Whispers In The Dark

You Don't Have To Because I'll Do It...

The first exam was a breeze. Naruto, who had been sneaking into the ANBU archive since he was 5, could easily answer the test papers. He did notice Hinata using her eyes to cheat, as expected for the exam. Sasuke copied the hand of the nearest 'plant' with his eyes. Naruto thought about this but both of his team have real cheat skill. Basically if he didn't have Shippou, he's the normal one here.

When the 10th question came up, he smiled at Hinata who looked at him before nodding at Sasuke who also looked at him. They agreed to stay for the mystery question. Turned out staying was the answer all along. Walking to Training Ground 44, Hinata grabbed their elbows with a cheer, "That was nerve wrecking!"

Sasuke gave small smirk, his cheeks slightly red, "A little,"

Naruto laughed, "Maybe!"

Hinata poked his side, thinking that he was just trying to be cool. When in reality Naruto simply do not have the capability to feel nervous. His brain simply couldn't connect. Mitarashi Anko greeted them, flaunting her silhouette under her kusari worn underneath her open coat and barely hiding anything with her mini skirt. Hinata blushed at her confidence as she informed the examinees about the trial waiting for them deep inside the Forest of Death. Kiba got his cheek sliced by a kunai for mocking her in his impatience.

It didn't take long before they finished registering for their second exam...

Hinata's eyes were helpful at finding the right scroll, easily ambushing their targets and they have some confidence that they could just head straight for the tower in record time when she paled, "SNAKE!!"

Naruto grabbed her and barely dodged the giant snake about to swallow him. Sasuke's Sharingan blazed, looking around for the snake. He cursed as a familiar Genin appeared. Hinata was shaking in Naruto's arm, "His...his chakra is not a Genin's..."

The Genin from Kusa hissed with amusement, "Huh...foiled by a Hyuuga. Your Byakugan is really something else but...it is the Sharingan that I am after,"

Killing intent exploded, invoking illusions of death. Naruto was far from affected as he moved to grab Sasuke to escape. If Hinata said that their opponent's not a Genin then he believed her. This enemy is beyond anyone they have ever faced. It'll be different from facing untrained thugs. The stranger intercepted Naruto's reach, kunai almost slicing Hinata's neck.

Naruto's subdued emotion flared with anger as he moved.

Sasuke spit out flames at the stranger to escape their reach.

Hinata pulled away from Naruto when he set her down as her Byakugan activated and her form lowered into the Juuken stance, "That's...that's not your face. Who are you?"

The stranger chuckled, thoroughly amused as they tore their own face off. Naruto's concern grew, "Orochimaru,"

Orochimaru looked at him, "Interesting that you know me. I noticed Genin this generation barely cared about learning the glory of their seniors," He smirked, "I'll just say this straight. You know who I am and so you know about how far above any of you I am. So, let's make this simple..."

The infamous rogue of Konoha pointed at Sasuke, "I am offering you power, Sasuke," Before any of them can move, Sasuke's neck was bitten. Hinata lunged forward and aimed for Orochimaru's elongated neck but the giant snake came back. Naruto shielded her with his body, causing the snake to snap their fangs around his torso instead.

Orochimaru laughed at the result, "How hilarious," He eyed the Hyuuga, "Perhaps one day, I'll come back for you,"

Naruto growled, Shippou's chakra lashing out and he tore the snake's jaws open, "You're not taking her anywhere!"