SHINOBI EXAM

The second session of the Chūnin Exam took place in Training Ground No. 44, known as the Forest of Death. Seventy-five candidates in 25 teams participated under the supervision of examiner Mitarashi Anko.

"Listen up!" Anko addressed the Genin. "This test will last five days. Your objectives are:

1. Protect the scroll in your possession.

2. Collect both a Scroll of Heaven and a Scroll of Earth and reach the central tower.

3. Do not open the scrolls prematurely.

4. Ensure no team member dies or is incapacitated beyond mobility."

Without further ado, the candidates entered the dense forest.

---

Team 7's Chaotic Start

Naruto bounced along, clutching a bag of rice balls. "Lunchbox~! Aunt Mikoto's special lunch~!" he sang with delight, treating the life-threatening mission as a picnic.

Sasuke's irritation reached its peak. "You idiot! You'll expose us!"

"Don't worry, Sasuke!" Naruto declared dramatically. "I, Uzumaki Naruto, will protect you for the sake of Mikoto-san's cooking!"

Sakura, caught between exasperation and disbelief, muttered, "Is this really okay?"

"It's fine!" Naruto reassured her.

"It's not fine!" Sakura snapped, pointing to the forest. "Someone's following us!"

Naruto turned and spotted Gaara lurking several meters behind. No matter how fast or slow Team 7 moved, the Sand Shinobi team matched their pace.

"What do they want?" Naruto whispered.

Sasuke stepped forward. "Hey, you! Are you after our scroll?"

Kankuro and Temari exchanged tired glances; they already had the same scroll. Gaara remained unfazed. "Not interested," he said flatly.

Naruto clutched his rice balls protectively. "Then you're after my lunch?!"

"No."

"Then what do you want?!"

Gaara finally spoke. "Answer me a question: Why did you cry for me as an enemy?"

Naruto's face reddened. "Stop bringing up things that haven't even happened yet!"

Sasuke groaned, "Naruto, shut up!" But before he could intervene, Gaara's sand surged forward, binding Sasuke's arms in an iron grip.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried.

Naruto lunged, fist aimed at Gaara's face, but his punch was effortlessly blocked by a barrier of sand.

"Absolute defense," Gaara said coldly. "You can't hurt me."

---

A Clash of Wills

Sasuke struggled against the tightening sand. "Let go, you bastard!" His Sharingan spun in frustration, but the sand held firm.

Naruto, panicking, yelled, "Release Sasuke or I'll beat you to a pulp!"

Gaara's gaze pierced Naruto. "Why do you want to save someone who wants to attack me?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Naruto shouted, anger overwhelming his logic.

To everyone's shock, Gaara released Sasuke. "You're too weak to break my defense."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Sasuke, are you okay?"

Breathing heavily, Sasuke glared at Gaara. "What is that defense? Is it a technique?"

Gaara's expression darkened. "It's no technique. It's my mother's curse."

---

Gaara's Painful Past

Gaara's revelation stunned them. "When I was born, my father, the Fourth Kazekage, sealed a monster called Shukaku into me. It cost my mother her life. She named me Gaara, meaning 'a demon who loves only himself.' Her hatred was her parting gift to me."

Naruto froze, his mind racing. "A curse? To love only yourself?"

The air grew heavy as Gaara's chakra connected with Naruto's, inadvertently sharing his memories. Naruto witnessed Gaara's lonely childhood in Sunagakure—a barren village devoid of warmth.

Young Gaara tried to make friends, but fear and hatred followed him everywhere. "Monster!" the children screamed, running away.

"I didn't do anything," Gaara thought. "Don't be afraid of me. Don't leave me alone."

But his pleas went unheard. The sand, his only companion, lashed out at the frightened children.

---

Yashamaru's Betrayal

Amid this loneliness, a man named Yashamaru appeared—Gaara's uncle and guardian. To Naruto, he seemed like Iruka-sensei: kind, patient, and loving.

Yashamaru taught Gaara the value of life, how to heal emotional wounds, and how to build bonds. For a brief time, Gaara felt less alone.

But everything shattered when Yashamaru revealed the truth.

"I hate you," Yashamaru said, his voice cold. "And so did your mother. No one will ever love you. You are a monster."

With those words, Yashamaru detonated an explosive tag, attempting to kill Gaara. The betrayal broke him.

---

The Curse of Hate

Naruto reeled from the vision, overwhelmed by Gaara's suffering. "Only love myself…" he muttered.

He saw himself in Gaara—the isolation, the pain, the yearning for acceptance. But unlike Gaara, Naruto had friends who reached out to him.

"Gaara…" Naruto whispered.

"Don't pity me," Gaara snapped. "This is who I am—a weapon, a monster, a Shura who fights only for himself."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You're wrong. You have power, but you've let it consume you."

Naruto stepped forward, his determination reignited. "You're not alone. I'll prove it to you. I don't know how yet, but I'll show you that you don't have to live like this."

For a moment, Gaara hesitated, as if Naruto's words struck a chord.

---

Conclusion

The tense confrontation ended without a fight. Gaara retreated with his team, leaving Team 7 shaken but resolute.

Sasuke clenched his fists. "We need to get stronger. If we face him again, we have to win."

Naruto nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "We'll make it through this forest. And Gaara… I won't let you stay in that darkness forever."

With renewed determination, Team 7 pressed on, the shadow of the Forest of Death looming over them.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Visit our Patreon for more:

patreon.com/Samurai492

Extra Content Already Available