The Second Test of the Chūnin Selection Exams finally began.
Team 7 was given the Heaven Scroll, just as Naruto remembered. They were also assigned Gate Number 12 as the entrance to the Forest of Death.
"This test is actually going to be easy to complete," Naruto commented confidently, looking at Sasuke and Sakura.
"Don't be too confident, Naruto," Sakura scolded. "We still need to find a team that has the Earth Scroll."
"Team Dosu, do you know them?" Naruto asked.
Sakura shook her head, while Sasuke frowned, recalling them.
"They're strong," Sasuke admitted.
"They're trash," Naruto corrected with a smile.
"Why are you talking about them now?" Sakura asked, confused.
Naruto sighed and placed a hand on his face.
"The Sound ninjas have the Earth Scroll. I saw them with it just a moment ago."
Of course, he hadn't actually seen them with the scroll, but he had to take advantage of the knowledge he had.
Although Naruto wasn't sure whether to trust the information he knew.
"What if it's a trick? They could have used the Transformation Technique," Sasuke suggested, uncertain.
"But why would they do that?" Sakura pondered aloud. "If they're strong, like you said, Sasuke-kun, it would be smarter to show the scroll. That way, the teams that have the Heaven Scroll would attack them, and they could easily steal their scroll."
Sasuke looked at Sakura in surprise.
"Heh, Sasuke is surprised that you thought coherently for once, for a change," Naruto joked, poking Sakura's cheek with a finger as he laughed.
"Shut up, idiot!" Sakura glared at him.
"Anyway, we lose nothing by trying. Like I said, they're trash, no stronger than an insect," Naruto stopped joking and became serious.
In the end, the three agreed to go after Team Dosu.
As they entered the Forest of Death, Naruto smiled. They wouldn't have to search for Team Dosu because they would come for them. What they thought would be their prey would end up becoming their hunter.
While they waited for Gate Number 12 to open, Naruto received a message.
[Madara Uchiha: You should kill those Sound and Sand ninjas now that you have the chance.]
Naruto rolled his eyes.
[Naruto Uzumaki: The Sand ninjas are already covered. I have someone keeping an eye on them right now. And the Sound ones are no problem.]
[Madara Uchiha: Why delay what you can do now?]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Like I said, I have to follow certain steps... at least until the Third Hokage kicks the bucket.]
[Madara Uchiha: Then kill him with your own hands.]
[Naruto Uzumaki: I'll become a rogue ninja! They'll put me in the Bingo Book, and I'll be hunted!]
[Madara Uchiha: And? With your strength, few could really do anything to you.]
[Naruto Uzumaki: I still have a long way to go! I'm not as strong as I want to be! And I don't want to be hunted!]
[Madara Uchiha: I remember you talking about reviving the Uzumaki Clan and Uzushiogakure. Just leave Konoha and start rebuilding the Land of the Whirlpool.]
Madara was right. If it weren't for Hinata and Team 7, he would have already left Konoha to restore his home. With the support of Mito and the others, it wouldn't be difficult.
[Tobirama Senju: Don't listen to Madara! He's always wanted Konoha to fall! You should stay! Your destiny is to become the next Hokage!]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Fuck off...]
Naruto was completely direct with Tobirama.
He would never, absolutely never become Hokage.
[Madara Uchiha: Your life is boring, brat. I need action! I've been watching you for almost two months, and all you've done is eat, sleep, and train! What kind of life is that?!]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Want action? Go get in Hashirama's bed. Forget about me~]
[Madara Uchiha: You...!]
[Hashirama Senju: ...]
[Madara Uchiha: Hashirama, don't even think about it!]
[Hashirama Senju: Don't confuse my silence with approval, idiot! I don't like men!]
[Mito Uzumaki: Mhph. Stay away from my man, bitch.]
[Madara Uchiha: Did you just call me a bitch...? You...!]
[Mito Uzumaki: Don't make me talk, or I'll tell your secret!]
[Hashirama Senju: Is there something I don't know?! I want to know his secret! Mito, spill it!]
[Mito Uzumaki: Shut up, Hashirama! It's none of your business!]
[Madara Uchiha: Shut up, Hashirama! It's none of your business!]
[Hashirama Senju: F-fine...]
Naruto sighed. These three were really annoying.
Maybe he should mute them permanently and only let them talk when they had something interesting to say.
Although Madara had seriously made him consider leaving for Uzushiogakure in the near future, Naruto quickly shook his head.
Maybe, when the Akatsuki problem, Obito, and the Moon Eye Plan were no longer a threat, then yes.
Only then could he begin the reconstruction of the Land of the Whirlpool and Uzushiogakure, and with it, the world would witness the rebirth of the Uzumaki Clan.
Gate Number 12 finally opened, allowing Team 7 to enter the Forest of Death.
Naruto knew that both Orochimaru and Team Dosu were already heading toward them. For that reason, he wasn't in a hurry to go looking for them.
He just had to wait; in the meantime, they would head to the tower located at the center of the forest.
To maintain appearances, he ordered Sakura and Sasuke to stay alert at all times in case of a surprise attack.
As they moved through the trees, a scream echoed in the distance.
Team 8 had already caught their first prey.
This gave him an idea of how long he would have to wait before they attacked.
Suddenly, he pretended to need to urgently go.
"Hey, wait for me, I'm going to pee behind those bushes..." he told Sakura and Sasuke before looking at them seriously. "But don't peek, okay?"
Naruto fixed his gaze on Sasuke, squinting his eyes.
"Who would want to see you pee, idiot?!" Sasuke immediately blushed.
Sakura, confused, tilted her head upon noticing Sasuke's reaction.
Sasuke coughed, embarrassed, and tried to cover it up.
Naruto realized his voice had sounded real, not the fake one he used when transformed.
Embarrassed, Sasuke tapped her chest before recovering her usual tone.
"A bug got in my throat," she said as an excuse.
Sakura nodded with a smile, completely forgetting her confusion.
Naruto rolled his eyes.
How can she not notice?!
Amused, he walked away toward the bushes, humming casually.
It was then that they attacked.
His Mangekyō Sharingan, which had evolved into Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan after receiving Izuna's eyes, activated immediately, paralyzing the enemy on the spot.
Unhurriedly, he unsheathed his tantō, the White Light Chakra Blade, and slowly advanced toward the Amegakure ninja.
He had sensed them with Kagura's Mind Eye the instant they entered the Forest of Death.
"Out of all the ones you could have attacked, you chose me," she said, placing the blade to his neck. "You must be stupid."
"St-stop... please..." the ninja stammered, unable to move.
"What scroll does your team have?"
"That's not useful to me."
Without hesitation, Naruto slid his sword and ended the ninja's life.
He wiped the blade on their clothes before sheathing it again and stepped out from the bushes with a smile.
"Well, let's keep going," she said casually.
Sakura and Sasuke, unaware of what had just happened, nodded and continued walking.
[Madara Uchiha: At this rate, shouldn't one of us be revived to give the brat a real challenge?]
[Hashirama Senju: Stop talking nonsense! He's still behind us, Madara! Though... over time, he'll definitely be able to beat us.]
[Madara Uchiha: Hmph. Don't overdo it, Hashi.]
[Mito Uzumaki: Oh...? Now you're calling him Hashi...?]
[Madara Uchiha: Damn it... I can't even open my mouth without getting into trouble.]