With a loud hiss, the gates clanged shut behind Team 7. They stood still for a moment, the silence pressing around them like a living thing.
"So… we just survive this crazy forest, find a team, and steal their scroll, right?" Naruto cracked his knuckles.
"Don't say it like that," Sakura said, tightening her gloves. "We're being tested. It's not just about survival it's teamwork, skill, and strategy."
Sasuke's eyes scanned the dense canopy ahead. "No point standing here talking about it. Let's move before someone finds us first."
Kakashi had warned them, that once they entered, they were on their own. He wouldn't interfere unless their lives were in mortal danger. Even with their strength, the Forest of Death was a brutal, unpredictable battlefield.
"Then let's go take some scrolls!" Naruto grinned.
They moved quickly, weaving through the shadows between the trees. Compared to how they were back in the Land of Waves, the team was now in sync. Naruto dashed ahead, scouting with clones, while Sasuke and Sakura kept tight formation.
"Any sign of enemy teams?" Sasuke asked, eyes narrowed.
Naruto dispelled a shadow clone. "Yeah. There's a team about 400 meters in that direction. They look like they've been ambushed already." He said as he pointed to somewhere.
"Maybe we should avoid them." Sakura frowned.
"No," Sasuke said. "If they've just been attacked, they might still have their scroll."
…..
The clearing was a mess. Broken branches, kunai lodged in tree trunks, and three unconscious bodies. Team 7 landed silently on the edge.
"Too late," Naruto muttered.
Sasuke scanned the area. "It wasn't a clean fight. The attackers were sloppy. That means they're close."
"Ambush?" Sakura whispered.
"Possibly."
A kunai zipped through the air and Naruto caught it between his fingers and smirked.
"Told you."
Three genin burst from the trees. They weren't from the Leaf; their flak jackets marked them from the Hidden Grass.
"Leaf brats, huh?" one snarled. "Hand over your scroll!"
"No," Sasuke said as he stepped forward.
Naruto summoned two shadow clones in an instant. "Let's go!"
The fight erupted in a blur of motion. Sasuke ducked a slash and countered with a precise kick that knocked one Grass ninja into a tree. Sakura tossed smoke bombs and used water-style to manipulate the mist around them, confusing the enemy.
Naruto moved unpredictably, his shadow clones baiting their opponents while he charged a Rasengan behind one. Before the Grass genin could react, the ball of chakra slammed into his gut and sent him flying into a tree trunk.
The last enemy tried to retreat but Sasuke was faster. He appeared not far behind the boy and threw a Vanishing Rasengan into his shoulder, knocking him out cold.
Sakura moved quickly, searching their packs. "Nope. Heaven scroll. We have the same one."
"Damn," Naruto said. "Guess we gotta keep searching then."
They tied up the Grass ninjas with ninja wire and concealed their bodies in the underbrush to avoid drawing attention.
…..
The team stopped by a shallow stream. Sasuke stood guard as Sakura filled their canteens.
"This forest is crazy!" Naruto leaned against a rock.
"Better than dying of boredom," Sasuke said without looking back.
Sakura chuckled. "At least we're working well together. Kakashi-sensei would be proud."
Just then, the trees rustled, and not from the wind.
All three instantly dropped into a defensive stance.
A massive centipede-like summon burst from the foliage. Its Fangs gleamed, as it lunged at them.
Naruto growled, "I hate bugs!" and leaped, hurling kunai to distract it.
Sasuke dashed up a tree, using the momentum to launch himself at the creature's head. He spun midair and released a wave of fire. "Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
The flames scattered along the summon's body, causing it to screech.
Sakura threw several explosive tags and manipulated water chakra around its legs, freezing the joints. "Now!"
Naruto slammed a Rasengan into the softened spot behind its head, ending the summon in a loud explosion of smoke.
The team landed, breathing hard.
"That… wasn't a normal summon," Sakura said.
Sasuke crouched and touched the remnants of a summoning seal on the ground. "Trap."
"They're smart," Sasuke said. "We'll have to be more careful."
…..
They set up camp in a hidden nook near a cliff. With Sasuke on first watch, Sakura and Naruto ate small rations. The stars overhead flickered behind the dense branches.
"Do you think Kakashi-sensei's watching us from somewhere?" Sakura asked.
Naruto stretched. "Nah. He probably trusts we're gonna be okay."
"He should," Sasuke said from the shadows. "We're not the same rookies anymore."
"Yeah. We've all grown stronger." Sakura nodded.
"Especially me. I'm gonna pass this exam and become Hokage." Naruto leaned back and grinned.
Sasuke didn't reply, but a faint smirk formed on his lips.
"Do you think the other teams are doing okay?" Sakura asked softly.
"Some will make it, and most won't." Sasuke's expression turned serious.
They went quiet, each lost in their thoughts. But it didn't last long as Naruto's stomach rumbled demanding something to eat.
"Ahaha… I'm hungry." Naruto said with an awkward laugh.
Sakura rolled her eyes and took out some dried meat from the seal under her wrist.
"How convenient," Naruto said as he watched Sakura take other things from the seal. Naruto was envious that only Sakura had the same seal as Kakashi to store things.
"Indeed," Sasuke said he didn't want one as he had no use, but now he knew its value so he was going to ask Kakashi to engrave him one too.