Yakushi Kabuto introduced himself to Naruto's team, explaining that he had become separated from his companions.
"We were supposed to regroup at the tower in the center of the Forest of Death," he said calmly. "That's where the second part of the Chūnin Exam concludes."
Naruto glanced at him and shrugged. "Oh, follow me if you want."
He didn't seem too bothered about taking Kabuto along. Since he had already proven himself strong, having additional support wouldn't hurt. After all, Kabuto's name was familiar, and Naruto had heard rumors about him during the exam.
Hearing Naruto's casual agreement, Sasuke and Sakura naturally had no objections. Thus, the four-man team began moving towards the central tower together.
It was only the second day of the exam—three more days remained before it ended. As they walked, Kabuto took the initiative to share his insights into the current situation, perhaps to gain their trust.
"I suspect there'll be several teams ambushing others near the central tower," he explained. "It's safer there than wandering through the forest aimlessly. And if you set up traps early, you might snatch a scroll or two without too much trouble. Get lucky, and you can walk straight into the tower and finish the mission."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully. "That… actually makes sense."
Kabuto really did sound experienced. It was no wonder—he had taken the Chūnin Exams multiple times and knew the ins and outs better than most.
"Hmm... I guess he really is a veteran," Naruto thought. "No wonder he's failed the exam so many times!"
"..."
Kabuto: Why does this Naruto talk like that? I didn't fail the exam because I wasn't good enough… I failed it because Orochimaru-sama needed intel on the candidates!
---
Two days passed uneventfully.
Just as Kabuto had predicted, they encountered little resistance. Most Genin teams were likely already on their way to or waiting near the central tower.
"That's it!" Kabuto exclaimed, pointing ahead.
Through the trees, a glowing structure rose like a beacon—the central tower, where the mission would be officially completed.
"We still have a full day left," Kabuto said thoughtfully. "Should we prepare a trap of our own and wait for solo Genin to appear?"
Sasuke, ever cautious and analytical, nodded. "Because of Orochimaru's interference, we lost the chance to get the scroll early on. Setting a trap might be our best shot now."
Naruto was about to respond—but suddenly, his expression changed. His body tensed, his voice turned cold.
"Sasuke!"
"Yeah, Naruto!" Sasuke's response was immediate.
Without hesitation, his eyes morphed into the crimson hue of the Sharingan, revealing two spinning tomoe. He drew a kunai and dropped into a defensive stance.
Without realizing it, they had stepped into a genjutsu.
"Demonic Illusion: Heart of the Fox Technique!"
A low-level illusion, it made the victim disoriented and dizzy—spinning them in circles, almost like being cursed by a fox or a raccoon dog. Though simple, it was effective.
"Release!"
With a low growl, Naruto broke the genjutsu.
The forest shimmered, and the illusion dissolved.
The once-distant tower now loomed only a few meters away. Somehow, they had wandered much farther than they realized.
"We were so close?" Naruto said, narrowing his eyes. "They tried to wear us out using illusions. But they picked the wrong targets."
Kabuto's face showed a flash of fear.
Too exaggerated, Naruto noticed.
"Is this guy… acting?" he thought, watching Kabuto carefully.
Sakura noticed it too. She swiftly drew a kunai and adopted a battle stance. It was clear they had to be ready for anything.
Suddenly, Sasuke's sharp voice cut through the silence.
"They're here!"
Black-clad figures emerged from behind the thick trees, surrounding them on all sides. Their faces were obscured by bandages, and their movements were unnatural—like puppets or zombies.
"What… what are those things?" Sakura whispered, clutching her weapon tightly. "They don't even look human…"
"Another illusion?" Naruto questioned.
"Only one way to find out," Sasuke said flatly.
Without wasting time, he performed hand signs and exhaled.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!"
A volley of small, flaming fireballs shot through the air in all directions, targeting the black ninjas. The forest lit up in bursts of orange and red as the fireballs exploded around them.
Yet, the black-clad enemies didn't vanish.
Instead, their numbers increased.
"What the…? That's not how illusions work," Naruto muttered.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes and focused. His Sharingan saw through the deception. The figures were just shadows. Through them, he spotted faint chakra signatures underground.
"There!"
Sasuke pointed to the ground beneath them.
Sakura jumped high into the air and brought her fist down with full force.
BOOM!
The earth cracked, sending rocks and dust flying. Hidden beneath the soil, two Rain Village ninja were revealed—caught like moles in a trap.
Realizing they had been discovered, the two attempted to flee.
Kabuto suddenly stepped forward, attempting to block their escape path.
"Out of my way!" one of the Rain Shinobi snarled, striking Kabuto with a powerful blow that sent him crashing to the ground.
Naruto appeared behind them like a silent ghost.
Before they could react, his kunai slashed across both their necks. The two enemies collapsed instantly—no theatrics, no words. Just swift, clean execution.
Kabuto, still on the ground, reached out and retrieved a scroll from one of the corpses.
"It's the Scroll of Heaven!" he said excitedly.
Sakura peered over his shoulder. "Oh… it's only the Heaven Scroll? I was hoping we'd get the Earth Scroll instead…"
Naruto didn't reply. He just kept staring at Kabuto.
There was something off about him.
Too perfect. Too knowledgeable. Too eager.
Naruto had deliberately held back, letting the others take the lead, so he could observe Kabuto more closely.
"This guy… he's definitely hiding something."
---
Meanwhile, outside the forest, the viewing screens were buzzing with activity.
Hatake Kakashi leaned forward slightly. "This Naruto… he's quite cautious."
Jiraiya chuckled. "He wasn't always like that. He's grown a lot. Though, come to think of it, didn't Naruto get completely fooled by Kabuto back then?"
Naruto (watching from another location) scratched his head sheepishly. "What can I say? Kabuto did help us a lot during the exam…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "He helped you only so he could get closer to Sasuke and gather intel."
Shikamaru Nara frowned thoughtfully. "But I remember something. Didn't Kabuto grow up in a Konoha orphanage? Why would he betray the village?"
Hiruzen paused.
The question hit him harder than expected. Shikamaru, a prodigy of the Nara clan, had a sharp mind and always spotted the cracks others missed.
Hiruzen knew the truth—but he couldn't say it.
Saying it would expose the dark secrets buried deep within Konoha.
Shimura Danzō suddenly spoke, his voice finally unsealed.
"Orochimaru and Kabuto are traitors. They turned their backs on the village that raised them. Ingrates—both of them."
The timing of his reappearance was telling.
But even he hesitated now, knowing the truth about the orphanage couldn't come out.
Kabuto, watching everything unfold, sneered.
"Heh… of course. Whatever you say must be right. You're the Hokage. And you're the leader of Root."
He didn't argue.
To him, there was no point in debating with those from Konoha anymore.
That bridge had long been burned.
Ever since he had joined Orochimaru, the only thing left in his heart for Konoha was hatred.
---
Ohnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, grunted from his seat. "I've figured it out. Every person who wants to destroy Konoha… is from Konoha!"
Fourth Raikage nodded in agreement. "There must be something wrong with how your village handles things."
Senju Tobirama, never one to stay silent when Konoha was questioned, stood up. "Konoha itself has no flaws. The only issue lies in the hearts of men."
---
To be continued…