Ōnoki: "That brat Naruto has finally shown his ambition!"
Senju Tobirama: "That bastard wouldn't dare attack people from his own village!"
Hatake Kakashi: "It's hard to say. From the looks of it, he's targeting indiscriminately."
Terumi Mei: "If that's really the case, given Naruto's strength, more than half of the participants could be eliminated in this exam."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "I just hope Orochimaru shows up in front of Naruto soon!"
Orochimaru: "My, my, Master Hiruzen... You're thinking of me at a time like this?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "You've always been on my mind… Traitor!"
Uchiha Madara: "This Naruto kid is finally showing some promise. That's how it should be. If people bully you, pay them back double!"
Senju Tobirama: "Tch. I was careless. Seems not only the Uchiha clan is dangerous... the Uzumaki are, too!"
Uzumaki Mito: "???"
Uzumaki Kushina: "???"
Nagato: "..."
Senju Tobirama: "Bi—Big sister-in-law... You're in the group too? Why didn't you say anything?"
Uzumaki Mito: "Hmph. I was just waiting for you to show your true colors."
Senju Tobirama: "It's a misunderstanding! All a big misunderstanding! The Senju and Uzumaki clans have always shared joys and sorrows!"
Uzumaki Mito: "True, we used to share everything... But that's in the past now."
Senju Tobirama: "..."
Senju Hashirama: "Mito, spare Tobirama... He's bad at expressing himself and even worse at thinking."
Senju Tobirama: "????"
---
["How far are we from the demon fox and the others?"]
["Almost there. They're just up ahead."]
["Good. We'll take the scrolls from them the moment we see them."]
["If I remember right, they have the Scroll of Heaven. That would match perfectly with our Scroll of Earth."]
["But… I heard that demon fox Naruto is incredibly strong. Didn't he graduate top of his class?"]
["Idiot. We're three years older than them! Why would we be afraid of three little kids?"]
["Just wait—I'll make that demon fox kneel and call me 'Daddy!'"]
["Hahaha!"]
The three figures chatting wore Konoha forehead protectors.
Having entered the Forest of Death near the same area as Team 7, they had been tracking Naruto's group since the start.
---
Orochimaru: "Ah, as expected of Hiruzen-sensei's students. They're already plotting to attack their own comrades before Naruto makes a move."
Fourth Kazekage Rasa: "Your village's shinobi are undisciplined. Ours are much more united."
Terumi Mei: "I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens when Naruto meets these three."
Nara Shikamaru: "Mizukage-sama… you sound kind of scary."
Terumi Mei: "Really? I just can't stand seeing someone as cute as Naruto being mistreated!"
Namikaze Minato: "Even so… I still hope Naruto can go easy on his fellow villagers."
---
One of the three Konoha ninja was a sensory-type, allowing them to close in on Team 7 quickly.
Just as they were about to catch up—
A shadow appeared.
A lone figure in a black cloak and a white fox mask stood silently on a branch in front of them, blocking their path.
The sudden appearance startled the trio. After all, in the Forest of Death, hunters and prey could switch roles in an instant.
"Wh-Who are you? Why are you blocking our way?" one of them stammered.
The masked man replied coldly, "Hand over your scroll."
"If we give it to you… you'll let us go?"
But the sensory ninja's face suddenly twisted in terror. He had sensed the immense, overwhelming chakra emanating from the figure in front of them.
He gave his teammates a warning glance. This wasn't someone they could fight.
Even if they surrendered the scroll, survival wasn't guaranteed.
The masked figure chuckled darkly.
"Oh… no. Give it to me—and die."
"Though, not giving it to me works just as well."
The trio froze.
This person wasn't here to rob them. He was here to kill them.
"Who… who are you!?"
The masked man didn't answer.
Instead, he moved.
"So—so fast…!"
The leader couldn't react. A rush of wind swept past him, and suddenly, he felt warm blood splash across his face.
He turned in horror—only to see the sensory ninja collapse, a kunai buried deep in his chest. The medic was dead.
---
Hatake Kakashi: "So ruthless. That Naruto... he went straight for the vital point without hesitation."
Senju Tsunade: "Didn't I say it? Medical-nin need to learn to protect themselves. They're always the first targets."
Orochimaru: "Yes, Naruto-kun. When it comes to Konoha, make them hurt."
Kushina Uzumaki: "Naruto…"
Fourth Raikage: "If you want to rob someone, prepare to be killed. That's the shinobi world. No room for complaints."
Senju Tobirama: "That Naruto... he's gotten stronger again. At this rate, I'm afraid—"
Terumi Mei: "What's wrong with that? Honestly, instead of believing in the so-called 'Will of Fire,' I'd rather trust Naruto's judgment. He spared Zabuza and Haku, didn't he? That means he's not a murderer."
Gaara: "I understand that Naruto… because I did the same."
Back then, Gaara had once killed a Sand ninja who attempted to assassinate him.
When he removed the man's mask…
It turned out to be his own uncle—Yashamaru.
The one person who wasn't afraid of him.
The one person who showed him love after his mother's death.
The one person he cared for most.
And he had killed him with his own hands.
The pain had nearly driven him to destroy the entire Sand Village.
Just like Naruto now.
---
Upon witnessing their comrade's brutal death, the remaining two Genin were paralyzed with fear.
The one who had so confidently vowed to make Naruto kneel was now trembling in terror.
They were older, sure—but they'd never seen anyone die.
"You… you'll pay for this…" he muttered, though his voice shook.
He knew deep down: against this masked figure, they didn't stand a chance.
"Run… Run!" his teammate screamed in panic.
The two split off in opposite directions, hoping at least one of them might survive.
Soon after, the leader heard a scream behind him.
The masked man had chosen the other one.
He sighed in relief, thinking he had narrowly escaped death.
He even started to feel a twisted sense of luck… until a cold, ghostly whisper echoed in his ear.
"Hey. Let me ask you something… What's 1000 minus 7?"
---
Extra chap in pätrēön atoki_29
To be continued...