Appearing and Breaking In

In the Forest of Death.

Kakashi and the Jonin squad of Asuma, Kurenai, and Shizune stood on the branch of a great tree, surveying their surroundings.

As the Jonin squad overseeing the exam, their duty was to handle any unexpected incidents that occurred during it.

Whoosh, whoosh.

Suddenly, two ANBU landed in front of Kakashi and reported, "A fierce battle has broken out ahead. The two sides are Sasuke Uchiha and a four-man Sound Ninja squad."

Kakashi asked, "What's the outcome?"

The ANBU replied, "Two members of the Sound Ninja squad died on the spot, and another is critically injured. Sasuke Uchiha is fighting the last one."

"What!?"

The ferocity of the battle caught the Jonin squad by surprise.

The ANBU said, "Something's not right with Sasuke Uchiha. Should we go take a look?"

"Let's go!"

Kakashi nodded.

At the battlefield.

Rustle.

The thick canopy swayed back and forth, making a soft rustling sound. Then two figures locked together tumbled from the treetops and crashed heavily to the ground.

There was no doubt: the two who had fallen from the canopy were Sasuke and Kidomaru.

"D-damn it!"

Kidomaru tried to get up, but realized his right leg had been broken during the fight.

Though the muscles around the wound were writhing as his modified body tried to heal it, an injury this severe clearly couldn't be fully recovered from in a short time.

Across from him, Sasuke lifted his head and got to his feet.

He looked just as battered. Blood still ran from the wound on his shoulder, and one of the fleshy wings on his back had been broken, but his expression remained as cold as ever, as if he weren't the one who'd been hurt.

Then he staggered forward. "Tell me who gave you your Cursed Seals,