Greetings again, readers! So, I'm pretty sure that this chapter is one of the longest yet, be happy! Also, thank you to aireagle92 for putting me on their Favorites and their Alerts. That makes me all kinds of happy and I need to be happy because bad times are coming in the form of projects that are due. Happy Reading!
9. The Tower Trials
The next morning the group headed toward the tower trying to find an earth scroll. After a while the group ran into Kabuto who was heading toward the tower to meet up with his teammates. He decided to help them in their search. Their journey took them to an area where the tower could clearly be seen. They kept moving but they were not getting any closer. Finally, Kabuto pointed out that it was a genjutsu. The caster appeared and Naruto tried to attack him but he seemed to be made of a black gel. After a long while the moon hung high in the sky and the group was extremely tired from fighting. The real caster showed himself but was caught in the group's trap. The group that he was fighting was only clones of Naruto. Sasuke and the others appeared behind him and managed to obtain his scroll. Proud of their accomplishment, Naruto and the others raced to the tower just in time. The group thanked Kabuto and went through their separate doors.
"This is awesome!" said Naruto. "We made it just in time!"
"Hey, guys!" said Yuki pointing to a large mural on the wall. "Take a look at this."
Sakura stepped forward and read the words out loud, "'If you do not possess Heaven gain knowledge and prepare, if you do not posses Earth, run through the fields and seek strength. By opening both scrolls, you shall learn the true path. This is the secret of…' The rest of it is blank?"
"What is this supposed to mean?" complained Naruto.
"To prepare by gaining knowledge from Heaven?" pondered Yuki. "I wonder." She thought back to when she was training one on one with Kakashi. He was teaching her how to throw shuriken properly but she continued to miss. Because she was still so young, she began to cry saying, "I can't do it! I'll never become a ninja!" Kakashi knelt down beside her and put a comforting hand on her head and smiled.
"You'll get it Yuki." He encouraged. "Just remember, look to the Heavens for knowledge, but the Earth holds your strength."
Kakashi must have gone through this too. She thought. "Maybe we should open the scrolls now." She suggested.
"Good idea," said Sasuke. "Naruto, Sakura; if you would?"
"Got it," nodded Sakura. The two of them opened the scrolls to reveal strange markings and incantations. "What is this?" asked Sakura.
"This looks like…"said Yuki.
"Guys, throw them down, now!" ordered Sasuke. "It's a summoning!"
Afraid, the two threw the Earth and Heaven scrolls on the ground and watched as smoke began to billow out of them. Once the smoke cleared a figure stood on top of the scrolls. Naruto's eyes grew wide and he began to jump for joy.
"Iruka-sensei!" he shouted. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here as a witness of your squad's victory over the exam." He smiled. "Congratulations! You all made it to the tower just in time. You pass!" As the group cheered Iruka also said, "As a reward, I'd like to take you all out for ramen but I'm afraid that there is still another task you all need to complete."
"Another task?" asked Sasuke.
"Yes," said Iruka. "I can't tell you but it won't happen until all of the teams have arrived here at the tower."
Yuki breathed a sigh of relief knowing that they had a chance to relax. Out of curiosity, she asked, "Iruka-sensei, what does that mural mean?"
Iruka turned around and said, "Oh, that? That was put there by the first Hokage. It means that those of you who have knowledge, that would be you Sakura, should learn to train to obtain physical strength. Those who harness physical power, Naruto, should train and study their minds so that they may think critically as well as fight."
"But, what's that missing part supposed to mean?" asked Naruto.
"That is for you all to fill in yourselves." Iruka smiled. "Each ninja must find their own path towards self realization and figure out what it is that they need to accomplish."
While they all waited for the other teams to arrive Yuki couldn't help but ask Iruka, "How's Kocha-sensei doing?"
"Kocha's been up and about already." He smiled proudly. "She's been anxious to see how you guys are doing. In fact, the Hokage welcomed her as a Leaf Village Jounin!"
"Really!?" said Naruto. "That's awesome!!"
"I'm so proud of her!" said Sakura. Sasuke only stared in shock. How could she heal from a wound that fast and make it as a jounin? She must be inhuman!
Once all of the squads had assembled, they all formed a giant block and stared at the Hokage who was standing in front of them on a large stage. Lined up in single file were all of the Jounin who had taught each squad. Yuki noticed Kakashi standing next to Kurenai and tried to wave but she felt a cold shiver through her body. She looked around to find what the presence was. There, in the back line closest to the door was Keeta without any scratches on her body. Her eyes seemed more beast-like than before. Every cell in Yuki's body seemed to fill with fire as she remembered all of the pain Keeta had caused Kocha and the rest of her squad. It took every bit of strength just to keep herself from attacking her. She looked ahead and stared at Kakashi who seemed to have notice her as well.
The Hokage stepped forward and spread his arms saying, "I congratulate all of you on succeeding the second exam! You have all done extremely well however, due to the mass number of you we must hold a type of elimination round to reduce the numbers. In your current condition, you must face an opponent until only one of you stands. However, these matches will not be to-the-death, since this was a last-minute decision. Your masters have assembled here to step in whenever they feel that their student does not have the strength to continue. Anko shall explain the rest."
The Hokage stepped back and allowed Anko to step forward. "A proctor will now go around and give each of you a number. This number will help us decide who will face who. We will then randomly select numbers and those two genin will face each other. Remember, this is not a to-the-death match but that does not mean you can't give it everything you've got. Do your best no matter what!"
When the proctor came around to Yuki she put her hand in the jar and pulled out a slip of paper. The paper read "5" and she became puzzled. What the hell does this mean? She looked over at Naruto who held the same look. Once the last genin was given a slip of paper a large screen appeared on the back wall. A tournament chart appeared and numbers were being shuffled within the empty slots. Once the numbers stopped Yuki noticed that she was paired with number 8, whoever that was. "Alright you maggots!" cried Anko. "First up is numbers 3 and 7!! Those two will remain on the floor! Everyone else, report to your trainers!"
Everyone began to walk away but Yuki noticed that Sasuke was not moving. She knew why and put a hand on his shoulder asking, "Will you be alright?"
Sasuke turned and looked into her eyes. She could read that he was uncertain of the outcome but he would still do his best. "I'll be fine. Go back to Kakashi. He must be worried about you."
"He's worried about you two, numb nuts!" Yuki joked. "Just do your best, okay?"
"Right," Sasuke smiled.
Yuki smiled back and ran to join Naruto and Sakura who were waiting by the stairs. The three ran up the stairs to their sensei where they found him leaning up against the wall, staring at Sasuke.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto greeted. Kakashi smiled when he saw the others. Yuki bolted past Naruto and stopped in front of Kakashi. She stared at him straight in the eye for a time then he smiled saying, "She's fine."
"Good!" Yuki breathed a sigh of relief. "Is she coming?"
"She's on a mission right now." Kakashi answered. "She will come when she's finished."
Naruto looked over the railing to see who Sasuke was up against. It looked like he was up against one of Kabuto's team members. Speaking of Kabuto, Naruto thought. Where is he? He's going to get eliminated if he doesn't show up!
"Kakashi-sensei," said Sakura. "Do you know a man named Kabuto?"
Kakashi's eye widened a little as he responded, "What about him?"
"I can seem to find him anywhere. He helped us out in the forest. Do you know where he went?"
"Immediately after departing from your group he told the proctors that he was unfit to continue to the next round. The Hokage allowed him to leave with the chance to participate in the next exam season"
"Poor Kabuto." Said Yuki. "It must have been tough on him. But why are his teammates still here?"
"The decision to leave was one of his own. It has no effect on the team. Just the person themselves."
"Wait, you mean that from now on we're not on squads?"asked Naruto.
"For the rest of the exams, no." Kakashi crossed his arms. "Don't worry, though. If you make it through these rounds, I know you guys can make it through the next exam. I have faith in all of you."
"Thanks, Sensei!" blushed Sakura.
The three ran over to the railing to watch Sasuke fight his opponent. As the proctor gave the rules, Sasuke and his opponent seemed to be exchanging words but they could not be heard. With a wave of the proctor's hand, the two began to fight like ravage dogs. During the fight the three cheered for their friend. Yuki looked over at Keeta and noticed that she was watching the show with some interest. Her arms were crossed as she leaned against the wall with her twin swords tied onto her lower back. She felt that she was being watched and stared directly at Yuki.
Yuki turned away quickly and watched the battle. While she watched Sasuke launch his enemy into the air Yuki thought, I'll make you pay for what you did to Kocha, so help me-"!" Yuki noticed the same black markings appeared on Sasuke's body as he began to pummel his enemy while they were still in the air. Yuki could see the dark energy around Sasuke's body but everyone else seemed to be oblivious to it. The energy began to form a terrifying figure like a dragon or some demon. The beast roared as the ninja fell to the ground creating a crater. Yuki stepped back holding her head and breathing heavily. Kakashi ran to her asking, "What's wrong, Yuki?"
"I-it's nothing." She sighed as sweat began to run down her face. "I'm just worn out from the forest."
"Do you think you can continue through your match?" Kakashi asked.
"Of course!" Yuki said laughing. "I'm not frail!"
"You're right." Kakashi smiled.
"Oh no!!" shrieked Sakura. "Sasuke!! Something's wrong with Sasuke!"
"What?" Yuki ran back to the railing and noticed that he was breathing heavily on the ground on one knee. It's that damn mark! She though. Kakashi jumped over the railing and ran over to Sasuke. As he ran to him he noticed a strange mark glowing on his shoulder. As I thought. Thought Kakashi. He scooped up Sasuke just as the proctor announced his victory. The Hokage nodded at Kakashi who nodded toward him in turn. Before leaving Kakashi looked up at the three and smiled.
"What's wrong with Sasuke?" asked Naruto.
"You were passed out when it happened," started Sakura. "that weird ninja attacked Sasuke and left a strange mark on his shoulder."
"Is that what happened just now?" asked Naruto.
Yuki gripped her weapon tightly as she noticed that Keeta was staring after Kakashi, grinning. Her sharp K-nine-like teeth slightly overlapped her lower lip as she turned over toward Yuki. Damn you! Yuki thought. What is it that you want!?
"Next up!" shouted the proctor. "Numbers 1 and 10 please enter the battle floor!"
* * * * * * * *
"You sure this'll help?" joked Sasuke.
"That's a curse mark on your shoulder." Said Kakashi drawing a large sealing incantation on the floor with his blood. "I need to seal it before it sucks up any more of your chakra. Just sit still."
"Tch," laughed Sasuke. "If you say so."
Kakashi stood behind Sasuke and made a few strange hand signs. With the final one formed, he said, "Ninja art: Cursed Sealing Jutsu!" The marks on the floor began to move with a life of their own and made their way toward Sasuke. The marks slithered up his body and forced their way into the curse mark on his shoulder. Sasuke cried out in pain as the dark power was sealed away. Once the ceremony was over Sasuke fell onto his side and began to fall in and out of consciousness. Before the darkness took him, Sasuke heard Kakashi say, "That seal is only as strong as you are. Give into the mark just a little bit and it will dispel. Never let your guard down."
Kakashi looked at his unconscious student with great sympathy. You've been through hell, Sasuke. As he began to walk toward Sasuke he heard a hissy laugh. Kakashi turned around, startled and demanded, "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
"My, how you've grown little Kakashi Hatake," came the hiss again. Kakashi spotted a black form in the back of the room. The figure moved and came into the torchlight. The man had a pasty face and eyes like a snake. His eyes were surrounded in a purple paint and his hair was black and oily.
"Orochimaru!" Kakashi said shocked.
"It's been quite a while, Kakashi." Orochimaru laughed. "Tell me, how is that spirited daughter of yours?"
"You leave her out of this!" Kakashi demanded as he summoned his Lightning Blade jutsu.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of adding her…yet. My main interest is with that boy you're hiding there."
"What do you want with Sasuke?"
"I believe that is a matter only discussed between me and my subordinates." Orochimaru began to walk closer. "I can add you if you wish. I'm sure Kocha would appreciate having a friend at her side along with her sister."
"What?" Kakashi rose a little.
"Oh my!" Orochimaru put a hand on his cheek as he smiled. "She didn't tell you? It's bad for lovers to keep secrets…don't you think?"
"What do you mean?"
"Kocha was with me for a time." Orochimaru said raising his palms in the air. "She and her sister were quite a powerful team. Kocha abandoned us to gain more power. You see, she wishes nothing more than to gain as much power as necessary. Even with my curse mark she continues to look for more power. Her thirst never ends."
"No…" Kakashi was taken aback. He remembered the words she said to him before he left for the exams. "I am here to protect Yuki and those dear to her." Could she have lied to me?
"Poor little Kakashi." Taunted Orochimaru. "Heartbroken? Don't worry. Once Yuki hears the news she'll most likely be the most heartbroken…if she's still alive."
"What?!" Kakashi growled.
"I'm sure that Kocha is biding her time until she is able to use Yuki's Soshigan ability. I'd keep a closer eye on her than the boy."
"Forget it!" Kakashi hissed. "I'm not buying your stories and I'm most definitely not handing over Sasuke! Leave, Orochimaru, before one of us dies here!"
"Very well." Said Orochimaru. "You'll just have to see Kocha's truth with your own eyes. I'm sure Keeta would love a showdown with the one she's been fighting all these years. Know this, Kakashi; That boy will come to me, whether you like it or not." Orochimaru lifted his hand into the air and a swirling smoke teleported him to some unknown destination.
As he stared after him Kakashi could not help but ponder Orochimaru words. He turned to Sasuke and sighed. Once he lifted up his student from the ground he proceeded to the medical wing. Once the nurses took Sasuke in Kakashi walked back to the tower. On his way he saw a black dash go across his vision. He looked but saw nothing. His heart suddenly felt heavy and it began to ache a little. What the…? Kakashi began to run as fast as he could to the tower.
After the last few battles Yuki waited patiently for her turn. Sakura and Naruto fought their matches brilliantly; however, Sakura had to face Ino. Both matched each other's strength but due to that, they both knocked each other unconscious and were unable to continue. Due to this outcome they were both disqualified from the third exam. During Naruto's match against Kiba, Naruto was at his best, according to Yuki. He was able to think lightning fast and use Kiba's senses against him. With Kiba's defeat Naruto was able to move on to the next round.
Now the three of them were looking at the board waiting for the next round match-ups. Yuki was crossing her fingers hoping that she would be next in line. Her wish came true as the first name read Yuki's number. The next number had all three gasping. There in green was the number 15. Keeta began to make her way down to the floor. Good! Thought Yuki. Time to give that cat some pay back! As Yuki began to walk down to the floor, Sakura and Naruto grabbed her shoulder.
"Be careful." Cautioned Sakura.
"Who knows what kind of tricks she'll pull?" Added Naruto.
"I'm on it." Said Yuki pulling out her weapon. The two met face to face at last. Yuki could see the same beastly glare that Kocha held. Somehow, though, these eyes seemed more beastly and untamed. "Keep it clean, ladies." Said the proctor. As the proctor walked away, Keeta hissed, "Looks like 'daddy' isn't here to save you this time, Little Mouse."
"I don't need him looking over my shoulder." Yuki countered. "Besides, I'll be able to beat you easily. Only cowardly ninja use hostages to lure their prey."
"We'll see about that." She purred as she drew her twin blades. The two stared each other down as they waited for each other to make a move. Yuki finally became anxious and threw her weapon toward Keeta. She effortlessly blocked the attack and darted behind Yuki and kicked her into the air. She's fast! Yuki thought as she flew higher into the air. Keeta suddenly appeared above her and threw her heel into Yuki's gut, launching her back down to the concrete floor. Yuki rose up and stared at Keeta who landed gracefully on the floor. Keeta grinned, showing her k-nines and pulling out two kunai-knives.
Yuki sensed that something was horribly wrong. She summoned her Soshigan in order to see the unseen. Yuki could sense some kind of chemical on the metal. What is that? Yuki thought. It's like the metal is covered in some type of potion. Keeta threw the kunai knives at Yuki but Yuki was able to dodge them fluently. This isn't right. Yuki thought to herself. She's not aiming for any vital points. What is she thinking? Yuki blocked a fifth attack from Keeta's kunai and landed on the ground saying, "Enough of this game!" Yuki began to channel some of her chakra to her weapon as she spun the blade in a circle. Yuki, then, closed her eyes and began to channel dark energy into the blade. Keeta watched as the blade and the chain formed a black circle of chakra. Keeta readied herself and prepared to be attacked.
"What is that?" asked Sakura. "Is that Yuki's own technique?"
"It has to be!" said Naruto. "I've never seen anything like it before." Come on, Kakashi-sensei! Your daughter needs you and you're worried about Sasuke?!
"Secret-Art!" Yuki shouted. "Demon Windmill!" As the blade spun faster and faster Yuki loosened the chain as it was sucked up by the huge black disk forming in her left hand. Once it was all absorbed into the disk, Yuki threw it as if it were a giant shuriken. Keeta dodged the attack but it seemed to follow her every move. Keeta tried throwing kunai at it but the metal was absorbed into it. Without watching where she was going, Keeta slammed into the wall and the attack hit her dead on. When the smoke cleared Yuki's blade was lodged in Keeta's chest as the chain was wrapped all around her body. Yuki cautiously crept toward the body and examined. Yuki's eyes widened and before she could move away, a strange force threw her across the arena.
Kakashi appeared behind Naruto and Sakura just in time to see Yuki fly across the room. "What happened?" he asked.
"I don't know!" said Sakura shocked. "Keeta was just hit by a powerful attack but-"
"She survived?!" Naruto growled.
Keeta's eyes were now glowing with a yellow hue and her pupils were slit like a cat's. She grabbed the blade with her cat-like hands and broke the chain with some unseen force. The air in the room changed from competition to a sense of life and death. Yuki opened her eyes to see orange chakra swirling around Keeta. There was something strange happening and Yuki's heart began to beat with fear. Daddy, I'm scared! She cried in her head. This isn't supposed to happen! I've never seen anything like this! Yuki began to shake so bad that she could hardly move her legs.
"What's going on?" asked Naruto. "My heart's pounding like crazy!"
"Yuki!" cried Sakura. "You have to get up! Don't let her get to you!"
"Sakura-chan…" Yuki looked up at her best friend then back at Keeta. I don't have any weapons other than my kunai knives. I'll just have to stick with them and my tai-jutsu. Yuki rose to her feet and stared down Keeta who was advancing closer. "I am not afraid of you!" she bellowed. Keeta continued her evil sneer as she walked silently closer. "You may think you can scare me with this weird genjutsu, but I'm not falling for it!" Yuki made a hand sign and shouted, "Release!" Yuki opened her eyes again and noticed that nothing had changed. Instead, Keeta ran toward her and made a slashing motion that went from Yuki's lower left hip to her upper right shoulder. The slash caused Yuki to fly back and hit the wall. Yuki crashed back to the floor and moved her head up to see Keeta walking closer again. With her Soshigan Yuki could see Keeta's chakra form a frightening shape. Above her was the evil look of a giant tiger ready for the kill.
"This is bad!" said Anko. "That woman is a demon! Lord Hokage, we must stop this match!"
"I agree." Said the Hokage. "Asuma, save Hatake!" he ordered. "The rest of you, restrain Keeta!"
"Yes, sir!" said the Ninja. Just as the ninja began to charge Keeta emitted an evil growl and with an upward thrust of her palms, a strange shield was formed around the arena perimeter. The ninja that tried to jump in were immediately thrown back. With a roar of triumph Keeta sneered back at her prey but was shocked to see that she was gone. Before Keeta could think, she felt a strong force hit her in the right side of her face. She flew back and slammed into her own shield. When she rose back up rubbing her face she cursed as Kakashi stood in the center of the battlefield holding Yuki in his arms.
"You bastard!" She hissed. "How did you get passed my shield?!"
"I jumped in before you even started." He said mockingly. Cheers rained from Sakura and Naruto. The other participants cheered as well. Even Gaara seemed intrigued by the events.
"This is my hunt, vermin!" Keeta stalked closer. "You have no right to interfere!"
"You obviously didn't hear the rules." Kakashi waved a finger. "If the trainers of the participant feel that further conflict is unnecessary, they may jump in at any time during the match.' I think Yuki's had enough so that would mean that I have a say in all of this. You on the other hand are obviously using a forbidden jutsu and that is cause for elimination of the exams."
"You think I'm here to become a Chunin?" Keeta began to laugh heartily. "Fool! That's not even close."
"What are you here for, then?" Kakashi asked. "What do you want with Yuki?"
"I see no reason to tell the likes of you." Keeta made a few hand signs and a fireball was launched out of her mouth as she chanted, "Fire-style: Fire Bomb jutsu!" Kakashi quickly dodged the attack before the ball exploded. He was thrown against the shield but he held Yuki close to his body to keep her from further harm. As Kakashi fell to his knees he could hear kunai cutting through the air. He quickly rolled away from the sound just before the two kunai knives hit him. She wasn't aiming for any vital points. Kakashi noticed. Is she toying with me? He looked up and saw that she was walking toward them flicking a knife in the air and catching it.
"You move around too much." She smirked. "You should really learn to SIT STILL!" In the blink of an eye a barrage of kunai knives were thrown at Kakashi and Yuki. He knew that he could not escape the barrage with Yuki still in his arms so he quickly tossed her away just as the kunai hit his limbs. Kakashi was now pinned to the wall with the kunai knives in his arms and legs. As he watched Keeta step closer he could feel the feeling in his limbs beginning to fade away. What's happening to me? My limbs are going numb.
"Kakashi-sensei! Yuki-chan!!" shouted Naruto. "What's going on here? Why isn't Kakashi-sensei moving?"
"It's her!" growled Sakura. "It has to be."
Kakashi stared down his adversary helpless to even stand on his own two feet. "Why haven't you killed me yet?" he growled.
"Are you that eager to die?" Keeta asked looming over him. "That proves how week your village is."
"You take that back!!" Naruto shouted.
"Shut up, Naruto!" Sakura quickly covered his mouth and pulled him back.
"He's a spirited one." Keeta huffed as she glanced over her shoulder. "I'll be back for him."
"What do you mean?" asked Kakashi.
"Like I said before, I see no reason to answer your questions. Now as for your first one," She leaned down and put a hand on his cheek. "I may still need you for collateral, dear one. In case, she causes any trouble."
Yuki! Kakashi thought. "Don't you dare lay a finger on her!"
"You're in no position to be handing out orders." Keeta stood up and began to walk toward Yuki. Mid way, she stopped and looked up at Gaara. Kankuro and Tamari stood behind him as if they were ready to protect him. Keeta and Gaara stared each other down until Keeta looked away and continued toward Yuki. Ignoring Kakashi's orders, Keeta stopped in front of the unconscious Yuki and stared down on her. "Time to go home, Princess." As she bent down an unseen force rammed into her chin and sent her flying into the air. While in the air, Keeta felt a heel dig into her gut and she was launched into her shield-wall once again. She plopped to the floor breathing heavily as she saw a figure dressed in black land in front of Yuki.
"Kocha." Keeta cursed. "You're still alive?"
"I won't be killed by the likes of you." Kocha roared. "I'll make you pay dearly for what you have done to Yuki and her father." Kocha turned sideways and put her hand on the handle of her sword, Buru-yami. "Come to me." She growled.
"Tch." Keeta said getting up and wiping the blood from her mouth. "I don't have time for this. I'll just leave it to them for now." She dispelled her barrier and began to run out when she stopped at the door saying, "She will come with us and you will be able to do nothing about it when the time comes. You can't protect everyone, Kocha. And when you slip, I'll be there and I'll make you pay."
"Coward." Kocha whispered as Keeta disappeared. She turned her attention toward Yuki and Kakashi who were being observed by the medical ninja. Yuki awoke with a start saying, "What the hell?! Where did that cat run off to?! I'm gonna beat the crap out of her!!"
Kocha could not help but smile at her spirit. She turned toward Kakashi who was trying to stand but he could not find the strength. She walked over to him and held out her hand laughing, "Need a lift?"
"You know about this more than I do." Kakashi admitted. "What is this?"
Kocha bent down and held Kakashi's shoulder tightly as she pulled out the kunai. "It's a skill that Keeta has always known how to do. She is gifted when it comes to potions and poisons. She applies this poisons whenever she wants someone alive or to buy herself time."
"Is there a cure?" Kakashi asked.
"It wears off after a time." Kocha stood and waved to Naruto and Sakura to come down. "You'll just have to be a good boy and lay down until you're strong enough to move." Kocha smiled.
"You've changed." Kakashi smiled. Yuki ran over just as Naruto and Sakura made it to them. "Are you alright, Father?" asked Yuki. "Did she hurt you really bad?"
"No." said Kakashi. "I'm just numb right now."
"You all fought well." The Hokage walked over to them along with Asuma and Anko.
"Old man!" said Naruto. "So, who one?"
"Honestly, is that all you can think about?" asked Anko.
"He brings up a good point." Said Asuma. "Does Yuki qualify for the final round?"
The Third Hokage put a finger to his chin and said, "Well, Kakashi came in just before Keeta could finish Yuki for good; but, Keeta retreated and used forbidden jutsu. What do you think, Anko?"
"Even with Kakashi's involvement, I say Yuki deserves her chance in the final exam. She put up a good fight."
"Very well." Said the Hokage. "Congratulations, Yuki Hatake. Kakashi, would you like Kocha to take you to the medical wing?"
"No." Kakashi shook his head. "Kocha said that the numbing should go down in a while. I should be okay to move by the end of these tests."
"Very well. "Said Kocha. "Sakura, Naruto, Yuki, I need you guys to help me carry Kakashi to the balcony."
"Very well." Said the Hokage. "Now, let us continue the tests. We cannot afford any more delays."
"Yes, sir!" said Anko. "Next up: numbers 20 and 14, you're next!"