After the first exam ended, the atmosphere in the examination hall had only just begun to ease, and the candidates were still basking in the joy of passing, when a piercing crash of breaking glass shattered the brief calm. Everyone looked up to see a nimble figure leap through the broken window and land squarely on the podium.
She was a dashing female ninja, dressed in a tight black outfit beneath a green vest. A confident, flamboyant smile graced her face as her hawk-like gaze swept over every candidate present. She was the head examiner for the second exam, Mitarashi Anko.
"Hey, candidates, congratulations on passing the first exam!" Anko planted her hands on her hips, her voice loud and energetic. "I'm your head examiner for the second exam, Mitarashi Anko! The next exam won't be as easy as the last one!"
Her appearance instantly made the atmosphere in the hall tense. The candidates held their breath and fixed their eyes on Anko, filled with anticipation and anxiety.
Anko glanced at the candidates remaining in the hall and frowned slightly. "Why are there still so many people? Ibiki, did you go easy on them?" she asked, a trace of dissatisfaction in her voice.
Ibiki Morino, standing nearby, shrugged and said mildly, "Rules are rules. They passed the test, so there was nothing I could do."
Anko pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. She turned and swept a razor-sharp gaze over the candidates, a dangerous smile curling at her lips. "Whatever. I'm eliminating more than half of you in my exam! I won't let you pass the next one so easily!"
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing the candidates' newfound joy. An uproar broke out in the hall. Some couldn't help grumbling under their breath, while others looked nervous.
"More than half? That's way too harsh..." one candidate murmured, a trace of despair in his voice.
"Looks like the second exam will be even harder than the first..." another candidate said with a frown, his eyes full of worry.
Naruto, on the other hand, looked excited. He clenched his fists, his eyes shining with fighting spirit. "No matter how hard it is, I won't back down! I'm definitely going to pass the exam and become a Chunin!"
Anko watched the candidates' reactions and nodded in satisfaction. She clapped her hands and announced, "All right, the next exam won't be held here. Meet here at eight tomorrow morning!"
With that, she turned and leaped out the window, quickly disappearing from sight. The candidates looked at one another.
Having finished the first exam, Naruto and the others left the hall with mixed feelings. Although they had passed, Anko's appearance and her announcement about the second exam had made them realize that the real challenge was only just beginning. To learn more about the second exam, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura decided to find their Jonin instructor, Kakashi-sensei.
"Kakashi-sensei must know what's on the second exam!" Naruto said excitedly as they walked, his eyes shining with anticipation. "We've got to find him and ask him all about it!"
Sakura shook her head helplessly. "Naruto, don't get too excited. Kakashi-sensei might be off somewhere reading his Icha Icha Paradise again. We have to find him first."
Sasuke looked indifferent, his hands in his pockets. "Hmph, that lazy guy is probably slacking off again," he said, a trace of impatience in his voice.
The three talked as they headed toward a place Kakashi often visited. Sure enough, they found him in a secluded grove, reading beneath a large tree. He still wore his trademark mask, one eye fixed intently on the Icha Icha Paradise in his hand and the other narrowed slightly, seemingly absorbed in the world of the book.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice. "We passed the first exam! Tell us what the second exam is going to be about!"
Kakashi lazily looked up and glanced at Naruto, then lowered his head and resumed reading. "Oh, congratulations on passing the first exam. But the exam's contents are confidential, so I can't tell you."
"What?!" Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "How can you be like that? We're your students!"
Sakura couldn't help complaining too. "Kakashi-sensei, can't you be a little more serious? We really need your help!"
Sasuke gave Kakashi a cold look. "Just as I thought, this guy can't be relied on," he said with a trace of mockery.
Kakashi closed his book, stretched lazily, and stood up. His gaze swept over the three of them, a hint of amusement flashing in his eye. "All right, all right, don't get so worked up. I can't tell you directly what's on the exam, but I can give you some advice."
Naruto immediately perked up and leaned toward Kakashi. "What advice? Come on, tell us!"
Kakashi smiled slightly, his tone mysterious. "The head examiner for the second exam is Mitarashi Anko. Her exams are known for being brutal and dangerous. You should be mentally prepared. The next exam could be much harder than the first."
"We already know that!" Naruto grumbled. "Examiner Anko said she was going to eliminate more than half the candidates."
Kakashi nodded and continued, "You'll also have to compete against the other candidates in the second exam, so teamwork and tactics are very important."
Sakura frowned, a hint of worry in her voice. "Teamwork... but can the three of us manage it?"
Kakashi glanced at her and spoke encouragingly. "You've already carried out several missions together, so you should have no problem working in sync. The key is to stay calm and not let fear and pressure beat you."
Sasuke snorted coldly. "Hmph, as long as I'm here, there won't be a problem," he said with a touch of confidence.
Naruto clenched his fists too, his eyes shining with fighting spirit. "That's right! We're definitely going to pass the exam!"
Kakashi looked at the three of them, a trace of relief flashing in his eye. "Good. Since you're so confident, I can rest easy. But remember this: trust and cooperation are more important than strength. If you only look out for yourselves, you could easily end up in danger."
Naruto nodded and said earnestly, "I understand, Kakashi-sensei! We'll definitely stick together!"
Kakashi smiled slightly, then waved a hand. "All right, it's getting late. Go home and get some rest. Tomorrow's exam won't be easy."
The three said goodbye to Kakashi and returned to their respective lodgings. As Naruto walked, he kept turning Kakashi's words over in his mind, filled with anticipation and nervousness.
"I'm definitely going to pass!" Naruto murmured, determination shining in his eyes. Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura were each considering tomorrow's exam.
Elsewhere, the candidates from the other villages were also preparing for the second exam. Gaara walked along, staring coldly into the distance, a chill flashing in his eyes. "Whatever the exam is, I'll crush everyone."
Kurotsuchi looked excited, her hands clasped behind her head and her steps light. "I wonder what interesting things tomorrow's exam will have?"
As night deepened, the streets of Konoha gradually grew quiet. After finishing the first exam, Sunagakure's Genin—Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari—returned to their temporary lodgings in Konoha. The moment they opened the door, they saw a familiar figure: their "father," Fourth Kazekage Rasa, sitting in the middle of the room with a solemn expression. Their teacher Baki stood beside him, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
"Father..." Kankuro said, somewhat surprised, a trace of confusion in his voice. "What brings you here?"
"Lord Kazekage." Temari also bowed respectfully, though a flicker of unease passed through her eyes.
Gaara stared coldly at the "father" before him, his eyes showing no emotion. His gaze was sharp as a blade, as though he meant to see through the other man's disguise.
Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, smiled slightly. "I came to see how you were doing," he said in a low, hoarse voice. "I heard you passed the first exam. Well done."
Standing nearby, Baki looked over the three of them. "Lord Kazekage came here especially to remind you not to forget our real mission," he said, a note of warning in his voice.
Orochimaru nodded and slowly stood, his gaze slithering over the three like a snake. "The second exam will take place in the Forest of Death. It's a forbidden area in Konoha, full of danger. But for you, it's an excellent opportunity."
"An opportunity?" Kankuro frowned, a trace of confusion in his voice.
Temari watched her "father" warily, a faint unease in her heart. She kept feeling that something was wrong with the "father" before her, but she couldn't say what.
Orochimaru smiled slightly, his tone chilling. "Our goal isn't limited to the Chunin Ninja Exams. Konoha's internal intelligence, gaps in its defenses, even the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's movements are all things we need to watch. Your performance in the exam will have a direct bearing on the success or failure of our plan."
Gaara remained expressionless, but a chill flashed in his eyes. "So you want us to cause chaos during the exam?" he asked coldly, a hint of killing intent in his voice.
Orochimaru smiled, a note of approval in his voice. "As expected of my son. You're clever indeed. But causing chaos is only a means to an end. The real goal is to gather intelligence and pave the way for our next move."
Baki nodded and added, "Remember, you must act carefully and not arouse Konoha's suspicions. Especially you, Gaara. Your power is key to our plan, but you need to keep it under control. Don't reveal it too soon."
Gaara glanced coldly at Baki. "I don't need you to remind me about my power," he said with a trace of contempt.
Kankuro and Temari exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with complicated emotions. They knew this mission was far more dangerous than it appeared, but they had no choice except to follow their "father" and teacher's instructions.
Orochimaru looked at the three of them, his tone carrying a deeper meaning. "All right, it's getting late. Get some rest. Tomorrow's exam won't be easy."
With that, he turned and left the room, quickly disappearing into the night. Baki remained where he was, looking at the three of them with a complicated expression. "Remember, our mission concerns Sunagakure's future," he said quietly. "Don't disappoint me."
Temari nodded, a note of determination in her voice. "We understand, sensei."
Kankuro clenched his fists, fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "Don't worry, we'll complete the mission!"
Gaara remained expressionless, but his gaze stayed fixed on the direction Orochimaru had gone, a chill flashing in his eyes. He knew the "father" before him wasn't the real Kazekage, but he hadn't exposed him. To him, none of it mattered. He had only one goal: slaughter and destruction.
Late at night, the three from Sunagakure each returned to their rooms to rest. Temari sat on the edge of her bed, brows knitted tightly, her heart full of unease. She kept feeling that a greater conspiracy lay behind this mission, but she couldn't say exactly what it was.
"Kankuro, don't you think... there's something wrong with Father?" Temari asked quietly, a hint of hesitation in her voice.
Kankuro frowned and shook his head. "Maybe you're just too nervous. Father has always been serious. He came to remind us in person because the mission is important."
Temari sighed and said nothing more. She knew Kankuro and Gaara wouldn't easily suspect their "father," but the unease in her heart refused to fade.
Meanwhile, Gaara stood by the window, staring coldly at the distant Forest of Death. Orochimaru's words kept replaying in his mind, and his heart was filled with killing intent.
"Konoha... the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... slaughter..." Gaara murmured, a hint of madness in his voice. "No matter who it is, no one can stop me."
In the darkness, the three from Sunagakure each had their own thoughts as they waited for the second exam. Orochimaru, hidden in the shadows, smiled coldly and murmured, "The game has only just begun."
In a tower in the Land of Rain, rain pattered against the windows, seemingly without end. Nagato sat in his machine, his pale face looking especially haggard in the dim light, but his gaze remained sharp as a blade, radiating unquestionable authority. Konan stood beside him, holding a report she had just received, her brows slightly furrowed.
"Nagato, Konoha is holding the Chunin Ninja Exams." Konan's voice was cool and calm, but a faint note of worry crept into it. "According to intelligence from the spy Sasori planted with Orochimaru, Orochimaru has joined forces with Sunagakure and plans to start a war during the Chunin Ninja Exams. Do we need to intervene?"
Nagato was silent for a moment, gazing through the window at the gloomy sky in the distance. Rain streamed down the glass, as though the entire world were shrouded in gray. "There's no need," he said, his voice low and hoarse, with a trace of indifference.
Konan paused, clearly somewhat surprised by the answer. She looked at Nagato and said tentatively, "But if Orochimaru and Sunagakure really start a war, Konoha could be thrown into chaos. That might be an opportunity for us."
Nagato slowly turned his head, his gaze like an abyss as he looked at Konan. "Konan, our goal is to make this world feel pain and thereby bring about true peace. The great nations' conflicts are part of our plan. Let them wear each other down and destroy one another. That will make it easier for us to achieve our goal."
Konan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I understand. The war between the great nations will make them reap what they sow, and all we need to do is wait for the right moment, then step in to end it all."
The corners of Nagato's mouth rose slightly in a cruel smile. "That's right. Orochimaru and Sunagakure's actions will only plunge Konoha into deeper pain. All we need to do is quietly watch it happen. When they're exhausted, we'll deliver their final judgment in the name of a god."
Konan looked at Nagato, a complicated emotion flashing in her eyes. She knew Nagato's plan was cold and cruel, but she also understood that this was the price they had to pay to achieve peace. She said softly, "I'll continue monitoring Orochimaru and Sunagakure's movements to make sure their actions don't interfere with our plan."
Nagato nodded and turned his gaze back to the window. "Go, Konan. Remember, our goal is to make this world feel pain, not to get drawn into the conflicts of the great nations."
Konan nodded slightly, then turned and left the room. Her figure gradually disappeared into the curtain of rain, as though merging with the gloomy sky.
Nagato remained seated in silence, looking through the window at the distant sky. Images of Konoha surfaced in his mind, followed by the ninja about to be caught up in war and their faces full of pain and despair.
"Pain... only pain can make people truly understand the meaning of peace," Nagato murmured, his voice cold and resolute. "Orochimaru, Sunagakure, Konoha... go on fighting each other. When you're exhausted, I'll end it all in the name of a god."
In an office at the center of Takigakure, the leader Shibuki sat in a large chair, his brows tightly knit, helplessness and exasperation written across his face. Several Takigakure ninja stood before him, all hanging their heads in shame.
"Fū ran off again?" Shibuki's voice was weary. He was clearly accustomed to this sort of thing, but it still gave him a tremendous headache.
One subordinate nodded shamefully, his voice barely audible. "Y-yes, Lord Leader. We took our eyes off her for a moment, and she slipped away..."
Shibuki sighed and rubbed his temples. "Fū is getting harder and harder to manage," he said helplessly. "Where has she run off to this time?"
Another subordinate answered cautiously, "Lady Fū said... she was going to Konoha to find a Genin named Naruto Uzumaki." "Naruto Uzumaki?" Shibuki frowned, clearly unfamiliar with the name.
The subordinate hurriedly explained, "He's the Konoha ninja shown on the Heavenly Screen, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Ever since Lady Fū saw what he did on the Heavenly Screen, she's kept saying she wants to be friends with him. She said... Naruto is a Jinchūriki too, and he did so well that she had to meet him in person."
After hearing this, Shibuki looked even more helpless. He shook his head and murmured, "That Fū really never lets me stop worrying. Doesn't she know she's the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki? Her status is special; she can't just leave the village whenever she wants."
The subordinates hung their heads, not daring to respond. They all knew that although Fū was an important fighting force for the village, she was lively and active and simply wouldn't be restrained. She had clearly slipped away on a whim again, wanting to go to Konoha to meet that boy named Naruto.
Shibuki was silent for a moment, then waved a hand. "Forget it. Since she's already run off, send someone after her," he said wearily. "Remember, you must bring her back safely. Don't let her cause any trouble in Konoha."
The subordinates quickly nodded and answered respectfully, "Yes, Lord Leader! We've already sent people after Lady Fū. We'll bring her back as soon as possible!"
Shibuki nodded, worry in his eyes. "I hope so. Fū is powerful, but she's innocent and easily taken advantage of. Konoha is holding the Chunin Ninja Exams right now, and all sorts of forces have their eyes on it. It's far too dangerous for her to go there at a time like this."
The subordinates lowered their heads, not daring to say more. They knew Shibuki's worries were not without reason. As the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fū had a special status. If people from other villages discovered her, it could very well cause unnecessary trouble.
Meanwhile, Fū was happily darting through the forest toward Konoha. A radiant smile lit her face, and her eyes were full of anticipation.
"Naruto, wait for me! I'm going to be your friend!" Fū said to herself as she ran, her voice full of excitement.
The image of Naruto fighting Pain on the Heavenly Screen kept replaying in her mind. That blond boy was a Jinchūriki, yet he remained optimistic and strong, even risking his life to protect his village. Fū felt that Naruto was a lot like her: they were both Jinchūriki, both burdened by a heavy fate, yet Naruto lived such a wonderful, dazzling life.
"I want to find my own path, just like him!" Fū clenched her fists, determination shining in her eyes.
But she didn't know that her actions had already put Takigakure on edge. Several Takigakure ninja were chasing her at full speed, trying to bring her back before she reached Konoha.
"Lady Fū! Please stop!" a Takigakure ninja shouted from behind her, a note of anxiety in his voice.
Fū looked back, stuck out her tongue, and said with a laugh, "I don't want to go back! I'm going to meet Naruto!"
With that, she quickened her pace and swiftly disappeared into the forest. The pursuing ninja exchanged helpless glances and could only continue after her.