Shizukana's P.O.V
I woke up to the sound of metal clashing on metal. There was yelling.
I sat up as soon as I remembered where I was. I looked around to find Naruto, Sasuke and the silver-haired Genin from before.
The three of them looked as if they had fought a battle. Naruto saw me and ran towards me.
"Shizukana-chan, you're awake." He said making Sasuke walk towards me. Kabuto lingered in the back.
I stood up with the help of Naruto. "What happened?" I asked stretching my legs.
"You passed out for two days. We had to move since we needed the Heaven Scroll." Sasuke answered.
"That's when we met Kabuto. He told us that he will help us get a scroll." Naruto said, jumping excitedly. "And see!" He said waving a Heaven and Earth scroll.
I tilted my head in confusion. "Why do we need a Heaven scroll? We have the one we received from the Chunin officers." I said pulling out the scroll from my pouch.
Sasuke looked at me with a deadpanned look. He just sighed before turning and looking at Kabuto.
Naruto just chuckled nervously.
"We have to leave. There will be other teams who might want to pouch the scrolls from us." Kabuto said making narrow my eyes in confusion.
Why would he want to help? I mean, it obviously can't do him any good. Is he trying to gain our trust. If so, then for what?
I shook my head and followed the boys. We leaped over branches until we found a tall tower.
It was quiet and looked at least 25 years old. We stopped in front of the door and looked at Kabuto.
He lifted his glasses before speaking. "Well, this is where I part. I have to meet my team. But good luck on the next exam." He said before walking away.
I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why did he help us?" I asked Naruto and Sasuke.
"He said that Konoha Genin should watch out for each other." Naruto said waving towards Kabuto.
"Let's go in." Sasuke said pushing the doors open. Inside was an empty hall. There was a banner hanging against the wall and that's it.
Everything else was grey and empty. Just like your place. A voice said in my head.
The banner mentioned something about needing to have both mental and physical abilities in order to become a successful ninja.
I looked at Naruto. "Open the scrolls." I said making him look at me.
He nodded his head. He opened the Earth scroll while I opened the Heaven scroll.
Both the scrolls started to smoke. I looked at the marking and widened my eyes.
"Naruto it then away." I said throwing my scroll away from me. Naruto did the same before a long bang was heard.
Iruka Sensei emerged from the smoke with a grin on his face. It was wiped away when he looked at our appearance.
"The three of you look like you've been through hell." He said.
Naruto ran towards him and have him a hug. I just ran my hand through my hair. Sasuke sighed in relief.
"Congratulations on passing the second Chunin exams. Since there is one more day left, there are rooms for you to rest. Unfortunately, you cannot be treated by a medical ninja. The rules of the next exam will be instructed to you by the next proctor." Iruka Sensei said with a smile.
He pointed at a door and we walked through it. There were doors leading to the next floor. We climbed the stairs and was met with Choji and Shikamaru.
"So you guys passed." Shikamaru said with a small smile.
"Yeah. Didn't you think we would've passed? We're strong." Naruto said flexing his muscles.
They let us pass and we opened a door which had a bunk bed and a single bed.
"We'll take the bunk bed and you can take the single." Sasuke said walking towards the bunk bed. Naruto followed and the both of them started arguing on who should take the top.
I sighed before keeping my stuff on the bed. I took my bag and went into the bathroom.
I looked into the mirror you find my ragged appearance. Woah.
My hair was dull and was knotted. My face had dirt on it and there were some bruises. My clothes were filthy and looked as if I rolled in the mud.
I had a quick shower and brushed my hair. I changed into some fresh clothes and put my laundry into my bag.
I took some bandages and wrapped my bruised hands. They weren't broken but they ached when I moved them.
I collected my things and stepped out of the bathroom.
Naruto and Sasuke had finished their quarrel with Sasuke on the top bunk with a smug look on his face while Naruto was grumbling on the bottom bunk of the bed.
I shook my head at their antics and sat on my bed. I pulled out my weapons and started counting them.
I hadn't used alot of Shurikens but I had used alot of Kunai. The traps mainly.
I found Karito's scroll untouched and well. My sword was fine and all my other stuff were there.
I kept them down on the ground and laid down on the bed. I closed my eyes and began to think. I Wonder what the next exam will be.
I opened my eyes when Naruto went into the bathroom leaving me and Sasuke alone in the room.
I continued my thoughts until Sasuke interrupted. "What happened when I passed out." He asked me.
I looked at him to find him staring at the ceiling.
"I fought Orochimaru but he retreated before I could cause any serious damage. I'm kinda glad he left. I didn't think I could hold on for much longer." I said making him sigh.
"Did you use your special technique?" He asked me making my eyes widen. When did he find out-... Ah. On the bridge.
"Maybe." I said. I hope he hasn't told anyone.
"Don't worry. I didn't tell anyone. But I would like to know what it is. You managed to slow down the Senbon but there isn't any technique to slow down time." He said sitting up on his bed and looking down at me.
I looked at him and smiled. "I tell you one day, but nows not the time."
Naruto came in and smiled like a madman. "So, what do you thinks gonna be the next exam?" He asked.
I shrugged while Sasuke just ignored him and went into the bathroom.
The Next Day...
We were called to the hall at around noon. There were 18 candidates meaning 6 teams left.
We all stood in a line. The Hokage and some Jonin stood in front of us. Lord Third was talking about the importance of the Chunin Exam and how it forms an alliance between the Elemental Nations.
Sasuke stood in front of me while Naruto stood behind me. My mind kept wondering to when Sasuke asked me about my little trick.
Why didn't he mention it before? Maybe he wanted to research about it before asking? My eyes wandered to Sasuke. I tilted my head in confusion when I saw a mark on Sasuke's neck.
Is that a Hickey? No it's more like a tattoo. When did he get a tat-... Images flashed through my mind. Orochimaru biting Sasuke in the neck, purple chakra emitting put of his neck. Black tattoo's spreading.
I looked around to find Kakashi Sensei and the other Jonin Leaders. They seemed to be in a heated conversation with Anko Mitarashi.
Sensei and I made eye contact. He waved at me and I just smiled. But that wasn't the only weird thing. I felt someone staring at me. I really hope it isn't that Zaku freak.
I turned around to find a Sound Jonin staring at me. He just didn't blink. He kept looking at me. I shuddered before concentrating on the Hokage.
"Which is why the Chunin exams is not only about winning. Its about proving your worth to the village." He said stepping back.
A Jonin came forward. He had spiky brown hair which was covered by a cloth. He had dark bags under his eyes and he looked like he was about to faint.
"My name is Hayate Gekko and I will be you proctor for the Preliminary exam." As soon as he said that, murmurs began to spread.
Preliminary? But I thought it was the third exam. I scanned the room to find that there are too many candidates to move to the third exam. I sighed in annoyance.
"As you can see, there are too many candidates." He paused to cough. He took a pill from his pouch and swallowed it. "This is why there is a preliminary to determine who will move to the next round."
I rubbed my hands together and healed the bruises. If I have to fight. I will need to make hand signs for jutsus.
"The rules are simple. Your name and your opponents name will be shown on the board. The two candidates will battle each other." He said looking at all of us. "There will be no killing but they are allowed to use all ranks of techniques they can. The winner will be determined when the opponent is immobilized."
"There will be no teams after this. The candidates will battle as individuals. So if there is anyone who would like to forfeit, this is your time."
It was silent for a few second before a hand was raised. "I forfeit." Kabuto said with a sheepish smile.
I narrowed my eyes. Why would he give up? He has been doing it for 7 years. Plus with his information he could win easily.
"Alright. Everyone off the arena. The first battle will start soon." Hayate said.
We all made our way to the balcony. Sensei appeared out of nowhere making all of us jump.
"Congratulations on passing the 2nd exam." Sensei said with a cheery voice. He ruffled my hair making me glare at him.
Before any of us could say anything, the names of the first match.
"Sasuke Uchiha VS Yoroi Akado."
Sasuke straightened himself before walking towards the arena. Sensei whispered some words into his ear before patting Sasuke in the back.
I watched as he made his way into the arena. His opponent, Yoroi Akado. He is Kabuto's teammate.
The both of them took defensive stances. They leaped towards each other and fought aggressively.
I couldn't focus on the fight. My mind kept wandering to the mark on Sasuke's neck.
Jamie did tell me about some sort of mark. Orochimaru's followers all have the mark and they boost one's Chakra.
It can be dangerous. I looked at Sensei to find him focused on the fight. I looked at the Sound Jonin from before to find watching Sasuke with greed.
I ignored that and watched as Sasuke dodged a kick from Yoroi.
But that just led to Yoroi tackling Sasuke and kicking him in the leg. But Sasuke stood up again. Yoroi smashed his hand into the floor sending shards of stone everywhere but Sasuke slammed his kunai and used it as a pivot to get to Yoroi.
Sasuke had his Opponent in a headlock. But I knew the match wasn't over when Yoroi twisted his body and placed his hand on Sasuke's head.
His hand glowed blue and Sasuke stumbled to the floor. The glow became brighter and Sasuke became paler.
I narrowed my eyes. What's happening? I looked towards Sensei who had his Sharingan out.
"He's draining Sasuke's Chakra." Sensei said making both me and Naruto tense.
I looked back at the fight. If Yoroi holds on a little longer, it could be the end for Sasuke.
Naruto started yelling. "Come on Sasuke. You can't go down like this." i looked at Sasuke to find him reaching into his pouch. Come on. Don't give up.
"Get off me." Sasuke yelled at Yoroi before kicking him in the stomach and sending him back.
Yoroi lunged towards Sasuke with a fist full of Chakra but Sasuke dodged that and kicked Yoroi on the chin knocking off the ground.
Sasuke suddenly appeared under Yoroi in a parallel form and started seizing.
He's using lee's move. He must have copied using the Sharingan. But whats wrong with him.
Tattoos started to spread from his neck but they receded back to the mark. The mark must be reacting to the chakra usage of the body. So if Sasuke uses too much chakra then the tattoos form. Sasuke continued his attack. He feign a kick towards Yoroi but then spun around and kicked Yoroi in the face.
Sauske then flipped and kicked Yoroi to the ground knocking him unconscious. The proctor approached Yoroi and declared the match.
"The winner of the match is Sasuke Uchiha." He said.
I smiled while Naruto cheered on. There were applauses from all around the room. Sensei jumped off the balcony and vanished along with Sasuke.
Off to deal with the mark. The second match started but I couldn't concentrate. My mind kept wandering to when Orochimaru fled. Why couldn't he just finish me off. Maybe he got injured. I mean, I did cut off his pinky but I am not strong enough to make a Sannin Flee. Unless... He saw me use the time manipulation. Oh God. If he did, does that mean he's coming after me? But...
I snapped my neck towards the Sound Jonin to find him unconscious missing. Where'd he go?
I scanned the room but everyone was focusing in the match below me. Misumi Tsurugi VS Ino Yamanaka.
The both of them battled. Misumi could separate his joints and use chakra to move them freely.
Sensei arrived and stood next to me. He looked tired. He looked at me and gave me a reassuring smile. Sasuke's alright.
The both of them battled until Ino used the Mind Transferring Jutsu on Misumi. He could dodge the attack and was captured.
But before Ino could do anything, the both of them started to tremble before seizing on the ground.
After a few minutes, the match was declared and nobody would be moving forwards.
Medics came and took both Misumi and Ino. The board called out the third match of the preliminary.
Shizukana Tori VS Kankuro of the Sand.
A/N. Hey guys. Hope you enjoyed the Chapter. What do you think Shizukana is going to do about Kankuro?
What does Orochimaru know? What do you think Sasuke will do?
Comment below.
Ciao...