---
Looking down at the bewildered Genin below, Ibiki allowed himself a faint smile. He began explaining the true purpose of the tenth question to those who had stayed, along with the intention behind the previous nine. The Genin, having braced themselves for failure, now wore complicated expressions, unsure whether to feel relieved or disbelieving at having passed this round.
For most, the written test hadn't left a bad impression, though some still felt the lingering tension. They glanced up at Ibiki, whose calm demeanor only fueled a quiet frustration.
"Regardless," Ibiki continued, "congratulations to those who passed. Next—"
Before he could finish, a sharp sound tore through the classroom.
**"Whoosh!"**
**"Bang!"**
**"Crack!"**
**"Crash!"**
The window on the left side of the room shattered. Glass rained down as a tall, slender figure burst into the room, her presence immediately commanding attention. The curtains whipped dramatically as a young woman in mesh armor and a light yellow windbreaker stepped forward, her gaze fierce.
"You ignorant brats! Now's not the time to get comfortable!" she barked. "I'm the proctor for the second stage of the Chunin Exams—Mitarashi Anko. The next test is about to begin! You'd better keep up, you little punks!"
Her exaggerated entrance and loud tone left the room in stunned silence. Most of the Genin stared at her, slack-jawed, trying to process what had just happened.
"Is there something wrong with this examiner's brain?" Kiba muttered, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. Sakura, Kiba, and Choji exchanged glances, a single shared thought crossing their minds before they all turned to look at Naruto.
For some reason, Anko's energy felt oddly similar to Naruto's.
Menma struggled to stifle a laugh, his mouth twitching slightly.
Anko's smile faltered as the silence stretched on. Her bravado wavered under the weight of so many blank stares. She rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, trying to salvage the moment.
Ibiki stepped forward, shaking his head with a smirk. "Anko, you really need to work on reading the atmosphere."
Her expression twitched, but she quickly recovered. "Ahem," she coughed, her voice regaining its confident edge. "Anyway!"
She scanned the room, her brow furrowing. "Sixty-four candidates?" She turned to Ibiki, her tone incredulous. "Seriously? This many made it through the first round? Was it that easy this year?"
Ibiki chuckled softly. "There are some strong contenders this year. It's only natural that more of them passed."
Anko grinned wickedly. "Well, don't worry. In the second round, I'll cut at least half of them down to size. You kids better be ready."
Her eyes gleamed with a predatory light as she leaned forward, licking her lips in a way that instantly reminded the Genin of Orochimaru. A collective shiver ran through the room as they stared up at her.
With a gleeful smile, Anko straightened up. "I'm suddenly excited! We'll meet again tomorrow. The details will be announced later, so be ready. Dismissed!"
In a blur, Anko disappeared as quickly as she had arrived, leaving behind a room full of dumbfounded Genin.
Menma watched her leave, his expression thoughtful. *Is this really Orochimaru's only disciple in the village? What did he see in her?* No matter how he looked at it, Mitarashi Anko didn't seem particularly remarkable to him.
The first round of the exam had ended, and despite Anko's complaints about the number of candidates, the elimination rate had already been significant. Even the Genin who had passed found themselves wondering if they truly belonged.
After Anko's dramatic exit, questions about the second stage hung in the air, but for now, they had no choice but to wait. Menma left the exam hall quietly, heading straight home to reflect on what lay ahead.
To him, the first stage was merely a prelude. His real focus was on the "negotiation" he had planned with Orochimaru in the second round.
Orochimaru wasn't his only option, but at this point, he was certainly the most reliable. Menma needed him as a stepping stone for his future plans.
*Will the leverage I have be enough to persuade him?* Menma wondered, lying down to rest. *I guess I'll find out soon enough.*
As he drifted to sleep, his mind continued to churn with plans for how to approach Orochimaru.
---
Meanwhile, in a darkened alley within Konohagakure, a shadowed figure appeared silently. Wearing the familiar uniform of the ANBU, the figure surveyed the area before focusing on a shadowy corner to his left.
"Ah, as expected from Root's elite," a voice called out from the darkness, amused and confident.
Moments later, a figure stepped into the pale light of the moon—Kabuto Yakushi, his smirk barely visible in the dim light.
"Do you have it?" the ANBU operative asked coldly, his tone devoid of emotion.
Kabuto, clearly unbothered by the chilling tone, pulled a scroll from his robes but held onto it instead of handing it over. He flashed a sly smile.
---
The Root operative immediately understood Kabuto's intentions. He pulled out several glass bottles filled with a green liquid, the contents shimmering ominously in the darkness. What stood out more than the liquid were the Sharingan suspended within—scarlet and gleaming, a stark contrast against the night.
The glow of red and black flickered in the moonlight, with the tomoe in the Sharingan varying in number.
Each of these bottles contained a powerful relic of the Uchiha clan—the Sharingan, the ultimate proof of their bloodline's might.
Kabuto inspected the Sharingan carefully before tossing the scroll he held in his hand. The Root operative mirrored his action, throwing the glass bottles toward Kabuto.
After verifying that the scroll contained the items Danzo had requested, the Root operative didn't waste any time.
**"Whoosh!"**
With a swift movement, he vanished into the dense shadows of the night.
Once the Root agent was gone, the sound of rustling behind Kabuto caught his attention. A slender figure emerged from the darkness, stepping out from where Kabuto had been hidden moments before. The passing clouds revealed more light, and under the moonlit sky, an all-too-familiar face appeared.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto greeted, bowing immediately.
Orochimaru chuckled, his voice a raspy whisper. "That old fool Danzo is as cautious as ever, going to such lengths for a few Sharingan."
He glanced at the spot where the Root operative had stood moments ago, his yellow, snake-like eyes filled with disdain. His voice, low and mocking, echoed in the quiet night. The supposed exchange between Kabuto and the Root agent had never been a secret; Orochimaru had been there all along. Hidden teams of Root operatives surrounded the area, including the spot where Orochimaru now stood.
In truth, the relationship between Orochimaru and Danzo was one of mutual exploitation. Trust was a luxury neither could afford. For someone like Danzo, betrayal came as naturally as breathing. He had even betrayed his closest friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi, without hesitation. Why would he hesitate to betray Orochimaru?
For Danzo, his ambitions overshadowed everything else. Orochimaru was merely a useful tool, one that would be discarded the moment it lost its value.
Orochimaru, too, saw Danzo only as a means to an end. Whether it was his involvement with Root in his earlier days or maintaining contact after his defection, it was always about furthering his own goals.
"Everything in order, Kabuto? No issues with the shipment?" Orochimaru asked.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto replied, handing over the glass bottles. "There are two pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan, and the rest are single-tomoe. The quantity is as expected."
Orochimaru took the bottles, gazing at the Sharingan with a mix of desire and admiration. The red and black hues reflected in his eyes, revealing a burning ambition deep within.
This was the power he craved. Ever since being defeated by Uchiha Itachi, Orochimaru's obsession with the Sharingan had only grown. But merely possessing the Sharingan wasn't enough. Years of research had shown him that the Sharingan was inherently incompatible with non-Uchiha hosts. Transplanting the eyes might grant their abilities, but without Uchiha blood, their full potential remained untapped, and the host would face severe limitations.
Kakashi Hatake was a prime example of these drawbacks.
Orochimaru's own experiments had reinforced these findings. The Sharingan he obtained from Danzo would serve as valuable research material, nothing more. He wouldn't make the same mistake as Danzo, grafting the eyes haphazardly. Orochimaru sought a complete Uchiha bloodline.
"What about Uchiha Sasuke? Have you been able to confirm anything?" Orochimaru's gaze shifted back to Kabuto, his voice cold.
"I apologize, Lord Orochimaru. Based on my initial observations, it is difficult to be certain. I need more time. I will use the next round of the Chunin Exams to confirm," Kabuto replied, his tone respectful but tinged with regret.
Due to changes in recent events, Sasuke hadn't yet had a chance to reveal his Sharingan. During the mission to the Land of Waves, he hadn't been pushed to the brink of death by Haku, and thus had not fully awakened his Sharingan. In the first round of the Chunin Exams, Sasuke hadn't used the Sharingan, making it difficult for Kabuto to confirm its presence.
"No matter," Orochimaru said with a dismissive wave. "If the opportunity arises, engage him. If not, I will pay the young Uchiha a visit myself. I have a gift for him, one that Itachi would also find... interesting. As for our contact with the Sand, that remains your task. My involvement must remain hidden, and Danzo must not learn too much."
Orochimaru's smile was cold, his snake eyes glinting with malice. As he spoke, his form seemed to waver, slowly blending into the shadows until he disappeared completely.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto said, bowing as Orochimaru vanished.
The night deepened, shadows lengthening as plots unfurled.
Konoha was on the brink of turmoil, its foundations shaken. For the first time in sixty years, the Hidden Leaf Village would soon face its greatest challenge yet.
---
**The Next Day**
**8:00 a.m.**
Following the announcements from the previous day, the second round of the Chunin Exams was set to take place at Konoha's 44th Training Ground. Known as the "Forest of Death," it was the largest training area in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Menma arrived at the entrance, looking at the towering trees that stretched skyward, their tops hidden in the clouds. A rare look of awe appeared in his eyes. Sakura, standing beside him, stared at the foreboding forest with a mix of curiosity and unease.
"Is this where the second round is? It doesn't look too welcoming. What kind of exam are we having here?" Sakura asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.
Menma chuckled softly. "Since we were told to come here, this must be the place. As for what kind of exam it will be, we'll find out soon enough."
He nodded towards Anko Mitarashi, who stood with a group of Konoha shinobi on a large tree branch nearby, awaiting their arrival.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Sakura agreed, though her eyes still held a hint of apprehension.
---