---
As time passed, the two-hour answering time for the written exam was quickly approaching its end. In the examination room, the Genin candidates were showing their skills. However, among the Twelve Little Warriors of Konoha, only one person's test paper remained completely blank: Naruto.
Naruto looked at his companions, Sakura and Sasuke, who were scribbling away, while his mind felt completely blank. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't answer a single question.
As the exam was about to end, Ibiki, with a cold expression, called out to the room, "The tenth question on the test paper. Do you choose to answer or not?" His voice turned more serious. "If you answer and get it wrong, you will lose your qualification to be promoted to Chunin forever. Think carefully."
The room fell silent as Ibiki's words hung in the air.
"If you do not wish to risk your promotion, you may raise your hand to withdraw from the exam now," Ibiki added, his tone mocking as his eyes swept across the room.
A few seconds passed, and several candidates raised their hands, unable to handle the pressure. More followed, and soon, more than half of the Genin had given up. Ibiki slowly began clapping, signaling those who had surrendered to leave the room.
Naruto stared at his blank test paper, his eyes drifting to the tenth question. He was lost in thought, wondering what choice he should make. Suddenly, Kirito's image appeared in his mind. *"Don't embarrass me!"*
Inspired, Naruto made a bold decision. Slowly, he raised his hand, as if to signal his withdrawal.
The Twelve Little Warriors of Konoha exchanged puzzled glances. They hadn't expected Naruto to give up.
But then, without warning, Naruto slammed his hand down on the table with a loud *"Pah!"*
"I, Uzumaki Naruto, will never give up!" he shouted, determination burning in his eyes.
Ibiki's eyes flickered with a strange glint. His lips curled into a faint smile. "Anyone who has given up can leave now. Time's up!"
A collective gasp filled the room as Ibiki announced, "Congratulations to all of you for passing the first written test!"
Everyone's expressions shifted from confusion to surprise. *What? We passed? Without even grading the papers?*
Ibiki, seeing the disbelief, slowly explained, "This test was meant to assess your ability to think critically and detect intelligence. The final question was a test of your will and courage."
Before he could continue, a loud *Bang!* echoed through the room as the window shattered. A woman with a high ponytail, wearing a tight outfit, jumped through the window, landing gracefully.
"Hello, I'm Mitarashi Anko," she announced, smiling brightly. "I'm the examiner for the next test. The location is the Forest of Death, and the test begins tomorrow!"
With that, many of the candidates began to leave the room.
Meanwhile, Kirito and Yuhi Kurenai were waiting at Ichiraku Ramen, eagerly awaiting the return of their disciples. When Naruto and the others arrived, they excitedly recounted the events of the exam. Kirito remained calm, his expression unreadable, as though he had already predicted everything.
After finishing their ramen, everyone went back to rest, looking forward to the next day's test in the Forest of Death.
Later that night, in the Root Base Camp, Danzo sat in his room. A man with long black hair stood with his back to him, speaking in a low, cold voice.
"What do you want, Danzo?"
The man slowly turned around, revealing a pair of golden vertical pupils with sinister purple markings. His eyes glinted with malice.
"I'm looking for you, Orochimaru. I want to make a deal," Danzo said calmly.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a faint smile. He found a chair and sat down. "Oh? What deal?"
Danzo raised an eyebrow. "I need you to help me kill someone."
Orochimaru's curiosity piqued. "Kill someone for you? Who?"
Danzo's gaze grew cold as he said, "Kirito. The special Jonin from Konoha."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Kirito? The successor of the Golden Flash? Interesting. This will be a difficult task."
Danzo didn't respond, waiting for Orochimaru to speak.
After a long pause, Orochimaru's chilling voice broke the silence. "One hundred ninja human experiment subjects, and... one Uchiha Sasuke."
Danzo's face twitched at the mention of Sasuke. *One hundred ninja subjects and Sasuke?* The price was high, but he understood what Orochimaru was asking.
Orochimaru leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Light escape and powerful physical techniques. I think Kirito is worth the price."
Danzo exhaled sharply. "Fine. After the deed is done, come to me for the subjects. As for Sasuke... that depends on your ability."
With that, Orochimaru vanished into the shadows, leaving Danzo to contemplate the deal.
The night passed, and the next morning, Sasuke and the others were surprised to find Kirito awake early. He had a calm expression on his face, as though he had known exactly what would happen.
They made their way to the Forest of Death, where the second Chunin exam was set to take place. The dense jungle was surrounded by iron fences, and Mitarashi Anko stood at the entrance, waiting for the candidates.
"Those wishing to take the second exam must sign a life-and-death agreement," Anko announced. "Once you enter the Forest of Death, you understand that death could come at any time. So think carefully."
As Kirito approached, Anko paused, surprised to see him. She hadn't expected him to attend the exam personally. She blinked, her gaze lingering on his handsome face, and for a moment, she found herself lost in thought. *Is this love?*
Kirito, ever calm, walked forward, nodding slightly to Anko.
The other Genin were murmuring amongst themselves, curious about the identity of the young man.
"Who is that guy?" one whispered.
"Is he also a candidate?" another asked.
Naruto, ever the show-off, grinned. "This is my teacher, Kirito! The famous Jonin of Konoha Village. He's the successor of the Golden Flash!"
Kirito was momentarily taken aback by Naruto's exaggerated gesture, but he shook his head, smiling helplessly.
There was a reason he had come to the Forest of Death. He knew Orochimaru would appear here, and his disciple, Sasuke, would inevitably fall under the curse of the snake. Kirito couldn't let that happen.
Just as Kirito was lost in thought, the other Genin continued to murmur about him, discussing his identity and his reputation as the successor of the Golden Flash.
Among them, Gaara, the jinchuriki of the One-Tail, stared coldly at Kirito, while Orochimaru, disguised as a female Genin, eyed him hungrily from the crowd.
*This is the man Danzo wants me to kill?* Orochimaru thought, a malicious gleam in his eyes.
Kirito, unfazed, looked calmly at the disguised Orochimaru. *This guy is really shameless. Dressing up like that...*
Before long, Mitarashi Anko raised her hand, signaling the start of the second exam.
"Only teams holding the 'Heaven' and 'Earth' books will pass this test."
The gate to the Forest of Death opened, and the Genin rushed in, their excitement palpable. Sasuke, Naruto, and the others entered, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Kirito, however, remained standing outside, knowing that this was only the beginning. As the exam began, he would be ready for whatever Orochimaru had planned.
---