Standing on the edge of a forest, three eight or nine year old genins stood there near a gate. Strapped to their bodies was various weights with two of them having issues standing up. Three small dogs were also complaining as they partner and master was struggling.

“How are you not struggling?” a teen with red fang tattoos on her cheeks asked the lone male.

“This is actually lighter than my normal weight.” a bluish tint white haired boy shrugged with an eye smile.

“It's strange how he does that.” A girl with long straight black hair commented.

Hana only shook her head at her friend comment as it was kind of cute how he did. In fact it was like mini Kakashi just without the orange book. Granted that Ryu’s hair didn’t defy gravity and white haired.

As the three were making small talk, the gate flew open without warning. Strange growls and roars soon followed as did explosions. Walking into the forest, they scanned the surroundings for any traps. Finding none they began to move forward, at a pace a little faster than civilian pace.

Watching the surroundings, as they traveled across the ground. The trees were thin and could snap under their current weights. So traveling by trees were out and when a cloud rolled in due to the forest being near the top of a mountain. Their line of sight and direction took a massive hit as they could barely see in front of them.

After an hour of walking, Ryu noticed both Hana and Izumi were breathing heavier than normal. So, he decided it might be best to rest as going into battle like that wasn’t smart. Expressially when most are stronger, faster, and more experienced. That was just asking to be killed or captured and eliminated from the exams.

“So,when do you think this fog going to leave?” Hana asked.

“In a few minutes or hours. It really depends on the size of the cloud as the forest is called Cloud Forest. Yugito mentioned it last night that the mountain is made of a material that attracts clouds.” Ryu replied with a shrug missing Hana slight twitch at Yugito name.

“I wouldn’t worry about it much longer brats, as you will soon be eliminated...permanently.” a low male voice came from the fog. It was clear that the voice held a grudge and older than they were. So, it was clear it was one that hated their village, not them personally.

Pulling out a kunais, Ryu stood back to back to Hana and Izumi in a triangle. The enemy was quite skilled in hiding their presence as his rough sensing skill isn’t working.

“Why do you want to kill us?” Izumi asked into the fog.

“Why? Because eight years ago when the Famous Yellow Flash killed that thousand from Iwagakure. I lost both of my parents leaving their eight and three year old kids orphan. Than my little brother got sick and died two years later, as I didn’t have the money to get him healed.” The male replied in great fury but made sure to move around.

“I can’t get a lock on him. Using the sharingan isn’t really an option either. Coming under the watchful eyes of the Uchiha and new rumors in the village.” Ryu thought as he didn’t doubt that neither Hana nor Izumi would not see his eyes.

“Just be calm, and focus. Worrying about others things will dampen your skills and your survivability. This will be different from those sad excuse from Ishigakure and those of your village.” Hikari said calmly.

Taking a deep breath, he began to use his enhanced senses and able to hear his teammate heartbeats. Both of theirs were elevated and beating faster than normal. The Three Haimaru Brothers were sniffing around but seems to be in three directions.

Snap!

“Ahhhh!”

Ryu threw his kunai the instant he heard a twig snapped and by the scream he hit his mark. The smell of iron filled his nose. Now he knows where one is, but where is his teammates. As it might prove fatal to assume he alone.

“Your going to pay for that you brat.” an angry scream was heard as he gripped his ears. “Aww, does someone have sensitive ears.”

“Idiot, don’t show weakness.” Hikari chimed him.

Pulling out another Kunai, Ryu quickly attempted to block a couple that was flying towards him. While managing to block the one aimed at his heart, he failed to block one at his legs. Holding in his scream and burning pain. He heard Hana and Izumi gasp as they glanced towards him.

“I hope you like your trip to the pureland. Don’t worry your teammates will be joining you soon.” A smug voice was heard.

Glancing down to the blade in his leg, he noticed that the blade was covered in something beside his blood.

Poison. Ryu thought as he felt a little woozy as he felt his breath pick up.

“It my own concoction and kills in ten seconds flat.” the voice said with a bit of pride.

“Weak poison, you be fine in three, two, one.” Hikari said. “Getting hit by that means you need to up your training again.”

Weakly nodding, he gave out a weak chuckle.

“How aren’t you dead yet.” The voice shouted in surprise.

“Because I’m awesome,” Ryu replied with a laugh. I have been spending way too much time with Naruto.

“Fang over Fang,” Hana shouted as Ryu watched four different spirals took off into the fog. Two screams rang out, before Izumi launched a fire jutsu with her Sharingan active. A few seconds later she crashed into the forest ground.

The smell of burning flesh soon filled the air, as Hana returned and the fog began to disperse. Littered around them three bodies laid on the ground as one was burnt to death while two were torn apart. The three of them of them looked barley older than sixteen or seventeen and had Iwagakure headbands.

“Well, that could have gone better.” Ryu said as he looked at Izumi passed out from lack of chakra and Hana a bit green. Tearing apart teenagers like that must have spooked her more than with a kunai or shuriken.

“It could have. Now we got to get away as the battle will draw others.” Hana said as she slung Izumi onto her shoulders.

Picking up her other arms, Ryu nodded as they walked away with Izumi between them.

===

Over a day has passed since the fight in the forest and Izumi was now awake but very weak. It seems she drew upon more chakra than her body could handle. However, Hikari has informed him that it shouldn’t affect her lifespan due to her age. Only if she did this in five years she would have lost a few months or a year.

“Congratulation you three you made it through the forest.” a voice boomed as they walked through a gate. Looking up they saw the same muscular woman screaming about muscles in the background. Sui-Feng was grinning at them as their attention was brought to a man in shade and two blue tattoo lines on his face.

“Who are you?” Hana asked.

“Killer Bee is here. You Fool.” He said making them blink.

“Ok.” Ryu said not sure how to respond, but luckily Sui-Feng came and saved them.

“Alright you three you have a month to train as anyone who comes out after you is disqualify.” Sui-Feng said.

“Why?” Izumi asked curiously.

“Only the first five teams are going on to the third round. The test included speed and you were the fifth team out.” Sui-Feng said.

“So where we training at.” Ryu asked.

“We are going back to the village. You on the other hand is staying here.” Sui-Feng said as she pointed to him. “The War Hawk Danzo pulled a move on the council and your stuck here until after the Exams.”

An inferno of rage built up inside of him, as he was basically told he was a pawn used in politics. Luckily for him he told Naruto he would be gone for a month. Just hope it is not held against him when the others return and he doesn’t.

“Fine.” Ryu groaned as three hands patted him on the back.