TSoL Chapter 26 - "Lovely" Forest

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Following their new and strange sensei, Team Seven remained silent and thoughtful. Realizing that it wouldn't be a quick trip, Sakura couldn't help but try to talk to Sasuke:

"Um, Sasuke-kun. Do you know what that feeling was back then in class? When that woman looked at me, I literally wanted to run away in fear."

Hearing her words, Sasuke replied without even turning around to look at her:

"If one look from a shinobi is enough to make you run away from a battle, then you shouldn't even continue studying this profession at all," here Sasuke suddenly smirked, "as for the feeling that frightened you, it's direct proof that this woman's power is much higher than the useless teachers in our academy."

Sasuke's words were quite painful to Sakura. All she wanted was to strike up a conversation, and she ended up receiving an insult disguised as "advice" about dropping out of the academy. First the intimidating sensei, then Sasuke's unpleasant words. For Sakura, the beginning of this day had officially become - extremely unfortunate.

Naruto in turn also found the brunet's words too harsh, but he didn't say anything about it, because his words about the woman's strength were true, and otherwise he was free to think as he wished. Except that he didn't like seeing Sakura depressed. So, Naruto made his way over to the pink-haired girl and spoke:

"You know, Sakura-san, you shouldn't worry so much about this feeling. After all, we're still students in the process of becoming shinobi. Before you graduate, you'll still have plenty of time to learn all the ways to counteract mental pressure."

Not expecting support from the blond, who had been rather cold to her lately, Sakura was a little taken aback, and she didn't even realize she had thanked him:

"Th... thanks," Sakura finally realized who she was talking to, but for some reason the previous urge to answer him sharply didn't arise.

The girl remembered his words again, and then she thought of something else:

"By the way, what was that 'mental pressure' you were talking about?"

From her question, even Sasuke seemed to finally pay attention to his 'partners' conversation.

"Well..." Naruto thought a bit about how to explain it, "it's a lot like genjutsu, only it doesn't create any illusions. Rather, it just arouses your senses a bit, which can have different effects, depending on the intention of the one applying it. From what I've read, this kind of mental attack is usually only used when the opponent is either weaker than you or less skillful than you. Otherwise, this kind of 'attack' might not work."

Blinking her eyes in surprise, Sakura replied:

"Then, if it's something like genjutsu, then it's from more advanced lessons?" Sakura relaxed a little and perked up, "now I'm at least a little relieved that I couldn't resist it."

Anko, who was walking ahead, overheard the students' conversation, and smirking with a predatory glint, thought:

"These little brats might not turn out to be so bad. Unless the pink-haired one doesn't inspire much optimism.» Anko's smirk became a little more insidious, «though after I'm done with her, her view of our profession will become much more serious, he-he-he,» Anko finished the thought and licked her lips, anticipating the fun to come.

Meanwhile, while Sakura was digesting the fact that Naruto was able to tell her about something she hadn't heard before, Sasuke still couldn't help himself and turned to the blond:

"Hey dobe," Sasuke glared at the calm Naruto, "how do you know such information, and more importantly, how did you counter her stare?"

The question also caught Sakura's attention, and she was surprised, because unlike Sasuke, she hadn't noticed that their sensei's aura didn't affect Naruto at all. She shifted her gaze to the boy in surprise, waiting for his response.

Looking at the uchiha's frown, Naruto only smiled nonchalantly, and replied:

"I don't think an explanation from a 'dobe' like me will help you in becoming stronger, datebayo."

Such an answer made Sasuke's eye twitch, but he quickly pulled himself together, and smirked and replied:

"Hmm, I guess I was wrong to expect you to have any skills, dobe."

Such a provocative comment coming out of Sasuke's mouth was something really unusual for Naruto. Even Sakura seemed surprised.

After thinking for a few seconds, Naruto smiled slyly, and said:

"Well, I hear the Uchiha clan has an extensive library of fire jutsu. Perhaps you could teach me some of them?"

This time Sasuke was really surprised, as he realized almost immediately what the blond meant by his words. That's why, Sasuke only hummed indifferently, and turning away from the blond irritably replied:

"Tsk, whatever."

After this little verbal altercation, Sasuke continued to silently follow Anko, who could barely contain her laughter. Sakura flapped her eyes in incomprehension, looking at Naruto and Sasuke.

Realizing that she was unlikely to get an answer from the frowning Uchiha, she decided to overpower her past dislike for the blond again, and asked him:

"Uh... Naruto?" Sakura leveled herself at the blond, "what was all that talk about?"

Throwing a strange look at the girl, Naruto only smiled nonchalantly, and replied:

"Ah, well, I'm surprised you didn't realize it right away, but quite simply, ninja never tell you about their secrets or techniques for nothing. So if you want to know my secret, be prepared to share yours. That's all."

Crinkling her face at his first words, Sakura still nodded at his answer and asked:

"Then, if I share some of my knowledge with you, will you tell me how to protect myself from this aura?"

"Right," Naruto replied with a calm smile on his face.

Looking at him for a few seconds, Sakura thought for a moment:

«Okay, Sakura. Even if it is Naruto, he's definitely gotten a little better. If I exchange knowledge with him and learn this defense technique, I can impress Sasuke. And when I offer to teach it to him, I'll have a good chance to get close to him. Great plan, Sakura!» The inner Sakura waved her fists victoriously.

Nodding her head, the pink-haired girl said with a satisfied smile:

"Okay, let's trade!"

Looking at the girl strangely, Naruto raised an eyebrow and asked:

"Well, I certainly don't mind, but..." Naruto looked back at the enthusiastic girl, "do you have something of equal value to offer me?"

Sakura raised a finger and was about to answer, but immediately stopped as she realized that she hadn't studied anything else besides academic techniques. She simply didn't think it was necessary, because otherwise she wouldn't have been able to keep up her appearance. Now, looking at the situation in a new light, she began to realize that she was one of the few in her class who didn't know anything outside of school and academics.

Sakura lowered her finger glumly, and replied embarrassed:

"I... I don't have anything in return..."

Seeing such a downcast look on the girl's face, Naruto sighed, and said:

"You know, if you really want to learn it, there may well be something in the academy library that can help you. And if not, there's always a backup like me. After all, I'll tell you a secret," Naruto brought his face close to Sakura's ear and went to a whisper, "I have almost no secrets for my friends."

Having said that, Naruto pulled away from the girl and with a carefree smile continued to follow Sensei. Sakura was a little dumbfounded, as his words literally hinted that if they became friends, he would tell her his secret.

Although Naruto wanted to put his attempts to get Sakura on hold for the time being, he couldn't help but try to at least establish a friendly relationship with her. So catching the right moment, he dropped the right hint.

Looking at the calm blond guy walking ahead of her, Sakura thought:

"Wow, I didn't think my love success with Sasuke would depend on whether or not I became friends with Naruto. Ino would have laughed for sure."

After that, no one said anything else.

Having gotten a full picture of the relationship between her new "toys", Anko stopped leading the group down the long road, and finally led them down the shortest path. After only five minutes of walking, the group reached the borders of a vast and frankly frightening forest.

"Is this the 'lovely forest' you were talking about?" Sakura couldn't help but comment.

Smirking, Anko looked around at her team, and declared:

"Alright, lambs. Welcome to one of my favorite places in Konoha, the Forest of Death!"

Looking at that forest, Even Naruto and Sasuke's gaze became much more intense. Seeing this, Anko grinned and said:

"Be prepared, as this is where we will be spending the next week. And you will not leave its boundaries until I give you permission. I hope that's clear to you?"

Looking at their teacher in confusion, the newly formed group of green students nodded uncertainly, mentally preparing themselves for what was to come.

Sasuke was the most excited of the group, as he finally felt like he could put his skills to the test. He had felt for a long time that the Academy classes were becoming less and less effective. Especially after his training in the clan, in the times before its destruction.

Sakura, on the other hand, was extremely scared and tried to stay close to Sasuke.

Naruto was the only one whose face retained most of its calmness, becoming only slightly more pensive. Admittedly for the most part that was a credit to his mind calming techniques. Otherwise he would have been much more tense and agitated, as the memories of the boar that had attacked him were still fresh in his mind, and the thought that there might be more fearsome creatures in the forest made him wary.

"Alright, chickens! Here's your task for this week of practice," Anko bit down on a phalanx of her finger, and running it over her sealed wrist, she unsealed out a scroll with a black cover and a white snake pattern in the center. She immediately threw the scroll towards the group, and continued speaking, "There are five objects located all around the perimeter of the forest on the Konoha side that I have kindly hidden for you. Your task is to find them using the information and clues written in this scroll. The information inside is written as close as possible to the real secret reports of the Intelligence Squad. So don't lose it, or you won't be able to find the objects without it."

Snatching the scroll from Sakura's hands, Sasuke quickly unfolded it to look at the contents, but instead of a text with information, he came across a strange seal.

"There's a seal," Sasuke said coldly, glaring at his sensei.

Grinning, Anko replied playfully:

"Oh, really? What a shame. Looks like the scouts encrypted the data to avoid theft."

From her cheerful tone and pretense, Sasuke and Sakura's eyes literally twitched. Naruto, on the contrary, laughed a little, since it was a pretty good joke on them from the sensei, and who but Naruto could appreciate a good attempt at a prank.

In the meantime, Anko continued to feign ignorance:

"If only there were some kind of standard decryption key that is taught to young shinobi at the academy..." Anko seemed to think sadly while saying this, "what a pity that there are helpless youngsters here who can't figure it out. It really is a shame..." She said the last part with open mockery.

Seeing how unhappy the frowning Uchiha looked, and how angry the pink-haired girl was, Anko chuckled and said:

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out. I'll just go and savor my dango..."

As she was about to leave, she was suddenly stopped by Sakura:

"S-sensei, wait!"

Anko stopped, and turned around and asked:

"What's the matter, did you have to go to the bathroom or something?"

Sakura clenched her fist, holding back her frustration and anger, and trying to remain calm, asked:

"No... I'd like to know how many hours we have to look for these objects of yours before we're done for the day?"

From her question, Anko literally laughed, and replied:

"Ha-ha-ha-ha! You're a funny, pink match."

"Pink... what?" Sakura was increasingly losing her patience around this woman.

After giving the group a predatory look, Anko said:

"I told you before, until you're done, you can't even think about going home. If you don't find all five objects, the three of you will receive a failing grade, which will drastically affect your future graduation from the academy."

Seeing all three students tense up at her words, she smirked slyly, and added:

"But, you don't have to worry so much, if you find at least four out of five objects by the end of the week, two of you will get credit. You'll just have to choose who it will be. Well, thanks for stopping me, I almost forgot to tell you about it. Now, if you'll excuse me, but I have my dango waiting for me," Anko started to walk away before she stopped again to add, "oh yeah. Don't go deeper than five kilometers into the forest. It's too dangerous for green lambs like you. That's definitely it now! Bye-bye!"

With that, Anko literally vanished into thin air, leaving the group to fend for themselves.

Looking in the wake of the missing Anko, Naruto said:

"Well, I guess we should open the scroll. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't feel like fumbling around looking for these objects all week."

Grinning, Sasuke said:

"Hm, if you stay out of my way Dobe, three days will be enough for me," here Sasuke shifted his gaze to Sakura, "that goes for you too. You can both follow me, but I'm sure I can manage on my own."

Sakura wanted to say something, but seeing Sasuke's serious look, she didn't dare.

Shaking his head, Naruto and Sakura watched as Sasuke tried to figure out the seal on the scroll.

After a few minutes of Sasuke's unsuccessful attempts to open the scroll, Naruto got tired of waiting, and said:

"Okay, fine, I'm tired of waiting! You definitely don't know what to do with the seal."

Sasuke, whose pride had been hurt, was angry, and snapped at the blond guy with a hard glare:

"Shut up, dummy! I need time to remember the key to the seal. Intelligence class was too long ago. I'm sure you don't remember anything at all, since you were asleep or in the clouds for half of the class."

Shrugging, Naruto nodded and replied:

"Right, like you said, I don't remember the classes themselves. But I do remember who got what grade in those days."

Grinning, Sasuke asked mockingly:

"So what? You want to brag about useless knowledge?"

"No, the thing is that almost no one, including you too, got a grade higher than a B that day," looking at Sasuke's confused look, Naruto grinned and continued, "no one except for one person who got an A+. And that person," Naruto raised his finger and pointed at a surprised Sakura, "is Sakura! She was the only one who got the highest grade that day."

Hearing Naruto's words and receiving the sudden attention, Sakura was a little confused. At that moment, Naruto continued:

"If anyone can decipher this scroll, it's the girl who, for theoretical knowledge, never received a grade lower than an A."

At Naruto's words and Sasuke's thoughtful look, Sakura was even a little embarrassed, and didn't know where to look.

"Well, he-he... I just like to memorize all the material as best I can so I have more time for... ahem... other things," Sakura was glad that Sasuke was looking at her with a look that didn't tell her to 'fuck off' like it usually did.

Realizing that Naruto was right about the fact that he was clearly losing out to the pink-haired girl in theoretical knowledge, Sasuke nodded his head sourly, and holding out the scroll to her, said:

"I hope you really know what to do with this."

Taking the scroll in her hands, an excited Sakura unfolded it, and taking a quick look at the seal, she smiled happily and said:

"This seal of protection is indeed straight from the textbook. The key was simple enough, so I remember it perfectly!"

Hearing her words, Sasuke relaxed, inwardly resigning himself to the fact that maybe he wasn't the best in the class at some things. However, he still felt that if he had enough time, he would figure it out on his own.

At this time, after folding a few seals, Sakura placed her hands on the scroll, which erupted in a small cloud of smoke, and a text with information finally appeared in the place of the seal.

"You got it! Well done, Sakura," Naruto smiled warmly at the girl, and this time he didn't even bother adding the suffix san.

The girl noticed it too, and with some reluctance, she had to admit that she was happy about it. Sakura looked at Sasuke, expecting praise from him as well, but alas, Sasuke only snatched the scroll out of her hands and said:

"Great, now we can begin our search. Let's go."

Saying so, he headed towards the Forest without even waiting for the others.

Shaking his head, Naruto looked at the kneeling Sakura, who was staring blankly at Sasuke's trail, and gave her a hand and said:

"Okay. Come on, Sakura. We need to get going."

Shifting her gaze to the blond man's warm smile, Sakura smiled strainedly, masking her sadness, and taking hold of the guy's hand, rose from the ground, noting how strong and warm his hands seemed. She would never admit it to anyone, but she loved the feeling. She could only imagine if Sasuke's hands would be just as warm and gentle when she held onto them.

Sighing, a dejected Sakura caught up with Sasuke along with Naruto, and the group finally entered the Forest of Death itself, intending to finish with their 'mission' as soon as possible.

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Author's Note:

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