Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other characters, Masashi Kishimoto and studio pierrot does.

Chapter 12:Forest of Death

"So welcome to training ground 44 a.k.a, The Forest of Death." Said Anko with a savage grin.

All the passed genins looked at the large, no, humongous trees beyond the caged barricade. It seemed as if you stepped under the canopy the light would decrease by a good extent. All the genins, fresh or not looked a bit intimidated by the dark place. Anko especially liked the fear in the face of the fresh genins. But there was one who just stood unfazed, looking at the gates and a few of the huge predatory animals and insects that roamed at the barricade edge.

Anko thought, 'Well what do we have here? A brave one. Kids like him piss me off. Thinking they can handle anything. Let's scare the shit out of him. Time to learn your place brat.' Anko took out a kunai and grinned.

Naruto's danger senses rang and he immediately shifted his attention to where his instincts drove his gaze. He saw the proctor taking out a kunai and something told him to be prepared. He just thought, 'What did I even do to get this kind of action?...Nevertheless lets just get this done with.'

The next second, he saw the kunai racing towards him. He instantaneously analyzed the trajectory and shifted his head a bit as the kunai just was going to make a little cut across his cheek. The jonin then shunshined behind Naruto hoping to find a scared blonde with a light cut across his cheek. Naruto just tilted his head a bit and dodged it. Sensing the jonin was shunshining just behind him to look down at him, he just moved his head as if he was looking straight above in the sky. And as he had predicted He saw Anko's face blocking his view just the next moment.

Anko was predictably grinning on the assumption of scaring the blond. But that grin was wiped off on finding a pair icy cold eyes looking at her. Holding no emotion it bore into her soul. She didn't know why but she felt creeped out. A kid, with no extensive combat action about to give a stare like that, yeah that creeped her. Anko was a seasoned shinobi she composed herself quick and said, "You shouldn't stare at someone strong like that, little boy."

"You were the one who initially threw the kunai.", stated Naruto.

"That was to give you an incentive to be scared and cautious of the exam. I think you are not taking these things seriously so I had to mess with you to bring you down."

"Anko listen…Just don't try to mess with me, it won't be good for you.", said the blonde seriously.

Listening to this Anko laughed, "You-you think you can mess me up?"

Before Naruto could say something, he saw a tall Kusa kunoichi walk behind Anko. She then extended her tongue to an impossible extent and took hold of the kunai which was thrown by Anko around her tongue. She then said, "Proctor-san here is your kunai."

Anko finishing her laugh then said, "Oh thank you. But you know, you shouldn't seek behind. Unless you want to die."

Anko took the kunai and then the Kusa-nin said, "Well I will keep that in mind."

Naruto had long gone from the attention area back to where his teammates were. Anko then said, "Well as you can see the next part of the exam will be held in the forest of death. The objective of the second exam is to collect, retrieve, and protect the scroll I will be giving. But first sign these forms." With that, Anko took out a bunch of forms from her trench coat.

All were handed the form which had the word consent at the top. One genin asked, "What is this for?"

"Well, that is for the consent that the blame of your death will not fall on me, by the extent neither to Konoha, from any of your villages. And I guarantee the Grim Reaper will be on your tail while you are inside that enclosure." Said Anko nonchalantly.

Some of the genin shivered and started to think if it was worth giving the second stage exam. On the other hand, genin like Naruto and Sasuke had signed the form without sparing much time or thought. Sakura with bewilderment asked, "Aren't both of you gonna think even for a few seconds? And also listen to what more she has to say?"

Both just shook their head and Naruto said, "Stopping or going back isn't an option."

Before Sakura could ask another thing Anko made another announcement, "So all before you go on to decide let me tell you a few things. After all the teams are done signing the paper, you will deposit it there in the row of tents and receive a scroll. Either Heaven scroll or Earth scroll. To pass you need both and arrive at the tower located at the exact center of the forest. All the members of the team, alive, should be present to pass. And none of you are allowed to open the scroll in the middle. Only when you reach the tower with both the scrolls you are allowed to open the scroll…Unless you want to have a very bad experience you can open it."

It was Sakura who asked, "How are we supposed to get the other scroll?"

"Isn't it obvious…You will have to fight to get it from others.", stated Anko.

Sakura said, "So this is how you will cut the numbers to half."

"Sure I am. Though I ensure even less than half of you will pass this phase.", said Anko.

"How much time do we have?", asked Ino.

Anko in a bored manner said, "A maximum of five days. After that time all who aren't in the tower fail."

Choji exclaimed, "What?! Five days! What will we eat?"

Anko nonchalantly said, "It's a forest kid. There are many giant animals in there. Meat is available 24/7…Hunt and cook. Before they hunt you down."

Shikamaru just sighed and said, "Can we quit in the middle?"

"Well, can you quit in between a mission?...No right. Similarly, if you sign the paper then you can't turn back. I am giving you a minute to decide and then line up and take the scrolls and gate number via which you will enter the forest."

All had decided to take the exams given one of the scrolls and stood in front of their entrance gate. From the speakers, all heard Anko said, "Contestants…Go!"

All dashed into the forest as soon as the gates opened. So did 'members' of team 7. In between their run, Sakura asked, "Sasuke-kun what is the plan?"

"Go near the tower. Set traps and capture an earth scroll to match with our heaven scroll as soon as possible. So, what do you say Naruto? Shall we go along with this?" said Sasuke while running.

Not getting a reply both turned and were stunned to realize that Naruto was nowhere to be found. Stopping their dash, the only question they had was where the hell was the blonde?

They then hear whistling sounds from the direction they had come from. Both took out a kunai and stood on high alert. Sasuke noted the place from where the sound was coming, which was the direction of their path. He then threw his kunai. But they couldn't hear any stabbing sound so it was evident the person had caught the kunai. They then heard a familiar voice, "Yare, yare, Sasuke you are so determined to kill me? One of your dear comrades."

They then see Naruto come while tossing the kunai in his hand. Sasuke grunted with irritation at the blonde. Sakura got a tick mark on her forehead and yelled, "Naruto where were you? And what was with the whistle? Obviously, we will freak out and take action."

Sasuke then in a stern tone said, "How do I know you are really Naruto?"

"Hymn you are careful. Good, good, it is necessary. Well, how do I prove it to you?", asked Naruto while tossing the kunai back to Sasuke.

Sasuke caught the kunai and said, "Tell me something only me and you would know."

Naruto hummed and said, "That you are a bastard. Oh, wait sorry…", he then smiled and continued, "…That is common knowledge."

Sasuke snarled and proceeded to take out four kunais, ready to be thrown. He now asked, "So where is the real Naruto?"

"Well right in front of you. If you really want something then how about this…The album of your baby photos is in the cupboard of your mother's room in the rightmost drawer.", said the blonde with a smile and a wink.

Sasuke again snarled and kept his weapons back in his pouch. He then in a harsh tone said, "Your photos are also there. Remember? And don't just spit things like that in front of her."

Sakura was having a hard time not laughing at the apparently embarrassed Sasuke. She then said, "No need to be shy from me…But by the way, where were you Naruto?"

"I tripped on my way." That was all Naruto said. While internally he iterated what the truth was. 'Everyone is in such a haste to reach the center of the forest, to the tower, that they forget to look at the surroundings. Even my teammates are no exception to this…But well that gave me the time to make a few kage bunshin who are now silently stealing an earth scroll from a team who is trying to forge a fake one. We can complete this stage in an hour but I have few plans to execute, without them getting the slightest hint of it. We will be here for the full five days. Like it or not that is what I have decided and the pieces have been set...'

"Rubbish. You are not someone who would lamely trip.", said Sasuke.

"Believe it or not is your choice. What other reason would I have to delay our completion of this stage in such an unfavorable venue.", countered Naruto.

Sakura was the one who said, "Guys we must move. We have stayed in one place for too long now."

Both Naruto and Sasuke nodded at this and moved a few steps when suddenly out of nowhere an extremely strong gust of wind blew Naruto out of sight. Both Sasuke and Sakura registered what had happened only after the gust had passed. They then looked at the ground which was teared up by the attack. Sasuke with fear could only think, 'Who could use such powerful attacks? A wind jutsu so strong that it tore the ground underneath its path!'

"What the hell was that!", exclaimed Naruto. He rubbed his head as he got up after being slammed against a large trunk and now was on a branch of that tree. He heard a loud hissing sound. He turned his head, but not completely, to see a humongous snake behind him. Naruto just sighed and said, 'Well this was not a part of my plan…Judging from the size it is a summon and as per my knowledge, there are only two snake summoners at this moment. And Anko wouldn't dare attack in fear of messing with the results and then facing severe actions...Huh, so the snake returns. Fucking Delightful!'

Naruto then unsheathed his katana a bit and had a big crazy grin. He then laughingly said, "I guess my facial muscles are cursed. They tighten which results in me smiling when I realize that I will be fighting an enemy out of my league."

The next second the summon snake lunged at where Naruto was. Naruto now completely unsheathed his katana and jumped high using chakra to evade the snake. The snake completely bit off the branch. Naruto pushed himself against another branch, launching himself downwards towards the snake.

The snake was unable to react to Naruto's speed as the blonde sliced one of its eyes. Blood and fluids sprayed out of the slit that Naruto made. Naruto landed on the ground using three of his four limbs. He again jumped back to a high branch as the snake wailed and moved unpredictably due to the pain.

Naruto waited for the summon to calm down a bit. And when it did. It breathed heavily while looking at the blonde, with a large eye filled with anger. Naruto just said, "I know you can understand our language. So, I give you the option to tell me who your summoner is and go back to your realm, or else die blind…So what will it be?"

The snake just hissed loudly and lunged towards Naruto. The blonde sighed and said, "So it is death that you choose."

Naruto jumped just high enough to be over the snake. He was about to perform a circular downward slash but his senses told him to look at his right side. He saw the tail of the snake swinging in to hit him. Naruto changed his posture and made a kage bunshin while saying, "Even you all have intelligence, I see."

The kage bunshin pushed Naruto out of the path and took the attack. Naruto landed in the middle of the snake's body. The snake noticing this, wriggled and moved a lot. But Naruto with the help of chakra ran on its body from its tail towards his head. His katana, ready to strike any moment. Naruto reached the other eye without much problem. He instantly impaled the eye with his katana.

Naruto removed his katana and jumped to a far tree. He freely swung his katana twice to remove the blood and fluids on it and sheathed it back. He saw the snake, now permanently blinded, wailing, and moving here and there in pain. He then brought up a cross hand-seal and made about 20 kage bunshin. All on tree branches and surrounding the snake. All of them went through some hand seals and in unison said, "Katon: Gouryuuka no Jutsu (Fire style: Great Dragon Fire Technique)"

Now 21 dragon heads made of pure fire raced towards the wailing summon. As one by one the dragon heads hit it, the wails only increased. And after a while what remained was a big body being engulfed by fire. Naruto released his clones as the snake no longer moved and he knew for sure it was dead. He then asked himself, "Let's see if Sasuke and Sakura are alive…If he wanted, he could have killed us in one second. But he didn't. He wants something. But what?...Well I guess only he can tell us that…It's a hunch but maybe I know what he wants. But first…"

With that Naruto left the burning mass and headed back towards the opposite direction he had initially come from. He located Sasuke and Sakura using chakra. He needed to go there but he first needed to secure one thing so he could act freely after that.

Sasuke and Sakura were jumping from one branch to another as fast as they could. The Kusa kunoichi had attacked them and both realized she was way above in level than them. Her killing intent was way worse than what they had experienced from Zabuza. For a moment they thought they were dead. Sasuke had to stab himself in the thigh to divert his mind. But their speed too was no match for the Kusa kunoichi. Both members were stopped when their enemy immediately stood in front of them. The only thing they could do was shake, yes not shiver but shake in fear. The Kusa kunoichi giggled and said, "Look at the two of you. Poor kids…But well I brought someone to say hello."

The next moment a gigantic snake rose next to the kunoichi. It hissed while the Kusa nin said, "Come on say, Hi…It already said hi. It is rude not to say so…" The members of team 7 had their eyes as wide as they could go, due to the immense fear they felt. Sasuke was the one who said, "You w-want the heaven scroll then take it and leave us." The Kusa kunoichi just raised an eyebrow. Sasuke while taking the scroll out only thought, 'Naruto this better work…and where the fuck are you?'

Sasuke threw the heaven scroll to the kunoichi which she caught and inspected it. Sakura standing behind Sasuke thought, 'That scroll was given to Sasuke-kun by Naruto. It is a fake scroll which is actually a bomb. While the 'real' one was given to me. I have no idea how Naruto was able to make a counterfeit scroll that is a bomb just within a minute before the exam started. I hope this bomb blows this kunoichi away.'

The kunoichi just threw the scroll behind. Both Sasuke and Sakura looked with horror at the action of the kunoichi. They saw a big explosion happened behind the smiling kunoichi. The kunoichi widened her smile and said, "Well, well, what did you think? That I will easily be fooled?..." The snake then hissed again. She continued, "…I may forgive you but my friend here is not so forgiving and also it hasn't have lunch yet…"

The next instant the snake lunged at Sasuke. For the second time after the massacre, he felt like his life was going to end. He couldn't move a single muscle, looking with fear at the huge snake coming to engulf him in one go. The creature was just a few feet away he could vaguely hear Sakura yelling his name and telling him to run. He closed his eyes accepting to be the snack. He expected to be engulfed and squished by the muscles of the snake. But instead, the only thing he felt was some liquid splashing on his right cheek. He wiped his cheek and opened his eyes to see it was blood on his cheek. He then saw the snake just in front of him.

Its eyes slashed. Rendered form seeing the world ever again. He then noticed the blonde who had pinned the beast down with his katana slicing its mouth from above, between its nostrils, and two of his clones using kunais and holding it back, not letting it move forward towards him. Naruto notices Sasuke looking at him. In a slight mocking tone, he said, "Yo…scaredy cat."

Sasuke wanted to say something but couldn't. The fear in him was subsiding but was still substantially there. Naruto just turned his head back and looked at the 'Kusa Kunoichi'. But before he could say something the snake started to move. Naruto jumped off the snake with his katana and again swung the blood off his blade and sheathed it. His clones pushed the blind snake off and on many other branches clones of Naruto appeared, ready to burn the snake similar to the previous one. All in unison said, "Katon: Gouryuuka no Jutsu (Fire style: Great Dragon Fire Technique)"

The fire dragon heads engulfed the snake and burned it alive. The kusa kunoichi chuckled at the display and looked at the Uzumaki who had released his kage bunshins and was now sitting casually on the branch. On the other hand, Sasuke and Sakura stood on high alert for the next move. Both Naruto and the Kusa kunoichi, unfazed stared at each other through the flames of fire that rose from the burning flesh. Both having crazy smiles on. The kusa nin started to chuckled a bit.

She then said, "I see Naruto-kun it is quite commendable of you to take care of my friend here and the one back there. That too without a scratch. I am truly impressed."

Naruto said, "Oh my, thank you. It is an honor to receive praise from you…But come on you could have made a better-looking disguise. This one is so unflattering."

The kunoichi chuckled, "Kuku…What makes you think I am in disguise?"

"Your summons is a dead giveaway. If you still want to play as a woman then fine, or else you can show your real self." Said Naruto.

"Hymn who am I exactly?…I would like to know."

"You are Orochimaru. Am I wrong?", asked Naruto with a glint in his eyes and a grin on his face. The Kusa kunoichi chuckled, "Kukuku…Spot on Naruto. Well done." With that, the ninja in front started to shed his upper layer of disguise. While the legendary snake sanin was releasing his disguise the only thing Sakura could think was, 'O-oro-orochimaru! The legendary snake sanin. Arguably one of those shinobi who can literally take on armies. What is he doing here?' Sasuke too was on a similar page, 'The fuck! Orochimaru as in the sanin Orochimaru. Student of the Sandaime Hokage. One of the most powerful shinobi. Konoha's most wanted S-rank rouge ninja. What is he doing here? What does he want? And how the fuck is this blonde bastard smiling in such a situation!'

Now in front of them, across the fire, on a same level branch stood the snake sanin, Orochimaru. He had very pale skin, long black hair, and golden eyes with a slit instead of a pupil and purple markings around his eyes. He wore a long tan shirt and a black undershirt with black pants. He also had a large purple rope tied around his waist.

Orochimaru smiled and asked, "So Naruto, what was wrong with my disguise? It did fool everyone. Even you didn't realize until you saw my summons."

Naruto nonchalantly said, "Well I get it you disguised into a woman to deceive people with more ease. It is common practice to use women or disguise as women to deceive people. But you didn't use it to the max ability."

"The max ability?" Orochimaru asked with genuine curiosity.

"Yeah…Who the hell will add the curves and unholy views! If you turn to a woman, don't at least be flat as a board. Add some mass to the chest and hind side." Said Naruto as a matter of fact.

All the three others looked at the Uzumaki with an expression, 'The fuck! Really! That is what you wanted to say!' Naruto noticing the weird look sighed and performed his Oiroke no Jutsu. The next moment sitting on the branch was a nude form of an adult sexualized female version of Naruto, sitting seductively with only the private parts hidden by a layer of thin mist. The female said, "Do you understand Orochimaru? This is what a female disguise should look like."

Naruto in his new form looked at Orochimaru looking at with a bland expression saying 'What is the difference?' He then looked at Sasuke who just looked at him with a ridiculous expression saying 'What is this Uzumaki?' Naruto moved his chest a bit trying to get a nosebleed from the Uchiha but it only increased the 'What the fuck is this?' expression from his teammate. Naruto released his jutsu and sighed while saying, "I knew you were gay, Uchiha. And you too Orochimaru, you also are gay. Sasuke, stay away, I am not gay and I reject your proposal. There you see that snake man he is gay go be a couple with him."

Sakura was the one to yell first, "Oi, Naruto what kind of veil jutsu was that? You pervert!"

Naruto countered, "Hey it is a great technique I invented to fool and defeat men. And I am not a pervert.", internally adding, 'I am a closet pervert'.

Sasuke with mild rage said, "I am not gay. I respect women however they are, unlike you. Neither am I lust-driven, like you...You really are a bastard."

Orochimaru also added, "I too am not gay…You, Naruto would perfectly get along with my old teammate, Jiraiya."

Naruto then cheerfully said, "Oh he must be a great man like me." Internally he smiled as his plan worked.

Orochimaru with disgust just said, "No he is just a pervert just like you."

Naruto in a mock sad tone just said, "Oh you break my heart Orochimaru...", All saw the cunning smile now adoring the Uzumaki's face, "…I guess I too need to do the same…"

The next instance all saw another figure behind Orochimaru. And before anyone could react a hand covered in lighting pierced through the sanin's chest. All looked with shocked eyes at Naruto, standing behind the sanin and having used Chidori to pierce the sanin's chest. The one on the branch disappeared with a puff, telling all it was just a kage bunshin. His plan of deviating everyone's mind worked perfectly by using such a topic.

Naruto immediately yelled, "Run both of you. Don't think of disobeying. He is after you Sasuke. Make a run NOW!"

Both of his teammates ran at full throttle. Naruto had expected a strained voice and expression from Orochimaru but the snake laughed and said, "Sacrificing yourself Naruto?...How noble sacrificing your life for your comrades."

"Sacrificing?...You are not even after our lives. If you were then all of us would be dead by now…And how the hell are you even talking?"

The sanin smiled and said, "Because…", the figure in front of Naruto became mud and disintegrated. Naruto could only mentally curse, 'Shit! He was just acting like being caught off guard. Before I even started my Chidori he had substituted with a mud clone.'

He saw Orochimaru on a lower layer of branches, starting his run after Sasuke. Naruto made a kage bunshin which threw him towards the sannin. Naruto was able to catch the sanin's leg and pull the sanin down with him. During their descent, Orochimaru asked, "My, my, Naruto, you really think that I won't kill you if you keep interfering."

"As I said if you wanted to kill me. I would be dead. You just want to test me to my limits and as much I know about you, you would rather capture me after seeing my potential and conduct experiments on me." Said Naruto as he unsheathed his katana and activated his sharingan on his will for the first time under the genjutsu. There was no doubt he needed to use everything in dis depository in this battle.

Orochimaru brought out a kunai for now and chuckled, "Kuku…I must say everything you say is right. What a mind you have! So, tell me what do I want from Sasuke?"

Both reached the ground and Naruto immediately went for a downward slash which Orochimaru defended using his kunai. While in the standstill Naruto said, "Hymn theory one: you want his sharingan…Theory two: you are in search of a gay partner."

Orochimaru growled a bit and kicked Naruto in the chest, which caused the blonde to skid a few distance back. Orochimaru said, "It is obviously the first one."

Naruto just smiled and said, "I don't think it is that obvious." Naruto closing the distance in a blink, swung the sword to make a horizontal slash on Orochimaru's upper body. The sanin leaned back to an incredible extent, showcasing his flexibility. He used this position to jump off the ground and perform a backflip while aiming a kick at Naruto's chin.

Naruto was just able to evade the feet. While dodging he thought, 'For the first time I think I am thankful for having the sharingan. If not for it I wouldn't be able to see and interpret this snake's movements.' He noticed the incoming punch. But he was not so lucky as the perfect punch that came way quicker than his reaction time. The fist connected with his cheek, sending him flying backward until he was impacted by a tree. Naruto kneeled on the ground and sheathed his katana while Orochimaru said, "Stay down. You are not the one who I am after."

Naruto didn't answer he just thought, 'Melee is hopeless. Have to go long-range. Hopefully, I can give those two enough time to hide. I myself can hide afterward easily. The next problem is how do I signal an emergency to the proctor or guards outside…But first…', He went through a set of head-seals and internally yelled, 'Fuuton: Tatsumaki Rendan (Wind Style: Tornado Barrage)'

The next moment many arm-sized cylindrical masses of wild wind formed around Naruto and on his next command all extended and randomly raced towards Orochimaru, while tearing everything in its path.

Orochimaru using his snake-like movements dodged the barrage. Naruto could only look with bewilderment at the angles and the flexibility that the snake sanin could move with. Orochimaru as soon as dodging the last one, completed a set of hand-seals and internally said, 'Ototon: Hibiki Rendan no Jutsu (Sound Release: Echo Assault Skill)'

The next moment the area was filled by a painful screeching sound mainly directed at Naruto and originating from the sanin's mouth. Naruto covered his ears but it felt like his mind was about to explode. As the sound subsided, we could see Naruto still sitting on his knees, hands freely out, but not a single muscle moving. And his eyes were blank as if he had gone comatose.

Orochimaru just moved towards the unresponsive boy. He then explained, "You are stronger than you are supposed to be for your age, Naruto. I must say if not for my scarce knowledge of the Kyuubi and its chakra I would have chosen you as my next vessel. And this attack is meant to mess with your motor neurons for a while. Don't worry you will move again…But if you are lucky. As predatory animals are in large in number here. So now sit for a while as I put my seal on the Uchiha to make him my new vessel to contain my soul, and attain immortality with a body containing the sharingan."

Orochimaru while talking also sensed where his prey was and he had located him. Orochimaru was about to leave when he heard, "Immortality, sounds boring!" with that he looked at the blonde dangerously close to him who was somehow able to move way earlier than he was supposed to. Oh and yes his hand was glowing with lighting blue chakra

Naruto with all his strength conjured up all the lightening chakra he could and diffused it along his body in a desperate measure to make his motor neurons work. And after his second try his attempt was awarded. Without wasting time, he went through a set of hand-seals and internally yelled, 'CHIDORI!'

Orochimaru this time was really caught off-guard but then too the sanin reflexes were way superior. But this didn't mean Naruto was unable to land his attack. He was but it only brought a diagonal tear in the sanin's shirt and undershirt and a scratch across his body, which dripped only one single drop of blood.

Orochimaru looked at his small scar and then at Naruto. Naruto expected him to be very angry due to the hit but the sanin laughed. He laughed hard, almost manically. Naruto dispelled his Chidori and looked at the laughing sanin. Orochimaru then said, "Kuku Naruto…This is the most I have been hurt in a very long while. Good, Very Good. I would like to see how you grow. You are forcing me to make your experiment my priority. But first, let's complete easy goals. And let's see how you handle an S-rank justu from up close…" Orochimaru swiftly went through hand-seals and said, "Fuuton: Hirogari Tei Ihen (Wind style: Spreading Air Disaster)"

Orochimaru blew a torrent of wind with was large and destructive, tearing away the trees and ground apart. And Naruto was hit dead on by it. It sent him flying across the forest. While going through his unwanted fly he could only hope that he impacted at a far tree to have a less painful impact as his speed would be lesser. He also tried to keep a constant posture but the torrent kept spinning him and making him feel a bit dizzy.

Sasuke and Sakura had been running non-stop. It was Sakura who asked, "Was it right to leave Naruto?"

Sasuke, irritation noticeable in his tone said, "I don't know. I don't know anything!" In his mind, he yelled, 'After just seeing Orochimaru I am running! I don't want to but my body is reacting on its own. Why do I feel such fear when Naruto is able to stand tall even in front of a sanin. How does he not feel fear!'

Sasuke then abruptly stopped. He remembered the last time he had felt fear. It was during the massacre he was similarly running away from Itachi. He saw Sakura come near him and ask what the problem was. But his mind was not paying attention to it. He just told himself, 'Fuck my life. I won't be running anymore. I will fight. I will fight till the end.' He activated his sharingan and in his mind yelled, 'I will fight for my pride, for my clan, till the end I will fight...FOR THE UCHIHA!'

Sasuke turned back towards the direction from where they were running. But before he could go back, they saw a violent torrent of wind coming towards their direction at a height way above them. They then saw within the passing wind Naruto standing against a large trunk. He was standing horizontally to the ground, using chakra, and withholding the force of the wind.

Naruto's only aim was to stop himself from going further. As soon as the wind passed, he then noticed his two teammates present on the ground. He could only mentally curse, 'Shit!', before Orochimaru appeared in front of him. Orochimaru held the Uzumaki by his hand and swung the boy towards the ground. Naruto was no match, even with his sharingan, for Orochimaru's speed.

Naruto impacted with the ground, creating a small crater, and spitting some blood out of his mouth. Before Naruto could move Orochimaru landed on him. Resulting in the blonde spitting more blood. Orochimaru chuckled while standing on Naruto and said, "Kukuku, Naruto it looks like my luck is good. The place you stopped was the same place where Sasuke was. How lucky!"

"Oi Snake get off him!", said Sasuke sternly. Sasuke then looked at the torn shirt and small scratch on the sanin's chest. He had to say that even getting that much damage on a sanin was commendable.

Orochimaru just smiled and applied more pressure on Naruto's chest. Getting a grunt from the Uzumaki as a result and said, "Well, well, it looks like you finally gathered some guts to stand up." Sasuke threw ten shurikens at Orochimaru. Orochimaru dodged the shurikens by jumping to a side. This gave Naruto a little time to get up and catch some breaths while Sasuke jumped into action.

Sasuke immediately went through hand seals and said, "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Mythical Fire Phoenix Technique)" Many balls of fire now raced towards Orochimaru. While dodging the attack Orochimaru mockingly said, "Is this all you got? Come on Sasuke show me the power of a Uchiha."

Sasuke snarled and again went through a set of hand-seals and internally yelled, "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style: Great Fireball)" Sasuke now breathed out fire which formed a big fireball and made its way to the sanin. Orochimaru just smirked a little as he analyzed, 'Well the size is impressive, signalling your good chakra capacity. However, this is nothing compared to what really is needed. You need to be trained more to be the perfect vessel…It is very tempting to mark Naruto with the curse seal. But the kyuubi will interfere for sure. I will devise some other method to capture him. For now…' The sannin simply collected some wind chakra and inflated the fireball by many folds of its original size.

This decreased the intensity of the fire. Orochimaru had simply just wanted to give the kids some time. He wanted to see the potential of the Uchiha. But what the Uchiha did next did surprise him. Sasuke too had taken note of the decreased intensity. Instead of throwing another jutsu he decided to go for close combat.

With that, the Uchiha jumped through the fire creating a dynamic entry kind of scenario. Sasuke had jumped high enough for his kick to be at the sanin's neck level. Orochimaru had easily caught the leg before it could contact his neck. Sasuke twisted his body in such a way that now his other leg was swinging downward to the sanin's head. Orochimaru in the nick of time blocked it. He then in a cheerful voice said, "Nice, nice. Your skills are not bad, Sasuke. But what will you do now? How will you escape my hold?"

Sasuke calmly just replied, "I won't be doing anything. He will."

The next moment a perfect punch connected with Orochimaru's cheek. The sanin just looked with amused eyes due to his lack of noticing the blonde until he punched him. The punch was packed with a lot of strength which sent the sanin skidding while Naruto pulled Sasuke by his shirt to get him off the sanin's hold.

Orochimaru wiped the spit which had come out due to the punch. He showcased his smile and said, "Well, well, Naruto you are up yet again. And what a punch! I like it."

Naruto and Sasuke stood side by side. Naruto just asked, "Sasuke…together." Sasuke just nodded and both now raced towards Orochimaru. Orochimaru just smiled at the duo. Sasuke jumped for a kick to the upper half. While Naruto slid down to sweep Orochimaru's feet. Orochimaru easily blocked the kick and jumped to evade Naruto's attack.

Unlike before Sasuke didn't go for another kick and pushed himself back. Naruto swiftly made three kage bunshin. The four Naruto now held the right side of the sanin and swung him off the ground spiralling into a higher level. Orochimaru brought himself out of the spin and looked down, while he still was moving upward. He heard Sasuke say, "Now dodge this."

Sasuke took out ten kunai and threw them toward the sanin. Sasuke didn't waste much time and threw the same amount of shurikens at the sanin. Orochimaru mused, 'So you think I can't dodge as I am in the air…Now witness my flexibility.' Orochimaru bent his body in such a manner that it seemed humanly impossible.

Orochimaru smirked when he saw the horror in the girl's eyes as he dodged all of the thrown weapons. But he was intrigued when he saw a smirk on the Uchiha's face. He then noted, 'Where is that Uzumaki?' In cue, he heard, "Dodge this!"

He looked towards his left, at the Uzumaki who had climbed up the tree and now jumped towards him. Naruto then implanted a perfect dab kick to the sanin's face. Which sent the snake sanin flying in the opposite direction.

Orochimaru impacted with a tree. Orochimaru snarled a bit, cause the kick was perfectly placed and it did hurt to quite a degree. If he was a normal ninja then the strength would have knocked him out, with fractured jaws and other bones of the skull. The sanin balanced himself and landed on one of the big branches of the tree. He then saw Naruto also standing on a branch of the same level as his, on a different tree. And so did Sasuke.

Orochimaru then said, "Naruto, you do have great raw strength and skills. And so do you Sasuke. Your raw strength is similar to your teammate's but your skill has a gap to Naruto's. Sasuke, accept my offer, I will train you and I will make you the strongest. You can then accomplish all your goals with the power I will give you. And I know you need power to kill him."

Sasuke knew what the sanin said about the gap was true but didn't like it one bit. And he thought, 'Training from a sanin doesn't sound bad. And power…I need the power to kill that brother of mine.' Naruto immediately said, "Sasuke he is trying to get into your head."

Orochimaru then in a calm manner said, "My, my, Naruto, I would rather say you are trying to get into his mind. You fear that he may catch up and surpass you. You want to stagnate his growth, don't you?"

Naruto just snarled and looked at the Uchiha. It seemed Orochimaru's words had touched Sasuke's inner thoughts and insecurities. Naruto took a deep breath and internally said, 'Well if this doesn't get him off this idea then nothing will.' He then in a serious tone said, "Listen Sasuke if you go with him then you are a traitor. You will be considered just like Uchiha Itachi by others."

Sasuke gripped the trunk against which he was standing. His mind reverberated the word, '…just like Uchiha Itachi…' His grip hardened, to the point he tore some wood out of the tree. With anger visible in his eyes he said, "I am not and never will be like Itachi…I am his grim reaper." With that, he leaped towards Orochimaru to attack him.

Orochimaru simply jumped to another higher branch of another tree. He looked at the Uchiha who stood where he was, seething in anger. Sasuke then said, "Oi Naruto let's finish this snake off now." Orochimaru just lifted one eyebrow and thought, 'So much confidence due to anger…I have to say I lost the wordplay, you win that part, Naruto. Sasuke doesn't intend to stop anytime soon. And I am not keen on injuring my vessel permanently...I need to handle the Uzumaki first or else he will be a pain in the ass in my process to taint Sasuke with the curse seal.'

Naruto looked at Sasuke and knew he had succeeded and failed at the same time. He was able to make Sasuke take the decision he wanted but, in the process, the Uchiha's mind was deluded with anger. Naruto just said, "Sasuke calm down. We can't afford to act with anger now."

Naruto then heard the snake sanin say, "Playtime is over." He turned his head to look towards Orochimaru. But before he could properly see what was coming his way, he was wrapped around with something pink, fleshy, and rope-like thing, restricting his movements. He was then lifted and moved. Naruto was now face to face with Orochimaru. It was then Naruto realized what had tied him. It was Orochimaru's tongue that had extended out and acted as a rope of his will.

Naruto felt highly disgusted and squirmed a bit. Orochimaru just lifted the boy's shirt a bit and revealed the eight-trigram seal that contained the Kyuubi. Naruto's back faced his teammates, forbidding them the view the seal. The sanin then did some hand seals and now his fingertips were lit in a purple fire.

Naruto's eyes widened as he recognized the seal. He could only helplessly yell in his mind, 'Shit! Need to move. Gogyo Fuin (five-element seal) will surely mess up my chakra completely.' Naruto squirmed even more but Orochimaru slammed his hand over the eight-trigram seal and said, "Gogyo Fuin!"

Immense pain resonated in the blonde's body and his mind started leaving the realm of consciousness, as he limped in the confinements of the sanin's tongue. Orochimaru released the blonde, letting him take a free fall. Naruto's sharingan now deactivated as he closed his eyes the last thing, he witnessed was the neck of the sanin somehow extending a bit.

Naruto would have hit his head, if it was not for Sakura who caught him before he impacted with the ground. Sakura sighed in relief as for a moment she thought she couldn't catch Naruto. But her relief was short-lived as she heard a scream and it was Sasuke's voice. She saw the sanin's body in the same place but his neck had elongated and reached Sasuke's place. And the sanin had bitten the Uchiha's neck.

Via his bite, Orochimaru had sent the necessary things for the cursed mark. Orochimaru withdrew a bit and saw with satisfaction as the boy screamed and then the ink appeared on the boy's skin. All then condensing to form a visible seal, consisting of three comma-like structures in a circle with a circular boundary. This was Orochimaru's cursed seal of the heavens.

Orochimaru brought his neck back to its original length. He saw Sasuke too losing consciousness and slumping on the branch. He then looked at the girl who whimpered under his gaze. Orochimaru just smiled and landed next to her.

Sakura while still holding Naruto, rather more tightly, took out a kunai. But her hands kept shaking. She was unable to say anything and just moved backward while holding the unconscious blonde. Orochimaru then said, "Sakura I won't hurt you or Naruto anymore. Just give me the heaven scroll and I will leave."

The choice was a no-brainer for her and she with a shaking hand gave the scroll. Orochimaru took the scroll, and as he said he left the site. Orochimaru just thought about his encounter, 'Well the curse seal has been placed properly. Now Sasuke will taste what power feels like. He will now grow and acknowledge the power I can give him. He will surely come to me for power. And when he peaks in his abilities, I will transfer my soul and finally attain a body with the sharingan. It feels even better as my last attempt to attain a Uchiha body failed miserably. Damn, Itachi and his visual skills…I must say Naruto was starting to be a problem. I too need to make a good seal and put it on him before he gets even more strong. He shows high potential…Now I just need to give this scroll to my Oto (Sound village) team and make them force Sasuke to use the cursed seal.'

Orochimaru looked at the scroll. He didn't know why it felt a bit funny. He then thought, 'Hymn I don't know why I feel like this...I saw Naruto make a fake scroll and give it to Sasuke and give this one to Sakura saying it was real…Shit! He lied to even his teammates.'

Orochimaru threw the bomb away but the time had ticked down a lot. Resulting in him being very near to the center of the explosion. The sanin flew back due to the force and crashed into a tree. He just got up and dusted his now burned and tattered shirt. He had some burned skin, other than that he was perfectly fine. He chuckled and said, "Well, well, Naruto, quite a devious mind you have there...That Namikaze's blood runs stronger than that Uzumaki's in you. Good for you!"

'Ahhhgr…My head is aching but at the same time, I feel being filled with power. My body feels so, so energized. It feels so good.' These were the thoughts of Uchiha Sasuke as he regained bits of his consciousness. Even with half of his consciousness back, his face was masked with a crooked grin, a rare facial expression on him. He slowly got up and noticed the purple chakra flowing around him, and wavy ink patterns spreading across his skin.

He in a savage manner thought, 'So this is power. I feel it coursing in every vein, artery, and chakra coil in my body. It is sublime. I feel way stronger than before, maybe my power and skills have doubled…I love this!...' Sasuke just looked around for the first time. He first looked at the Uzumaki still lying down, unconscious near his feet. Sasuke with a smirk thought, 'I have woken before you Uzumaki…And now I am the stronger one. There is a gap between us now but I am the one in the lead...This power has made everything clearer. It has made me realize why I exist…I am vengeance.' He then noticed Team 10 there, engaged in a battle with another team. It was the team from Oto.

Sasuke then looked at Sakura who was sitting on the ground all bruised up and her hair was now cut to neck length. He lastly noticed Lee, beaten to the ground, lying down and all bruised up. He then saw two more people on the branches, one of them was a Hyuga. Sasuke again running his thoughts, 'Hymn I think that is Hyuga Neji, last year's rookie of the year…And who beat up Lee like that must be strong. It seems there was a high probability that taijutsu boy didn't use his mind…And Sakura there was also attacked…Anyway, I do need to test this power. This Oto team will be my guinea pig and the first one to taste my power.'

Sasuke flared up his chakra and the purple chakra surrounding him diffused into the air. The wavy pattern was all over his body now. All looked at him. The expression written on their faces was that being felt intimidated. Sasuke in a stern tone asked, "Sakura…who did this to you?"

Sakura too felt intimidated by Sasuke's presence and the change in look. It was not just the wavy features all over his body but also the fact that his aura felt completely different. The way he looked was like he had no mercy. It was different than the usual. Sasuke didn't hear an answer. So with more strain in his voice, he said, "Sakura who hurt you?...Was it those Oto wimps?"

The Oto team too consisted of two boys and a girl. The girl was knocked out by team 10. The said team 10 had now taken cover behind the bushes sensing the extreme hostility in the atmosphere now. The two boys wore similar tan-colored shirts and black pants. One had his face except for an eye covered in bandages. He also had a furry coat on his back. The other one had black spiky hair. He also had some small mechanical devices on his palms.

The black-haired one yelled, "Yeah, we did it, that is the position of you people. And who are you calling wimps?"

Sasuke with distaste spat, "Wasn't my language clear to you?...It might not have been to a dimwit like you."

"Why you!" The boy threw two kunais at Sasuke. Which the Uchiha caught with no problem. And let the kunais drop to the ground. Sasuke in a blink closed the distance and punched the Oto-nin. Sending the boy skidding a few feet back. Sasuke looked at the Oto teammate and said, "You bandages…It's your team that caused this chaos. Harming the asleep and weak is not considered brave you know. Do you know what is the punishment for that?"

The bandaged boy didn't answer he just thought, 'He-he survived the curse mark with no major visible side effects!' He knew why they had been ordered to attack the team from Konoha but he hadn't expected such scenes. Sasuke was about to ask one last time but he then heard sounds of shurikens coming towards him. Sasuke took out a kunai and effortlessly defected five shurikens that came towards him. He then looked back at the boy he had punched earlier.

The boy with mild rage said, "Dosu what the hell fight that guy! Why are you standing still?"

Dosu then replied, "Zaku we can't approach this fight as we normally do."

Sasuke didn't pay attention to their little conversation. He just made hand-seals and in his mind said, 'Katon: Housenka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Mythical Fire Phoenix Technique)' Many small fireballs erupted from his mouth and raced towards Zaku. Zaku smirked at the technique considering he could easily counter it. He brought out his palms and from the miniature artificial opening, a gust of wind blew out. The gust easily removed the fire but revealed the inner surprise. All were shocked to see that the Uchiha had hidden shurikens under each fireball. It required great speed to execute such a move.

Zaku just brought his hands up to defend his upper body. He knew he couldn't do anything of it. He took the strike head-on. Some shuriken making cuts, while some were embedded in his body. As the attack stopped, Zaku removed all the shuriken embedded in him. As he finished, he brought his hands out in different directions and said, "Let's see how you defend your teammates."

Zaku released a gust of wind at both Sakura and the sleeping Naruto. All expected the two to be hit by the attack. The attack passed but none of the spectators could see either of the team 7 members get hit by the jutsu or at their original place. All then saw Sasuke, who was laying Naruto back on the ground, and Sakura sitting beside him. All were mesmerized by the speed Sasuke showed in picking up and saving his teammates.

Sasuke turned back and blandly looked at Zaku. He then coldly said, "It is not good to attack the weak." Yet again showcasing his speed, Sasuke now stood behind Zaku. Sasuke just coldly said, "You seem to pride these hands of yours a lot." Sasuke grabbed each arm and placed one of his feet on Zaku's back. The Uchiha started to pull the arms out. The Oto-nin screamed due to the pain he felt. On the other hand, Sasuke just smiled and applied more strength to his pull. All looked with horror at this. But the line was crossed when all heard an audible snapping sound.

Sasuke let go of Zaku while saying, "For the time being I have only dislocated your arms. If luck you can relocate them back with no problem…" Sasuke now looked at Dosu and said, "…now it's your turn."

Dosu just said, "Wai-wait we can talk this out."

Sasuke didn't seem to be in the mood to talk this around. But before he could begin his run. He felt someone embrace him from behind. He then heard Sakura's terrified voice, "Sasuke-kun snap out of it. This is not you. This is not you. Snap out of it."

Somehow in a slow and steady pace, the wavy pattern on Sasuke's skin receded back to the curse seal and the hostile sura around him disappeared. Dosu seeing that he had a chance to leave just said, "Let me and my teammates leave…I ensure we won't attack again." Sasuke just nodded. Dosu proceeded to take both of his teammates away.

Sasuke got out of Sakura's embrace and slumped against a tree while in a low voice exclaiming, "God my head aches!" On the other side, Sakura smiled brightly as she said, "Thank God Sasuke-kun, you are back. I was worried for quite some time." Sasuke just nodded and said, "Sakura give me some time and space, please. My head is really aching."

Sakura nodded and left and joined with team 10 who came out from the bushes. Tenten came and woke up Lee and took him away. Ino was tending to the injuries of Sakura while Sasuke thought about the experience, he had, 'The power felt surreal…If only I can tap into that power without losing control…It is perfect...I need to know more about it!...I need it!'

Shikamaru and Choji stood beside the sleeping blonde. Choji looked at Naruto, then at Shikamaru, and asked, "Hey Shika are you waking him up or me?" Shikamaru looked at Naruto and thought, 'You troublesome blonde.' Shikamaru said, "Choji you go and see if Sasuke and Sakura need water or something. I will be waking up this blonde."

Choji just gulped a bit and asked, "Do I really need to go near Sasuke?"

Shikamaru just sighed and said, "Choji he won't eat up and he is back to normal. And even in that state, he protected his comrades. He had just tapped into some kind of power-up but was in full control of his mind."

"That still doesn't sound very consoling."

"Choji!"

"Ok, ok. Going.", with that Choji left.

Shikamaru then just said, "Naruto I know you are pretending. No need to act anymore."

Naruto immediately dropped the act and got up and sat, saying, "Yo!"

Shikamaru then growled a bit and said, "Seriously that is your first word to say."

"Tell me what you want to hear then?" asked Naruto.

"How much did you witness?"

"All of it." He had regained consciousness once he felt strong and potent chakra in the surroundings. Which was the time when Sasuke had just gotten up.

"Why didn't you get up?"

"I know you know me well enough to know the answer." Said Naruto as he looked at the thinking Uchiha.

"Really just for observation? You could have gotten up and at least taken cover and observed."

"People would then know, that I know. I don't want people to know that I know way more than them.", said Naruto nonchalantly.

"Fine…But what was that? What had happened to Sasuke?"

Before speaking Naruto ensured no one was in audible range. He signalled Shikamaru to crouch down. Naruto then in whispers, explained, "That is a cursed seal given to Sasuke by Orochimaru."

"Orochimaru! As in the snake sanin?" Shikamaru too whispered.

"Yes, we had a clash with him. Needless to say, he was just toying with us. I don't exactly know what is in the seal. But activating it gave Sasuke a boost in chakra. Somehow his skills and power increased drastically after the seal was applied. My guess is that the seal somehow enhances his chakra. He is using his own mind, but factors of importance have changed due to a windfall profit to him…Don't say this to anyone."

Shikamaru thought what he got to know for a moment and then said, "This sure is a drag…But there might be a chance that Sakura would have told Ino. And stopping her from talking is nearly impossible."

"No, she hasn't. I am keeping track of the lip movement of others. Their topic of discussion is a thousand miles away from this. This news will anyhow eventually spread like wildfire but we don't need it to spread now."

"You always have eyes on everyone and everything."

"Well certainly I don't have it on everyone, but I try to keep as much I can under my watch…Shika how much time has it been since the test started?"

"Nearly a day and a half."

Naruto hummed but inwardly he scowled, as he thought, 'A day and a half delay in my plans. But no problem…I just need to find him, spy, and then execute him.'

Naruto again asked, "Have you completed the test yet Shikamaru?"

"Not yet we are in the look of a team we have identified. But haven't had contact yet."

"Which scroll are you in need of."

"The earth scroll."

Naruto took out an earth scroll from his pouch and handed it to Shikamaru. Shikamaru just looked dumbfounded as Naruto gave him the scroll. "Wh-what about you and your team?"

"Oh, don't worry. This was an extra with me. Just don't tell either of your teammates that I just handled this out.", said Naruto. While he had sent his clones to steal the earth scroll from his targeted team, another team had ambushed and the two teams fought. Unknown to either side they had the same scroll and Naruto had stolen both of them.

Shikamaru nodded as he kept the scroll in his pocket. Naruto then said, "Shikamaru go and complete the test as soon as possible. See if Kabuto is there in the tower. If yes then somehow keep an eye on him. I will see if he is in the forest. And also, when I reach give me any valuable info you find."

Shikamaru hummed and said, "So this is why even after having the scrolls you are not completing the test." Naruto only nodded in response.

Both of them then heard the female member of team 10 say, "Oi dead-last duo. What the hell are you to talk about for so long?"

Naruto and Shikamaru together were called the dead-last duo due to them fetching the last two positions in the academy. But if they became serious then they could easily wipe off a formidable foe. Shikamaru taking no offense, immediately said, "I was just filling Naruto in with what all happened."

All the others bought the lie. It was then Sakura who said, "I guess we all should leave and split now we have stayed in one place for long enough." All agreed and the teams went their separate ways. The members of team 7 had taken a solider pill, which fulfilled their necessary nutritious intake. The team jumped from branch to branch in a V formation with Naruto being the one, behind. It was Sasuke who said, "We need to move a gear up now since we don't have any scroll with us."

"But Sasuke-kun it is already dusk and I am extremely tired from our previous encounter. And it is almost night.", said Sakura.

Sasuke pressed the fact they can't rest by saying, "Even I am exhausted but we can't afford to rest."

"Sasuke, Sakura stop.", said Naruto. Both followed and stopped on a branch. Naruto then jumped to the branch they were at. He said, "If you feel sleepy then fall asleep." As soon as the word asleep left his mouth both Sasuke and Sakura slumped. Naruto caught them before they fell off the branch.

The reason for such a reaction was because a kage bunshin had appeared behind them and applied the sleeping seal he had made, which he started in the wave country. It was completed after a few days he had returned to the village. Naruto found a mangrove patch near a running river. He then looked for a cavity in the on-ground roots. After finding one he laid Sakura and Sasuke in that cavity and raised barrier seals to keep them safe from natural predators. He then made a cloaking seal keeping them out of other teams' views.

After completing all this Naruto sighed and took out his seals notebook. He had copied what the curse seal looked like and wrote all that he knew. He closed his book and sighed again while internally saying, 'Now I act as I want to…But have to say, Orochimaru created an absolutely, incredible seal. Looking at it, I have no idea what it is…But now let's see if I can spy on a spy.'

It has been three days, that is we are nearing the end of the five-day mark. The exam would end the noon after the next sunrise. The sun had just set and the forest glowed with the moonlight and a few fireflies here and there.

We now see three Konoha genin eating fish cooked over a bonfire. The said 'genin' were Yakushi Kabuto and his team. The names of his teammates Akado Yoroi and Tsurugi Misumi. They wore normal shinobi outfits and had also covered their faces with black cloth. They too were termed as spies along with Kabuto but they were merely just pawns.

Kabuto finished eating and drank water. His teammates were still eating. Kabuto just looked blandly forward though he knew his interests were behind. Kabuto in a bored manner stated, "Would you too like to eat before we start?"

Confused Yoroi asked, "Kabuto what are you saying?"

Kabuto then said, "It was not meant to you. I asked our guest."

The next second Kabuto turned around to block a katana using his kunai. Yoroi and Misumi stumble at first due to the sudden attack and then jump back while taking a fighting stance. It was then they saw their blonde attacker.

Naruto and Kabuto stood at a standstill glaring at each other. Kabuto in a stern tone said, "I have to say Naruto this is the first time I witnessed your spying skills firsthand, and they can be rivalled to mine."

Naruto then replied, "Maybe…But I know, you have noticed my presence probably since a day."

Kabuto smirked a bit and said, "Well, well, could even guess that. Great. Now let me tell you, my guess. If I am not wrong then you have been spying on us for not more than one and a half day. You might have already figured out where my loyalty lies now."

"Snakes are one of my least favorite animals." That was what Naruto said.

Kabuto chuckled and then said, "But Naruto isn't it stupid to fight now?...I mean you can't use your chakra and your teammates are not here for backup…I know you have hidden them somewhere."

Naruto just said, "Well you can never find them and it is true, thanks to your lord, that I can't use my chakra." Internally he added, 'Effectively…For the past two days have tried to manifest chakra which I am only able to do in very small amounts. Not enough for any jutsu. I can only carry out chakra nature transformations in its raw form but can't properly manifest it.'

Misumi then from behind said, "That's why we weren't able to find them! Kabuto if you had realized this why didn't you tell us? Lord Orochimaru won't be pleased."

Kabuto lied, "Misumi, I just realized it." While in his mind he snarled, 'These two always need orders and directions to do something. They never use their brain. It was because of their discussions Naruto got to know about a few things…They are of no use after these exams.'

Naruto then asked, "Tell me Kabuto…why have you sided with Orochimaru?"

"That is none of your concern…And we have talked a lot now." With that Kabuto also jumped back towards his teammates. As both Yoroi and Misumi were going through hand seals, Kabuto said, "Remember we can't kill him." 'Though neither of you can. But I can't have him get permanent damage too. Lord Orochimaru, for some reason, wants to make plans for him.' Added Kabuto in his mind. Both his teammates nodded.

Naruto stood alert with his katana held by both hands, exactly in front and between his eyes. And ready to jump into action. He had to take the hind seat and be the responsive one. He had gathered as much information as he could. He did want to execute Kabuto. But as he learnt that the spy was Orochimaru's, right-hand man. That decision was a bit conflicted now. Kabuto was a treasure chest of information. But could the interrogators break the locks of his mind? That was the only unanswered stopping him from concluding a decision.

He then saw Yoroi's hand glowed blue. While Misumi's elongated arms elongated. Naruto internally snarled and thought, 'What is with these people? They keep on elongating their bodies.' It was Misumi's arms that reached first. Naruto dodged the arms easily and grabbed one of them and then pulled him. As Misumi got close Naruto kicked at his opponent's hind head. Knocking him unconscious.

He then saw Yoroi run towards him with the blue glowing hand aiming to make contact. Naruto stepped to the side and banged the handle of his katana to the spy's hind part of the head. He dropped like a sack of potatoes. Naruto just looked at the two with mild disappointment and then looked at Kabuto who too had a similar expression. Naruto asked, "You seriously chose them to be your partners? They were barely a challenge."

Kabuto grumbled a bit and said, "Well I guess they thought they could win easily and didn't use their brains. And they were just between mid to barely high genin level. I promise I won't disappoint."

Naruto smirked and asked, "Tell me you are genin level. Then I can't be disappointed by your low skills."

Kabuto chuckled and said, "Trash talk doesn't work on me. You can consider whatever level you want. But I can't show my full strength as I can't kill you. But I will give you the taste of my uniqueness." With that Kabuto took out a kunai. Naruto too took his stance as both gazed at each other. Both stood still in the darkness after sunset, and their battle area was lit by the moonlight and bonfire, the sounds of nocturnal animals had also disappeared due to the imminent battle.

With one jerk on both Naruto and Kabuto raced towards each other. Naruto went for a horizontal slash which Kabuto dodged by leaning back. He then quickly changed the hold of the kunai to reverse grip and went for a slash. Naruto back traced his swing and hit the kunai out of Kabuto's hand.

Kabuto jumped back as soon as the kunai left his hand. Naruto with the aim of not giving Kabuto either time or space also lunged, while lifting his katana high. Kabuto landed and had to move again before he could do anything useful. This went on for a few more times. Naruto had been able to get a few good cuts on Kabuto. Kabuto had now gotten a bit hang of it and had completed a set of hand seals. But before he could execute his jutsu he saw the katana thrown at him like a spear.

Kabuto in a nick of time tilted his head, as the katana passed him and embedded into a trunk beside him. Before Kabuto could react on anything else he saw Naruto race towards. Naruto knew he couldn't let Kabuto use a jutsu. Seeing hand signals, he intended to break Kabuto's concentration by throwing the weapon in his hand. Naruto now executed a 540-degree kick.

The kick connected perfectly with Kabuto's cheek. Naruto using his momentum kicked Kabuto's knee. Kabuto now down on a knee was barely able to block Naruto's next kick to his head. Naruto then pulled his katana out and brought it to a downward swing. Kabuto had no choice but to use kamiwari with a log. The log was cut in half by the katana. Naruto snarled and started to look around, for where could the Oto spy could be.

Naruto was then forced to crouch down as the ground beneath him started to vibrate. The next moment the area around him started to rise while also violently shaking. Naruto then caught sight of Kabuto who was again going through a set of hand-seals. The rising land didn't let him get a good balance. He then too brought out three shurikens and threw them at Kabuto.

Kabuto was easily able to dodge this attack and, in his mind, said, 'Doton: Doryuu Katsu (Earth Style: Earth Style Split)' With that he slammed his palm to the ground, and the rising area, from the middle of it suddenly split into two. Kabuto immediately finished another hand-seal set and, in his mind, said, 'Doton: Gansetsukon (Earth Style: Rock Spear)' With that he grabbed a rock-made spear that appeared from the ground and threw it at Naruto.

The split in the ground beneath him was a surprise to Naruto. He was now falling down and trying to concentrate on the changing terrain beneath him so he could land properly. His danger senses rang, and immediately looking up he saw a spear made of rock. Naruto swung his katana in an upward swing. Defecting the spear. His eyes widened as Kabuto shunshined in front of him and gave Naruto an uppercut, sending him a few feet above. Kabuto then grabbed one of his legs and tossed him to the ground.

Naruto turned before impact and landed with not much problem. He then noticed a barrage of shurikens coming towards him. He evaded most of them by jumping away and defected a few using his katana. Naruto saw Kabuto running towards him with a kunai in his hand. A spark flared as in a nick of time Naruto was able to block the kunai using his katana. Both applied all the strength their muscles could muster while glaring at each other.

Kabuto then said, "You are skilled and I will say with chakra there was a chance you could have been a trouble for me."

Naruto replied, "As if I am not being one." Kabuto smirked and said, "No you are not." With that Kabuto's free hand was covered in bluish green chakra. Naruto tried to jump away but Kabuto was faster and the glowing hand made contact with Naruto's shoulder.

Naruto instantly felt pain in his right calf and was now down on one knee trying to subside the pain. Kabuto smirked and said, "I have made a cut in your right calf muscles. You can't walk properly now. And this jutsu is my specialty."

The pain was making it hard to concentrate and make his hand move. Kabuto was still close. He could still strike him. Kabuto continued, "You see I am a medic-nin also. I modified the chakra scalps used by the medics for surgery to a degree where by enough concentration and contact I can cut tendons and muscles without even directly touching them."

Kabuto was a little too engrossed in explaining his technique that he only noticed Naruto's movements when they were done. Kabuto with shocked eyes spat out blood. Naruto was able to forgo whatever pain he felt and impaled his katana in Kabuto's lower abdomen. Kabuto too struggled through the pain and with his chakra scalps, he made cuts in Naruto's triceps.

Naruto grunted out in pain and his hands left the handle of his katana, and he breathed heavily. Kabuto too took a few steps back. He removed the katana and threw it to the ground. Kabuto too kneeled on the ground now breathing heavily. Both the ninjas breathing heavily, glared at each other. It was Kabuto who said, "I hadn't anticipated that you could fight against that kind of pain."

Kabuto's right palm glowed green and he pressed it against his cut. This was a technique used by medical ninjas to heal their comrades and themselves. Kabuto still glaring at Naruto said, "Our battle ends here for now. I have rendered your movements. Even if you can't use chakra, it is still in you. And given, the extra chakra you have you will heal by noon…For now, I will take my leave." With that Kabuto completed healing himself and took his teammates away with him.

Naruto's breath had somewhat calmed down. He just looked in the direction where Kabuto left and told himself, "This is the first time that my plan backfired. And that too this badly." He got up solely using his left leg. Limped his way to grab his katana and then slumped against a tree. He made necessary seals around as he knew he couldn't move from the place till daybreak. He snarled then finally said, "Damn it all."

AN: Thanks for reading and criticism is welcomed.