Die for Your Dreams

Sasuke was stunned. He carefully replayed the battle in his mind, trying to figure out when Jiraiya had turned into a Shadow Clone.

Was it when the Great Fireball Technique collided with the Wild Water Wave and created that mist?

No. Visibility had not been completely reduced to zero at the time, and with his Sharingan activated, there was no way a clone could have escaped his notice.

As he pondered, Jiraiya said, "Konoha Ninja Village's average standard really is high. I got plenty of inspiration for my novels again this time, hehe."

Could it have been?

//

"Hey! Didn't you just say you'd explore with me?"

"Then follow me!"

//

The earlier scene flashed through Sasuke's mind. Could Jiraiya have already...

So Jiraiya had been peeping on beautiful women bathing all along, while the person Sasuke had fought desperately from start to finish had merely been a Shadow Clone!

Before Sasuke could dwell on it, Jiraiya casually asked, "Aren't you Kakashi's subordinate? Is Might Guy your teacher too?"

Sasuke understood that Jiraiya was referring to that final Leaf Whirlwind and hurriedly answered, "No. Might Guy Sensei is the leader of Team 3 from the class before ours. His student Rock Lee fought me before, and that was when I learned the Leaf Whirlwind."

"I see. You can learn so quickly just by fighting someone. Is that the power of the Sharingan?" Jiraiya murmured.

Sasuke did not respond. His gaze merely swept back and forth between the huge crater in the ground and the dried-up pond, his expression heavy with thought.

Jiraiya saw through him and laughed. "Well? Impressive, isn't it? Hahaha!"

Sasuke nodded seriously, speaking slowly. "Very strong."

"Want to learn?" Jiraiya asked.

"Can I?!" Sasuke suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining with yearning.

"Haha, of course you can!" Jiraiya burst into laughter.

This kid really is a closed book. I actually have to be the one to bring this up.

"But let's stop here for today. Aren't you gathering for the Chunin Exams tomorrow? There might even be a sparring round. You can't drain yourself too much."

"But it's only morning!" Sasuke protested unwillingly.

"Haste makes waste! Your teacher has carefully gathered information about you today, and now I need to go back and specially devise a Training plan. Please wait patiently."

As he spoke, Jiraiya strode toward the tavern.

No matter how Sasuke looked at it, Jiraiya did not seem to be going back to make any plan.

Sasuke grumbled inwardly.

Still, Jiraiya Sensei had a point. The most important thing right now was still the Chunin Exams trial.

If he failed to fight those powerful opponents with everything he had because he had not rested well, it would likely become something he regretted whenever he thought back on it.

--

"Sasuke! Where have you been these past two days? We thought you were going to forfeit the exam. Kakashi Sensei has been nowhere to be seen all day, either."

The moment he saw Sasuke, Naruto could not help complaining.

"Sasuke-kun, has your body recovered? Were you at Konoha Hospital these past two days?" Sakura asked, her face full of concern.

"I'm fine," Sasuke replied. "I was just taking a walk around the village."

"See! I told you he was fine!" Naruto said bluntly. "Say, Sasuke, did you secretly go through special training? We might end up fighting in the next exam!"

"Then I definitely won't go easy on you."

"! Are you looking down on me?! While you were gone these past two days, I developed an incredibly powerful secret ninjutsu!"

"Probably some boring Harem Technique again."

"Bastard! Don't underestimate me!"

As the three bickered, they unknowingly arrived in the center of the hall.

Everyone who had passed the second exam was gathered there. Some looked relaxed and unhurried, such as the Sand Shinobi and Team 8, including Kiba Inuzuka and the others.

Others were covered in wounds and utterly exhausted, such as Yakushi Kabuto.

"Report! Twenty-one people have been confirmed to have passed the second exam, and all have arrived at the site. According to the Chunin Exams rules, a preliminary round will be held before the third exam! Please proceed to the arena in the main hall. Report complete!"

A Chunin was reporting into the intercom system.

Before long, the leaders of each team filed in, including Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, Baki, the Sand Shinobi leader, and others.

Below the steps, Ibiki Morino, the first exam's examiner, and Anko Mitarashi, the second exam's examiner, stood on opposite sides. Beside each of them stood the Chunin members of their respective groups.

Finally, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, appeared at a measured pace.

He wore the Hokage's robes, decorated with red flames, and a Hokage hat, looking solemn and imposing.

"First of all, congratulations to everyone for passing the second exam," the Third Hokage said.

"Next, the third exam will begin. Before I formally introduce it, I must make one thing clear to you: the true purpose of this exam."

The true purpose?

Everyone was doubtful.

"The reason we hold these exams together with the Allied Countries is to promote friendly coexistence among them and improve the standards of ninja."

"Historically speaking, the Allied Countries of today were neighboring nations that once fought wars constantly. To avoid mutual destruction, the nations specifically chose this place for battle. That is how the Chunin selection exams came to be."

"So, this exam can be called..."

"A miniature war between the Allied Countries!"

Hearing this, Naruto could not help asking, "What does that mean? Isn't this exam meant to select Chunin?"

"That is true," the Third Hokage nodded. "It cannot be denied that this exam also serves the mission of selecting ninja qualified to become Chunin. But on the other hand, it is also a place where ninja bearing their nations' prestige fight with their lives on the line!"

"During this third exam, many feudal lords and prominent figures from various countries who entrust missions to us will attend. The feudal lords and ninja leaders will watch your battles."

"If there is a great difference in strength, the stronger countries will receive more mission commissions."

"Conversely, weaker countries will receive fewer commissions."

"At the same time, it is a declaration to the neighboring nations: this is the fighting power we possess. In other words, it creates diplomatic pressure."

"Then fighting is enough, isn't it? There's no need to risk your lives, right?"

Remembering the Rain Ninja's tragic death, Kiba Inuzuka could not help questioning it.

Inside his jacket pocket, Akamaru sensed Gaara's presence not far away and was still trembling in terror.

"A nation's strength is the village's strength, and the village's strength is the ninja's strength. Moreover, a ninja's true strength can only be displayed when they fight to the death," the Third Hokage replied.

"This exam is a stage for showing others the strength of your nation's ninja, or displaying it for them to see!"

"It is precisely because death exists that this exam has meaning. And precisely for that reason, those before us came to participate in the Chunin Exams carrying their dreams."

"Then what friendliness are you supposed to be declaring?" Sasuke sneered.

"I said it from the start! The meaning of this exam is friendly coexistence among the Allied Countries."

"Do not misunderstand and think that maintaining balance through killing is what is meant by friendship."

The Third Hokage's expression did not change.

"This is a brave battle where you stake your lives for your dreams and your village's prestige!"

According to the original content, the Forest of Death trial lasted five days.

Because the main cast advanced early, Jiraiya's scenes were added.

Also, a timeline of the Forest of Death:

1. On the first day, they entered in the morning and encountered Orochimaru. Sasuke developed a high fever that night.

2. On the second day, they tested the Cursed Seal.

3. On the third day, they summoned Monkey Kitsu, arrived at the Central Tower that night, and used the Evil Sealing Method.

4. On the fourth day, they first met Jiraiya.

5. On the fifth day, Jiraiya's trial took place.

6. On the morning of the sixth day, the Forest of Death portion of the Chunin Exams' second stage officially ended. The preliminary round began.