Amaya Uzumaki POV
The first phase was finally over and I could breathe easy. That last question had surprised me a bit, but thanks to the fact I'd understood the logic behind the written test's objectives, figuring out what to do in that moment was simpler.
Kakashi and Shisui caught on quick too, and we didn't even have to talk to give our answer to the instructor, announcing we wouldn't leave anyone behind.
After that, we were told to meet at 10 AM in front of the gates to one of the village's special training zones, and to be ready to proceed with the test.
Even though I'd told Kushina before leaving home that I wouldn't need my wakizashi until the third exam, I decided to go get it just in case.
Why?
Since I'd been thinking about the Exam's rules during the first test, I understood there were hints about what we'd face in each stage. The first one involved knowledge mastery and the ability to take a stand and take risks, which left two more: real combat survival and tournament fights.
It was simple to deduce the second exam stage would focus on testing real combat survival, since we were being taken to a training zone normally reserved for the village's chunin, and even jonin, training.
Kakashi and Shisui also decided to go home to get more equipment. When I entered the house, I immediately saw the red-haired figure hurrying towards me with a worried look.
– You okay? Did something happen? Is the exam over already? – Kushina fired off all the questions at once and I had to give a weak laugh.
– I'm fine, I just came to get some extra gear. Only the first stage is over – I explained each thing she'd asked – I have to go soon, the second stage is set for ten.
– I wanted to ask you about the first test, but it's almost time – the redhead commented, her eyes on the wall clock in the living room before turning them back to me.
– I'll tell you everything after I pass the second test – I promised, and Kushina gave a weak smile.
– Feeling pretty confident, huh? – I nodded.
– Being able to work with Kakashi and Shisui, I know we can pass the second stage – The redhead smiled more cheerfully.
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After grabbing what I thought was most necessary and equipping my wakizashi, I quickly headed to the Forty-Fourth Training Zone.
When I got there, I saw Shisui and Kakashi were already there, both keeping a certain distance from each other. How long are these two going to keep this up? I wondered and sighed softly.
I joined them and the slight tension hanging between them immediately ceased. I used the spare time to observe the other teams. Most were like ours, made up of two boys and a girl. There were a few exceptions, with only boys.
There were two teams like that: The one with the boys who locked the genin outside the Academy building, and Ichiro's team Takafumi's brother. So they're here too..., I thought briefly.
The jonin in charge of the second stage arrived promptly at 10 AM, accompanied by some chunin who had been present at the first exam.
– Well, let's start with the instructions – The jonin spoke, drawing all attention to himself – My name is Saori, and I'm responsible for guiding you through this second stage – He unsealed a medium-sized scroll with a kind of map on it – Take a good look, you'll need it – he announced without apparent hurry – Each team will be led by one of the chunin to one of the training zone gates. They will give you the final instruction, and when they release you to enter, your test will begin. Your objective will be to find the other version of this map, which is hidden somewhere in the Forest of Death – He rolled up the map scroll he held – After that, you must follow the instructions accompanying the document. You have three days to complete the test. Not a day more, and you cannot leave early. Understood? – We nodded – Then let's begin.
Kakashi Hatake POV
We followed one of the chunin to gate 06, where we would begin the second stage. The chunin checked the small pocket watch he carried and turned his eyes to us.
– Alright, here's the instruction for finding the map – He briefly alternated his gaze over us – "What is brave, passes through fire and doesn't burn, passes through water and doesn't drown, but fears the dark?" – I stared at him, confused for a moment, and before I could say anything, he opened the training zone gate – The countdown has started!
Without even needing to speak or look at my teammates, we entered the Forest of Death. We put a good distance between us and gate 06 before stopping on one of the high branches of the trees there.
– What kind of instruction was that? – The Uchiha immediately asked what probably all three of us had in mind since we heard it.
– I don't know, it didn't make much sense to me – Amaya commented and turned her eyes to me. I just shook my head – Okay, let's focus on something else then...
The redhead took her sketchbook and a pencil from the bag she carried. Shisui and I moved closer to her to see what she was doing.
– About the map Saori showed us earlier, what do you remember? – She asked while starting to sketch on a blank page.
– There was a central tower – The Uchiha said promptly, and Amaya drew a simple outline in the middle of the circle she'd drawn.
– A river divides and extends through the entire zone, and there was also a fork in the southeast area – I said, and the Uzumaki gave a weak nod, sketching a divider on the drawing like the river.
She also drew the clusters of trees on each side of the river. Shisui and I continued relaying what we remembered from the map to Amaya, adding details she hadn't drawn yet. She reinforced the lines she'd already made and gave more life to the representation.
In just a few minutes, and with incredible ease, the redhead had flawlessly recreated the original map. It's even better drawn than the real one..., I admitted, but kept that observation to myself.
– Now we can orient ourselves better – Amaya commented and placed the map between us – We left from gate 06 – She indicated it on the map – The final destination, without a doubt, must be here – Her finger moved to the central tower of the training zone.
– I think so too – Shisui agreed – But the question is: Why make us look for another map here?
– Maybe we need something else that's here – I suggested, and the two looked at me – This other map hidden around here has further instructions on what we should do. Plus, they gave us three days.
– And it's definitely not just because of potential fights between teams or the local wildlife – Shisui pointed out, and we agreed.
– So we have to find some object – The redhead said after a few moments, and we turned our gaze to her – By following the map we need to find, using the instruction the chunin gave us before the test started.
– "What is brave, passes through fire and doesn't burn, passes through water and doesn't drown, but fears the dark?" – The Uchiha recited the phrase, and something in me seemed to click with it.
– That sounds like... – I started quietly, then resumed my normal tone – No, that's definitely a riddle.
– A riddle? – Amaya asked, and I noticed her confused expression.
– It's a kind of verbal puzzle meant to find a word or phrase, either by deciphering one of its parts or the whole thing – I quickly explained to the redhead – For example: "What belongs to you, but other people use it more than you?" – She rested a hand under her chin.
– Belongs to me, but others use it more than me... – She said in a lower tone, then looked at me – Would it be my name? – I gave a weak smile and nodded.
– Exactly. Everyone has a name or definition they're called by, but they don't use it daily as much as others around them do – The Uzumaki smiled, animated.
She always shows interest in this kind of thing, I mused. She's always wanting to learn, no matter what it is.
– The shadow – Shisui said suddenly, drawing our attention to him – I mean, that might be the answer to the riddle and our instruction.
– The shadow could be in contrast with fire and water and nothing would happen to it – Amaya pondered.
– But if there's no light, it doesn't exist – I completed the line of thought.
– That reminds me of Shikaku-sensei's jutsu – The redhead commented, and Shisui smiled.
– That's exactly what I remembered when I was thinking about the riddle – The Uchiha said – But the big problem now is: What do we do with that?
I brought my eyes to the map drawing Amaya had made and the information we'd organized together moments before. Shadow..., I thought. What can that... I stopped my thoughts and focused my eyes on the map.
– Here – I pointed to the northeast area on the map – This is probably the most wooded part of the training zone, right?
– Yes – Shisui agreed – Even though where we are is the most extensive vegetation area, it's not as dense – He looked at me – What are you thinking?
– We deduced the shadow is what fears the dark – I explained my train of thought and raised my eyes from the map, looking at the two in front of me.
– So we need to go where the light doesn't reach – Amaya completed, and I agreed.
Third Person POV
After a few minutes of conversation, Team 7 set off, heading for the northeast area of the training zone, hoping their deduction was right.
Though they didn't know it, they were the first team to decipher that riddle and head for the location where the maps awaited them.
They didn't stop until the outskirts of the target area, not even when the training zone's wildlife made itself known and tried to attack them. The three's coordination was impeccable, and they were always alert to everything happening around them, never caught off guard by any animal.
Being a speed-focused team, they reached the northeast area almost by late afternoon. It wasn't hard for them to find one of the maps left in that place.
This map, made available to the genin for the second exam, contained a geographical division of the training zone into areas, classified from "A" to "H".
And the instruction for the next step was as follows: Find a scroll kept in one of the zones. To aid in finding it, they should use the two riddles that followed the explanation.
– "I am second on earth and second in heaven. I appear in the week, but you won't find me in the year" – The Uzumaki read the first of the riddles to her teammates.
– This one's more annoying than the first... – The Uchiha was the first to complain under his breath.
– And the other one? – Kakashi asked the redhead.
– "Its black wings bring the darkness that covers the surface. And to those with patience, a natural luminous spectacle it will present" – She recited the second and looked at her teammates.
– That one seems simpler than the other – The Hatake commented.
The two boys set themselves to thinking about the second riddle, which at first glance seemed simpler to them, while Amaya was drawn to the first.
The Uzumaki thought again about the explanation the Hatake had given her about what a riddle was: "A kind of verbal puzzle meant to find a word or phrase, either by deciphering one of its parts or the whole thing".
Decoding one of its parts or the whole..., she thought again. She jotted down in the corner of the page with the instructions some of the words:
earth
heaven
week
year
Kakashi and Shisui were so concentrated on the first riddle the redhead had dictated they didn't even notice what she was doing at that moment.
Unlike the riddle the girl was analyzing, theirs couldn't be dismantled to be understood; its sentences were complementary.
Darkness that covers the surface..., was the phrase the Hatake was thinking about.
Natural luminous spectacle..., permeated the Uchiha's mind.
Amaya looked at the words in silence for a few seconds and reread the riddle, this time understanding its meaning. She underlined the letters of three of the four words she'd written.
earth
heaven
week
year
When the two boys focused their attention on the sentence each was pondering, they finally understood the meaning they were looking for.
By 'surface' they're talking about the sky, and 'luminous' means the stars..., was what they were thinking when it clicked.
– That's it! – The three genin said in unison and raised their eyes, looking at each other.
And they couldn't help but laugh at that moment over the completely unplanned synchronicity in unraveling the riddles, as well as announcing it.
– Ladies first – Shisui said to his sister, and the girl gave a weak laugh, nodding.
– The first riddle is referring to the place we need to go to find the scroll – She took in her hands the map she'd drawn and the one they'd just found with the zone divisions – The answer to the riddle would be the letter "E", and that's the zone we should go to – The Uzumaki indicated the area on the map – It's right in the center of the river fork.
– Makes sense – The Hatake agreed, and the girl looked at him – You learned fast – She gave a weak smile, and Shisui cleared his throat, feeling left out for a moment.
– What about you two? – Amaya asked, alternating her gaze between them.
– Night – The boys said in unison again and looked at each other for a moment, not too happy about it.
– "Surface" is related to the sky because of the mention of "darkness" – The Uchiha explained quickly.
– And "natural luminous spectacle" to the stars – The Hatake complemented immediately after.
However, neither of them dared to say what made them understand that riddle: The time each had spent with the Uzumaki on a certain occasion.
The night sky reminded the Uchiha of the time he'd taken his sister to see the moon and stars in her first days in the village. He remembered the brilliance emanating from the girl's eyes from what she saw that moment.
And for Kakashi, the night reminded him of the countless times he and the redhead had stayed on the back porch of the Hatake residence, like that first time they'd talked properly.
– So thinking about that, it seems we'll have to wait for something to happen at night – Amaya concluded, snapping the two boys out of their thoughts.
– We need to find a place to rest and wait for nightfall – The Hatake suggested.
– I agree with Scarecrow – Shisui said, receiving a deadly look from the platinum blonde, which the Uchiha completely ignored – As long as it's not around here. The other teams will probably come here soon.
– Let's go to zone D – The Uzumaki decided, her attention on the maps – It's close to zone E, and also from here, so we won't have to walk much more – She looked at them for their answers, and they both nodded.
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Team 7 found a good spot in zone D to rest and wait until night. They set up some traps around the perimeter as a security measure and early warning for any hostile approach.
Though none of them would admit it, not stopping for long in the hours they'd been there had tired them out, plus the chakra they'd used to move through the tree branches instead of the ground, where most of the dangerous animals were.
After a few minutes catching their breath, the Uzumaki took her bag, this time pulling out a small scroll with a small blue tag on it.
She placed it on the ground, gaining her teammates' attention. Amaya opened the scroll, revealing some inscriptions on it. The redhead raised her right hand, forming a half-seal to release the sealing technique. A small puff of smoke formed, and several canteens appeared in the center of the scroll.
– Hey... – Shisui was the first to speak and approach his sister – Is that fuuinjutsu? – The girl nodded, taking two of the canteens in hand.
– Yeah, it's something I've been training with Kushina – She explained with a smile and handed a canteen to her brother, which the boy promptly took.
– Unsealing Technique, if I'm not mistaken – Kakashi said, and the two siblings turned their eyes to him.
– You know about it already? – Amaya asked and handed the other canteen to the platinum blonde.
– Only heard of it – He accepted the canteen and sat near his teammates – Seems it was one of the techniques brought by the Uzumaki clan that's now used by many ninja in the village – The redhead nodded and took the last canteen in her hands.
– Exactly, same as what Kushina told me – The redhead calmly confirmed the explanation – It's a pretty common technique now and allows the summoning of a variety of items sealed with fuuinjutsu – She then took a sip of water.
– And you didn't happen to seal any candy in one of those scrolls, did you? – Shisui asked, and the Uzumaki stared at him for a moment before starting to laugh at her brother, while Kakashi rolled his eyes at the stupidity of the question.
Amaya Uzumaki POV
There were still a few hours until sunset, so we decided to get some sleep, since if we found the scroll during the night, we'd probably head straight for the central tower to finish the second stage of the exam.
We agreed to take turns on watch. I volunteered to go first, just to avoid Kakashi and Shisui arguing about it. Besides, I doubt I'll be able to sleep anyway...
Since we were in a denser part of the forest, we could set up a small campfire. We were right at the start of winter and the temperature had already begun to drop.
The boys rested near the fire, and I decided to stay somewhere higher up to get a better view of the landscape we were in.
From the treetop I'd climbed, I looked around for a moment to make sure there weren't any other teams nearby. Anything goes now to take the others out of the competition, I pondered. And a lot of teams aren't happy we're participating...
The stares from the moment we arrived at the Academy, in the hall for the first stage, and the gathering before the start of the second... They weren't the friendliest, and no one bothered to hide it.
Their anger towards us could come from several reasons:
Me personally, for being a foreigner and a possible threat to the village's well-being. Kakashi, as Sakumo's son, who many still see as a disgrace to Konoha for abandoning his mission's objective to save his comrades. And even Shisui, for being someone who got close to me and treats me like a normal person.
Adding to all that, the fact that we're the youngest in this competition. The Chunin Exam is usually initially taken by genin aged 11 or even 12. There are older people here and almost never younger ones.
We need to be as careful as possible if we get into any fights, I thought worriedly. Both because of differences in skill levels, and because we risk exposing our techniques before the final stage.
I sighed heavily and turned my eyes to the sky, smiling weakly at the cloak of colors spread above me. The sun was setting lazily on the horizon, shades of copper, gold, and indigo blending, creating a perfectly harmonious gradient. It was a warm spectacle making way for the darkness night would bring soon.
I also used that final sunlight to review what I'd brought: Kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, nylon wires, and smoke bombs. I still had two blank scrolls stored away.
The hours passed quickly, and I chose to let the boys sleep. I knew they needed it more than I did; after all, it seemed natural for my constitution not to need as much rest as others.
I looked down towards where Shisui and Kakashi were sleeping peacefully. I took a kunai in hand, channeling chakra into it, and quickly threw it, hitting the snake sneaking up on the two.
I adjusted my bag across my body and descended to the ground silently, calmly walking over to the small animal's body writhing, trying uselessly to free itself from the kunai.
– Sorry... – I whispered softly and approached the snake, ending its suffering.
I didn't like unnecessarily taking the life of any animal, but since entering the Forest of Death, I'd understood it was us or them – and just like with people, anyone who tried to hurt those important to me would find no forgiveness.
I kicked some dirt over the slowly burning wood, putting out the fire and leaving only a few embers. With the fire gone, I could better perceive how dark it had already gotten.
I went to Shisui and woke him first, since he took the longest to wake up. Then I went to Kakashi. Of course they complained about me not waking them for our watch shifts, but they quickly dropped it.
Our priority was different now.
With both fully awake, we took the path to zone E, where we were supposed to continue the test.
Shisui Uchiha POV
We moved at a slower pace than a few hours earlier towards zone E. Since it was night, visibility was worse for moving around.
We could use glow sticks to guide us, but that would also attract the attention of anyone nearby. And Amaya asked me not to use the sharingan. Save your chakra for when we really need it, was her suggestion.
I noticed, even if disguised, Kakashi's confused look when Amaya mentioned the sharingan. Seems she hasn't told him anything about it..., I thought and couldn't help but laugh mentally.
I then turned my attention while we were running to Amaya. Speaking of the sharingan, I don't remember seeing her use it in our training with Shikaku-sensei..., I reflected.
Well, I can't say if she'll want to use those eyes so soon. I personally understand that; after all, every time I use them, I end up remembering the reasons I awakened them, whether it was because of my mother or Takafumi...
Snapped from my thoughts, I saw the redhead raising her arm and noticed her clenched fist. I stopped immediately, seeing the Hatake do the same.
– There are three people approaching – She warned in a normal tone – Must be about five kilometers away.
– We have twenty minutes, max – I estimated, and she agreed.
– Let's find the scroll quickly then – The Hatake said in his serious tone.
Even though I liked teasing him about what he said, at that moment Kakashi was right. The three of us were a balanced team in terms of power, but fighting in the dark was risky. Especially since we didn't know what kind of opponents we might face.
We quickly moved on to the zone E area, a more open field located in the center of the river fork that cut through the training zone. The moonlight was more intense there, and we could see better where we were going.
The question now was: Where to start?
Kakashi Hatake POV
The clues we got with the second map only related to the scroll's location, as well as the time we should be there. But what were we supposed to look for now?
The three of us spread out a bit, searching attentively for any clue about what we should find there.
Even with the mission on my mind, I couldn't help but admire the numerous fireflies flying around that space. Numerous points of light hovering in the darkness gave a peaceful air to the place.
I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Amaya was also paying attention to the small insects. She had her hands outstretched in front of her, where some of the small living lights came and stayed for a few moments before going on their way. Her greenish eyes seemed to shine with fascination at the fireflies.
I couldn't help but smile at that scene. It was almost funny how the simplest things always fascinated Amaya. It was so characteristic of her.
I turned my attention back to the numerous luminous bodies in that area and noticed something slightly unusual.
There was one part of the field where the fireflies were more concentrated than in other spots. That wasn't exactly the strange part, but rather the fact that the other insects, when approaching that area, also started circling strictly there.
– Amaya. Weasel-face – I called them while heading towards the concentration of fireflies.
– You called me what? – The Uchiha, aka weasel-face, asked, and I ignored him.
– Does this seem strange to you too? – I asked the Uzumaki when she approached me.
The girl observed the insects acting similarly and repeatedly flying over the same area. She nodded in response to my question.
I crouched in front of the spot the fireflies were flying over and noticed that part of the ground there was more uneven than the rest. I took a kunai in hand and started digging in that area.
We heard a metallic clunk a few moments after I started digging, and I could see part of a metal plate there. Seems like a box, I deduced. The redhead gestured for me to move back, and she carefully pulled the box out of the ground.
– They probably put the scroll in there to avoid damaging it – The Uchiha commented, standing next to me, while Amaya quickly analyzed the box.
– It's locked, but it doesn't seem to be in a normal way – Amaya informed us – There's some inscription here, but it's too dark to read.
– Let's use a... – I started to say but couldn't finish.
Without any warning, Amaya lunged at Shisui and me, knocking us both onto our backs onto the ground with her. And I quickly understood why she'd done that: Several ninja weapons hit the ground just inches from us.
Enemies, I thought. They arrived faster than we'd anticipated. Reacting as we'd always drilled in training, the Uchiha threw some smoke bombs beside us, enveloping us in smoke. I grabbed Amaya and Shisui by their arms and bolted with the two of them.
We couldn't fight at that moment; we were at a disadvantage in that open field. Plus, we didn't know exactly where the enemy was coming from, much less who they were to judge their level.
We entered the dense forest area again, moving on the ground to put distance between us and the enemy. I led the way, followed by Amaya, who still held the box firmly in her arms, and Shisui.
– They're still following us – The Uzumaki warned – And fast.
– Should we head straight for the tower or confront them? – I raised the question.
– I don't think trying to fight them is a good idea – The Uchiha said, and I glanced at him – You noticed it too, right? – I nodded.
– Yeah... – I agreed reluctantly – Their attack wasn't just to try and neutralize us – I turned my attention to the path we were taking – It was meant to kill us.
– Maybe we can avoid direct conflict – Amaya suddenly spoke, drawing our attention – Let's try heading for the tower for now – We agreed.