The Serpent Emerges

Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death, was Konoha's most dangerous training ground. The Forest of Death was home to all kinds of monsters and other deadly animals, from giant spiders to enormous bears and tigers.

Traditionally, the second round of the Chunin Exams held in Konoha took place in the Forest of Death. The Chunin Exams rotated among the different countries. Every three years, the exams were held in Konoha.

Of the more than two hundred candidates who had originally entered the Chunin Exams, over half had already been eliminated in the first round. Now, they stood at the entrance to the Forest of Death.

"All right, brats. See these?" Anko said, showing everyone the two scrolls in her hands. "These are the Earth Scroll and the Heaven Scroll. Each team will receive one of them. To pass this exam, you must obtain the other scroll and reach the tower at the center of the forest. You have five days," Anko explained.

"What about food?" Choji asked worriedly. They were actually going to spend five days in a forest surrounded by monsters.

"If you didn't bring enough supplies, you can hunt," Anko said. "Also, you need to sign these documents, so Konoha won't be held responsible if you die." That was her conclusion.

Several people shuddered when they heard that.

"Oh, people will die. Just thinking about blood gets me excited," Anko said happily.

Anko handed out the consent forms. Once everyone had signed them and received their respective scrolls, each team headed to its assigned gate.

... Gate 10 — 5 Minutes Before the Start ...

"What do we do?" Shino asked.

"If we run into other teams, we defeat them. Otherwise, we can set traps at the tower and wait for them," Naruto said. Shino and Hinata nodded.

"All right, ready... 3... 2... 1... Start!" Anko announced through a loudspeaker. Team 8 moved swiftly, passing through the gate toward the tower.

"Shadow Clone Technique." Naruto muttered, and fifteen clones suddenly appeared. "Split into five groups to scout ahead. The remaining group will follow behind," Naruto instructed.

"Hinata, use your Byakugan to make sure no one gets past my clones," Naruto said. Hinata nodded.

They moved through the woods until Naruto received feedback from one of his clones.

"There's a Rain ninja team a hundred meters ahead," Naruto said.

Team 8 silently approached the unsuspecting Rain ninja team. Naruto and Hinata drew several needles and precisely jabbed them into their opponents' necks, knocking all three members unconscious.

They searched their backpacks and found an Earth Scroll.

"Great, it's exactly what we need. Full speed to the tower," Naruto said, but Shino shook his head.

Suddenly, Naruto sensed an enormous chakra fluctuation.

"That isn't genin-level energy... nor is it a jinchuriki," Naruto said. The team stopped and looked toward the source of the fluctuation.

"I'll go take a look. You guys go on ahead," Naruto said.

Seconds later, he vanished. Hinata sighed as the other members of Team 8 continued toward the tower.

Naruto sensed two presences. One was not weak, roughly jonin-level. The other was even more terrifying, seemingly possessing the immense chakra of a Kage. He recognized one as Anko's chakra, but the other was unfamiliar.

The conversation became clearer and clearer. He could hear anger in Anko's voice, and even a trace of fear.

"Ah, Anko-chan, how have you been?"

"What are you doing here, Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru... this is bad. Naruto remained hidden, ready to jump out and help at any moment.

Orochimaru answered vaguely.

"I merely came to give a promising genin a little gift."

"What?"

"Why are you so angry, Anko-chan? Don't you like the gift I gave you?"

There was provocation in Orochimaru's voice. Anko could no longer endure his taunting. She drew a kunai and charged at him.

Orochimaru casually formed the Tiger hand sign, activating the curse mark on Anko's neck. She immediately collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain.

Orochimaru chanted, "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands," and stretched both hands forward. Pairs of snakes shot toward Anko.

Naruto uttered, "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique," and fired several small fireballs at the snakes, instantly burning them to ashes. Naruto immediately leaped between Orochimaru and Anko, moving toward her and noticing that she was clutching her neck tightly.

He saw a strange mark on her neck, flickering in the faint light.

Curse mark.

"Oh my, a little genin rushing in to save her. How touching," Orochimaru mocked.

"Got any ideas, Nine-Tails?" Naruto asked.

"That snake definitely came here with a purpose. If you fight here, it'll be too conspicuous. Naruto, release some of the Nine-Tails' chakra and draw the attention of the nearby ANBU."

Naruto followed the Nine-Tails' advice.

"Oh? Isn't that the Nine-Tails? Looks like I can have some fun," Orochimaru thought as he spoke.

"Orochimaru, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked, trying to stall for time.

"I came to leave a little gift for the Uchiha Clan," Orochimaru replied with a smile.

"You bastard, you already did this to Anko once, and now you're doing it to Sasuke." Before Naruto had even finished speaking, he charged at Orochimaru, and the two immediately engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

"Little one, so impulsive?"

Naruto gave Orochimaru a sly smile and softly said, "Bang." His Shadow Clone immediately exploded, blasting Orochimaru backward into a tree.

"That was unexpected." Orochimaru rose while supporting himself against the trunk.

"What exactly do you want to do with Sasuke?" Naruto demanded.

"I merely want his eyes," Orochimaru replied blandly.

"The Sharingan? Then I'd better hide it. I don't want that pervert following me.* With that thought, Naruto charged at Orochimaru again and resumed their hand-to-hand fight. Orochimaru effortlessly dodged every one of Naruto's attacks, his body twisting into unnatural angles.

"Is that all?" Orochimaru sneered.