A few days after the incident at the hospital, the day of the finals finally arrived and Tsuki couldn't be happier but also nervous about it. Right now, she and the Inuzuka family of three were walking towards the arena.

"So, are you nervous?" Kiba asked.

"Of course I am. I have never fought a puppeteer before and I am not the only one who was training you know"

"You will be fine, pup. Just remember what we taught you and you will be a chunin in no time" Tsume said and patted the wolf girl on the head.

In that month, she had become quite close with the Inuzuka as they were sharing quite a lot in common. True, Tsume was a strict and harsh mother and teacher but didn't mean that her ways were not effective. Thank her training, Tsuki had gained muscles, speed and agility. However, what she liked the most was the fact that she a had family right next to her, advising and even scolding her and she wouldn't change that for anything. Also, a family that came to see and cheer for her during her matches.

"The others are here. I better go" she said as she noticed that the rest of the candidates were already on the arena.

"Then go pup. We will be watching from upstairs" Tsume said and without a second thought, she turned and started to leave.

"Good luck Tsuki," Hana said before running to her mother.

"Well then, kick some butt wolf girl," Kiba said and Akamaru barked.

"Thank you, both of you. See you guys later" Tsuki said and waved to the duo before walking towards the rest of the candidates.


Wait, we are not all here, she thought as she noticed that Naruto, Doshu and Sasuke weren't there.

"Tsuki, I see you finally came," a bored, familiar voice said and snapped her from her thoughts.

"Shika, of course, I did. I am surprised you showed up" she joked, her tail wagging once she saw her friend.

"Well, you know how things are. The faster my match comes, the faster all this troublesome event will be over"

She chuckled. "True. So, are you ready"

"Yeah, but where are Naruto and Sasuke?"

"I do not know. I have to see them for like a month. Mostly Sasuke but he is trained under Kakashi, meaning that is not unusual for him to be late. Where is Doshu?"

"Who?"

"Your match, the sound ninja"

"No idea" Shikamaru said and yawned, causing her to shake her head.

Suddenly, her ear twitched and in seconds, she had grabbed Shikamaru from the shirt and pulled him to the side just as a panting Naruto ran right next to them, only to collapse a few feet away.

"Are you okay Future Hokage?" she asked as she let go of a shocked Shikamaru, walked to her friend and offered her hand.

She mentally chuckled, the entrance being a signature move for her comrade. She was excited for his match, wanting to see how much he had trained but also wanting to see Neji losing. She didn't hold any deep hatred against Neji, thanks to Hinata talking her in. However, she still wanted him to lose and learn that his way of thinking was very wrong while is arrogance and hatred against his family should be stopped.

He gave a nod and accepted her hand, allowing her to lift him on his two feet. "Yeah, man I am not late right?"

"No, you are on time"

"Thank Kami," the Blond Uzumaki said as he undusted himself.

"Have you seen Sasuke?"

"What? He is not here?" he asked as he started to look around. for his teammate who was, not there. He then looked at Tsuki and shook his head in a No motion. "Sorry"

"That's okay. Let's just hope that will appear anytime soon"

"Yeah"


After what seemed like a century but where actually a few minutes, the time for the finals to begin came.

"Welcome all! Moreover, our deepest thanks for coming here, in the village hidden in the leaves for this year Chunin selection. We have come to the final competition, between the nine candidates who made it through the preliminaries. We ask that no one leave until all the matches have been completed. Now, everyone enjoy!" The Hokage said from his special box up, where he sat with the Kazekage; their ceremonial robes and hats on their heads.

Tsuki smiled as she locked eyes with the kind and wise man but then, her eyes landed on the Kage who was mostly covered by the shadow of his hat. Something was odd about him but she couldn't pinpoint what exactly. Her thoughts were interrupted and her attention went to the Jounin that approached them. He was young, his brown hair held by his headband which was worn like a bandana and had a toothpick between his lips.

"Look it over. There has been a slight change. But it is all over now, so take a good look on who you will be facing" he said and each of the candidates looked at the paper carefully.

I see. So the first 3 have stayed the same and changed mine. So I have to fight Temari then huh? How troublesome, Shikamaru thought as he noticed that only his match had changed.

"You will definitely win Shika. Unlike her you have brains" Tsuki joked and Naruto snickered at the comment before getting a grip on himself and raise his hand.

he proctor, Genma, pointed at the kid and gave him permission to ask his question. "I was just wondering what will happen to Sasuke. I mean if he does not' show up"

"If a candidate is not here at the arena at the time when his name is called, forfeits the match"

"Don't worry. He will be there" Tsuki said in an attempt to reassure him but it was clear that she was also nervous.

"Aright, listen up! The terrain is different but the rules are the same as before. That is that they are no rules and the match continues until one of the candidate's ignorance defeat or dies. Remember that I can step in and stop the match anytime and no arguments permitted. Understood?" All the genin nodded with their heads while observing the area around them. It was mostly green with a few trees at the edges. That means that if you want to use your surroundings as a weapon you have to move the fight closer to the wall, Tsuki thought as she started to form a plan. "These are the opponents of the first match, Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga. Those two, stay and the rest of you can go to the waiting area"

Giving a nod, she followed the others to the stars and to their special seats which were only for the candidates. Others made themselves comfortable but she leaned against the railing, holding on it for balance while looking at Naruto who was against Neji. "Kick his butt Future Hokage!"

The said blond genin turned his head and gave her his signature foxy toothy grin along with a thumb up while Neji glared at her.


"The winner is... Naruto Uzumaki", Genma announced a faint smile on his face.

Everyone started to clap and cheer for Naruto while he started to run up and down with a huge grin on his face. He was cheering for himself too and sent kisses at the crowd. He had amazed everyone by not only outsmarting Neji but also giving him the speech. In addition, he showed how much he had progressed and he used the chakra of the nine tails to boost him when Neji blocked his chakra points.

Tsuki was clapping, shouting his name louder than everyone else shouted; and Naruto couldn't help but blush slightly at her form. She had her white hair tied in a ponytail with a few strands falling in front of her lavender-blue eyes that shined with pride and happiness. Her jacket was open and exposed the lavender crop right beneath it.

However, her smile quickly dropped and her mood changed as she realized one thing. The next match was between Gaara and Sasuke… and the Uchiha was not there yet.

The Hokage wasn't the only one to notice as suddenly the crowd started to yell and demand the next match to begin.

Come on Sasuke, where are you? Tsuki wondered and just then, a jounin appeared and started to talk with Genma.

"Listen, Everyone! One of the competitors of the next battle has not arrived yet. Therefore, we are going to postpone this match and simply jump ahead to the battle that would have followed this one. So, up to the next battle, Tsuki and Kankuro come down"

That's weird but if it means earning some time for Sasuke, be it, Tsuki thought and was ready to jump above the railing when Kankuro's next words shocked her.

"I withdraw" he shouted.

"What?!" she wondered/ asked out loud and looked at Kiba and his family who were the same shocked as she was.

"I withdraw, so please advance to the next match" he continued and the crowd started to complain.

She looked at the sand genin who had his face neutral but in his eyes, she could see different emotions. There was something else, something that kept him from fighting her. He even refused to look at her, something highly odd. She still had her chance to show her skills on the second round with the winners but that didn't mean she would brush the situation off so easily.

"Due to Kankuro's withdraw, Tsuki Okami wins by default" Genma announced but the crowd did not like that and they continue they disapproval and their shouts. Temari then summoned air and by using her fan as some kind of a boat, she started to head towards the centre of the arena. "And you are?"

"It's my turn, right?", she asked him as she landed on the ground, her fan folding once again.

"Well, you sure are an eager one, aren't you? Fine! Let us start the next match then. Hey! You up there! Come down!" Genma shouted to Shikamaru who had chickened out. "Shikamaru Nara, come on"

"Go on Shikamaru! You can do it!", Naruto yelled as he had made his way all over the stairs and then to the Nara boy.

He also pushed Shikamaru, by accident of course, but poor him, he ended up landing with his back. Tsuki tried to hold back her laughter as his expression that moment was hilarious. He obviously did not want to fight but thank Naruto he had to. Shikamaru did not move from his position and the crowd angry started to throw cans, eaten fruits, everything they had on them, except of money of course, and clothes.

Temari had a smirk on her face and hit her fan on the ground. "What is it? Are you planning on giving up too?" she mocked him.

Everyone in the crowd was yelling for him to stand up but of course, Naruto's voice was the one that you could hear clearly. "Come on! Come on! Get up and fight! Get it together Shikamaru! Are you going to do something this year dattebayo?!"

"Well, if you do not move. I will" Temari said and started to run at him full speed and her fan on her right hand, ready to strike.