The Forest of Death was the beginning of the end for most genin teams. No matter how promising the prospects looked, this place was the true test of teamwork, and most of all survival.

"The first test of knowledge hasn't taken out the usual number of people. Geez, those guys are softening up," Anko said. "But no worries. This is the true place where your preparations and training matter. You have the scroll with you. The only way to pass this exam is to have both the Heaven and Hell scrolls, and get to the tower in the middle of the Forest. It's that simple."

She gave a laugh before the gate opened. Various beastial sounds poured out, almost daring the genin to enter. This was it. Some teams gulped. Other licked their chops, already planning their strategies.

Whatever the feeling, the Forest was waiting.

- - -

Michiya opened the map, quickly running forward. Their plan wasn't very simple, and it involved them waiting until the final day to make a move for a scroll.

"Taiki-sensei says that the layout of the forest shouldn't have changed that much. We can lay low in a secluded area nearby a waterfall. We only attack if we are sure a weakened team is nearby. No matter what, one of us must make sure that we have the scroll." Takumi said. The three leapt off the beaten path, hoping the plan went without a hitch.

Of course, all three knew there was a good chance it wouldn't.

- - -

Minako and Ichiro looked to Kasumi for knowledge this time around. Ichiro even overheard Kichiro saying that having a Nara with you on a mission was like having a security blanket. Both genin knew if they listened to the deer clan member, there was a good chance that the mission would be completed without much effort. Kasumi walked forward, almost deliberately slowly. As nervous as Ichiro and Minako were, they knew the best chance for survival lay with Kasumi.

"Here's the plan right now. Most teams usually don't strike immediately, which is good for us. We get to the middle of the forest, then lay a few traps around us. If that doesn't send anyone our way … then we use the Formation." She said.

"Gotcha," "Ichiro said. Minako mewed as they stepped cautiously further into the forest.

- - -

"Brother has done a little scouting while he was away, and our best bet is Kaito-san's team of genin. Two very young genin, and their oldest member can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu," Goro said. "Usagi, once we locate them, go for the overgrown girl. Rokuro, go for the little boy. I will get Asuka. I know her weakness."

- - -

This wasn't a new situation for Asuka. She was inside the forest for a second time. Her first team didn't fare so well. She glanced at both Saraidenn and Takeh, who did their best to look brave as they traversed deeper into the forest. She knew that going by appearances, they would be the prime team for the picking.

She couldn't let that happen.

"Ginmoto, Shriyuka, we're headed this way!" a fourteen year-old Asuka said. Her companions were both focused as they followed their leader. Asuka wasn't a well-known genin, but her athletic prowess at an early age impressed everyone. Even though her knowledge of jutsu's was non-existent, most thought her athleticism was enough to carry her and her team through the Forest and into the one-on-one showdowns.

Ginmoto Araynaku was a master of deception, and it showed. He loved to use genjutsu to lure people into traps. He was one of the best at forcing people into lose-lose situations. His help would make this mission in the forest a piece of cake. He wore a purple and yellow shirt with white pants and yellow shows. His forehead protector lay around his shin. He had brown spiky hair with green eyes which shifted every few minutes. He was always thinking.

Shriyuka Areyun was perhaps the fastest genin – ever. Even Asuka had trouble keeping up with her during training. She wore a blue robe with a gold ribbon around her waist. She had pink hair with grey eyes and three green lines under her eyes. She not only had speed but a vast knowledge of ninjutsu's. There weren't many situations where she didn't have a jutsu to use.

Thr trio was known as the "Dream Team" of Konoha, and there was talk of the future Hokage coming from this group. There was no way they could possibly run into trouble in this fore –

"Asuka, where do we go next?" Sarai asked, two pairs of eyes looking longingly into hers. She wasn't sure if they'd even heard of her being in the exam before, but right now, that didn't matter.

"We keep going, until someone comes for us. Believe me, we're gonna be a popular team. Takeh, get your Hail Mary ready," Asuka responded, starting jog deeper into the forest.

- - -

Kyo and Kentu walked ahead of Natsumi, as she held two kunai at the ready. Yoshi's only piece of advice was to not let emotions get in the way. What it actually meant was this: stay away from Miharu's genin. Especially Natsumi, who was off of speaking terms with Ayumi.

Natsumi's ears perked at the sound of rustling leaves, and instantly rhe trio faced in three different directions, back to back to back. All was quiet, until the ground beneath them began to shake, and cave in. The trio leapt forward, unaware of where exactly the sound was coming from.

"NOW!" a feminine voice shouted. A blur flashed in mid-air taking out Kyo. Kentu and Natsumi both ran to their partners aid. It seems he had been hit fairly quickly.

"Kyo! Are you OK?" Natsumi cried. Kento quickly pushed her back, then lifted his foot to stomp on Kyo's neck.

"I know better," he said. With a ground-shaking stomp, Kyo rolled over, then laughed.

"Very smart. But, if you want him back, you'll have to give me the scroll to me," Kyo said. Kento spat at the obvious clone.

"At who, exactly?" he asked.

Kyo laughed again, then transformed. A short, lanky young man with a white hat and green glasses stared back. He had white sleeves and a green tank top with white pants. His forehead protector shined a bit, and had three slanted stripes on it, the symbol for the Hidden Village of Grass.

"Inoue Muren at your service," he said. "And I'll be wanting that scroll, and I know you want to have your partner back, especially if you want to pass."

"We don't need him," Kento said. Natsumi quickly rushed to Kento.

"What?" she said. "We really DO need – "

"Shut up," Kento said. "If we keep showing weakness, they'll do whatever they want. It's time for us to use some force, even if it means putting Kyo at further risk."

Natsumi gave him a nod, then twirled her kunai.

"Hummingbird," she said, running at Inoue. He looked to his right to see a rapidly approaching Natsumi, who seemed to be moving fast – but slow. He tried his best to move, but for some reason, it seemed he was moving in slow-motion. Natsumi moved behind Inoue, then kicked him forward. He was still unable to even move at a normal speed.

"Not so cocky now, huh? Hummingbird allows the user to move faster, but without disappearing. It may not sound flashy, but as you can see, it can become very humiliating," said Kento, prearing to kick. "And painful."

With a powerful lift, Kento kicked Inoue high into the air. Natsumi looked up, then leapt, the effects of Hummingbird still intact.

"Heaven's Arrow," she said, catching him, then placing her palm upon his midsection as he began his descent. The genin of Konoha, while young in age, were giving him more than he bargained for. Slowly, but surely, the speed with which they fell began to increase.

… back to normal speed, Inoue thought. He could feel his body regaining control. A hard landing at this rate would mean him being out of commission, and the plan falling apart – both too early. With a renewed effort, he looked into the focused eyes of Natsumi, then smiled.

"Cute move, kid. But I gotta go," he said. "See ya."

Within a second, Inoue rolled in mid-air, rising high, then vanishing. Natsumi knew there wasn't much left except to make contact with the ground. Kento quickly came to her aid, leaping high, then catching her.

"Bastard…" he said. "Got away. We definitely need Kyo, for more than one reason."

- - -

Kyo was seated at the base of a tree – quite comfortably for a hostage.

"To bad Milly had to take you out," said a high-pitched voice. "You're kind of cute."

A small figure knelt beside Kyo. She wore a white jumpsuit with a green jacket. She had short yellow hair and smiling hazel eyes. Her protector bore the image of three slanted stripes, and her green shoes had the image as well.

"Hi, I'm Ally," she said, pressing her white gloves together. Over there is Milly. She doesn't talk much."

Milly was a tall girl with shoulder length black and brown hair. She had imdifferent brown eyes and wore her protector over her lean right bicep. She wore green pants with a split at the ankles, and a white shirt with had one long sleeve one the right and no sleeve on the left. She wore green and white gloves and green tennis shoes. She looked back at Kyo and Ally, then back out at the forest.

"Don't worry," Ally said. "We don't kill. Mostly because that would mean meaningless effort. It's not a killing mission after all. We'd rather just get what we need, and get out before anything happens to us."

Within a flash, Inoue was sitting in the tree above them.

"Ally, you really talk – a lot. Luckily, we got what we needed." He said. Throwing the scroll down to her. "Let's go. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave and get ready for the matches."

"What about him?" Ally asked.

"Let him find his way back. This forest can do more damage than we can," Inoue vanished, along with Milly.

"Well, good luck, and survive," Ally smiled before vanishing away. Kyo sighed, looking up into the sky. Thankfully, his rope had uncoiled, and was somewhere in the forest. He knew that eventually, he'd run into Kento and Natsumi.

He hoped he would before anyone else did.