The tension in the air was palpable as Morino Ibiki's booming voice commanded the room. Candidates sat in scattered seats, their nerves on edge as the rules of the first exam were explained.
Satoru, seated lazily near the back, twirled a pencil in his hand, pale blue eyes glinting under his bandages as he observed the scene.
Morino Ibiki's intense demeanor didn't faze him. Same old tactics, he thought, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
As Ibiki detailed the rules, the faint sound of pencils scratching on paper filled the room.
The questions were tough—too tough for ordinary genin. Sasuke, narrowing his eyes, glanced at his scroll and quickly realized the true nature of the exam. This isn't about academic ability… it's a test of how well we can gather information.
Across the room, Naruto stared at his blank test paper, sweat trickling down his temple. "What are these questions?!" he whispered under his breath.
Meanwhile, Sakura's pencil flew across her paper, her sharp intellect tackling each problem with ease.
Satoru leaned back in his chair, his answers already completed. He casually surveyed the room.
His gaze lingered on Sasuke, who seemed to be using his Sharingan to copy answers. Clever kid, Satoru thought, a flicker of pride crossing his features.
Suddenly, he noticed Kabuto glancing in his direction. Their eyes met briefly before Kabuto quickly looked away, his expression unreadable.
As time passed, invigilators began catching candidates who tried to cheat sloppily. Whispers and the rustle of papers filled the room, but Satoru remained composed.
When the tenth question was announced, Ibiki's psychological test began.
"Those who choose to answer and fail will be barred from ever taking the Chūnin Exam again," Ibiki declared, his voice cold and commanding.
The tension skyrocketed.
Naruto, in a moment of pure determination, slammed his fist on the table. "I'm not going to quit! I'm going to become Hokage no matter what!"
Ibiki's stern expression softened slightly, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Interesting kid," he muttered before announcing that everyone present had passed.
The Forest of Death
The candidates gathered at Training Ground 44, nicknamed the "Forest of Death." Mitarashi Anko stood before them, her playful smirk belying her deadly aura.
"Welcome to the second part of the Chūnin Exam!" she exclaimed.
Her explanation of the survival challenge was cut short when she flung a kunai at Naruto, the blade slicing his cheek and embedding itself in the hair of a long-haired woman behind him.
The disguised Orochimaru smiled darkly, his long tongue flicking out to retrieve the kunai. "Careful where you throw things," he said, his voice dripping with mock politeness.
Anko narrowed her eyes at the stranger, immediately sensing the malice radiating from him.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her tone sharp.
Orochimaru's sinister grin widened as he leaned closer, his voice a chilling whisper. "Just a passerby."
Satoru watched the exchange from a distance, his demeanor uncharacteristically serious. Under the bandages, his Six Eyes locked onto Orochimaru, analyzing the chakra signature.
So, you've gotten stronger, Snake.
Orochimaru's aura slithered through the air like a venomous serpent, but Satoru didn't flinch.
"Snake bastards always make a scene," he muttered, popping another piece of dango into his mouth.
As the proctors handed out scrolls and explained the rules of the survival exam, Satoru felt a flicker of unease. Orochimaru's presence was a reminder that the Chūnin Exams were more than just a test—they were a battlefield.
And the stakes were higher than anyone realized.
Mitarashi Anko, recovering from Orochimaru's unsettling presence, addressed the candidates.
"This is the Forest of Death. Many of you will not come out unscathed," she warned, her smirk returning.
As the gates to the forest creaked open, Satoru adjusted the bandages on his face and looked at his teammates.
"Ready to stir up some trouble?" he asked, his grin mischievous.
Hozuki smirked. "Always."
Bai nodded silently, his gaze calm but determined.
The trio stepped into the forest, their figures disappearing into the dense shadows.
From a tree above, Orochimaru watched them with an unsettling curiosity.
"So, you've come to play, too," he whispered, his serpentine eyes narrowing. "Let's see what you're capable of, Satoru."
The Forest of Death had officially become a stage for more than just the Chūnin Exam.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 160 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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