Upon arriving Team Seven found themselves some of the first contestants there so the illusioned team got comfortable in a tree to observe and figure out how they wanted to proceed from there as the time ticked down until it was 7o'clock in the morning the stated time.
Only then did Anko show up "Seems like you were right, it's a survival round and we'll be in there for five days trying to get a pair of heaven and earth scrolls" Sasuke scoffed, reading Anko's lips with his sharingan.
Glad he had the dojutsu now enabling him to do so "How do you propose we get a second scroll then Sakura-chan, since we'll be heading straight for the tower in the forest via emergency evacuation tunnel" Naruto questioned.
"Easy, Chishi-kun go down there and follow whoever goes to collect a scroll, then swallow the opposite scroll their handed and follow them to whichever gate their assigned" Sakura instructed the black mamba.
Both boys on either side of her shrugged then settled down to watch some more until it seemed like things were finally moving along when people started lining up outside a partitioned booth to get their starting scrolls.
When the clone Sasuke emerged from the booth, the real Team Seven dropped out of the tree they'd been sitting in and followed after the clones of themselves to gate 12 but kept themselves under the chameleon jutsu.
After fifteen minutes a buzzer sounded and the gate swung open, Sakura acted then by nicking the heaven scroll that the Sasuke clone was carrying, handed it to the real Sasuke, and let the clones dash ahead into the forest.
To carry out orders from the originals no doubt as Team Seven removed the illusion cloaking themselves "What about the other scroll" Naruto asked as they stood there by the gate for several minutes.
Chishi appeared with a regurgitated earth scroll in his mouth "Ugh that is so gross" Sasuke gagged, while absentmindedly stroking Kansen, Sakura snorted and shot him a look but lifted the scroll anyway and put it in her pouch.
"Regardless we have both scrolls now so no complaining, also we should head for the tunnel" Sakura rolled her eyes, reminding the boys about the dangers of the forest they were in, immediately Naruto and Sasuke grabbed onto her.
As she sped through hand signs "Doton: Subterranean Voyage" the rosette intoned firmly sinking into the earth and taking her teammates with her until they dropped into the evacuation tunnel that had been right beneath their feet.
Leaving no evidence behind to indicate that this is where they'd gone while their clones wreaked havoc above in the forest Team Seven began their long treacherous walk to the tower in the center of the forest.
Five hours later after stopping to eat lunch the trio arrived at their destination safely "Phew good thing that we made it to cause I really don't want to come face to face with whoever made that huge gust of wind that destroyed a set of our decoy clones" the knucklehead breathed.
Inhaling the fresh air as they exited the tunnel, dirt covered their clothes but it was a necessary sacrifice if they wanted to remain safe at all times "Now that you mention it, that was kind of weird and I'm glad we're here as well" the Uchiha commented.
Brushing some dirt debris from his arms in vain the only way he'd be clean was if he took a shower so with that thought in mind they headed for the door with their gate number on it and stepped inside the tower.
Meanwhile in the Jonin Lounge were the sensei of the genin participating in the second round "So I heard a rumor that yesterday your genin were pursued by someone impersonating you is that true Kakashi" Asuma inquired.
"Though I want to deny it, yes Asuma it's true, they were pretty on edge when I check up on them, nearly skewered me with weapons before recognizing me" Kakashi nodded, wishing he could do something in retaliation but he had no proof that it was Danzo who'd done it.
Asuma stared in horror "But why is the question, for what reason did someone target genin….unless their after you Kakashi, since your the Copy Ninja" Kurenai choked, frowning as she contemplated what they'd all just learned.
Kakashi gave a shrug "Can't say for sure Kurenai, what I can say though is that the next time someone comes after my students, they won't get to take the cowards way out by committing suicide" Kakashi announced in a deadly serious sounding tone of voice.
That's if they made it past all of the traps his students had set up he finished inwardly "My youthful student Tenten wishes to know if your youthful student would be willing to part with her scythe for a weapon from her family's shop" Gai interjected.
Changing the subject, Kakashi raised a single silver brow in response "I really hate to break it to you Gai, but getting Sakura to let go of that weapon will be nigh impossible even if she was offered another weapon" Kakashi informed.
Just then the doors to the lounge slammed open and Anko stormed in "Hatake your kids made it to the tower in five bloody hours" Anko snarled, stalking towards him and getting in his face with the most incensed expression on her face.
The man held up his hands "Don't blame me I don't know how they did it, and you should know already Sakura-chan's quite the brainiac, she probably came up with a plan to get through the forest quickly" Kakashi scoffed.
Anko hissed like the snakes she was fond of, hands clenching and un-clenching as she worked to calm herself down "I claim teaching rights when Pinky passes to the final round" Anko glared, daring him to argue with her.
Thankfully he didn't simply nodded and watched her stalk off trench coat snapping at her heels as she stormed from the lounge the same way she'd entered "Kakashi, there's no guarantee your kunoichi will make it to the final round" Kurenai started in.
Thinking that Sakura was most likely like her own kunoichi, this statement got her a look from two men "Trust me Kurenai, Sakura's not like most young female shinobi who focuses on her looks, she beat Shikamaru in ten minutes flat" Asuma explained.
"Maybe I'll set up a future training session between our youthful students how does that sound my eternal rival" Gai rested his gaze on Kakashi who'd pulled out his book to read from despite Kurenai's glare, though at the question the Copy Ninja nodded then resumed reading.
Back with Team Seven after entering the tower, figuring out the riddle, followed by subsequently meeting their old academy sensei Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were led to a room that had three beds in it and the minute the jonin was gone promptly barricaded the door.
Before slumping onto the floor backs supporting each other to keep them upright "Twenty minutes, make a clone to keep lookout and wake us when times up" Sakura requested, exhausted as she leaned her head back onto Sasuke's shoulder.
Eyes fluttering shut almost instantly, boys joining her in slumber seconds later until at the stated time the Naruto clone woke them "Couldn't we rest a little longer" Naruto whined, struggling to get up on Sakura's command.
"Shower first, whine later knucklehead, not to mention we have to make sure we're protected in this room until this round ends" Sasuke reminded as the three of them warily exited the room they'd been assigned and found where the baths were.
It was with extreme reluctance that they let Sakura go bathe by herself who promised them that she'd have a couple clones on watch to guard her back which settled the two boys somewhat and half an hour later they were back in their assigned room.
Which they again barricaded "Okay so what now, we can't draw seals on the door or window which leaves us with very limited options to secure our protection" Sasuke inquired, hoping that Sakura would have an idea.
And thankfully she did as she pulled out tags five to be precise "Barrier tags, we put one in each corner of the room and on the door, make it compatible to our chakra only and we'll be set for the rest of the survival round" Sakura announced.
Drawing the seals already, five minutes later the barrier was activated, "Why is it that color Sakura-chan" Naruto inquired curiously seeing the black outline of the barrier as it surrounded the room so they could get a little more shut eye.
Sakura looked up eyeing the barrier's color with a raised brow "I might have used my secondary chakra actually, hold on…no that was Jashin-sama and he wants me to do the prayer of thanks" the pinkette grinned.
Relieved she had such a caring god/father "Go for it Sakura, we'll watch if he doesn't mind, you don't have to cut yourself though do you" the raven shrugged before frowning hoping that things weren't about to get bloody on them, yet anyway.
She shook her head assuring him then dropped to her knees in the center of the room, clasping her pendant necklace in hand "Jashin, for all the things you mean to me, I thank you, for all the joy in my heart, the life in my spirit, I give you thanks" Sakura chanted.
"Jashin, Father, you give me a reason to live, you give my life meaning, everyday is a treasure in which you encourage me to grow, you nudge me to enjoy every minute, the signs you give me, I treasure, the dreams you send, they guide me" the rosette continued.
Pitching her voice low as she prayed "Your presence reassures I am not alone, for that there are no words, energy you give when I am weak, strength you pour into me when I must walk the difficult walk" Sakura murmured.
Really into her praying "When I am sad, you comfort me, when people hurt me, you let me know you are on my side, you are everything I will ever need, you my father who I will go to with everything, my teacher who guides me in all knowledge" Sakura prayed.
"My protector, when I am in danger, my creator who made me who I am, and above all, Jashin, you are my god with whom I will spend eternity, thank you, with all my heart, thank you from the depths of my spirit, thank you, with all that I am" she finished.
Opening her eyes since she'd closed them and pressing a chaste kiss to her pendant necklace "That was intense" the blonde knucklehead commented as they got comfortable on the beds, setting an alarm this time to wake them up for dinner.
Sakura cast him a fond smile, nodding her head in agreement before laying back on the bed, curling up underneath the covers with her snake as they did the same and moments later their breathing evened out as they drifted off into another slumber.
Later on they crept from their assigned room to find the cafeteria "Ooh look they have ramen" Naruto squealed his delight upon seeing his favorite food available and promptly got three large bowls to satiate his hunger.
"Why is that kid so obsessed with ramen anyway Sakura, you grew up with him , so you have to know right" Sasuke inquired as he got curry, wanting to understand his teammates better since they'd only become friends upon being assigned as a team.
She was quiet for a moment as she got her own favorite food in the form of sushi "Hmm..ah well it has more to do with the fact that restaurants would kick him out all the time until he found the ramen stand, Teuchi-san didn't mind Naruto so that's why" Sakura grimaced.
"Are you serious, they would kick him out, a little kid that's just unacceptable, why would they do that and why did Lord Hokage allow people to treat a child so horribly" the Uchiha ranted furiously under his breath as they approached the table Naruto was already seated at.
Consuming his ramen at a rapid rate "Did you say something Sasuke" the blonde Uzumaki asked, pausing to take a breath from devouring his ramen, Sasuke shook his head and got started on eating the curry he'd chosen.
The last member of their team sat between them as had become the norm and chowed down on her various different kinds of sushi "And before you ask I've just always liked sushi Sasuke there's no special reason" the pinkette said.
When his gaze bore into the side of her head to which he quickly focused on his food because no doubt Sasuke had been about to ask that very question, not long after eating their fill Team Seven returned to their room.
Before going back to bed, Sakura unsealed a large scroll and drew Jashin's symbol on it in her blood, stripped down to her mesh clothes and sat on the symbol once the blood had dried, raising the ceremonial dagger and lightly cutting her wrists.
To bleed but not profusely for once "At the end of this day Lord Jashin, I thank you for each gift you bestowed upon me, for teaching me ancient ways, for experiences both good and bad that have made me stronger, for the people you have taught me through" Sakura chanted quietly.
Making a few lightly bleeding cuts here and there as she prayed "For the pleasures in which I have partaken, as I sleep I ask that I may enter your dark realm, so that I may be by your unholy presence" the rosette whispered softly.
Feeling no need to be loud for this particular ritual "Guide me Lord Jashin, unto yourself, and may I be forever grasped in your mighty arms" Sakura finished, basking in the sensations of a properly done ritual as his power washed over her.
Healing the scratches "Man, hey you think that Jashin guy will let us be acolytes to the religion so we can pray and do that stuff to all without being immortal or having to sacrifice people" Naruto asked when the scroll was rolled up.
And Sakura had trudged tiredly to her chosen bed in the middle, she blinked at him with heavy lidded eyes before his words registered "Jashin-sama says we'll talk about it in the garden for now it's time to sleep he says" Sakura yawned, answering Naruto's question.
"Garden…..right that's where she woke up when she died the first time if I recall, I didn't realize she could still go there" Sasuke scratched his head confused for a moment as he watched her crawl beneath the blankets and fall instantly to sleep, and they weren't long in following.
~Jashin's Garden~
Like for the past four or so months Sakura was learning various Jashinist rituals that had been forgotten over time "I thought you might like to learn something new tonight, a particular summoning jutsu which has been passed down through generations of Jashinists" Jashin said.
Knowing that his daughter was about to be very surprised "Oh….what kind of summoning are you talking about Jashin-sama" Sakura perked up excitedly, bringing a cruel smile onto his lips which indicated he was amused at her antics.
"Wolves, a special breed, created from my power specifically for you Daughter, I'm certain you know those pesky hand signs you humans insist on using correct, good, go ahead and summon them, they've been waiting so very long for you" Jashin declared.
Instructing Sakura to summon her own personal summons "Father…..these wolves are….well they would give everyone a bleeding heart attack in my village if they saw them" Sakura began, trailing off twice before shooting him an apologetic look.
The wolves to say the least were quite demonic looking what with their spiky jet black fur and eerie glowing red eyes, except for one, the lone female who had pure white fur and eerie glowing pink eyes there were three in all.
Jashin chuckled darkly in response "Not to worry, they will look completely normal to everyone except for you and those inducted into the religion, I suppose we should talk about that yes, what those two inquired about" Jashin commented.
Sakura spun to face him as the wolves wandered off to elsewhere in the garden "Yes, I know their asking a lot, but I truly don't believe Naruto or Sasuke would be able to handle the full weight of being a Jashinist" Sakura bit her lip.
Peering up into his pink orbs "Daughter…you have equal power to decide on who to induct into Jashinism don't you realize…you didn't, now you do, so if they simply wish to pray then they may do so" Jashin laughed maniacally.
His daughter conceived through mortal means bounced in excitement "Thank you, I'll make sure they know the chants backwards, frontwards, sideways, diagonal and vertical Jashin-sama" Sakura clapped before he sent her off for the rest of the night to rest properly.
When they woke the following morning Sakura happily told Sasuke and Naruto that they were now considered acolytes and made them participate in the morning prayer "At the start of a new day, Lord Jashin, my thoughts are of you and I know you are with me" Sakura began.
Leading the morning prayer, teammates chanting along with her "I give you this day, lead me to walk your path, without hesitation, to places where I will gain wisdom, to sources where I will gain knowledge, and where I can make a difference for you" the pinkette recited carefully.
Making sure that Naruto and Sasuke could memorize the words of the prayer "Push me so that no minute will be lost in laziness, inactivity, or boredom, so I will be the best that I can be in all areas of my life, watch over me this day, protect me from my enemies" Sakura chanted.
Teammates awkwardly following along as they raised the pendant necklaces Sakura had given them to use for the ritual "Wherever I am, may people see you in me and in everything I do, may you be honored" Sakura finished in tandem with Sasuke and Naruto.
Smiling as she felt Jashin's presence settle within her mind at the completed ritual "And you do that every morning" Sasuke inquired, not having realized there were so many rules to being a Jashinist until Naruto had gotten them inducted into the religion.
"Yep, ninety percent of them though I have to spill blood to satisfy Jashin-sama but because I am his daughter, the goddess of slaughter, I can bend the rules a bit just for you two" Sakura grinned as she took back the pendants for now.
There was no need to draw suspicion just yet from any other teams that might have made it to the tower during the night "So what does that make the other guy who's immortal, his son" Naruto pondered out loud as they readied themselves for the day.
She shook her head "No an acolyte a really dedicated one, he wasn't born with the power, it was given to him by Jashin-sama, while I was born from Jashin-sama's power as a part of me but I couldn't access it until I died" Sakura explained.
Deactivating the barrier so they could head out and get breakfast, upon entering the cafeteria, Gaara tensed at the sight of them "What Gaara" Temari sighed, clearly not having slept well in the least and now her psychopathic little brother was acting up again.
"It's her….the malevolent chakra is back and so is the smell of death" Gaara gestured discreetly at the pinkette who mother point blank told him not to mess with, it was certainly off-putting that mother who desired blood wouldn't attempt anything on an innocent looking pink haired girl.
Just the feel of that chakra however told him she was not innocent in any capacity, there was blood on her hands he could smell it "Come on lets go over there and ask her so we don't have to wonder anymore" Kankuro groaned.
Rising and taking his tray with him and left with no other choice Temari and Gaara followed him "Hi…..can we help you" the pinkette greeted, surprised that they'd come over at all, considering their last meeting with one another.
The teal eyed blonde nodded "Yeah can you tell us why the hell your so bloody weird, what the hell is up with that malevolent chakra Gaara can feel and why do you reek of death" Temari demanded to know.
Getting the questions out quickly so they didn't have to waste to much time on this "Sorry but that's not something we're at liberty to tell you" the raven grunted, becoming tight-lipped about Sakura's secrets, though now he and Naruto were involved so it was their secret to.
Kankuro sneered in response "This is why I hate brats, at least tell us something or we'll tell your Hokage your keeping secrets from him that could be potentially dangerous for your village and get you thrown out of the exam" Kankuro threatened.
Naruto burst out laughing "Haha, very funny….old man Hokage already knows so that would be utterly pointless" the blonde said when he managed to calm down, wiping away tears of mirth as he did so.
Clearly not intimidated "Kankuro enough, questioning them is leading us nowhere" Gaara rumbled out finally, the malevolent chakra really getting to him the longer he was in that girls presence and with that Team Baki left Team Seven alone.
~Three Days Later~
On the evening of the final day the teams that had gathered in the tower so far crowded into the arena as the Leaf Village's beloved Hokage gave a speech "Welcome and congratulations to all of you who have made it this far, we will now commence with a preliminary round" Hiruzen stated.
And the genin wanting to participate in the preliminary round were ushered up into the stands "Kakashi-sensei what are you doing here" Sakura was the first one to notice the man stood behind them as they waited for the extra round to begin.
Kakashi chuckled and ruffled her short hair "To cheer you three on of course, so make me proud by all of you making it into the final round alright" Kakashi admitted, staring each of his students in the eyes until they nodded.
"Psshhh of course we'll all make it to the final round Kakashi-sensei, we haven't been doing that nightmarish obstacle course for three months to have nothing to show for it" Naruto rolled his eyes with a snort.
A short distance away from them Asuma lifted an eyebrow "Obstacle course" Asuma echoed in a dubious tone of voice, Team Seven's genin nodded, sporting sour expressions, indicating that the obstacle course really tried their patience.
Before the conversation could be continued the first match was decided on "Of course it's me first" Sasuke groaned seeing his name on the board, Sakura and Naruto pat him on the back being encouraging as he headed down into the arena after his opponent.
"Kick his ass Sasuke" Sakura called down to him from over the railing, Kansen coiled around her arm, Sasuke nodded shortly at her then faced his opponent properly as the proctor for the preliminary round stepped forward.
Letting a out a little cough "Hayate Gekkou I am your proctor for this round, if you are ready let the first match begin" Hayate brought his hand down, Sasuke fell into a defensive position, eyes flashing bloody red as he calculated out a plan to ensure his victory.
In the stands his team watched as he fought Yoroi Akado "LIONS BARRAGE" Sasuke finally ended his match after ten minutes with an extremely complicated taijutsu maneuver that he'd made up on the spot.
Sweat was thick on his forehead and he was breathing heavy but nonetheless he was victorious 'Thank you Jashin for this chance to advance further and prove my skills, may you continue to watch over me in all that I do as I walk this path of mine' the Uchiha offered up a quick prayer.
To Jashin as he walked coolly up the steps while Yoroi was taken away on a stretcher "Quite the handy work, I assume you learned that when I wasn't looking hmm" Kakashi commented, proud of Sasuke and how far the boy had come.
"Actually Kakashi that move just now it was something I came up with on the spot to take that Akado guy out" the raven admitted, taking Kansen from Sakura and leaning against the wall, and seeing as it wasn't her turn yet Sakura shuffled forward.
Hands glowing green "Sakura since when could you use medical ninjutsu" Ino gaped, watching in awe as Sasuke's injuries were healed leaving no trace of them behind except for a bit of blood that stained his clothes.
Obviously healing required extreme concentration because only once Sakura was done did she answer the question asked of her "For three months and it took me three months to even learn how to utilize the mystical palm and I'm still learning" Sakura informed.
Doing as Sasuke had to watch the next match between Shino and a sound shinobi named Zaku, it was a brutal match but it hardly fazed Team Seven at all, not the screams or the blood as like Yoroi, Zaku was taken away by medics on a stretcher.
The third match consisted of Kankuro vs Misumi Tsurugi and the puppet wielder didn't waste much time and in less than two minutes, he'd broken all the bones in Misumi's body with just his puppet.
A five minute break was called at that point "So who do you think you'll be facing Sakura-chan" Naruto asked as she remained seated against the wall next to Sasuke, him on her other side "For that matter I wonder who I'll have to fight" Naruto mused.
"Couldn't tell you Naruto, there are many people left and we could have to face any one of them" Sakura shook her head, having no answer for the boy this time, she wasn't a seer after all, Naruto pouted for a moment then shrugged seeing as there was little he could do but wait.
Five minutes later the electronic board started up again "Sakura-chan it's your turn" Kakashi announced, wincing at who his kunoichi was matched against, Ino had been trying to spar against Sakura for months.
Only to be thwarted time after time, "By the way if you lose I get your scythe, it's wasted on you anyway" the bun haired girl from the written round yelled when the pinkette and Ino started down the steps to stand in the arena.
Her brow twitched "No deal and I have no intention of losing anyway" Sakura scoffed, wondering what the hell the brunette's problem was as she squared off against Ino at long last though she wasn't going to be cruel about it.
Instead she was just going to take Ino out quickly "You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment Sakura, so you better face me seriously or else you'll be defeated" Ino ranted, practically having already won the fight in her mind at least.
Sakura sighed "Let the fourth match between Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka begin" Hayate coughed, starting the match, Ino lunged forward only to cringe back when Sakura met her fist with a fist of her own cracking their knuckles against each other painfully.
Then the pinkette reached into her pouch and drew out a smoke bomb, with a smirk she tossed it at the floor and it exploded in an explosion of smoke "Chameleon Jutsu" the rosette weaved the hand seals to the camouflage jutsu, then created a clone.
Right as the smoke dissipated, the real Sakura was already on the move, setting up a trap to capture Ino while her clone played decoy, in the end it was far to easy to catch Ino as her whole body was stuck to the net spread eagle and unable to move a muscle.
"What the hell is this" Ino screeched, feeling like a fly caught in a spiders web, while struggling to escape without much success to further her shock was when the Sakura standing before her dispersed in a puff of smoke.
Having been a clone and the real Sakura unveiled herself "It's a trap, I don't expect you to understand its complexity however but since I'm in a good mood I'll attempt to explain it anyway, that is a net" Sakura informed.
Pointing out the obvious and Ino glared at her "But I concentrated my chakra into it, hence the reason your stuck, it's the tree climbing exercise only reverse engineered but attuned to my chakra only so unless your me, your not going to get free" Sakura giggled.
Ino screamed at her unintelligibly clearly pissed off before she glanced to Hayate who shook his head indicating that what Sakura had done was entirely within the rules "You cheater this has to be cheating right….this isn't fair" Ino cried.
"Life is never fair Ino, it's downright cruel, there is injustice everywhere but you don't see others crying about it" Sakura shrugged, seeing the blonde wearing down as she used her chakra to try and break free from the net.
Finally Ino seemed to curl in on herself "I forfeit" Ino slumped, not happy in the least as Sakura was named the winner of their match and the girl finally released her from the trap she'd somehow set up without her knowing it.
On the way up Sakura held out glowing green hands "Hold out your hand…there all done" Sakura requested, followed by healing Ino's bruised knuckles, upon reaching the top of the steps she was enveloped in a hug by Naruto.
"Great job Sis, I knew you could do it" Naruto exclaimed, unaware of all the stares he was garnering from his comment, at least not until he released Sakura and felt the gazes upon his person, prompting him to hide behind the rosette.
Who grinned as she received a hug from Sasuke next "That was well done" Sasuke intoned gruffly, his hug didn't last nearly as long as Naruto's had, simply because he didn't like revealing his feelings in public.
Kakashi even ruffled her hair proud of his kunoichi until all the matches had been won, only ten people were moving on to the final round, all of Team Baki, Neji Hyuga, Dosu Kinuta, Shikamaru Nara, Shino Aburame and all of Team Seven.
The matches of the final round went a little like this Naruto vs Neji, Kankuro vs Shino, Temari vs Shikamaru, Sakura vs Dosu and Sasuke vs Gaara before the Hokage dismissed them at long last and the Jonin started body flickering their students from the Forest of Death.
Right before Kakashi could take his genin home, Anko charged towards them "Hold it Hatake, I'm coming with you since I'll be training Pinky for the month" Anko reminded, not wanting to be left out of the loop any more.
"Very well as for you two, Sasuke you'll be with me and Naruto your trainer for the month is Ebisu" Kakashi relented seeing as the Hokage had given him permission to share the location of his students house with the woman.
And in a puff of smoke they were near his team training grounds, Anko was understandably confused "Anko-sensei this way" Sakura waved, heading for a boulder of all things while Kakashi disappeared on them.
Leaving her to follow after the genin and then imagine Anko's surprise when Sakura weaved some hand signs then lifted the rock revealing a hole "Us first so we can light the lantern" Sasuke said, jumping in with zero hesitation.
"Okay you can follow now Anko-sensei" Naruto called after a moment, Anko feeling unsure of what she'd gotten herself into gracefully jumped into the hole and found a long tunnel ahead of them, Sakura came last, the boulder shutting behind her with a hand sign.
Then they began trekking down the tunnel "What the hell is going on here" Anko yelled as they passed by two tunnels that branched off in different directions but the four of them continued in the same direction.
Until they hit what seemed like a dead end with only one tunnel off to the side, that's what she thought until Sakura sped through some more hand signs, lowering a wall of earth to reveal more tunnel "We'll explain just wait till we get to the house" Sakura assured.
Raising the earth wall behind them and a minute later they were exiting the tunnel through the hatch that lead into their living room "This is not the apartment" Anko accused, staring around at the unfamiliar living room.
"Uh nope….Kakashi-sensei had this house built for us a week after we got back from that mission, old man Hokage told him that we weren't allowed to tell anyone where we were living so we kept the apartment as a cover" Naruto admitted.
Anko grit her teeth and glared at them furiously "I want the truth, the whole truth so help me god or I'll beat your asses into the ground" Anko snarled, the kids shared looks with one another and shifted uncomfortably.
Before Sasuke stepped forward "Can you promise that what we're about to reveal won't get out to anyone at T&I, Lord Hokage and Kakashi already know but the secret we've been keeping is extremely dangerous, we also need you to keep an open mind as well" Sasuke asked.
Staring at her pleadingly "If I have to get a seal then I will so start talking what's so dangerous that you have someone impersonating your sensei to try and get in your apartment, that you have to have a fake address that the Hokage demands you to not tell anyone about your real one" Anko demanded.
Sasuke glanced to Sakura "Our mission, as everyone knows it turned A rank on us because the mission client lied…what no one but Hokage-sama and us of Team Seven know is that I died, for half an hour and came back to life" Sakura began.
It was clear Anko wanted to ask but waited when Sakura continued "While I was legally dead I found myself in a garden with a red moon and it was there I met a man named Jashin who called himself the god of slaughter and told me he'd been waiting for me a long time" Sakura said.
"Then when I'd been there for awhile he told me it was time to go back to the world I belong in and so I woke up alive again" Sakura finished, staring at the floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
As she waited for everything to register in Anko's mind and for the rejection that was sure to come 'Fear not child, you underestimate that woman's affection for you' Jashin soothed, imparting a small comfort onto the girl.
For several minutes no one spoke until Anko shifted her gaze onto the two boys "It's true, we saw Sakura-chan's dead body and we watched her come back to life to" Naruto nodded, tone desperate for her to believe them.
"You said this Jashin guy had been waiting for you for a long time, why" Anko swiveled her gaze back onto Sakura, trying not to outright reject the lunacy these kids were telling her, because she'd promised not to right out of hand.
Sakura inhaled "Because her biological parents were acolytes and without Jashin, Sakura would never have been conceived or born into this world, she's essentially his daughter because he gave her mom the power to carry children" Sasuke explained.
Knowing that Sakura still had problems "His daughter huh so what does that make you the goddess of slaughter or something, you guys this whole story your telling me is sounding more and more crazy by the minute but continue" Anko snorted.
Only they weren't laughing "Basically Anko-sensei….and I've been given a specific objective to complete for Jashin…sacrifice Orochimaru, he had everyone back in my birth village killed for the sake of experimentation" Sakura bit her lip.
Still staring at the floor intently "Sacrifice….he wants you to sacrifice Orochimaru that sounds like a load of bull crap and I don't buy it, I'm sorry not unless you can give me proof" Anko shook her head in denial.
Feeling slightly bad when Sakura flinched "Will you let us…prove it I mean" Naruto inquired, glancing out the window and seeing they had just enough daylight, Sakura tensed but waited for whatever Anko's answer would be.
It was agonizing those three minutes before Anko finally nodded so the four of them headed outside through the front door to her surprise and trekked through the forest until they found what they needed.
A large boar "We ask that you try not to freak out or interrupt whats about to happen, Sakura will be fine, she's done this before" Sasuke warned watching as she set up for her ritual and Anko hissed when Sakura slashed her wrists.
Letting her blood pool on the ground before creating Jashin's symbol then with spear in hand marched over to the boar and scratched it, the blood was quickly ingested to Anko's disgust who was about to be very surprised.
When Sakura headed back for the strange symbol and upon standing in it her features changed, her skin blackened and white markings appeared on her face making her eerie green eyes glow as her hair turned ivory.
"Oh Mighty Lord Jashin, by whom all things are set free, I cast myself utterly into thine arms and place myself unreservedly under thy all powerful protection" Sakura recited the sacrificial ritual prayer as she jabbed herself in the shoulder.
Causing the boar to squeal in pain as it started bleeding "Visit justice and vengeance upon those who seek my destruction, render them powerless and devastated" Sakura chanted, deciding to try something new so shattered the bone in her left leg.
Leaving her breathless at the pain/pleasure that washed over her from the ritual magic "Fi..Fill my soul with thy invincible power, strengthen me, so that I may persevere in your service, oh mighty Lord Jashin" Sakura finished.
Taking a kunai and thrusting it into her heart "Wait" Sasuke said when Anko went to rush forward, she glared at him, only to gasp in awe five minutes later when Sakura gingerly sat up and extracted her kunai as all her injuries healed from the power of her immortality.
It was all the proof Anko needed "So it's true, this guy Jashin does exist, you, your immortal, oh kami if people found out you'd be in a lot of…that's why that guy was after you" Anko rambled before realizing.
Sakura nodded "Technically Anko-sensei he was one of Danzo's root operatives, when we came back Hokage-sama put me under anbu watch and thanks to Jashin-sama I was able to throw off his mind control, that was his first attempt to force my hand on the matter" Sakura explained.
The four of them loping back towards the house after sealing the dead boar away, it would probably be saved for another cookout whenever they decided to have one "Well your secret is safe with me, all of them now whats for dinner" Anko declared.
Prompting laughter from the genin as they headed in and Sakura made supper for the four of them before she was shown to the guest room that Kakashi stayed in sometimes but not permanently and with that they all laid down to get some shut eye for the night.