After the battle with someone who defeated him and left him to die, he somehow managed to free himself from the sacrificial ritual. Now, he is hidden in the Forest of Death, alone late at night. Zaku is filled with hate, disappointment, and anguish, knowing that Orochimaru has abandoned him and lost all respect for him after he failed to prove his worthiness to become a Chunin.

Zaku groaned with each step, injured from the battle and hungry after walking for hours alone. He suddenly spotted someone in the distance and quickly turned in the other direction to hide for safety.

"Ah... hm. Who was that..." he muttered through gritted teeth and turned his head slightly towards the person's direction as he peeked from behind the tree.