The Task at Hand
Thus, the three year old Sakura was adopted.
Her family brought her to their—her—house in a large compound with so many wonderful people. She had a new room all her own and toys and books.
She even had a new name.
Senju. Senju Sakura. She really liked it!
But she was worried too. What if she did something wrong? What if they changed their minds?
She knocked quietly on the door.
"Come in, Sakura-chan," her new brother said to her. She entered. He was wearing a brown shirt with a ninjato on his back. A black Senju insignia poked out from behind it. Ken was packing, not because he was leaving forever, her new mother had assured her, but because he was a ninja.
She shuffled in nervously. She wanted to be a good girl, polite like the matron of the orphanage had always told them. She didn't want anything to go wrong!
Ken suddenly stopped packing. "Is something wrong, Sakura-chan?" He asked gently as if not to scare her off.
"...Why did you pick me?" Because maybe, if she knew, she would be able to make sure they kept picking her.
"Ah," Ken said. His eyes stared off into the distance. He resumed packing, closing up his pack and strapping his headband around his forehead.
Sakura ducked her head down as she tried to stay as quiet and unobtrusive as possible. Then she felt a hand on her tiny shoulder. She looked up into Ken's soft, grey eyes.
He smiled sadly. Then, he said, "You only wanted love."
He gave her shoulder a small squeeze and walked past her out the door.
Sasuke skirted through the clones, his eyes shifting rapidly from side to side as he read their movements. He spun slicing through two that shot towards him from either side, palming and releasing a barrage of shuriken in the same motion.
Naruto deflected them with a Pressure Break, but released it quickly. His clothes were already singed and bloody from his mistaken attempt to bully a fire user with wind jutsu.
Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Flower!
The smaller fireballs shot toward Naruto, crashing through the clones he used to defend himself. Meanwhile, other clones tried to attack Sasuke, but he flipped through them easily, shooting more fireballs that crashed around the blonde, lighting the forest ablaze.
Then, he pulled, the shuriken hidden in the flames flying back and around, wrapping Naruto tight to a tree with wires.
Two kunai cracked next to Naruto's forehead almost as soon as he'd been caught, the first splitting the bark as it dug into the tree and the second clanging into the first, pushing it down to the hilt.
That was another victory for him then.
The remaining clones slowed to a stop but didn't disperse. Sasuke threw another kunai. It clanged into the handle of the first as well, the sharp, deadly blade deflecting past Naruto's face as it dug the knife in a little deeper. Naruto flinched.
So Sasuke threw another.
And another. And another.
Naruto flinched each time. It made sense. If Sasuke was a little bit off on his aim...well, who knew what might have happened out here in the lonely woods?
Sasuke smirked.
Clang! Clang!
Finally, Naruto yelled. "Argh-clang!-stop it!-clang!" The clones dispersed in a great puff of smoke.
Sasuke threw another kunai just because.
"Goddammit, you bastard! Let me go!"
"Naruto-chan," he said as he spun the next kunai on his finger, "you're pouting."
The kunai split the wires that had trapped the blonde. Naruto was panting hard as he landed on the ground on all fours but still found the energy to grumble to himself as he rose slowly. They headed for the clearing.
"You're an asshole, you know that?" Naruto said as they walked, leaving the charred forest behind. His voice was heavy with exhaustion.
"If by 'an asshole,' you mean 'better than me', then, yes, I do."
Naruto tackled him and they rolled out into the clearing. Sasuke choked out a noise of surprise as they landed, but Naruto was tired and beat up already. Sasuke was tired too, but he pushed Naruto off easily, flipping up to his feet in a combat stance. Naruto rolled near the tree line but didn't get up. He just stared upwards, panting towards the sky.
"That one didn't count," he said through labored breaths.
Sasuke rolled his eyes as he retrieved their packs. He sat down against a tree near the blonde.
"Here."
Naruto took his water bottle gratefully, sliding up to sit against the same tree as he guzzled his water down greedily. Sasuke took a long swig from his own bottle.
"But you were totally enjoying that," Naruto said as he finished, "That's like textbook sadism. I'm adding that to the list. Asshole, bastard, smug, arrogant, sadist. Smug asshole, sadistic b-."
"Loser," Sasuke said as he stopped drinking. "That's what you are. And you're sore about it too. Poor baby." He drank some more.
"Shut up!"
"Make me, loser."
They sat like that as the sun rose over the horizon, painting the sky a gentle orange and then blue as it rose higher and higher. Birds chirped as they flew past, greeting the new day.
"I got it," Sasuke said finally, "the report."
"Yeah, I know." There was a pause. "What did it say?"
"'While chakra absorption techniques make it impossible to determine the number of ninja present, high-level usage is indicative of the minor villages Darkness, Pine, and Rain.'" Sasuke quoted. "A single line in the whole damn thing, but it's a lead. I know where to start."
Naruto blew his breath out noisily. "Damn, that's great, but...I mean, we can't storm a Hidden Village. Not until we're like Obito's age!"
Sasuke watched him warily before shaking his head. "I wasn't going to. Information gathering is first. There are always rumors, hints, clues. I just have to be able to get there to investigate. And I'll find something. I know it."
"So...how-"
"Chunin have both more autonomy while leading missions and the ability to request vacation time after difficult missions."
This sort of thing wasn't what either of those were supposed to be used for, but Sasuke was quite far past caring about that.
Naruto nodded slowly. Then he smiled, "So we're going to the Chunin Exams?"
"We better. I'll get promoted and use th-"
"We'll get promoted and go looking for clues for Itachi! We'll find him and drag his butt back here no matter what! Dattebayo!"
Sasuke was taken aback slightly at the sudden shift in mood, the surge of confidence rising around him. He wanted to say no, to explain the solitary journey, that this had to be for him.
"You're my brothers too," Naruto said.
The weight of his declaration silenced the Uchiha. Under some or most definitions, they might as well be planning treason—pursuing their own agenda instead of that of the village. Even if they planned to go through proper channels or handle it better once they acquired information, well...
There was a chance that they would have to act. A chance that they would have an opportunity to rescue Itachi without proper authorization. There was a chance Sasuke would have to become a missing-nin to achieve his goal.
He didn't want to, of course, but...if he had to, he'd risk it.
And, sitting next to Naruto as the sun sparkled through the trees, he knew he wouldn't have to be alone.
Something was different. That's what Naruto had concluded as Team 7 stood together in the training ground they had taken the Bell Test in. The crystal blue stream reflected the clear sky above, the trees rustled gently in the wind.
Naruto couldn't put his finger on the difference.
Obito was waiting for them in the clearing smiling brightly. That was certainly different and couldn't be good. "Hopefully, you haven't been slacking off in my absence!" He exclaimed. "Regardless, it's time to get back on the horse for real!"
Naruto didn't react. Sasuke's arms were crossed beside him as Sakura watched Obito with a sad look on her face.
They just stared at him until Obito's bouncy persona was slowly replaced by a more serious and placating one.
"Yes?" He asked genially.
Naruto found himself glancing toward Sakura, who stepped forward towards Obito. "We're glad you're back, sensei. Um, how are you?"
"Tiptop shape!" Obito said, flexing comically. "Some people get injured, other are good enough not to, and others still can walk it off."
"That's not what your charts say," Sasuke grunted out beside him.
Obito dropped out of his pose, momentarily confused, before spinning on their pink-haired teammate. "Oh, that's very naughty, Sakura-chan," he said, wagging his finger back and forth, "sharing other people's medical information like that. Shame on you!"
She didn't flinch and the team continued to stare at him. Obito gave a long-suffering sigh.
"Well," he said in a faux-lecture, "peripheral nerves are peripheral for a reason. And if livers grow back," he gestured for Sakura to confirm and she nodded hesitantly, "Exactly, if they grow back, who cares for a bit of damage?" He continued over Sakura's objections, "A few scars won't be enough to close the gap between you three and me! That's what training is for."
He chuckled, but his eyes drifted towards the trees. His lighthearted demeanor slowly fell away. "But...thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you. I don't think I would have survived. Having done all that, young as you are, I hope you're not actually guilty for not doing more." He looked at the sky. "Not yet."
They looked away that time. Naruto's head rose, his eyes meeting Obito's. The Uchiha grinned. Naruto took two large strides forward to bump into him with a hug. There was a quiet oomph from Obito before Naruto felt a hand on his head. "There, there, little naru-chan, there, there."
Naruto pulled back at the taunts. Obito was still grinning, and Naruto tried to punch him in the gut. It whizzed through his stomach with ease.
Naruto knew it would. And that was okay.
That was what was different, Naruto decided: he knew his sensei was pretending.
"Well," Obito continued, "Now with that all over and done with." He pulled out three forms. "I signed you up for the Chunin Exams!"
Wait, what? Naruto thought. "Yes!" He exclaimed. "Really? No way! Woohoo!"
There was a satisfied nod from Sasuke as Naruto turned to him. Sakura seemed momentarily taken aback. Then, something came over her face and she smiled. Naruto grinned back at her.
Oh yeah, Team 7 was ready, and this was going to be awesome.
Sakumo quickly and carefully reviewed the document in front of him before signing it. He was finalizing the last preparations necessary before he traveled to the Land of Hot Springs. The village would get along without him just fine, he knew.
The leader of the sponsoring nation gave a speech at the conclusion of the second stage of the exam, explaining the nature of the test and congratulating the careful few who had survived thus far. It was mostly for publicity, cultivating good relationships with those watching, and to begin highlighting the best of the villages competing.
He would have to meet with the daimyo once he arrived and then again just before the finals as well.
It was all about relationships, and it wasn't the only relationship he would have to manage carefully. He pulled out a message from the Mizukage. The Raikage's sat in a small pile to his left.
Sakumo thought for a moment. Then, he began to write.
They left the patient's room, disinfecting their hands as was routine as Ken checked the schedule for their next patient. They headed in that direction.
"A rookie team," he said, shaking his head in disbelief, "in the Chunin Exams? That sounds-"
"Impressive," Sakura replied.
Ken gave her a look filled with concern and incredulity, and, somehow, she could tell that wasn't what he was going to say.
The next week was spent entirely training. Despite his declarations, Obito went easier on them than previously. It was less about beating them into shape and more about cleaning up their fundamentals.
Which seemed to imply that Obito had taught them fundamentals in the first place. He certainly seemed to think he had.
"What type of team are you?" He had interrogated them.
The answer was field assault. Obviously.
What did that mean for them?
"You own the battlefield one way or another. Some use summons, others use area affect ninjutsu, but always the defining feature is in finding control of the battlefield. Thus, even outmatched in pure strength, the battle happens on your terms, and you have a chance at success."
That was a fancy way to instruct them to keep doing what they were already doing. Teamwork. Watch each other's back. Add clones liberally.
"Be ready for war and you'll come out on top."
The days went quickly, and before Naruto knew it, they were waiting at the gate, packed and ready to travel to the Land of Hot Springs
Naruto twitched. "Where is he?!"
Sakura smiled tiredly. "Are you really surprised? Just be patient, I'm sure-"
"Argh, screw patience! Obito-sensei! Obito-sensei, I know you're out there! Show up already!"
"Ugh," Shikamaru said as Team 10 arrived, "is he going to be like this the whole time?"
"Probably," Sasuke grunted out, eyeing Ino warily. She blew him a kiss and he turned away.
"Don't worry," Asuma said as he clapped Shikamaru's shoulder. "Team 8 will be here soon."
"Chip?" Choji asked, cutting the blonde off. Naruto chewed it angrily before returning to his yelling.
Ino sauntered over to Sakura. "I'm surprised you decided to show up, Forehead," she sneered.
"Funny, I was going to say the same to you, Ino-pig!"
Naruto's yells increased in volume. Ino flicked her hair in the wind. "Ha! Please, I would-I-I would-would you shut up!?" Ino yelled. Naruto turned to look at her. "Your sensei's probably staying away from your big mouth. You're so annoying!"
Naruto glared at her. "Bite me, Ino-pig." He turned back, opening his mouth to yell when his neck prickled uncomfortably. He glanced back to see Ino glaring cold as ice as Sasuke shook his head exasperatedly from behind. Everyone else was as still and silent as a statue.
Naruto swallowed uncomfortably.
"What did you call me?" Ino asked sweetly.
"Uh-uh-uh-I-uh, b-but...um, um, Sakura and she...help."
"You shouldn't say things like that about a girl, Naruto," Sakura interjected. Naruto nodded frantically in agreement as Ino advanced.
A different voice laughed boisterously. "About to get owned by a girl? Nice, Naruto."
"Fuck you, Kiba," he said. Team 8 had arrived, Kiba leading the charge with Kurenai, Hinata, and Shino bringing up the rear. The tension in Ino's eyes broke as she resumed ignoring him.
"You are totally a pig, though," Sakura muttered.
"What the hell was that, Forehead?!"
Kurenai smiled at Asuma. "Looks like everyone's here. Ah, except for...Obito."
"He can teleport anywhere." Asuma said reaching for a new cigarette, "Not like we actually have to wait for him."
"It's polite. Besides, it wouldn't be right with his genin right here."
"Nah, screw them," Obito said as he appeared in a sudden swirl, "they're big boys. There's even a girl too!"
"Obito," Kurenai scolded him.
"What? They're the worst." Naruto flipped him off while Sasuke rolled his eyes. "And I'm sure they'd be fine."
"You're here anyway," Asuma grunted out.
Obito took a moment to consider. "Hm, true." He shrugged. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
With that, they set out. They walked long after the village disappeared behind them. The sun dropped to the horizon. The occasional conversation accompanied their journey.
"It won't matter when we win the whole thing! Right, Akamaru?" Kiba shouted. Akamaru barked in agreement.
Sasuke scoffed. "You talk too much."
"Yeah, what are you going to do about it, Uchiha? Come on, I'll fight you right now!"
Sasuke met his eyes. "You'd lose."
"And I'd beat both of you with both my arms tied behind my back!" Naruto chimed in. Sasuke glared at him. "Buuuut, since Sasuke and I are on the same team, you're the one who's shit out of luck for the exams, Kiba."
"Please," he countered, "we'd run circles around you. Team 8 is going to win the whole thing."
"Well? Aren't you going to say something?!" Ino yelled at Shikamaru. A long-suffering sigh was his only response.
Kiba laughed at her. "Ha, they know who's top dog around here." Akamaru howled.
Ino harrumphed, but then her eyes found Sasuke. "Well, I'm sure you'll do great at least, Sasuke-kun. If anyone has a chance to win, it's you." He just scowled at her.
Kiba rolled his eyes. "Of course, you'd say that. That doesn't count. Shino, what do you think? Are we gonna win?"
"What?" Naruto interjected. "He's on your team! That's not fair."
"Pssh, Shino's neutral."
"I cannot know for sure. Why? Because the skills of our fellow rookies and the upcoming tests are unknown. I can only say with high confidence from my experience that Team 8 is ready for the Exams."
"Boom," Kiba said.
"What? He didn't say anything!" Ino yelled.
Kiba smirked. "That's how Shino, says 'suck it, losers!'"
"Enough," Kurenai intervened. "Petty squabbling is not becoming of Konoha shinobi. The Exams will be difficult for all of you. You should be thinking about how you will succeed instead of arguing about it."
"You won't have any friends in the exams," Asuma added. "Don't expect any village, even ones Konoha is allied with, to be of any help to you. It's everyone for themselves out there. That means the only people you might be able to trust are each other." He paused to let that sink in. "Help each other. Watch each other's backs."
"At least until the finals. Then, rip each other to shreds!"
"Obito!"
Asuma sighed. "It will be difficult enough to even get to the finals. But don't worry, I know you will be successful."
"But if you feel the need to quit...well, someone might make some money. Keep that in mind, okay?"
Kurenai scowled at him.
"Gosh," Ino said quietly to Naruto, "why is your sensei such an asshole?"
Naruto glared at her. "I think it's because he could kick both your sensei's butts at the same time."
Ino pulled back, affronted.
"Naruto," Obito scolded. "Don't say things like that!" An affectionate hand found the top of his head. "Really, that-very improper. That's very bad. We don't say that with guests around." Naruto rolled his eyes, shrugging him off.
"I-Is that true?"
Kurenai sighed minutely before answering Hinata. "Obito, despite his childish attitude, is very powerful. He is certainly deserving of your respect."
"Oooh, so close. The answer we were looking for was 'Yes.'"
Shikamaru sighed. "So they got a powerhouse for a sensei? Troublesome."
"Hey," Asuma said, "Differences in sheer power can always be made up by ingenuity and will. That's something you three—all of you, I imagine—have in spades. You're from Konoha, and that means you have the skills to overcome adversity and succeed."
Naruto started to giggle, suddenly unable to contain his excitement. "Yes, yes, yes! The Chunin Exams...look, Kiba, you're an asshole, as is Sasuke. Ino...er, anyway the point is. Despite all that, we're from the best village ever and even if we get knocked around a bit, we're gonna knock everyone else even harder until we fucking win! It's about time to show everyone what some rookies from Konoha can do. Now, who's with me?!"
"Yes!"
Everyone turned to look at Hinata. She turned beet red and shrunk behind her coat. Everyone else laughed.
"Fuck you guys," Naruto grumbled.
"Your speeches need work," Kiba said, punching him on the shoulder.
"Yeah, take notes! This is how it's done," Ino started, beginning her own motivational speech. They started booing before she could finish.
It was a long trip. It didn't feel like it.
Sasuke's whole body tensed and coiled as his anger boiled beneath the surface. His was a keg ready to explode through the competition at any and every moment.
He scanned the surroundings with an attention few others could muster, the red of his Sharingan flickering in and out of his eyes. The large building was simple, unlike some of the more ornate resorts of Springside Village. It was the location for the exams inside the Land of Hot Springs.
It reminded him of their hotel, in which they had spent the previous night preparing. It was a subtly rundown though large wooden building surrounded by brightly lit shops and opulent resorts. Sasuke counted the windows in an instant, calculated the approximate size, height, capacity.
His focus gave him clarity.
It helped him tune out the inane attention of Ino and the boisterous declarations of Kiba. The odd tourist pointed out the group of ninja with excitement as they passed, but none would dare approach. None of that mattered now.
Naruto and Sakura followed him as they travelled up the stairs. The rest of the rookies followed as well, but it was only the two of them who could tell when he got serious. They arrived at the location of the first task.
It was a huge lecture hall with steps that sloped down to the front. It was filled to the brim with teams of genin. Many of them turned to face them as the Konoha ninja entered. Most turned back, but some kept staring, hostility radiating off them in waves.
Sasuke tried to carefully memorize the most hostile teams, but he was more inclined to quickly survey the room for a spot from which to observe the competition. He started walking towards a corner. Sakura grabbed Naruto before he could make a scene, dragging the blonde after him.
Regardless, Naruto was bouncing up and down ever so slightly with excitement and anxiety. He wanted to prove himself, but he didn't have the self-control to keep from starting a fight and getting them disqualified.
While many teams watched them warily, none of them caused any problems, each turning to stare at someone else as Sasuke maneuvered through the hall. Sasuke noted their headbands as he passed. Suna. Kumo. Grass. Pine. Star. Mountain. Waterfall. Rain. Haze. There were others he didn't recognize.
None of them caused any problems. That was until now.
A team stood directly in front of them, moving to cut Sasuke off when he tried to move past them.
He didn't recognize their headbands. If he had to guess, he'd say it looked like a bunch of tiny rocks. He resigned to ask Sakura later.
"Excuse me," Sasuke said evenly.
There were three of them as was the case for most, but not all teams; some had fewer.
"Do you know who I am? Where I'm from?" He was practically snarling already.
Sasuke eyes swept carefully over them. The overly aggressive speaker likely specialized in ninjutsu, both of his teammates in taijutsu. He was the nominal leader; the girl watched his back with a mixture of sympathy and anger. She seemed to think he was in the right despite picking a fight, which meant she would be quick to support him when the leader inevitably overextended. His other teammate's arms were crossed with a tinge of embarrassment accompanying that same sense of righteousness. He would be unprepared. Sasuke would capitalize on that. The girl would remain, but with both her teammates incapacitated...
Also, Sasuke saw no clear way to diffuse the situation. To be fair, he didn't try very hard.
"No." Sasuke said, adjusting his stance.
"New Iwa," he said, stepping forward to shove him, "remember it."
Sasuke stepped smoothly to the side, twisting out of the way. He grabbed the New Iwa genin's wrist with one hand as his other reached for his sword.
A hand slapped over his wrist. "Sasuke!"
There was a moment where nearly everyone was caught off guard. Team 8 and 10 instinctually slipped into their teams. The New Iwa took the opportunity to rip his hand free and take a step back, reaching for his own weapon and being stopped by his own female teammate. His other teammate's arms had uncrossed as he watched the Konoha ninja warily.
Sasuke turned half away from them to glance back at Sakura. She looked somewhere between uncertain and incredulous. He could practically hear her quietly reciting the rules of the exam to him and a half-asleep Naruto. Fighting at the wrong time could get them disqualified.
Sasuke released his sword, shrugging her off. She sent him an apologetic look, but he just shook his head. She was right. That was stupid.
Beside him, Naruto pouted, rising from a ready position.
Sasuke turned back to watch the New Iwa genin warily. It was tense. Konoha outnumbered them, but the New Iwa team or at least the lead genin, didn't seem to care.
They had gained the attention of others, curious and opportunistic genin analyzing them all for weakness. Sasuke felt his fellow Konoha ninja pulling in tighter around him, huddling together against the crowd.
The New Iwa genin was still brimming with anger. "Satoru," the girl cautioned, halfheartedly attempting to stop him. He shrugged her off and stepped forward.
They would have to evade only, Sasuke decided. Hopefully, that would keep them from being disqualified.
"So," Ino began, "New Iwa, huh? What happened to Old Iwa?"
The New Iwa team bristled at her question. But, somehow, the more they talked, the less they seemed likely to attack.
Satoru was livid. "Fucking Konoha happened! Iwa was a peaceful village among the original Five Great Shinobi Villages. Your Hokage razed it to the ground!"
"The original Five? That must have been almost a hundred years ago!" Ino replied.
It was, Sasuke vaguely recalled. Iwa had caused the First Shinobi World War, but they were unprepared for Konoha's swift response.
They fell.
"You think that makes a difference? The women and children and peaceful ninja killed? It doesn't matter because it happened a long time ago?" He scoffed, thrusting his hands into his pockets as his eyes darkened. "My grandfather was just a kid, but he told me about the story, the dream of Iwa, great and powerful. He told me about the slaughter. He told me how your aggression doomed the whole world to war." The genin's eyes darkened as he turned away. "And, he told me of the flames. Flames so hot that they burned a scar into the earth where the village once stood. A scar that they say will never fade." He turned back to glare at the Konoha ninja. "He died hating the village that killed his sister. He didn't get to see Iwa return, new, from the rubble. But we will. And it will be through your hearts."
No one responded. Beside him, Sasuke could feel Sakura shifting uncomfortably at the inaccuracies in the ninja's story, but she knew better than to pick a fight.
"What a load of bull!" Naruto exclaimed.
"It's true," Satoru snarled. "You serve a village that thrives on genocide, death, and destruction. Even now, you'll claim to want peace while marching into bloody wars. You want me to list some? How about Sky country? How about the massacre of the Flowing Ridge? You're all the same. And-"
Before anything further could occur, the exam proctor appeared in a burst of smoke, ordering them into silence. The New Iwa genin glared darkly at them as they slunk away. Naruto still seemed slightly taken aback, but his fists were clenched. Sakura pulled him from his thoughts with a hand on his shoulder.
It was time for the first exam to begin.
Well, that was underwhelming.
"That was so easy," Naruto exclaimed as they hopped.
"You're just saying that because Hinata let you cheat off her test."
"Who cares? I could have gotten by on the last question alone!"
The first exam had passed without incident. However, they weren't the only ones to get out so well.
"Look how many people are left," Sakura said.
Sasuke had. It was nearly two hundred from over fifty teams. Only around a third had been eliminated.
Whatever came next would have to thin the herd.
Eventually they were led to a forested area just outside of the town. There was a fence sectioning off the rest of the forest along with a wooden signpost with a semicircle on it.
Their eccentric proctor turned to face them. "Right, okay..." Anko began, consulting some notes she had been handed. "Alright, listen up maggots. It's time for the second exam."
She proceeded to explain the rules. They would each be given one of three scrolls. They needed to get all three and make it to the tower within 72 hours. There were 59 teams remaining at Sasuke's latest count. And this meant at least two-thirds would be eliminated.
She held up the three scrolls. There was a white "Life", a black "Death" scroll, and a final "Rebirth" scroll that was a collage of color. "Any questions?
She left, stepping away, leaving only the wooden post behind. So much for a map.
Munch-munch-munch-munch. "So," Choji started. Munch-munch. "Which way should we go, Shika?"
That was the question wasn't it? Shikamaru stared at the drawing of the semicircular forest with exasperation. "Troublesome."
Apparently, they would enter through multiple gates along the curved perimeter, but those, like the tower itself, were helpfully left off the map. All in all, it was pretty uninformative outside of indicating the particular shape of the forest.
The shape.
Shikamaru looked at the fence cordoning off the forest, his eyes following the gently curving structure. An unwelcome chill worked its way down his spine.
"Does it matter?" Ino interjected "We'll find a team and take them out Ino-Shika-Cho style!"
Shikamaru looked back to the competitors spread out along the field.
"But, Ino, don't we have to get two scrolls?" Choji asked, his mouth still full.
"Whatever!"
He reexamined the forest edge, then recounted the teams, then rechecked the map. No matter how many times he looked the conclusion remained the same. He could barely keep himself from shaking.
"Whatcha thinking about, Shikamaru?" Choji asked, with a noteworthy pause from eating.
Shikamaru didn't answer immediately. He kept himself from shaking, but the fear remained.
"Ready, Akamaru?" Kiba asked.
"Yip, Yip!"
Shino adjusted his glasses.
Kiba turned to her. "Hinata?"
"Y-Yes. I'm ready!"
"There are quite a number of genin remaining. It will be a joy to compete against them!"
"Don't forget, Lee, we have a mission."
Neji's eyes opened and the veins around them receded.
"The forest is a near perfect semicircle with a diameter of seven kilometers. The tower is located at the radial center."
Tenten's eyes widened. Seven kilometers? With this many teams?!
"Yosh! It sounds like a most worthy challenge for our youthful abilities!"
"And the mission?" Tenten asked.
The veins near Neji's eyes bulged and faded once more. "All targets have been acquired. Their fates are sealed."
"But what if the scroll opens accidentally? Or, what if..."
"Yes, Mother...yes."
Sasuke sat on the trunk of a fallen tree, staring down the opposition as teams were called to retrieve their scrolls. They were led to their gates. He couldn't tell which team had which scroll.
Naruto plopped down next to him. He was practically buzzing, but they needed a plan. Sakura sat next to Naruto.
"Since there are so many teams left, we'll have to be careful," Sasuke said.
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Uh-huh, yep."
"We find the tower. It will probably be along the perimeter or in the middle. Regardless, it shouldn't take long to find. The main focus is getting scrolls quickly.
"Yes!"
Sasuke sighed. "Calm down, Naruto. Focus."
Naruto laughed. "Hell no! Don't you get it, the Chunin exams are picking up for real now, surviving in the forest, fighting off other teams...!"
"There are a lot of teams remaining. Charging in headfirst isn't our best bet."
Sakura spoke up. "Shouldn't we...play to our strengths?" She added tentatively. "It's what we trained for."
Naruto slung an arm over her shoulders, squeezing her in a hug. She gently pushed him off.
Sasuke turned to look at her. "Charging in blindly into danger?" He said darkly. "That's a terrible idea."
Sakura gave him a small shrug and a half smile. "Not if you're good enough."
Sasuke snorted despite himself, shaking his head. He sighed and didn't argue the point. Naruto took his silence for the surrender it was.
Despite his reluctance, Sasuke felt something relax inside him as the next team was called. Naruto spoke animatedly, bursting with confidence and anticipation. Beside him, Sakura laughed, shaking her head. Sasuke smiled.
Their name was called.
A white Life scroll was handed to them. Naruto handed it over to Sasuke at little more than a look, and he carefully stowed it away.
Then, the three members of Team 7 were led to their gate.
And, when the second exam began, they were ready.
A/N: Ah, nothing like a long layoff to make it feel like fanfiction. What are the chances something like that'll happen again, eh?
I tend to write the main villages as their Japanese names, so I just went with it in story as a way one might distinguish between the "big" and "little" villages. Beats trying to correct it all the time, but it looked a little weird listing them out. Thus, this paragraph.
For reference, the canonical Forest of Death is a full circle with a radius of 10km.
Thanks for reading!