The Second Exam

At the podium in Classroom 301, Ibiki Morino had just finished speaking when a figure smashed through the classroom window and leaped onto the podium. She unfurled a banner and pinned it to the ceiling with a kunai, displaying the words for all to see: "Second Exam Proctor, Mitaraishi Anko, reporting in!!"

Only then did everyone get a good look at the newcomer—a young kunoichi with a pretty face and a nice figure. Her expressions were so animated, she might as well have had "I love causing trouble" written across her face.

"Don't get excited too soon!"

She shouted, "I'm the proctor for the second exam, Mitaraishi Anko! The next exam is about to begin. First, we're changing the exam site. Everyone, follow me!"

"Oh!"

Only Naruto responded, and he did so loudly. "Examiner Anko's entrance was so cool!"

Mitaraishi Anko immediately turned to Naruto with a smug look and said approvingly, "You've got a good eye, kid!"

Their gazes met, and some sort of spiritual Resonance seemed to pass between them.

Afterward, the eighteen teams that had passed the first exam, fifty-four people in all, followed Mitaraishi Anko to the site of the second exam.

"This is the site of the second exam."

Facing the examinees, Anko pointed her right thumb over her shoulder. As far as the eye could see, towering trees filled the dense forest. "Konoha's Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death."

"Since there's a high risk of death in this exam, anyone who decides to take part has to sign a consent form first. Otherwise, if you all die, I'll be in a lot of trouble."

Anko pulled a stack of consent forms from who knew where and smiled as she said something frightening. "If you're afraid of dying, you can still withdraw. Of course, if one person on a team withdraws, the other two have to leave too."

Everyone present had endured the pressure of the first exam, so none of them would withdraw over a verbal threat like this. They all took a consent form.

"All right, now I'll explain what the second exam involves."

Anko held up a map. "This Forest of Death has forty-four entrances around its perimeter. A river runs through it, and the vegetation is dense. There's a tower in the middle of the forest, about ten kilometers from each entrance. You have to do whatever it takes to survive in this training ground and obtain these two scrolls."

At that, Anko put away the map and took out two scrolls, one marked "Heaven" and the other "Earth."

"There are eighteen teams here right now. Nine teams will get a Scroll of Heaven, and the other nine will get a Scroll of Earth."

"Within 120 hours—that is, five days—you must gather both scrolls and reach the tower in the middle of the forest with them. Only then will you pass."

"You'll be disqualified if you don't reach the tower in time; if you reach it without both scrolls; if anyone on your team dies or can no longer fight; or if your team leaves the exam site without permission."

"Finally, you're not allowed to peek at the scrolls before reaching the tower. But if you're really curious and just can't resist, you can give it a try~"

Anko paused for a couple of seconds before continuing. "That's everything you need to know about the second exam. Each team will exchange three consent forms for one scroll, then choose an entrance. Once all the teams are in position, you'll enter at the same time, and the clock will start."

"Lastly, a little advice."

Anko's expression suddenly turned much more serious. "Be careful. Don't die."

Though no one was guaranteed to die in the second exam, there was no denying how dangerous it was. Even though every examinee present had already steeled themselves, seeing Anko suddenly turn serious still made their hearts race.

The proctors began handing out the scrolls.

To make sure examinees only knew which type of scroll their own team had received, the collection area was hidden behind completely opaque black cloth. Examinees were also temporarily forbidden from using ninjutsu—especially members of the Hyuga Clan, who could use the Byakugan. The proctors kept a close eye on them.

"This exam will probably be a lot more troublesome than the first."

Sasuke said quietly, "Each team only knows what type of scroll it has. Once we enter the forest, everyone will become an enemy."

"That's true for everyone."

Naruto stroked his chin. "As long as the others don't all team up, with our strength, we shouldn't have to worry about losing a fight."

"But we need to watch out for ambushes from the other teams."

Sakura said, "Naruto, can you sense anything with qi right now?"

"The dangerous guy who slipped in has somewhat active qi. He's probably planning something, so we'll need to be especially alert once we're deep in the forest."

Naruto's gaze swept over the others. "The rest don't seem like much of a threat for now. Any one of us should be able to take on an entire team."

"You've said that twice now. That person must really be dangerous."

Sasuke's expression grew even more serious. "Should we make some preparations now?"

"Don't worry. We're well prepared."

Naruto reached for the ninja tool pouch at his waist. "As long as we aren't killed in one hit, we can hold out until the others from the village arrive. If we use everything we've got, we might even be able to turn the tables."

Naruto's assurance gave Sasuke and Sakura an inexplicable sense of relief.

About nine minutes later, the exam began. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stowed their Scroll of Heaven and headed straight for the middle of the forest.

Sakura kept an eye on their surroundings, looking a little uneasy. "Aren't we making ourselves too conspicuous?"

"If we stand out, the others will come to us on their own. That saves us the time and effort of looking for them."

Naruto said, "With my sensing and Sasuke's eyes, there shouldn't be anyone in this exam who can still ambush us."

"Just like Naruto said."

Sasuke agreed. "The sooner we deal with them, the sooner we can rest in the tower at the center. We don't know yet whether the next exam will start right after this one, so we need to make sure we get enough rest and stay in good shape."

"Let's leave it there for now."

Naruto said, "Someone's coming. There's only one person. He's probably scouting, spotted us, and is planning an ambush."

"If it's just one person, this is a good opportunity."

Sasuke turned to Sakura. "Sakura, you can handle that person later."

Sakura hesitated for half a second, then gritted her teeth and agreed. "Okay!"

To keep the person behind them from losing track, the three gradually slowed down—as if they had been speeding up before to shake off the others and were now running out of stamina.

After walking like that for three minutes, Naruto gave Sakura and Sasuke a hand signal from an angle the person behind them couldn't see.

Sakura spoke up at once. "Um..."

The three stopped, and Sasuke asked Sakura, "What is it?"

Sakura said a little sheepishly, "I want to pick a flower..."

Sasuke remained expressionless. "Hurry back, and be careful."

Sakura gave a quiet nod and headed behind the nearest large tree.

The person secretly following them felt a surge of excitement. "Perfect! If I grab this girl, who looks so weak, and take her hostage, her two teammates will have no choice but to hand over their scrolls—"

Bang!

The impact cut off his thoughts.

Sakura looked at the Amegakure ninja she had knocked unconscious with a punch, judging by his Forehead Protector, and seemed surprised. "He's so weak..."