chapter | twenty

"THIS IS THE Forest of Death." Your proctor, Anko Mitarashi, stood before you. She had led you to a large metal gate, separating you from the dark, heavily wooded area behind it. Naruto scoffed at her tone.

"The Forest of Death? Are you trying to scare us? It's not working." The proctor smiled, pulling a kunai from her satchel. Without warning, she tossed the kunai, grazing Naruto's cheek. Blood trickled from his now pale face. He kept his mouth shut, deciding that was enough talking for now. Your eyes followed to where the kunai landed. Standing beside it was a strange-looking woman with long, black hair. Her eyes slowly trailed toward you. They were empty, no emotion to be found. Her tongue began to peek out from her mouth, slowly reaching down to her waist. You quickly looked back toward the proctor, trying to forget whatever the hell you just witnessed. A bead of sweat trickled from your forehead. Something about that student wasn't right. Her smell was off, as well as the aura she gave off.

"In this gated area, you will go through specific survival tests. Each team will get one scroll; the Heaven scroll, or the Earth scroll. To pass this test, you must obtain both a Heaven and an Earth scroll. Half of the teams here will ultimately fail. The time limit for this exam is 120 hours- exactly five days."

"This is unbelievable..." Shikamaru muttered nearby, clasping his hands over his face. His teammate, Choji, let out a gasp.

"What're we supposed to eat for five days?!" He questioned. The proctor simply shrugged.

"Be self sufficient. Cook yourself something nice in the woods. I'm sure you'll find something edible in there!" A nearby student chuckled, his grey bangs shielding you from meeting his eyes.

"There's also many man-eaing animals beyond those gates. As well as poisonous bugs, plants, and other threats to worry about. " Naruto shivered.

"We'll be handing out consent forms. If you get injured— or die— you understand the consequences of taking this test." You exchanged looks with Sakura. You were both nervous. Just what was behind these gates that could end up killing students? Have any students ever died here before?! Once your team had received the consent forms, you split ways, taking time to read the form. You walked alongside Sakura, discussing what was written.

"Look, it's billboard brow." You both looked up, spotting Ino. "I can't believe you made it this far, it's a miracle!" She stood with her arms crossed, looking smug. You never spoke to her, but the petty arguments she had with Sakura always got on your nerves.

Sakura laughed. "What, are you jealous i'm spending five days with Sasuke? Jealousy doesn't look good on you. Then again, nothing does." Ino sneered. She stepped forward angrily, and without thinking, you stood in front of Sakura, holding an arm out to protect her.

"Go away, Ino." You said. "We don't have time for this pointless argument." She stumbled back, surprised by your sudden dominance. Her brows furrowed.

"Mind your business, (Y/n). Can you even read that consent form?" You paused, staring into her ocean-blue eyes. She didn't just say that, did she?

"Shut up, Ino. This is stupid, let's go." Shikamaru, who stood behind her, grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the two of you. Sakura grasped your shoulder.

"Hey, don't listen to her. She's just a jerk." You let out a deep breath, not wanting to get angry over her stupid comment. "It's about time we get back to the meeting area. The test is about to start!" Every team had their own starting gate, separate from the other teams. As you approached yours, you saw Naruto and Sasuke. There was obvious tension between them, but when you and Sakura arrived, the tension was lifted.

"Are you guys ready?" You questioned. Sasuke nodded, nonchalantly. Naruto, on the other hand, jumped up in excitement.

"Are you kidding?! Of course I am! We're gonna be the first team to finish, believe it!" You giggled at his enthusiasm. If there was one thing Naruto was good at, it was cheering you up. Sasuke scoffed, rolling his eyes in response. As the countdown began, your team readied their supplies. The team decided that you would be the one to hold the scroll, seeing as your pouch was big enough to fit it.

"Ready? Start!"

The four of you began to walk through the disheveled grass, not exactly sure on where you were going. However, it was a peaceful walk, the sound of nature being one that you were used to. You previously hopped from village to village, so this was nothing new to you.

Breaking the silence was none other than Naruto. "I have to pee!!" He announced, running over to a tree. He didn't bother to hide behind it. Before he could get his zipper down, Sakura slapped the back of his head.

"Get behind a bush, you idiot!" Naruto whined as he walked deeper into the woods, rubbing the back of his aching head. You let out a sigh, crossed your arms are your team awkwardly awaited Naruto's return. As you waited, your nose began to twitch— something was definitely off.

"Guys, there's something wrong." You muttered. As they turned toward you, confused, Naruto suddenly emerged from behind the tree. He let out a sigh of relief as he zipped up his trousers.

"Ah, much better ..." He sighed, inching closer toward your group, zipping up his zipper. "I thought I was going to burst earlier!" Without hesitation, you pushed past Sakura and Sasuke, sending a fist directly toward Naruto's face. He flew backward, lying helplessly on the dirt below.

"(Y-Y/n)?!" Sakura gasped, utterly confused. Sasuke stepped forward, raising an arm to protect Sakura from the scene.

"That's not Naruto." He said simply. "Naruto's right handed. Your shuriken holster is on the wrong leg." The imposter smirked, and disappeared within a puff of smoke. As the smoke dispersed, it revealed a raggedy student, a large mask covering his face.

"You caught me." He chuckled. "Now, which one of you has the scroll. Maybe I should take you all out?!" Within seconds, he began sprinting toward you all, kunai in hand. Sasuke stepped forward, throwing up signs for a jutsu attack.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" Large gusts of fire shot toward the student, and he effortlessly dodged. He began tossing kunai, and you wasted no time grabbing Sakura's hand and running with her through the trees.

"Hey, get me out!" As you ran, you came across Naruto, who was wrapped tightly to a tree with rope. Reaching into your holster as you ran, you flicked the kunai toward Naruto, cutting the ropes that bound him. He landed on his feet, then immediately began to chase after you and Sakura.

"Where's Sasuke?!" He yelled. As if on cue, the Uchiha leaped over your heads, launching his way through the trees.

"Kepp running!!" He called out. Glancing backward, you made out a large snake weaving it's way through the thick brush.

"Finally, some action!" Naruto cackled. Just what in the world did you get yourselves into?!