Her snake lunged at him.
"Sasuke!" Sakura screamed again in concern.
Naruto looked up and saw the snake and the woman going for his rival. He moved and Sasuke let out a scared grunt.
And the snake collapsed dead, Naruto's kunai buried deep in its face. The nose of the giant serpent was inches from Sasuke's body, and Naruto stood in front of him, protecting him.
"Hey, kid. You're not hurt are you? You scaredy cat!" Naruto said as he looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke flinched. It was the same insult he'd given Naruto back when they faced the demon brothers.
"Standing there frozen like a frozen rabbit! No way, you're not the Sasuke I know!" Naruto stated.
On the dead snake, the 'woman' had made up her mind.
Extraordinary, so the Nine Tailed brat lives. 'She' thought before looking from Naruto to Sasuke. The eyes of the Uchiha are a marvelous prize. But the Nine Tails… with that I could have more chakra then any human! Yes! That is the strongest possible vessel. And I could take Sasuke's eyes later! Simply pluck them out rather then try to take over his body as I did Itachi!
"Well, I think I've seen enough. It's time to drop this charade!"
She reached up and pulled her own face off as Naruto turned around, Sakura and Sasuke both looking at her as well. The woman's face came off and they saw his, (for he was really a man, just like Haku) true face. The man had golden eyes, his hair was the same long black, for only his face had been covered. His real face had a purple mark and his skin was deathly white.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked. "What's with the disguise?"
"My name is Orochimaru," the man said in his true voice. "I wanted to see the young ninja my old village had to offer. I was particularly interested to meet Itachi's younger brother."
Sasuke shuddered at the mention of his brother, the one who'd betrayed and murdered the rest of their clan.
"What… what do you know about my brother?" Sasuke asked finding his voice.
"A lot I suppose. That he is strong, cold, and ruthless," Orochimaru said. "I had planned to do to you what I failed to do with him. But alas I'm afraid your friend is right. You are a coward and have caused me to lose interest. I think I've found someone with even more potential."
Orochimaru's tongue extended out to an unnatural level, it wrapped around Naruto who struggled in disgust. Orochimaru dropped Naruto then stepped forward, his teeth turning into fangs that bit into Naruto's neck. Naruto screamed in pain as he a three tomoe mark appeared on his neck where he was bitten. At the same time Orochimaru reached into Naruto's sack and grabbed the scroll he'd taken from Sasuke.
"Naruto! No!" Sakura screamed.
Sasuke shook again at the scene.
Orochimaru's neck retreated back to normal. Naruto writhed in pain and lost his footing. Sakura leapt over and put her hands on his shoulders.
"Naruto!" She screamed.
Sasuke, his fear finally retreating at the sight of his friend being hurt. He leapt over as well and rounded on Orochimaru.
"What did you do to him?" Sasuke asked furiously.
"I simply left him with a little parting gift," Orochimaru stated. "Someday soon, Naruto will seek me for power. Goodbye!"
And with that he left in a puff of smoke, leaving Sakura and Sasuke to deal with their wounded friend. Naruto screamed and grasped Sakura's hand then lost consciousness in her arms.
"Naruto!" Sakura said, hugging him.
Sasuke shook as he came to terms with what had just happened. Naruto had outdone him! He'd fought to protect them even when it was hopeless! Sasuke felt like a total coward indeed. His brother's voice and eye appearing in his mind.
Foolish little brother. Go on, run away, and live!
"No!" Sasuke said as he finally snapped out of it and grit his teeth.
If he couldn't bring himself to face that man, how could he ever hope to face Itachi? He looked back at where their enemy had been.
"Orochimaru!" he shouted.
There was no response. Sasuke sighed angrily. "If I ever see him again, I will not be a coward."
He turned to Sakura who clung to Naruto. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I let you and Naruto down."
She sobbed lightly. "Its okay. Just help me with Naruto!"
They got to a hiding place under a tree and set up a few traps for defense. Now they could just hope for Naruto's recovery.
"How is he?" Sasuke asked.
"Well, his fever's gone down," Sakura said. "But there's this mark on his neck."
They looked and saw it. Things were looking bad, Naruto was wounded and they'd lost the scroll. They'd have to steal another heaven scroll in addition to an Earth scroll now to pass the exam.
"Sasuke… that thing… said that Naruto would come to him looking for power!" Sakura said.
"I know," Sasuke said.
"What do you think it means?"
"I don't know."
They looked at their friend in worry as Naruto lay motionless. He couldn't ever… betray them could he?
Surprise! Didn't expect me to pull the whole Naruto and Sasuke switch roles thing did ya? I had thought about it a lot in the past month or two. I was tempted to do so and it won out as I was writing. Wll Sakura and Sasuke be able to keep their friend in the light? Or will Orochimaru have him? Wait and see.
Good to finally be back on this one, I took some time off writing my two Narusaku stories to finish off my Advanceshipping story that was close to done, then a vacation last weekend. Unfortunately, I may only be able to update my current three stories once a week due to being busier at work. So, check back in around three weeks I guess, unless I can get lucky and have some time to do another story chapter. Things will be out on Saturday or Sunday from now on.