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On the night before the exam, Training Ground 44 had already been placed under heightened security. However, for Orochimaru and Midorima, this level of security was nothing they couldn't bypass.
Midorima carried Shizune on his shoulder as they entered the Forest of Death, though he couldn't help but feel slightly dissatisfied with her weight.
After all, evading the Konoha ninja and running over ten or twenty kilometers did take a toll on his stamina. While the exertion meant little to Midorima, it would've been better if things were a bit easier.
Orochimaru led Midorima deep into the forest, closer to its center, then signaled for him to lean Shizune against a large tree. Using chakra-formed ropes, he bound her tightly to the thick trunk before beginning to draw a cursed seal around her.
"What are you doing?" Midorima asked, puzzled.
"Setting up a cursed seal. The moment anyone steps into its range, it will trigger an explosion. At that point, whether it's this girl, Tsunade, or any other ninja who enters the area—they'll all be blown to pieces." Orochimaru's lips curled into a smirk.
Hearing this, Shizune struggled desperately, trying to scream for help. But her mouth was gagged with cloth, leaving her only able to let out muffled whimpers.
"You're really evil, aren't you?" Midorima remarked.
"I was never a good person to begin with," Orochimaru replied indifferently.
"What if the one who comes to save her is Itachi Uchiha?" Midorima countered.
"Impossible. I have a way to ensure he's too preoccupied to interfere." Orochimaru's smirk deepened, his eyes sharp.
Midorima grew even more confused by Orochimaru's plans.
By luring both him and Shizune into the Forest of Death, they risked being surrounded once the village caught wind of their movements.
Orochimaru was neither a fool nor reckless—though his methods were undeniably twisted. He must have had a purpose for this. Perhaps he intended to draw everyone's attention here while executing another scheme elsewhere.
But wasn't his target Itachi Uchiha?
Itachi was supposed to be in charge of the forest's security.
Was there some oversight in their plan?
Frowning, Midorima couldn't figure it out. He could only watch as Orochimaru crouched, meticulously drawing the cursed seals around Shizune—while secretly altering parts of the pattern with his foot and covering the changes with dead leaves.
He didn't know what kind of seal Orochimaru was using, but after his modifications, its original function would certainly be disrupted. And if Orochimaru's claim was true—that stepping on the seal would trigger an explosion—then Orochimaru wouldn't dare test it carelessly. Otherwise, Shizune would be blown to bits, rendering the seal useless.
Shizune struggled futilely against the chakra ropes, her resistance meaningless as she watched Orochimaru complete the cursed markings.
The manga had once depicted the Chunin Exams, including the Forest of Death, where Orochimaru had previously caused havoc during a similar test.
But this exam was far stricter.
In short, eight Chunin would enter the forest ahead of time, each carrying a scroll.
Dozens of participating genin would then enter, with their objective being to retrieve those scrolls.
Those who obtained a scroll would advance to the next round, while those who failed would be eliminated.
This meant only eight candidates could pass this stage.
Since Chunin were inherently stronger than genin, the only way for a team to secure a scroll was through cooperation. But this presented another problem—even if three genin managed to defeat a single Chunin, they would still only obtain one scroll. For an entire team to advance, they'd need to seize two more.
And even if a team miraculously acquired three scrolls, there was no guarantee another group wouldn't steal them before the exam ended.
Moreover, among the examinees, there were bound to be individuals whose skills far surpassed the rest. After securing their own scroll, some might choose to destroy others' scrolls as a strategy.
Thus, even with eight slots available, the actual number of survivors by the end could very well be fewer.
Before arriving, Midorima had reviewed the materials provided by Danzo. His assessment of this exam was simple—it wouldn't be easy.
At noon on the first day, the second phase of the Chunin Exams commenced. The examinees entered the Forest of Death one after another, while the Chunin had already taken their positions earlier.
Midorima had been worried—what if one of these Chunin stumbled upon them?
Sure enough, one obligingly appeared before them. The moment he spotted Shizune tied to the tree, his face lit up with excitement.
"You're here?! We've been searching for you for a month!" The Chunin rushed toward her, oblivious to her frantic shaking of the head—her silent plea for him to stay back.
Before he could react, Orochimaru emerged from behind and swiftly ended him, dragging the corpse into the nearby bushes.
When Orochimaru reappeared moments later, he had completely assumed the Chunin's appearance.
The Face Copying Technique—a ninjutsu that allowed the user to steal another's face by peeling it off and wearing it as their own. At a glance, the disguise was flawless.
Orochimaru tossed the scroll to Midorima, who glanced at the number "8" inscribed on it—likely a match designation for the next round—before casually tossing it back.
Shizune stared in horror, but Orochimaru paid her no mind.
To him, she was already as good as dead.
Midorima had assumed this Chunin would be the only unlucky one, but he underestimated the determination of foreign ninja. By midnight, a team of Sunagakure shinobi spotted Orochimaru (still disguised as the Chunin) resting and attempted to steal his scroll.
They were swiftly dispatched by Orochimaru's Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, the serpents biting them to death.
Their final agonized thrashing reminded Midorima of a famous statue—Laocoön and His Sons.
"Do you want one?" Orochimaru gestured to one of the Suna ninja's faces.
Midorima shook his head.
While the Face Copying Technique was undeniably useful, he had no desire to wear another's visage.
Orochimaru didn't press further, simply tossing the bodies into the undergrowth.
"Aren't you going to make your move yet?" Midorima asked.
"No rush. Itachi isn't on duty now. By tomorrow morning, it'll be time." Orochimaru smiled.
"What's your plan?"
"That's none of your concern."
"Let me think." Midorima rubbed his chin. "I'm trapped in the Forest of Death, and you're planning to lure Konoha's ninja here. So how am I supposed to escape?"
"I already told you—but you refused." Orochimaru chuckled.
"So what's your real plan? Just using Shizune alone won't cause enough chaos, will it?" Midorima pressed.
He had no intention of using the Face Copying Technique.
"She's just a pawn. As are you. By tomorrow, everything will become clear. Patience, young man." Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he leaned against the tree roots, half-asleep.