Chapter 8: Forest of Death

It had been about three hours since the start of the exam. Team 7 was leaping high above the ground, from treetop to treetop. Team 7 eventually came to a stop as Naruto landed in the middle of a clearing.

"Naruto, why did you stop?" asked Sasuke as he landed next to Naruto.

Naruto put a hand behind his head and turned around with a sheepish look, "I have to pee."

"I told you to go before we left." said Sasuke as he pinched his nose. "Give me the scroll. Don't need you to get ambushed."

Naruto handed Sasuke the team's earth scroll. Naruto was about to take off until he heard Sakura voice her concerns.

"Why Sasuke-kun? Naruto's still the strongest. He'd have a better chance going against a whole team then me and you together." said Sakura before she saw Naruto shiver slightly.

Naruto looked toward Sakura with a creeped out look. "Sakura-chan, I would freeze up. That's a fear of mine. Fighting someone with my junk out..." Naruto shivered once more. "I've never pissed the same since Kakashi-sensei brought that up."

Naruto disappeared into the wilderness as Sasuke and Sakura conversed for a bit. About four minutes later, Naruto appeared back in the clearing.

"Yo guys, I'm back. Let's get to this." said Naruto as he landed.

Sasuke nodded as Sakura said, "Naruto. You didn't give me a kiss before you left. What? Am I not your girlfriend anymore?" said Sakura with a pout.

Naruto looked shocked for a second until he said, "Sorry Sakura-chan. Slipped my mind." Naruto puckered up and leaned in for a kiss. Instead of lips, he met a foot. That foot was apart of Sasuke's leg. "Whoa, what's going on Sasuke?" said Naruto as the kick sent him sailing back.

Sasuke looked bored as he said, "You're a terrible henge user first off. Naruto has three stripes, not two on his sleeves. Secondly Naruto would have dodged that kick, you trash ninja. Thirdly, we already knew you were here. Naruto's a sensor, he found all three of you. Him saying he had to pee alerted us to your presence. Me and Sakura made that girlfriend thing up to test for the real Naruto and sadly, you failed." finished Sasuke as 'Naruto' looked shocked.

Sasuke then tied up the hurt 'Naruto'. "One kick and you're already finished. You must not dance well."

Not a second after Sasuke finished speaking, two Amekagure genin came flying into the clearing. Though they were unconscious and tied up. Another Naruto followed after them as he came jumping back into view with his teammates.

Naruto handed Sasuke 100 ryo as he said, "Damn, I was too slow. Shouldn't have taken that piss."

'Naruto' dropped his henge, "Seems we were careless." said the now revealed Amegakure genin.

Naruto showed his teammates the Earth scroll he acquired from the Ame Genin he was facing. "Seems it is useless. But the more scrolls we have, the less people who pass. Sorry." finished Naruto as he knocked the last genin out cold.

After tying the Ame Genin to a tree. Team 7 was once again jumping through the forest. About 30 minutes later, they made contact with another team. And a huge snake.

"That's a big snake." said Naruto surprised he couldn't sense it beforehand. The snake's ambush took Naruto far away from his teammates as they disappeared through the forest. Sasuke and Sakura were immediately on edge when they noticed the three Kusagakure genin standing in front of them.

It was the creepy looking girl again. She said, "You two, deal with the Senju kid. Kill him if you can. I'll deal with these two."

Following orders, both Kusagakure genin disappeared , following Naruto and the snake summon.

Upon seeing the two other ninjas leave, Sasuke asked a question. "Seems you're the leader. So which scroll do you have?"

The Kusagakure genin pulled out a heaven scroll. "You want my heaven scroll right? Since you have an earth scroll. Well.." said the genin as she swallowed her scroll, "let's battle for the scrolls. With our lives."

(With Naruto)

Naruto was taken for a ride by the snake, eventually ending up nearly a mile away from Sasuke and Sakura before stopping.

"I couldn't even sense that snake until it was too late, plus it popped up out of nowhere. That means it is a summon. Snake summons usually mean something bad if they're from the guy I think they're from" thought Naruto. Naruto had to dodge the snake as it lashed at him in an attempt to eat the golden blonde genin.

"I need to get back to my teammates. It seems that separating us was on purpose. I have no time to play around." thought Naruto. He put his hand in a half ram seal and channeled some chakra.

Underneath the snake were a dozen explosive notes. Naruto had dropped them when he evaded the Snake's lunge.

Boom!

"Damn that shit was huge. That snake is gone for real." said Naruto. Naruto whipped out a kunai as he blocked the strike from the arrival of a Kusagakure genin.

"Seems you're pretty good. However, there are two of us." said the Genin who was clashing kunai with Naruto. Naruto looked shocked as he spotted the other genin.

"Hello Naruto Senju. We are here to end you. Our leader said you must die, so be gone!" said the Genin not clashed with Naruto. That Genin pulled out a sword as he lunged at Naruto. The sword pierced Naruto cleanly through the stomach. The two Genin smirked at the site of Naruto's facial expressions but those smirks dropped when they noticed Naruto turn into mud.

Both Genin felt a hand grab their leg.

"Doton: Shinju Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Style: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique)" said Naruto underneath both Genin. He then proceeded to drag both Genin up to their necks in the ground.

"Thank you Kakashi-sensei" thought Naruto as he popped out of the ground behind the two immobilized Genin.

"Seems I am pretty good." said Naruto as he took the sword dropped by the Genin. "Before I kill you, who is this leader out to kill me?" asked Naruto as he faced one of the Genin.

"I won't tell you anything you Konoha scum! You may as well ki.." Started the Genin until he Naruto cut him off by piercing him through the eye, killing him immediately.

"Well then. On to you. Who do you work for? I may not kill you if you tell me." said Naruto as he stared at the remaining Genin.

The Genin was absolutely terrified. He had just killed him. Legitimately killed him, no torture, nothing. He had no chance at all. He wasn't going to make the same mistake. He needed to live.

"Oroc..rochi..Orochimaru." said the Genin trembling.

"I figured as much." said Naruto as he killed the Genin as well. "I do not like killing but it is necessary. I will kill any traitor to the leaf or anyone who works for that traitor." said Naruto as he channelled a massive amount of chakra. He was gone in a high-powered Shunshin.

(With Sasuke and Sakura)

The Kusagakure ninja pulled down her eyelid as she said, "Let's begin."

Sasuke and Sakura were immediately assaulted by visions of their death. The visions were so shocking that they were both paralyzed immediately.

"Is this a Genjutsu?" thought Sasuke in a panic. "No, this is just Killing Intent. The intent is so powerful that its induced fear on this scale. We have to get out of here."

"Hmmm, seems neither of you can move. Pitiful" said the Kusagakure ninja as she threw two kunai at Sasuke's and Sakura's heads.

Sasuke had somehow managed to take out a kunai, which he proceeded to use for stabbing his own leg. That shock to his system enabled his body to respond to his commands. He immediately rescued Sakura while dodging both kunai and fled behind a nearby tree.

The Kusagakure ninja smiled slightly. "He stabbed himself in the leg to allow himself control over his body. Seems he is more special than I thought"

After being rescued, Sakura looked to Sasuke, "Sasuke-kun, you saved..."

Sasuke placed a hand over Sakura's mouth, keeping her from talking and potentially giving away their position. He then placed a finger over his mouth in a shushing way.

"We must run before we are found again. Where is Naruto? He'd really be of help in this situation." thought Sasuke. So into his thoughts, he barely dodged the snake that had appeared in between him and Sakura. "Dammit, I was panicked so much that I forgot to check my surroundings. Now she's found us again."

The snake then opened its jaws as the Kusagakure genin appeared coming out.

Sasuke threw a dozen kunai into its mouth to catch the ninja off guard. It was all for not as the Genin just burst out of the side of the snake.

"You shouldn't relax for even a moment. Prey, should always try to run in a predator's presence." said the Genin as she slithered toward Sasuke.

However, before she could get there, She halted due to a barrage of shuriken landing in between her and Sasuke.

"Sorry Sasuke. Didn't mean to take so long." said Naruto as he landed on a nearby branch.

"Naruto!" said Sakura relieved at his arrival. That meant he had dealt with his opposition and he looked relatively unharmed. Must have been easy.

"Should have known he'd be here so soon. Those useless idiots stood no chance against him." thought the Kusa nin.

"Naruto. This ninja is way too advanced to just be a Genin. She's on a totally different level than anything we've ever faced. We need to run away." said Sasuke.

"Hehe... Looks like you successfully defeated that giant snake and my two teammates, Naruto-kun." said the Kusa nin.

"Yeah. She is Orochimaru." thought Naruto before he said, "Seems you're picking on Genin now, eh Orochimaru-san?"

"What makes you think that I'm Orochimaru." questioned the Kusa nin.

"The snake summon at first. Only Konoha held that contract or used to as Orochimaru took it away. Secondly, the way you move is reminiscent of a snake. Meaning you use the Hebi style Taijutsu taught by the snakes, which Orochimaru uses. But you could have taught someone those things. So I finally had your lackeys confirm my suspicions before I killed them." finished Naruto as he made eye contact with Sasuke's sharingan for a moment.

The Kusa nin showed no outward reaction at the deduction but inwardly grew pleased. "That kid is incredible. To be able to deduce things so easily, and with only one look. That's thinking on a level fit for a Kage. He's too good. Even getting the information out of my subordinates that fast. Boy must have incredible talent. If only his body could be mine. That damnable Bijuu would possibly mess up my transfer. And even my Curse Seal. Too bad, looks like I'll have to dispose of him as he'll become a major threat in the future. Or maybe I could get him to side with me?" thought Orochimaru still disguised as the Kusa Nin.

"Orochimaru?! The S rank missing nin from Konoha. One of the Legendary Sannin, we stand no chance. I'll just give him the scroll, Naruto already has another Earth scroll so why bother with him." thought Sasuke as he took out the Earth Scroll.

"Here, I will give you the scroll. Please...take it and leave us." said Sasuke as he tossed the scroll toward Orochimaru.

The scroll only made it halfway when Naruto snatched it out of the air.

Instead of a lecture of why Sasuke was a punk, Orochimaru became shocked to see a fireball coming his way.

"They tricked me. They knew I'd be expecting Naruto to scold Sasuke but it was actually a feint. A feint to hide Sasuke, long enough for him to fire off a jutsu. How did he tell him the plan." pondered Orochimaru before it hit him. "When they made eye contact. Sasuke must have placed him under a Genjutsu to figure out a plan. Fantastic teamwork." thought Orochimaru as he easily evaded the fireball.

"Impressive you two, I expected no less." said Orochimaru as he bit his thumb and ran it along a tattoo on his arm, that was really seal.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)." said Orochimaru slamming his hand on the ground. Another huge snake appeared with Orochimaru atop its head as it stared menacingly out at the three genin in front of him.

"Not this again." said Naruto as he dodged the Snake's assault at him.

"Shit." thought Naruto. Dodging the snake placed him right where Orochimaru wanted him and the Snake Sannin took full advantage. Orochimaru threw a jaw-breaking punch that leveled Naruto's entire body. Upon being viciously punched by Orochimaru, instead of his jaw cracking from the punch, Naruto converted into mud that dispersed immediately from the hay maker.

"Replacement. Amazing." said Orochimaru as he turned to see Naruto slice into the Snake's head with a sword, the sword he had from the Kusa Genin from earlier. "That shouldn't have happened with that piece of junk sword that flunky had. So how did he cut through...I see, he used Wind Chakra to slice into the Snake's head. He's more impressive than I thought."

Orochimaru, upon seeing his snake being sliced into, took off for Sasuke. "Let's see what you do, Sasuke-kun" thought Orochimaru as he approached Sasuke rapidly. That assault stopped upon a yellow flash appeared in his face.

Naruto had performed a Shunshin and threw out a speedy kick to Orochimaru's face. That kick, despite its speed and abruptness, was blocked and grabbed by Orochimaru.

"That's was an incredibly fast Shunshin. He actually almost had me there." thought Orochimaru as he smiled. "If this boy joins me, he'll be one hell of an asset. If he opposes, I'll kill him before he gets the chance to ruin my ambition. For now, I need him out-of-the-way so I can get to Sasuke."

Orochimaru then extended his tongue to restrain Naruto. Naruto grew shocked at the strength of the tongue as he found himself completely immobilized. "Damn, that was a mistake trying to catch him off guard. He's a Sannin and at one point, was in the running for Hokage. This'll hurt." thought Naruto as Orochimaru slammed five fingers into his gut before Naruto had the chance to use the Kyubi's chakra.

"Gogyo Fuin (Five Elements Seal)" thought Orochimaru. Naruto immediately fell into a deep sleep after its application. He was then cast away to the forest floor as Orochimaru turned to Sasuke and Sakura.

"Back to just two, show me what you're made of Sasuke-kun." said Orochimaru.

Sasuke looked spooked that Naruto could be so easily beaten. If he could beat Naruto, then what chance did he have. Naruto always won their spars so he was clearly no match for Orochimaru.

SLAP!

Sasuke looked shocked to see Sakura slap him.

"What are you doing Sasuke? Stop acting like a punk. What would Naruto do if he was in your situation? He wouldn't sit there doing nothing, thinking he was going to die? He'd fight to the end. He's not a coward like you. You're just trying to run and cling to your life. Now man up and kick his ass. I'm gonna check on Naruto." said Sakura as she fell down to the forest floor to check on Naruto.

Sasuke was shocked from what he heard Sakura say. She had never spoken to him like that, let alone strike him. It finally snapped in Sasuke when she said he was running and clinging to his life. That was what Itachi told him to do on the day of the massacre. Maybe Itachi was right, he should run away.

No, he wouldn't back down. He had to fight and protect his team. He wasn't going to die here, he still had so much to do.

"Sakura's right. I have acted like a coward. But no more, If I can't defeat you. How can I ever hope to defeat him." said Sasuke as he closed his eyes. "I will protect my friends and teammates. I am Sasuke Uchiha and I'm going to kick your ass." finished Sasuke as he opened his eyes.

Upon opening them, Sasuke's Sharingan shifted slightly as a third tomoe appeared in both eyes.

"Kukukuku. Seems the blood of his clan is beginning to boil. His third tomoe has appeared. Impressive." thought Orochimaru. "Show me what you can do."

Sasuke pulled out a myriad of throwing weapons and flung them at Orochimaru. Despite that, Orochimaru easily slithered out-of-the-way to avoid all of them.

"I can see." thought Sasuke as he saw Orochimaru's movements perfectly. "I can see his movements so clearly now."

Sasuke flung another shuriken at Orochimaru, who jumped out-of-the-way. Orochimaru had to dodge again as Sasuke flung another kunai directly at him.

"Seems he can see me now. He's reading my movements perfectly and aiming for vital areas." thought Orochimaru before he noticed Sasuke pull a string.

Sasuke pulled a couple more strings as every projectile he tossed came flying back to wrap around Orochimaru. The strings wrapped around Orochimaru and pinned him to a tree.

"This is...The Sofushasan no Tachi (Manipulating Windmill Triple Blades)" thought Orochimaru before he saw Sasuke go through four hand seals. A huge stream of fire appeared and fired off down the string at Orochimaru.

"Katon: Ryuka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Fire Dragon Technique)" said Sasuke. The powerful stream of fire blew out the back of the tree with Orochimaru in the middle of it.

Sasuke blew out a sigh as he thought it was over. He turned around to head towards Naruto and Sakura when he paused at a voice.

"Just perfect. To be able to use your sharingan so well at this age. You'll be everything I need." said Orochimaru. The jutsu from earlier managed to burn half of his face off to reveal another underneath.

"What? How did he survive that." thought Sasuke before he realized he couldn't move. "Not again."

"Sasuke-kun. I had fun testing your abilities. You and Itachi are truly brothers. Though I can tell you have a higher ceiling than him." said Orochimaru.

Orochimaru threw up his heaven scroll and then proceeded to burn it in his palm.

"Are you really Orochimaru of the Sannin?" asked Sasuke struggling to move his body.

"Yes I am. Naruto-kun already figured that out. Of course he's better than you so it's not far-fetched to see him figure it out faster. However, I can give you the power you want. The power to surpass Naruto and kill Itachi." said Orochimaru as he placed his hands in a unique Tiger seal.

Orochimaru's neck stretched out far toward Sasuke as he bit down on his neck. After a few moments, Orochimaru removed his teeth from Sasuke's neck and recoiled his neck back to its original length.

A black seal, that took the shape of three tomoe, began to appear on the back of Sasuke's neck. After its appearance, Sasuke immediately screamed in pain.

Eventually Sasuke blacked out from the pain and anguish of the new seal. "Sasuke will seek me for power. He'll need my guidance to ever hope to catch Naruto Senju." thought Orochimaru as he looked down at the prone Naruto. "I would kill him myself as he could throw a wretch in my plans but then the Akatsuki will come after me for tampering with their property. So he'll live today. I'll let the Sound trio in these exams handle those two. Maybe I can get both to join, though one would be more than enough."

Orochimaru then sunk into a tree to leave the area.

(One Day Later)

It had been a day since Team 7's encounter with Orochimaru. Sakura had retrieved Sasuke and taken him and Naruto to a clearing. Naruto and Sasuke were still unconscious though from yesterday's run in with Orochimaru. Sakura had administered first aid and medical ninjutsu to help but sadly, she wasn't advanced enough to awaken them. She could only keep them underneath a tree as she waited for any sign of them waking. Sakura had set traps in the area to make sure her teammates remained safe for when enemies showed up while she wasn't alert.

A squirrel appeared in the area and Sakura fired a kunai at it. The squirrel had almost set off a trap prematurely and luckily she scared it enough to get it away from the area. Sakura then had a heart attack as she heard a voice whisper.

"Sakura-chan, don't acknowledge that I'm awake. There's an explosive note on that squirrel. Meaning there are enemies in the area. Whatever Orochimaru did to me affected me good as I can feel my chakra going haywire. I won't be of much help to you" said Naruto. "Must have been the seal he placed on me. Placing an odd number seal over an even number seal creates an imbalance. I can't even talk to Kurama. I need to find a way to get this off." thought Naruto as he remained still.

Shortly after Naruto's announcement, three new arrivals appeared in the clearing. It was the trio from Sound.

"Hello. Have you been up all night?" asked the mummy of the group as his teammates flanked him on both sides. "But don't worry, you can rest now. I, Dosu, and my teammates, Zaku and Kin are here to kill Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Senju."

"Sakura, be careful. I'll help you as best I can..." said Naruto before he felt another presence rapidly approaching.

"I know Orochimaru is pulling the strings." said Sakura as the Sound trio looked shocked. "What does he want with Sasuke-kun and Naruto? What is this mark on Sasuke-kun's neck?" asked Sakura as she pulled out a kunai.

"Hmmm...I wonder what he's thinking." said Dosu as he pondered Orochimaru's thought process. You give the kid a cursed seal. But want to kill him? Oh well, they were here to kill them so that's what they'll do.

"It doesn't matter. We were given orders to kill those two, and I'm going to do it. I'll even kill this girl." said Zaku. He was about to run toward her when Dosu stopped him.

"Wait Zaku. She set a booby trap. That's why she threw that kunai at the squirrel. You didn't notice the explosive note, you were just protecting your pitiful trap. You're a talentless girl who should have left to save her own life. Kill her." said Dosu as the trio jumped over the trap.

The trap proved to be fake as Sakura smirked while cutting a wire next to her. That wire triggered a huge log to come barreling toward the airborne trio. However Sakura's smirk dropped when the log exploded from Dosu merely touching it.

"Like I said, you're a talentless girl. People like you have to work harder to face guys like us." said Dosu as he and his team were still heading for Sakura.

Their progress stopped short of Sakura as several well-placed kicks from a green blur ended their approach.

"Konoha Senpu (Leaf Whirlwind)" came the voice and arrival of Rock Lee as he landed in front of Sakura.

"I guess you guys should work harder as well." said Lee as he stood in the beginning stance of the Goken fighting style

"Who are you?" asked Dosu.

"I am Konoha's Beautiful Green Beast, Rock Lee." said Lee as he then addressed Sakura. "Do not fear Sakura-chan. I will protect you with my life. I'll always be there when you're in trouble."

Sakura became shocked when she realized Lee was assisting her. "Well...thank you for saving me and my team." said Sakura as Rock Lee nodded before turning back toward the Sound Trio.

"Zaku, you take out Sasuke and Naruto. They're both down so it should not fail to get past the girl." said Dosu as he tossed a Heaven scroll to Zaku. "I'll take the new guy."

Rock Lee wanted to face all three of them at the same time. But due to Dosu's jutsu, his attention needed to be focused squarely on him.

"Sorry Guy-sensei, I'll have to use that move. I can't let Sakura-chan get hurt" thought Lee as he unwrapped his bandages slightly.

Lee vanished to appear underneath Dosu and kicked him under his chin. The kick launched Dosu into the air where Lee appeared behind him. Dosu then found himself wrapped up in bandages and tilted headfirst toward the ground.

"Omote Renge (Front Lotus)" said Lee as he hugged Dosu and plummeted them toward the ground. When he smashed Dosu into the ground though, it felt...odd?

"Heh. Seems I made it just in time." said Zaku as he had his hands planted into the ground. He had pushed air into the dirt to create a softer landing for Dosu.

"To think that technique was still that powerful, even on a sponge surface." said Dosu as he got up. "However, it's my turn." finished Dosu as he charged at Rock Lee.

"This is bad. My body's.." thought Rock Lee as he dodged Dosu's punch. He was still stricken by his Melody arm, same as Kabuto.

Rock Lee fell to a knee as the jutsu took effect. He looked up slightly in pain to see Dosu staring at him.

"You may move at high speeds but our abilities move at the speed of sound." Dosu raised his arm as he said, "I'll show you a wall that you can't surpass with hard work alone."

Before Dosu could strike down Lee, a yellow flash appeared. Along with that flash, was a high-speed kick that sent Dosu sailing pass his team into the woods behind them.

"Sorry for my tardiness." said Naruto as he placed his leg back down. "It took awhile to gather the ability to use a technique. Thank you Lee, for protecting us. I'm grateful."

Before anything else could start, a strong chakra burst into the clearing. Naruto turned to see Sasuke basked in a vile, purple chakra. Sasuke also had black flame like patterns appear on his skin.

"That's what Sakura meant by the mark he received from Orochimaru. Seems it gave him a power boost, but there has to be a catch to all that power." thought Naruto as he saw Sasuke stand and look at his surroundings.

"Sakura." said Sasuke as she looked happy to see him awake as well. However Sasuke also noticed that Sakura looked to have been in a fight. And it was true, in the brief moment Lee was fighting with Dosu, Sakura had been going against the other two from Sound. "Who did that to you?" asked Sasuke.

Zaku, wanting to goad Sasuke, responded with, "I did chump. What are you going to do about it?"

Zaku placed his palms toward Sasuke and said, "Zankuha (Decapitating Airwaves)."

A powerful stream of air blew towards Sasuke ripping up the ground as it bellowed toward him. Once the dust cleared, Sasuke's body was nowhere to be found.

"Heh. He wasn't so tough. Now for the Senju." said Zaku as he pointed his hands at Naruto.

"Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Technique)" came the voice of Sasuke as a dozen fireballs flew toward Zaku.

Zaku smirked and fired off another blast of wind that quelled the flames but did nothing to stop the shuriken hidden within.

"What?!" said a surprised Zaku as the shuriken pierced him several several times across his body. Upon putting down his guard, he found both of his arms held behind him with a foot pressed squarely into his back.

"This is for hurting Sakura. You seem to love these arms. So let's get rid of them?" said Sasuke as he began to pull on Zaku's arms.

Kin tried to help her teammate but a swift chop to the back of her neck from Naruto sent her into unconsciousness.

After hearing a sickening pop, Naruto had enough.

"Sasuke. Stop." said Naruto as Sasuke looked toward him.

"Naruto this power. It's...it's.."

"Orochimaru's. A traitor to the leaf gave you that power. Do you not think it comes without a price Sasuke? You need to quit using it." said Naruto completely serious.

Sasuke was feeling amazing. The power coursing through his body made him feel unstoppable. But Naruto was right. This power was corrupted, he could feel it attacking his will.

Sasuke forced the seal to recede just as Dosu came back into the clearing from Naruto's earlier kick.

"If you let us live. You can have our heaven scroll." said Dosu.

Naruto looked at Dosu for a second before he took the scroll from Zaku's injured form and flung him back over to Dosu. Dosu grew shocked that they were getting off scot-free and promptly disappeared with Kin and Zaku in tow.

Sasuke looked at Naruto in disbelief. Naruto knew those guys worked for Orochimaru so why did he just let them live.

"Naruto! Why didn't we kill them? We know they work for Orochimaru. We could have done away with them right away. Why'd you agree?" said Sasuke before he heard an explosion.

Naruto was holding a half ram seal as he said, "I never agreed."

Sasuke smirked at Naruto's actions. He then activated his sharingan when Naruto spoke again.

"I know you're here. Neji and Tenten. So come out" said Naruto as he then pointed to the opposite side of the clearing, "you as well Shika-Ino-Cho"

Neji landed on a nearby tree branch along with Tenten. "You should hand over all of your scrolls. And maybe we'll let you leave peacefully." spoke Neji confidently.

"You do realize that me, Sasuke, and Sakura-chan are fine right? It's 3 on 2 and not to mention. Your teammate is wounded right here. What's to say I don't kill him now?" asked Naruto as Neji took the hint. He carefully walked over to Rock Lee and carried him out of the area with Tenten. Neji did check Lee for an explosive note first before departing.

"Naruto-kun! You were so amazing just now!" said Ino as she was about to jump on Naruto when Shikamaru stopped her.

"Ino. At this moment, Naruto is the enemy. He could have harmed you and taken our scroll just now if you went toward him. Be careful. It's clear he plans to negotiate with us since he called us out. So what do you have to say?" asked Shikamaru wary about Naruto and his intentions.

"Hehe. Can we team up to get to the finish. We're rather handicapped at the moment and need help getting to the tower. We have an earth scroll if you need it." said Naruto sheepishly with a laugh.

"What?" asked Choji because Naruto had just threatened Neji.

"It was a bluff Choji and rather well-played." said Shikamaru as he thought over teaming with arguably the best team in their class. "Fine we'll team up. We do have a heaven scroll so your extra earth scroll will get us into the tower as well. But now we have to watch our backs more since you two have hits out on you. Troublesome." Finished Shikamaru as the group of six headed toward the tower.

(Several Hours Later)

"What do you mean you never liked Sasuke-kun!" asked/yelled Sakura.

Ino laughed and said, "The only reason I pretended to like him was so you'd be more confident. With me as a rival you always did strive to be better so that's why I did it. Plus Naruto is way better anyway." finished Ino with a smirk. She still could get Sakura's blood to boil.

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Troublesome." said Naruto as he realized something. "I see why you say that all the time Shika" said Naruto, now on Choji's back piggyback style.

Shikamaru had Sasuke on his back as he said, "Yeah. Having to carry you guys here is already bad enough. Now we have to listen to Ino and Sakura bitch."

"What!" said Ino and Sakura at same time as they looked murderous toward the Nara Clan member.

Shikamaru let out a sigh before speaking. "Troublesome."

"Looks like we are here." said Sasuke as he and Naruto climbed off their backs. They were still having trouble from their encounter with Orochimaru, both with their own respective seal. Adrenaline earlier allowed them to move to defeat the sound trio.

After reading the message, Shikamaru and Naruto easily realized they had to open both the scrolls at the same time. The scrolls began to smoke as out popped Iruka.

"Why'd I get summoned twice?" said Iruka before he realized their were two teams before him. "Oh you guys worked together that's why. Well congratulations you guys. You passed the second exam. You still have two days left until the third exam. So get some rest. You'll need it." finished Iruka with a smile. All three rookie genin teams passed so far, amazing.

"Thank you..." said Shikamaru as Team 10 walked off into the tower.

Upon noticing Team 7 still standing there, Iruka voiced his question.

"why are you guys still..." He stopped when he saw them all have serious faces.

"We need jiji. Orochimaru is here."

End of chapter