- What's our plan, Naruto? - Sakura-chan asked me quietly, almost in a whisper, as we stood at the gates waiting for the signal to start the second phase of the exam.
- ...The plan is simple. We head straight for the center immediately. I'll create Shadow Clones - they'll help us disarm traps along the way and let us know if we run into an ambush aheadю - I gave my answer after a few seconds of silence.
- ... -Sasuke nodded silently, agreeing with my plan.
- Understood. If we make it to the Tower among the first, we'll have the chance to set up traps and catch other teams off guard. - Sakura summarized, continuing to speak in a low voice.
'In reality, we need to get as close to the center as possible to use our one and only chance to escape from Orochimaru!' - I thought.
I had only one single plan that could work. If everything went smoothly and according to the plan, all of us would be able to survive the encounter with the snake sannin. However, counting on everything going right would be foolish. After all, we were dealing with one of the most dangerous S-rank shinobi! At any second, everything could go straight to hell. But I had no other choice...
- All teams, get ready! The second exam starts right... now! - Anko's loud voice rang out.
- "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" After creating about a dozen clones, our team immediately surged forward.
Eight of my shadow copies moved out in front! Along the way, they cleared our path of all sorts of nasty critters and traps. My clones were strong enough to handle this task. After all, I was much stronger than my canonical version.
Three clones (two of which transformed into Sakura and Sasuke) headed in a different direction. The route didn't matter; their main goal was to distract Orochimaru's attention, even if just for a minute. Without a doubt, the snake sannin would realize they were my copies as soon as he got closer to them. But surely he would stop and wonder why our team decided to resort to such tactics? Perhaps he would assume that we decided to play it safe and used clones as a distraction from potential pursuers. Even a few seconds of a head start would play into our hands against this monster!
Of course, I could have given my clones our clothes to confuse Orochimaru more effectively, but in that case, the snake sannin would have become much more suspicious. And I definitely didn't want to draw that kind of interest to my persona. Plus, Sasuke and Sakura would have had questions, and answering them would mean losing precious time...
The remaining shadow clone stayed with us to provide cover if necessary. He stayed at the back of our formation, guarding our rear.
About half an hour had passed since the second exam began. All this time, our team had been moving forward while my clones cleared the path ahead of us. A few of them were dispelled by tricky traps, but mostly things went smoothly. Thankfully, we didn't run into any competitors on our path. As for the group that was supposed to distract Orochimaru (even for a short time), I had no idea if they had succeeded in their task... However, they were the ones who stumbled upon a rival team. They were from Konoha and looked much older than us. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to resolve things peacefully and had to defeat them. After taking their "Heaven Scroll," the clones decided to hide it nearby, just in case.
- Naruto! - Sasuke's sharp call snapped me out of my further thoughts.
- ...! Earth Style: Mud Wall! - Looking in his direction, I noticed he already had his Sharingan activated. Soon, I too noticed an attack heading our way! It was a Wind Style jutsu! Quickly weaving the necessary hand signs, I created an earthen wall to protect myself and the team from the sudden attack!
A powerful blast of air slammed right into my mud wall. The structure began to crumble, but it successfully withstood the enemy's attack. Soon, we heard the distinct sound of an explosive tag flying in our direction. We jumped back dozens of meters as my mud wall was obliterated by the explosion! Out of the dust stepped... him. Orochimaru, disguised as one of the participants. Beside him were two lackeys, but it was hard to determine their identities. I could barely even make out their faces...
- ...! - Sakura and Sasuke stood behind me. Both had kunai in hand and were ready to fight.
- How interesting... You may go, I will deal with them. - Orochimaru stated, looking at me and then at my teammates, before ordering his people to leave.
- Cocky, aren't you? Think you can handle us alone? - Sakura-chan suddenly blurted out.
'...For fuck's sake, Sakura! You have absolutely no idea what kind of monster we are standing in front of right now! Shut the hell up before he decides to slaughter us!' - I nearly shit myself when I heard her words. Fortunately, the snake sannin took my teammate's words as a joke.
- Ku-ku-ku. Bravo, little girl. You actually managed to make me laugh. - Orochimaru declared with a slight smile, before sticking his long tongue out.
- Ugh... How gross! - my teammate stated, looking at the S-rank shinobi with disgust.
- Sasuke, Sakura... Be careful. I can feel that the opponent in front of us is incredibly dangerous. - I addressed my teammates, never taking my eyes off Orochimaru.
I sensed Sasuke become much more serious, and after hearing my words, he began to look at the monster standing before us with wariness. However, he immediately stepped up beside me, preparing to cover my right flank. Sakura-chan also fell silent, realizing the full gravity of the situation. She remained behind us, taking on the support role. As for Orochimaru himself, he stared at me for a few more seconds. It was creepy feeling his gaze on me... Thankfully, it didn't last long, as his interest shifted to Sasuke. It made sense... Besides immortality, this bastard was also obsessed with the Uchiha clan's Sharingan!
- What's the matter? Where did your previous confidence go? - Orochimaru asked us mockingly.
- ...? - Sasuke shifted his gaze to me for a moment. As if to say: "What are we waiting for?"...
- ... - But it was hard for me to make the first move. The realization that such a powerful opponent stood before me - one who could kill all of us in a matter of seconds - paralyzed my whole body!
'No! I won't give in to fear! I can't let this bastard win without even putting up a fight! Now!' - However, I managed to overcome my internal panic.
My shadow clone, who had been with us this whole time, perfectly sensed my intentions. Leaping five meters into the air, he threw three shuriken at Orochimaru. However, our opponent effortlessly dodged them, then pulled out his kunai and threw it at my clone. The speed of the throw was incredible, and since my clone was in mid-air, there was no way to dodge. Upon impact, he dispelled in a small puff of smoke...
But our attack didn't end there! The five shadow clones (that's how many were left) that I had sent ahead finally returned to us and lunged at Orochimaru all at once. With a sickening smile on his face, the snake sannin dealt with all of them in a matter of seconds, before successfully evading Sasuke's six shuriken.
I wove hand signs and created a few more clones. They immediately rushed forward, surrounding Orochimaru from different sides. One of the clones tried to punch him right in the face. The snake sannin merely tilted his head slightly, dodging the strike, and counterattacked!
The first clone vanished from a single punch to the gut. The second took a kick and dissolved into a cloud of smoke. The third tried to attack from above, but Orochimaru caught him by the arm and slammed him into the ground. The fourth lasted a little longer than the rest, but within a couple of seconds, only smoke remained of him too.
'He's too fast...' - I thought.
Orochimaru suddenly dashed toward me. I braced myself to take the hit, but at that moment, steel wire wrapped around my body. Sasuke yanked it sharply to the side, forcing me to duck. Orochimaru's fist passed literally inches from my head.
Recovering from what happened, I immediately spun around. Sasuke was already standing between us. Orochimaru only smiled sickeningly. As if he was getting high off of everything that was happening!
Sakura threw a kunai at him. This monster caught it with his teeth without even looking in the direction of the weapon. His gaze instantly shifted to Sakura. Using his long tongue, he wrapped it around the kunai, and his smile grew even wider.
- Ku-ku-ku... It seems I've found the weakest member in your team. - he said in a playful voice, before darting forward. His target was our teammate.
Sasuke and I rushed after him simultaneously. We knew perfectly well that it was a provocation, but I couldn't let this monster hurt my comrades!
For the next few minutes, everything turned into one continuous exchange of blows. I created clones, sending them to attack one after another. They disappeared almost instantly, but it was enough to slow the enemy down a bit. With every clash, I began to understand his movements better.
He moved completely differently from Sasuke and Kakashi, whom I had fought before. Sharp changes in direction, bizarre angles of attack, an almost total lack of wasted movement...
The Uchiha was faring much better. Thanks to his Sharingan, Sasuke easily adapted to the opponent's fighting style. In an instant, he vanished in a Body Flicker (Shunshin) and appeared at Orochimaru's side, delivering a strike right to his torso.
He landed the hit... only Orochimaru barely flinched. The amused smile simply reappeared on his face. Sasuke retreated, and I was already right there. Orochimaru's next strike was aimed straight at me. I managed to block it. The blow turned out to be so heavy that my arm was instantly pierced with pain.
'Damn it...' - I cursed internally, as my fingers practically refused to obey me for a few seconds.
But I had no time to think about that.
The Uchiha and I kept attacking while Sakura-chan covered us from afar. Sasuke used the trees around us, constantly shifting positions and stringing steel wire between the trunks. Orochimaru had to dodge, jump over it, and simultaneously fight off my clones. One of the clones threw himself right at him, then a second, followed by a third and a fourth...
Orochimaru destroyed them one by one, but in that moment, Sasuke seized the opportunity. He sharply yanked the steel wire he had previously wrapped around several trees.
The next moment, the wire pulled taut, several of its coils wrapping around Orochimaru's body and jerking violently in different directions. His arms and torso were pinned to the nearest tree trunks, stripping him of his ability to move properly for a few seconds.
- Now! - Sasuke shouted to me.
I instantly understood that he wanted to use our combined elemental attack against Orochimaru.
Sasuke started weaving hand signs first: Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger.
I went simultaneously with him: Bird, Dragon, Hare, Bird.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu! Wind Style: Great Breakthrough! Fire and Wind Style: Great Flaming Vortex!
A massive fiery vortex instantly engulfed Orochimaru. A powerful explosion echoed, and Sasuke and I were blown back several meters. A huge cloud of smoke and ash rose all around. The wire holding the snake sannin snapped, and the nearby trees were blackened by the fire.
- Did... did we beat him? - Sakura-chan asked nervously.
- ... - I didn't answer that.
- ... - Sasuke remained silent as well.
For a few seconds, there was silence all around. And then, from behind the smoke, that eerie laugh rang out once again...
- Ku-ku-ku... - Orochimaru slowly stood to his feet as the fire around him began to die down. Turning to us, we noticed his charred skin beginning to peel off - revealing the true face of the snake sannin.
- ... - Sasuke and Sakura stared at him with intense strain. It wasn't surprising, as it was as if an entirely different person had appeared before them. With a different face, different eyes, and even a different voice.
- I must admit, I expected far less from you. But I have to give you credit... Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun... you managed to impress me. - Orochimaru addressed us, paying no attention to Sakura, which, honestly, was for the best.
- ...?! - Suddenly, without warning, the killing intent of this monster crashed down upon me and my teammates!
What I felt... it was hard to put into words. A cold sensation of helplessness and dread paralyzed my body! My body began to tremble from the impending terror. I remained in this state for a few more seconds until I forced myself to bite my tongue! The sharp pain returned partial control over my own body to me. The fear didn't disappear, but I couldn't allow myself to be its hostage!
- Ku-ku-ku. You are full of surprises, Naruto-kun. - Orochimaru declared, noticing how I managed to break out of the stupor.
- I won't give up without a fight! - I yelled, then created a dozen shadow clones.
Sending my copies to distract the snake sannin, I pulled two shuriken from my pouch and threw them at Sasuke and Sakura. My teammates were still under the effects of Orochimaru's killing intent and couldn't move properly. I knew perfectly well that I needed to snap them out of it as quickly as possible, so I counted on the pain of the impact helping them come to their senses.
The plan worked. The sharp pain instantly shattered the mental stupor caused by the suffocating killing intent. Sasuke sharply shook his head, and Sakura audibly gasped for air, regaining control over her own body.
'Perfect, step one is done. But everything else is going straight to hell!' - I swore internally.
According to my original, "genius" plan, I was supposed to have been isolated from the team a long time ago, dealing with Orochimaru's summoned giant snake (just like in canon), so I could quietly pull off the trick of summoning Pakkun. Instead, we were stuck in this insane fight, where this snake bastard could finish us off at any second. And using the Summoning Jutsu right now was simply out of the question - there was a massive risk that I'd be killed immediately, along with the summoned beast...
Since the situation had gone completely off the rails, it meant I had to break canon right on the fly and force him to play by my rules. The plan was risky and somewhat stupid, but I had nothing to lose!
I quickly reached into my pouch and pulled out our sealed Earth Scroll, holding it up theatrically in front of me.
- Well, you disgusting freak?! - I roared at the top of my lungs, drawing the attention of not only Orochimaru but also the recovering Sasuke and Sakura. - You want our scroll, right?! Then try and catch me, if you can!
Sakura-chan's eyes went wide with fear, and Sasuke tried to shout something, but the words caught in his throat. To them, it looked like a mad, desperate gesture of a suicide bomber, deciding to lead the main threat away from the team.
But in my head at that moment, only one thought was spinning: 'Please let this snake take the bait! It's our only chance... one in a million.'
- Ku-ku-ku... - Orochimaru froze for a second. Then, his eerie face twisted into a vile, anticipatory grin. A low, repulsive laugh escaped his throat.
Orochimaru watched me with interest as I darted deep into the forest at top speed, ostentatiously clutching the scroll in my hand. To him, it looked like a predictable and foolish gesture - a naive boy deciding to sacrifice himself for his team.
- Such childish naivety... trying to be a hero and save your comrades. But who said the scroll was my goal? - he hissed, not even attempting to pursue me himself.
- "Summoning Jutsu!" with that, he rapidly wove a few hand signs and slammed his palm onto the ground.
A muffled thud echoed, and two giant snakes materialized in the clearing at once. Orochimaru stood majestically on the head of one of them, towering above the ground, before turning his cold gaze to Sasuke. To the second monster, he gave a short command with a flick of his finger.
The second snake instantly lunged forward, hurtling after me into the thicket at breakneck speed.
'Perfect...' - flashed through my mind when I caught a glimpse of the giant scaly behemoth out of the corner of my eye, smashing trees along the way as it chased me.
Orochimaru had taken the bait and stayed with Sasuke, and I found myself in the exact situation I had originally planned - one-on-one with a giant beast, far from prying eyes. All that was left was to trigger the final part of the plan!
Left alone with the summoned beast, I dodged its sudden lunge, then created shadow clones to distract the creature. After all, I knew this snake's weak spot, but I couldn't just deal with it immediately. While my copies successfully carried out their task, I bit my thumb, wove the necessary signs, and used the Summoning Jutsu!
- Naruto! Didn't you... Sniff-sniff?! That smell!!! - came Pakkun's irritated voice, but upon catching the scent of the giant snake, he shifted his attention to the major problem!
I should probably mention that before the start of the Chunin Exams, Kakashi-sensei had strictly forbidden me from summoning his ninken. For this reason, Pakkun was angry with me at first, thinking I had ignored my mentor's prohibition.
- Pakkun! Some weird, creepy guy summoned giant snakes and deliberately attacked our team! He's unbelievably strong for a Genin! Report this to Kakashi-sensei! - I tried to sound as panicked as possible when I told Pakkun all this.
- Naruto... Fine! Just don't you dare die before I get here! Poof! - at first, the pug wanted to say something to me, but realizing the absolute criticality of the situation, he agreed to my plan, disappearing in a puff of smoke.
'Excellent, now I just have to wait for help... I hope it arrives before Orochimaru decides to stop playing with us. And now... time to deal with this beast!' - I thought, before turning my attention to finishing off Orochimaru's summoned snake.
Third-Person POV. Hokage Tower.
While the exam participants were surviving in the "Forest of Death," the captains of the passing teams were gathered in one place - the Hokage Tower. Among them were four Jonin sitting next to each other, discussing their students and their chances of passing this phase. They were: Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yuhi Kurenai.
- My team will easily come in among the first! They are full of vigor, and the springtime of youth bubbles within them! - Guy proclaimed with a smile on his face.
- I'm confident in my kids too. I'm sure they'll think of something...- Asuma voiced his stance, taking a drag from his cigarette. Although deep down, he wasn't particularly confident in the final result. Of his three students, he only truly believed in Shikamaru, knowing full well what the little genius from the Nara clan was capable of.
- My students will feel like fish in water under the conditions of the 'Forest of Death.' A trial where you need to track down other participants and lay ambushes... I wouldn't be surprised if they arrive among the first. - Kurenai stated with a confident voice. There wasn't an ounce of doubt in her words.
- ... - Kakashi, meanwhile, sat silently, reading his book.
- ... - His comrades noticed the lack of reaction. They immediately looked in his direction.
- Kakashi! What about your kids? Does the flame of youth burn within them? - his "eternal rival," Might Guy, asked.
- ... - At such a statement, Kakashi merely closed his eye, tired of his best friend's energetic outbursts.
- In Kakashi's team, there are two top students and a knucklehead who was always at the bottom of the rankings in the Academy. I'm sure they'll manage to drag Naruto along somehow and pass. - Kurenai decided to answer instead of Kakashi.
- ... - Kakashi opened his eye and looked at his colleague. He wasn't particularly fond of the remark directed at his student.
- You're mistaken, Kurenai. I've had the chance to meet Kakashi's team, and Naruto made a very good impression on me. He has managed to earn the respect of his teammates. A very good result, if you ask me. - Asuma intervened, standing up for Naruto.
- They probably just put up with him out of pity. - Kurenai, however, stood firmly by her opinion.
- Kurenai... If I were you, I would keep a close eye on Naruto. I'm sure that in a short time, you will see for yourself just how strong he has become in such a brief period. - Kakashi finally decided to break his silence, addressing his conversational partner.
- ... - This time, Kurenai said nothing; she merely raised an eyebrow with interest.
However, what happened next interrupted the Konoha Jonins' conversation. They all felt chakra activate nearby. The source was inside one of the pockets on Kakashi's flak jacket. Taking a scroll from his pocket and unsealing it on the table, a surprised Hatake watched as Pakkun was summoned into their world.
- Kakashi! Hurry, we need to go! Your team is in mortal danger! - Pakkun declared in an alarmed voice, making it clear that the situation was truly dire!
- Hold on. Jonin are strictly forbidden from interfering in the course of the exam. If we interfere... - Kurenai wanted to object and act as the voice of reason, but the summoned ninken cut her off mid-sentence.
- Even if it involves that snake bastard??? That's right! He's in the forest right now, and according to Naruto, he deliberately attacked them! So hurry up, while the kid is still alive! - Pakkun explained the situation to them irritably.
- ...?! Hurry! Lead the way! - Kakashi (as did everyone else, except for Might Guy...) understood exactly who he was talking about. He couldn't let Orochimaru hurt his team!
- Hey? I'm coming with you! - Guy, although he didn't fully grasp who they were talking about, was ready to back Kakashi up in any situation.
- Sigh... Kurenai, be a dear and inform the Hokage of what's happened. - Asuma asked Kurenai, intending to help Kakashi himself.
- No. I'm going with you! - Kurenai had no intention of staying on the sidelines while her students were in potential mortal danger!
The Forest of Death.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru continued to amuse himself with Sasuke. Sakura made the only correct decision - not to intervene. She knew perfectly well that in a fight like this, she would only be a burden. However, behind this sober calculation hid a paralyzing terror. She was scared to death to even make a sound.
To her misfortune, she didn't manage to sit it out safely. Orochimaru was very pleased with how strong Uchiha Sasuke had turned out to be. There were already two tomoe in his eyes. Knowing the specifics of the Sharingan and the Curse of the Uchiha perfectly well, Orochimaru decided to kill Sakura right before his eyes. There was a possibility that such psychological trauma would awaken three tomoe in Sasuke's eyes.
Having restrained Sasuke with snake bindings, Orochimaru forced him to watch as a giant snake prepared to devour a fear-frozen Sakura. The young Haruno was terrified and ready to bid farewell to her life.
Thankfully, Orochimaru's plans were not destined to come to fruition, because at the very last moment, Uzumaki Naruto came to Sakura's rescue! Using the Body Flicker Jutsu, he scooped up his teammate like a princess and carried her out of the attack zone.
- Naruto! - Opening her eyes and noticing that she was in Naruto's strong and warm arms, Sakura-chan sighed in relief. Deep down, she was glad that her teammate had managed to survive and return to save her.
- Don't be afraid, Sakura-chan. As long as I'm alive, I won't let my friends get hurt! - the young hero declared, helping his teammate to her feet.
- Ku-ku-ku... Naruto-kun, you are full of surprises. It's a pity... that you are so foolish as to decide to come back. You could have escaped, but you chose to return and die alongside your comrades. - Orochimaru addressed him with a vile smile. Though Naruto amused the snake sannin, the Uzumaki's motives were alien to him.
- If I have to choose, it's better to die side by side with my friends than to live as a coward! - Naruto answered him.
With that, he began to release a massive reserve of chakra, which was larger than that of a dozen elite Jonin combined. All this, to create thousands of his shadow clones, which surrounded Orochimaru.
- Have it your way... - licking his lips repulsively, a spark flashed in the snake sannin's eyes.
Fifteen minutes passed.
The outcome of the confrontation was obvious... Sasuke lay on a tree branch, Orochimaru's curse mark etched into his neck. He was unconscious.
Dozens of meters away from him, Naruto also lay on the ground. He too was unconscious, and on his arm was a curse mark that Orochimaru had decided to leave.
The snake sannin himself was standing next to Naruto. Leaving "his gift" on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had not been in his plans. He perfectly understood that such actions could cause a deterioration in relations with his main partner, Shimura Danzo. However, he decided to take this step anyway...
There was a high probability that he wouldn't be able to claim Naruto's body, since he was a jinchuriki. But Orochimaru decided to try it anyway, just out of curiosity... That's how much Uzumaki Naruto had impressed him.
- Hmmm? - Soon, his gaze shifted to Sakura. His facial expression sharply changed. It disgusted him to look at her.
- ... - With a kunai in hand, Haruno Sakura was trembling with fear. But despite this, she forced herself to keep walking forward. The example that Naruto had shown her didn't allow her to run away or hide! She marched forward, fully aware of her inevitable demise.
- ...?! - Orochimaru decided to kill her. He planned to do it slowly and painfully, savoring the process. However, he sensed something strange. It was as if a part of his soul had disappeared somewhere.
Turning back to Naruto, he noticed that his curse mark was slowly beginning to fade from the young Uzumaki's arm. What happened? He couldn't say for sure. Was it the doing of the Bijuu? Or was the Eight Trigrams Seal to blame for what had occurred?
- I should try again and observe the results more carefully... ?! - Orochimaru voiced his thoughts. And just as he was about to take a step toward Naruto, something happened that he hadn't expected at all!
- "Dynamic Entry!" - Might Guy appeared as if out of nowhere and delivered a jumping kick to the snake sannin. But due to Guy's monstrous physical strength, speed, and honed biomechanics, this simplest of techniques was like a devastating battering ram—one that launched Orochimaru dozens of meters away.
- "Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!" - Following Guy's strike, a cloud of combustible ash expelled by Sarutobi Asuma flew toward Orochimaru.
- "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" - However, the snake sannin instantly recovered and suppressed the enemy Fire Style jutsu using a Wind Style technique.
- "...Chidori!" - Orochimaru was distracted for a mere fraction of a second, but that was enough. Appearing silently behind the enemy, Kakashi shifted his headband and revealed the Sharingan. His hand, enveloped in lightning chakra, pierced cleanly through the snake sannin's chest from behind.
- Ku-ku-ku... Long time no see, Kakashi. - turning his head slightly in his direction, Orochimaru smiled as he addressed the man known as "Kakashi of the Sharingan."