A large crowd of ninja had gathered outside Konoha's Forest of Death. Today was the second round of the Chunin Ninja Exams, and all fifty teams had arrived.
A jonin stepped forward. "The test is simple. Each team gets one badge. Collect at least three badges and reach the Ancient Tower in the Forest of Death within three days, and you pass."
Konoha shinobi moved through the crowd, handing a badge to each team. In the blink of an eye, figures began vanishing from the spot.
Brutal fighting broke out as soon as the teams entered the Forest of Death. Several screams rang out in quick succession.
Obito and his two teammates did not rush into a fight. They hid behind a large tree and watched their surroundings.
The crowd soon scattered. Obito said, "Let's not worry about finding badges yet. We'll head toward the tower first.
"Once these guys have enough badges, they'll head there themselves. We can ambush them along the way and save ourselves a lot of trouble."
Kakashi glanced at Obito. "I didn't know you were so devious. But it's a good plan."
"Hmph. Nothing good ever comes out of your mouth. It's not devious, it's clever. You'll never understand my greatness. Only Rin knows what's in my heart."
Rin said, "I know your goal is to become Hokage, Obito. I'll always be cheering you on."
Obito's smug grin gave him away at once.
The three sped through the Forest of Death, paying no attention to the battles raging around them.
Elsewhere, a team of Sand Shinobi was searching for opponents when a figure burst from the bushes and slammed into one ninja's chest, taking him out of the fight instantly.
At the same time, a male and a female ninja sprang from the bushes and