Chapter 1: Under Pressure

The sun was only beginning to rise, but in the forest, a girl with short dark hair and glasses trained.

It was six months since Momoshiki's attack on Konohagakure. Due to the damage from the attack, the main stadium that held the chuunin final stage of the exams had to be rebuilt. Three weeks ago, it was completed. And last week, Sarada Uchiha along with her teammates Boruto Uzumaki and Mitsuki had passed part two of the exam – and without cheating.

Sarada initiated her Sharingan and located the spots where she set up chakra-based traps. Using the fine chakra control she learned from her mother, she demolished each trap. Heading back to the center of her training set-up, she glanced at the timer.

"Still too slow," she murmured to herself. She sat down, and glanced up at the sky that was now shifting to its daytime blue. The same blue as Boruto's eyes.

Sarada blushed and lectured herself for being so silly. However, her thoughts turned to the team exam. Boruto had changed. Well, he was definitely still an overconfident loudmouth, but he didn't complain anymore of the Hokage title and encouraged Sarada to pursue her dream of becoming Hokage. He diligently trained now too. During the exam, he generated 10 Kage Bunshin, an upgrade from the 4 he generated during the last exam. And his Rasengan had improved too – it was now larger, and he was able to integrate water nature into it. While Boruto was always considered a talented ninja, his progression was moving forward at a scary rate now that he actually worked hard.

Sarada sighed and wondered what she could do to improve to that level. Her mother had taught her most everything she could regarding chakra control, though she was still learning all the ins and outs of medical ninjutsu. Now that her Sharingan was activated, her father had been stopping by more frequently to train Sarada, but she knew he was also helping Boruto train as well.

Sarada headed back home, her stomach was rumbling. She needed to eat breakfast. Sakura was already in the kitchen cooking up some eggs and rice.

"Good morning, Sarada. Training again?"

Sarada nodded, and sat down at the table silently.

"Sarada, what's wrong?" Sakura asked.

"I'm worried about the upcoming final examination round."

"Eh? Shannaro, you'll be fine. You have my strength and your father's Sharingan. You'll impress the judges with no problem."

"But someday, I want to be Hokage. And I need to be on top – I need to do more than satisfy the judges. I need to stand out."

Sakura looked kindly down at her daughter. "Hearing you say that brings back memories."

"?"

"Naruto used to say the same things when we were younger. And he HAS achieved his dream. If you believe in it and work hard, I believe you can accomplish your dreams. Naruto made true on his promises more than once." Sakura had a faraway look in her eyes.

"Mama?"

"Hehe, it's nothing."

Sarada sat silent for a moment. "Mama, how did the Nanadaime do it? I feel like I can't just ask him, since he's busy with Hokage duties."

"Why can't you, Sarada?" A voice came from the hallway.

"Papa!"

"Even if he is busy, that loser will take the time to talk to you, since that is who he is." Sasuke grabbed a slice of toast and headed out of the kitchen.

"Papa, where are you going?" She knew he would be leaving later today for a mission so he could ideally be back in time for the last round of the chuunin exams.

"Boruto wanted to show me something this morning before I left. I'll be back shortly."

Sarada heard the front door close. No, it wasn't that she lacked confidence she could do well at the chuunin exams. However, she knew it would not be easy, especially is she were to be slotted against Boruto, who was even more so now heralded as a prodigy after defeating Momoshiki. Not to mention he had the legacy of the Yondaime and the Nanadaime coursing through his veins. She herself was a Uchiha, but it was a clan known through stories as cursed.

Suddenly, Sarada didn't feel hungry anymore. She got up and left, ignoring her mother's calls out to her. She needed to go anywhere – anywhere she could get away from her thoughts.

Naruto was headed home after a long day of the usual duties at the Hokage's office, not to mention all the other events his Kage Bunshin helped out with. It was already dark out. Naruto sighed.

Suddenly, he felt a presence. He turned around and saw a small figure standing in the shadows. The figure slowly moved out, her face now visible.

"Sarada?"

Naruto then noticed the expression on Sarada's face. It was one he recognized, one he saw in the mirror when he was young.

"Nanadaime, do you have a moment?"

Only Naruto could understand what Sarada was feeling.

Naruto gave her a smile. "Sure, Sarada, what do you want to talk about?"