> "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts—it hurts so much!"
The agonized screams echoed through the Death Forest of Konoha. But here, no one cared.
The forest was vast, and the chances of encountering anyone were slim. Even if someone did stumble across such a gruesome scene, they would likely turn away. After all, every participant had signed a life-and-death agreement before entering. If someone is in danger, it could easily be a trap. Taking the initiative might cost your life—better to wait and watch.
A Konoha Shinobi lay sprawled on the forest floor like a dead dog, his breath shallow and fading. His entire body was battered beyond recognition, not even his teeth remained intact.
"I'll ask you one last time," a cold voice spoke. "What's 1000 minus 7?"
"Ni… nine… nine hundred and ninety-three…"
The masked man, wearing a white fox mask, nodded in satisfaction.
"Correct. I forgive you."
The Konoha Shinobi blinked in disbelief. Did he just say… forgive?
"That's… that's great!" he sobbed, tears mixing with blood on his face.
But before he could rejoice any further, a kunai pierced straight through his throat.
He died with confusion in his eyes.
Didn't he say… he'd let me go?
As if reading his thoughts, the white fox-masked man smirked and whispered,
"I forgave you. But the big fox didn't. After all, you screamed like a fox all day long. Annoying."
That masked man was none other than Uzumaki Naruto.
He formed a few seals with his hands and muttered,
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique."
A massive ball of flame surged forward, engulfing the body entirely. He didn't want to leave behind such a pitiful sight—especially if Hinata happened to pass by. It might scare her.
"Hey Naruto, don't you want the Scroll of Earth from his body?" the voice of the Nine Tails echoed in his mind. "It could complete your pair with the Scroll of Heaven and allow you to pass the exam."
Naruto yawned lazily.
"It doesn't matter. There are still plenty of prey left in this forest."
Just then, a figure appeared in front of him—a female ninja with bright red hair, running frantically. Behind her, a massive bear thundered in pursuit.
---
In the Real World…
Haruno Sakura: "Naruto's way too cruel and bloody. I almost threw up!"
Aburame Shino: "As a ninja, that's just the basics."
Uzumaki Naruto: "Don't worry, Sakura-chan! I'll catch Sasuke and make soup for you later!"
Haruno Sakura: "???"
Akimichi Chōji: "Wait, you want to eat Sasuke?!"
Naruto: "No! I meant I'll capture Sasuke and make soup for Sakura!"
Chōji: "That's the same thing!"
Naruto scratched his head.
Why does that sound wrong no matter how I say it?
What he actually meant was...
That he wanted Sasuke to cook the soup for Sakura!
But somehow, when he tried to say it in front of her, his mouth just wouldn't work right.
Maybe if there were another Naruto...
Someone who could help him express himself better...
Then maybe, just maybe, he could offer Sakura a taste of some imported sweets too!
To be honest,
When Naruto saw that scene, even he felt his mouth water.
After all...
In his life,
He had never kissed a girl before.
Only kissed Sasuke.
And that... was not a good memory.
Aburame Shino: "… As expected, no one listens to me."
---
["Did we shake them off?"]
Sakura was gasping for air after several hours of running.
Beside her, Uchiha Sasuke's face was dark and grim.
From the moment they entered the Death Forest, Sasuke had felt a strange pressure—like a lion stalking its prey.
It was an eerie sensation, one that made him feel like his body was being watched—coveted.
His gaze drifted to Naruto, who stood quietly nearby.
Oddly, Naruto had become much more silent since entering the forest.
Before, he was always the loudest, constantly giving directions and leading decisions.
Now, he hardly said a word.
Could it be… was he scared?
Sasuke frowned. No way.
Even when they'd faced Zabuza from the Hidden Mist, Naruto hadn't shown a hint of fear.
So what was this?
"Why are you looking at me?" Naruto asked, shrugging. "I'm not a sensory-type ninja."
"Something's wrong…" Sasuke muttered. "This isn't like you at all."
Normally, Naruto would say something like:
"Come on, Sasuke! Let's go do something big!"
But now?
This aloof attitude... it wasn't him.
To be sure, Sasuke secretly activated his Sharingan. He checked Naruto's chakra flow—it matched perfectly.
So what was going on?
"Forget it. Let's find a place to rest."
They'd all used up a lot of energy already. Wandering blindly in the forest now would be dangerous. Better to regroup.
Eventually, the three of them—Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto—found a hollowed tree to shelter in. Naruto, who was actually a shadow clone, stayed perched on a branch, using the Nine Tails' power to sense their surroundings.
Suddenly—
A loud boom erupted under the tree.
A thick cloud of smoke billowed up, obscuring everything around them.
---
Sasuke jumped to his feet, Sharingan instantly flaring with twin tomoe. The moment the smoke exploded, he could see the enemy clearly.
"This chakra… feels like someone from the Village Hidden in the Grass."
But before he could act, a seductive female voice echoed through the smoke.
"You two take care of the brat in the tree. I'll handle Uchiha Sasuke myself."
The voice belonged to a woman with pale skin, deep purple lipstick, and long black hair. She licked her lips with an abnormally long tongue, her gaze full of predatory intent.
Without hesitation, two Grass ninjas lunged at Naruto's position in the tree.
---
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Orochimaru... you were after Sasuke all along!"
Orochimaru, in another world, let out a helpless sigh.
That version of himself didn't yet understand Naruto's potential.
Back then, he'd only seen the terrifying power of Uchiha Itachi's Sharingan.
His desire for the Uchiha clan's eyes was no less than Danzo's.
But Orochimaru was prideful.
The massacre of the Uchiha clan had left behind nothing but trash in his eyes.
Only Uchiha Itachi's eyes were worthy of interest.
But after being defeated by Itachi in an instant,
Orochimaru finally understood—
The stronger the fish, the bigger the storm it creates.
And so, he made his decision.
If he couldn't get Itachi…
He would start with Uchiha Sasuke—another Uchiha genius!
---
Uchiha Fugaku: "You bastard, Orochimaru! You actually targeted a child? And you call yourself one of the Legendary Sannin!"
Terumi Mei: "Orochimaru's actions are utterly disgraceful."
Fourth Raikage: "We, the Cloud Village, officially ban Orochimaru from ever setting foot in the Land of Thunder!"
Orochimaru scoffed coldly.
Let them say what they wanted.
But what right did the Raikage have to judge him?
Haven't the shinobi of the Land of Thunder done enough to children already?
Ohnoki: "Personally, I'm more curious. Can Naruto's clone hold back Orochimaru?"
Hatake Kakashi: "To be honest, I've fought Orochimaru. As twisted as he is, his power is real. If Naruto only sent a clone... I doubt it'll be enough."
Hyūga Hinata: "I believe Naruto will come to help!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Yes... I'm looking forward to seeing that Naruto return as well."
Yamato: "Little Sakura, maybe try yelling as loud as you can—could attract the right attention."
Haruno Sakura: "???"
---
To be continued…