Naruto Vol. 6

The second stage begins after Mitarashi Anko explains the scroll objective and requires every team to sign a liability waiver. Once inside the Forest of Death, Team 7 establishes a password to identify impostors. The precaution proves insufficient when an enemy disguised as a Grass ninja separates the team and attacks Sasuke and Sakura with paralyzing killing intent.

Naruto intervenes and briefly challenges the intruder using the Nine-Tailed Fox’s chakra, but the attacker suppresses that power by placing an additional seal over Naruto’s existing one. Inspired by Naruto’s refusal to surrender, Sasuke overcomes his fear and mounts an aggressive counterattack. The enemy reveals himself as Orochimaru, marks Sasuke with the Cursed Seal of Heaven, and withdraws after declaring that Sasuke will eventually seek him out.

With both teammates unconscious, Sakura constructs traps and keeps watch over them. The Hidden Sound trio attacks to test Sasuke on Orochimaru’s behalf. Rock Lee arrives to defend Sakura but is overcome by Dosu’s sound-based technique. Facing the attackers alone, Sakura sacrifices her hair to escape Kin’s grasp and continues fighting despite her injuries until Ino’s team decides to intervene.