"Ah!"
A sharp scream echoed rapidly from outside the tower. Suddenly, a figure burst in, flustered and embarrassed, stumbling heavily onto the ground.
From the shadows, Kakashi Hatake appeared, his trademark silver hair catching the dim light. His calm, unreadable Sharingan eye flicked over Uchiha Fenghuo and Uchiha Tenizumi before settling on Orochimaru.
"Master Orochimaru, I have passed the test," Kakashi reported coolly.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a sly, sinister smile. "Very good. You are as decisive as ever, Kakashi. You truly live up to your reputation as a genius."
Fenghuo and Tenizumi exchanged startled looks. At that moment, they both realized that the figure they faced was a fake—an imposter posing as Kakashi. Their eyes narrowed with distrust and disdain.
"Uchiha Fenghuo, this isn't over!" Tenizumi sneered coldly. In one swift motion, he dispelled his shadow clone with a swirl of smoke, vanishing before Fenghuo could even reply harshly.
Frustrated, Fenghuo clenched his fists and slammed his head against a nearby wall. Then, just like Tenizumi, he vanished into a wisp of smoke.
Outside the tower, Fenghuo and Tenizumi—both having retained the memories of their shadow clones' actions—immediately sprang into action. They attacked a nearby shinobi, intent on using the same tactics as Kakashi to seize a survival token.
Both bore the Sharingan, their eyes gleaming with the cold, calculated light of the Uchiha clan. Using a combination of genjutsu illusions and superior taijutsu skills, they each managed to capture a survival token within minutes and thus passed the test.
Three other ninjas outside the tower had also figured out the key to passing the test—but with only three tokens remaining, and three challengers competing for them, the odds were grim.
The saying "Two monks carrying water will drink, but three monks won't" seemed apt.
After a fierce, tense battle, all three were eliminated just as the time ran out.
"Time is up!"
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes scanned the remaining shinobi. "Those who passed the Forest of Death test are Kakashi, Uchiha Tenizumi, and Uchiha Fenghuo," he announced coldly. Then, turning to the defeated, he sneered, "And as for the rest—sorry, you have all been eliminated."
The Chunin examiners standing behind Orochimaru exchanged uneasy glances.
Twenty ninjas had entered the Forest of Death. Only nine had made it to the central tower, and just three had passed the test. How could this be reconciled?
Traditionally, after the Forest of Death, there would be a third round of exams. But with only three candidates left, would it be feasible to continue?
Orochimaru's proud expression betrayed his awareness of the dilemma.
"The Third Hokage will preside over the third round of exams, which will take place one day from now."
From the shadows, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, appeared, his face dark with concern. He glanced angrily at Orochimaru, as if wishing he could throw his sandal at the smug snake.
"Master Hokage," an ANBU shinobi knelt before him, "Twenty ninjas entered the Forest of Death. Three passed, six failed, and eleven perished."
Hiruzen's expression grew grimmer, his silver hair seeming to stiffen with stress.
"Who was responsible for the deaths?" Hiruzen asked quietly.
"Uchiha Tenizumi," the ANBU replied without hesitation.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes sharply.
From the darkness, a figure stepped forward, voice low and cold. "Orochimaru stated before the exam began that he would allow killing by any means necessary. Therefore, Tenizumi's actions are justified."
"Justified?" Hiruzen snorted. "Danzo, this isn't your usual style."
The figure emerged further—Danzo Shimura, his face half-hidden beneath bandages, illuminated by slanting moonlight filtering through the trees.
"I'm just stating the facts," Danzo said solemnly.
Hiruzen's mistrust was palpable.
"So, Hiruzen, about the third round…" Danzo glanced at the Hokage, eyes gleaming. "What will you do with only three candidates left?"
Hiruzen's voice was firm. "With so few remaining, what else is there to test?"
Danzo's displeasure was obvious. "The Chunin Exam isn't a joke. We can't cancel the third round simply because there are few participants. I don't agree."
"What's your proposal then?" Hiruzen asked.
Danzo's lips curled into a sly smile. "I suggest that Kakashi, Uchiha Fenghuo, and Uchiha Tenizumi enter ANBU as interns. Those who perform well will be promoted directly to Chunin. The others will return to Genin and try again next time."
Hiruzen immediately refused. "Absolutely not."
He knew Kakashi's background well, son of the famous ANBU captain Sakumo Hatake, so Kakashi joining ANBU was no issue. But Uchiha Tenizumi was another matter entirely. Eleven deaths in one test was far too cruel, and the risk of letting him into such a secretive organization was too great—especially with Uchiha clan politics involved.
Danzo, undeterred, proposed an alternative. "Then let them draw lots to decide who goes to ANBU, the police force, or the Root."
Hiruzen's glare was icy.
"Drawing lots?" he said sharply. "This is clearly targeting the Uchiha!"
Danzo's cunning smile didn't falter. "Fair and square, Hiruzen. Kakashi's father is ANBU Captain Sakumo Hatake; Tenizumi's father is Uchiha Sanno, police force captain—naturally, they will be taken in by their fathers. That leaves Fenghuo for the Root."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed dangerously.
The moonlight shimmered like water as the cool night wind stirred the leaves of the small courtyard. Fenghuo stood beneath a tree, gazing solemnly at the moon above.
One day had passed since the Forest of Death test, but his mind remained restless.
He had feared Danzo's interference—and now it seemed the ambitious man had strongarmed the Third Hokage into forcing him into the Root.
"If I really join the Root, I only have two choices: cling to power, or… die."
From what he had learned so far, Hiruzen seemed likely to accept Danzo's plan.
Damn it.
Joining the Root meant losing freedom—not just freedom, but his very ideals would be shattered and reshaped. He'd be brainwashed, hunted by masked shinobi, trapped under Danzo's iron fist.
Fenghuo's chest tightened, tears threatening.
"No. Even if I'm a traitor, I won't go to the Root!"
As Fenghuo steeled himself to act, new orders arrived:
"Kakashi, Uchiha Tenizumi, and Uchiha Fenghuo will enter ANBU for a one-month internship. Those who pass will be promoted to Chunin; those who fail will be eliminated."
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