"I am declaring the match over. As the winner of the preliminaries round, Sasuke Uchiha advances to the finals" the proctor declared.

Sakura and Naruto were cheering for him while Tsuki was clapping along with the others. Kakashi suddenly appeared, behind Sasuke and was using his knee, to keep him in a sitting position.

"Hm, not bad. Funny, before Lion's Barrage your technique was very reminiscent of Gai's taijutsu. You must be used of your Sharingan to copy it from Rock Lee when you fought back then" he told him.

Sasuke smirked that almost turned into a small smile when he spotted Tsuki, clapping along with others while she had a proud smile on her face.

You did not lose and so would not I. I am going to fight you eventually he thought as, after Tsuki's match, he suddenly had an urge to fight her.

Why? That was unknown even to him. Maybe because he wanted to prove her something? Maybe because he saw her as a good opponent? He did not know and he did not care for it. He would fight her and would win, of course, but for now, he had to wait. His attention went to Naruto who was mocking him, causing his smirk to fade.

"Hey, Sasuke! You won but in such an uncool way! You came out like you are the one who got all beaten up!" Naruto shouted, making Tsuki cover her ears and sent him death glares.

"Idiot. Give me a break you little-" Sasuke was ready to offend him but stopped when Tsuki hit him in the head.

"No need to shout. Also, instead of mocking him, make sure to win your fight, when it comes if you want to fight him" she scolded, one hand at her waist while glaring.

"You are right. Do not worry Tsuki. I am going to win for sure. Believe it" Naruto replied her and gave her his famous goofy-foxy smile.

Soon enough, medical ninja came and took the unconscious Yoroi. O

ne of them stopped and looked at Sasuke. "Sasuke Uchiha, maybe you should come along to the infirmary too and let us treat your injuries," he told him and before he could reply, Kakashi cut him off.

"I think you are out of your league with this one. I will look after him" The medical Nin agreed and left with the others. "Okay, up you go. You are coming with me"

"Before the preliminaries are over? I want to see who else gets into the finals" Sasuke said, complaining like a 5-year-old.

"Forget it"

"But-"

"And don't even think about arguing. If we leave it any longer, who knows? It may be too late. I have already cut you some slack, as it is. Come on let's go"

Tsuki tried her best to hold her giggle.

They are doing like a married couple. Plus it's cute how Kakashi sensei cares about all of us, she thought and smiled.

Kakashi noticed her, on their way to the exit, he stopped, and without turning his head, he spoke.

"Tsuki, I am leaving you in charge of the team, until I return. Make sure you don't get into trouble" he told her and continue his way with Sasuke.

Tsuki did not need to see his face, to understand how proud he was. She nodded and turned her gaze back to her teammates, feeling the pride of being responsible for the team. Usually, team Leader would be Sasuke and her eventually but now she was the one responsible. Plus, he was proud of her for winning her match and that was all it mattered to her then.

"Hey Sakura, maybe I am just imagining things. But did you see any weird marks on Sasuke's neck during the fight?" Naruto asked her.

"What mark, I didn't see it" she lied.

That is right. He was unconscious when Sasuke activated for the first time. Good thing, he didn't see it, Tsuki thought and snapped back to reality by Sakura hitting her in the head.

"Ouch, what was that for?" she asked while rubbing her head, hoping no bump would appear. She had just been healed and she was not in the mood for any other injuries, at that moment at least.

"Naruto asked you if you saw any weird marks on Sasuke's neck"

"No, why? Where there any marks?" she faked, playing it clueless and even tilting her head to the side to make the act much more believable.

Sakura left out a breath she did not know was holding.

Naruto looked at them with a suspicious face but soon got it over."Oh okay," he replied.


Another match took place and ended not long after. Most of the Konoha genin had yet to fight and were all excited or at least partially. However, they had to wait for their turn and no one knew when that would be.

"We will now continue with the 4th match" Hayate announced.

Smoke and the familiar poof sound was heard as Kakashi appeared behind team 7.

"Kakashi sensei," Naruto greeted.

"Hi" was the only thing he said.

"What do you mean hi? Is that all you can say? What about... what about Sasuke? How is he?" Sakura asked worriedly.

"Oh, he's fine. Sleeping soundly in the infirmary"

Sakura relaxed but Tsuki continue glaring at him. She had heard his heartbeat and although he was telling the truth, she knew that something happened. Kakashi noticed that and gave her a closed eye smile but she did not buy it. She broke her contact with him when Naruto gasped. She looked at the board and saw the next match.

Kankuro VS Misumi Tsurugi

Kankuro and Misumi made their way towards the centre of the arena. Whispers had started between the other ninjas.

Let's see what you have sandboy, she thought.


"Because his opponent is unable to continue, the winner is Kankuro," Hayate announced.

A puppeteer huh? Who knew, Tsuki said to her mind as she leaned against the wall. It was an interesting match, proving that the sand genin was not to be underestimated. The good thing with having your battles first or last, you could see all the others so you knew what to expect in the finals. She gave a smile while the others cheered but he noticed her. He returned with a wink which made her cheeks flush. Wait, why am I blushing. Okay, he is kind of cute... wait...what? she asked herself and shook her head left and right, trying to make her mind focus back into the moment.

"2 against 1 is hitting against the bells, isn't it? I mean, is that thing even fair Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked him

"It's not really 2 against 1. It's a puppet, not another ninja"

"A puppet can be seen and used as any other weapon, so Kankuro didn't break any rules Naruto" Tsuki added and Sakura gave a nod before continuing for her.

"It's just a puppet master jutsu. He is controlling the puppet with chakra. Tsuki is right. Is a ninja tool, like the shuriken"

"*cough* Now, let us continue. It's time to begin the 5th battle" Hayate said and the board started to snuffle the names once again.

"Well, no matter who will be picked. They will be weirdoes. This much is full of them" Naruto said.

"Now you are one to talk", Kakashi told him and made Sakura and Tsuki giggle.

"Yeah, good point" Sakura agreed.

"Yeah. Imagine you be the next one Naruto" Tsuki told him, causing Sakura and Kakashi to chuckle at her comment.

"Hey! Give me a break"

Sakura continued laughing. Tsuki and Kakashi noticed at the board and when they spotted the next two names, Tsuki was then the one who tried to hold her laughter.

"Hm, this isn't the time for laughter," Kakashi told her and Sakura looked at the board too, only to have her jaw dropped.

Tsuki bit her lips in order to stop the laughter. Kakashi gave her a "is not right" look and she stopped immediately but something deep inside was still laughing at the situation.

Sakura Haruno VS Ino Yamanaka

Ino realised it soon afterwards. Her expression the same with Sakura is but soon replaced by a competitive look between them. They both finally broke contact and started to walk towards Hayate, so the match could begin.


"Since neither is able to continue. This match is over with a tie. Meaning that no one is moving on the next stage" Hayate explained.

Whispers of 'No way', 'did really this happened?', 'A tie', could be heard between the 10 rookies.

Asuma and Kakashi teleported to their now fainted students. held them bridal style and brought them back at the upper lever.

"Ino!" Shikamaru shouted while running towards her along with Choji.

"Sakura NO!" Lee yelled.

"Sakura wake up! Are you... are you okay?" Naruto yelled too and all the rookies gathered around Sakura's and Ino's unconscious bodies along with the others.

Kakashi and Asuma were looking at their both students with pride in their eyes. Then, everyone's attention went back to the board once the two new names were chosen.

TenTen Vs Temari


"The winners of the 5th match... Temari" Temari smirked.

"Wait a second" Lee said and jumped to the arena.

Temari threw TenTen's unconscious body, only to be caught by him. The force so strong, that he struggled to keep his balance before he placed his teammate's body gently on the ground.

"Hey! Nice catch" she mocked.

"What is wrong with you? She may have lost but this is not a way to treat an opponent who had done her best" Lee yelled at her.

"Oh beat it and take that sack of garbage with you"

Tsuki growled at her while Lee gritted his teeth.

"No Lee" Neji yelled at his teammate who decided to attack Temari.

"Leaf Hurricane" he yelled and went to kick her, only to be stopped by her fan.

"Not even close. You know what? You are as dumb as you look"

"What did you say?"

"Lee stopped" Guy, ordered and teleported behind him.

"But Guy sensei" he tried to complain.

"Temari, forget them. The match is over, so come here. Why are you wasting your time with that pathetic loser and his ridiculous mentor" Gaara said.

"What?" Lee asked as he couldn't believe in his ears.

"Just calm down Lee", Guy told him and places his hand on Lee's shoulder. "A word of warning, you sand villagers have no idea what Lee is capable off. Remember, he still has not fought yet. So, I would be careful if I were you"

Tsuki smiled at Guy's words but her smile soon faded when he noticed Gaara's gaze. Tsuki left out a small growl as she could only imagine what he was capable of.

Medical Nin came soon after and took Ten Ten's body while Lee and Guy jumped back at the upper level. Sakura had finally managed to stand back at her feet. She was talking with Naruto but they both turned quite as the two new names were chosen.

Shikamaru Nara VS Kin Tsuchi