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Summary:
To save everyone, Marco used his current existence. Never did he imagine that he will be reborn to a new world different from his own. It is a world filled with ninjas and creatures as large as Sea Kings that are made of pure living chakra. What can a pirate like him do to survive especially if he is a freaking bird? Thatch is right; he does look like a chicken. And a certain blue-eyed blonde is thinking of him as her new pet.
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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li
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Part 21
It was an uneventful night.
But Marco stood guard to ensure that the children especially his Naruto will have enough rest.
Sleepyhead's team already went ahead much to the other girl's mournful expression (perhaps she wants to wait for Sasuke to wake up).
After he prepared breakfast (some beastie he took down earlier), he woke Team 7 up. Color finally returned to his human after some sleep which is quite a relief.
There is one thing he is worried about, something he needed to talk with Thatch and the others.
He did heard the three strategize their next move as they ate.
After giving them a blank look (Naruto may have understand it as she pouted in response), Marco left the children promising to watch from afar and make sure that there are no 'snakes' littering their immediate vicinity.
They were able to reuse the traps Naruto set for the Oto nins and found a scroll they needed to complete their current task.
Rushing towards the tower and avoided any other groups that might snatch their scrolls away. They used her sensing abilities to find a better and less traveled route.
For whatever reason, with the seal added to her existing one - allowed her to use her own chakra quite effectively. Even if it tires her more. She was able to hide the pain whenever Sakura looks at her inquisitively.
She even requested the other girl to copy both seals on her notebook. The blonde does admit that her calligraphy sucks. And if she plans to understand how these stuff works, she need to start from her own seal.
Sasuke did saw her glaring at her gut. He did gave her a noncommittal grunt and tousled her hair invading her personal space.
"We'll figure something out. Don't worry about it…"
They didn't even care about the 'demon' inside her.
"We are shinobis. We know the difference of a scroll and a kunai. I'm- I mean, we are not afraid of you…" The teme nodded in agreement to Sakura's statement with that weird look in his eyes.
Bastard.
Marco did tug her aside to calm and pet her hair especially when the pirate saw her confusion.
.
.
After a few minutes of running around, Sakura noticed that they are going in circles and Sasuke immediately used his Sharingan to dispel the illusion.
Then another batch of weirdos (genins from Amegakure) attacked.
They knew that expecting help from the others (Marco specifically) isn't something they should always rely on. So they used the maneuver they practiced in the past.
Her shadow clones aren't as many as before (possibly because her connection with the damn fox has been severed). But it was more than enough.
Sakura may have created new rock formations with Sasuke burning a few trees (they can definitely blame their attackers for that).
All in all, they did real good as a team.
So when they unrolled the scroll with Iruka-sensei welcoming them, Naruto couldn't stop her emotions and rushes towards him with a big hug.
.
.
Iruka adamantly requested to the Hokage to be assigned to a specific team. Thankfully their jōnin-sensei never made a fuss and allowed him to welcome the children.
He still won't forget how the man pushes his students (former) up to this stage.
And when Naruto rushes towards him, he felt dread in his veins especially when the blonde buried herself into his arms.
Worriedly, he looks at the other two who avoided his gaze.
With a sigh, he petted her wild tresses.
"I'm not going to ask the why's… but can you- all of you, tell me that you- are everyone okay?"
With a sniffle, Naruto releases her hold as she rubs her nose.
She's doing it again.
"We're good."
With her usual grin (he do knew about the 'mask' she's wearing), the girl answered in a cheeky voice.
"I just missed you, that's all!"
.
After directing the children towards the main hall where the other participants are waiting, he waited for the other's full human transformation.
"Not that I'm expecting the worst things to happen, but I'm surprised to see Hatake-san still alive and standing…," Placing both hands into his pockets, Iruka glances to the blonde standing beside him.
"Believe me, I almost skinned him alive, yoi," Marco commented in gritted teeth. "But Naruto is fond of that bastard. Something about watching over her when she started living on her own…"
"Is that so?" With a frown, the scarred chūnin wonder what that meant. Could it be?
"She can now identify the chakra signature of an individual. Especially to the people she met before, yoi."
Oh. That's…
"Yeah, she is very special." With a farewell wave, he transformed back into his Phoenix form. Planning to watch over her from the rafters he saw from the outside. "I just hope that your village knows her worth… and not because of unfounded speculations and heresy." The pirate did gave him a knowing look as he left him on his own.
Yes.
Iruka know how important Uzumaki Naruto is. To him most especially. And a select group of people.
And this particular pirate.
Ah.
He don't really need to worry about her anymore, right? Even Hokage-sama agrees when he asks about it.
.
.
"Listen up!" Anko started as she walked in front of everyone. Seems like in all 26 teams, only 7 survived. "I congratulate everyone from passing the second stage. Good job!"
After giving last minute remarks, she handed over the stage.
Standing beside the jōnin-sensei of each team, she eyed one particular group that already caught her attention the first time she saw them.
Not because the bastard's chosen vessel is a part of the team. Or the unremarkable girl who was able to answer all of Ibiki-ojisan's questions. But because of the other one who wears too much orange and has a target on her back.
Uzumaki Naruto.
Heh.
She wonders what this brat can do. Especially the overprotective 'pet' she heard about the other day.
Ah. Their reactions after hearing Hokage-sama's explanation - priceless.
Oh. Looks like Hayate Gekkō just arrived to oversee the preliminaries.
Time to place her wager then. She did overheard Gai assessing Kakashi's brats but was pointedly ignored by the other man. Just brilliant.
.
.
Naruto clenches her eyes and tried to control herself from looking back. Yakushi Kabuto just withdrew himself from the exam stating his reasons.
He's…
She knew that Marco is observing somewhere and will not hesitate to attack anyone that he deem is a threat to her.
He is a…
Silently, she hopes that she'll never have to face the other teen again.
…traitor.
But she knew that the teenager will continue to be a threat to her precious people and she must warn jiji about him.
She must…
Lightly bopping her head with a fist, Sasuke rolled his eyes at her. Sakura giggled in response and started braiding her hair.
"I don't want to explain to Marco how that 'look' got stuck. So clear up your face, dobe!"
"W-why you!"
The pinkette did tried her best to stifle her laughter and grabs the blonde's jacket away from the Uchiha.
Despite their babbling, she was able hear the Hokage's message and the main reason why these exams are still being held.
"Looks like we're going to fight everyone from here onwards." Sakura said as she tied the blonde's hair with an elastic band.
"WHAT?!"
Covering Naruto's mouth, she gave the blonde a pointed look and quickly scanned everyone. "It is expected especially with so many participants…"
With a smirk, Sasuke gave them his signature grunt and regarded the others with a careful expression on his face.
It was a look they started to grew familiar with unlike his previous one that is full of superiority and ego. Marco's teachings really rubbed off. And yeah, the teme also adopted the Phoenix's impassive look successfully much to Naruto's envy. Ugh.
"Still, the reason why we joined these exams is to show them that we can be better not because of what we they taught us. That we grew up because we want to prove ourselves."
"Hhlle yaaeh!" Despite Sakura's hand covering her mouth, she was able to share her conviction. With a brief glimpse of the electronic board showing the names of the first group of genins that will be fighting, Naruto removed the pinkette's hand and tugged Sasuke's armband. "If you lose to another except to my own magnificent self, I'll make you run around the village naked with your hair dyed in neon orange. Understand?"
Huffing, Sasuke smiled (one of the very few smiles he learned to share with their team) and raised his fist towards them. Naruto responded with a fist of her own and Sakura added hers cementing their vow to one another. "Let's do this!"
And so the match begins…
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Interlude: Gaara 2
The owner of the eye spying on the newcomers growled angrily. Gaze hardening as he carefully analyzed the events that happened earlier. Sitting atop the highest roof of the tower, he expects his 'prey' to fulfill her promise.
'You are mine to kill… so do not die on me, Uzumaki Naruto.'
If needed, he'll make sure to remove these 'threats' to ensure that no one touches her but him.
With a manic grin, he planned and contemplated several options to ensure that she is his and his alone.
First things first - the blonde teen that interrupted him that day. An unknown that poses a threat to his claim.
He will-
"Gaara."
Glaring murderously towards the caller, his sand rippled in anticipation.
Sighing in defeat, Baki told him to come inside once the alarm blares up signaling the end of the second stage of the Chūnin Selection Exams.
With a nod, he returned to his scheming… and plotting.
The redhead giggled happily sensing his prey coming towards the tower.
Ah. It is only a matter of time.
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Author's note:
Truly appreciate everyone from liking the story of yours truly. And Ziggy's craziness. Thank you very much!
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