One after another, the genin teams entered the tent to collect their scrolls.
Each team was then escorted by a Konoha chūnin to different gates around the Forest of Death, ensuring that no two teams entered from the same point—or knew what type of scroll others possessed.
These were the established rules of the second exam: secrecy, survival, and strategy.
Team after team disappeared into the dark canopy until it was finally Menma's turn.
Inside the tent, Mitarashi Anko sat lazily at the main table, legs crossed and a wicked smile curling across her lips.
"Well, well," she said, her tone teasing. "If it isn't Kakashi's brats. Finally your turn."
"Eh? You know Kakashi-sensei too, Anko-senpai?" Naruto asked curiously, scratching the back of his head.
Anko smirked. "Heh. Yeah, we go way back."
Her gaze softened for just a second. After all, this blond boy standing before her wasn't just any genin—he was the Fourth Hokage's son.
Then she straightened up, her usual playfulness replaced by the air of an examiner.
"Alright, listen up. Even though I know your sensei, don't expect special treatment. You already heard me say this earlier—your team's situation is unique. You've got four members, while the rest have three. Normally, that's a violation of the Chūnin Exam rules. So, the Hokage approved a special adjustment for you. Clear enough?"
She coughed slightly, her tone serious for once.
The adjustment wasn't complicated—it was about fairness and balance. In the Forest of Death, teams could technically form alliances, even across villages, but the rules still required each registered team to consist of no more than three members.
Menma nodded calmly. "Of course, Anko-senpai. Kakashi-sensei already warned us about this. We're ready. Please explain the special rules."
"Yeah!" Naruto chimed in. "Let's hear it!"
Anko grinned. "Good. Here's how it'll work: the four of you will split up. Either into two pairs, or three in one group and a solo. But no team can have more than three people. Each group will enter from a different gate. Oh—and both scrolls you'll get are the same type. Heaven scrolls."
She placed two identical scrolls on the table before them.
Menma blinked, surprised for only a heartbeat—then smiled faintly. It was a fair rule. Logical. Expected.
"Separate, huh?" Naruto muttered, frowning.
But unlike the others, Menma's pulse quickened with excitement. This was perfect. He had been searching for a chance to act alone, to get close to Orochimaru, and fate had just opened the door.
If he couldn't seize this opportunity, he didn't deserve the name Uzumaki.
Menma's eyes glinted. For the first time that day, even Sakura looked less irritating in his view.
He didn't hesitate. "No need to discuss, Anko-senpai," he said firmly. "I'll go solo."
He reached forward, grabbed one of the Heaven Scrolls, and tucked it into his pouch.
Anko raised a brow, intrigued. "Oh? Going solo, huh? Confident, aren't we?"
Menma's tone was steady. "I'm sure. The three of them can work together. I'll take care of myself."
The statement caught everyone else off guard.
Sasuke frowned but said nothing.
Naruto, however, immediately protested. "Wait, what? That's crazy! We should split into pairs—it'll be more balanced that way!"
"Then tell me," Menma interrupted sharply, "how would you split the pairs?"
Naruto froze, blinking.
Sakura understood the implication immediately, and her expression tensed.
After a moment of silence, Naruto glanced at her awkwardly, realizing what Menma meant. Sakura, compared to the others, wasn't as strong. If they paired off, whoever ended up with her would be at a clear disadvantage. Their survival odds would drop sharply.
Sakura's fists clenched. She understood too well.
"…It's not right," she said quietly. "Menma, it's better if you three go together. I'll withdraw." She turned to Anko. "Examiner, I'll forfeit."
Anko blinked in mild surprise, then smirked. "Oh? Volunteering to quit? That's unexpected. Still, as long as no team exceeds three members, it's acceptable."
Sakura forced a small smile, though her heart twisted. "Yes. That's fine."
For her, it wasn't about pride—it was about not holding her teammates back. And maybe, deep down, she hoped this sacrifice would make them respect her more.
But Menma couldn't allow that.
"Sakura," he said suddenly, voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Giving up is the worst choice you could make."
She turned, startled by the uncharacteristic seriousness in his tone.
"Failure is acceptable—it's how we learn," Menma continued. "But quitting on your own? That's cowardice. The more you think you're weak, the more reason you have to prove yourself. Retreat again and again, and you'll never grow. Is that really the kind of ninja you want to be?"
His words struck her harder than she expected.
Naruto nodded in agreement, fists tightening. "He's right, Sakura! Don't quit! Let's just stick to the two-group plan—me and you in one group, and Menma with Sasuke. That way it's even!"
Menma said nothing, his mind already elsewhere. The Forest of Death loomed beyond those gates, and somewhere inside it, Orochimaru was waiting.
This "rule adjustment" had become more than just an exam regulation.
It was his opportunity—his first real step into the shadows.