Naruto: Mastered Your Strategy?

Outside the Forest of Death

Itachi and his teammates were leisurely patrolling the outskirts of the forest, not expecting anyone to cause trouble. Anbu missions often involved patrols, guarding the Hokage, and other duties where action was rarely needed—a sign that things were going well.

"Anbu! Over here!"

A voice shattered their quiet routine. A ninja wearing the proctor's coat for the Chunin Exams arrived, panting heavily by the wire fence, clearly having run a long way.

Itachi and his squad approached him swiftly.

"What's the situation?" Itachi asked.

"Thank goodness you're here. We need your assistance to support Anko-sama," the proctor said urgently.

"What happened?" Itachi asked, his brow furrowing.

"We found three corpses outside the exam site—they were Grass Village genin registered for the exam. Anko-sama believes someone assumed their identities and infiltrated the exam."

The proctor hesitated before adding, "And from Anko-sama's reaction, it's clear that this intruder is extremely dangerous—potentially a threat to the safety of the other examinees."

Itachi felt a sudden chill.

Sasuke...

"Understood. We'll head there immediately. Do you have photos of those Grass ninja?" Itachi asked gravely.

"Thank you. I have to report this to the Hokage as well." The proctor handed over the files and quickly left.

…

Inside the Forest of Death

A tall ninja disguised as a Grass shinobi, wearing a conical hat, sped through the dense forest alone. Although he'd entered with a full team, he had left them behind, choosing to travel solo soon after the exam began.

Swiftly navigating the thick foliage, he suddenly halted atop a branch. His keen eyes caught a figure in the distance.

A jonin…? What are they doing here?

It didn't matter. They'd only delay him slightly—Sasuke couldn't have gone far.

His thoughts were interrupted as the figure on a nearby branch, a young man clad in the green Leaf combat uniform with dark hair, spoke in a low, steady voice.

"Where are you headed?" Ren asked, his eyes fixed on the Grass shinobi.

"Why does that matter to you, sir?" the ninja responded, lifting his hat slightly, a sly smile forming on his face. "As far as I remember, there are no restrictions on movement for this exam. I'm free to roam the entire forest."

Ren's expression remained impassive. "Are you looking for Sasuke?"

"Orochimaru."

The ninja's smile dropped instantly, his narrowed eyes becoming dark and menacing.

The jutsu he'd used to erase his facial features could be discovered if those bodies were found, but no one should know his goal.

Unless… there's a traitor in my ranks.

"I remember you," Orochimaru said slowly, removing his hat, his face once again smiling with eerie amusement. "The little boy has grown up, it seems."

"Ren," he continued with a mocking tone, licking his lips in a disturbingly snake-like manner. "Still that same gaze, I see."

Ren's face remained calm as he looked back at him. "You've changed a lot yourself, Orochimaru."

The legendary snake ninja ignored him, chuckling softly. "Seems Tsunade scarred you deeply, didn't she?"

"But…"

His voice trailed off as he licked his lips again, his eyes gleaming with malicious anticipation.

"You knew it was me, yet you stand here alone. Where does your courage come from?"

Killing intent filled the air.

Orochimaru's eyes bore into Ren's, trying to read his reaction. But Ren stood unmoved, unfazed by the deadly aura.

This boy has grown… still, nothing will save him against those eyes.

Ren met Orochimaru's gaze coolly. "I suggest you turn back now."

"I'll act like I didn't see you."

Orochimaru's grin widened. "Oh? Was that a threat? Are you saying you'll kill me if I don't?"

"You must have already encountered him if you're here." Ren's words were cryptic.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

"Uchiha Shisui."

"…"

"His eyes… quite terrifying, aren't they?" Ren continued calmly.

Orochimaru's face went blank, his piercing gaze fixed on Ren.

"Sasuke's brother, Itachi Uchiha, is currently patrolling outside," Ren went on. "He has the same eyes."

"If something were to happen to Sasuke… you might not survive."

Orochimaru was silent. The forest was deathly quiet, as though even the creatures lurking in the shadows had recoiled from the intensity of the moment.

"You seem well-informed, Ren," Orochimaru said slowly, his voice measured.

"What else might you know?"

Ren didn't answer.

"Uchiha Itachi, hmm… Perhaps he's the better option," Orochimaru mused, the smirk returning to his face. "Those brothers—I don't plan on sparing either. I came here specifically for them."

"So, this doesn't scare you," Ren observed.

"No, your appearance alone has been quite the surprise," Orochimaru replied in a low chuckle.

After a pause, Ren added, "Don't die just yet, Orochimaru."

"Not going to stop me?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, mockingly.

"After all, I am a traitor to the Leaf. You see me here and let me roam freely—is that wise?"

Ren gave no response. In the next instant, he vanished in a flicker.

Quite fast with the Body Flicker technique…

Orochimaru thought as he scanned the surroundings, finding no trace of Ren's presence.

Has my plan been exposed?

He remained still on the branch, his eyes glinting with uncertainty.

…

After leaving, Ren made his way back to the central tower.

He hadn't engaged Orochimaru, knowing that could only risk pushing the snake sannin into fleeing.

And if the proctor Anko, who arrived in the original timeline, was already delayed, Itachi might not be able to get there in time.

All that mattered was that Orochimaru stayed alive, for now.

While walking, he caught a faint sound from the nearby underbrush.

Pausing, he turned towards it and moved closer.

A small girl stood alone, clutching a kunai nervously as she looked up at him.

"Are… are you one of the exam proctors?" she stammered, seeing his Leaf uniform.

Ren studied her. Her red hair stood out vividly, her expression uncertain.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Karin… from the Grass Village. I'm a candidate in the exam," she explained quickly.

"I just… got separated from my teammates."

"Do you have a last name?"

Karin shook her head. "No, I don't."

---------------------------------------------------------

[Name: Uzumaki Karin]

[Gender: Female]

[Age: 12]

[Favorability: 55]

[Relationship: Stranger]

[Difficulty Level: B]

[First Kiss Reward: Kagura Mind's Eye]

[Full Bond Reward: Uzumaki Power]

---------------------------------------------------------

Uzumaki Power…

Ren's gaze softened slightly.

"No need to continue the exam…"

"Come with me."

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