After walking out discreetly from the Forest of Death, Kakashi picked up Karin and sped up toward his house. Not wanting to be noticed by anyone.
He didn't want the higher-ups to know about Karin now, especially Danzo. He had a plan in his mind that would work with Taunade's help.
After some time they arrived at his house and saw Ranmaru training at the doorstep.
"Kakashi-sensei? Is the chunin exam over?" Ranmaru asked.
"Not yet, and this is Karin," Kakashi said as he introduced Karin.
"Hello." Ranmaru gave a polite bow which Karin also returned a shaky one.
As they finished the introductions, Kakashi led Karin into the house and directed her to an empty room.
"You will stay in this room and do not leave the house without me coming back."
"Also there is Ranmaru, if you need anything you tell him. I will probably be late tonight but Kurenai should be home." Kakashi said as he patted her head.
Karin looked at Kakashi and nodded with a reluctant look on her face.
"Don't worry about anything and leave it to me," Kakashi said before vanishing on the spot.
…..
In the distance, the shadow of the massive tower grew larger and larger, its walls blending into the night sky like a looming fortress.
"There it is!" Naruto jumped, pumping his fists in the air. "Tower, sweet tower!"
Sakura smiled tiredly. "Don't celebrate too early, Naruto. We still have to make it inside."
Sasuke barely acknowledged the conversation, his sharp gaze flickering across every dark corner and canopy above them.
Kakashi's training had sharpened his instincts, and after their meeting with Kabuto, he wasn't about to let his guard down.
"Stay alert," Sasuke muttered. "We're not the only ones who made it this far."
True enough some chakra signatures flickered here and there around the perimeter. Some teams were lurking, waiting for an easy ambush.
Naruto cracked his knuckles, grinning wildly. "Heh, let them try!"
As They moved faster now, jumping between trees, and ducking low under branches. The base of the tower came into full view massive, gray, and foreboding. Thick doors sealed the entrance. Above them, faint lights flickered from high windows.
"Looks abandoned," Naruto whispered dramatically.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "It's supposed to look like that. C'mon."
They reached the heavy doors without incident, but the problem was obvious, there was no handle, no lock, nothing but a strange inscription on the stone.
"What the heck's this say?" Naruto squinted at it.
Sasuke stepped closer, studying the words carefully.
"When the heaven and earth scrolls meet, the path to the truth shall be revealed."
"Heaven and earth scrolls…?" Sakura's brow furrowed.
Sasuke pulled out the two scrolls from Naruto's pack. "Heaven and Earth. We have both."
"We have to open them together," Sakura said.
Naruto fidgeted. "Uh, sure that's safe? I mean, what if it's a trap?! Like a boom, boom-BOOM trap!"
Sasuke gave him a deadpan look. "If you're scared, step back."
"Hey! I ain't scared!" Naruto puffed out his cheeks but edged a little backward anyway.
Sasuke and Sakura knelt side by side, each holding a scroll. Carefully, they broke the seals at the same time.
For a brief second, nothing happened.
Then POOF!
Smoke exploded outward in a soft gust, and a figure appeared in the middle.
"Sensei?!" Sakura gasped.
Kakashi stood there, casual as ever, flipping through his orange book.
"Oh, good. You made it," he said, glancing up with a lazy smile.
"WHAT?! You were hiding in a SCROLL?!" Naruto's jaw dropped.
Kakashi tilted his head lazily. "Not me. It was a summoning seal. Designed to alert examiners that you've arrived safely with both scrolls. However, if you opened it elsewhere…"
Sasuke relaxed minutely but kept his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings.
Sakura stood up straighter. "Sensei, we encountered some strange things."
Kakashi closed his book with a soft snap, his eyes sharpening. "I know. A few teams have already been eliminated. Including the Sound team."
Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. "Tch! We crushed them!"
"Not surprising," Kakashi said dryly. "I expected no less."
Sasuke frowned slightly. "Sensei… about that Kabuto. He's very suspicious."
Kakashi gave a small nod, already knowing. "Good instincts. You'll have your answers soon enough."
Naruto groaned. "What does that mean? More waiting?!"
Kakashi only chuckled and gestured to the open doors behind him. "Come on. Time for you to get some rest before the next phase."
…
The inside of the tower was cooler, lit by long lines of dim torches along the walls. The corridors twisted and turned like a maze, but Kakashi guided them smoothly to a wide central room where other teams were already gathering.
Immediately, Team 7 recognized several familiar faces
Naruto immediately waved both arms. "YO! Kiba! Shikamaru! We made it!"
Several heads turned. Some looked relieved. Others-especially from the foreign villages, wore wary expressions.
Sasuke noted Gaara's slight smirk when he opened his eyes.
Dangerous.
Kakashi patted Naruto on the head, making the blonde yelp.
"Behave," he said simply.
The tall doors to the room creaked open again.
Iruka and several other Chunin instructors entered, along with the proctor for the next phase.
As Hiruzen welcomed the students and was about to make a speech, a voice interrupted him. He turned his head and saw that the half-dead Hayate shook his head and went to his seat.
Hayate Gekko stepped forward, coughing into his hand before speaking.
His voice was raspy, but his words were clear.
"Congratulations on making it this far. You have proven yourselves capable of surviving the Forest of Death."
Hayate glanced across the room, his expression serious.
"But this is not the end. Before proceeding to the final stage, we need to thin the numbers. A preliminary round will be held immediately."
Groans echoed through the room.
"NOW?!" Naruto wailed. "But we just got here! I'm still sore!"
Shikamaru slumped even lower. "This is so troublesome…"
Hayate ignored them. "If you are unable to fight, you may withdraw now."
"I give up!" A voice from the genin came.
Hayate turned his head and saw a silver-haired Ninja raise his hand.
"Your name was Kabuto Yakushi, right?" Hayate said. He knew this cowardly Ninja who gave up on every exam.
"Yes, I'm very exhausted and can't go on anymore," Kabuto replied.
"Very well you can leave," Hayate said and turned his attention to the others who stayed.