Forest of Death

"Death Waiver?"

The classroom erupted at once.

The people who had been excited about passing the first exam moments ago could no longer stay calm. Some lowered their heads to look at the papers Anko had slapped onto the desks, some frowned outright, and some had already started cursing under their breaths.

Naruto, on the other hand, did not think much of it and leaned forward instead.

"What's a Death Waiver?"

Anko glanced at him and flashed a grin.

"It means nobody's responsible if you die."

The smile on Naruto's face froze instantly.

Sakura's face turned a little pale as well.

Ignoring their reactions, Anko waved a hand. "Let's go. The second exam won't be held here. You'll understand once we get there."

When the group of examinees arrived outside Training Ground 44, many of their expressions changed.

Tall wire fencing surrounded the entire forest. The trees inside were thick and towering, and strange insects could be heard chirping even through the fence. A wind blew out from the woods, carrying the damp, earthy smell of soil.

Anko stood before the gate and looked back at the crowd.

"This is Training Ground 44, also known as the Forest of Death."

Naruto looked up at the forest, the corner of his mouth twitching.

"That name is way too ominous..."

"It suits you." Anko smiled. "The second exam is a scroll-grabbing battle. Each team will receive one scroll, either a Scroll of Heaven or an Earth Scroll. You have five days to gather both scrolls and reach the Central Tower."

As she spoke, she shook the papers in her hand.

"Before you go in, sign these. Once you do, don't blame Konoha if you die inside."

Nobody laughed after that.

Sasuke had already taken a Death Waiver and signed his name. Chiya quickly signed his as well, then handed the pen to Sakura.

Sakura took the pen. Looking at the words on the paper, her fingers visibly paused.

Beside her, Naruto had already scribbled his name down and slapped the paper onto the table.

"Done! Let's get started already!"

Sakura glanced at him, gritted her teeth, and signed as well.

When the scrolls were distributed, Anko glanced at Team 7.

"Your group has four people?"

Kakashi had clearly informed them beforehand. The examiner in charge of registration looked down at the roster and quickly nodded.

"Team 7, a four-person squad."

Anko raised a brow and tossed a scroll to Sasuke.

"Then your team needs to collect two sets of Heaven-and-Earth Scrolls. Otherwise, you fail."

Sasuke caught the scroll and looked down at it.

A Scroll of Heaven.

Naruto immediately leaned over.

"What is it? What is it?"

Sasuke handed the scroll to Naruto.

"Nothing."

At that moment, Ino walked over from nearby.

She held the Death Waiver she had just signed. As she passed Chiya, she deliberately stopped.

"Hey."

Chiya turned his head.

Ino glanced at him and lowered her voice.

"I haven't forgotten what happened earlier."

Chiya played dumb.

"What happened?"

Ino narrowed her eyes.

"Playing dumb, are you?"

She leaned a little closer, her smile smug.

"After the exam, I'm treating you to dinner. If you dare run away, I'll use Mind Body Switch to drag you over."

Chiya's lips twitched.

"Is that how you invite someone to dinner?"

"Of course." Ino sounded completely righteous. "That's the Yamanaka Clan's way of inviting people."

Sakura heard that from the side and immediately frowned.

"Ino-pig, stop causing trouble at a time like this."

Ino turned to look at her.

"Forehead-girl, is it any of your business?"

The two were just about to start arguing when Shikamaru called lazily from behind them.

"Ino, let's go. What a pain."

Ino gave a huff and finally turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, she looked back at Chiya again.

"Make it out alive."

Chiya looked at her.

"You too."

Ino froze for a moment, then the corners of her lips curled up.

"Don't worry. I'm still waiting to treat you to dinner."

The gates soon opened.

Each team entered the forest through a different entrance.

When the iron gates shut behind them, they made a heavy sound.

Bang!

The forest fell quiet at once.

The commotion outside was shut beyond the gates. All that remained by their ears was the wind, the chirping insects, and the sound of something unknown crawling through leaves in the distance.

Naruto walked forward a couple of steps and looked around.

"It's nothing special."

The moment he finished speaking, a scream suddenly rang out in the distance.

"Ahhh—!"

Naruto's body stiffened.

Sakura's face changed.

Sasuke frowned and immediately looked toward the source of the scream.

Chiya did not head over. He merely raised a hand and pointed in the other direction.

"This way."

Naruto turned back.

"Why? Someone's in trouble over there!"

Chiya glanced at him.

"You want someone leading you around by the nose the moment you enter?"

Naruto opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Sasuke jumped directly onto a branch.

"Listen to him."

They quickly moved away from the area near the entrance.

Chiya walked in front, not too fast, occasionally glancing at the tree trunks and the ground. This place was perfect for ambushes. Vines, roots, bushes—people could hide anywhere.

Naruto followed behind, muttering quietly.

"Why are we being so careful? There are four of us."

Sakura lowered her voice. "Didn't you hear that scream just now?"

"I heard it." Naruto put on a brave front. "That's why we need to hurry up and find someone to steal scrolls from."

Chiya suddenly stopped.

Naruto nearly crashed into his back.

"What?"

Chiya raised a hand, signaling them not to move.

On a branch ahead, a leaf swayed slightly.

The wind was blowing from the right.

Yet that leaf swayed to the left.

Sasuke saw it too. His gaze turned cold, and his hand had already moved toward his ninja tool pouch.

The next instant, three Kunai shot down from the tree!

Chiya reacted swiftly. With a flick of his wrist, three Shuriken flew out as well. Clang! Clang! Clang! They knocked all the Kunai from the air.

Sakura had already drawn a Kunai and shielded the scroll pouch behind her.

Three Rain Village ninja jumped down from the trees.

One of them sneered. "Konoha rookies, you're pretty lucky. You run into us the moment you enter. Hand over your scroll, and I can spare your lives."

Naruto immediately rolled up his sleeves.

"Who dies isn't decided yet!"

Just as he was about to charge, Chiya had already flung out three Shuriken.

The Rain Village ninja dodged aside. He was about to laugh at them when his expression suddenly changed.

Steel wire trailed behind the Shuriken. Chiya gave a sharp pull, and the wire looped around a tree trunk before tightening instantly. With a snap, it wrapped around one man's ankle and yanked him down hard.

"Sasuke!"

Sasuke did not need to be told. His hands had already formed seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A fireball blasted forward. The man whose ankle was trapped had no time to dodge.

"Ah!"

The blazing fireball sent him flying. He hit the ground, and it was impossible to tell whether he was dead or alive.

The other two ninja were enraged and charged forward.

"Take this!"

Naruto leaped forward as well, creating Shadow Clones. In the next moment, several Narutos appeared in the clearing.

He unleashed a flurry of punches, beating the Rain Village ninja back again and again.

One of the ninja tried to launch a sneak attack. With a blur, he appeared in front of Sakura. Sasuke had been watching him the whole time. The instant he steadied himself, before he could attack Sakura, Sasuke appeared behind him and kicked his wrist. His short blade flew from his hand with a snap.

The battle ended quickly.

Naruto jumped down from the shoulder of one of his Shadow Clones, looking unbearably pleased with himself.

"Well? Now you know how awesome I am, right?"

The Rain Village ninja on the ground gritted his teeth and said nothing.

Sasuke searched them and pulled out a scroll. He opened it and took a look.

"A Scroll of Heaven."

"We still need to collect two Earth Scrolls."

After saying that, Sasuke tossed the scroll to Chiya, who tucked it into his clothes for safekeeping.

"A good start. Let's keep looking."

Just as they were about to leave, Chiya suddenly paused.

He looked up toward the distant canopy.

There was nothing there.

Yet in that instant, he had clearly felt as though something was watching him.

Sasuke noticed his movement.

"What is it?"

Chiya withdrew his gaze.

"Nothing. Let's go."

The group quickly vanished into the depths of the forest.

On a thick branch in the distance, a Grass Village ninja slowly crouched down.

He watched the direction Team 7 had left in, his tongue slowly sliding across the corner of his mouth.

"Two Uchiha Clan members..."

"Interesting."