Not only was Anko Mitarashi stunned.
Orochimaru, pressed against Anko's back, was equally shocked.
Because the moment Naruto finished speaking, his shoulder blades twitched with tremendous force. At the same time, he decisively activated his vibration technique.
Anko felt a powerful surge of energy. A certain part of her anatomy compressed from circular to decidedly flat. But that wasn't all. Amid the crushing force came high-frequency vibrations that swept through her entire body like an electrical current.
The vibrations immediately transmitted to Orochimaru behind her.
Orochimaru's face registered genuine shock as the sensation hit.
In an instant, both leaped away from Naruto as if scalded. They didn't dare approach him again. After jumping clear, both Anko and Orochimaru immediately found nearby rocks, sat down without hesitation, crossed their legs tightly, and remained completely motionless. Their faces showed profound discomfort.
Every candidate watching this scene stood frozen in confusion.
What just happened?
They'd seen Anko press herself against Naruto's back, apparently trying to intimidate him. Then the female ninja from Kusagakure had joined in after Anko's kunai cut her hair, seemingly upset and wanting to cause trouble.
But in the next blink, the situation had developed in a completely incomprehensible direction. Hadn't Anko been trying to intimidate Naruto? Why did she suddenly jump away? And the Kusagakure kunoichi jumped away too!
Though some male ninja had to admit they were jealous of that Kusagakure girl's impressively long and flexible tongue. If only mine could be that long and versatile...
But back to the point: why had both women leaped away so quickly? Why had they both found rocks to sit on with their legs crossed, looking distinctly uncomfortable, as if desperately holding something back?
Outsiders naturally couldn't see the dramatic truth of what had occurred.
Among everyone present, only Naruto, Anko, and Orochimaru knew what had really happened.
When Naruto had grown angry, he'd activated his vibration technique without mercy. The high-frequency oscillations, flowing through both Anko's and Orochimaru's bodies like electric current, had caused them to momentarily lose control of their nervous systems.
In that instant, both had gone pale with fright. They'd immediately fled from Naruto, found rocks to sit on, and crossed their legs to suppress that overwhelming sensation.
Seeing them both uncomfortable, Naruto's mood improved considerably. You attacked me for no reason. You deserved it.
However, Naruto felt a twinge of envy watching them easily cross their legs. He couldn't do that. Whenever he tried to cross his legs, he felt something getting uncomfortably squeezed. It was extremely unpleasant.
This was one of the major downsides of his training. He'd only discovered this issue after committing to Ultimate Taijutsu. It was a side effect of his physical development.
Through Ki and blood sensing, he'd detected that some male ninja who could easily cross their legs had... well, either no obstacles or very small obstacles in that particular area.
"Naruto, what's going on?" Sasuke walked to Naruto's side, looking at Anko and Orochimaru curiously.
"It's nothing. They might be contemplating life," Naruto said casually.
Sasuke obviously didn't believe this nonsense, but if Naruto wouldn't explain, there was no point pushing. The other candidates, those who weren't Naruto's friends, watched him with growing wariness. They were convinced Naruto must have used some kind of demonic technique that caused both Anko and Orochimaru to suddenly sit on stones and freeze with their legs crossed.
Everyone's eyes grew cautious when they looked at Naruto.
After more than ten minutes, the faces of both Anko and Orochimaru gradually relaxed. Orochimaru glanced at Naruto once, then returned to the group of candidates in silence, head bowed.
Anko also shot Naruto an annoyed look. This guy is clearly not a serious ninja. Developing such a shameful technique...
However, since she'd been the one to test Naruto first, she had no one to blame but herself. Unable to complain further, she straightened her expression and announced loudly, "Next, you need to listen carefully to everything I say. I don't want to repeat myself."
The candidates' expressions grew serious. Anko was about to introduce the rules for the second stage of the Chūnin Selection Exam.
Seeing everyone focus, Anko nodded with satisfaction. "I'm going to distribute these before the second exam begins." She pulled a stack of papers from her pocket.
The title read in large letters: "Consent Form."
The candidates looked confused. The test requires a consent form? The content of this document puzzled them greatly.
"That's right, it's a consent form." Anko shook the papers. "Anyone who wants to take this test must sign this. If you don't sign, you'll be disqualified from the exam."
Her face grew serious. "I'm sure you're all wondering what's written in the consent form and why you need to sign it to continue." She paused for dramatic effect. "It's because people might die in this exam. How exciting!"
Her grin was unsettling. "But since you've signed the consent form in advance, I won't be held responsible! Ahahahaha..."
The candidates' faces changed immediately upon hearing that death was a possibility.
"To put it simply..." Anko began explaining the rules in detail.
After hearing the complete explanation, it became clear this was essentially wilderness survival training. Candidates would need to avoid poisonous insects and snakes in the Forest of Death. Of course, those hazards wouldn't cause death directly, as long as one was careful.
People caused death. Specifically, ninja from other villages.
This was a battle for scrolls. The rules stated that only teams possessing both Heaven and Earth scrolls, with all three members intact, could advance to the central tower and qualify for the next round.
To obtain scrolls, teams would fight ruthlessly. Deaths would naturally occur during these confrontations.
After the candidates signed their consent forms and drew lots for their entry gates, Anko stopped talking. Ignoring their complex expressions, she simply waved her hand. "Let's begin the exam! I'm looking forward to your performance! Ahahahaha!"
"Hurry! Move! Go!"
The moment the gates opened, team after team rushed into the forest at high speed.
"Go find those three boys..." Orochimaru instructed the two subordinates assisting him on this mission as they entered the forest.
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." Both subordinates nodded and fled in different directions.
The earlier test of Naruto had revealed nothing concrete. Orochimaru only knew that Naruto possessed some kind of unscrupulous technique. But Naruto's body was absolutely perfect! He could feel the tremendous power contained within it.
What a wonderful body.
Orochimaru's scarlet tongue flicked out, licking his lips. He murmured, "Naruto... Sasuke... wait for me. Both of you... I want them both."
The chain fell to the ground. An exam proctor pushed open Team Seven's iron gate.
"Sasuke, Sakura, let's go." Naruto stepped into the forest first. Sasuke and Sakura followed.
The three walked slowly, as if digesting food after a leisurely meal.
Seeing their unhurried pace, the proctor behind them muttered, "These three... with that attitude, can they even survive?"
He paused, reconsidering. "Though that boy with the long golden hair is very interesting. He somehow made Anko-sama uncomfortable. Maybe something unexpected will happen... By the way, I should ask Anko-sama later why she suddenly sat on that rock."
By the time he looked up again, Team Seven had vanished into the forest. He re-locked the iron gate and returned to where Anko was stationed.
At that moment, Anko was eating dango, the sweet dumplings her favorite snack. The proctor approached. "Anko-sama, may I ask you something?"
Anko's cheeks bulged like a chipmunk's, stuffed with dango. She was happiest when eating sweets, which also meant she was in her best mood. She waved permission. "Ask."
"My lady, earlier you tried to test that Naruto boy because of what Ibiki-sama said. But why did you suddenly sit on that rock before you could even test him properly?"
He leaned in conspiratorially. "Could it be that kid is actually really strong?"
Hearing her subordinate's question, Anko suddenly found her dango less appetizing. She said flatly, "He's worthy of the name."
"Worthy of the name?" The proctor looked confused. What name? Does that mean Naruto's strength is legitimate?
"Why do you have so many questions..." Suddenly, Anko leaped down from her perch and delivered a powerful punch to the proctor's head.
"Ow! My lady, why did you hit me?!" The proctor covered his head with both hands, but a large pink lump still squeezed out between his fingers. He asked pitifully.
Time to transfer this blind subordinate, Anko thought, turning away in exhaustion.
"Naruto, are we really going to keep walking like this?" Looking at the calm figures of Naruto and Sasuke ahead, Sakura couldn't take it anymore.
These two didn't look like they'd come to take an exam. They looked like they were strolling through their own backyard.
This was the Forest of Death, filled with poisonous insects and snakes!
"Sakura, don't worry. With us here, you'll pass easily." Naruto's voice was reassuring. "It's just collecting Heaven and Earth scrolls, then heading to the tower in the center of the forest. For us, it's very simple."
He turned to Sasuke. "Go scout around. If you find a team, we'll go directly to get their scroll. Then I can make some friends."
Sasuke nodded. In a flash of Body Flicker Technique, he disappeared.
With Sasuke searching, Naruto found a comfortable spot and sat down to wait.
Sakura was speechless. Could we show some nervousness about the exam? But then she reconsidered. These two had such abnormal strength. There really wasn't any need for nerves.
Whatever. Sakura sat down next to Naruto. Following these two powerhouses, she'd become comfortable just coasting along.
Soon, Sasuke returned. "Found a team. They're from Otogakure. I've already placed a Flying Thunder God mark."
"Excellent." Naruto stood, smiling. "Let's go make friends and borrow their scroll."
Sakura's mouth twitched. Someone's about to get beaten. But as long as it's not me, I'm fine with it.
Just as she had that thought, Sasuke extended his hand toward her.
Sakura's face flushed as she took his hand.
All three vanished.
Relying on her own speed, Sakura couldn't keep pace with Sasuke's Flying Thunder God Technique. So Sasuke brought her along while Naruto, whose Instantaneous Movement was even faster, followed closely behind.
After a few breaths, Sasuke and Sakura materialized on a tree branch. Naruto landed beside them.
"There. The Otogakure team." Sasuke pointed to the base of a tree below.
Naruto looked where indicated. Three Oto-nin sat beneath the tree, whispering among themselves.
One woman and two men.
The female ninja had extraordinarily long black hair that reached her feet—a classic straight-haired beauty with a large purple bow tied at the end. She wore an olive-green sleeveless shirt. Her expression was calm, suggesting she was normally taciturn.
One male had upturned gray-black hair styled like a wolf's mane. Three red characters meaning "death" adorned his tan jacket, creating a shocking visual. The other male had his entire head wrapped in bandages, leaving only his left eye exposed. A long broom-like cape draped across his back, and a loose cardigan covered his arm along with porous armor on his right side.
He stood slightly hunched with O-shaped legs, looking distinctly odd.
"What do we do now?" Kin Tsuchi asked, her face expressionless.
"Stay put and wait for Orochimaru-sama's instructions. Of course, if we encounter a rookie team, we can attack to steal their scroll," Zaku Abumi replied.
Though their conversation was quiet, Naruto heard every word clearly.
From their exchange, Naruto deduced that these three had come with a specific mission, probably intelligence gathering. This was normal. Ninja often infiltrated other villages to spy. Naruto understood this much.
"Hey, friends down there!" Naruto called out directly without bothering to hide.
An abrupt voice shattered the forest's quiet. The Oto trio stood immediately, looking up at Naruto's group with tense wariness.
"Konoha ninja," Zaku muttered under his breath.
They studied Sasuke carefully, expressions unchanged.
Team Seven jumped down and approached the Oto trio. "Friends from Otogakure, hello! I'm Uzumaki Naruto. These are my teammates: Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura."
According to ninja protocol, when someone introduces themselves, you respond in kind even if they're an opponent.
Zaku stepped forward and introduced solemnly, "I am Zaku Abumi from Otogakure. These are my teammates: Dosu Kinuta and Kin Tsuchi."
"You three from Konoha—what business do you have here?" Zaku asked, feigning ignorance.
In reality, Zaku understood perfectly. When teams met here, there was only one reason: to steal scrolls. Unless they're here to make friends? The thought was absurd.
"Haha, nothing special!" Naruto's expression was sincere. "I just saw three ninja from Otogakure and wanted to come make friends. The three of you won't reject me, right?"
Seeing Naruto's earnest face, Zaku wanted to laugh. Another actor pretending to make friends. Just say you want to fight for our scroll!
That's what he thought. But Sasuke and Sakura knew better. Naruto genuinely wanted to make friends. And yes, he also wanted their scroll. In Naruto's view, the two weren't contradictory.
"Make friends?" Zaku's voice hardened. "I think you're here to steal our scroll. No need to hide it. We met here. If you didn't want our scroll, you wouldn't have appeared."
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Naruto looked innocent. He really had come to make friends. After making friends, he'd ask his new friend for a scroll to use. As friends, they shouldn't be stingy.
"Zaku, you think of me like that?" Naruto shook his head with a sigh.
"Hmph. If you want to steal the scroll, let's see if you have the ability!" Zaku dropped the act entirely.
"Fine. As you wish." Naruto sighed and took a step forward.
He vanished.
"BEHIND YOU!" Zaku shouted, his voice cracking with alarm.
As Zaku warned, Dosu and Kin went on full alert, not daring to relax for a second.
"Kin, behind you!"
Hearing Zaku's warning, Kin spun quickly. She saw a palm descending gently toward her shoulder. Every hair on her body stood on end. This is it. I'm dead.
But in the next second, the palm merely touched her shoulder and withdrew.
However, Kin's expression turned ugly immediately. She leaped onto a nearby stone, sat down hard, crossed her legs tightly, and didn't dare move.
"Don't let him touch you! He has black magic!" Seeing Kin's reaction, Zaku felt horror crawl up his spine. He suddenly remembered the situation with Anko and Orochimaru before the exam began. He shouted frantically, "It's some kind of sorcery!"
This kind of appalling technique was almost unheard of. Is it a 100% guaranteed ninjutsu that forces you to sit on a rock with your legs crossed?
"Slicing Sound Wave!"