DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (POWER? I BARELY KNOW HER!)

Ch.74 - The Chunin Exams: The Second Trial!

*[Day3C: In Search of Power]*

- Somewhere in Shi no Mori -

(Time: During Naruto and Sasuke's Encounter w/ Orochimaru)

The Forest of Death was bathed in the fading light of late afternoon, the golden hues of the setting sun struggling to pierce through the dense canopy above. Shadows stretched long and uneven across the forest floor, their jagged shapes merging with the gnarled roots and moss-covered stones. The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves, and the oppressive humidity seemed to cling to every surface.

The forest was alive, though muted—a subtle orchestra of rustling leaves, the occasional flutter of wings, and the distant hum of unseen insects. The light grew weaker with every passing moment, sinking the world deeper into an uneasy twilight.

And then, the stillness shattered. A sudden explosion erupted in the distance, its thunderous roar ripping through the trees like an unholy scream. The ground beneath trembled faintly, enough to rattle loose debris from branches above. Birds erupted into the sky, their panicked cries cutting through the heavy air, while the acrid stench of burning wood and scorched earth began to creep into the wind.

Near the explosion, a team of Sunagakure (Hidden Sand Village) Genin rested at their makeshift campsite. Their moment of respite was abruptly interrupted by the loud detonation nearby. It was one of the traps they had meticulously set around their camp to protect themselves and alert them to any potential threats.

Though the explosion indicated that whoever had triggered the trap might have been blown to smithereens, the team's acting leader wasn't about to take chances.

"Damnit... And just when we'd finally set up camp," he grumbled, his teeth clenched in frustration.

"Toshi, what now?..." Ginjo asked, his voice laced with apprehension as he adjusted his forehead protector.

"What else can we do?... We get the hell out of here... Hikone, help Ginjo pack up. We're leaving," Toshi ordered, his voice sharp with urgency.

The group scrambled to gather their supplies, but before they could act, another explosion ripped through the forest—this one much closer. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the realization dawned on them: whoever had triggered the first trap wasn't deterred. They were coming.

"Shit... They're fast..." Toshi thought to himself.

He then turned his attention towards his other companion and reminded him to secure their scrolls as well. "Hikone, don't forget the scr—" Toshi's command was interrupted as a solid kick struck him squarely in the back with devastating force.

"TOSHI!" Hikone shouted, his voice cracking with fear. He watched in horror as Toshi's body was flung through the air like a ragdoll, colliding with the forest floor before skidding to a brutal stop against the base of a tree. The sickening crack that followed sent a chill down his spine.

Hikone froze, his eyes fixed on Toshi's crumpled form.

"No... No, no, no..." he whispered under his breath, willing his teammate to move.

"Toshi... Get up," Hikone thought desperately, his fists clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms.

The seconds stretched into eternity. Toshi's body lay still.

"Come on, Toshi... You can't—" Hikone's chest heaved as panic set in.

"Get up," he begged silently, his mind racing through the worst possibilities.

"GET UP, DAMMIT!" Hikone's plea erupted internally, but no response came. Toshi remained motionless, his fate painfully clear.

Hikone's eyes snapped toward the figure responsible for Toshi's fate. His gaze lingered on the enemy's hitai-ate, the engraved insignia unmistakable.

"Takigakure..." he thought grimly.

Steeling himself, Hikone turned toward Ginjo, exchanging a sharp nod of understanding. Without hesitation, the two swiftly reached into their pouches, pulling out matching scrolls. In a synchronized motion, they unfurled the scrolls and unsealed their contents. Twin puffs of smoke erupted, dissipating almost instantly to reveal their weapons of choice: puppets.

Chakra threads, glowing an intense blue, flickered to life from Ginjo's fingertips, connecting him to his puppet. It was a sleek, wooden antelope, its intricate design boasting sharp, menacing horns. Beside him, Hikone controlled a spider-like puppet, its segmented legs bristling with lethal precision. Both puppeteers fell into practiced stances, their bodies taut with focus, ready to strike.

Across from them, their adversary—a girl with mint-green hair—watched with a carefree air, the remnants of her earlier assault radiating in the tension. She cocked her head, her expression almost bored. "Oh... I think I used too much force there," she said, her tone light, almost playful. Yet her words carried a weight that only added to Hikone and Ginjo's unease.

She sighed, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "Oh well..." she muttered, her gaze locking onto the pair. For a moment, neither side moved. Hikone and Ginjo gulped involuntarily, sweat beading on their brows as they felt the intensity of her stare.

"Oi, Fu! Tone it down, will ya?..." a new voice called out. A man with short, curly brown hair stepped into view, his expression a mixture of irritation and exasperation. "Remember what Shibuki-sama told us?"

"Ehhh?!..." the girl—Fu—whined, spinning toward her teammate with a pout. "But I already did! I don't know what you expect from me, Kegon..." she added, crossing her arms in mock indignation.

Kegon's brows furrowed as he gestured toward Toshi's crumpled body. "Yeah, right... And look what happened to that guy you just kicked! Shibuki-sama explicitly told you not to use it, remember?..."

Fu rolled her eyes, her demeanor unchanging. "Hmph! You're always such a stickler for the rules, y'know that?..." she mumbled, though her eyes glinted mischievously.

"I honestly don't see why she can't use it. It's not like anyone else is around to see her..." their third teammate chimed in lazily.

Fu's face lit up with a triumphant smile, clearly pleased to have someone backing her up. "See?! Even Yoro gets it!" she declared, her tone smug.

However, Kegon's patience was already wearing thin. "Zip it, Yoro. You're an idiot, and stop encouraging her," Kegon snapped, shooting the third teammate a glare. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he muttered under his breath, "I don't even know why Shibuki-sama made you tag along."

Hikone and Ginjo, watching the exchange, were both perplexed and unnerved. Their opponents were acting so nonchalant, as if the Sunagakure team wasn't even a threat worth acknowledging. Hikone clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. The message was clear: they were insignificant.

But Hikone wasn't one to let pride get in the way of strategy. Their opponents' lax behavior was an opening, and he intended to exploit it. Narrowing his eyes, he subtly glanced at Ginjo, who met his gaze and gave a barely perceptible nod.

As Fu and her teammates continued their argument, Hikone began weaving hand seals, his movements precise but minimal, designed to avoid drawing attention.

"*sigh* Look..." Kegon sighed, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "You two don't get it... Under no circumstances is Fu allowed to use it outside the village! Those are Shibuki-sama's orders..."

"Oh, come on!" Fu protested, stomping her foot like a child denied a toy. "I barely get to use it as is!"

Kegon ignored her, clearly unimpressed by her whining. Yoro, however, seemed to tune out of the conversation entirely. His eyes wandered, scanning their surroundings lazily—until something caught his attention.

In the corner of his vision, Yoro noticed Hikone's subtle movements. His brow furrowed as realization dawned. "Wait a minute..."

Before he could fully process it, his instincts kicked in. "Oi!" Yoro shouted, his tone sharp and urgent.

Kegon and Fu's heads snapped toward Hikone and Ginjo, their earlier complacency melting away in an instant. But they were too late. Hikone completed the last hand seal just as their attention shifted.

"Sunagakure no Jutsu (Hiding in Sand Technique)." Hikone's voice rang out as sand swirled violently, engulfing the area in a blinding sandstorm.

The air thickened with swirling grains, making it nearly impossible for Team Fu to see or breathe properly.

"Tch... Of course, sand," Kegon grumbled under his breath, swiping futilely at the dust accumulating on his face. He glanced at Fu and Yoro, who stood idle, seemingly waiting for direction. His irritation boiled over.

"What the hell are you two doing?! Quit standing around like idiots and watch our sixes!" he barked, snapping them to attention.

Reluctantly, the trio huddled close, backs to one another, their bodies tense. But the sandstorm wasn't letting up, and even this defensive maneuver offered little comfort. The relentless onslaught of sand and dust made it impossible to keep their eyes open for long.

Hidden within the storm, Hikone and Ginjo made their move. The puppets lurched forward, their mechanical jaws opening with a faint click. Poison-laced senbon launched through the sand, whistling as they sliced through the air toward Team Fu.

Amid the chaos, Kegon's ears picked up the unnatural clatter of moving parts. His instincts flared, and his hands flew through seals with practiced speed.

"Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Wall Technique)!" Kegon shouted. A spiraling barrier of water erupted around the trio, deflecting the flurry of senbon with ease.

The sandstorm began to settle, revealing the battlefield once more. Kegon smirked as he locked eyes with Hikone and Ginjo.

"Heh... Is that it?..." he taunted, brushing sand off his sleeve.

But Hikone was unfazed. Without a word, he performed a single hand seal. A subtle hum emanated from the ground beneath their feet. Kegon's smirk faded as he looked down, his breath catching at the sight. Glowing blue chakra threads crisscrossed the ground like an intricate web, shimmering ominously.

"Haiirohigi: Senbon Kumo Wana (Gray Secret Technique: Thousand Needle Spiderweb)." Hikone's voice was calm, controlled. The chakra threads pulsed with light, tightening their hold.

Kegon tried to move, but his feet were immobilized, as though glued to the ground. Panic flickered across his face.

"What the—?!" He struggled, his muscles straining against the invisible bonds.

Realizing the danger, Kegon shouted to his teammates, "Fu! Yoro! Get out of here now!"

But the trap was already in effect. As the three scrambled to break free, their lack of coordination became painfully apparent. Each moved on their own, frantically attempting to escape without aiding the others.

Fu broke free effortlessly. Her wings unfurled with a faint whoosh, shimmering faintly as she lifted off the ground, escaping the chakra threads in a single, fluid motion. From her vantage point above, she glanced back at her teammates.

Kegon acted quickly, retrieving a kunai from his holster. With a swift slash, he severed the chakra threads binding him and stepped free. His movements were sharp and deliberate, but his narrowed eyes betrayed his frustration.

That left Yoro, who mimicked Kegon's approach, reaching for his own kunai. He barely managed to raise the blade when Ginjo's voice rang out.

"Kanashibari no Jutsu (Temporary Paralysis Technique)." Ginjo intoned, not allowing Yoro to escape.

Yoro froze mid-motion, his muscles locking into place. Panic flared in his eyes as he struggled against the invisible force holding him captive. No matter how hard he tried, his body refused to obey.

From a nearby bush came a sudden rustle, the sound snapping all three Takigakure (Hidden Waterfall Village) ninja to attention. Yoro turned his head toward the noise, his movements jerky as he strained against Ginjo's jutsu.

Emerging from the underbrush, Ginjo's puppet revealed itself—a mechanical antelope crafted from wood and steel, its sharp, glinting antlers poised like deadly lances. The puppet charged at Yoro with unrelenting speed, its hooves thudding against the ground in a rhythmic, menacing beat.

Yoro's eyes widened in terror. His heart pounded in his chest as adrenaline surged through his veins. He thrashed against the jutsu's grip, but it was no use.

"YORO!" Fu shouted from above, her voice tinged with desperation as she watched the puppet barrel toward her immobilized teammate. Fu's instinct kicked in, this then caused her to quickly fly towards Yoro desperately.

"OI, FU!" Kegon yelled but the kunoichi ignored him.

The mechanical antelope slammed into Yoro with brutal force. He twisted his body at the last possible moment, narrowly avoiding the sharp antlers puncturing his torso. But the impact still sent him hurtling backward, pinning him against a nearby tree.

The world seemed to blur as Yoro gasped for breath, the puppet pressing him firmly against the sturdy trunk. He struggled, limbs trembling as he tried to free himself, but the iron grip of the machine kept him locked in place.

Then came another sound—this time from above. Leaves rustled as Hikone's puppet descended from the canopy. The mechanical spider loomed over him, its eight sharpened, spear-like legs poised to strike.

"Hachitetsu no Yari (Eight Iron Spears)!" Hikone's voice echoed, commanding his puppet to deliver the finishing blow.

Yoro looked up, the shadow of the spider puppet growing larger in his vision. His mind screamed for action, but his body remained frozen. Time seemed to slow as he watched the pointed legs glint in the sunlight, moments away from skewering him alive.

With no options left, Yoro shut his eyes tight. His breaths came in short, frantic gasps as he braced for the inevitable.

CRACK!

Expecting to be skewered, Yoro hesitantly opened his eyes. Instead of Hikone's puppet descending upon him, he was greeted by shattered remnants strewn across the ground. Splintered wood and shards of metal glinted in the faint sunlight; the mechanical spider reduced to a pile of debris.

Hikone's breath hitched, his widened eyes locked onto the remains of his puppet. What just happened? His mind reeled as he processed the sudden loss of his prized creation.

He then saw Fu near him who had just obliterated Hikone's mechanical spider, a wave of relief then washed all over Yoro.

"Ginjo, your puppet!" Hikone barked, urgency lacing his voice.

Ginjo tugged on the chakra threads connected to his mechanical antelope, but it refused to move. The antlers were deeply embedded in the tree trunk, rendering it immobile.

Before he could attempt to dislodge it, Fu moved like a blur, her figure twisting with uncanny grace. In one fluid motion, she delivered a spinning kick, shattering Ginjo's puppet in an explosion of splinters and metal.

Both Sunagakure ninjas froze, their most valuable tools destroyed in mere seconds. Ginjo and Hikone exchanged grim looks, their faces pale as the reality of their situation settled in. They were defenseless.

With a shaky breath, Hikone reached for a kunai, gripping it tightly in his trembling hands. Ginjo mirrored him, drawing his own weapon as sweat beaded on his forehead.

But Fu wasn't about to let them regroup. She launched herself toward Ginjo with blinding speed, her fist slamming into his stomach with bone-crushing force. The air left his lungs in an audible whoosh as he doubled over in pain.

Before he could recover, Fu followed up with her own jutsu, "Rinpun! (Scale Powder)" Fu said as she blew fine powder at Ginjo's face. The power was powdery and shone brightly which blinded Ginjo as a result.

"MY EYES!" Ginjo cried out.

With him incapacitated, Fu delivered a rapid series of blows. Her other fist connected with his jaw, snapping his head to the side. She spun mid-air, her knee driving into his ribs with pinpoint accuracy. Continuing her relentless assault, she twirled once more, delivering a powerful kick that sent Ginjo stumbling backward.

Ginjo's body sagged, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. Despite his trembling legs, he tried to steady himself, but Fu wasn't about to let him catch a moment's respite.

Hikone moved to intervene, his kunai raised and ready. But before he could close the distance, a voice cut through the chaos.

"Suiton: Mizu Shuriken! (Water Release: Water Shuriken)" Kegon roared.

A barrage of water-formed shurikens flew toward Hikone, forcing him to halt in his tracks. He twisted and turned, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles as they sliced through the air. When the onslaught ceased, Hikone's attention snapped to Kegon, who smirked in satisfaction.

"Don't even think about it," Kegon sneered, stepping forward with a confident stride. "If you want to help your friend, you're going to have to go through me first..."

Hikone gritted his teeth, the kunai trembling in his grip. "Tch…"

"That's the spirit," Kegon remarked, his smirk widening as he sized up his opponent. "Now... Let's make this interesting..."

He raised his hand, water swirling around his palm before solidifying into the shape of a sword. "Takigakure-Ryu: Mizukiri no Yaiba (Water Cutting Blade Technique)."

The translucent blade gleamed with deadly precision as Kegon swung it experimentally, the water flowing along its edges with every motion.

Hikone's gaze remained steady, his mind racing as he assessed his options. They were already too deep in this fight to retreat. He tightened his grip on his kunai, his resolve hardening.

- Back with Fu and Ginjo -

Ginjo managed to break free from Fu's relentless barrage of punches, but it was only a fleeting moment of respite. Without thinking, he swung his kunai wildly, each slash cutting through the air as he tried to find an opening. But Fu, ever the agile fighter, dodged and evaded with effortless grace, each movement a blur.

In a swift motion, Ginjo retracted his kunai and thrust it toward Fu with precision, but she was already there, her arm blocking his strike. In a single fluid motion, Fu disarmed him, twisting his wrist and sending the kunai clattering to the ground.

Ginjo's body went limp for a split second from the shock of the disarm, and that was all Fu needed. She slammed a solid punch into his face, the impact reverberating through his skull. Before he could even stagger back, she performed a backflip kick that landed squarely in his chest, sending him stumbling backward.

But Fu wasn't finished. She pushed herself off the ground, spinning mid-air like a dancer. Her right arm swept around in a fluid motion, knocking Ginjo off balance and sending him staggering again.

Using her wings, Fu shot into the air, her speed almost blinding. She flew straight for Ginjo, her heel aimed downward with deadly accuracy.

The heel of her boot connected with the top of Ginjo's skull in a sickening crack that echoed through the clearing. His head snapped backward with brutal force, and for a split second, time seemed to freeze. Then, the blood began to pour.

A thick, crimson river flowed from the gaping wound in his skull, pooling beneath his crumpled body. Ginjo's form slumped lifelessly to the ground, his body still as the blood formed a dark, spreading puddle.

- Back with Kegon and Hikone -

Hikone staggered backward, his body marred with cuts and wounds. He wasn't accustomed to facing such an unconventional blade—one that phased through his kunai effortlessly yet sliced his flesh with chilling precision. His breaths came in ragged gasps, each one a struggle.

His gaze shifted to Kegon, who stood unfazed, not even breaking a sweat. Desperation clawed at Hikone as his eyes flicked around, landing on Ginjo's lifeless body sprawled on the forest floor.

"Damn it..." he cursed inwardly, forcing his attention back to Kegon, whose cold, unyielding stare bore down on him.

Cornered, Hikone took a desperate gamble. With a burst of resolve, he charged at Kegon, kunai gripped tightly in his hand. But before he could land a single meaningful strike, Kegon's water blade lashed out. Each slash landed with precision, overwhelming Hikone. A final kick to the back sent him crashing to his knees. Blood spilled from his lips as he coughed violently before collapsing face-first onto the forest floor.

Kegon surveyed his handiwork with a calm detachment before deactivating his jutsu. Moments later, Fu approached, checking on Yoro, who was still on the ground. A sigh of relief escaped her when she confirmed he was unharmed. Helping Yoro to his feet, the two turned as Kegon joined them, holding a newly acquired scroll. He had retrieved it from Hikone's lifeless body and handed it to Yoro for safekeeping.

"What's our total now?..." Kegon asked. Yoro flipped through their collection, tallying their accumulated points.

While the two took stock, Fu froze. A strange sensation rippled through her—a pulse, faint yet undeniable. It wasn't something she could explain, but it stirred something deep within her. It was unfamiliar, yet... hauntingly familiar.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, an instinctual pull overtook Fu. Without a word, she activated her wings, the soft hum of her power breaking the stillness.

In a blur, Fu darted past Kegon and Yoro, her sudden departure catching both teammates off guard. Neither had time to react, their confusion rendering them momentarily frozen.

Kegon's sharp gaze followed her disappearing figure. His voice rose, laced with frustration and authority. "Where do you think you're going?! Fu!" he barked, his tone demanding compliance. But it was futile—Fu didn't slow, didn't look back.

"FU! COME BACK HERE! FUUUU!" Kegon's voice carried through the forest, echoing against the trees. But it was no use. She had already vanished into the distance, drawn inexorably toward the mysterious sensation, leaving her stunned teammates behind.

- With Fu -

Fu soared through the forest's dense foliage, weaving effortlessly between branches as she pursued the mysterious sensation. With every beat of her wings, the pull grew stronger, an undeniable force guiding her forward.

She couldn't explain why she was so drawn to it. All she knew was that she had to find it. It wasn't just curiosity—it was something deeper, primal. It felt as though a voice in her mind was urging her onward, taking control of her body, compelling her to obey its will.

Her heartbeat quickened with each passing second, the anticipation coursing through her veins. She was close. She could feel it. But then, without warning, the sensation vanished—snuffed out like a flame extinguished by a sudden gust of wind.

Fu came to an abrupt stop, hovering mid-air as confusion overtook her. The source of the sensation was gone, leaving behind only a void. She scanned her surroundings frantically, her eyes darting across the forest floor and canopy, but there was nothing.

Try as she might, she couldn't pinpoint where it had gone. The realization hit her like a dull ache in her chest, and she sighed, disappointment heavy in her breath. Whatever it was, she wouldn't find it today.

Resigned, Fu turned back toward the direction she had come. She knew Kegon would give her an earful for her impulsiveness, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't over. Deep down, she told herself she'd find it again someday.

- Somewhere in Shi no Mori -

(Evening)

Night came upon Konoha's 44th Training Grounds, Shi no Mori's (Forest of Death) domain now plunged into darkness. The only light came from the moon's brilliance and the stars that accompanied it in the heavens.

The sound of water flowing from a nearby stream echoed through the air, masking other noises in the vicinity. Near the stream, a team rested while quietly discussing their plans.

"Tomorrow's the fourth day, and I believe it would be wise to move out as early as possible," a boy with fair skin and long black hair said, his tone measured. "I'm willing to wager that the main tower will become accessible as soon as the fifth day arrives..."

His teammates nodded, listening intently to his reasoning.

"We should secure the remaining points we need before then. I'd also like to mention that we also have enough food to last us until that time," he added.

"What now, Neji?..." the girl asked.

"We stick with the same strategy we've used these past three nights—utilizing the cover of darkness. We'll split into three directions to scout. Regardless of whether we find other teams, we meet back here. Mark this spot in your memory."

Neji pulled a spare kunai from his pouch and drove it into the ground with a decisive motion. The blade gleamed faintly under the moonlight, a clear marker of their rendezvous point. He turned his pale gaze to his teammates. "I'll head north. Tenten, you'll take the west. Lee, go east. Got that?..."

"Okay," Tenten answered briskly.

"Roger," Lee replied, offering an enthusiastic salute.

"Then let's move. Scatter!" Neji commanded.

At his word, the team dispersed in perfect synchronization, vanishing into the darkness with only the embedded kunai left to mark their meeting place.

(A/N: I decided to cut this chapter into two pieces, since I felt that the first part was sufficient enough to constitute its own chapter. Although, it doesn't revolve around Naruto and his team. Though, I'm sure y'all are able to put two and two together to see how this connects to him in some shape or form. I'm already working on the second part, 8k words in and still continuing, so look forward to that. I tried to come up with a new puppet as well as jutsus for it. Working on puppets got me excited on getting my hands on Sasori, but that's far from now. Oh, and by the way, I wrote this while I was on a bus so apologies if there are any grammatical errors as well as its short length. Anyway, I hope y'all enjoyed this one, I love y'all, take care, and have a good one! Cheers! )