After the Orochimaru incident, the atmosphere in the Forest of Death changed completely.
Ninja from every village who had been hunting one another for scrolls picked up the pace.
None of them wanted to stay in that dangerous place.
Who knew if another Orochimaru might suddenly appear?
Besides, the clash between Uchiha You and Orochimaru had been so fierce that it had echoed across nearly the entire Forest of Death.
Team 7, the teams from the Sand Village, Hidden Mist, and Iwagakure, and the teams from the other villages all began heading for the Central Tower.
"Faster!"
Naruto raced through the trees with the scrolls on his back.
"Once we reach the tower, we'll pass the Second Stage Exam!"
Sasuke followed close behind, calmly watching their surroundings.
"Don't let your guard down."
"That fight with Orochimaru alerted everyone. The remaining teams may be waiting to ambush us near the tower."
Sakura nodded.
"And we have both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. That makes us a target for every other team."
Naruto grinned.
"Then let them come!"
"We fought Orochimaru. Why would we be afraid of ordinary candidates?"
Sasuke glanced at him.
"Don't count our teacher's victory as your own."
"I know that!"
Naruto protested.
"But we fought Orochimaru for a long time too!"
"At least we didn't run away right off the bat!"
"That's true."
Sakura nodded earnestly.
"And we even forced him to use a Summoning Technique."
At that, Naruto puffed out his chest.
"See, Sasuke?"
"Even Sakura admits we're strong!"
Sasuke didn't answer.
He just sped up again.
"Wait for me!"
Naruto hurried after him.
Several hours later.
The Central Tower finally came into view.
It rose high into the clouds, surrounded by a broad stretch of bare stone.
They only had to pass through the