A/N: Thank you for the reviews! Just a reminder, Gohan knows instant transmission, Gohan can return home at any point(He has a ship in the woods). Don't forget the pairs are InoxGohan and NarutoxSakura.
Sakura walked in circles as she looked at the map of the forest, old her would have been scared out of her mind, but her now isn't really worried. Between her newfound skills and the skills of her team, she had nothing to worry about.
"Sakura." Called out a familiar blonde bring Sakura out of her focus.
"Oh Ino, hey how have you been? I haven't seen you since movie night." Replied Sakura as she looked up to see her good friend realizing her features have changed she still wore her typical purple outfit but her arms are much more tone and her eyes have become an icy blue.
"Me, I've been good. Just chilling to say the least." Chuckled Ino as she looked Sakura up in down. "Looks like somebody's been training a lot huh? Gotta catch up to your team somehow right." Ino said with a laugh
"Oh yeah yeah, same thing goes for you, I see Gohan has been treating you right." Replied Sakura looking her friend up and down "Looks like you're trying to stay ahead of your team." The pinkette added as she tilted her head and eyed Choji and Shikamaru.
"What a drag" Huffed Shikamaru.
"Sakura come on, it's time." Shouted Naruto from the distance as he waved her over to the booth.
"Well good luck in there Ino." Exclaimed Sakura as she began to walk away.
"You too forehead." Ino Jokingly replied
Sakura stopped in her tracks and turned around with overwhelming malice in her eyes.
"Oh, and Ino if you die in there I'll kill you." Sakura declared "Bye pig" she added as she walked away
"You care to explain that last part ?" Asked Choji
"Just think of it as sisterly love," Ino answered with a smirk. "Alright, kids lets become chunin." She added as she ushered her team to one of the several entrances.
XXX
"Hm, the time has come to carry out our orders in the open." Said the hunchback ninja from the sound
XXX
"Hey Gohan try not to use super saiyan and keep flying to a minimum, we aren't trying to attract any hostels that we don't need to," Sakura told Gohan as he was warming up
"Got it no Super saiyan, little flying." He replied between push ups.
XXX
"You know who we're looking for ?" Asked an ominous figure sporting bamboo hats from the mist
"Yeah those four brats" replied their teammates
XXX
The remaining teams sprinted into the forest ready to fight, tree hopping further into the forest. Not ten minutes after the gates opened animalistic roars filled the are with human screams following right after them. Teams were already dropping like flies in the winter.
(15 hours into the second part of the exam)
Ino and her team snuck around the forest floor trying to avoid confrontation and maybe even clean up a team after the had just got into a fight.
Choji decides to sit down and have a snack instead of continuing to move like the rest of his team.
"Sage of Six paths Choji you can't go five hours without shoveling crap into your face huh ?" Asked Ino as she watched choji crack open another bag of chips
"Hey, I gotta keep my energy up somehow." He replied as he stuffed his face more
"I mean she's right Chojo, there is like 2,250 calories in each bag of those, you're on your fifth bag in fifteen hours so that's like 750 calories every hour, we've walked maybe 5 kilometers total and you burn something like 45 calories every kilometer we walk. So that means you'd first have to stop eating the chips and walk 50 kilometers to work off ONE of those bags, that's almost the entire perimeter of the forest. So either put the food away or start your four laps around the edge and we won't be there to cheer you on." Explained Shikamaru in the most annoyed mother tone he could pull off.
"Jeez okay I get it, I'll put it away. You don't have to give me a stern talking to you could have just told me" Replied Choji as he put his chips back into his pouch
"Look I'm glad you guys got that figured out but two squads are closing in on us and we don't have time to leave so we gotta hide." Explain Ino as she looked at the tree branches as she pulled her team into some bushes.
"I could have sworn I heard people this way." Said a Grass ninja wearing a padded white bodysuit as they touched down to where team Ino once was.
Two other ninjas sporting the same outfit also touched down and looked around
"Yeah, I'm certain I heard them too." Added another as they started to look around
Team Ino kept quiet as they were waiting for the perfect time to strike.
"Hey check this out." Said a member of the group calling their teammates over.
"It's sand, what about it ?" Replied one of the ninjas
"You tell me what sand is doing in the middle of the forest ?" Asked the finder of the sand
"Is it… Is it moving ?" Asked the third ninja getting a close look at the mysterious sand as it started to spike up and become more aggressive. " Uh, Guys He-"
The ninja wasn't even able to get his last words out before getting impaled from under the chin by the sand. The look of horror and panic on not only the Grass ninjas face but also Team Ino's face.
"Wherever you are come out and fight us like a real chunin would." Command a Grass ninja as a red headed boy with a gourd one his back emerged from the shadows.
"You don't tell me what to do." Said the boy as more sand flowed out the gourd and onto the ground slowly taking over the two shocked ninjas.
The sand lifted them high into the air before it took over their entire bodies. The red headed boy stood there looking at his two victims with an open hand.
"Sand Coffin" Exclaimed the redhead as sand completely covered the two Grass ninja
"I could just cover your mouth and watch you slowly run out of air." Explained the sand user as the two ninjas cried for help and forgiveness. "But that would take too long and be less fun."
"Sand" Exclaimed the sand user as sand spears started to float in the air around the two coffinated ninjas "Burial" the ninja finished as the floating spears drove into the coffins impaling those inside.
Blood rained down on the forest floor dripping on the Team Ino and the murder.
"Gaara" called at a female voice
A woman with a large fan on her back appeared out of the forest.
"What Temari, can't you see I'm busy interrupt me again and I'll kill you." Commanded Gaara with a stone cold voice.
"Oh-I-Um-Sorry, We found the tower. It's about five minutes west." She replied with worry in her voice.
"Alright then lets get going, I've grown tired of these weaklings. Did you run across those leaf ninja for earlier?
"No we didn't, but the third round is usually a tournament so we should find them there," she Replied as she jumped into the tree.
"Good" Gaara replied as the sand carried him through the forest.
Ino sat up shivering looking at her teammates in shock both Choji and Shikamaru returned the look as well.
"He didn't even take the scroll, he just killed them just cause." Said Choji coming to the realization.
"Yeah and if she was right that means that there is a chance that one of us might have to face him in the final part of the exams," Shikamaru added
"Nevertheless we should see if that team had a scroll we could use and move on to the tower. The less time we spend in here the better." Said Ino getting up and searching the bloodbath."Let's go" she added as she picked up the now dead team's scroll
XXX
"So which one of you have it or do I have to take you both out !" Exclaimed the masked Rain ninja as he lunged at Sasuke and Sakura.
Sasuke leaps back as he forms hand signs.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu" Yelled Sasuke as he spit fireballs at the ninja.
The ninja from the rain continued to dodge the attack and brought the fight to close combat causing them and the Uchiha to clash kunai.
"TAG OUT !" Exclaimed Gohan as he jumped in where the Uchiha once was.
"You're dealing with me now." Said the Demi-Saiyan as he hit the sound ninja with a jumping knee knocking him back a few yards.
Gohan didn't let up space and followed up with two gut-wrenching punches to the stomach the first one causing the ninja to leave the ground and the second making him float.
"His speed I can't keep up… This... This is the end of me" Thought the Rain ninja
Gohan grabs the floating ninja by the leg slamming him into the forest floor.
"TAG OUT" Exclaimed Naruto following form the sky, seeing the rain ninja bounce off the floor.
"Sword of The Lightning God" Exclaimed Naruto as his sword turned an electric yellow and the sound of lightning cracked.
The rain ninja spat up blood as the sword connected with his torso. The heat from the sword cartrized his wound so he wouldn't bleed out but the attack hurt like hell.
"Where'd you learn that ?" Asked a surprised Sasuke
"It was part of my training, I learned a lot of new things did you not ?" Replied Naruto
"Anyways we've gotta keep moving, we don't know when this guys team is going to show up and with all the commotion we've made people will be after us without a doubt." Said Gohan as he walked over to the ninja from the village hidden in the rain, checking his body.
"Looks like dinners on you Sakura! Our friend here had an Earth scroll." Cheered Gohan as he tossed the scroll to Naruto.
"Oh brother, I've seen how both Naruto and Gohan eat. I didn't think we'd actually do it." Thought Sakura.
"Lets get a move on, the tower shouldn't be too far from us-" Sasuke tried to command before getting cut off by a huge burst of wind.
"What was that ?!" Asked Sasuke
"I don't know, another attack maybe? Where's Naruto ?" Asked Gohan
"Guys! Hey! What the heck was that ?" Asked Naruto emerging from the woods
"Woah stay back !" Exclaimed Sakura
"Yeah Naruto stay where you are, I've got a question for you. Where'd you get your sword." Asked Gohan looking at his friend with suspicious eyes.
"What do you mean? I got it from the weapons shop in town." Replied "Naruto" with a confused expression.
Gohan turns to his team with a look of concern.
"That's not Naruto" Explained Gohan
Both Sasuke and Sakura were shocked to hear the news.
"Alright who are you and what have you done with my teammate." Asked Sasuke getting a little hostile.
"What do you mean, I am your teammate." Reasoned Naruto
"You're not, That question I asked you was something only me and the real Naruto know the answer to and you answered wrong." Explained Gohan sliding into a fighting stance.
"Clever boy." Said "Naruto" as a huge puff of smoke appeared.
Emerging from the puff of smoke was a tall, slim, figured person with very pale skin, golden eyes with slitted pupils, purple markings around his eyes and fang-like teeth, wearing plain grey garbs with a black polo and pants underneath, a thick purple rope belt tied in a large knot behind his back.
"This promises to be very entertaining." Said the new Enemy licking their lips in a snake like fashion.
"Alright they are creepy, but where is Naruto ?"Thought Sakura
XXX
"Okay upsie daisy, huh? Where are Gohan, Sakura, and Sasuke? I've gotta get back to them." Said Naruto as he got himself up from the ground but before he could completely gather himself a huge shadow covered him.
A colossal sized snake towered over Naruto hissing, ready to attack. Naruto stands up and sizes the snake up slowly moving his hand toward his sword unsheathing it.
"Alright, we can do this the easy way or the hard way." Explained Naruto as he moves into a sword stance.
The snake hissed and started to attack.
"Looks like you chose the hard way." Said Naruto as he dashed forward.
"Tenfold Funeral." Shouted Naruto as ten after images appeared in front of the snake but before the snake could do anything it was turned into sushi.
Naruto landed and sheathed his sword.
"Pheww that was fun." Said Naruto as he ran toward the action and hopefully his teammates.
XXX
"Well when this is over one of use will have both scrolls and the other will be dead." Said the Naruto impersonator.
Sasuke and Sakura drop to their knees, Sasuke started to vomit.
"Is this...Is this a Genjustsu? No, it's more than that their thirst for blood is almost tangible" Thought Sasuke
"Hmm, he stands tall even though his team wavered." Thought the character
"Gohan we gotta go, we can't win" Exclaimed Sasuke
"He's right boy, this fight even with all three you at peak power you wouldn't stand a chance." Said the bloodthirsty ninja.
"Hey, Guys! What's going on ?!" Shouted a familiar voice running up to Gohan
"Naruto listen take the team somewhere safe while I fight this guy, they're out for blood and I can't risk you getting hurt." Commanded Gohan
"I understand" Replied Naruto as he picked up both his teammates and vanished into the trees.
"Oh? Ha, you choose to fight me alone, you think you can take me by yourself? What a joke of a ninja you are." Laughed the Ninja
"What's your name ?" Asked Gohan
"My name? My name is Orochimaru but not like it'll matter, you won't be living to see another day." Said Orochimaru licking his lips.
"Orochimaru huh? Interesting." Replied Gohan as he vanished
"That speed." Thought Orochimaru before a lag connected to his head sending him flying.
"You dirty child I'll kill you." Yelled Orochimaru as he hopped back to his feet and dashed at Gohan, sending a flurry of palm strikes that were being blocked.
Gohan jumped back a yard giving Orochimaru enough time to throw three kunai at him. Gohan caught two and backflipped catching the last one on the bottom of his foot with kai and as his backflip ended shooting it back at the villain with two times the speed flying past Orochimaru's face giving him a small cut on the cheek.
"Kukukukuku you seem to be more of a challenge than I thought." Said Orochimaru as he started to flash through hand signs and brought his fingers to his mouth and let out an inferno.
But the fire jutsu didn't connect with Gohan only forest behind him. Gohan appeared behind Orochimaru "Oh you've gotta be quicker than that."
"Don't toy with me boy, face your death like the maggot you are." Shouted Orochimaru
Gohan reappeared back in his previous spot sliding into a fighting stance. Orochimaru liked his lips and charged Gohan again sending punches and kicks the Demi-Saiyan's way. None of those punches and kicks however connected getting blocked are dodged by the leader of Team 7.
XXX
"I brought you guys into the trees so we can watch the fight and help Gohan if he needs it." Explained Naruto as he watched the fight from above
"Thank you Naruto," Said Sakura as she watched the fight as well
"Look at him go, I wonder how strong Gohan truly is," Sakura added as her head bobbed around trying to keep up with the fight.
"Well if that guy is who he says he is, that means Gohan is in a league far ahead of us, one of his own." Said Sasuke analyzing the fight with his Sharingan.
"What do you mean ?" Asked Naruto
"Well he said he was Orochimaru, the only Orochimaru I've ever heard of was part of The Legendary Sannin. Yes, the Legendary Sannin the ones who survived Hanzo of the Salamander's attack during the Second Shinobi World War. Orochimaru was one of them along with Lady Tsunade and Jiraiya." Explained Sasuke
"So that means Gohan is on a league with the people who train us." Said Sakura
"No, he's even higher, he could have gone Super Saiyan and end of this easily but he's sticking to the rules you set for him and not doing it at all." Said Sasuke
"Look even closer, he hasn't thrown an attack since the first kick." Added Naruto
"To think someone that strong is on our team. I'm glad he is" Thought Sakura.
XXX
Gohan did three back handsprings as Orochimaru's neck slithered his way but on Gohan's final back handspring he kicked Orochimaru in the chin sending him into the chair.
"Alright time to end this." Said Gohan as he teleported behind the snake ninja slamming him into the ground but before he hit the ground Gohan was already there catching him by the back of his shirt holding him like a used tissue then tossing him up again and slamming him over his knee making Orochimaru scream in agony.
"I thought I would wipe the floor with this child, but this whole time he had me squared away. He knew he was going to win all along." Thought Orochimaru as he fell to the ground, rolling over on his stomach and making his way to his feet.
Gohan appeared in the sky with a dark blue ball of kai that had rings spiraling around it, spinning counterclockwise of the kai ball's rotation.
"Kaidori !" Yelled Gohan as the attack connected with Orochimaru's chest sending him flying deep into the forest.
The rest of Team 7 jumped down from the trees to congratulated Gohan.
"Holy Crap Gohan What Was That." Asked Naruto in a hyped manor.
"Oh it was a new move I've been working on, I saw Kakashi-sensei use the Chidori while fighting Zabuza and I wanted to make my own so the Kaidori was born !" Explained Gohan
"Well, that was amazing." Said Sakura "But we should get going the sun's about to fall." she added
"She's right, we've collected our scrolls so lets go." Said Sasuke a little jealous of the move but didn't let it show.
Team 7 moved out, getting to the tower shortly after.
XXX
Ten kilometers on from the entrances of The Forest of Death Orochimaru laid coughing up blood.
"This plan is going to need some revision, I didn't even get a chance to plant the curse mark on the Uchiha." Said Orochimaru to himself as he got up and started to walk away from the forest.
XXX
"Dosu retreat! We've got the scroll we need no need to keep fighting." Explained a long haired girl from the sound
"You're right, besides we're far outmatched. Grab Zaku and leave." Said the hunchback as he treated into the trees.
"Where do you think you're going." Shouted the fighter they were retreating from as shurikens made of ice lined the tree where the long haired girl once stood.
"Tsch you leaf ninja never stop amazing me." Said the girl as she retreated into the forest with her teammate on her back.
"My body...My body is so cold." Mumbled Zaku
A/N: And that's the end of that part of the exams! Big things are coming! What did you think of Gohan's new move? What did you think of Naruto's new moves? Who do you think the ice user is? What do you think will happen in the prelims? Tell me in the reviews ! And until next time Peace peace