Chapter 38 Forest of Death
Ren stood with his hands in his pockets, surrounded by the teams that had passed the first round. Ino and Hinata glared at Temari, who looked confused. Why are they staring at me like that? she wondered.
Just as her eyes fell on Ren, who seemed lost in thought, she noticed the killing intent behind their gazes. A small smile formed on her lips as she finally understood the situation.
"My… so that's how it is," she thought. To think he has two heiresses chasing him and still flirts with the Kazekage's daughter. Her interest in him grew, though her expression twitched when she noticed Sakura glancing between her, Hinata, Ino, and then at Ren.
No way… another one? she thought in disbelief. Ren, however, remained unaware, still thinking about something else entirely.
Just then, Anko arrived with dramatic flair. "Your lovely Anko is here!" she announced, while everyone simply stared at her. Unbothered, she began explaining the rules of the second round.
When Naruto said something stupid, she instantly appeared beside him, licking her lips as a thin line of blood formed on his cheek. Just as she was showing off, a Grass kunoichi appeared behind her.
"Fufufufu… this is yours," the woman said, handing back Anko's kunai while licking it with a serpentine tongue. Anko jumped back, grabbing her shoulder before composing herself.
"Follow your assigned supervisors. They will take you to different entries and give the signal to start," Anko ordered. As everyone walked away, she gritted her teeth. "I want everything on that kunoichi."
The hidden ninjas disappeared at her command. It was you, right… sensei? But why? her thoughts spiraled.
Ren walked calmly as his Six Eyes traced every team inside the Forest of Death. He disappeared with a Body Flicker, while the other teams began hunting and tracking each other.
Outside, Anko stood in front of the dead body of a female kunoichi. "Damn it… inform the Hokage," she said before dashing into the forest, rage burning in her eyes.
An ANBU flickered toward the Hokage Tower and knelt. "Lord Hokage, a kunoichi has been found dead. Jonin Anko suspects it is Konoha's S-rank missing-nin, Orochimaru."
Hiruzen choked on his smoke as he stood up. "What did you say?" He quickly composed himself. "Inform the clan heads and assemble the ninja."
Gritting his teeth, he moved to wear his armor. Why are you back? he wondered, but a sudden thought sent a chill down his spine.
No… he can't be after Sasuke. His face paled. "Damn you, Orochimaru!" he said as he rushed out, followed by ANBU. "Secure the Forest of Death. Do not interfere unless necessary. Stopping the exam would be a disaster."
Inside the forest, Ren stood on a tree branch, observing Orochimaru from a distance. Orochimaru moved toward Team 7, summoning massive snakes before watching them from above.
A giant snake lunged forward, but Naruto blocked it with a kunai, protecting Sasuke. "What, got frozen in fear, scaredy-cat?" Naruto grinned as red chakra leaked from his seal.
Sasuke gritted his teeth in anger and shame. Orochimaru chuckled. "Fufufufu… to think they would place a jinchuriki and a Uchiha on the same team. How ironic."
He appeared in front of them instantly. "You're that weird kunoichi from earlier!" Sakura pointed.
Orochimaru moved and slammed his palm onto Naruto's stomach. "Five Elements Seal." Naruto coughed and collapsed.
Sasuke attacked with a kunai and Great Fireball Jutsu, but Orochimaru dodged effortlessly. "You must be Sasuke Uchiha. Come with me… I can give you the power to kill him."
Sasuke froze as Orochimaru's neck stretched unnaturally. He bit Sasuke's neck, leaving behind a curse mark that spread across his body.
Sasuke fell, clutching his neck. "Fufufufu… this is just the beginning. If you want more power, come find me," Orochimaru said before deflecting Sakura's punch and sending her flying.
Sakura clenched her fists in frustration and rage, tears falling as she dragged Naruto and Sasuke into a hollow tree and concealed them with bushes.
Ren observed everything silently. A shadow clone appeared beside him and dashed toward Team 7.
Meanwhile, Team 8 and Team 10 crossed paths. Hinata looked at Ino. "Well… look who we met here."
Ino grinned. "Wasn't expecting to meet the princess here." Both of them revealed their collected scrolls—three each.
"Tsk, a tie," Ino pouted. Hinata's brow twitched. "It's just the first day. We have a whole week."
The boys tensed, ready for a fight. "Oi, are we fighting or not?" Kiba growled.
Ino and Hinata shot him a glare that froze both him and Akamaru. "If you want to fight her, go ahead," Hinata said casually.
Ino smiled sweetly, sending chills down everyone's spine. Shikamaru, Choji, and Shino wisely moved away from Kiba, even Akamaru backing off.
"Oi! You bastards! How dare you abandon me? And you too, Akamaru, traitor!" Kiba shouted.
Ignoring him, Ino and Hinata began preparing the animals they had hunted earlier. Everyone watched silently as they worked without speaking.
"Women are troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, while Choji focused on eating. Soon, both teams shared the meal.
As they ate, Ino and Hinata communicated mentally.
{Did you find him?}
Hinata shook her head. {I keep using my Byakugan, but I can't find Ren or Team Suna. They might be farther away.}
Ino nodded. {Whatever. We'll meet in the finals anyway.}
Meanwhile, Ren's clone arrived near Team 7 and observed the traps carefully. Moving silently, he avoided them without triggering anything.
Sakura rested with a kunai in hand, guarding Naruto and Sasuke inside the hollow tree. The clone activated his Six Eyes, analyzing the curse mark.
"Tsk… Orochimaru is truly a genius to create something like this," he muttered.
He approached Sakura and tapped her cheek. "Wakee wakee."
Sakura jolted awake and swung her kunai, but he caught it effortlessly. "Easy… it's me."
She relaxed, recognizing his voice. The clone placed food from his wrist seal beside her. "Eat. And feed them when they wake up."
Before she could respond, the clone dispersed. "A shadow clone…" she murmured before starting to eat.
Ren received the memories of the analysis of the curse mark. "Thanks, Orochimaru… for this priceless mark," he grinned.
Another clone appeared and teleported away.
Inside the safe house, the clone appeared and knocked on Akari's door. She stepped out. "What is it?"
"I need you to find someone. And it's also a good time for you and Karin to relax a little," he said, handing her a million ryo.
Akari accepted it calmly. "When do we leave?"
"I'll send another clone tomorrow morning," he replied before disappearing.
Akari knocked on Karin's door. "Karin, we're going out tomorrow morning, so don't train."
Karin looked up. "Where?"
Akari smiled. "To the Land of Fire. While we're there… let's have some fun."
"Yay!"