"Hmm… Has Naruto really become this terrifying?"
Removing his hands from the crystal ball, Third Hokage leaned back in his chair and took a leisurely drag from his pipe. "Naruto, I truly am happy for you, from the bottom of my heart, because you have inherited the Will of the Fourth. You are the son of the Fourth Hokage…"
"Everyone, follow me. We're going to investigate deeper into the Forest of Death."
Wearing a long coat, Anko looked striking and composed.
"Yes!"
A group of ninja responded loudly behind her.
Meanwhile, chaos reigned inside the Forest of Death.
"What was that sudden change in weather? And those strange, flickering purple lightning bolts, what are they?"
Kiba stared wide-eyed at the distant area still billowing thick black smoke.
Akamaru had already curled up trembling in Kiba's arms, wishing he could bury himself deeper for safety.
"Kiba, we should leave. That place clearly just witnessed a fierce battle. And the power involved is beyond what we can handle."
Shino frowned as he looked toward the smoke and called to Kiba.
"Of course, I'm not foolish enough to risk my life out of mere curiosity."
Kiba snorted, "Stop acting like you're the team leader. I'm the one in charge here."
"Kiba, Shino, enough arguing," Hinata gently intervened, though her eyes remained fixed on the smoky region. Deep inside, she felt that someone important to her was there…
"Oh ho ho, scared now? So this is what fear feels like…"
Gaara's face and hands had transformed into his giant sand hands and his tanuki-like mask, a terrifying mix of fear and bloodlust.
"I… I am Gaara…"
Temari and KanHaku looked on worriedly at Gaara's wild, drooling expression.
"Blood! That's the blood I crave!"
Suddenly, a terrifying scream echoed from somewhere deep within the Forest of Death.
"Thud!"
Standing on a slightly charred tree trunk, Anko stared in shock at the enormous pit beneath her feet and the surrounding trees still smoldering with black smoke. A drop of sweat slowly trickled down her temple.
"What happened here? Such devastating destruction, could humans really have done this?"
"Anko-sama, what should we do? And should the second stage of the exam be canceled?"
One of the ninja behind her asked in disbelief.
"Report to the Hokage immediately. As for the second exam, it will proceed as scheduled."
Anko gave a firm order to the group behind her.
"Yes, Anko-sama!"
The ninja echoed and quickly vanished toward the Hokage's tower.
"As for me… I must stay and investigate further. And before that…"
Anko's eyes darkened as she thought of the faceless Kusakagure ninja. "Orochimaru… this matter is definitely connected to you!"
Whoosh!
Bending her knees slightly, Anko dashed off, becoming a black shadow streaking into the distance.
…
"Thanks, Sakura. I'm fine now."
Taking the towel Sakura handed him and pressing it to his forehead, Naruto glanced sideways at Sasuke, who sat quietly nearby.
"All right, Sasuke, stop staring so dumbly. You won't figure it out anytime soon."
"That's not it…"
Sasuke shook his head but kept his intense gaze fixed on the large snake corpse in his arms.
"I already know the secret it holds, but my chakra isn't strong enough yet, and my Sharingan isn't mature enough to extract the knowledge within."
"Oh? You've discovered so much already?"
Naruto was a little surprised. "A genius is still a genius…"
"I can feel the immense knowledge and power contained in this snake's remains. Now, I need to strengthen myself and seize it all!"
Sasuke clenched his fist and then looked gratefully at Naruto.
"If it weren't for you, Naruto, I never would have gotten this power."
"Sasuke, keep at it."
Naruto smiled warmly at him.
"Thank you."
Sasuke quietly said, then looked at Naruto with eager eyes.
"When I get stronger, I want to fight you."
"Uh… okay…" Naruto was a little stunned but thought inwardly, He really does want to prove himself, huh.
"Naruto, you should rest here. Sakura, take good care of him. I'll go get the Heaven Scroll."
Tying the purified white phosphorus snake carcass around his waist like a belt, Sasuke set off swiftly into the distance.
"Uh…"
Naruto watched Sasuke disappear, speechless. "He's really desperate, huh? Looks like I've definitely provoked him."
…
"Sakura, looks like it's just the two of us now. How about we catch up a bit…"
Naruto, cheeky as ever, leaned closer to Sakura, teasingly brushing up against her.
"Naruto, stop that! What are you doing?" Sakura was startled by his sudden advances.
"Come on, come on…"
Naruto pressed in even closer.
"Perverted Naruto, go away! Bang! Oh…"
"Damn it, I got carried away again…"
Rubbing his stomach, Naruto gave Sakura a sheepish look full of mock grievance.
…
"Hey! You there, stop right now!"
Just as Sasuke grabbed the Heaven Scroll and turned to leave, several ninja suddenly blocked his path.
"Get lost!"
Sasuke barked impatiently.
"You little brat, how dare you talk to us like that?"
A brash ninja, wearing a jacket with the word 'Death' emblazoned on it, stepped forward.
"We were going to let you go after we got the scroll, but now… you're dead! Sky Slash Wave!"
"Boom!"
A fierce wave of air blasted toward Sasuke, sending dust swirling through the forest as countless trees crashed down.
"Zaku, you're too impatient! What if you blow up the scroll we need?"
A man with white bandages covering half his face and hunched back rebuked Zaku.
"Then we'll just find another team and take another scroll…"
Zaku shrugged carelessly.
Slash! Crack! Ah...
In the blink of an eye, a scream rang out.
When the dust settled, Zaku's hands hung limply at his sides.
"Trash from the Sound Village… I suggest you leave quickly."
Kicking Zaku away, Sasuke coldly stared down the two remaining Sound ninja.
"What? This brat… why do I sense the presence of Orochimaru-sama from him? And that thing around his waist…"
Dosu's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the snake corpse tied around Sasuke's waist. His pupils constricted sharply.
"It's Orochimaru-sama's… Could this brat, "
"We sincerely apologize. As compensation, we'll hand over the scroll we have. Please let us go."
Dosu placed the Heaven Scroll on the ground, begging Sasuke for mercy.
"Get lost."
Sasuke waved dismissively, unwilling to waste time on these weak lackeys.
"We're truly sorry."
Kensankaku bowed again, picked up the limp Zaku, and said to Kin, "Let's go."
Kin nodded nervously, casting one last glance at Sasuke before turning to leave.
"Hmph! Three worthless pests!"
Sasuke snorted disdainfully without even looking at the Heaven Scroll lying on the ground and turned away.
⚔────────
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The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
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