The towering ancient trees of the Forest of Death rustled in the evening breeze. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and fragrant vegetation, but the tranquility of this primeval forest was about to be utterly shattered by four forces beyond the ordinary.
The dust on the training ground had not yet settled when the flames of excitement in Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru's eyes began to blaze.
The sense of power brought by Senjutsu Chakra was as intoxicating as strong liquor, making them impatient to test this entirely new realm. The Forest of Death, Konoha's largest training ground and trial site, was the perfect stage.
"Rules?" Orochimaru licked his lips. His golden vertical pupils gleamed with a serpentine light in the dimness. He ran his inhuman tongue across the corner of his mouth and slowly spoke two words. A trace of barely concealed anticipation colored his voice.
"Free-for-all!" Tsunade swept an arm out boldly, her golden ponytail snapping behind her. Though the sun rune on her forehead had faded, that scorching sense of power still lingered around her, making her look like a golden war goddess poised to strike. "We fight until the Senjutsu runs out, or... until someone's down!" She shot Jiraiya a provocative glance.
"Just what I wanted!" Even the red tear streaks on Jiraiya's face seemed to twitch with excitement. He planted his hands on his hips and snorted through his nostrils. "Let me show you the true strength of the future Toad Sage! And Tsunade, don't go crying when I beat you!"
"Idiot!" Tsunade shot back without mercy. The ground beneath her feet sank slightly, and scattered stones trembled.
Neji stood with his hands behind his back atop the gnarled roots of a massive tree, dressed in white as pristine as snow, his