Chapter 11- Forest of Death
Team 7 had passed the first part of the chunnin exams. The instructor, Ibiki, explained that it was a simple test and that any cheating would be met with immediate expulsion. Naruto answered the questions well since he had found tons of scrolls in the Namikaze estate. After everyone was done and ready for the final question, Ibiki stated that they could answer the final question, but if they failed they couldn't take the test again. However, if they chose not to answer it, they could leave and try again next time. When no one stood up, Ibiki told them that they had all passed, shocking everyone in the room. Ibiki explained that a ninja has to take risk in order to complete a mission, further proving it by showing the scars on his head. When he got done explaining, the window broke as a figure broke in and dropped a banner down. The woman had a tan trench coat on with a fishnet shirt that went down to her thighs along with an orange short skirt. She also had purple hair that looked like a pineapple and brown pupil-less eyes.
"All right you runts, my name is Anko Mitarashi and I'm the proctor for the second part of the chunnin exams," said Anko, striking a pose in front of the group of genin.
'Just when I thought there couldn't be anymore surprises left in this village,' thought Naruto, while the whole room kept quiet.
"You're early again Anko," said Ibiki, said Ibiki, a sweat drop emerging on Anko's face.
"Shut up Ibiki! Anyways, everyone follow me to the second part of the exam," said Anko, leading the group of genin out of the building.
They walked until they got to a large forest with a fence going around the entire area. To most of the genin, the forest of very intimidating. Naruto, however, simply smirked at the immense forest. He knew nothing inside this place would be a challenge, not after being in the harsh terrain of Huece Mundo. Though now he had teammates he had to take care of. A minor setback that could be overcome in this part of the exam. He was brought out of thoughts when Anko began to speak to the large group.
"Alright kids, this the Forty-Fourth Training Ground, but most come to know it as the Forest of Death. In this part of the exam you and your team will be given a heaven or earth scroll. Your job is to find another team with a different scroll and take it. Once you have both, you must be make your way to the tower located in the center of the forest," said Anko, as each genin looked at the forest that had a certain gloom about it.
"Sounds like a good time," said Naruto, getting some looks from the other participants.
"It's not as easy as it seems. You'll be going against ninja and there is even some nasty creatures in the forest, all to keep you from succeeding," said Anko, with a toothy grin on her face.
"Like I said, sounds like a good time," said Naruto, while most of the competitors were thinking he was crazy.
Anko smirked as she disappered from sight only to reappear behind Naruto, kunai knife pressed against his neck.
"Guys like you are usually the first to die. I don't care if you were the one to take down Zabuza Momochi, if you get cocky in here you'll meet your end," said Anko, as Naruto simply smiled at her.
"I don't die so easily. This place is a park compared to the area I was stuck in for seven years. So bring on your so called 'Forest of Death'," said Naruto, who got some chuckling out of Anko.
"I like you kid. You're not afraid to stand your ground in front of an authority figure, and you've also got a strong feel about you. Hope you make it through," said Anko, putting her kunai away.
You'll see me there," said Naruto, as Anko went back in front of the group.
"Okay, come forward and get a scroll for your team and report to your gate, and await the starting signal," said Anko, as the group of genin fell into line.
Naruto got the earth scroll, realizing that he needed a heaven scroll to pass this part with his team. Team 7 took their positons at their appropriate gate. The horn sounded to start the 2nd part of the exam. Team 7 ran into the forest to gain some ground. Once they had been running for a while, they decided to stop and formulate a plan of how to get the other scroll needed.
"Okay, we need to locate a team with a scroll opposite of ours. The sooner we do that, the sooner we can get to the tower," said Naruto, figuring out a plan of search and attack.
"Whatever, just leave the fighting to me and we'll be done in no time loser," said Sasuke, as Naruto rubbed his temples, he had had enough of this nonsense.
"That's it were settling this now. Sakura stay here and keep yourself hidden," said Naruto as he seized Sasuke by the shirt and flash stepped away.
Naruto brought Sasuke to a empty part of the forest. He didn't want any disturbances during this talk.
"What was that for loser?" asked Sasuke, as Naruto simply looked at him with an unemotional face.
"Sasuke, I know you seek revenge against your brother, and I believe he should face justice, but I want to ask you one simple question," said Naruto, as Sasuke glared at him.
"And what might that be?" asked Sasuke, reassuring himself that nothing Naruto could say would deter him from his goal.
"What exactly is your plan after you defeat Itachi?" asked Naruto, as Sasuke opened his mouth to retort, but quickly got a quizzical face.
He hadn't considered what he would do when he killed Itachi. I mean, if that was his only goal in life, his only drive to get stronger, would he just fall into obscurity when it was done with? As these thoughts crossed through his head, he let his head drop and stare at his feet.
"My point exactly. You're so focused on revenge you don't stop to think about where you'll be when its over. I'm not telling you to stop your search, but don't make it the center of your world. If you do, a lonely existence will be what waits for you," said Naruto, gripping Sasuke's shoulder as he flashed stepped them back to where he left Saskura.
Unfortunatley, when they got there, they found Sakura with eyes wide and full of shock. Naruto and Sasuke made their way to her.
"What's wrong with her," said Sasuke waving his hand in her face as she didn't blink once.
"She's in a state of total shock. I bet you had something to do with it didn't you," said Naruto, turning to look at a woman wearing a grean outfit with black pants and a grass village headband.
"The poor thing was overpowered by my killer intent. But now that you two have arrived things might be a little bit more interesting," said the woman, licking her lips at the challenge awaiting her.
"Sasuke, take care of Sakura. Ill take care of this freak," said Naruto, a little bit surprised that Sasuke didn't argue back and went to Sakura.
"You sure are confident aren't you," said the woman, still smiling at Naruto.
"You're no ordinary shinobi. I can feel the evil energy just pouring out of you. So whats say you drop the charade and reveal your true self," said Naruto, as he could feel this person's energy was immense.
"Clever boy, not many can see through my disguises," said the woman, as she pulled off her skin to reveal a pale face with snake eyes, "My name is Orochimaru."
"Orochimaur of the Legendary Sannin. Its gonna be a real honor to kill you," said Naruto, giving a small grin at the sannin and drawing his zanpakuto.
"Kukuku… so sure of ourselves are we? Very well, but know that I am far more skilled than anyone you have faced before," said Orochimaru, pulling Kusangi out of his throat.
Naruto rushed Orochimaru, causing their swords to lock up as they tried to overpower their opposition. In a flash, they were now on a large tree branch, multiple sword strikes being made every five seconds. Naruto and Orochimaru's arms were a blur of swift movements and sparks. Naruto the out maneuvered Orochimaru and impaled him in the stomach, only for him to turn into mud. Naruto narrowed his eyes as he sensed a presence from behind, and instinctively threw a head kick to the approaching Sannin. Orochimaru barely ducked under the head kick, and then proceeded to impale Naruto's head. The blonde moved his head out of the way of the blade and grabbed Orochimaru's arm and flung him through some trees. Naruto flash stepped toward his foe only for Orochimaru to meet him with his finger tips glowing with purple flames.
"Five elements seal!" said Orochimaru, ramming his fingers into Naruto's gut, "There, now you wont be getting anymore help from the Kyuubi."
Naruto remained still on the tree branch as Orochimaru kept his fingers on Naruto's gut. Then, confusing to Orochimaru, he heard slight chuckling coming from Naruto, which then he had a full-blown laugh going on.
"What the hell is so funny?" asked Orochimaru, irritated that this little kid was laughing at him.
"Sorry to disappoint you, but Kyuubi isn't sealed in me any more, though he's kept close," said Naruto, loving the look on the Snake Sannin's face.
"What!" said Orochimaru, not understanding how this brat had so much power without the Kyuubi.
"I'm done playing with you, but since I've already revealed a little secret, I might as well give you a scare. Say hi Kyuubi," said Naruto, who held up his blade, which turned red and sent out an energy shockwave which sent Orochimaru flying.
By the time he hit a tree, Orochimaru was kneed in the gut and sent to the ground. Orochimaru recomposed himself in time to block Naruto's zanpakuto, but was getting severely over powered. Naruto proceeded to grab Kusangi with his bare hands and flung it out of Orochimaru's hand. Naruto proceeded to impale him in the chest. However, Orochimaru turned into a log and dissappeard.
'This is more than I had expected from this kid. I need to do what I came here to do and leave. Time to make the Uchiha come to me,' said Orochimaru, taking major precaution to not be discovered.
Meanwhile Sasuke was staying under a tree, watching over his pink haired teammate, who had gone unconscious after she was snapped out of the shock. He was also thinking about what he could set as his goal instead of killing his brother. He saw how strong Naruto was and it seemed he was most concerned with was protecting his friends. Maybe that was the key, and maybe then he wouldn't be completely submerged in darkness. All of the sudden, he heard movement in the bushes, which was revealed to be Orochimaru, with a evil smile on his face.
"Finally, I will soon have my hands on those precious sharingan," said Orochimaru, as Sasuke took a defensive stance.
"I haven't unlocked my sharingan yet, but I wont let you take me until I have made things right," said Sasuke, deciding to make amends now.
"Pity, but allow me to give you a gift that will make you come to me in time," said Orochimaru, as his neck stretched out and lunged at Sasuke.
"Before he could even get to Sasuke, however, Orochimaru was seized by a hand belonging to one Naruto Uzumaki. Orochimaru could wiggle himself free of the blonde's grasp, and Naruto even squeezed harder on the neck to make sure he couldn't get away. Finally, without saying a word, Naruto took out his zanpakuto and severed Orochimaru's head from his neck. The snake body dropped to the ground and didn't turn into a substitution.
"You all right?" asked Naruto, sheathing his zanpakuto into its holster.
"Yea, I think Sakura's coming to," said Sasuke, as Sakura began to stir awake only to shoot up.
"What happened? Where that woman from before?" asked Sakura, looking around for her attacker.
"SHE was really Orochimaru, one of the legendary sannin. I had read a while ago that he turned traitor, though I doubt he's going to do anything else," said Naruto, now searching thought Orochimaru's body.
"Wow, that's pretty crazy. What was he after?" asked Sakura, as it was strange that such a power shinobi would waste time with a chunnin exam attacking genin.
"He was after me, and apparently thought he could get my sharingan that I haven developed yet," said Sasuke, as he looked over at Naruto.
"Damn, he doesn't have a scroll on him. Looks like were not home free yet," said Naruto, as he thought that Orochimaru might have the scroll they needed to pass.
"Its no problem. With our combined skills we should be able to get another teams scroll in no time," said Sasuke, sporting a smirk on his face.
"Yea you're right. But, how about you three hiding in the bushes over there come on out and save us the trouble," said Naruto, as Sasuke and Sakura turned to see three Oto shinbi appear out of the bush behind them.
One was completely covered in bandages and looked like a mummy. He wore an over coat and spotted jeans, black sandals, and a weird gauntlet on both hands. The next guy had spiky hair, a scarf around his neck, yellow shirt, and same pants as his teammate. The female of the group had long black hair, a scarf around her neck, green vest and same pants as her teammates.
"You killed our master and you think we'll just let you have our scroll?" asked Zaku, angry over his masters death.
"You're more than welcome to join him. Either way we're leaving here with that scroll, if it's the one we need," said Naruto, as Sakura and Sasuke got prepared to back him up.
"Zaku, he's way to powerful. Lets just cut our loses and hand over our scroll," said Dosu, retrieving the scroll out of his pocket and laying it on the ground.
"Excellent. One more thing, tell anymore of Orochimaru's spies to pack up and get out of here," said Naruto, as the Oto trio left in a hurry.
"Well, we should be making our way to the tower now before any other team gets wise to us," said Sasuke, as he and the rest of team 7 left for the tower.
(A/N: Sup! Finally got this one out. It was tricky in the sense of where I wanted to take it and I ultimately decided on fixing Sasuke's anger problems and killing Orochimaru. Not bad I think. Tell me what you think. Till next time!)