I don't own Naruto! There's going to be some fights and such this chapter!

Chapter 6: Chuunin Exams Part 2

The next day, Team Seven were at the Forest of Death bright and early. They awaited the rest of the shinobi and passed time by playing Hot Potato with a rock attaching to an exploding tag. The rock exploded midair.

"Oh, pretty!" Ino sighed. Shikamaru decided to take a nap, leaving Naruto and Ino to find something else to do. The other Genin started arriving. It wasn't long before the rest of the Genin arrived. Ino nudged Shikamaru awake. Anko arrived to explain the second exam.

"Alright, here's how the second exam is gonna work!" she called, holding up two scrolls. One scroll had the symbol for heaven and the other had the symbol for earth.

"Each team will get one scroll, either Heaven or Earth. You will need two scrolls to complete the exam. One Heaven scroll, one Earth scroll. You need to reach the tower in the middle of the Forest of Death in five days time. Also, we need you to sign these waivers," she explained, holding up a piece of paper.

"Waivers? Why do we need to sign waivers?" one of the Genin asked.

"The Forest of Death is dangerous. These waivers state that Konoha is not responsible for any injuries or deaths that occur during this exam," Anko replied cheerfully. Many Genin looked slightly sickened.

"This is your last chance to bow out if you get cold feet. You'll sign the forms and bring them up here. You'll receive either a Heaven or an Earth scroll and be assigned to a gate. Let's get these babies passed out!" Everyone received a waiver. They got the waivers signed and turned in, receiving their scrolls. Team Seven received an Earth scroll.

"Alright," Shikamaru whispered, "Naruto, you'll carry the scroll. We'll take down whoever challenges us and take their scroll. We'll keep doing that until we get both scrolls and reach the tower." Ino and Naruto nodded. Shikamaru handed off the scroll and Naruto stashed it in his weapons pouch. They went to their assigned gate and waited. Once everyone was at their assigned gate, they were let in. Team Seven immediately leapt into the treetops. It wasn't long before they came across another team. It was a team from Kumogakure.

"Let's play!" Ino cheered as Team Seven dove down into the fray. They went one on one with the other team. Ino danced circles around the only girl on the other team. Shikamaru threw senbon, each wave having a few more connect. Naruto was swinging Satsujin, causing his opponent to dodge for his life. It wasn't long before Naruto cleaved off one of the boy's arms. The boy cried out and Naruto dealt the killing blow. Ino had just finished off her opponent. Shikamaru was still toying with his. He charged in with his scythe. Unfortunately, his opponent instinctively smacked Shikamaru away after dodging. The shadow-nin hit a tree and slid to the ground. Ino hurried over to Shikamaru's side. Naruto glared at the only boy remaining from the Kumo team.

"You. Hurt. My. Family. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN!" Naruto went berserk. When he was finished, his opponent was unrecognizable. Naruto made a beeline for Ino and Shikamaru. Shikamaru was leaning slightly against Ino.

"You okay Shika?" Naruto asked his usually tough voice gentle. Shikamaru nodded.

"Yeah, just knocked me off balance. I'd be a sad excuse for a shinobi if I let a tree beat me." Ino giggled and Naruto chuckled at Shikamaru's humor.

"Oh I grabbed their scroll and what luck! They had a Heaven scroll," Ino chirped. Naruto grinned.

"Well, they paid in blood for their error, so we can move on." Shikamaru and Ino stood up, Shikamaru swaying slightly before he regained his feet. He shook his head and gave the go ahead for them to start moving. They vanished into the treetops.

Truthfully, they weren't surprised at the scene in front of them. Sasuke was out cold and Sakura and Choji were keeping an eye on him.

"Figures. He probably overused his chakra," Naruto grumbled. Shikamaru cocked his head slightly. Ino and Naruto turned to look at their teammate.

"Orochimaru came to test Sasuke, to see if he would be a worthy Vessel. He passed and Orochimaru gave him a curse mark, which is the current source of his unconsciousness," Shikamaru said, growling slightly when he said Orochimaru's name. Ino and Naruto stiffened, their faces in a frown. Then the team from Oto showed up. Sakura and Choji stood protectively in front of their comrade.

"We have orders from Orochimaru-sama. We are to kill Uchiha Sasuke," the leader, a shinobi wrapped in bandages, said. Team Seven glared at the Oto team. The Oto girl sensed their killing intent and turned to look at them. Her teammates followed suit.

"You're the Genin from earlier! The one that rated our threat!" the other Oto boy exclaimed.

"What do you know about Orochimaru?" Shikamaru asked, his voice as cold as ice. The killing intent rose, seeming to pin down all the Genin in front of them, even the ones from their own village.

"We will tell you nothing," the second boy sneered. He held out his palms.

"Zankuuha!" he shouted. However, Naruto, Shikamaru and Ino were no longer there. Ino was behind the girl with a kunai at her throat. Naruto was in front of the leader with Satsujin at his throat. Shikamaru had his scythe at the second Oto boy's throat.

"You obviously don't know who we are," Naruto growled, "Or how much we hate Orochimaru." Sakura and Choji were stunned.

"What do you know about Orochimaru? Don't make me ask again," Shikamaru growled. The Oto team wasn't sure what to think of the insane Konoha Genin.

"We ain't tellin' you nothin'," the second boy said.

"Fine, gives me a reason to kill you," Shikamaru said darkly. He brought his scythe up and brought it down on the Oto boy's arms. The boy howled and leapt away.

"I'm guessing those arms were a little gift from Orochimaru," Ino hissed, "Just like the gauntlet he has." She jerked her head towards the bandaged boy. Naruto growled, his eyes turning red. The Oto team was suddenly very afraid. They leapt back from the Konoha Genin and vanished into the treetops with their teammate. Team Seven glared after them but didn't go after the Oto team.

"There's always the preliminaries," Naruto commented. Sakura and Choji said nothing, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. Shikamaru turned to them.

"When your teammate wakes up, tell him Orochimaru isn't the answer," he said coldly. The insane Genin vanished from view and Sakura and Choji relaxed.

Team Seven paused and Naruto kicked a tree.

"Why is Orochimaru messing with us?" he growled. They didn't get a chance to speak further because another team appeared. Naruto grinned a feral grin. Shikamaru smirked and Ino giggled.

"Perfect timing," Naruto said, "I need to blow off some steam."

The enemy team didn't stand a chance.

Five days had passed and the exam was almost over. Team Seven had decided to wait until last minute, otherwise they were liable to get bored. They finally went to the tower and checked in. The passing Genin lined up in front of the Hokage.

"You have all passed the second stage. Now there will be some preliminary rounds to cut down the numbers. The preliminary matches will take place immediately. If you feel that you cannot participate due to injuries or not having enough chakra, raise your hand. Your teammates will still be able to participate." There was a slight pause until the silver haired Genin from the first exam raised his hand. The Hokage nodded and the Genin left. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. No one else volunteered.

That's chapter six! One of my reviewers (you know who you are) requested a showing of the insane ninja's soft side, so here it is! Please review! :)