Time passed, and all the genin were waiting for the results of the first exam. Finally, Inoichi emerged holding a scroll. Everyone immediately stopped talking and focused their attention on the examiner.
Inoichi opened the scroll and began reading the names. As expected, Naruto's name was on the list, along with the Team Stone, two teams from the Cloud, and several teams from the other villages. The number of genin noticeably decreased. More than half of them were no longer there, leaving less than a third.
"And now," continued Yamanaka, "I want to introduce your second examiner..." He stepped aside, making way for someone else.
"Shikaku Nara."
Standing before the genin was a man with black hair styled like a pineapple, a scar on his face, and dressed as a jonin.
"Not many people, Inoichi. Why did you reduce the number so much?" he asked his friend, looking at the exam participants.
"They did it themselves. It seems there are fewer capable shinobi this year," explained Yamanaka.
"But there are still capable ones, right?"
"Yes," Inoichi smiled. "They are very capable."
"Well, good then. Maybe there will be fewer problems," he quickly surveyed everyone with an assessing gaze and continued.
"Alright, everyone, attention! I am your second examiner, Shikaku Nara! I will ask you all to follow me to the location of the second stage!"
He headed towards the exit, and the genin followed him.
The destination was Polygon 44 - Forest of Death. For some reason, it made Naruto smile. Shikaku decided to give the genin time to look at the forest from the outside. Some had already been horrified by the aura emanating from there. The atmosphere was truly grim. The silence was tense, and then sudden screams and roars of different creatures.
"This is Polygon No. 44, better known as the Forest of Death," informed Nara. "You'll soon find out why it's called that. And now I'll explain the rules of the second exam. First..." He took out two scrolls, "these are the 'Heaven' and 'Earth' scrolls. They're hidden there," he pointed to the forest with his thumb, "you have to find them. Opening them is forbidden. Your task is to find them and bring them to the tower in the center of this forest. Also, there aren't enough scrolls for everyone," he smiled. "Some of you will have to become hunters, while others will be prey. You have five days for everything. Now let's go to that booth, get the map, gate numbers where you'll start, and sign the death waiver form. Line up, everyone!" shouted the jonin from the booth.
Naruto was the first to enter. He was given a map, gate number, and he signed the scroll of liability. Exiting the booth, Naruto hurried to his gate. He had to go to gate number 27. When he arrived, a jonin who was supposed to open the gate at the designated time greeted him. Naruto decided not to waste time and looked at the map. Fortunately, it indicated the locations of the scrolls and what kind of scrolls they were. As Shikaku had said, there were few scrolls, enough for only half of the participants... So, there would be competition.
After careful consideration, he decided to apply a tactic: on the map, Naruto found the Earth and Heaven scrolls, which were located close to each other, approximately within a radius of 15-20 kilometers. Therefore, right after the start, he had to run there and find them. He planned the route to go faster. However, there was no guarantee that he would be the first one there. Moreover, knowing this forest, the task promised to be challenging.
And then the jonin looked at the clock and approached the gates, opening them. "Go!" he commanded. Naruto hid the map and set off on his journey.
Naruto ran towards his goal. It was far away, and Naruto was afraid it might take a day or even longer. But it worked in his favor because his opponents were just as far away as he was. Moving at night was possible, but it would be unsafe. Even now, there were plenty of dangers. In this forest, one couldn't let their guard down for a second. Naruto knew this too because he had been here before.
Flashback
Several months ago
"So, I have to spend 4 days there?" Naruto looked at Kakashi, then at the large forest surrounded by a metal fence.
"Yes," Kakashi knew all the intricacies of the forest, which is why he decided on this, despite knowing the dangers involved.
"And what is the goal of this training?" Naruto was curious to know what kind of training this was, as this particular location was chosen for a reason, seemingly not by chance. Something was definitely suspicious.
"Survival," the answer was concise and clear, confirming all of Uzumaki's suspicions.
"As I understand it, there will be nothing there except me and my equipment, no food or water," Kakashi nodded and decided to add, "Just you and the forest, along with the dangers awaiting at every step," he calmly explained.
"And... When do we start?"
"Right now, if you're ready." There was no response. Naruto simply leaped over the fence and disappeared somewhere into the forest. Kakashi watched him until he vanished.
"So, you've decided to send the boy to certain death, Kakashi?" Kakashi turned his head back.
"Hokage-sama?" He was surprised by the sudden appearance of the Hokage.
"How did you find out we were here?"
"ANBU informed me that you and Naruto were near Polygon 44. I had to come," it had to be admitted that the Hokage was glad to finally leave that office, even if only for a while, but he was still nervous about Naruto and the decision made by the jōnin.
"ANBU?" Kakashi asked with evident distrust.
"Yes. The Elders made me assign one ANBU, just in case. Believe me, I was against it," Hiruzen approached closer.
"Yet, resorting to such methods... You've never used them before."
"Yes. But it will be beneficial for him. He will survive, I know it. These skills will only make him stronger. He has potential."
"I have no doubt about that," the Hokage smiled.
End of Flashback
Naruto was almost at his destination, but his fears were not unfounded. When everything around you is hunting, and you're here, like a fly buzzing near a spider's web, it's not the best feeling.
Flashback
The first day went smoothly for Naruto. First, he found shelter among the tree roots, then he found a stream. Luckily, he had a flask with him. He set up traps and, after an hour, caught a rabbit. So far, everything was going well. It started to get dark. Naruto made a fire and began cooking dinner, roasting the rabbit over the flames. After eating, Uzumaki lay down to sleep. He was tired from the whole day, so he quickly fell asleep. He slept for an hour. Then two. Three. Suddenly, he was awakened by a terrifying growl.
He emerged from his shelter and tried to see what it was. Thankfully, the moonlight illuminated everything like daylight. The growling was getting closer and closer. Naruto could hear footsteps, noises all around, branches snapping. It was quiet all around, only he and the approaching threat. The growl was now very close.
And there it was, the source of the noise. It was a huge bear that leaped out of the bushes. It lifted its head and began sniffing. Naruto stood and watched it all. But then it struck him that he was downwind, though the breeze was barely noticeable, it was enough. And then the bear turned towards him and roared.
"Things are not looking good!" The bear lunged at Naruto. Naruto didn't want to wait around to be eaten, so he launched a fireball in response, but the bear seemed unfazed and took the hit. To Naruto's surprise, the beast kept charging without hesitation.
Naruto had only one option left – to jump up into a tree, which he did. He climbed as high as possible and waited for the bear to leave. But it showed no signs of leaving. It circled around, scratching the tree trunk with its claws. Naruto had to come up with a way to get rid of it.
The answer came naturally. Somewhere above, a huge beetle fell, then another. Naruto looked up and saw a whole bunch of them, all descending upon him. Before they could reach him, he jumped down towards the bear, pulling out a kunai and infusing it with chakra. The bear stood there, looking up with its head raised.
This was the chance. Naruto plunged the kunai straight into its head. The bear roared and fell, covered in those very beetles, and Uzumaki hurriedly left the scene.
End of Flashback
The first objective. Naruto was in place. He began searching for the scroll. It wasn't among the tree roots, nor in other places, nor in the bushes. Suddenly, Naruto stumbled and fell. He thought it was just another root, but it turned out to be different. It was a chest protruding from the ground, and he immediately started digging the soil with his kunai and hands. After excavating and opening it, the blond retrieved the "Scroll of Heaven" from inside. He hid the scroll in his pouch and was about to move on to the next objective.
"Aah! A giant spider! Aaaah!" cries could be heard nearby. These cries alarmed Naruto, so he headed in that direction. He didn't walk for long before a gigantic spider appeared in his path, ensnaring shinobi in its web cocoon. In the distance, Naruto noticed the "Scroll of Earth." The spider ascended somewhere, taking its prey along. Uzumaki decided to take advantage of this and ran towards the scroll. He dashed to a place that could be called the spider's palace, where every tree was encased in webs, bound like shackles. He rushed towards the scroll, grabbed it, but realized it was a foolish move since a thread of spider web extended directly upward from the scroll. The blond mentally scolded himself, blaming his inattentiveness. Everything around him began to tremble like strings, indicating the spider's return.
"I need to make a run for it," Naruto detached the scroll from the thread and bolted away from there. "Take that, you spider!" something exploded behind Naruto from above, stunning him, and he blacked out.
"Wake up, get up," the words echoed, but Naruto couldn't understand anything. "You're doing it wrong, Kurotsuchi," and then a bucket of water was poured on Naruto. "What's going on?" the blond immediately woke up and began gasping for air, frantically scanning his surroundings, trying to figure out where he was. "Oh, you're awake, haha," the Stone shinobi stood in front of him, the same ones from before. He immediately reached into his pouch and started searching for the scrolls, luckily they were there, and Naruto let out a relieved sigh.
"Thought we'd take your scrolls?" Kurotsuchi approached closer. "We have our own," she showed them to the blond, sticking out her tongue at the same time. "Then... why did you save me?" he didn't understand their motives. "It's all her," Deidara grumbled dissatisfied. "But you're the one who saved him," Kurotsuchi responded and glanced cunningly at her brother, catching him off guard.
"Alright, I'll go fetch some water," Akatsuchi said and was about to leave. "Wait! Is there a stream nearby?" Naruto asked. "Yes," all three of them replied. Naruto quickly got up. "Let's go! Hurry!" he said and extinguished the campfire.
Flashback
That night, Naruto couldn't sleep. He moved away from that place, deep into the forest. The further he went, the more strange creatures he encountered. And each one looked at him as prey. Closer to the evening of the next day, he found a stream and decided to set up camp there. He found food, ate, and went to sleep. In the middle of the night, he heard a hissing sound and felt something cold on him. Immediately waking up and seeing a snake crawling on him, he slowly drew his kunai and swiftly stabbed it in the head. But the hissing didn't stop. He quickly got up and released a fireball towards the noise. Several trees caught fire, revealing a bunch of snakes crawling out of the forest. Naruto released a few more fireballs and ran away from there, leaving his hideout once again.
End of flashback
"Hurry up, I said!" Naruto shouted. "Let's go, I'll lead you to the tower."
"We can manage on our own," Deidara objected. "I've been here before and remember where, how, and what. It's better not to make camp. Let's go! Before all sorts of vermin crawl over us, there are plenty of them around."
So Naruto and the team from the Stone set off. It was a tough journey, especially for Akatsuchi, although that was the only reason for all the delays. The big guy demanded a rest, but Naruto insisted on moving. After all, the deeper they ventured inside, the more dangerous it became, with predators of all kinds. They came to a clearing.
"Let's go through the clearing!" Deidara demanded. "That's shorter."
"No, let's go around, it's safer than going straight through," Naruto knew they shouldn't venture there.
"Let's go straight! Otherwise, Akatsuchi will die!" Naruto just sighed and stood up from his spot. He had to admit that there was some truth in those words, but being a burden here was not helpful.
"I should warn..."
Flashback
The third day was underway. They had to reach the exit of the forest. Naruto decided to go through the clearing, but first, he wanted to make sure it was safe. The clearing was large, and the grass on it was as tall as him, so he wanted to be cautious. Uzumaki climbed higher up a tree and waited. After an hour, a deer emerged onto the clearing. He couldn't see it clearly, but it was enough. Movement began around the deer immediately, the grass started swaying chaotically, and a roar was heard. The deer disappeared. That's when he decided to go around.
End of flashback
f them moved across the clearing. There was a gentle breeze, which Naruto didn't like because it obscured their visibility of the creatures' movements. Deidara was confidently leading the way, while Kurotsuchi followed behind, slightly concerned by Naruto's story. The blond himself was on high alert, expecting an attack from any direction. Akatsuchi brought up the rear, trying not to fall behind.
Everything was calm as they crossed half of the clearing, and it seemed like nothing would happen, but Naruto's fears came to life. Growling could be heard, and something started darting around them.
"They've trapped us," Naruto realized. "Everyone, be ready," they all looked at Uzumaki. "On my command! RUN!"
Akatsuchi was the first to dash forward, grabbing and pulling Deidara along. Kurotsuchi followed next, looking back and searching for Naruto, but the tall grass obstructed her view. She stopped and wanted to go back, but a clone of Naruto immediately picked her up and carried her after the others.
Akatsuchi and Deidara made it out first, followed by the Naruto clone carrying Kurotsuchi. The clone released the brunette, who blushed slightly, but it quickly faded as she looked at the clearing. The clone prepared for battle, drawing a kunai.
"Let me go, Akatsuchi!" Deidara struggled to break free. "I'll show him what heroism means!"
"Quiet!" the clone shouted. "He'll be back soon..." After those words, a white puff of smoke appeared. "The bastard's dead!" Deidara stopped struggling and even managed to feel a bit relieved.
"You can let me go," Akatsuchi complied with the request. "Let's go," Deidara headed towards the tower.
"Don't go that way, it's a swamp," Naruto jumped down from a tree in front of Deidara, blocking the path and pointing out the right direction. Tsukuri's face twisted. "Damn you," Deidara hissed and went in the direction indicated by Naruto.
"Well done," Akatsuchi said and followed after Deidara. "Are you coming?" Naruto turned to Kurotsuchi, who nodded and walked after her teammates, with Uzumaki chasing after them.
