Chapter 76 Chunin exams pt 2

The room that was already silent became like a grave. The smug look, was wiped from A's face as he comprehended my words. He dug himself this hole; it was only fair that I pushed him into it.

"What did you say?" he growled.

I smiled, my voice high-pitched as I said.

"I accept your apology and appreciate your confession. I hear it's good for the soul~."

He moved.

One moment he was sitting down with a dark look on his face; the next, his fist was an inch from my face.

My face wasn't my own when a wicked smile spread across it. I couldn't see A's movement with my normal eyes but with a fully mature Sharingan. I'm sure he was relatively slow. Electricity sparked from his hand as we caught his fist.

This guy was powerful!

Madara's bloodlust and yearning for battle leaked out as he assumed control.

"Don't ruin my reputation," I warned.

Beating a Kage half to death can only elevate your reputation!

"Now, that wasn't very nice. I don't recall doing anything warranting this kind of reaction." My voice was mixed; Madara was too excited to care about my image. My hands were small compared to his fist, but we gripped his fist and turned it away from our face. He looked horrified by the movement. Tsunade, who moved to stop him, stared in bewilderment. Only Naruto and Sasuke were capable of hiding their shock. Seeing the two genins unmoving and unimpressed by my strength, the room began to panic. Their chakra expressed what they dared not.

Utter disbelief.

We pulled his fist, forcing A to stumble forward, our faces now inch apart.

"I'm not sure what your intentions were, but if you want a fight, I don't mind dancing with you." my crazed green eyes reflected in his own, and I wanted nothing more than to sigh as Madara rained killing intent. He looked ready to climb the man like a tree; with my body!

"Ahem," Hizuxzen coughed before A could reply. "That's enough. You've received your apology and accepted it. I believe it's time to release the Kumonins."

You've no fun.

Madara relinquished control to me, and the killing intent immediately stopped. My face fell into a neutral smile as I released the Raikage and stepped back. Tsunade glared at him as she stood between us, ready to throw down.

Madara was suddenly excited again. I healed my electricity-burned hand as they had a staring contest.

"Attacking a genin because of her hurt pride, how shameless," she started.

"Oi Tsunade, this is none of your business," he rebutted.

"I'm making it my business," she clenched her fist.

The ground between them exploded, forcing the two apart. When the smoke cleared, a sizable wooden cage stood. Inside the wooden structure, the Kumonins sat with gloomy faces. One of them looked up and nudged the others when they saw the change in sensory. They locked onto their Kage and ran to the side he stood.

"Lord Raikage!"

"Are you here to save us!?"

"We didn't know, honest!"

The Raikage looked them over before looking back at me.

"You had them in a cage!?" A screamed.

"I fed them," I said with a shrug.

"Sakura," Hiruzen warned. I signed and taped the floor. The cage disappeared with a poof. The Genins ran behind their Kage and Jinchuriki, looking at me as though I was some kind of monster. I should have let them starve.

Kankaro looked at them in sympathy, and I wondered what kind of training those guys had. Sure, I left them in a completely black space, but it wasn't long enough to drive them insane, and I fed them. I could have left the fool for dead, but I offered them hospitality.

Don't throw pearls to swine, I guess.

"If that is all, We'll take our leave," I said, looking at Hiruzen for approval. Hiruzen looked over at the Raikage and raised a brow.

"Tch," was his only response.

"You may leave, Team 7, Tsunade," Tsunade nodded, and we bowed before walking towards the door.

"Don't think I'll just let this go."

The bark came from one of my former prisoners. The boy glared at me with angry eyes.

"I'll crush you!" he promised.

I grinned at this challenge.

"If you make it to the tournament," I looked hi8m in the eye. "I'll gladly show you reality."

He glared as we left, a determined look in his black eyes.

"Was that really necessary?" Naruto asked as we walked back to our rooms.

"Hn, You just placed a target on your back," Sasuke agreed.

I smiled. "Yes, I placed a target on my back. Everyone will be aiming for me, forgetting about everyone else."

Tsunade stopped looking back at me, surprised.

"You provoked the Raikage on purpose?" she sounded outraged. "What would you have done if he killed you?"

"Burst into flower petals, most likely." my voice came from the walls as I emerged with Yamato. My clone busted into cherry blossoms and fluttered to the ground. Naruto and Sasuke looked at me with a look of betrayal.

"You didn't really think I would walk into the lion's den without a plan, did you?" I stepped away from Yamato and approached them. "I took the agro the only way I know how. If I left it alone, you two would be their main targets."

"Why would they come after us?" Naruto asked.

"You look like your father, the reason the Stone village lost the war, and Sasuke has the Sharingan; enough said. Even if they would play nice, I couldn't risk it."

Sasuke made a face and looked away, his hands in his pocket.

He was brooding again.

I suppressed a sigh and settled over to him. Lifting his chin, I smiled at him.

"Don't feel bad; your role is more important," I promised. Sasuke focused on me. "Your job is simple. " I leaned toward his ear. "You get to protect me." he looked confused as I stepped back. "I'm bait, but it's a pain to kill everything that moves towards me, so you guys will protect me. This time I'll be the princess!"

"Don't worry, Sasuke-chan!" Naruto puffed his chest. "This time, I'll protect you."

"Hn," Sasuke nodded, his eyes determined.

"I knew I could count on you guys!" I cheered. Let's head back and tell the others the good news!"

"Ah! Sakura-chan, you'll get scolded again!" Naruto warned, chasing after me.

"How did I end up on babysitting duty?" Tsunade sighed.

"You can stay in our room if you want," Sasuke said as they walked behind us.

"Well, I owe you guys a drink," she said, bringing a smile to my face.

"Let's get Lee drunk!" I cheered, rushing to the room with my team and Tsunade chasing me.

I was careful not to make eye contact with the floating eyeball made of sand.

Skyscrapers that reached for the mountaintop's roof were everywhere in the Iron-based land. The building where we were taking the writing exam was one such place. Looking at the building from the ground made my legs hurt; there was no elevator.

"What room is our exam in?" I asked Shikamaru, who also looked displeased.

"Room 209, on the 20th floor," his voice was that of a man who'd lost all hope.

"This is a great opportunity to test our stamina!" Lee cheered, doing push-ups as a warm-up. "We will race to the top!" With that, he ran off, leaving us in his dust.

"Yeah, I don't think so," I sighed, biting my thumb. From the drops of blood, a warm of Springflys surrounded us. When they scattered, we were standing in a hallway; the door marked 209 within sight.

"You need to teach me how to do that," Shikamaru said, impressed.

"I'm pretty sure you can do it with your shadow," I told him as we approached the door. "You just need to case a big enough shadow and then like earth walking embrue your-"

"Ahhh!"

I looked behind us to see another swarm of Springfly fluttering away from a confused Lee. I frowned.

There is a problem.

Images of other villages attacking Lee flashed, and I frowned.

"Lee!" Tenten cried, running to the disorientated boy. "Are you okay?"

"I was just in the staircase," he muttered, looking around. The broch I gave him shunned on his clothes.

'Looks like they've made their move," I said, getting everyone's attention. "It's time I take on my role as Princess."

Lee excitedly leaped to his feet.

"I will protect you!" he declared.

"I look forward to it." I smiled.

Team Guy took points, and team 8 took the flank. Teams 7 and 10 are all about me. I smiled as we made our way to the exam room.

Murderous intent. An onslaught of murderous intent welcomed us. The genins glared at us with murder in their eyes. They looked ready to launch an ambush with their weapons in hand. I smiled. They were cute.

Knonoha seven returned their killing intent tenfold. They might actually kill them, so it was far more potent. A few genins flinched, others backed away, and some avoided eye contact. We entered the space, making it abundantly clear I was the VIP. All eyes were on me, and I smiled sweetly at them all.

There was no need for me to worry.

"That's quite the entrance you guys have there." Looking over, I suppress my shock. Kabuto smiled at us as we sat down. We sat in any open seat because the seating will change before the tests."I'm pretty sure you just made everyone your enemy," Kabuto continued when we didn't chase him away. He had the leaf headband on his forehead and looked as he did in canon. I was glad some things remained the same.

"It's fine. We're going to fight everyone here anyway." I smiled sweetly. "It's best not to make friendships that won't last."

"That's an interesting mindset to have, considering your position," he said, adjusting his glasses.

"It's lonely at the top, but at least it has a great view."

"Are you implying you're the strongest?" he asked loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I don't have to say anything, Kabuto," he flinched. "This exam will prove who is the strongest."

"How did you?" he began but was interrupted as the door swung open.

"Alright, you Lambs, it's time for the slaughter!" a man that really shouldn't be around children walked into the room, his black coat fluttering behind him. Nick fur-

"My name is Ibiki Morino. I'll be your examiner for the first part of the Chunin exams." he called out as more shinobis from different villages walked in. "We will be invigilating the exams."

After shuffling us like cards, they began the first part of the exams. I got placed between two people I didn't know. Five seats away from any of my allies. The test was information gathering, so it didn't matter if anyone was around me.

That's if everything is still the same.

They have no reason to change the first test that has remained the same for years.

Of course, they do. You.

The test papers were placed face down, and the invigilators told us not to touch them.

It was all standard test protocol so far. Once everyone had a paper in front of them, Ibiki began.

"This test will last two hours and consist of 10 questions. Each question is worth ten marks. Only those with 100 marks will move on to the next stage," he said. The room began to buzz if we followed his logic; only those who answered the questions correctly ten times would pass.

"Don't worry; the questions are relatively simple, academy-level stuff." he chuckled at their looks of despair. "Tell you what, if one of your teammates gets all of them correct, your team will pass." The room became lively again, with everyone excited.

"However," Ibiki wouldn't let joy exist in his presence. "If even one of your teammates gets a zero. All of you will face elimination."

The way he said it made it sound like a death sentence.

Sharp eyes found their weakest link with threats of death. I could already see Naruto sweating.

Satisfied with the reactions he was getting, Ibiki raised his hand.

"You may now begin," he hand dropped, and we turned over the paper, some faster than others. I raised a brow as I read the first question.

What was the first law the Hashirama issued after becoming Hokage?

I blinked. Sure, this was academy-level knowledge, but those from other villages wouldn't know this.

Who was the third wife of the Lightning Daimyo?

How would I know that?

Himari

I don't even want to know how you know that.

She tried to assassinate him, so she's well-known in the land of lightning.

This isn't something we would know.

I looked about the room and saw the look of confusion on the genin's faces. It was then that Ibiki smirked and informed us of one more rule.

"Those caught cheating will be immediately disqualified."

This guy. He really is a sadist.

Next Chapter

February 15.

Omake

Red-faced and surrounded by empty Sake bottles, Tsunade lay blackout drunk on our floor, muttering in her dreams. Did you seriously out-drink Grandma Tsunade?" Naruto looked impressed. I couldn't really drink on the mission, so we watched Tsunade down bottle after bottle. She was impressive, and Naruto figured she could out-drink me. I took up the Ryo that was on the table. I won this bet.

"Right, let's get her in bed," I said, staggering to my feet. I was only a little tipsy. Thankfully, I didn't have to use chakra to lift her. Strength and alcohol don't make a good match for everyday life; it was part of why Lee was so deadly drunk.

She snuggled into the pink blankets like a cat getting comfy. Brushing my hand against her forehead, I placed her in a genjutsu before turning to my teammates.

"We have a big day ahead of us. Let's get some sleep," I said, walking towards the window bed.

"Ah, Sakura-chan, Tsunade is in your bed," Naruto called.

I looked back, confused, and sure enough, the covers were pink, my pink, it was my bed. I looked at the window bed, and it was blue, Sasuke's. Shrugging, I continued onwards. I'd let future Sakura deal with it.

"Good night," I called as I crawled into bed, I couldn't even get under the covers before I blacked out.

It was warm when I came to my senses.

Waking from my slumber, I found myself in warm embraces. Not one, but two people were hugging me.

Naruto's blond hair was under my chin, and calm chakra was at my back. I want to believe they both decided to share me in a wholesome way. In reality, those two fought over the opportunity and ended up this way when they woke Tsunade, or so Madara told me.

Whatever this way was easier to plant seals anyway.