DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (~DO I LOOK LIKE HIM?~)

Ch.71 - The Chunin Exams: The Second Trial!

[Day2B: Deception and Perception]

- Inside Shi no Mori -

"Found it!" a voice said with glee as the individual tossed the pouch he found to one of his comrades.

The second individual caught the pouch mid-air and immediately examined its contents. A grin spread across his face as he saw it was filled with multiple scrolls, all adding up to a solid 130 points.

"Lucky!" the second person exclaimed. "This puts us at 250 points then..." he added with satisfaction.

"Nice one, Oboro," the first person chimed in. "But now what?..." he asked, tilting his head slightly in curiosity.

"We can either lay low... OR... We can go after the other team that this bastard targeted..." Oboro declared, a hint of mischief in his tone.

"I'd rather go with the first option if I'm being honest..." the first individual admitted, his voice carrying a cautious edge.

"Oh yeah?... Because you're a pussy?..." Oboro shot back, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Who are you calling a pussy, Oboro?..." the first person challenged, his tone sharpening.

"You, dumbass... Who else could I be talking to at the moment?... You're a fucking pussy, Mubi..." Oboro retorted without hesitation.

"Just because I want to play it safe doesn't make me a pussy, bitch..." Mubi snapped, his words laced with irritation.

"Tch... Playing it safe, my ass... That's what a pussy would say. You pussy-ass bitch..." Oboro jabbed, his taunt relentless.

"Alright, alright! We'll go do your thing. Why even bother asking when you've already made up your mind, fucking asshole..." Mubi muttered under his breath, his frustration evident.

"That's more like it!" Oboro said, his grin widening. "In the meantime, all we have to do is wait for Kagari's go signal, and then we—"

Oboro's sentence was abruptly cut off as Kagari suddenly emerged from the ground like a phantom, his appearance silent but commanding.

"Took you long enough. What's the situation?..." Oboro asked, his tone shifting to a more serious one.

"Two of them are out for the count, and there's only one person left at their camp. But the area is crawling with shadow clones. Another is that one of them went on their own, and the other two are together," Kagari reported in a measured voice.

"Lucky! I'll handle the one who went alone. You two handle the duo. Once we're finished, we regroup and take care of the rest," Oboro commanded with a clear authority.

Mubi and Kagari nodded in unison. Without another word, all three of them performed the same jutsu, sinking into the ground and leaving no trace behind.

- Back with Team 7 and Team 10 -

(In the Danger Zone)

"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Multiple Shadow Clone Technique)," Naruto declared as he conjured a multitude of clones. Once the clones fully materialized, he quickly issued orders for them to spread out and guard the perimeter. He also told his clones to dispel themselves if and when they see a threat. After which, each clone nodded and saluted before darting off in different directions, diligently carrying out his instructions.

With that task completed, Naruto turned his attention to Ino. She was intently focused, trying to figure out how to treat Shino and Hinata's condition using the resources they had on hand, along with whatever natural remedies they might scavenge from the forest. However, the risk of gathering materials in a place literally called Shi no Mori—the Forest of Death—was not something to take lightly.

"I'm finished making clones to patrol our surroundings. Do you already have a list of things you need me to find?..." Naruto asked as he approached her, his voice steady but eager to help.

"Yeah, take note of these, alright?..." Ino replied, glancing at him briefly.

- [The List] -

- Dokudami (Poison blocker/stopper)

- Yomogi (Mugwort)

- Obako (Plantain Leaves)

- Yasei Shoga (Wild Ginger Roots)

- Wood

"You got all that?..." Ino asked, her tone sharp as she double-checked if Naruto remembered all the items she needed.

"You know it," Naruto replied confidently, flashing a grin and giving her a thumbs up.

But Ino wasn't convinced. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "List all the items I mentioned, just to be sure," she said, her skepticism evident.

"Wha— You don't believe me?... That's insulting, Ino," Naruto protested, a mock-wounded look spreading across his face.

"Oh, stop it and quit being such a big baby. Just do it," Ino retorted, her no-nonsense attitude leaving no room for argument.

"Fine," Naruto grumbled, sighing dramatically before rattling off the list. "You need dokudami, yomogi, obako, yasei shoga, and some wood... There, you happy?..."

"Okay then," Ino said with a nod. But she wasn't done yet. "And just so I'm sure, you do know what those look like, right? And where to find them, yeah?..."

Naruto scoffed, looking mildly offended. "What kind of question even is that? Of course, I know what those are. And yes, I know where to find 'em. You don't think I'd slack off and not finish the book you lent me about foraging, now do you?..."

"I'm just making sure, Naruto," Ino replied, her tone softening slightly but still cautious.

"I'll have you know that I finished reading it in just two nights—ttebayo!" Naruto declared proudly, puffing out his chest for emphasis.

Ino rolled her eyes at his boast. "Now you're just showing off. It's no surprise you finished the book quickly—you use clones to do your reading. Enough talking, get to it already," she said, waving him off as she turned back to her preparations.

- With Sasuke and Shikamaru -

Sasuke and Shikamaru moved swiftly through the dense forest, their focus on finding a new location for their camp. Their first site had been compromised far too quickly, leaving them no choice but to retreat. They had briefly debated whether to take a risk and fortify their current location or to move away from their camp, but both genin (low/junior ninja) ultimately agreed that relocating was the safer option. After all, they still had three more days to endure there.

As they pressed forward, the two brainstormed possible sites. Staying near the heart of the forest, where the main tower loomed in the distance, was the first idea to be scrapped. It was too risky—teams would inevitably converge on that area as the days went by, making it impossible to avoid conflict.

Another suggestion was to camp near the outer walls of the forest. Initially, this seemed promising; fewer teams ventured that far out, and the relative isolation could offer some safety. However, the drawbacks were significant. Resources like water would be scarce, and food would be harder to come by compared to the central areas near rivers. Additionally, being near the walls made the risk of getting cornered uncomfortably high. While Sasuke was confident in his ability to fight their way out of any ambush, Shikamaru reminded him of their injured teammates, who were out of commission for now. Overconfidence, Shikamaru pointed out, could lead to underestimating their opponents—a mistake they couldn't afford.

As they walked, Shikamaru silently observed Sasuke's demeanor. He suspected the Uchiha still harbored some lone-wolf tendencies, though he had to admit Sasuke had become more cooperative since their early days as a team. Shaking the thought away, Shikamaru refocused on the task at hand.

After some time, the pair stumbled upon a lake fed by a picturesque waterfall. The sight of flowing water immediately solved one of their problems. Not only did it provide a reliable water source, but the lake also meant fishing was a viable option for food. They took a moment to inspect the area, ensuring it was secluded enough to avoid unwanted attention.

As they scouted, the location became more appealing with every step. Sasuke, always observant, noticed something unusual. Approaching the waterfall, he realized there was a gap between the cascading water and the rocky wall behind it. Moving carefully to avoid getting wet, he slipped through the gap and discovered a hidden cave.

"Shikamaru," Sasuke called out.

Not a second later, Shikamaru joined him and immediately understood the significance of the find. The cave provided an additional layer of security, and its hidden entrance made it an ideal spot for their new base camp.

"Not bad," Shikamaru remarked.

With their search finally complete, they decided the location was perfect. Shikamaru glanced up at the sky to gauge the time. The sun had already passed its peak and was beginning its descent. Dusk would soon fall, and both knew better than to stay out in the forest after dark.

Satisfied with their discovery, the two began their journey back to regroup with the others. As they moved through the trees, Shikamaru's thoughts wandered to Naruto and Ino. He wondered how they were faring, particularly with Ino's efforts to treat their injured teammates. Sasuke, on the other hand, remained silent, his sharp eyes scanning the path ahead as he leaped effortlessly from branch to branch.

"Only two days have passed, and this test is already getting on my nerves," Shikamaru thought, letting out a quiet sigh. "What a pain..."

- With Naruto -

(In the Danger Zone)

Naruto was making steady progress gathering the items Ino needed to treat Shino and Hinata. Most of the materials on his mental checklist were already accounted for.

The first item was easy to find—wood. Being surrounded by a forest, it was plentiful. Still, Naruto made sure to select only the driest pieces, remembering Ino's specific instructions that wet wood would be useless for her purposes.

Next, he found obako (plantain leaves) in a shaded, moist area that wasn't waterlogged. Shortly afterward, he came across yomogi (mugwort) in a nearby clearing, snatching it up quickly to avoid being spotted by rival teams who might follow him back to their base. Lastly, Naruto located dokudami (poison blocker/stopper) near a pond, precisely where he expected it to thrive—in damp, shady, and humid conditions.

Now, only yasei shoga—wild ginger—remained, and it was proving to be the most challenging. Naruto had underestimated how elusive it would be, thinking dokudami would pose a greater challenge. Yet after scouring the area for what felt like ages, he'd come up empty-handed.

Determined not to give up, he looked up at the sky. The sun hung high, signaling midday. Time was running out; he needed to pick up the pace if he wanted to finish before nightfall.

Naruto recalled the conditions wild ginger required—a very specific environment rich in decaying plant matter, where decomposed organic material provided the nutrients it needed to grow.

"Think, Naruto," he muttered to himself, trying to narrow down his search.

An idea struck him. He considered using his Chakra Hankyouteii no Jutsu (Chakra Echolocation Technique). Though he usually relied on it to locate chakra signatures, the technique also granted him a mental image of his surroundings.

"I guess it's worth a try," he reasoned aloud. "Here goes nothing..."

Naruto concentrated, gathering chakra throughout his body. Once satisfied with the amount, he released it in a wave that rippled outward, scanning the area.

A few seconds later, a mental map formed in his mind. Unfortunately, there were no decaying plants nearby—no sign of the wild ginger he sought. However, he did detect something else: a single chakra signature moving toward him from behind.

Naruto turned, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Sasuke approaching. Confusion flickered across his face as he wondered why Sasuke would be here instead of scouting with Shikamaru. Naruto then thought that perhaps he and Shikamaru already found a new spot for their new base. But then, it still begged the question, why was Sasuke coming to him?

"Sasuke?... The hell are you doing out here?..." Naruto asked, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"I was sent to get you," Sasuke replied in an odd tone. It was as if the ice in his voice was gone for a moment.

Naruto found this to be most unusual and crossed his arms, unconvinced. "I can't leave yet. I still haven't found the last thing Ino needs. I still have to find some wild ginger..."

"We already got some on the way back," Sasuke said flatly

At first, Naruto felt a wave of relief. "Oh," he said, his tone light. But then, his brow furrowed as realization struck him. His expression hardened. "Oh..."

He turned back to his scroll; his movements deliberate as he stowed the dokudami (poison blocker/stopper) he'd gathered earlier. Pulling a storage scroll from his pouch, Naruto carefully unfurled it on the forest floor. He placed the plant in the center of the sealing script he had prepared and activated the Funyu no Jutsu (Enclosing Technique) with a practiced hand. The plant vanished into the scroll with a faint shimmer.

Naruto rolled the scroll back up and tucked it securely into his pouch. But as he did, he grabbed two shuriken in a fluid motion and hurled them toward Sasuke.

The figure reacted instantly, deflecting the shuriken with a kunai. Sparks danced in the air as metal clashed against metal. "What's wrong with you, Naruto?! Have you lost your damn mind?!..." Sasuke shouted; his tone sharp with anger.

Naruto stood his ground, his blue eyes fierce. "Cut the crap! There's no way you and Shikamaru would've found wild ginger on the way back!"

"What are you talking about?!..." Sasuke snapped, his tone growing defensive.

"First of all!" Naruto began, his voice steady and unwavering, "You couldn't know that Ino needs wild ginger. The real Sasuke and Shikamaru left before she gave me the list. And second of all! Let's be real... There's no way either of you would know what wild ginger even looks like and where to find it!"

For a moment, the figure simply stared at Naruto, his expression unreadable. Then, a slow, sinister grin spread across his face. "Unlucky me..." he muttered, his voice taking on a different tone—mocking, almost playful. "Guess I should've gotten my story straight first..."

Without warning, a plume of smoke erupted around him. When it cleared, the figure that stood before Naruto was no longer Sasuke. Instead, he was met with a man wearing a pale-yellow jumpsuit and a rebreather, his hitai-ate emblazoned with the insignia of Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village).

The impostor's eyes burned with hostility as he shifted into a combat stance. "Guess I've got no choice now," he growled. "Hand over the scrolls, or things are going to get ugly!" he added, rushing towards Naruto. The ferocity in his movements and the gleam in his eyes made it clear he was eager for a fight. "Since things have come to this, I'll take them by force!" he bellowed.

Naruto responded by leaping high into the air and weaving a series of hand seals—Rat, Tiger, Dog, Ox, Rabbit, Tiger. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Technique)" Naruto shouted, releasing a flurry of fireballs toward his opponent.

The impostor proved to be agile, dodging each fiery projectile with precision while closing the distance between them. As the last fireball dissipated, he sprang toward Naruto, kunai in hand.

Naruto, anticipating the attack, readied his own kunai. Mid-air, the two clashed, their blades meeting with a metallic clang that sent sparks flying. The force of the collision redirected the impostor, who darted past Naruto due to his momentum.

Naruto spotted a sturdy branch below and angled himself to land on it. However, his opponent wasn't giving him any breathing room. Projectiles flew toward him as the impostor sought to maintain the pressure. Naruto landed on the branch and immediately grabbed it, using it as a makeshift shield. The projectiles embedded themselves in the branch, but Naruto's sharp ears caught a familiar hissing sound—explosive tags.

Realizing the danger, Naruto released the branch and dropped toward the forest floor, allowing gravity to pull him away. The explosion erupted, sending a shockwave through the air. Though Naruto managed to avoid the worst of it, the blast disoriented him briefly. Falling rapidly, he twisted mid-air, regaining his composure just in time to prepare for a safe landing.

Before he could execute his plan, the impostor reappeared behind him, kunai poised and ready. "Make a move and you're dead, punk," the impostor threatened, his voice dripping with menace.

Naruto's mind raced, but outwardly he remained calm, slowly raising his hands in surrender. His captor smirked, clearly savoring his apparent victory. "Lucky me! I just love it when things go my way. Now, hand over the scroll..." the man demanded, motioning with his weapon.

Naruto complied, standing upright and carefully reaching into his pouch with his dominant hand. "Make sure you grab the right thing, or it's lights out for you," the impostor warned.

Naruto's eyes flicked toward his captor, who was fixated on his movements. Spotting an opening, Naruto acted swiftly. With a sharp motion, he swung his head backward, striking the impostor's face with the back of his skull. The impact elicited a groan of pain and caused the impostor to stumble back, dropping his kunai in the process.

Naruto seized the opportunity. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! (Shadow Clone Technique)" he exclaimed, forming a shadow clone that materialized behind the disoriented enemy. The clone grabbed the impostor, locking his arms in place before he could recover.

The clone swiftly maneuvered into a full nelson, its arms locking tightly beneath the opponent's shoulders before clasping its hands securely behind their head. As the struggle intensified, the ground beneath them cracked open, revealing a pair of spectral arms that shot up and latched onto the opponent's legs, immobilizing him completely. With their enemy now restrained, Naruto seized the opportunity to go on the offensive.

"Katon: Moeru Ken no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Burning Fists Technique)," he declared, his fists bursting into flames. Without hesitation, he unleashed a flurry of strikes—hooks and jabs in rapid succession—before finishing the barrage with a devastating uppercut that sent his opponent soaring through the air.

Naruto's sharp eyes tracked the airborne figure, and a grim determination settled over him. Unconvinced that his attack was enough, he sprinted forward. His clone, understanding the plan, crouched low and interlocked its hands to create a foothold. Naruto planted his foot firmly and launched himself skyward, calling out, "Bunshin Kaiten Kakato Otoshi! (Clone Spinning Heel Drop)" He spun mid-air, building momentum, and delivered a crushing heel drop to his opponent's head.

The impact was brutal, sending the opponent hurtling back to the earth. He crashed into the ground with a resounding thud, dust and debris erupting from the force of the fall. Naruto landed lightly nearby, scanning the scene with a cautious eye. His opponent lay motionless, a testament to the overwhelming strength of his assault.

"I should probably get out of here before this guy's teammates find me," Naruto muttered, his voice low but resolute. Without wasting another moment, he turned and left the area, unwilling to risk yet another unnecessary confrontation.

- With Sasuke and Shikamaru -

Sasuke and Shikamaru trudged through the dense foliage of Shi no Mori, the oppressive greenery surrounding them on all sides. Half an hour had passed since they began their trek, and they were now nearing the danger zone once more. As they moved, a flicker of orange in the distance caught their attention. The color stood out like a beacon against the muted tones of the forest, immediately bringing one name to mind.

"Naruto?..." Shikamaru muttered. There was no mistaking it—no one else they knew had such an affinity for the garish hue.

Moments later, Naruto emerged from the brush, closing the distance between them with surprising speed. Both Shikamaru and Sasuke exchanged confused glances. Why had Naruto left the camp? And more importantly, how had he managed to track them so quickly without being a sensory ninja? These questions lingered, though Sasuke dismissed them with a scowl. Perhaps the simplest answer was the correct one, maybe Naruto knew a thing or two when it came to tracking others.

"Naruto?... Why aren't you back at the camp helping Ino?..." Shikamaru asked, his tone edged with mild irritation.

"Great... So now the camp's undefended," Sasuke added, his displeasure evident in his clipped words.

Naruto shrugged nonchalantly. "Just wanted to check in on how the search was going, is all."

Shikamaru raised a skeptical brow. "Right... We found a new spot, but seriously—why hell are you out here?... Didn't I tell you to make clones and guard the perimeter?..."

"I did make clones," Naruto shot back. "What's the deal?..."

Frustration flared in Shikamaru's features as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "*sigh* The point is, why did you leave Ino alone to defend the camp?... Just because you made clones doesn't mean that's enough. You should've stayed put..."

As the two argued, Sasuke's gaze narrowed. Something about Naruto felt... off. Despite his usual disdain for the blonde, Sasuke had spent enough time around him to notice the quirks that defined him. Naruto's habit of blurting out 'dattebayo,' his endless declarations of love for ramen, and his boisterous proclamations of becoming Hokage (Fire Shadow)—albeit he did notice that he hasn't done those things in a while as far as his observations went.

And then there was the kunai holster. Naruto was right-handed, always wearing his holster on his right thigh. But now, it was on his left. Naruto might be impulsive, even reckless, and idiot from time to time. But Sasuke knew he wasn't THAT much of an idiot.

Without warning, Sasuke lashed out, his fist connecting solidly with Naruto's cheek. The blow sent him sprawling, the force of it toppling him backward onto the forest floor.

"Sasuke! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Shikamaru barked, stepping between them. "I know you don't like Naruto, but that doesn't give you the right to punch him out of nowhere!"

Sasuke ignored him, his focus unyielding. "Where's the real Naruto?..."

The question stunned Shikamaru into silence.

"Huh?... What are you talking about?!... And what the hell's wrong with you?!..." Naruto asked, his voice steady but tinged with confusion and frustration.

"You're not fooling me," Sasuke hissed, venom lacing his tone.

Shikamaru frowned, his analytical mind kicking into gear. "Sasuke, how can you be so sure this isn't Naruto?..."

Sasuke's expression darkened. "Naruto is right-handed. He always wears his kunai holster on his right thigh. Now it's on the left. There's no way he'd get that wrong, not even him..."

The weight of Sasuke's deduction settled over them, and just as he finished speaking, Shikamaru caught movement out of the corner of his eye. His muscles tensed. They weren't alone.

"Sasuke! Look out!" Shikamaru shouted, his voice cutting through the tense air. Both of them dove aside just in time, narrowly avoiding a pair of crossbow bolts that whizzed past with lethal precision.

"Damn it," one of their hidden adversaries growled, frustration evident in his tone.

The ambush had failed, and with their cover blown, 'Naruto' dropped his disguise. A puff of smoke enveloped him, quickly dissipating to reveal his true form. Standing before them was a figure clad in attire eerily similar to the one Naruto had fought earlier. This time, however, the individual wore a blindfold that completely obscured his eyes, adding an unsettling air to his presence.

Sasuke wasted no time. He charged forward, determination blazing in his dark eyes. But just as he closed the distance, the enemy slipped into the ground, phasing through the earth and vanishing without a trace.

"Tch..." Sasuke muttered, his frustration barely contained.

Meanwhile, Shikamaru hurled a handful of shurikens at the marksman who had fired the bolts. The attacker reacted with alarming speed, dodging effortlessly before disappearing into the shadows.

Now alone, Sasuke and Shikamaru instinctively moved back-to-back, their senses sharp as they guarded each other's blind spots. The forest fell silent, the oppressive quiet amplifying their unease. Moments passed without incident, until suddenly, the treetops exploded with movement. Hundreds of clones rained down upon them, each armed with gleaming kunai aimed to strike.

The duo sprang into action, dodging and weaving as the onslaught descended. Shikamaru's sharp eyes caught a flicker of movement—one of their enemies was emerging from a tree trunk, kunai poised to strike Sasuke.

"Hijutsu: Kagemane no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Shadow Possession Technique)," Shikamaru intoned, his hands forming the seals with practiced ease. His shadow shot out, connecting with Sasuke's and jerking him out of harm's way just as the attack came within inches.

"Move!" Shikamaru shouted, releasing the jutsu to free Sasuke for retaliation.

Sasuke spun and flung a barrage of shurikens at the enemy. But before the metallic projectiles could hit their mark, the enemy melted back into the tree before he the shurikens made contact. Not a second later, the shurikens landed on the trunk, embedding themselves into the bark where the enemy had vanished.

The two regrouped, their backs once again pressed together. They were surrounded, outnumbered, and dealing with foes who seemed to have mastery over the terrain.

Sasuke's mind raced. He knew clones were fragile; dispelling them only required sufficient damage. Drawing on that knowledge, he decided to unleash one of his signature techniques.

"Katon: Goukakyu no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)" he bellowed. Inhaling deeply, he released a massive stream of searing fire, its intense heat radiating through the air. By virtue of constant practice, he had honed the technique to devastating effect, though not without the occasional scorched mouth as a price for his mastery.

The firestorm engulfed the area, scorching trees and scattering debris. As the flames died down, Sasuke's keen gaze swept the battlefield. His expression darkened when he realized that the clones remained unscathed.

"Something's not right... That should've worked," Sasuke muttered, his tone laced with frustration.

Shikamaru nodded, his brows furrowed in thought. "I think we're both missing something here."

Sasuke's jaw tightened as he considered Shikamaru's words. Determined to uncover the truth, he closed his eyes for a brief moment, then reopened them, activating his Sharingan (Copy/Mirror Wheel Eye). The scarlet glow of his doujutsu flared to life, his vision sharpening as the clones before him came into focus.

It didn't take long for him to notice the discrepancy. The clones weren't real—merely afterimages, flickering and insubstantial. They were nothing more than a diversion, designed to keep them occupied while the true enemies coordinated from the shadows. His suspicion was confirmed when he recalled how Shikamaru had spotted one of their attackers emerging from the tree earlier, poised to strike him while he had been distracted.

"The real ones aren't in the mix," Sasuke whispered, just loud enough for Shikamaru to hear.

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed as an idea began to form. If we can't go to the enemy, then we'll let the enemy come to us, he thought, the corners of his lips tugging into a faint smirk.

Despite being surrounded, none of the clones made a move, giving the pair a brief but precious window to strategize. Shikamaru leaned toward Sasuke, speaking in a hushed tone as he outlined his plan. Sasuke listened intently, nodding in agreement before accepting the kunais Shikamaru handed to him.

With their plan set, it was time to act. Sasuke darted forward, targeting one of the clones. His kunai slashed through the figure, but as expected, the weapon passed harmlessly through the illusion. Undeterred, Sasuke hurled the kunai Shikamaru had given him. Each blade flew through the clones, embedding themselves in the trunks of surrounding trees.

Sasuke continued his assault, weaving through the ranks of afterimages with precision. All the while, he ensured that he positioned himself near one of Shikamaru's kunai, his movements calculated to set the stage for their counterattack.

Just as planned, one of their opponents emerged from a tree trunk, a movement Shikamaru caught instantly. Before the enemy could launch an attack, they froze in place, their body locked in an unnatural stillness.

"What the?!..." the adversary exclaimed, panic creeping into their voice.

What their opponent didn't anticipate was that fact that Sasuke and Shikamaru employed another jutsu, Hijutsu: Kagemane Shuriken no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Shadow Possession Shuriken Technique)

The tables had turned. A smirk spread across Sasuke's face as he seized the opportunity. With a swift yank, he pulled the enemy out of the tree trunk, sending them crashing onto the forest floor with a dull thud.

Sasuke wasted no time. He executed a precise double leg sweep, his kick connecting solidly with the opponent's head, leaving them momentarily dazed. As the enemy staggered to their feet, Sasuke was already primed for his next attack.

Shikamaru, meanwhile, stayed vigilant, his eyes scanning the surroundings. His sharp gaze caught movement—a second adversary perched on a tree branch, crossbow raised, preparing to fire on Sasuke.

"Not on my watch," Shikamaru thought to himself

He then quickly hurled a kunai equipped with explosive tags toward the sniper's position.

The enemy reacted swiftly, leaping from the branch just before the kunai embedded itself into the trunk. Moments later, the tags detonated, shaking the forest with a resounding blast and scattering debris.

Sasuke remained unfazed by the explosion; his attention locked on the opponent before him. He began his assault with a left hook, the punch landing squarely. Pivoting with grace, he unleashed a windmill kick, followed by a seamless transition into another leg sweep, forcing his adversary to stumble backward.

Not letting up, Sasuke drew his kunai, slashing at his opponent in a rapid, calculated motion with his right arm. As the enemy tried to recover, Sasuke executed a final maneuver. Jumping high into the air, he spun to build momentum.

"Too slow," Sasuke said as he descended with a powerful kick that struck with crushing force. His opponent crumpled to the ground, motionless.

With Sasuke's enemy defeated, the countless clones that had crowded the area dissipated in unison, vanishing into thin air. The remaining adversary, realizing the futility of continuing the fight, made a swift escape. Using Doton: Dochū Eigyo no Jutsu (Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique), they sank into the nearest tree trunk and disappeared without a trace.

"You good?..." Shikamaru asked, glancing at Sasuke.

Sasuke gave a curt nod, brushing the dust from his hands.

"Glad that's over," Shikamaru said, exhaling deeply. "Let's get out of here before it gets dark..."

The duo set off; their pace brisk as they made their way back to camp. As they navigated the dense forest, a shared thought lingered in their minds: they could only hope things were still intact back at camp.

- Back at the Camp -

(In the Danger Zone)

While Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru were away, Ino did her best to hold down the fort on her own. Using the limited materials at her disposal, she managed to maintain a semblance of order, but the situation was far from ideal. Shino and Hinata's condition remained dire—neither the soldier pills nor the blood-replenishing pills had any effect on the poison ravaging their systems.

Suddenly, she heard Shikamaru's voice cutting through the stillness.

"We're back," he called out. "Sasuke and I found a new spot for our camp. We'll head out when Shino and Hinata feel a little better."

As Shikamaru spoke, he noticed Sasuke's sharp gaze fixed on Naruto from a distance. After what they'd endured earlier, he could guess exactly what was running through the Uchiha's mind.

"Naruto…" Sasuke muttered.

Naruto arrived moments later; his usual grin plastered on his face. "Hey, Ino! I got the stuff you asked for. Took me a while to find some wild ginger, but I managed to track some down—ttebayo!"

But as he spotted Sasuke and Shikamaru approaching the camp, his smile faded. His eyes locked with Sasuke's, the air between them thickening with tension.

"Sasuke…" Naruto said, his tone cautious.

Ino looked up from her task, noticing the intense stare-off between the two. At first, she dismissed it as another one of their petty rivalries. But then she saw it—the subtle twitch of Naruto's hand near his kunai holster. Sasuke's hand hovered in a mirrored position.

Something wasn't right.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He scanned Naruto's stance and noted the kunai holster strapped to his right thigh which eased his suspicions.

Though this did not stop Naruto from analyzing Sasuke from head to toe, he then furrowed his brow and told Naruto to knock it off.

"Quit staring at me, loser…" Sasuke said, his tone cold.

The words were enough to quell Naruto's unease. Reassured that this was the real Sasuke, the Uzumaki relaxed his stance. The tension dissipated, and the group approached the camp together.

Naruto handed Ino the materials she had requested and immediately inquired about Shino and Hinata.

"They're still not doing well," Ino replied, sighing. She tucked the scroll of supplies into her bag and glanced at Naruto. "Mind lending me a hand later?..."

"Sure!" Naruto said without hesitation.

"So… What took you guys so long?..." Ino asked, folding her arms.

The trio exchanged weary looks, and all three sighed in unison.

"It's a long story..." Shikamaru said, keeping it brief.

Naruto and Sasuke shared a fleeting glance but said nothing.

"Alright then," Ino relented before shifting her focus. "What's this new location you found?..."

"It's outside the danger zone," Shikamaru explained. "Far enough to be safe, but not too far to be inconvenient. There's access to food and water, and it's secluded enough to avoid unwanted attention."

Ino nodded, satisfied with the report.

Shikamaru went on to outline their next move. "We'll head out once Shino and Hinata's condition improves, even just a little. After that, we'll stick to the plan—coast by until the final day, then make our way to the central tower."

Everyone nodded in agreement, the plan cemented in their minds.

As the conversation wrapped up, Shikamaru couldn't help but hope they were done with surprises for the remainder of the exam.

- Hours Later -

(Location: Unknown)

"My, my... You've grown so much in such a short amount of time," a smooth, calculating voice echoed in the darkness. "Just what one would expect from an Uchiha. I can't help but wonder... How do you stack up against your elder brother?..."

The speaker's tone carried a hint of amusement, like a predator circling its prey, savoring the anticipation of a hunt.

"My lord, what are your orders?..." another voice asked, this one rougher, tinged with deference.

"We wait," the first replied, his voice sharp and precise. "When the time is right, I will seize the opportunity to put him to the test. Make sure to sedate his companions, I have no need for distractions,"

"And what of the other?..." a third voice interjected, low and cautious.

The figure in the shadows let out a quiet, sinister chuckle. "I don't see why I can't do the same to him."

(A/N: Must be annoying to deal with pesky teams like Oboro's, whenever I play games like MOBAS, there are people who arrive when the fight is about to be over and clean up the rest. Of course, it'd be easy for them since everyone's pretty much exhausted all their resources, then they act like they're hot shit XD. In any case, I wonder who was talking at the end. With that being said, hope y'all enjoyed this chapter, thanks for sticking with me, take care! Cheers ^^)