Naruto stood in Kushina's arms.

'I need some time before I can decide.' Naruto said. 'For now, I need a break.'

'Ok.' Kushina said. 'I'm truly sorry.'

The redheaded Uzumaki walked out of the Compound. Sighing, Naruto slumped onto the sofa.

'What will I do...' He thought, as he pondered about Kushina, Kabuto, and Konoha.

All the remaining genin stood at the doors of Training Ground 44, or the Forest of Death. The proctor, Mitarashi Anko, stood at the front, waiting for participants to arrive.

'Welcome to the Second Stage!' Anko exclaimed as the final genin filed inside. 'You will be surviving in the forest, and you must claim an Earth Scroll and an Heaven Scroll! You will start with one scroll. You must reach the tower with both scrolls to pass. Everyone will have to sign the consent forms, and you will be assigned a gate to enter.'

Naruto smiled. This would be another easy task. He yawned.

'Hey, hey, genin, why are you doing that?' Anko asked, as she fired a kunai at Naruto.

Naruto held the kunai between his index and middle finger and twirled it around, then threw it back at Anko. Rocketing towards Anko, the kunai gleamed. Anko quickly dodged the kunai and placed it back in her pouch.

'You're good.' Anko said, grinning. 'Anyways, let's begin the Exam!'

Naruto walked across the forest full of trees. He had easily obtained a scroll from an enemy team earlier on and Sasuke and Sakura were heading towards the tower.

'I have to catch up.' Naruto thought, as he Shunshinned ahead.

Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura ran forward, leaping from tree to tree.

'Naruto'll catch up.' Sasuke said. 'For now, we have to go.'

Leaves rustled nearby as a Kusagakure ninja jumped upwards and attacked Sasuke!

'Wind Release: Wind Explosion!' Sasuke roared, as he blew forward explosive tags and wind.

The Kusagakure ninja quickly dodged and returned a water blast, as he quickly summoned a snake.

'Kabuto.' Sasuke said. 'Sakura, get back! I can handle this!'

Sakura quickly ran backwards as Sasuke continued battling.

'Amaterasu!' Sasuke called, as he directed black flames at Kabuto, who had removed his face.

'Haha. I see that you have seen through my disguise.' Kabuto said. 'I want your MANGEKYO!'

'Never.' Sasuke replied. 'Ultimate Fire Release: Dragon Flame!'

The Uchiha fired barrages of Fire jutsu at Kabuto, who dodged most of the attacks.

'You're good. Too bad I stole too many Kekkei Genkai!' Kabuto said. 'Blaze Release: Fireball Gatling!'

Kabuto fired multiple scorching fireballs at Sasuke, who quickly responded with a Water Release: Rapid Waves. Sasuke had easily put out the fireballs.

'Senjutsu: Lightning Release Lightning Current!' Kabuto exclaimed, as he quickly used snake clones to enter Sage Mode.

'Sage Art: Susanoo Sword!' Sasuke roared, as his miniature Susanoo sliced down on Kabuto.

'Kukuku, perfect vessel.' Kabuto said. 'I'll have to come back later. Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole.'

Kabuto shrunk into the ground, as Naruto returned.

'Yakushi fought you?' Naruto asked.

Sasuke nodded. 'We need to alert Dad and the clan heads, as Hokage-sama is too ignorant.'

'Yeah.' Naruto said. 'Let's go.'

Team 7 darted into the woods as they prepared to advance in the Chunin Exams.

At the edge of the forest, a dark figure emerged.

'The snake has done well. The Kyuubi Jinchuriki is the reincarnation of Hagoromo and Hamura, I take it?' The creature said. 'Tobi and I will need to work harder. I must recreate Mother.'

The creature shrunk back into the ground as he snarled.

'So you say Yakushi Kabuto is a traitor?' Fugaku said as the Clan Heads gathered in the meeting room.

'Yes.' Naruto said. 'He attacked Sasuke in hopes of claiming him as a vessel.'

'That was what I wanted before.' Orochimaru said. 'My evil ways have disappeared. It appears that my former partner in ANBU has turned evil and adopted my former evil thinking.'

'This is bad.' Jiraiya said. 'And he has the ability to steal Kekkei Genkai?'

Sasuke nodded.

'We must neutralise this threat immediately. But Hokage-sama is too ignorant, so we'll have to do it ourselves.' Shikaku said sadly.

'Agreed.' Hiashi said. 'We must do something.'

In a secret room, the creature talked to Kabuto.

'No, I'm not interested.' Kabuto said. 'They know? Never mind. But I'm interested in you.'

Kabuto placed his hand on the creature as he absorbed half of the creatures chakra.

'This chakra is amazing. Hahahaha!' Kabuto cackled as he melted into the ground.

===