SHINOBI EXAM

The atmosphere was tense in the depths of the Forest of Death as Team 7, joined by Gaara's Sand Shinobi team, stood on edge. Among them, a young boy named Itama had sparked confusion and unease. Sasuke, standing nearby, scrutinized him with narrowed eyes.

"Itama, huh?" Sasuke repeated, his tone cold. "Why can't you reveal your surname?"

Itama hesitated, glancing at Naruto before replying, "A ninja shouldn't reveal everything about themselves. Besides, it's none of your business."

Naruto puffed his chest out, annoyed. "What's the big deal? I told you my name!"

"You're a loudmouth," Itama snapped back, his irritation barely concealed. Before the argument could escalate, Gaara's sharp voice cut through the tension.

"Someone's coming. Three of them."

All heads turned as three figures emerged from the dense foliage. The newcomers wore headbands bearing the symbol of the Hidden Sound Village. Their presence oozed malice, and their smirks spoke volumes.

The leader, Tayuya, eyed Sasuke with an unsettling grin. "Uchiha Sasuke. Just the guy we were looking for."

Sasuke's gaze hardened as he instinctively fell into a defensive stance. "Looks like the Sound Village isn't subtle about their intentions."

Naruto clenched his fists, stepping forward. "What do you want with Sasuke?"

The tallest of the Sound trio, Zaku, sneered. "We're just here to deliver a message, loud and clear. You're nothing but Orochimaru's little toy, Uchiha. Or have you forgotten that your clan fell at the hands of your own brother?"

Sasuke froze, his Sharingan flickering to life. The mention of Itachi was like a dagger to his chest. "Say that again," he hissed, his voice trembling with fury.

"Looks like we hit a nerve," Tayuya taunted. "What's wrong, Sasuke? Don't want to admit you're just a broken little pawn?"

Sakura stepped forward, her voice shaking. "Sasuke, don't listen to them. They're just trying to mess with your head!"

But Sasuke wasn't listening. His anger erupted like a volcano. His kunai gleamed as he dashed toward Tayuya, his eyes blazing red. "You'll regret saying that!"

Naruto shouted, "Sasuke, stop!" but it was too late. Sasuke was already closing the distance between himself and his target.

Just as he was about to strike, a blur of black moved faster than anyone could follow. In the blink of an eye, Sasuke's kunai was intercepted by a short sword. The clash of metal echoed through the clearing.

Sasuke stumbled back, stunned. The figure who had stopped his attack stood with their back to him, facing the Sound trio. The newcomer's aura was calm yet deadly, as though they commanded the battlefield.

"Who the hell are you?" Zaku barked, stepping forward.

The stranger didn't answer immediately. Instead, they tilted their head slightly, revealing a faint scar running along their jawline. "You talk too much," they said, their voice low and steady.

Sasuke's Sharingan spun as he tried to analyze the stranger's movements. "How... how did you move so fast?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Naruto, meanwhile, was baffled. "Who is this guy? And why's he helping us?"

Gaara, who had been silent, finally spoke. "This is getting interesting."

Tayuya's smirk faltered. She could sense the shift in the air. This wasn't just any ordinary interference. Whoever this was, they weren't someone to take lightly.

"Don't just stand there!" she snapped at her teammates. "Get him!"

Zaku and Kin lunged forward simultaneously. The stranger moved fluidly, deflecting their attacks with calculated precision. Every strike from the Sound duo was met with a counter that left them stumbling.

"Pathetic," the stranger muttered as they disarmed Zaku with a single swift motion. Kin hesitated, glancing at her teammate on the ground before retreating a few steps.

Tayuya clenched her fists. "Enough playing around. You want a fight? You've got one!"

She pulled out her flute, her fingers flying across its holes as a haunting melody filled the air. Sasuke recognized the sound immediately—a genjutsu.

"Watch out!" he shouted, but the warning came too late. The melody began to take hold, distorting reality around them.

The stranger, however, didn't falter. With a sharp flick of their wrist, they hurled a kunai directly at Tayuya's flute. The weapon struck its mark, shattering the instrument in two.

Tayuya's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the—?!"

"You rely too much on cheap tricks," the stranger said coolly. "And that's why you'll never win."

Naruto cheered, "Yeah! Take that, you creeps!"

Sasuke, still reeling from the speed and skill of the stranger, lowered his kunai slightly. "Who are you?" he demanded again.

The stranger turned slightly, their gaze meeting Sasuke's. For a moment, there was silence. Then, they spoke, their voice carrying a weight that silenced everyone.

"Names are irrelevant in battle," they said. "But if you must know... call me Ketsu."

Before anyone could respond, Gaara took a step forward. "Ketsu, huh? I don't care who you are, but you've made things... interesting."

Ketsu didn't reply, their attention already shifting back to the Sound trio. "Leave now," they said, their tone leaving no room for argument. "You're outmatched."

Tayuya hesitated, glancing at her injured teammates. She knew they couldn't win this fight. With a growl, she spat, "This isn't over, Uchiha."

With that, the Sound trio retreated into the forest, their presence fading into the distance.

Naruto let out a sigh of relief. "Man, that was intense! Thanks, Ketsu, or whoever you are."

Ketsu didn't respond, their gaze fixed on Sasuke. "Control your anger, Uchiha. It'll only make you weaker."

Sasuke bristled but didn't argue. He knew Ketsu was right, even if he hated to admit it.

As the group began to collect themselves, one question lingered in everyone's mind: Who was this mysterious stranger, and why had they come to their aid?

One thing was certain—the Forest of Death had just become far more dangerous.

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