Naruto: Bonds Unbroken

The buzz around the Chūnin Exams filled Konoha with excitement and tension. Teams from villages far and wide had arrived, and the air crackled with the promise of fierce competition.

But beneath the surface, shadows crept.

The First Encounter

The entrance hall to the exams was packed with genin from every nation—each a potential rival. Naruto's eyes darted around, sizing up the competition. "Look at all these guys! This is gonna be awesome!"

Sasuke's gaze, however, was sharp and calculating. His Sharingan wasn't active, but he didn't need it to feel the power in the room. "Don't get careless, Naruto. Some of these shinobi… aren't here to play."

A voice, cold and condescending, broke through the chatter.

"Well, well… if it isn't Konoha's golden brats."

Team 7 turned to see three foreign genin in Grass Village attire. Their leader, a woman with a sly, unsettling smile, locked eyes with Sasuke.

"You… you're the Uchiha, aren't you?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"

The woman's smile widened unnaturally. "A future opponent. Let's leave it at that."

Naruto stepped forward, bristling. "Tch! You'll regret messing with us!"

But before tensions could flare—

The Test of the Mind

A familiar voice called out.

"That's enough."

They turned to see a man with dark eyes and a gray trench coat—Ibiki Morino, head of the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force.

"Welcome to the Chūnin Exams. Your first test… begins now."

Ibiki's Exam of Fear

The candidates were seated in a vast room, a single test paper in front of them. Ibiki's voice rang out, cold and sharp:

"The rules are simple. Answer the questions—if you're caught cheating, you and your team are out."

Sakura's eyes scanned the paper and froze. These questions… they're impossible!

Naruto's pencil hovered uselessly. "Crap, crap, crap!" he muttered, panic setting in.

But Sasuke, ever the tactician, activated his Sharingan. Subtle movements, a flick of the eye—copying the writing from a genin ahead without being seen.

A Silent Battle

Across the room, a whisper of movement.

Sasuke's eyes flicked sideways—and met the gaze of the Grass kunoichi from before.

She wasn't writing. She was watching him. And when she smiled… something in her expression felt wrong.

Cold. Reptilian.

The Final Question

After an agonizing wait, Ibiki's voice cut through the tension:

"Now… for the tenth and final question."

He smiled—a cruel, knowing smile. "But there's a catch. If you answer and get it wrong… you'll never be allowed to take the Chūnin Exams again."

The room erupted in murmurs of disbelief.

Naruto's fists clenched, his heart pounding. He felt the weight of the decision—the fear of failure.

But then, his voice rang out, clear and defiant:

"I don't care! I'll take your stupid question! I'll become Hokage someday, and no stupid rule's gonna stop me!"

A wave of determination spread through the room, others following his lead.

Ibiki's smirk widened. "Good."

"Because the real test… was your resolve."

The Second Exam Begins

The survivors of the first test were led into the Forest of Death, a sprawling, deadly expanse where only the strong—or the cunning—would survive.

Anko Mitarashi, their proctor, grinned wickedly. "Here's the deal, brats. Two scrolls: Heaven and Earth. Get both and reach the tower alive. Oh, and… try not to die."

With a loud pop, the teams scattered into the trees.

The Serpent Strikes

Barely an hour in, Team 7 found themselves stalked.

The wind rustled—too softly. The leaves—too still.

Sasuke's hand shot up. "We're being watched."

The grass parted, and from the shadows emerged the Grass kunoichi, her face now twisted into a mocking smile. "So cautious, Sasuke-kun… I like that."

Naruto growled. "You again! Let's go!"

But as they moved, her skin—peeled away.

The transformation was grotesque and slow, revealing—

A pale face. Golden eyes.

Orochimaru.

Fangs in the Dark

Sasuke's heart pounded—no! He knew the danger now, knew what this man wanted.

Kakashi's warning flashed through his mind. A monster.

Orochimaru smiled—a slow, hungry curve of his lips. "Come now, Sasuke-kun… show me the power of the Uchiha."

Sasuke's Sharingan blazed. "Stay away from me!"

Orochimaru surged forward, faster than sight—

But—

Naruto's Defiance

A blur of orange.

"Naruto—!"

Naruto slammed into Orochimaru, the ground splitting beneath his blow. "You're not touching him!"

The air cracked with chakra, and a flash of red—Kurama's power—licked at Naruto's skin.

Orochimaru's smile only grew wider. "Oh… fascinating."

The Curse Awakens

Sasuke, pulling himself from the shock, charged with lightning in his palm—

"Chidori!"

The jutsu screamed—

But Orochimaru's hand caught it, fingers digging into Sasuke's arm with bone-crushing strength.

His face drew close, voice a whisper—

"I've decided… you're mine."

His fangs sank deep into Sasuke's neck—

Sasuke's scream tore through the forest, and the Curse Mark flared to life.