"I don't know how to feel.. I've never felt a mother's love."
"I see something in you that I've never seen in anyone. Great power."
"I'm your protector. I've been protecting you all this years- Since you were a kid."
"Please, save me."
When a 12 yea...
___________________ CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE! THE FOREST OF DEATH!
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It was the next day. All the Genin who passed the first exam were now standing in front of a diamond wire fence that led into a deep and dark forest.
Anko stood in front of them, hands in her pockets as she looked at the ninja. "This is the location for the second phase of the exam. It's the 44th Battle Training Zone. But we call it the Forest of Death."
"The Forest of Death?" Naruto nervously stuttered as his hair moved along with the wind that seemed to blow through.
"Oh wow, I wonder why they call it that." M/n said, crossing his arms over his chest. "I think we're gonna die, guys."
"Don't say that, M/n!" Sakura flinched, getting nervous and scared just by looking at the forest that lurked with unknown creatures. "This whole place just completely creeps me out."
Anko chuckled once seeing Sakura's reaction. "It should— they call it the Forest of Death, and soon enough, you're going to find out why."
"I don't want to find out why."
Naruto huffed and began to shake his bottom left and right and spoke in a mocking manner. "They call it the Forest of Death, but soon enough, you're going to find out why. Do your worst, you're not going to scare me away. I can handle anything!"
M/n could only scoot away from him, whistling as he looked around. "Who's this guy? Who brought him here?" He looked at the ninja, raising an eyebrow at them, but they only shrugged.
"So looks like we've got ourselves a tough guy." A kunai slipped from down her sleeve and threw it towards Naruto, barely missing his cheek. She appeared behind him, leaning forward to whisper into his ear. "Are you tough enough to handle this? You're not afraid, are you?"
M/n unconsciously rested his hand on his kunai pouch, ready to pounce on her once he sees any evil intentions that desire to harm Naruto.
She held his face with a closed eye smile. "Tough guys like you usually leave their blood all over this forest." She pressed her finger on Naruto's bleeding cheek before she slid another kunai and was about to attack, until she saw a long, dark haired female behind her, holding her kunai with her disturbingly long tongue.
"I was just returning your knife." The woman said, tilting her woven straw hat to have a good view of her.
"Why, thank you, Grass ninja." Anko gave her a smile, her eyes narrowing as the Grass ninja stared at her, not moving away from them. "You know, I really only recommend you stand this close behind me if you wish to reach a premature end."
