However, just a few seconds later...
Sakura immediately tensed up again. Holding a kunai in one hand, she assumed a defensive stance.
"Are you really Menma?!"
After all, this wasn't right after graduation anymore. After nearly half a year of tempering, even Sakura had matured mentally to a certain extent. This was the Chūnin Exam grounds; one couldn't be sure if the person approaching was an enemy or a comrade.
Although Kakashi had noticed Sakura's talent for chakra control during this period and intentionally guided her toward Genjutsu or Medical Ninjutsu, there hadn't been enough time, and Kakashi wasn't a specialist in those fields either. He had only taught Sakura some basics.
Sakura was still in the early stages of learning. She couldn't distinguish whether the Menma before her was the real one. Right now, Sakura's nerves were completely taut.
"Hmm? Of course I'm Menma. Sakura, do you remember that extra income I shared with you?"
Menma was stunned for a moment before reacting, blurting out information that only the members of their squad would know.
Hearing Menma say this...
Sakura finally relaxed. With an expression like she was about to cry, she said, "Menma, it really is you! Naruto and Sasuke, they... they..."
"Yeah, it's okay, Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke just fainted. They should wake up in a while. Don't worry. First, tell me what happened. Did you encounter an enemy?"
Menma strode over to Naruto and Sasuke. After pretending to examine them, he frowned and asked Sakura.
"Yes, it was like this, Menma..."
Menma held a certain level of prestige within the four-member Team 7. This was the result of his decisiveness and strength displayed during multiple missions over the past half-year. Not just Sakura, but even Naruto and Sasuke would often subconsciously obey Menma's instructions in many situations.
In the current situation...
Menma's arrival greatly alleviated the panic and worry in Sakura's heart. Gradually calming down, Sakura told Menma about their encounter with Orochimaru—though, because they were separated for a while, some content was missing.
Sakura simply said that by the time she found Naruto and Sasuke again, they were already unconscious, and a strange mark had appeared on Sasuke's neck.
"Is that so? This symbol should be some kind of special sealing jutsu. As for what exactly it is, I can't tell either. We'll have to wait until we pass this exam and let Kakashi-sensei take a look."
Menma listened, pretended to ponder for a moment, and then nodded.
"Mhm, mhm."
Sakura, who had been at a loss and living in fear just moments ago, felt completely reassured after Menma's arrival. As long as Menma was by her side, there was no need to worry about any more problems. Naturally, whatever Menma said went.
"You stay here and watch over the two of them. I'll go set up some traps around the perimeter and find some food while I'm at it. Don't worry; everything will be fine—whether it's Naruto and Sasuke, or the exam."
Menma looked at Sakura and spoke softly.
"Un, I understand, Menma."
Sakura nodded in response.
Immediately after...
Menma leaped away from the spot.
Sakura returned to the outside of the tree hollow to guard Naruto and Sasuke, who were still unconscious.
Leaving aside Menma and the others who had temporarily halted in a section of the Forest of Death...
In this largest and most special training ground of the Hidden Leaf Village, the ninja from 21 different squads hailing from various villages began a brutal slaughter from the very first day.
After all, the requirement for passing the second round was that each squad had to gather both a Heaven and an Earth scroll.
Although there was Menma's extra single-person squad...
In the vast Forest of Death, there were only 11 Heaven scrolls and 11 Earth scrolls. Even if everything went perfectly coincidentally, only 11 teams could pass the second round. In reality, the number of teams that would pass would certainly be fewer than that.
In the original story, 26 squads entered the second round, but only six teams successfully completed it.
The passing rate wasn't even one-quarter.
This life was obviously no exception.
Menma didn't care about the noise of the outside world or the killing between various ninja. For him, the true purpose of participating in this Chūnin Exam had already been achieved. For the rest, he just needed to let things unfold according to the established "script."
---
Just as Menma had predicted...
After being unconscious for several hours, Naruto woke up before Sasuke. The moment he opened his eyes, after initial confusion, he immediately kip-up from the ground.
He assumed a combat stance instantly.
But just a second later...
"You're awake, Naruto."
Hearing a clear voice and seeing Menma's familiar figure, Naruto's tense body finally relaxed completely.
"It's Menma! When did you find us? Eh? And where's Sakura-chan?"
Naruto exhaled a breath of turbid air and asked Menma with a smile.
"Sakura is outside preparing food. But what about you? How are you feeling right now?"
Menma gestured toward Sakura, who was setting up a pot and fire outside, and asked with a faint smile.
"Me? Just the back of my head still hurts a bit. Otherwise, nothing much. Eh? By the way, was that creepy Grass ninja driven away by you? Menma."
Hearing Menma's words...
Naruto finally felt the pain. He touched the back of his head, which had taken a heavy blow earlier, and grimaced slightly.
Then, as if remembering something, his eyes widened as he looked straight at Menma.
"No, I didn't see the Grass ninja who defeated you two. When I found you, both of you were already unconscious. Sakura told me about that Grass ninja. However, your scroll wasn't taken."
Menma shook his head and said.
"Is that so? Then what exactly was that Grass ninja's intention? He actually let me and Sasuke go in the end? I don't get it."
Naruto frowned tightly, revealing a look of confusion.
"Forget it. Thinking about it now is meaningless. Just tell Kakashi-sensei later. The most important thing now is for you two to recover first, and then pass the second round of exams."
Menma said softly.