Konoha: After the Diary Was Exposed, the Kunoichi Fell Apart

Could he have been pretending to be a "dead last" all along just to avoid trouble?

"Is this the Forest of Death?"

Deep, dense trees blocked out almost all the sunlight.

Though it was daytime in summer,

the forest was still rather dim.

And

the damp air was everywhere,

making the place feel oppressive.

"So this is the Forest of Death?"

"It really is a little scary."

"What if a team is lying in ambush for us?"

Listening to the birds, beasts, and insects around her, Sakura Haruno swallowed nervously.

The sense of danger lurking everywhere

reminded her of the time they had fought Zabuza.

"Hmph!"

"Let them come. These eyes of mine have already seen their future."

"In these exams, I'll make the Uchiha Clan's name resound throughout the Shinobi World."

Sasuke Uchiha activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, his expression brimming with pride.

In these Chunin Ninja Exams,

apart from Naruto,

he didn't take anyone else seriously.

"Should we find somewhere to set up an ambush?" Sakura Haruno suggested.

"No need to go to all that trouble."

"We'll keep moving and defeat every enemy we run into."

Sasuke Uchiha gave a dismissive snort.

"Naruto, what are you going to do?"

Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha turned to Naruto Uzumaki, waiting for his final decision.

"What am I going to do?"

"Head straight for the Central Tower."

Naruto Uzumaki spoke calmly.

"Huh?"

"Straight to the Central Tower?"

Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha could hardly believe his answer.

"Naruto, the rules say we have to collect both Heaven and Earth Scrolls to pass this exam."

"Going straight to the Central Tower won't do us any good," Sakura Haruno said, puzzled.

"How wouldn't it?"

"Any team that wants to pass has to bring its scrolls into the Central Tower."

"So we'll just take