Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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Two elite Jonin and Muzan were dispatched to conduct the ANBU selection exam together. Danzo was intent on the task—he had no choice. Eager to prevent Uchiha Itachi's entry into the ANBU, he had boasted to the Fourth Hokage that he would personally ensure only the elite were chosen.

But Danzo had motives beyond blocking Itachi. He glanced at the root shinobi he had trained, each one a hardened warrior loyal only to him. Danzo needed an excuse to place them within ANBU's ranks.

This was no ordinary test like those at the academy. ANBU candidates were at least Chunin-level, with many already seasoned elites. The exam had to do more than test their skill; it needed to prove their resilience and readiness for covert, high-stakes operations.

Muzan held a list of participants, noting the root operatives Danzo wanted to push forward. He could sense the manipulation it would take to ensure their success.

"You two," Muzan addressed the Jonin beside him, "will work with me to carry out this task."

He knew strength alone wouldn't decide who passed. It would come down to strategy, adaptability, and, above all, survival.

That afternoon, the ANBU candidates gathered at the Forest of Death. Dozens of masked figures slipped into the dense woods, identities hidden, yet already embodying the spirit of ANBU.

The atmosphere was thick with tension. Every creature in the forest seemed to sense the bloodlust radiating from the examiners. Those present had faced death before; any one of them could hold their own in battle.

"Clang!"

A kunai shot through the air toward Uchiha Itachi. He deflected it with ease, scanning the treetops for the assailant. Three figures loomed on distant branches, watching like hunters sizing up their prey.

The candidates tensed, recognizing the lethal aura of the trio. The man in the center exuded such intense killing intent that some mistook him for Orochimaru. The two beside him were equally menacing, and their combined presence made several of the weaker candidates freeze in fear.

"This can't be serious… these examiners would actually kill us," someone whispered.

"We need to keep our heads. We can't fight them head-on."

"Focus. Now's not the time to lose nerve."

Fear clouded their eyes, yet none dared move recklessly. They could feel the examiners' eyes on them, like wolves eyeing vulnerable prey.

"Good reflexes," Muzan's raspy voice echoed through the clearing. "But compared to him, the rest of you are pitiful. You buckle under pressure, yet you wish to join ANBU."

Itachi narrowed his gaze. That voice—it was the same he'd heard that night when he met the masked ANBU who had infiltrated the Uchiha compound, his presence as overpowering now as it was then.

"Teach them respect," Muzan ordered coldly, passing the task to Nara Okishima, the elite Jonin at his side. Okishima, famed for his sharp intellect and deadly precision, didn't need further instruction. As a Nara clan elite, his battlefield control was unmatched.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"

Shadows raced across the forest floor, snaring several candidates before they could react. Those who avoided the shadows found themselves on the defensive, only to be immobilized once more when they sought higher ground.

"The elimination began the moment you set foot here," Okishima sneered.

Itachi watched his shadow clones vanish into smoke—Okishima had seen through his trick. Forced to reveal himself, he maintained a wary distance, awaiting an opening.

Muzan observed Itachi's calmness under pressure, impressed by the young Uchiha's resilience against an elite Jonin, however brief.

"Better than expected," Muzan mused, though his expression remained unreadable behind his mask.

"Enough," Muzan commanded. "Let the real test begin."

With a wave of his hand, the candidates were released from Okishima's shadow jutsu. Even Itachi, though cautious, stepped forward under Muzan's gaze.

"Your task is simple," Muzan announced. "Survive the night in the Forest of Death. We will hunt you. If you see the sunrise, you've earned your place in ANBU."

The weight of the task settled on the candidates. They understood that skill alone wouldn't see them through the night; luck would play its part as well. Their examiners were elite, and Muzan's intent rivaled the most dangerous shinobi.

"You two," Muzan addressed his companions, "handle the others. Follow Danzo's instructions—let the useful ones survive. The weak... eliminate them."

Muzan's eyes lingered on Itachi. "I'll deal with him."

His interest in Itachi grew. Despite being Shisui's protégé, the boy possessed immense potential. Muzan wanted to see what lay beneath the surface of the Uchiha prodigy.

"Yes, Lord Muzan," the two Jonin replied, vanishing into the forest to begin their hunt.

As Muzan stood among the treetops, he drew in the natural energy around him. His body pulsed with vitality as the Sage Mode markings glowed faintly beneath his robes. While his transformation wasn't as dramatic as others, it granted him enhanced senses and a subtle shift in appearance.

"Let's begin."

Tracking the candidates in the vast forest was a challenge, but Muzan held the advantage. His connection to nature allowed him to sense even the faintest disturbance. No matter how they concealed themselves, none could evade his detection.

"Your mission is simple: evade detection and survive. ANBU deals in shadows and secrecy—learn to master both, or die trying."

Muzan faded into the forest's darkness, his gaze fixed on Itachi. The hunt had begun.

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After finding a place to hide, Uchiha Itachi assessed the situation. Before retreating, he had sensed Muzan's interest in him. Now, he feared he had become Muzan's primary target in this trial.

"Who is this guy, really?" Itachi wondered.

He had met many shinobi in the village, but few commanded the respect of two elite jōnin. Could that ANBU truly be Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin?

"This is getting troublesome," Itachi muttered under his breath.

This trial was nothing like the previous ANBU selections. There were no teammates in the Forest of Death, and the opponents were far stronger than he had faced before. In this situation, Itachi knew he would have to adapt to the enemy's movements.

Suddenly, he sensed movement nearby. Crouching, he concealed himself in the grass. Activating his Sharingan, he peered through the foliage and saw a dark figure approaching directly toward him.

"How did he find me?" Itachi's eyes narrowed as he focused on the figure. Even at this distance, he could discern the slight smirk on Muzan's lips.

Muzan moved through the forest effortlessly, his speed deceptive. It wouldn't be long before he reached Itachi's position. There was no time to waste—Itachi had to move.

If he tried to fight someone of Muzan's caliber, he would surely be defeated.

Dread began to seep in. This trial was far more than just a test of strength. For the Uchiha Clan's standing in the village, he had to succeed. He had to become ANBU.

Although Muzan lacked the Sharingan, his senses were enhanced by Sage Mode. He could hear faint rustling, a telltale sign of movement. Reaching Itachi's initial hiding spot, he noticed broken branches and a faint scent lingering in the air.

"Interesting... He's mastered the basics," Muzan murmured to himself.

He wasn't misled by the obvious tracks. It was clear that Itachi had used a shadow clone to lay false trails, hoping to throw Muzan off. But Muzan could sense the real direction Itachi had taken.

"The more obvious the signs, the more suspicious they are," Muzan thought, resuming his pursuit of Itachi.

Within moments, Muzan closed in. Glancing over his shoulder, Itachi's Sharingan locked onto Muzan, but he didn't stop moving. Instead, he threw a shuriken fitted with explosive tags.

The tags didn't explode immediately. Using fine, nearly invisible wires, Itachi had attached more tags around the nearby trees, creating a web of traps. In just seconds, Itachi had set an intricate trap.

"Trying to buy time," Muzan noted with a smirk.

Muzan charged forward, seemingly unconcerned by the impending explosion.

"Why is he so reckless?" Itachi wondered, just as the explosive tags ignited in a cascade of detonations.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Flames and thick smoke filled the area, the echoes of the blasts resonating through the forest, visible even from afar.

"A clever plan," Muzan remarked, emerging unscathed. "But the gap between us isn't something a few explosive tags can close."

"Water Style: Waterfall Basin Technique!" Muzan called out.

A powerful surge of water burst forth, quenching the flames and creating a swirling lake around them. Knowing Itachi's expertise in Fire Release, the water rendered any further fire-based jutsu less effective.

"So, this is the power of ANBU… He's a monster," Itachi murmured, standing atop the water. He looked at Muzan with a mixture of awe and caution. This jutsu alone was beyond his ability to counter at his current level.

Itachi knew that attempting to flee would expose his back, leaving him vulnerable. ANBU trained to eliminate their targets with efficiency; running wasn't an option.

"How irritating…"

Itachi's Sharingan studied Muzan's every movement, searching for any potential weakness. Muzan, however, held back, knowing he could end the fight whenever he wished.

"Your stealth and awareness are up to ANBU standards," Muzan acknowledged calmly. "Now, let's see your combat abilities."

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Muzan's hands formed the seals, and a massive water dragon spiraled into existence, tearing through the air with incredible force.

Enhanced by the Waterfall Basin, the Water Dragon Jutsu doubled in size and strength.

No shinobi would willingly face a water dragon. Realizing this, Itachi swiftly moved to dodge.

"You won't pass by just running away," Muzan remarked, guiding the water dragon to absorb more water as it advanced, amplifying its destructive force.

The water dragon surged forward, pulling in water from the surrounding lake. Its sheer force rivaled an A-rank technique.

Unable to counter it directly, Itachi deployed a smoke bomb and detonated more explosive tags, using the Substitution Jutsu at the last moment to evade Muzan's attack.

Muzan's words echoed in his mind: "You won't pass by running."

Gripping his kunai tightly, a determined glint flashed in Itachi's eyes.

"If I can't escape… then I'll fight."

Muzan observed the still water, sensing something off. Just as he scanned the surface, Itachi emerged from below.

"Water Style: Water Fang Bullet!"

A vortex of water shot forth, transforming into razor-sharp bullets aimed directly at Muzan. Following the Water Fang Bullets, Itachi unleashed a flurry of shuriken, crafting a pincer attack that left no room for retreat.

Against this onslaught, even an elite jōnin would hesitate. But Muzan wasn't any ordinary shinobi.

With a swift series of hand seals, Muzan countered. "Water Style: Double Water Formation Wall!"

Two immense walls of water rose, intercepting the Water Fang Bullets and shuriken. The water absorbed the force, leaving Muzan untouched.

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