"..." Normal chat.
ABC. Thought
Chapter 3
As Hiruzen's desired, the so called *test* that I am about to be take is actually the one from this year's Genin exam, which Naruto and Sasuke, Sakura had attended way back at chapter 1.
Since I will be appointed to team seven, there's a high chance for me to run missions with them as they cannot babysitting me forever.
That's why it's a must for me to be qualified for the Shinobi's jobs. To make sure that I am capable of catching up with the others within the team and taking care of myself, or my teammates whenever necessary.
It may sounds hasty at first since I only come here for like a day, though Hiruzen claimed that there's nothing wrong with me joining the Konoha's shinobi squad before starting to explore the village.
Not to mention that Chuunin exam is right around the corner so I better prepare for it straightaway, in case I want to attend that is.
So here I am at the academy, standing in the middle of the exam room with Iruka, my examiner, to test my shinobi's technique after going through an hour of troublesome writing test.
"Okay, Henge no Jutsu and Bunshin no Jutsu. Can you perform any of them?" After I finished showing him my shuriken's throwing skills. Iruka asks me, writing something into the clipboard with a pen in his hand.
Bunshin shouldn't be a problem since Ryu had taught me that in one of our training processes but for this Henge thing. Well, I did try learning that by myself for several times already thanks to Naruto's influences but had not yet succeed, even for once.
"No and yes. I know nothing about Henge no Jutsu because I didn't have the chance to learn this technique at home. Perhaps I can do it if you show me how?"
I ask him for a hint. Hoping that I will be able to get it right if I witness the transform being done in reality.
After spending a short moment thinking, Iruka finally agrees. "Fine, but for one time only."
Immediately he does the hand seals following Dog, Boar, Ram to transform himself into Naruto and explains briefly.
Pretty much the same with how we use Ki, which shares similar functions to chakra, to manipulate various of Ninpou (Shinobi arts) in my world. This technique requires gathering of chakra to turn myself into someone or something else, requiring constant emission of chakra and mentally in order to maintain the form. Simple and easy as anyone who is a shinobi knows how to perform it.
And here I thought he would be telling me something that I don't know. Oh well, here goes nothing. I groan in defeat and start doing the hand sign exactly how he did earlier.
Nothing happens, just as I expected. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give up in one single try so I keep doing the hand signals all over. Again and again.
The more watching my failures, the more hopeless it gets and after about half and hour. Iruka speaks up. "Perhaps you are..."
"No! Not yet! Please, just one more time!" I beg him for one final chance, giving my all into this one attempt before everything is over.
And hard works finally pay off as at the very last minute, the ninjutsu works and I transform into Iruka. The feeling of success is so overwhelmed that I almost burst into tears. Yes! I did it!
Although I can only retain the ninjutsu for about a couple of seconds before turning back into my original self due to lacking of concentration. Still, Iruka smiles and approves my messy performances.
"Good job. Now what's left to do is to combine this result here with the writing one that you took earlier to calculate your total grade. So in the mean time, you can wait at the hall outside."
Another half an hour spending walking back and forth, Iruka eventually shows up to inform to me about my score. "The result showing that your shinobi's abilities is rated 60/100, quite average but at least you passed."
I sigh in relief after hearing the good news and Iruka continues. "As decided, you will be placed into team 7, in Kakashi's care. He will continue judging your ability from then on."
"Also, please come to the Hokage office after this. There is something Sandaime needs to discuss with you."
"Oh, okay." I wonder what the old man wants to talk about.
It turned out that while I was busy struggling with the Genin exam, Hiruzen had found a place within the village for me to live by for the time being. It's an old room inside an apartment that has enough space for one person, and properties to serve daily living activities. Not to mention about being conveniently near Naruto's house.
*I hope you two can be good friends* or so he said when I asked why.
Therefore I decide to explore the village to kill off some time. I come by Naruto's place to find him not at home, same goes with Sakura, and then Sasuke. Well, I don't have to visit his house to know that he isn't there. Instead I spend a good amount of time wandering around the empty Uchiha's district for sightseeing before leaving.
My next destinations are Ichiraku ramen and Dango shop, Amaguriama. The dishes smell and look incredible, much more than when I saw them on paper or TV. But sadly I don't have money to pay for any and I don't feel like asking for free food. Perhaps next time.
After that is the Hokage Rock, Konoha Cemetry, Libraby and Orphanage.
It's not until evening that I return to the apartment, but too tired to find anything to eat and just sit idly on a white futon in the middle of the room. Staring at the newly Konoha's headband in my hands and let out a long sigh while thinking about my dark and misty future. I can't believe there's one day I would actually become a Konoha shinobi.
Yet I'm not too happy about this special event as much as I thought I would be, back when I was still constantly dreaming about waking up as a character from Naruto's world and started hanging out with everyone there.
Right now it feels as if these kind of stuff are no longer important to me.
Momiji was still battling the enemies when I was captured. Our village, has it been crushed down by those men? What about Ryu? Is he alright? Have Ayane and Kasumi come to help them yet?
I wish there was a miracle to bring me back home, even for a little bit is fine, so that I can see how they are doing. Or at least, before it's too late, to be able to tell Ryu, Momiji, Ayane and Kasumi that I love them more than anything...
A couple knocks on my glasses windows tossed me out of my thought and I notice a tall shadow standing right outside of my room. Immediately, I get up from my spot and reach to the Kunai hanging on my leg for defense.
Only then the figure speaks up. "It's me."
"Kakashi-sensei?" I loosen my grip on the weapon and approach the windows to open them. Finding Kakashi's leaning against the wall facing his back to me, completely relaxed.
"Here, I figured that you hadn't had anything since noon." He says and hands me a take-out Ichiraku ramen bowl.
Ichiraku ramen? He must have had dinner with the team and decided to buy an extra serving for me. Saving him time running around the area finding suitable food.
"Thank you so much." I accept the bowl from him. The delicious smell coming from the food inside causes my stomach to grumble. Not so loud but enough for him to hear and he chuckles.
"We're going to start our training session at 7 a.m tomorrow at our usual training spot. Do you know the way there? Want me to draw a map or something?"
"There's no need to. I'm good."
"Then be sure to be there on time, okay?"
"Okay." I nod in response and only waiting for that, the white haired guy disappears. Come and goes just like lightnings.
..
...
Last night
After tossed and turned on the hospital bed for countless time, I still couldn't get myself to sleep and kept staring at the white ceiling for hours.
Bored, I step off the bed and approach the opened window to watch the night scenery of Konohagakure. Nothing new, nothing too extraordinary out of the books or movies that I've read and watched, everything except for me. A complete stranger who is not belong to this world.
Soon I felt a presence behind me. It was Kakashi and his Body Flicker Technique.
"It's midnight already, why are you here?" I asked, fixing my attention on the bright moon up above.
My answers earlier in the afternoon must had not satisfy him. And now he returned to interrogate me, alone, in order to gain more specific info.
"You're not from this land, are you?" Stated the ex-anbu, an uneasy feeling about this mysterious girl started building in him when the outcome of data gathering for the whole evening about her identity was zero.
No one knows about her, no relatives or anything related to her hometown incident. All we got was her age and name, which were yet to be proved accurate. It's as if this girl had appeared out of thin air or some sort.
Kakashi's tone sounded serious, but I was sure that he bear no ill will.
"Not in the least. I told you that I came from somewhere far away, didn't I?"
"What is it called?"
"Hayabusa Shinobi no Sato."
Hayabusa Shinobi Village? Kakashi frowned as the name sadly didn't ring any bell to him. Still, he decided to keep that *made up name* inside his head. Thinking that it might come in handy in the future.
"I shouldn't be saying this but lying or hiding about yourself won't do you any good. We're here to help, not to harm you." Adjusting the headband on his forehead, the white haired man reminded me.
"I have no reason to lie to you."
Funny enough, I was actually being honest with him this time. I did come from a place called Hayabusa Shinobi Village and it's dimensions away from this world.
Sounded crazy alright, plus I didn't have anything to backup for that statement. I had nothing in my hands to show him that I was speaking the truth. Even if that place actually existed, I was quite confident that he would never be able to find it.
For everything I said, whether truth or not, would all turn into lies in the end. So I resolved to stop bothering about it and went along with anything that was logical. Killed, abandoned, wanted or whatever. I don't give a damn.
...
..
I'm sure Hiruzen has his purposes to leave me in Kakashi's hands, so that he can keep an eye on me closely and acts quick in case of any strange actions. Or also due to the fact that he's the only one, or so I thought, capable of doing any of those things without getting himself noticed.
Once finish eating, I lay down onto the futon and turn to my right side. Facing the closed window and an wooden desk with nothing but a small clock on it. Then my eyes widen after reading the time. Oh snap, 10 p.m already?!
Damn, I have to stop exhausting myself with all the negative thoughts and get to sleep. Since I was told to meet up with the members of team seven tomorrow, *early* in the morning.
Next morning
At team 7's training spot.
I overslept and it's not until 9 a.m that I arrive to the place and find the trio there. Sasuke is leaning against a tree with Sakura standing nearby, and Naruto is sitting on the ground not too far away. Though none of them seem to be in a good mood by the look on their faces.
"He's late! Again!" Naruto yells since this is the nth time their teacher not being on time. Though boy instantly stops complaining the moment he sees me. "Ah! Nina-chan!"
His call also catches the other two attentions and they start looking at my direction. As soon as I approach them, Naruto gives me a thumb up. "I heard you passed Genin exam. Congratulation!"
"Yes, Kakashi sensei told us about your success yesterday. Congrats." Sakura smiles and I nod to them in appreciation. "Thank you."
We continue chatting a bit more while waiting for Kakashi to arrive. And for the whole time I notice Naruto's expression looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't. Therefore I ask him. "What's wrong Naruto?"
"Well, I mean you passed the exam without spending a day of practicing despite being a total newcomer. I'm just wondering how good of a shinobi you are, that's all."
Despite not speaking directly to my face, I still can understand what his words are implying. And that the boy wants to have a match with me.
"Quit it, can't you see that she just got out of the hospital?!" Sakura shouts at him for suggesting the bad idea. Although her inner self speaks the otherwise. Actually I'm curious too...
"Don't worry about it, I'm fine." Seeing them both being so eager, I give in to their requests without thinking since my injuries are all healed Much to their surprises.
"Really?! Does that mean..."
"Yeah, I'm totally up for it."
"So we're going for 1v1?"
"Then I'll go first." Sasuke declares out of nowhere and steps forward, much to Naruto's objection though Sakura immediately shut him up by a punch to his stubborn head.
The hell is wrong with that Uchiha? A moment ago he acted completely no interested or whatever, and now he's so determined to be the first one to jump onto the hype train. I raise an eyebrow at his confusing action but follow the guy to the empty lot anyway.
Without anyone noticing, Kakashi has arrived at the spot and instead of showing himself, he settled behind one of the trees nearby to watch his students sparring.
Before getting started, I ask Sasuke. "So is there any special rule?"
"Do your best and win." He responds and moves into his combat stance.
I will assume that sentence means there's none. Taking a deep breath and avoiding his eyes, I get into defense stance and patiently wait for Sakura's countdown from three to one.
"Go!" Sasuke starts by throwing multiple Shuriken at Nina in attempt to distract her and charges forward to slash with a Kunai. Luckily the girl manages to block it in time using a Kunai that she has draw out to protect herself at the beginning of the battle.
Oh, she's left-handed. Four of them notice Nina's primary hand and leg as she kicks Sasuke out of the way to gain a safe distance. However it doesn't help much as Sasuke's speed overwhelms hers and she has no choice but to keep defending. Yet still getting hit here and there.
Whenever she tries to land an attack, Sasuke would counter her instantly and she only ends up earning more damages. Tired of toying around, Sasuke tricks her in thinking that he has left an open side and Nina easily fallen for it, by changing her position from defensive to offensive and aim for the free point to strike.
Only waiting for that, Sasuke kicks the Kunai off her hand into the air and initiates a short combo with another leg to send Nina flying toward to the tree's body with another kick to the stomach. Quickly ending the fight.
That bastard sure isn't holding back. Does he know that this is just a friendly match and not a death match? Naruto groans and walks over to help Nina get up.
"You okay?"
I nod in response and he grins. "Great. Are you still up for the next round?"
"Sure."
And then it's Naruto's turn. The match goes smoothly and all for them since the boy doesn't take it as seriously as Sasuke. No usage of Kunai or shuriken, just simple Tatjustsu and neither of the two has any intention to hurt each other. Though Nina has to admit that Naruto's good with his fists and knows exactly what's he doing.
Everything ends however the moment he uses Kage Bunshin no Jutsu to confuse the hell out of her mind. Eventually she wears herself out due to fighting the endless wave of clones, which are doing nothing but jumping at Nina in order to seize her.
Coming up next is Sakura, however Nina's already exhausted after battling the other two and just charges head on unconsciously. In the end Sakura wins easily by outsmarting the girl with her plans and perfect timing attacks.
Therefore the matches end with Nina losing to all three. Sasuke holds the first place at 1 minute, following Sakura 2 minutes and Naruto 5 minutes.
"Don't feel sad, okay? You fought great!" Naruto comforts when seeing me sulking over the bad results. The boy is so bright and innocent that there is no way I can bring myself to be mad at him.
"Yeah, for someone who was just recovered from fatal injuries. You handled it well." Sakura adds.
Sasuke doesn't seem to agree so however. Her movements are way too clumsy, reflexes and decisions are too slow, no usage of ninjutsu. Plus her grip on the Kunai is so frail that it's just too easy to trip it off her hand. The problem obviously isn't coming from her health, but her lack of skills.
In conclusion, she's a total weakling and probably even worse than Sakura.
"Another dead weight to the team." Sasuke spat and walks off.
"Hey! Don't be so mean! I'm sure Nina-chan has something she's good at, you know!" Naruto yells back.
"Then she better hurry and gets it to work. Because if that was either Zabuza or Haku just now, she would have been long gone."
Zabuza? So they must have finished the Lands of Waves Escort Mission. Then that's mean Chuunin exam story arc would be coming up next. Damn, I didn't expect it to be this close when being informed by Hiruzen earlier.
"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura's expression turns gloomy after recalling to the incident that almost killed the whole team and Naruto too, despite wanting to say something to object but he has to admit somewhere in his heart that Sasuke's right.
"It's okay Naruto. It's true that am weak, but it's also because you guys are very talented so there's no way I can win."
Doesn't want those two fighting over trivial thing, I admit my flaw in hope to calm them down. Fortunately they do as Sasuke stops bothering about it and turns away, while Naruto grins shyly by the sudden praise.
"I will train with you, how about it?" Sympathized with my condition, Naruto suggests helping me to improve my shinobi's skill.
"Of course, I'm up for it whenever you want." And I agree, thinking that it may be a good chance for us to befriend and find no reason to refuse such generous offer. Though the only problem is that if we will ever have the time, or spirits to do so when a big storm is about to come to Konoha. And to the team 7 themselves.
Yes! Meanwhile Sakura's inner self holds up her fists up the air, doing a victory pose after hearing their short conversation. Satisfied that there has appeared someone who can take Naruto off her shoulders and now she's finally free to follow Sasuke without being disturbed.
"Hey guys, I got lost." Kakashi shows his face up late again with another lame excuse.
And of course, none of us is buying it. "You're lying!"
"Anyway play time's over. Everyone, let's head to the Hokage's office. There's a mission waiting for us."
Kakashi informs them about their upcoming mission bring joy to the whole team. Not wasting time, Naruto takes the lead and runs off to Hokage's office direction before any of us can act.
Let's just hope that it's nothing too important or dangerous. Me, on the other hand, doesn't seem as much enthusiastic as the Naruto's protagonists are. Following the rest of team seven to Hiruzen's place.
