68 The Forest of Death!
{Training ground 44, Konohagakure}
{1:56 AM, 2nd July 13 Yrs ANB}
{3rd Person POV}
'Ominous looking place...check.' Ren stared at the large trees that were visible from outside the training ground. The 'Danger Keep Out' sign perfectly captured the vibe of the training ground. He was constantly observing everyone before taking account of all the gazes that he was getting.
His performance in the exam has been eye-catching and although it had deterred most teams that had average strengths, it also made him an appealing target for quite some of them.
'And of course, there is Orochimaru...'
[Orochimaru Lv -???]
Ren had stared at him once and hadn't gazed at him again, he didn't want to draw the attention of someone like him before going into a dangerous forest alone.
'It's almost time to enter. Once I go in I will extend my senses to the max and try to avoid him as much as possible...' Ren concluded as he looked down at the signed waiver. Almost 30 minutes ago, Anko had given these out and soon they will enter the tent and exchange this waiver with scrolls.
'I need to steer clear of Kabuto and Orochimaru, let's go with Plan B...' Ren concluded as the line finally began moving.
He had considered initially reducing the number of teams that would pass this stage by collecting a large number of scrolls but after seeing the big red name he decided with plan B.
"Are you nervous, Ren-kun," Ino asked as she trotted over, Team 10 followed behind her. Even Shikamaru looked alert, well alert by his standards he kept looking around with lazy eyes half muttering to himself.
Ren glanced at her and hesitated he motioned her to come close and then whispered in her ear very softly.
"...don't react, giggle a couple of times in between. Stay especially vigilant against the Sand and Sound teams..." Ren began and Ino giggled a couple of times, "...also if you encounter the guy with the gourd on his back or the team from grass with the long tongue, tell Shikamaru to run without trying to figure them out." Ren finished as he leaned back, Ino looked at him smiling but the concern in her eyes was palpable.
"It's about time for the scroll exchange..." Anko left the tent and motioned for everyone to get ready to exchange their waiver forms for the scroll, Ren nodded to Ino and then moved towards the tent. Since he was the only one from his team he went first as the rest of the teams regathered.
...
Gaara has been observing Ren since the time he attacked the sound team in the first exam. For a moment Ren had been able to escape his senses, he sensed a feeling of danger from him, and since that moment, 'Mother' has been screaming for his blood.
'Yes, he would prove my existence...' Gaara thought, he burst out with more bloodlust but by now most people had gotten used to it.
Orochimaru looked on in interest as he momentarily looked towards the Ichibi Jinchuriki.
'Interesting...' He licked his lips in interest but then turned back to look at his very first apprentice and his next vessel.
'Kukukuku... this is getting more and more interesting.' Orochimaru thought as he too joined with his subordinates and went in the line to exchange for the scrolls.
The next 25 minutes passed by in a blur, Ren was standing in front of Gate number 23. After exchanging his form for a scroll he was led here by a chunin. The gates would open in another minute according to him so Ren got ready for a fierce fight.
He checked his inventory again, he had a decent amount of kunai and shuriken along with several seal tags stored in his inventory.
'Alright, according to the picture that Anko shared this whole training ground is perfectly symmetrical with a radius of 10 km...' Ren thought as he looked at the number on the gate in front of him.
He turned to the chunin and asked, "How many entrances are there to training ground 44." He had a rough guess but a clarification would help.
"...44" the chunin replied after some thought, they weren't allowed to talk to the participants but considering that the genin in front of him was a solo he gave out this piece of intel.
'Since he's a solo that means he should be pretty high leveled and that's why Hokage-sama allowed him to take part in the exams...' the chunin thought, he looked down at his watch and got ready to open the gates.
'10 km radius and 44 gates, so there should be 1 gate every 1.4 km...' Ren concluded.
"Ready..." The chunin spoke prompting Ren to nod, he got ready and after a few seconds, the chunin opened the door. Ren rushed into the forest and took an immediate right, he dashed straight to the adjacent gate.
'With my speed, it shouldn't take me long to close the distance, most people wouldn't stay at the gate entrance for long so hopefully I can catch-' Ren thought but paused as he sensed 3 genin level chakra reserves coming towards him.
'Huh, well at least I have to give credit to them for showing courage.' Ren thought as he jumped up and suppressed his chakra signature as he waited for the three idiots to pass by. While Ren was focusing on tracking down the three genin who were rushing towards him to give him their scroll. He couldn't see a very small eyeball hovering over his head watching his every action. It's chakra too small thus escaping his chakra sensing.
...
Through another gate Team Gaara walked into the Forest of Death, Gaara had one of his eyes closed as both of his siblings looked at him with worried expressions.
After a brief period of silence, Gaara spoke in a grave voice, "Don't follow me," and then he turned left and dashed. Kankuro and Temari looked at each other in silence, they shared a worried look before they followed along.
Gaara knew they were behind him but he was currently focused on watching Ren decimate the 3 genins, his eyes glowed in excitement as more and more of Ichibi's chakra flowed through his body.
'You'll help me prove my existence...'
...
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AN- So here we are again, Let's see how this works, hope you guys are ready!
P.S- Read 18 Chapters ahead at Pàtreon.com/Version_401.
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