After the first stage of chunin exam which was simply a courage test in the cover of last question of written test.
Kirito as observer → Silent POV throughout, noting events.
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The Forest of Death was alive with whispers: wind through leaves, the distant crack of branches, and the muted rustle of genin testing their skills. Kirito moved unseen above, blending with the treetops, his gaze sharp as he tracked the flow of chakra through the forest.
The second stage had begun. Teams spread out, each seeking survival points, each wary of the other—and of the forest itself. Kirito observed silently, cataloging every movement, every strategy, every mistake.
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Team 7 vs Orochimaru
In the dense underbrush, a strange tension gripped the air. Team 7—Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura—advanced cautiously, unaware of the danger coiled nearby.
Then he appeared: Orochimaru, pale, serpentine, and unnervingly calm.
Sasuke sensed the threat first, sharingan activating instinctively. Naruto's reckless energy surged forward, and Sakura tightened her grip on chakra control, bracing herself.
Orochimaru attacked. Swift. Calculated. Brutal.
Sasuke blocked and countered but was outmatched. In a calculated move, Orochimaru pressed the Cursed Seal of Heaven upon Sasuke, burning into his shoulder and awakening a hunger for power.
Naruto tried to intervene but was too raw, too impulsive, and the seal's shock left him reeling. Sakura rushed to protect him, deflecting strikes and keeping him alive.
Team 7 was shattered. The Sannin had shown them the vast gap in skill.
Kirito watched, taking note: Sasuke's anger and pain would drive him to rapid growth. Naruto's resilience would become crucial. Sakura's ability to respond under pressure was remarkable.
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Team 7 vs Sound Ninjas
The team pressed forward, but the forest had more tests. A squad of Sound ninjas ambushed them along the river.
Naruto, weakened from earlier, struggled to keep up.
Sasuke, driven by the cursed seal, fought with an intensity that pushed his speed and reflexes to the limit.
Sakura became the key to survival, shielding Naruto, countering enemy attacks, and creating openings for her teammates.
Despite her efforts, the team's struggles were evident. They were still inexperienced, still learning the cost of real combat. Kirito made a mental note: the balance between raw power, technique, and strategy would decide their growth.
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Hunger and Transformation
Sasuke's cursed seal awakened latent potential. His rapid transformations—enhanced speed, chakra bursts, elemental attacks—were fueled by pain, rage, and an insatiable desire to grow stronger.
Kirito observed silently: The seed of obsession is planted. Sasuke will become a threat to himself and others if left unchecked.
Kabuto's presence beside Orochimaru only confirmed that Team 7's trials were meant to test limits and awaken hidden potential, not simply to kill. Every encounter, every ambush, every struggle was a lesson—and Kirito cataloged it all with precision.
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Five Days of Observation
For five days, Kirito watched the candidates:
Teams were ambushed, defeated, and forced to adapt.
Some genin fell to beasts; others were trapped by clever tactics.
Team 7 survived through resilience, teamwork, and sheer luck—but not without pain.
Sasuke's hunger for power grew with every trial, Naruto's determination shone, and Sakura proved her indispensable worth.
From the treetops, Kirito observed every motion, every subtle strategy. The forest had revealed the strengths, weaknesses, and true potential of each team.
Soon, he thought, I will understand them all… and be two steps ahead when the real challenges begin.
The Forest of Death was not just a test—it was a crucible. And Kirito, the silent observer, had seen everything.
Also during the 5 days kirito obtained the chakra and cell +blood samples from karin Uzumaki who was saved by sasuke during the exam from a bear.
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