The Third Stage!
The morning sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting dim golden hues across the treetops. The forest was still, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and the chirping of distant birds. Yet, within the concealed resting spot of Teams 7 and 10, a different kind of movement disturbed the peace—a movement born of panic, confusion, and dread.
Sasuke Uchiha writhed on the ground, his body drenched in sweat as an unnatural energy pulsed beneath his skin. His breath came in ragged, uneven gasps, his fingers clawing at the dirt beneath him as veins throbbed violently against his pale skin. Dark, flame-like markings had begun to stretch from the seal on his neck, twisting and creeping across half of his body like an ink stain bleeding into the fabric.
“What the hell is happening to him?!” Naruto’s voice was raw with panic, crouching beside Sasuke but hesitating to touch him.
Sakura, kneeling at Sasuke’s side, examined the markings with wide, frantic eyes. Her hands hovered over his trembling body, unsure of what to do. She reached out, only to retract her hands when she felt the unnatural heat radiating from his skin. “His body temperature is spiking—this isn’t normal!” she exclaimed.
Shikamaru, standing over them with crossed arms, narrowed his eyes. “It looks like some kind of seal. But… it’s spreading across his body like a disease.”
“It’s not just that,” Harry added, his own green eyes scanning Sasuke’s trembling form, his thoughts racing. “His chakra is fluctuating wildly. Whatever this is, his body is struggling to contain it.”
Sasuke suddenly let out a strangled grunt, his muscles spasming violently. His nails dug into the dirt, and his eyes—his normally onyx eyes—snapped open, flashing red. His Sharingan spun chaotically, flickering in and out of focus as if battling an unseen force.
His body was adapting. Merging with whatever had been placed upon him.
Sakura’s breath hitched as she studied the markings. Her mind, sharp as ever, pieced together the biological effects. His immune system was likely treating this as a foreign invader, triggering an extreme response—fever, erratic breathing, muscle spasms. His chakra network was unstable, struggling to balance whatever this invasive energy was. His cells were working overtime, breaking down and reconstructing under the strain.
“This—this isn’t just a seal,” she whispered, her stomach twisting. “It’s altering his body on a fundamental level.”
Choji stepped forward hesitantly. “Can we stop it? If it’s spreading—shouldn’t we try and suppress it?”
Shikamaru frowned, his brain calculating possible courses of action. “That’s assuming we even can. If we mess with it, we might make it worse.”
Harry turned to Sakura, noticing her own exhaustion. “Are you alright?”
She blinked up at him, confused by the sudden question. “What? I’m fine.”
But Harry’s eyes narrowed. Something was off. Unlike Sasuke, she looked… normal. No markings. No violent symptoms. Yet she had fought just as much as they had—if whatever this was had happened overnight, then she should have been affected too. Why did Sasuke end up like this, while Sakura seemed unaffected?
Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, we need a plan. We can’t afford to sit here freaking out—whatever’s happening to Sasuke, we need to monitor it. If it gets worse, we might have to restrain him.”
Naruto scowled. “Restrain him?! He’s our teammate! We should be helping him!”
“And what do you suggest we do, Naruto?!” Ino snapped, arms crossed. “We don’t even know what’s happening!”
Before Naruto could argue, Sasuke let out a sharp inhale, his spasms suddenly halting. The curse mark slowly began to recede, pulling back like an ebbing tide. His body, though still trembling, seemed to stabilize. The burning red glow in his Sharingan dimmed.
Sakura let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.
Shikamaru observed with narrowed eyes. “His body… it accepted whatever this is.”
“That’s not necessarily a good thing,” Harry murmured.
Sasuke groaned, shifting slightly as he tried to push himself up, but Sakura immediately pressed a hand to his chest. “No, don’t move,” she ordered her voice firm despite the concern in her gaze.
Sasuke’s eyes flickered to her, then to the others gathered around him. He felt… different. Stronger, somehow, but at the same time, there was an unsettling sensation beneath his skin, like a new presence had embedded itself inside of him.
“We need answers,” Shikamaru said, voice firm. “And we need to get to the tower, fast.”
As the others nodded in agreement, none of them noticed the way Sakura absentmindedly touched her shoulder—the same side where a curse mark had formed and then disappeared without a trace.
She chalked it up to exhaustion.
But exhaustion couldn’t explain why her chakra felt… heavier. Different.
And why, despite the chaos, a small, unshakable feeling of unease curled in her gut.
***
The tension was thick in the early morning air, pressing down on the gathered shinobi like an invisible weight. Sasuke, still sitting up but clearly drained, rubbed the spot where the seal had once been visible. His skin was clammy, his muscles sore, but the searing pain had lessened. The others watched him carefully, their expressions ranging from concern to outright suspicion.
“Alright,” Shikamaru finally spoke, breaking the silence. “What the hell happened last night?”
No one had an immediate answer. The only sounds were the distant rustling of the forest and the occasional chirp of birds waking with the dawn. Naruto, arms crossed, scowled. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out, genius.”
Sasuke exhaled sharply through his nose, ignoring Naruto’s jab. His mind was still sluggish from the night’s ordeal, but one thing was clear—he hadn’t just gotten sick. Something had attacked him.
“I don’t know,” Sasuke admitted, voice low. His fingers pressed against the spot where the curse mark had spread. “I went to sleep, and then… I woke up like this.”
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. “That doesn’t make sense. You’re telling me something put that on you, and you didn’t wake up?”
Sasuke’s jaw clenched, but before he could snap back, Ino suddenly turned her attention to Sakura. “Wait a minute,” she said, eyes narrowing slightly. “You and Sasuke were sleeping next to each other. If something did this to him, why not you?”
The question made every one pause. Even Naruto, who had been more focused on Sasuke, turned to stare at Sakura.
Sakura blinked. “I—I don’t know,” she admitted, confused by the sudden shift in focus. “I woke up feeling fine. A little tired, but nothing like what happened to Sasuke.”
“That’s suspicious,” Choji muttered, eyeing her warily.
Naruto frowned. “Yeah, I mean, it’s weird, right? If something got Sasuke, why not Sakura? You were literally right there.”
Harry, standing beside her, studied Sakura carefully. Something was off, but he couldn’t place what. She did seem fine. No markings. No fever. No wild chakra fluctuations like Sasuke had experienced. And yet…
“Maybe she did get attacked,” Harry murmured.
Sakura stiffened. “What?”
Harry glanced at Sasuke, then back to her. “Think about it. If whatever attacked Sasuke did the same to you, but you just don’t remember it… it could mean you were affected in a different way.”
Sasuke’s eyes sharpened. “You’re saying she has the same mark, but it’s not showing?”
“It’s possible,” Harry admitted. “Your body rejected it at first, fought it, but in the end, it merged with you. If Sakura got hit too, maybe her body’s handling it differently.”
Sakura looked down at herself, arms flexing as she tried to feel for anything wrong—but nothing seemed off. Sure, she was a little tired, but that was normal after the last few days of fighting. Her chakra felt steady, normal even. If something had happened to her, shouldn’t she feel it?
“I don’t think I have anything,” she said, though doubt crept into her voice.
“Well, we can’t see it,” Shikamaru pointed out. “Doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
A cold chill settled in Sakura’s stomach at the idea. She had been next to Sasuke. She should have been affected if something attacked him. But there was nothing—no pain, no marks, no fever.
…Right?
Sakura exhaled through her nose and shook off the thought. Dwelling on what might have happened wouldn’t help them now. Instead, she reached for her headband, undoing the knot and readjusting it. She pulled it down lower over her forehead, angling it like a tilted guard. The cool metal pressed over the faint scar she had revealed last night.
A shinobi shouldn’t reveal their weaknesses to the enemy.
It was something Kakashi had taught them.
Harry, noticing the small change, raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
Shikamaru sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, there’s no point in sitting here guessing. But we can assume this is Orochimaru’s doing. No one else would pull some crap like this.”
Naruto crossed his arms. “But we didn’t see him.”
“Doesn’t mean he wasn’t there,” Ino pointed out. “Maybe he didn’t have to be. He could’ve sent something—someone—to do it for him.”
“That makes sense,” Harry said. “Orochimaru is a tactician. He’s not just going to appear in front of us and slap some weird jutsu on Sasuke. If he did do this, he had a way to do it without us knowing.”
Sasuke’s grip on his knee tightened. The idea that he had been marked in his sleep without even realizing it made his blood boil. He hated being powerless.
“So, what now?” Naruto asked, voice tense. “Do we just go to the tower and act like nothing happened?”
Shikamaru glanced at Sasuke. “Do you feel okay?”
Sasuke hesitated, testing his chakra. It felt... different. Stronger, in a way. But that same unsettling feeling remained beneath the surface. It wasn’t painful anymore, but it was there.
“I can move,” he answered.
“Then we go,” Shikamaru decided. “The sooner we get out of this damn forest, the better.”
No one argued. They were all on edge now, their paranoia at an all-time high. If Orochimaru had done this, it meant he was watching them. Hunting them. And they had no idea when he would strike next.
As they prepared to leave, none of them noticed the way Sakura briefly flexed her hand, a flicker of energy pulsing in her palm for just a moment.
Nor did she notice the way her chakra was slowly—quietly—absorbing the power hidden beneath her skin.
The rustling of leaves and the rhythmic thuds of feet against tree branches filled the air as Team 7 and Team 10 traveled swiftly toward the tower. The looming structure, barely visible through the dense foliage, was growing larger with each passing moment. The tension, however, had not faded. If anything, it had settled in their bones, an uncomfortable weight none of them could shake.
“We tell them, right?” Naruto’s voice was firm, but there was an underlying unease in his words. “As soon as we get to the tower, we tell Asuma-sensei and Kakashi-sensei about Orochimaru. They have to know.”
“No kidding,” Ino muttered. “One of the freaking Sannin showed up out of nowhere, gave Sasuke some freaky seal, and just left? Like hell, we’re keeping that to ourselves.”
Sasuke, leaping between branches just ahead of them, kept his focus forward. He had yet to say much since they had resumed their journey. His body still ached from the curse mark’s initial spread, but the searing pain had dulled into something else—a foreign, lurking sensation that lingered just beneath his skin. He could feel his body working overtime, trying to process whatever had been forced onto him.
Shikamaru exhaled sharply, his sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. “If we tell them, they might pull you from the exam, Sasuke.”
That got the Uchiha’s attention. His gaze snapped toward Shikamaru, dark eyes narrowing.
“And?”
Shikamaru shrugged. “Just stating the obvious. Do you think they’re gonna let you continue when you’ve got something Orochimaru put on you? For all we know, that thing could kill you.”
Sasuke gritted his teeth but didn’t respond. He knew that. He knew that whatever had been placed on him wasn’t just some random mark. It wasn’t some fluke or accident. Orochimaru had done this for a reason. And that made him furious.
“He’s not the only one,” Choji pointed out, looking toward Sakura. “If something got Sasuke, it could’ve gotten Sakura too. We still don’t know for sure.”
“I already told you guys,” Sakura insisted. “I feel fine.”
Ino didn’t look convinced. “You felt fine last night too, but so did Sasuke until this morning. What if that thing—whatever it is—is just taking its time with you?”
Sakura’s grip on her wrist tightened slightly. That thought had already crossed her mind, but there was no proof. She had no fever, no pain, no strange chakra fluctuations—at least, none that she could sense. If something had been placed on her, shouldn’t she feel it?
And yet… she was more tired than usual.
“It doesn’t matter,” Harry said suddenly, breaking the momentary silence. “The point is, we need to report it. Orochimaru didn’t mark Sasuke for fun. He’s a scientist, and everything he does has a purpose.”
Naruto frowned. “Yeah, but what kind of purpose?”
“That’s what we don’t know,” Harry admitted. “But think about it—this is a Sannin we’re talking about. He’s got knowledge of everything. Kekkei Genkai, forbidden jutsu, medical ninjutsu, seals, experiments—he doesn’t just do things without reason.”
Shikamaru rubbed his forehead. “That’s what makes it worse. If he put that thing on Sasuke, and maybe Sakura, it’s not just some random curse. It’s a test.”
Silence followed those words. A test. The realization settled over them like a storm cloud. Sasuke exhaled through his nose. His entire life, he had trained to be stronger—to be the best. He had fought to control his chakra, refine his techniques, and sharpen his skills. And yet, this—this—was something entirely different. Orochimaru had done something to him. Something he couldn’t control.
And that was unacceptable.
“Well, whatever the bastard’s plan is, we’ll just deal with it,” Naruto said stubbornly. “We tell Kakashi-sensei and Asuma-sensei, and they’ll figure it out. They have to.”
“It’s not that simple,” Shikamaru said. “The Chūnin Exams aren’t just a test for us. They’re political. The proctors and our sensei can’t interfere unless it’s a direct threat to our lives.”
“What the hell do you call this?!” Naruto snapped, waving at Sasuke.
Shikamaru sighed. “I call it a problem. But unless Sasuke drops dead or starts losing control in a way that endangers others, they can’t step in. It would cause too much of an incident.”
Naruto growled in frustration.
Sakura, however, was quiet. She wasn’t as outwardly furious as Naruto, nor as calmly observant as Harry or Shikamaru. Instead, her mind was spinning. If she had been marked by Orochimaru… why? Sasuke, she understood. He’s The last Uchiha, the heir to a powerful bloodline, with raw talent and the capacity for exceptional growth. But her? Sakura had trained tirelessly. She was smart, had impeccable chakra control, and had begun unlocking her potential in both combat and genjutsu. But compared to Sasuke, compared to Naruto, and Harry, she wasn’t extraordinary.
So why her?
What was Orochimaru’s purpose? Her fingers unconsciously adjusted the metal of her headband, tilting it slightly.
“Regardless,” Harry finally said, voice steady, “we don’t know how this will affect Sasuke—or Sakura, if she was hit too. That’s why we have to report it. Even if they can’t interfere with the exam, our sensei need to know.”
No one could argue with that. The tower was close now, its massive structure rising above the treetops, a beacon signaling the end of the Forest of Death. Relief flickered through the group—but only slightly. They weren’t safe yet.
And the real danger… had only just begun.
The towering structure of the Chūnin Exam’s second stage loomed over them, its stone walls bathed in the morning light. The sight of it sent a wave of relief through Team 7 and Team 10, their exhaustion weighing heavily now that they had reached their destination. But none of them were at ease just yet. Their minds were still clouded with unanswered questions—Orochimaru, the curse mark, and what it meant. They landed in front of the main entrance, feet hitting the ground in controlled motions. The large double doors were imposing, but not as much as the realization that they were still in the middle of a test.
Naruto, hands on his knees, let out an exaggerated breath. “Finally! I was starting to think we’d never get here.”
Sasuke, despite the pain still lingering in his body, rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“Oh yeah?” Naruto shot back. “You weren’t the one who had to carry your half-dead body through the trees!”
Sasuke scoffed. “You didn’t carry me.”
“Okay, fine, we carried you, but still.”
Shikamaru rubbed his temples. “Can we turn in the scrolls first before we start arguing?”
Ino crossed her arms, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, let’s make this official before something stupid happens.”
Choji, munching on his last remaining bag of chips, hummed. “We should probably check in, too. Make sure no one’s disqualified yet.”
With that, they stepped forward, approaching the two exam proctors stationed at the front. A woman with short black hair and sharp brown eyes raised a brow as they approached, clipboard in hand.
“Team 7 and Team 10?” she asked, glancing over them.
“That’s us,” Shikamaru confirmed.
“Scrolls?”
Sakura and Shikamaru handed over their respective scrolls. The proctor took a moment to inspect them, then nodded. “Everything looks good. You all qualify for the next stage.”
Naruto pumped his fist. “Yes!”
The woman smirked slightly, before motioning toward the doors. “Head inside. You’ll be briefed soon.”
The doors creaked open, revealing a wide, dimly lit hall. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted with an unexpected sight.
A lot of people.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Ino muttered, eyes scanning the room.
It wasn’t just them—there were far more genin than expected. Dozens of teams had made it to the tower, far more than any of them had assumed possible. Given the brutal nature of the Forest of Death, there should have been a significant drop in numbers.
Naruto’s jaw dropped. “Wait, what?! I thought we’d see, like, half this many people!”
Sasuke frowned. “Something’s not right. This many teams shouldn’t have made it.”
Harry was already analyzing the crowd, noting familiar faces. Gaara and his siblings stood in the far corner, the redhead’s expression unreadable. Kabuto and his remaining teammate, Yoroi, were nearby, the older boy offering them a casual wave. Other teams from Konoha were present as well, including Hinata, Kiba, and Shino, along with the remaining foreign teams from Iwa, Kumo, and Kiri.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. “Either everyone got really lucky… or something else is going on.”
“Maybe they lowered the difficulty?” Choji suggested.
“Doubt it,” Sakura muttered, glancing at Sasuke briefly. “Orochimaru was in that forest. That wasn’t ‘low difficulty.’”
The realization settled in among them—if the Forest of Death hadn’t been altered to be easier, then what had allowed so many teams to pass?
“I don’t like this,” Sasuke murmured.
Naruto crossed his arms. “Yeah, well, at least we’re not the only ones here. Maybe it won’t be so bad.”
A loud, calm voice cut through the room.
“Well, looks like we’ve got more survivors than expected,” All eyes turned toward the front of the hall, where a tall, brown-haired man leaned lazily against a podium. “Welcome to the third stage of the Chūnin Exams.”
The room fell into an uneasy silence, but there was no missing the underlying anticipation in the air.
Whatever came next… was going to be big.
At the front of the hall, the man with sickly pale skin and tired, dark-rimmed eyes stepped forward, covering his mouth with his hand as he coughed lightly. His posture was slightly slouched, but his sharp gaze took in the genin before him with quiet calculation. “Ahem.” He cleared his throat before speaking. “I am Gekkō Hayate, and I will be overseeing the next stage of the Chūnin Exams.” His voice was raspy, but despite that, it carried across the room with authority.
His gaze scanned the gathered genin, a flicker of something unreadable in his tired eyes. “I must say, I’m a little surprised. Normally, the number of genin that make it past the Forest of Death is significantly lower.”
Murmurs broke out among the competitors. Even Team 7 and Team 10 exchanged glances.
Hayate coughed again before continuing. “Well, regardless of why there are so many of you, you’ve all passed the second stage. However, the third stage is very different from what you’ve experienced so far. It is not about survival—it is about proving yourself.”
Harry’s frown deepened.
“The Chūnin Exams are more than just a test to evaluate your skills,” Hayate explained. “They are a demonstration of your abilities in front of high-ranking officials, daimyō, clan heads, and even foreign leaders. It is a way for villages to show off their rising talent… and for you to prove whether or not you’re worthy of promotion.”
Harry's stomach twisted slightly.
Demonstration? Show off talent? The words left an uneasy feeling in his gut. He had assumed the Chūnin Exams were just a test—a brutal test, sure, but still a test. But now… he was starting to see the bigger picture. This was entertainment. This wasn’t just about determining skill. This was about power displays between villages. They weren’t just being tested, they were being paraded like weapons, like gladiators in an arena, meant to fight for the amusement and judgment of those above them.
Harry clenched his fist at his side.
How different is this from the Colosseum?
The thought planted itself in his mind like a creeping vine, twisting and growing. He tried to shake it off, but the unease remained. He had read about ancient gladiator battles—prisoners and warriors forced to fight for the amusement of spectators. The only difference here was that they were volunteers. But were they really? Could anyone here truly say they had a choice?
Hayate continued. “Because of this, we cannot proceed with so many candidates. A preliminary round will be held to determine who advances to the final stage." Another cough, and then, his expression turned serious. “However, before we begin, I will give you one opportunity to withdraw. If you feel you are not ready for this next stage, you may step down now. However, know that if you do, you will have to retake the Chūnin Exams from the beginning next year.”
Silence followed his words. The tension in the air was thick.
Then, surprisingly—
A hand went up.
Then another.
And another.
More than a dozen genin stepped forward, murmuring their withdrawal. Some looked ashamed, others simply relieved.
Naruto’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “Wha—seriously?!”
Even Sasuke looked taken aback. “They made it this far just to quit?”
Shikamaru hummed in thought. “Not surprising. If they had a hard enough time in the Forest of Death, they probably don’t want to risk actual combat in front of an audience.”
Ino crossed her arms. “Still, you’d think that after surviving that hellhole, they’d stick it out.”
Sakura stayed quiet, glancing at Harry, who was still deep in thought. His fingers twitched slightly against his side, and she could tell something was really bothering him.
Meanwhile, Hayate simply nodded. “Very well. Those of you who wish to withdraw, step aside.”
The genin who had stepped down were quickly ushered away by the proctors, leaving behind a significantly smaller—but still large—group.
Hayate gave a slight nod. “Now then, for the rest of you—let us begin.”
Hayate led the remaining genin down a long hallway, his steps silent despite his fatigued posture. The air was tense, anticipation thrumming through the young shinobi as they moved deeper into the tower.
Finally, they emerged into a massive, enclosed battle arena. The floor was stone, scuffed and scarred from previous battles, and the walls stretched high, leading up to the viewing stands where jōnin, proctors, and other exam officials stood waiting. The ceiling was open, allowing beams of early morning sunlight to filter through, casting long shadows across the battleground.
The moment Team 7 and Team 10 stepped inside, they immediately split off from the competitors, making their way toward the stands. As soon as they climbed the steps, their jōnin sensei came into view.
And Kakashi—normally composed, unshaken Kakashi—actually stared in absolute horror.
His visible eye widened, and he almost dropped the little orange book in his hands.
His team looked awful.
Naruto, while still standing upright and animated as always, was covered in scratches, dried blood, and what looked like remnants of burn marks. Sasuke, usually poised and proud, had an unusual tenseness in his posture, his hand twitching slightly at his side as if he were still struggling with something unseen. Sakura…
Kakashi squinted.
Her headband was no longer wrapped around her forehead in its usual place. Instead, she had positioned it exactly the way he wore his—tilted at an angle over her left eye, covering part of her face.
And then there was Harry.
The boy was silent, his green eyes sharp as he scanned the stands, clearly assessing his surroundings even after making it through hell. His uniform was tattered, his arms were wrapped in bandages, and the hilt of his katana peeked over his shoulder, the sheath showing visible scratches from heavy use. There was an edge to him that hadn’t been there before—a wariness as if he was expecting another attack at any moment.
A slow dread filled Kakashi’s chest. “Sakura…” His voice came out far too calm. “What happened to your forehead?”
Sakura, completely unimpressed, crossed her arms. “I’m fine.”
Kakashi’s deadpan stare did not waver. “Uh-huh. And yet, you’re wearing your headband like me, which means you’re hiding something.”
Sakura scowled and pointed at him. “Exactly! You do it too! So don’t lecture me on it!”
Kakashi sputtered. “That’s completely different—!”
Sasuke exhaled sharply through his nose, and Naruto groaned loudly. “Come on, Kakashi-sensei, can you focus?!” The blond threw his hands in the air. “We just survived the worst experience of our lives, and you’re worried about Sakura’s fashion choices?!”
“Yes.”
A pause.
Kakashi took a slow, deliberate breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why do you all look like you got run over by a stampede of oxen?”
Asuma chuckled from the side, watching this entire ordeal with thinly veiled amusement. “They do look like hell.”
Kurenai, standing beside him, frowned in concern. “You four weren’t injured too badly, were you?”
Before any of them could answer, Kakashi suddenly gasped—a genuine, exaggerated inhale of pure horror. His hands shot out, grabbing Sakura and Sasuke’s shoulders. He yanked them close, his voice a harsh whisper. “Wait. Are you two missing your headbands?! Did someone steal them?!”
Sakura groaned and shoved him off. “No! I have my headband, I just moved it!”
Sasuke, looking like he was two seconds away from throwing Kakashi off the balcony, grabbed the edge of his collar and yanked it down, showing his headband was still perfectly in place. “Satisfied?”
Kakashi turned to Harry. “And you? Are you missing anything? Fingers? Toes? Perhaps your sanity?”
Harry deadpanned. “No, but thanks for your concern.”
Kakashi squinted. “I don’t believe you.”
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his already messy hair. “Neither do I, if I’m honest.”
Shikamaru flopped down onto the bench beside Asuma, looking equally exhausted. “Because we basically went through hell.”
Ino groaned as she stretched her arms. “Ugh, I need a bath, like, now.”
Choji plopped down, munching tiredly on some chips. “Can’t believe we made it.”
Kakashi looked at Asuma with an exaggerated frown. “Your team looks fine.”
Asuma smirked. “I wouldn’t go that far.” He nodded toward Shikamaru, who had immediately slouched into the most unbothered, ‘I hate my life’ posture possible. “He’s been complaining non-stop.”
“Wouldn’t have to complain if we didn’t almost die,” Shikamaru muttered.
Kakashi turned back to his team, his serious demeanor finally setting in. His single visible eye swept over them, analyzing every cut, every bruise, every lingering tension in their stance.
“...Did something happen in the forest?” he asked, far softer this time. “Something more than just surviving?”
The four of them shared a glance.
A knowing glance.
Sakura’s fingers brushed against the metal of her headband. Sasuke’s hand flexed instinctively. Naruto’s expression darkened for just a second. Harry, who had been mostly silent, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Then, as if rehearsed—
“We’ll tell you later.”
Kakashi’s gaze flickered between them as if trying to determine how much of that was the truth. Finally, he sighed. “Fine,” he muttered, flopping onto the bench beside them. He pulled out his Icha Icha book, flipping it open halfheartedly. “But just so you know… you all owe me a detailed report after this.”
Naruto groaned. “Ugh! We just got here!”
Sakura rolled her eyes, but a small, amused smile tugged at her lips. “You do sound like a mother hen.”
Kakashi hummed, turning a page. “No, I sound like a concerned sensei. There’s a difference.”
Sasuke muttered under his breath, “There really isn’t.”
Harry sighed, shaking his head. “This is what I get for joining a team full of lunatics.”
The conversation lulled, the tension from earlier fading just a bit. For now, they could breathe and rest.
Because soon, the preliminaries would begin. And whatever came next… none of them were ready for it.
Naruto was in a mood. He slouched in his seat, arms crossed, one leg bouncing up and down as he glared up at the Hokage’s balcony. More specifically, at the old man sitting in the center. Hiruzen Sarutobi. The so-called "God of Shinobi." The man who had smiled at him, given him an allowance, ruffled his hair like a doting grandfather—all while lying to his face for years.
Naruto scowled. He hadn’t forgotten.
He wouldn’t forget.
And right now, the only thing stopping him from marching up there and punching that wrinkly old man in the face was the fact that Kakashi had literally shoved him into a seat five minutes ago with a casual, “Maybe don’t pick a fight with the Hokage in public, yeah?”
Naruto grumbled under his breath and yanked his gaze away. “Tch. Old liar.”
Sakura, sitting beside him, glanced up at the balcony. “What’s your problem now?”
“The Hokage is my problem,” Naruto muttered, jabbing a finger toward the old man. “I still haven’t gotten over the fact that he lied to me for years about my parents!”
Sakura winced. Okay, fair. That was… kind of a big deal.
Next to her, Sasuke followed Naruto’s gaze, his expression unreadable as he took in the elderly leader. He had no love for the Hokage either, but he was more interested in the other figures standing beside him.
“They look important,” Sasuke noted. “Who are the rest of them?”
Harry, seated just behind them, leaned forward slightly, his own eyes sharp as they analyzed the group. He wasn’t used to Konoha’s political structure, but even he could tell the Hokage wasn’t alone up there for no reason.
Kakashi hummed, shutting his book with a quiet snap as he followed their line of sight. “Ah. Those are the village elders and representatives. Since you’re all technically about to fight in front of them, I suppose a little explanation is in order.”
Naruto rolled his eyes. “Oh, joy.”
Kakashi ignored him and pointed first to the Hokage. “Obviously, you all know Lord Third. Despite his age, he’s still one of the strongest shinobi in the village, but more importantly, he’s the one responsible for the day-to-day operations of Konoha.”
“Yeah, yeah, moving on,” Naruto grumbled.
Kakashi flicked his forehead.
Naruto hissed, rubbing the sore spot. “Ow!”
“Patience, Naruto.” Kakashi gestured toward a wrinkled old man with a cane. “That’s Homura Mitokado, one of the village elders. He was an advisor to the Second Hokage and later to the Third. Not a shinobi anymore, but still holds political influence.”
His finger moved slightly to the side, where a hunched old woman sat with sharp, beady eyes. “Next to him is Koharu Utatane—another of the Hokage’s former teammates and an advisor. She specializes in intelligence operations and has a habit of meddling in village affairs.”
Sasuke frowned. “They look ancient. Why are they still in charge of anything?”
Kakashi let out a half-sigh, half-chuckle. “Politics, mostly.”
Naruto made a face. “Ugh. No wonder the village is such a mess.”
Harry, however, was looking past the elders, his eyes narrowing slightly at a particular man standing just behind them. His arms were folded into his robes, and his entire posture radiated a sense of quiet authority, but there was something else… something off.
“…Who’s that?” Harry asked, nodding toward the bandaged man.
Kakashi’s easygoing demeanor faded. “That,” he said, voice carefully neutral, “is Danzo Shimura.”
Immediately, all four genin caught the change in his tone.
“He doesn’t look friendly,” Sakura murmured.
“That’s because he isn’t,” Kakashi said bluntly. “Danzo is another of the Hokage’s former teammates. Unlike the others, however, he believes in taking a much more pragmatic approach to protecting the village.”
Harry frowned. “Pragmatic?”
“Meaning,” Kakashi continued, “he supports harsh, militaristic policies and believes the ends always justify the means. He’s been trying to become Hokage for years.”
Sasuke exhaled sharply through his nose. “Sounds like a real bastard.”
Kakashi chuckled, but it was a humorless sound. “You don’t know the half of it.”
Naruto scowled up at the man. There was something wrong about Danzo. Something shifty. Even from this distance, the guy gave him bad vibes.
Kakashi let them sit with the information for a moment before abruptly changing the subject. “Now,” he said, his tone light, almost too casual, “speaking of things that are wrong… when exactly were you all going to tell me you encountered Orochimaru?”
The entire team froze.
Kakashi’s single eye gleamed with sharp amusement. “Ah. There it is.”
The four genin exchanged quick, panicked glances.
Naruto’s eye twitched. Crap.
Sakura swallowed. Shit.
Sasuke clenched his fists. Damn it.
Harry exhaled slowly. We are the worst liars in existence.
And then, in perfect unison, they all cracked.
“Okay, fine!”
They started talking over each other, voices overlapping in a mess of half-explanations:
“He attacked us in the forest—!”
“—disguised as a Grass ninja—!”
“—he bit Sasuke—!”
“—I think he bit me too but I don’t know—!”
“—there was a giant snake—!”
“—there were multiple snakes—!”
“—he almost killed me—!”
“—he almost killed all of us—!”
Kakashi held up a hand. “Whoa, whoa. One at a time.”
Sakura took a deep breath. “Alright. So… here’s what happened.”
Kakashi leaned forward slightly, his lone eye focused and sharp. He wasn’t smiling anymore.
Sakura crossed her arms. “First, there was a giant snake.”
Kakashi’s brow lifted ever so slightly. “A giant snake?”
“Yes. Huge. Monstrous.” Sakura held out her arms wide for emphasis. “Like, anacondas-would-be-jealous huge. It attacked us while we were separated, and we had to take it down.”
Harry, Naruto, and Sasuke nodded in agreement.
Kakashi exhaled. “Ah. Of course.”
Sakura rolled her eyes. “After we barely dealt with that, Orochimaru came out of nowhere. He was disguised as a Genin at first, and we didn’t realize who he was until it was way too late. He was… insanely strong.”
Kakashi hummed thoughtfully. “Yes, that sounds like him.”
Sakura clenched her jaw. “We tried to fight, but it was bad. He beat us down hard. Harry saved Sasuke before Orochimaru could do… whatever the hell he was trying to do. And then I was the only one left standing.”
Naruto grumbled, crossing his arms. “Still pissed about that.”
Sasuke’s fingers twitched. “Hn.”
Kakashi nodded, his expression unreadable. “And?”
Sakura exhaled, gripping her elbows. “I ended up fighting off some assassins. Sound ninja. They were there to finish us off.” She hesitated, then added, “That’s where I got the stupid scar.”
Kakashi’s gaze flickered to the edge of her headband. “I see.”
“I held my own,” she continued, “but I wasn’t going to last much longer. Team 10 showed up, and we helped each other out. We ran into some dude named Kabuto and his teammate Yoroi. They were about to get killed, so we helped them too, but after that, we left.”
Kakashi’s expression didn’t change, but there was a slight shift in his posture. “Kabuto?”
“Yeah, he said he was from Otogakure.” Sakura frowned. “But something about him was… weird.”
Kakashi didn’t say anything immediately. Instead, he just nodded for her to continue.
Sakura exhaled. “Then, in the morning, Sasuke woke up with that—” she pointed at the now-hidden mark on Sasuke’s neck “—this weird seal thing. We’re pretty sure it’s from Orochimaru, but we don’t know how it happened, because we were all asleep. And…” she hesitated. “Well, maybe I have it too.”
Kakashi straightened slightly. “You think you have it?”
Sakura shrugged, rubbing the back of her neck. “I don’t know. I feel fine, mostly, just tired. And there’s nothing there—like, no mark, no pain, nothing. So it’s just a theory.” She held up her hands. “Allegedly, guys.”
Naruto and Harry gave her skeptical looks.
Sasuke just grunted.
Kakashi’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting back to Sasuke. “And you? How does it feel?”
Sasuke’s jaw tightened. “…Like my body is burning itself from the inside out.”
Kakashi’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“Right,” he murmured. “That’s… problematic.”
Harry, who had been quiet for most of the explanation, narrowed his eyes. “You know what this is.”
Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “Yes, I do. But it’s… complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it,” Naruto grumbled.
Kakashi sighed. “I will, but not here. Later.” His voice left no room for argument.
The four genin exchanged uneasy glances.
Kakashi studied them all carefully, then leaned back, crossing his arms. “Well,” he finally said, “that was a terrible experience.”
Naruto snorted. “No shit.”
Kakashi ignored him. “But, considering the circumstances, you all handled yourselves remarkably well.”
Naruto blinked. “Wait, really?”
Kakashi nodded. “Yes. You survived an encounter with Orochimaru—which, in itself, is an accomplishment. You made sound tactical decisions, protected each other, and didn’t let yourselves fall apart under pressure.” His gaze softened just a fraction. “I’m proud of you.”
Silence.
Naruto looked away, ears pink.
Sasuke grunted.
Harry gave a small nod.
Sakura exhaled, the tension she hadn’t realized she was holding slowly unwinding.
“…Thanks, Sensei,” she muttered.
Kakashi’s eye curved slightly in amusement. “Of course.” Then, after a pause, he added lightly, “Though, next time? Maybe mention that you fought one of the most dangerous men in the world before I have to guess it myself.”
Naruto groaned, shoving his face into his hands. “We suck at keeping secrets.”
Harry chuckled. “Atrocious, really.”
Kakashi just sighed.
He had his work cut out for him. Kakashi exhaled through his nose, scrutinizing the two members of his team who now carried Orochimaru’s mark.
Sasuke and Sakura.
His gaze settled on Sasuke first. The curse mark on the boy’s neck was faint but visible—three tomoe forming a crude pattern against his skin. More concerningly, Sasuke’s chakra had already merged with it. Not fighting it, not suppressing it, but fully integrating it into his system.
That was… fast. Too fast.
Kakashi’s brow furrowed slightly. That means the process is already complete. It wasn’t acting up or surging uncontrollably, which meant Sasuke wasn’t in immediate danger of succumbing to its influence. Still, the fact that his chakra had accepted it rather than rejecting or subduing it was worrying in its own way.
His eyes flickered to Sakura.
At first, she didn’t appear to have the mark at all. There were no visible traces on her skin, no sign of the curse seeping through her chakra network. But Kakashi had been a shinobi far too long to take things at face value. He activated his Sharingan, letting its heightened perception peel back the layers of her chakra flow.
There on her left shoulder, partially concealed beneath her clothing.
Unlike Sasuke’s, hers wasn’t pronounced or even fully developed. It was faded, almost dormant—but not inactive. In fact, something strange was happening. Her chakra is actively keeping it suppressed. Kakashi’s gaze sharpened. No, it was doing more than just subduing it. Her chakra was slowly taking the curse mark’s energy. Bit by bit, it was siphoning the power—draining it like a battery, integrating it at its own pace instead of allowing the seal to dictate the terms. The process was happening so gradually that it wasn’t outwardly visible, but the Sharingan made it clear.
It’s adapting and s he’s adapting. That was… unexpected.
“Alright,” Kakashi said finally, pulling his attention back.
Sakura frowned. “Alright, what?”
Kakashi placed his hands on his hips. “If you both have the Curse Mark, I’m not going to pull you from the exams.”
Sakura and Sasuke both stiffened.
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Why not?”
Kakashi tilted his head slightly. “Because, at this point, it’s already done. Pulling you out won’t change the fact that you have it. What is important is making sure no one else finds out.”
Sasuke didn’t react. His mark was hidden well enough under his shirt collar—unless someone was actively searching, it wouldn’t be obvious.
Sakura, on the other hand, pressed a hand to her shoulder, her expression tightening. “So I really do have it…”
Kakashi nodded. “It’s faint, but yes.”
Naruto scowled. “Why the hell is hers almost invisible, but Sasuke’s is, like, right there?”
Kakashi sighed. “That’s what’s interesting.” His gaze flickered to Sasuke. “Sasuke’s body accepted the mark immediately. It merged with his chakra without resistance, which is why it’s fully developed.”
Sasuke clenched his fists but said nothing.
Kakashi turned back to Sakura. “Yours is different. Your chakra isn’t rejecting it—but it’s not accepting it either.”
Sakura’s frown deepened. “Then what is it doing?”
Kakashi’s visible eye darkened. “It’s draining it. Taking its power and integrating it at a slow, controlled pace. Instead of the curse mark taking over you, your chakra is overriding it—leeching its energy like a parasite.”
A heavy silence settled over them.
Sakura swallowed. “…Is that bad?”
Kakashi exhaled. “It’s risky, but… not necessarily bad.” He folded his arms. “In theory, it means you won’t experience any of the usual side effects—like losing control or succumbing to Orochimaru’s influence. But it also means your chakra system is constantly engaged in a delicate balance.”
Sakura’s lips pressed into a thin line.
That was… unsettling.
Naruto blinked. “Wait—so you’re saying she’s, like… using the curse mark instead of it using her?”
Kakashi nodded. “That’s what it looks like.”
Harry, who had been quiet up until now, crossed his arms. “So, hypothetically… if she keeps draining it, what happens when there’s nothing left?”
Kakashi hesitated. That was an excellent question.
“…I don’t know,” he admitted. “Orochimaru designed this seal for a purpose. What happens if Sakura completely reverses that purpose… is anyone’s guess.”
Sakura bit her lip, deep in thought. Kakashi sighed and reached into his pouch, pulling out a small case. He flipped it open to reveal several vials of dark green liquid.
Harry raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
Kakashi pulled out two vials, handing one to Sasuke and one to Sakura. “A medicine that restores chakra and speeds up healing. If either of you start feeling strange, take it.”
Sakura eyed the vial with hesitation but nodded, slipping it into her pouch.
Sasuke, still silent, did the same.
Kakashi let out a breath. “Now, make sure you hide the mark.” He turned to Sasuke. “Yours is mostly covered, but don’t let anyone see it.”
Sasuke gave a curt nod.
Kakashi’s gaze shifted to Sakura. “Yours isn’t visible to the naked eye, but keep it concealed anyway.”
Sakura reached up and adjusted her headband, shifting it down slightly the way he wore his, concealing part of her forehead and shadowing her face.
Kakashi blinked.
She wasn’t just hiding a scar. She was hiding a weakness. A lesson she had taken to heart.
His expression softened just a fraction.
“…Good,” he murmured, before stepping back.
Naruto crossed his arms. “Still doesn’t answer why that snake bastard is going around branding people like livestock.”
Harry sighed. “Orochimaru is a scientist. He obviously did this for a reason.”
Sasuke remained silent, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Sakura exhaled. “Yeah, but what reason?” It couldn't be just for immortality or power.
Kakashi shook his head. “We’ll worry about that later.” He gestured toward the arena. “For now, go find a seat. The Third Stage is about to begin.”
Team 7 exchanged glances, then begrudgingly moved to find a seat. Kakashi remained behind for a moment, watching them go. Two of his students had been branded by Orochimaru. And yet, somehow… they were still standing.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
This is far from over.
The five-minute break passed in a blur, vanishing beneath the weight of anticipation. The gathered genin, standing shoulder to shoulder, each carried a different expression—some brimming with excitement, others hardened with quiet determination. A few shifted uneasily, fingers twitching at their sides, uncertain of what the coming matches would hold.
The arena hummed with energy, the air thick with unspoken tension. This was it—the true test. The Forest of Death had been a battle for survival, but this was different. Here, they were not just fighting to endure. They were fighting to prove themselves.
High above the arena, the stands were filled with observing eyes. Some belonged to mentors and sensei, silently analyzing their students. Others belonged to influential figures of the shinobi world—leaders, nobles, and potential future employers, all watching with calculating interest.
At the center of it all stood Hayate Gekkō, the proctor of this stage, his posture relaxed but his sharp eyes missing nothing. He coughed lightly into his fist before addressing the assembled genin.
"The Third Exam is officially beginning."
His voice, though somewhat hoarse, carried across the open space with ease. The room seemed to exhale at his words, the weight of reality settling over the competitors.
"For this stage, you will engage in one-on-one battles. The purpose of these fights is to display your skill, strength, and tactical ability before the esteemed individuals watching from above. Whether you win or lose is not the sole factor in determining your advancement. It is how you fight that will be evaluated."
A murmur spread among the genin, some relieved, others tense.
Hayate continued, unfazed. "The matchups will be decided at random. You will fight until one of you is either knocked out, incapacitated or concedes defeat. If I determine that a match has reached a dangerous point, I will intervene. Killing your opponent is not permitted." His tone hardened slightly at the last statement, though he knew that some among the gathered genin wouldn’t necessarily heed the warning.
His words barely had time to settle before the sound of machinery whirred to life.
All eyes turned toward the large screen mounted on the wall, its display flickering as the names of the contestants cycled through at dizzying speeds. The randomized selection process was impartial, cold, and final. The genin watched with bated breath as names rolled past, the seconds stretching unbearably long—
And then, it stopped.
Two names stood boldly on the screen.
A ripple of reaction spread through the room as the first match was set.
The battle was about to begin.