Then a cough echoed in his mind - the pen - it was an almost… ghostly whisper and he said nothing more…
- "Oh, that's right!" - she thought as she looked at her cute half-moon bag – "My mind is a genius, I have the special pen for this" - in the back of her head she felt as if a palm had been slammed against something with a loud sound – "Well now I have to find out if I could use my pen" –
Sakura and Sasuke were worried... of course the emo avenger didn't show it outwardly, but they both knew that Naruto wasn't exactly good at these things, they expected Naruto to scream or at least squirm... but he had a smile... very strange.
When Naruto received his seat he was humming without any real concern, before seeing a pencil and eraser being placed down… he stopped dead in his tracks, causing the ninja behind her to stop dead in his tracks, his gaze sharp on the now nervous girl's back.
He didn't intend to talk to the scary man… maybe ask Kotetsu or Izumo, but…. He knew the question could only be answered by the test examiner.
-okay... let's go... you go and come back -she turns around walking towards the front stopping where they were giving out the numbers.
- Is there a problem with your number? - Naruto shakes his head and Ibiki doesn't seem to have any patience - Then what do you want? - Naruto freezes again and his voice trembles.
Sasuke walks past her taking her number and gives her a raised eyebrow, she takes a breath and speaks - can I use my own things to write? - she asks while Ibiki frowns.
- "There are many ways to cheat, one of them could be hiding between a pencil or an eraser… but none of the rules say you can't use them… you should check" -Ibiki thinks while stretching out a hand.
-Let me check them- Naruto calms down a bit and opens his crescent bag.
-A baby gennin with his baby things... how spoiled Konoha is - a gennin from another village says sharply, Shikamaru who was behind can only sigh, people now see Naruto as someone not very strong let's say... maybe that's okay, Nara himself thought of Naruto as a person who could be kicked by a puppy and that people think that Naruto is weak is fine for the blond, it will prevent them from taking him as a challenge for what he said before.
She took out the ink and the pen, Ibiki looked at the blue pen with much analysis up and down, he added Chakra in it, Izumo and Kotetsu were interested but avoided showing it, the pen didn't react to anything he did, then he took a blank piece of paper and tried to use it by dipping it in the ink and then making a circle... there was nothing strange or it was too well hidden... Ibiki looked at the little blonde who perhaps only reached a little higher than his navel, jumping on her little feet impatiently... So definitely the pen had nothing.
-Go ahead - Ibiki said as he handed the things back to him - although I will tell you that it is not a good idea for you to use it, I'm sure you're going to want to erase it - Naruto didn't even pay attention to that, he was allowed to use it and... well maybe he didn't want to cheat from the start.
As she walked her mind began to wander –"well I guess I won't use it after all…" -she thinks to herself, she already feels bad for deceiving the older ninja –"I'll give it my best effort and see what comes out of it ttebayo" -clenching her fists she goes to her seat now not so much that she is next to Hinata.
-oh Hinata chan -Naruto whispers and gives a smile to the girl who blushes too much.
-n-Naruto kun -she says while writhing -I-I… I w-want to, t-tell you g-good l-luck - Naruto's smile grows and his heart skips a beat, Hermione chan always tells him to study hard so she never tells him "good luck" in front of an exam, Ron does tell him daily, before a potions class and especially when he looks nervous.
-Thank you - she answers, leaving her auto-response pen on the table and taking a deep breath, looking at the turned sheet of paper.
Ibiki slams the chalk on the board. "Then everyone pay attention here." He began to write. "First the rules. Listen carefully because I'm not going to repeat myself. Participants may not, under any circumstances, fight each other during the exam, unless they are ordered to do so by their examiners. Failure to do so would result in failure. Participants enter the exam with ten points, and their test consists of ten questions (each question is worth one point) and the test is based on point reduction. If there is one mistake, one point will be deducted. For example, if all the questions are answered correctly, the participant will have ten points. If one fails three, the participant will then have seven points. The success or failure of the team will be determined by the amount of points the team has. If an examiner finds out that one of the participants is cheating, they will be penalized by having two points deducted from their exam for each attempt… if you are caught cheating, you don't deserve to be here."
- "It's okay… even if Naruto isn't good at these exams, if both Sasuke kun and I get good grades we can pass Naruto's test" -Sakura thinks taking a deep breath, a smile appearing to give herself confidence.
-Now if one team member gets a zero, the entire team will fail -Sasuke and Sakura were going to kill her if she failed this test.
Sasuke didn't know what to think, he liked Naruto now... a lot in a way that was too deep and not romantic... strange but comforting in a way, but honestly first came his revenge towards... Itachi and not being able to pass this test just because Naruto would lose was something he couldn't tolerate and he was sure Sakura couldn't either.
-You have one hour from now -Naruto looked at the clock and saw that it was four o'clock- now begin!
Naruto looked at the paper and skipped the question, codes weren't his thing after all – "Line B on the diagram indicates the trajectory of a shuriken thrown at enemy C by ninja A, sitting on top of a seven meter tall tree. Describe and formulate the trajectory required if C were placed at points D, E and F. Also describe the maximum range of the shuriken and explain how you arrived at that answer… I don't think I can figure it out" – she leans against the table and rereads that same question over and over again without really knowing how to elaborate on it – "I can't let my team down" –
- "I don't even know where to start" -Sasuke thinks feeling a great pressure in his chest, he knows that part of it is his… but the other part belongs to his noisiest partner and he sees her, trembling on the table without knowing the answer…
So Naruto makes a decision, he takes the blue pen and dips it into the ink.
" The self-answering quill is a quill that has been enchanted so that when it touches a question on a scroll, it writes the answer instantly. "
She felt the question and immediately felt the pen move under her soft fingers, she knew that if she let go the pen would solve the question on its own, but… that would be too suspicious so she kept her delicate grip as the pen went back and forth in small strokes on the first question about the code…
Sakura knew the answers... it was difficult, but she did it, in a certain part while she was writing she felt sorry for her blonde teammate, he must be so desperate because he doesn't know any.
In fact, he thinks that almost no one can really solve it…
- "it's actually very strange" -Sasuke thinks looking to the side seeing the supervisors –"they make too much of a fuss about cheating than about the exam itself" -Sasuke frowns when he sees one of them writing –"they caught someone" -he turned his gaze back to his test –"besides, why take off two points for every time they cheat? The most logical thing would be to remove them from the test and that's it…" "ah -then Sasuke realizes and looks at the supervisor, the test is not just a written exam… it is to get the information in general, stealing it or already knowing it… the objective is to copy without them finding out that you did it –"well then…. Naruto you have to realize and" -Sasuke looks at Naruto again and discovers that she is writing with that pen that he had asked to use, she seemed very concentrated –"maybe… you already did" -a proud smile blossomed on Sasuke's face.
But the reality was different.
- "I'm going to throw up" - Naruto thinks, his body tensing with the thought that at any moment he could be discovered and thrown out, his hand shaking as the pen did its work, his eyes trying to be attentive as he used his Chakra to recognize if someone was suddenly looking at her to stop, in general Naruto understood that she had become a good girl in general.
It prevented cheating in McGonagall and Snape's fair and unfair tests, this quill was only used during Professor Lockhart's "Who knows more than a thousand?" silly tests and he didn't even know it all the time...
And she may not have even a halfway grade, but she managed to get through with her effort and doing this made her feel like a really stupid little cheater who couldn't do anything.
- "Naruto kun looks nervous even though he's managing to answer them" -Hinata says while watching how Naruto trembled every time she changed the question and wrote as if he already knew the answers… but his face said something else, he looked totally bad, as if his stomach was turning so many times that it could kill him -N-Naruto kun, a-are you o-okay? -Naruto jumps at Hinata's voice and stops the pen avoiding trying to hide it, giving a soft nod -e-everything w-will be o-okay, y-you'll be o-okay -she continues whispering, but that had become almost intelligible to Naruto.
-Thanks Hinata -she whispers and gives her a small smile making the Hyuga blush deeply.
When a kunai passed right by him, Naruto panicked again as he looked forward and his hand gripped the feather -boy, you've been spotted more than five times, your 23rd candidate was with your teammates- Kotetsu said, Naruto swallowed deeply taking a look behind her -you... don't look back- Kotetsu told Naruto in a harsh voice at first, but... he couldn't help but soften a bit at the end when he saw her jump -don't look at them- her voice hardens again and Naruto lowers his head looking at his blade.
- "okay" -she sighs to herself before realizing one thing… there are people who aren't actually gennin –"Why are there people here pretending to be?" -she squinted her eyes, already rewriting the last two answers, then she looks up and sees small wires holding a mirror and… she knows she's not the only one cheating –"Why do they even give us five chances before kicking us out?" -Naruto stops his pen –"mmh… no surely I'm wrong" -she shakes her head before she felt a low growl go through her head.
He also noticed that one of the examiners… wasn't really an examiner, he didn't know what that thing was, but he knew it belonged to someone here…
Nervousness came back like a bucket of cold water when an examiner stood in front of her... in one of the now empty seats, he looked at the pen too closely and made Naruto tremble almost erratically, she felt trapped like that day in the dueling club - d-do you need s-something? - Naruto let out in a nervous squeak as he squeezed the pen lifting it from the paper.
-mmh… nothing continues - the examiner said and walked away allowing Naruto to breathe again… shakily, but her soul returned to her body.
When she finished the nine questions she looked at the paper, she didn't even understand the answers that the pen had written and instead could only bite her lip.
- Okay! - Ibiki said making everyone look at him, half of the genin had already left - it's time for the last question - Naruto opened his eyes and quickly turned his head to see the clock on the wall and... she was paralyzed, there were really only fifteen minutes left - but before that you should be aware of one or two rules - the door opened and Naruto could feel that Kankuro guy come in... she had been too nervous to feel him leave, he was told to sit down -
Kakashi wasn't that worried about this specific test, he knew it was going to be a small thing compared to the next stage... Although that didn't mean it wouldn't be hard, much less when Asuma mentioned that Ibiki was the one leading this test.
It wasn't that he expected Naruto to just stand up and give up if he didn't know the answers… but maybe Sakura was the most likely to do so…
-So here's the first one: everyone is free to choose whether they want to answer the last question or not - people freeze and talk until Ibiki raises a hand - it doesn't matter if the previous nine questions are correct, if they don't answer it they will get a zero and will be expelled from the exam, which means that their entire team will be expelled in general - the man smiles in a very macabre way - people would never leave like that if he said that... Shikamaru at least thought that - but in case they answer it wrong they will not only be expelled from the test, they will not have the opportunity to take it again -
-W-what - Naruto manages to stammer and looks at the pen, the last question seems like it will be oral... it will be useless.
- Lie! -Kiba shouts, standing up and pointing at Ibiki with a finger -There are many people here who have participated before on countless occasions-
Ibiki lets out a laugh that makes them shudder -let's just say that... they were unlucky, before I didn't choose the rules... now if anyone who doesn't want to take the risk and fail can leave now-
People were retreating as soon as he said that, the boy next to Naruto was one of the first to do so.
- "Naruto, you can go… don't worry about us" -Sakura thinks looking at Naruto, Sasuke decides that whatever Naruto feels safe with is the best way to go from here…
….It was all in vain.
Naruto stands up, surprising the nine rookies alike, they never thought Naruto would stand up on his own - Are you leaving? - Ibiki asks, but doesn't have time to say much more when Naruto picks up whatever he has in his hand and throws it on the table.
It must have been glass because it broke on the paper as soon as it fell, the test monitors saw that it was the ink bottle that she was using before - it's useless... this whole test was very stupid, it doesn't matter if I spill all the ink on the paper yes - she lifts the paper between two fingers and shows it to Ibiki, the man saw that at the last part where the last question was, the ink had not yet arrived - in the end the last question is what counts... I will not retire because it would be almost the same as having thrown all my ink in my own work... I'm not afraid of you ttebayo - she smiles at the end - because even if I never become a chunnin I can be sure that I do not waste my ink in vain... I will be hokage -
- Are you sure about what you're saying... that you won't regret it? - Ibiki asks and Naruto's smile widens.
-I never break my word, that's my Nindo - she crosses her arms and sits down now looking at the ink disaster that had become her table
- "This is funny" -Ibiki says looking between all those genin they were just trembling things before that boy spoke, their confident smiles gave too much to say… - "You have a great power to make people believe in your word and feel that it should be theirs" -Ibiki takes a few steps –"there are sixty-seven left… more than I thought" –
- "If you thought you could crush his spirit so easily… it seems you were wrong" -Sasuke thinks as that confidence comes to him, that cold atmosphere from before began to warm up with that power of Naruto.
-I see you have a lot of determination- Ibiki starts, Naruto doesn't even falter- then I think it's time to tell you that everyone here passed! - the blonde squeals in confusion while maybe she was starting to short circuit a little, she didn't expect it at all, that man was laughing and from time to time he gave Naruto a glance or two... as if she had infected him with her spirit.
- What! And the last question? - Sakura exclaims standing up.
-Well, it doesn't exist... at least not written down - Ibiki's smile widens
- wait - the girl in the sand stands up - that means the previous nine questions were really useless -
-No… quite the opposite, the previous questions had a purpose to test their intelligence and cunning and to get it with strategy under the circumstances - Naruto did not understand anything of what that man had said but was still trying to repair herself from the previous shock - let me explain, the test was not only individual but also group and how they work as part of a team, that is why the grade is qualified in that way, and I imagine that the majority came to the conclusion that the test was more difficult than what a gennin could solve… so they had to find the information elsewhere and –
-Wait... - Naruto stops him and looks at his pen - the objective of the test was to cheat!? - At that moment Sasuke and Sakura almost dropped their faces on the desk, they didn't know if Naruto really didn't know or if he was playing.
-Listen carefully- the man said as he removed the scarf he had on his head exposing the scars that decorated it- information can be vital to a mission, depending on how it is handled it can become a weapon and could make the failure or success of a mission depend on it and sometimes you will have to risk your life to get it- Naruto had seen scars but… never so many and less like those of that man- the tenth question was the main thing in this test… knowing that giving up can make the mission fail and the fact of thinking that they are going to fail is a good impulse for them to give up, now they have advanced through the first door of a very long road, by this means, I declare that this first part of the chunnin exams is over, it only remains for me to wish you all good luck-
- Yes! - Naruto screams, but then covers his mouth and looks at his pen… he shouldn't have hesitated so much, he takes it between his fingers and puts it in his little bag… he needs more ink now.
- "That boy is really charismatic" -Ibiki thinks –"I'm sure half of them wouldn't have been here if it weren't for his words" –
When the glass broke, Naruto had no choice but to jump looking at the invader, that Chakra seemed familiar to him... an anbu maybe?, when a purple cloth appeared in front of her -I will be the next examiner, I am Anko Mitarashi - the girl was a little scary by how she gritted her teeth - Are you ready for the next exam?! - then she raised a fist - okay! then LET'S GO! -
Naruto thinks he recognizes that attitude.
" No, no " she squeals as the anbu makes her chase after her.
" Come on puppy, don't tell me that's all you got "
Naruto was only two years old and his feet stumbled with every step… When he couldn't regain his balance his baby hands shot forward, but his forehead still crashed into the cold floor of the base, large crocodile tears fell as the female Anbu tried to tell him it didn't matter, that he had to be strong like her… Poor Naruto.
Ibiki came out from behind the "second phase" pamphlet. "You went ahead as always." The girl blushed, holding her fist in the air, still paralyzed.
- Kitty! -Naruto shouts making Anko instinctively call out his anbu nickname (she was Chat) but she quickly pretended it wasn't for her –"how noisy" -Sakura says as the woman lowers her arm.
-Wow… aren't there many? I think you've softened up Ibiki –
-Or maybe the candidates were better prepared - Ibiki answers looking at everyone in the room.
-Whatever- the woman… Kitty… no, Anko spoke looking with disdain at each of them before her gaze landed on the little blonde –"mmh so this is where you ended up" –
" Kitty!" little Naruto screams as the woman grabs his shirt, unconsciously pulling her baby legs closer as she dangles over the edge of the Hokage tower.
"Who are you calling by that disgusting nickname? Kitty, Kitty, better yet Cat, or the beautiful and powerful Cat" the tears fell along with a pout, Cat hummed before saying "well your loss" at that moment she opened Naruto's palm and fell...
Naruto pouts from his seat, this person was definitely Cat, he knew the woman would never seriously hurt him, those times she threw her was because she knew Naruto's same power would keep her safe when she hit the ground, she also used it as a way to "cheer up" Naruto when he was sad... even though she only got Naruto to drop big, thick crocodile tears... well that was until she turned five, then she learned that all Cat wanted was to tease her and she didn't let her do it again, she no longer shed tears when she dropped her not even when she called her "baby sunshine" a nickname Naruto didn't understand but that Cat said with such mockery that Naruto growled at just the slightest pronouncement of that nickname, maybe nowadays even the occasional growl could escape her lips if someone were to call her that nickname, which in reality in perspective wasn't a horrible nickname as he remembered but still... you can't call her that! She wasn't a sun nor a baby much less a baby sun so nope.
-Whatever… -Anko starts looking at all the genin -surely more than half will have been eliminated in the next stage-
-More than half…- Sakura mutters too loudly, enough for Naruto to hear.
-This is going to be a lot of fun- Anko whispers before frowning- This is not going to be easy anymore tomorrow morning, I'll let your jounin know where the next test will be- At that moment Naruto trembled a little, there were few tests in Konoha and if Anko was in charge he knew it could be… a horrible place….
Naruto arrived at her apartment, the kneazle quickly approached her and rubbed against her leg in a pleasant welcome, wrapping its tail around her other leg, Naruto crouched down and lifted the kneazle under his armpits, he didn't know how to react when he saw the face of the whiskered girl.
- I don't want to die in the forest! - he suddenly exclaims, lifting up the kneazle who lets out a high-pitched roar as Naruto shakes him from side to side with stress - it's worse than the forbidden forest, it's thick and there are no creatures like centaurs - he had seen one up close one day, he had prevented Naruto from advancing further into the forest and... he was kind, here in Konoha there wouldn't be things like that, instead... Creatures that would want to kill her at every corner, she turned around again at the thought, before she knew it she had dropped onto the bed on her back with a sigh, she looked up at the soft creature who was narrowing his eyes at her "oh… sorry, I was a little nervous ttebayo" she explains and sets him down on his paws on her stomach, the kneazle stretches out and settles before walking over her chest before gently licks the tip of her nose "cute" Naruto says softly as he caresses her back, before puffing out his cheeks, and begins to shake his legs in the air being able to create a one person engine before he drops them back onto the bed to absorb the sound.
Naruto stood up and looked at his small bag wondering what he should bring, the kneazle slid down a slide to his legs as he checked, he wouldn't need the quill anymore or so he hoped -I think it's time- she sighs and lifts the kneazle from his legs leaving him on the bed, she walks to the trunk and takes out his normal quill and parchment, she had to send the note of why he did the beetle button spell.
" Headmaster Dumbledore"
Naruto wants to growl at the formality with which he had started.
" I used the transformation charm…. Beetle to button, please..."
She doubted that it was valid to simply use it for show.
" a flood of beetles in my apartment, I used the charm in the wrong way when I wanted to use it to get rid of them, I didn't remember not being able to use magic outside of Hogwarts, this will not happen again unless I am in danger.
-Naruto Uzumaki- "
I looked at the letter and hoped it would be believable or at least understandable…
Sakura and Sasuke arrived before Naruto at the forest that was surrounded by a large net and warning signs.
People were slowly gathering around, including the remaining rookies, but there was no sign of Naruto yet.
- Naruto chickened out? - Sakura frowns at Kiba's mocking laughter.
- Are you making fun of Naruto? - Sakura asks and Kiba denies.
-Nah, I just remember the paleness of his face when we were told the place… Naruto knew it was here -Akamaru barked in approval- and I thought that maybe… Naruto decided he didn't want to continue -Kiba finishes by petting Akamaru under the chin, who was happy with the attention.
-Well, if Naruto doesn't come, it will be a problem for Sasuke kun -Ino says, approaching Sakura- since they won't be able to participate in the exams and if they were to let them participate, well... I don't think you'd be of much use in front of the marquee-
-Ino, you pig - Sakura growls and Sasuke decides he's not going to continue with this.
- "Where did the idiot end up?" - Sasuke wonders internally but there wasn't a sudden Naruto appearing and telling him that she is now lost along the path of life…. He hopes that Naruto never picks up Kakashi's or Sakura's bad habits… he shudders at the thought of Naruto following him with a lovestruck face…. Thinking about it only makes him nauseous.
- Is that a cat? - The rookies were distracted by the murmurs of the people, Sakura raised her head to where Ino was looking, only to be confused by the strange creature in front of her.
There was a kind of cat, its fur was grayish stained with black spots and it had purple eyes, but it was different, it looked bigger than any cat they had ever seen, it had a sharp look, pointy ears and a tail that at the tip had hair in the shape of a flame of fire, it gently licked its paw as if it were not an abnormal being in front of a bunch of ninjas - What is that Shikamaru? - Ino asks pointing, Shikamaru shrugs.
-I don't know Ino, I'm not a book of answers - Sakura tries to look from side to side, she read a lot to be the first kunoichi of her year, among them the creatures that can be dangerous and not so dangerous... but there was nothing like that.
- Guys! - Naruto exclaims loudly causing everyone to look at her.
-Look, who finally arrives- Kiba says with a playful tone, but raises an eyebrow when Naruto frowns looking around.
-They saw a kneazle - the rookies blink a little then look at each other, then look back at Naruto.
- W-what, i-it's a k-kneazle? - Hinata asks quietly, but Naruto hears him and realizes that there were no creatures like those here.
-it's... A much bigger cat than normal, a lot! -Naruto opens his arms to represent what he says, the people who were beginning to pay attention to her saw that big cat moving behind her -its fur is bluish -she points to his dark blue pants -it has pointy ears with tufts at the end -Naruto puts his hands on his head and closes them a couple of times, the... now recognized as a kneazle turns his head a little and one of his pointy ears shrinks -it has a tail that has a very hairy tip at the end, have you seen it? -Sasuke points over Naruto's shoulder, she turns around to see the kneazle sitting looking at her out of the corner of her eye before jumping on her -wah! Don't do that - the kneazle settles on his shoulders as if they were a scarf - I told you to stay home ttebayo... I can't take you, I don't have permission to carry animals that haven't presented the proper tests to be ninken - I grab him and look him in the eyes
- Cute! -Ino says jumping a little and pushing Sakura out of the way, making Naruto uncomfortable in the process when she broke that bubble that Naruto was always the one who ended up breaking, hitting the kneazle under the head - Is it yours? - The blonde with the whiskers shakes her head and Ino raises an eyebrow.
-It's... nobody's - Naruto didn't know why, but the kneazle lowered his ears.
-A... Kneazle? -Kiba asks taking a step, but being more careful not to break Naruto's trust -I'd never heard of this type of cat breed... well, I'm more of a dog person- Ino tried to pet it, but was immediately greeted with hisses and soft paw nudges.
Then Naruto frowned and puffed out his cheeks - it's not a cat! - he exclaimed loudly making Kiba look closely at the animal in Naruto's arms, the... kneazle hissed at him as if he had been offended by being called a cat... Kiba thought that Naruto couldn't be telling the truth about this ga... kneazle being his, he himself knew that over time the pet begins to resemble its owner.
-I've actually never seen or heard anything like... What did you call it? - Sakura had stood up and given Ino a little push in revenge.
-Kneazle –
-kneazle… I've read a lot and I've never seen anything about that creature - Naruto hoped he wouldn't have to really answer that, the kneazle is a creature of the magical world and if he talked to them about this was he breaking the rules?... well Naruto thought he was, luckily the question wasn't for her... Sakura thought that maybe Naruto had made up the name of the creature and that he really didn't know what it was either, the pink haired girl looked at Sasuke - had you heard of this creature, Sasuke kun? - the boy could only think... where the hell does Naruto train to find those kinds of creatures?, the last Uchiha put away his pride and simply shook his head...
-Hey... you're making a scene again - then Kabuto arrives at the scene frowning and crossing his arms - Naruto? - the girl jumps at how she was called so suddenly - I suppose you don't have permission to "carry ninken partners" right? - Naruto knew that, he wasn't really going to bring him, for Naruto the kneazle was just a baby! He couldn't let a baby help him in the test.
- I know... ttebayo - she said while looking at the creature, her voice was lower now - Look... I don't know why just today when I might not come back... are you worried that no one will feed you? I can promise you that hokage ji chan will be able to send you with... - she doesn't finish since she thinks she saw how the kneazle rolls his eyes and hisses showing his fangs a little - isn't that it?... well I need you to come back, you can't be with me today ttebayo do you understand? - the kneazle looks Naruto in the eyes, before he escapes from Naruto's hold and climbs on his head - hey! - she squeals while the kneazle wants to be a scarf again - I said no... kneazle, no! - she tries to get him off of her but he immediately surrounds her and rotates - come on, go! - she exclaims - Wah! - the kneazle gets between her scarf on the back - haha no puff! tickle! -
- Is your life a scandal? - Kabuto asks as Naruto squirms, the creature still running in circles between Naruto's dark robes.
-Believe me, he's a scandal and a troublemaker - Sakura says with a sigh and a drop of sweat, Sasuke is the same when Naruto continues writhing on the ground now.
-I see that it makes you laugh a lot... baby sun - Naruto stops instantly at the voice, as if all his ticklish nerves had been taken out, the kneazle himself was surprised when he stopped feeling the girl with the whiskers writhing under his little paws...
-Kitty - Naruto gasps and can see how there was a smile on the woman's face before, before it turned into a frown, the kneazle left Naruto's shirt, the girl got up almost instantly and tried to back away, but she knew she wouldn't be able to.
- "How fast!" - Sasuke thought while the rest gasped, Kiba growled as he felt a weight of anger… What was so wrong with "Kitty"?
- "She's going to hurt him just because I called her that way" - Sakura thought with concern and managed to take a step forward – wait for…! –
- I'VE ALWAYS TOLD YOU THAT I'M NOT KITTY! - the jounin Anko screams while crushing Naruto's cheeks with one of her hands.
-itaiii… let me go… let me go –Naruto begged and shook in an almost erratic manner.
-I'm Anko Mitarashi , the beautiful Anko for you- the woman lets go causing Naruto's hands to shoot up to his sore and crushed cheeks, Anko with that same hand crushes his cheeks, raised a finger and smiled maliciously- is that clear to you? Baby sun- then both the kneazle and Naruto growl, Anko looked like she was going to back away, Naruto put his hands on his waist and leaned his body forward a little.
-Oh... Kitty - Naruto shook his hips a little watching as the woman who had already turned her back on him tensed -Kitty, Kitty Kitty! Oh sweet little Kitty - Naruto Uzumaki was a crazy person... that was the collective thought, his teammates... stepped back when the woman stomped back and put a fist in front of Naruto's face.
-crybaby... bedwetter - then Naruto blushed, no one here could understand that that was true, but still... It was embarrassing that he had said it like that in front of unknown ninjas.
-The embarrassed Kitty wants a fight -Naruto exclaims pushing his body forward, their eyes collided and sparks flew... -Crazy woman -Naruto sticks his tongue out at her...
Anko suddenly knows that someone is watching her too much… someone she knows, but… she can't figure out who it is.
-Nah -Anko steps back and smiles slyly, Naruto blinks a few times -I don't care anymore you know, crybaby-
- I'm not a crybaby! - Naruto squeals before wrinkling his nose, lifting the kneazle into his arms and both the kneazle and Naruto stick their tongues out at Anko before walking away completely.
Anko stretches and walks back to the front - well - she turns around - I think it's time to start the second phase of the exams -
Naruto looked around before finding Kotetsu and going - Naruto... Oops - Sakura lowers her voice - Where are you going? - The pink-haired girl doesn't receive an answer, instead she can see how her teammate hands the man that creature while asking some things that Sakura can't hear, looking as confused as the rest looking from that creature to Naruto and back.
When he finally finished, the kneazle was writhing in Kotetsu's arms as Naruto approached Sakura and Sasuke.
-But before we start -she takes out a scroll and opens it- Look, the entire fenced area of the forest is part of the test, including the central tower -She points to the large spot in the center and then circles the area that could be inhabited- Only half of the teams gathered here will be able to continue to the next stage, since -She puts away the map and shows two rolled up scrolls, one black with a writing that said "earth" and another white one that said "sky" - A certain half of the teams will be given an earth-type scroll and another sky-type scroll, the idea is that they get the remaining scroll and get to the center, don't you dare open it before getting there or else they will be disqualified! -The woman throws both scrolls into the air before pointing with her other hand towards the stands -There you will be given the scroll and some things, now- she smiles catching both scrolls -Hey puppy take one and hand over the rest- Naruto blinks a few times when they hand him a contract -And you know read and sign this, since I will not be responsible for your kicked asses or... the lack of any limb- Naruto shudders and looks at the contract… he hopes he doesn't die in this test -The test lasts five days and if in those five days you don't find the scroll or get to the center… you are disqualified-
-wait a second -Sakura frowns -if that's so... seriously more than half will fail the test-
-Nobody said it would be easy -Anko answers simply
…
-Sakura…. I don't think you should keep fighting with Ino like this - Naruto had been accompanying Sakura for a while, not saying anything important and avoiding saying things that could make Sakura feel obligated to participate.
Then they met up with Team 10 and… the most common thing happened between the pale blonde and the pink-haired one.
- You defend her over me, your teammate! - Sakura jumps, her eyes burning as she looks at Naruto, the whiskered girl raises her hands.
- See? Marquee Front, Naruto prefers me… - Sakura rolls her eyes with a twitch in her eyebrow.
-Naruto choosing you is not good, Ino, you pig - Naruto walks away and stands next to Shikamaru and Chouji who just look at them with their hands in front of them as a sign of not wanting to be in this discussion.
-Well... at least Naruto chooses me, nobody chooses you ugly - Naruto thought sparks were already flying at this point.
-M-Me - Naruto squirms a little before gathering his courage like he did at Hogwarts when the fat lady painting wanted Naruto - I didn't choose Ino - the girl shakes her head.
- You see Ino, you pig! Naruto chose me - then Naruto was pushed out of the fight again.
- No! Not you either Sakura - Naruto exclaims and the two girls cross their arms and look at Naruto - both of you… can be cute in your own way ttebayo, Ino has pretty hair and Sakura has adorable expressions "when she wants" -
-But... there's no way we're in first place together, who's prettier to you Naruto? -The girl blinks a couple of times at Sakura's question, the girl clenched her fists as if she was preparing to attack her if she gave the wrong answer.
But Naruto doesn't even flinch and his finger shoots out at the person next to him -Shikamaru… - the boy was so distracted at that moment with anything but the blondes and the annoying pink haired girl that he almost choked on his own saliva.
- WHAT!? - Sakura screams and both girls are speechless.
-n-Naruto s-Shikamaru h-he's a boy -Ino says slowly while pointing at Shikamaru.
- Can't it be cute? - Naruto asks and Ino squirms a little looking at her teammate and then at Naruto.
- What's 'cute' about this bum? - the boy in question raises an eyebrow at Naruto with some curiosity, Naruto immediately looks at Shikamaru before giving a smile.
-She has long eyelashes and I like your earrings ttebayo -Ino and Sakura could have fallen… Naruto only noticed two things and placed Shikamaru taller than the two of them together.
- B-but that shouldn't be enough, right? -Sakura says.
-Right... is it because you're friends? -Ino continues, when both girls realize that they've been synchronized... they step back and turn their backs to each other, only glancing at Naruto who puts his hands in his pockets and bounces a little on his feet, but she wasn't going to continue talking about that and instead she read the contract moving away from those who wanted an answer.
-wow… I'm prettier than you two… I'm not surprised -Shikamaru smiles as he sees Ino tense up, he knew Ino was going to kill him later, but for now -they made Naruto leave… what a problem -Shikamaru walks away with Chouji behind him leaving them to fight at ease.
-mmh Sasuke? -Naruto walks up to where he sees the boy sitting next to a rock looking at the paper in his hands - Do you have any doubts? -Sasuke shakes his head and looks at Naruto completely, when the blonde sits next to him -
-I don't doubt... this is just a step towards defeating that person -Naruto knew it... he knew that Sasuke was looking for the person who had destroyed his family, that's why every time she looked at him... she felt such pressure on her chest... it was Sasuke -I have to do it to kill him-
Naruto lets out a sigh and pulls his legs closer to his chest. " They're screaming. " Sasuke raises an eyebrow. "Who's screaming?" "It doesn't make sense what they're screaming, since they always do it in my ears and all at once, that's why their words don't make any sense." Sasuke wonders what exactly Naruto is talking about, then she gives a smile. "I could only understand one person's voice there… she said that " Sasuke likes poppies. "
- W-what? - Sasuke opens his eyes in surprise.
Poppy
That was the aroma that filled his nose the day he woke up from that hell in which his own brother had put him.
Poppies were always something special to Sasuke, his mother loved to plant sunflowers, tulips and poppies themselves, but Sasuke always thought that the softest of all was that small, white flower that he could crush with the palm of his little hand.
That's why... for a moment Sasuke thought that the massacre had just been a bad dream... but when he managed to open his eyes completely and saw the smooth, white ceiling... it almost made him want to cry, he sat up to realize that he was in a hospital room... it was all real... his family had died and his brother was one of Konoha's most wanted fugitives.
Then she turned her head and saw a nightstand, her nose managed to smell it long before her eyes could see... they were beautiful poppies, which were spread over the wood. Then her hope returned, maybe she had imagined everything and something different happened, her mother must have been the one who had brought her favorite flower.
…. That memory makes Sasuke want to frown, but then he sees Naruto giving her a smile and thinks - was it you? - Naruto confused turns her head to the side in an adorable way - when we were seven… you left those flowers - then she shakes her head surprising Sasuke…
-I that day… I was near the hospital… -she laughs -I couldn't get close because there was someone… who had no life there -then Naruto squirms a little looking at the paper again -but his voice was different from the screams I hear in the background… he talked about not leaving him alone… that he needed a way to give him hope and then… that's when he said that Sasuke likes poppies -
- You don't know who it was? - Sasuke asks with a raised eyebrow.
-No… I just know that he was someone that no one could see or touch –
-If that's so... How did she bring the poppies? - Naruto shrugs, Sasuke feels strange when she leans back resting her head on the rock and looks at him softly.
-I have no idea… but he must have loved you a lot -Sasuke clenches his fists -since he was by your side for a long time before leaving- Sasuke got lost in his thoughts, he refused to believe what Naruto was saying… nor to believe what was forming in his mind, while he held that thought something different was forming in the blonde's own mind who smiled at that - Poppy -Sasuke raises an eyebrow at that - Poppy also means poppy and sounds prettier…. Although Sasuke's flowers are White Poppy -
- Did you just make that up? - Naruto turns his head and looks at Sasuke with indignation in those eyes before puffing out his cheeks - Then... what would a yellow poppy be like? - Naruto feels that the smile Sasuke has on his face is too sly.
- Yellow Poppy - Naruto answers simply without understanding
-Well... then you are a Yellow Poppy - Naruto raised an eyebrow at that before shaking his head, that was as bad as "baby sun".
-I'm not a flower… -Sasuke scoffs at that and just nods.
-My mother liked to say that each person was represented by a particular flower or plant... maybe poppies are not a flower that represents you- this conversation had surprised Naruto, Sasuke was sharing details of his past... one where he was happy with his family and somehow that bond they had always had had grown even bigger... it was no longer just the feeling that they had been together for a long time... but now Naruto truly felt like his true friend and a person he trusted.
-I think white poppies represent you very well-
- Do you know its meaning in the language of flowers? - Sasuke asks, already keeping his surprise in mind if Naruto were to know it.
The blonde smiles - no! -…
Shortly after, time was up and the test would really begin. Each team was given a door to continue through and in that same place they could get a scroll of earth or sky. Team 7 ended up with door number twelfth.
-Naruto -Sakura swallows deeply before asking -I saw... that you knew about this place. How do you know? -The blonde shuddered a little.
-There was... an incident a long time ago ttebayo - Naruto clenched his fists and bit his lip, before holding back his magic trying to avoid cooling everything down and worsening the tense state... he didn't want to say that they were simply rumors -People... they just disappeared and - Sasuke noticed the slight tremble in Naruto's shoulders causing him to frown.
-Yeah… I read about that a few months ago… you must have been too young to remember it… but you do I guess - Sakura mentions casually while looking away when Sakura mutters that "all those innocent people are dead"
-we have to stay alert- Kiba exclaims puffing out his chest with unnecessary pride and an overly demanding voice -remember, I'm the one with the best sense to track our surroundings, so if I say attack, it's attack! - Kiba puts one hand on his waist and with the other points at Hinata -I know you care a lot about you know what or who knows who - Kiba sighs watching as the girl blushed deeply in an explosion of smoke and moved her fingers in small circles -just make sure no one else finds out, understand? -
-Same to you Kiba -the boy jumps having forgotten his most… unlovable teammate on his team -if you smell his scent don't be a dog going to protect his pack-
Kiba shakes his head and wrinkles his nose while Akamaru gives Kiba a "he's partly right" look, Naruto was one of the few weaknesses the Inuzuka boy had…
In his little academy group there was a hierarchy, starting from Naruto in the lowest position as such or so Kiba thought, it was not that he gave it less importance quite the opposite, whenever they got together Naruto was the one who would decide what prank they would play or what game they would play and Kiba just followed him because Naruto was the puppy of his pack, then there was Chouji, he would simply follow Shikamaru and everything Kiba and Naruto were doing, he's a nice boy but... too focused on food, then there was Shikamaru surprisingly, Kiba thought that his laziest partner took care of both Chouji and Naruto in his own "less problematic" way but then again he wasn't very capable either.
Then there was Kiba, the leader of the pack, the alpha, he looked after them, he was bigger than Shikamaru and twice as big as Naruto now, he had to decide important things like is it okay to follow Naruto's plan or is it too stupid? Most of the time it was okay.
That was why Kiba was so furious last year, Naruto just one day arrived at the academy sat down in that restless way he had and simply said "I'm leaving" the boy was totally static but... he always pampered his Naruto under his own criteria he tried to be calm and ask things like where he was going "I can't tell you Kiba" he remembers dying with that answer, they had a fight at that moment, he had yelled at Naruto while he yelled back with the same intensity, everything ended for Kiba when he stood up showing his superior height to Naruto and... the blond boy trembled a little and stepped back, the air cooled, Kiba never denied that Naruto was strong but... not stronger than him... not stronger than the others, who could easily hurt him, as much as Kiba had done during his first two years at the academy.
-They're going to capture Naruto first- Shikamaru says simply and watches as Ino's mouth drops open while Chouji gives his friend a raised eyebrow.
-How can you say that... like that? - Ino couldn't deny that she had thought that Naruto would be one of the first to be captured and even team seven... maybe more because of Sakura than because of Naruto himself.
Then Chouji stopped looking through his things, no longer making sure he had enough food -I think it will be okay... Naruto is... Naruto- Chouji remembers that person who he once thought he could break with just one of his hands... that same person surprised him by standing in front of him to protect him... he smiled at that and looked back at Shikamaru.
-it may sound silly... or maybe it's just so problematic that we grew up with Naruto to never realize that there was always Chakra near him fluttering in waves -Ino didn't quite get it while Chouji thought about it and agreed with her -Naruto doesn't know how to hide his Chakra almost at all -team seven will have a blond boy with a built-in speaker and no off button -the description made Ino smile uncomfortably -was it that bad?...
Naruto knew very well who was around him at least within a range of five meters around, the further he was from his Chakra sensor range the more complicated it was for Naruto to know if that energy belonged to the animals or a simple person who was close enough to enter for a few seconds and leave.
Sasuke on the other hand had a twitch in his eyebrow, he was not a sensor but he managed to focus his Chakra enough to not easily fall into a genjutsu after all he was an Uchiha and he felt like Naruto's Chakra in exact words was trying to embrace him and his inner being did not like even the fact of feeling cramped in a place as dangerous as this and much less that it was the dobe who was monitoring him as if she were a baby scared of getting lost - stop now - Naruto blinks confused his waves do not return to their delicate state of tranquility that Naruto usually has and Sasuke hoped that call would be enough - you are not going to get lost so stop tracking me -
Sakura is confused, she had spent too much time around Naruto during D-rank missions, she had gotten used to the cold changes in environment, to the stumbles she had when she had coincidentally made Naruto angry and finally to the Chakra that revolves around her team as something normal, she thought it was natural Chakra or something like that, she didn't think it was Naruto who caused it.
Naruto knew he had to stop him, if Sasuke could sense him it meant that the rest of the people who came near would suffer just as much, he did his best as they moved through the forest with no clear plan yet, Sasuke wanted to sigh as he felt Naruto shudder and shake, now differently - now what? - Sasuke felt it Naruto was shaking too much.
-I have to pee- he said suddenly pulling his sweatshirt down, Sakura frowned and approached, did it have to be now? Plus he used such vulgar vocabulary
The pink haired girl almost let out a high pitched shriek when Naruto had barely gotten far enough away and had started to pull up his sweatshirt to take off his pants, Sasuke blushed and also secretly may have shrieked - what do you think you're doing! - Sakura asks her fist hits Naruto's back causing him to drop his sweatshirt and turn to look at her - don't do it here! Go somewhere else - the pink haired girl blushed in embarrassment, Naruto was a shameless pervert.
- G-go? - Naruto whispers and Sakura nods, the blonde with the whiskers looks around and back at the pink haired girl who had her arms crossed, last year at Hogwarts she had been a lot deeper in a dangerous forest, but it was different she was with Draco and really furious at his betrayal… which now sounded more like a silly thing - mmh okay - she says and starts moving, she doesn't think she can hold it in for long - Ah! - she jumps and points at her teammates - don't leave without me! - Sasuke thought about scoffing but he saw that bottom lip tremble and…
-You really are a bedwetter- that thought became a reality, Naruto's cheeks flushed and he let out a loud shriek before wanting to throw a kunai at her, but the sudden movement put pressure on his bladder and with one last look he left to find a place…
Naruto had found a place not too far from where he could still sense his team… - How do I do this? –…
Sasuke didn't hesitate to attack him, he had thought two embarrassing things when Naruto went to look for a place to go to the bathroom, first, that she was an idiot and second, he was sure it was going to take a while, Naruto after all... was a girl.
That's why when "Naruto" arrived, in addition to the two previous things, it was his simple presence, the connection he had was not reflected in that look -Aah I'm sorry for taking so long, I'm fine now and wah! - Sasuke kicked him, causing "Naruto" to fly backwards...
Naruto was grateful for her skills in knowing where people were, maybe if it weren't for that, that ninja would have found her in... A terrible moment, with his pants down... something that would haunt Naruto's mind for years.
- Hey! - she exclaims as she dodges a kick from behind her, before returning it with one of her own, the same genin who attacked her looks surprised as Naruto steps back.
The ninja watched as Naruto went to run to find his team -not so fast- he said forcefully before Naruto felt it, his eyes widened in surprise when the trap on the floor activated and he was tangled in ropes -alright... one less- Naruto squirmed when he realized that boy was going for his team.
- Idiot! Don't you dare - she writhed harder but the ninja was already gone.
- Stop writhing - that voice echoed in her head again surprising Naruto, she wasn't sure... and then understanding may have come to her mind, but she felt very clouded - There's no time for typical talks about discovering such and such thing, use that little brain you have and find a way to get out of there - Naruto came out of the trance, but everything still felt like a dream...
In the quiet Naruto raised his head, before beginning to writhe again, but this time with a motive – "come on… if only these ropes would slip away " – Naruto didn't know how strong her wish had been, but she felt a tug on her chest before the ropes slid away like a horrible snake until she was free – "I'm free!" – she exclaimed stretching her arms… she hoped that accidental magic didn't count…
As Sasuke propelled himself forward, shooting small spheres of fire from his mouth, he looked at Sakura, the girl was paralyzed –"do something… at least look for Naruto" -Sasuke thinks to himself before having to jump onto a tree branch, the shuriken that had been thrown earlier stuck into the tree -an explosive seal- Sasuke exclaims, he knows it's too late to do anything else, he prepares for the impact by putting his hands in front of his face…
But it wasn't like that, he felt a tug on his shirt and was pushed away from that explosive seal to a considerable distance on another branch -Sasuke fool- Naruto's voice had again reached Sasuke behind him, Sasuke looked and saw the blonde giving him a smile that diminished when he saw the ninja.
- Who's the idiot who had to go to the bathroom? - Naruto growled before sticking his tongue out at him.
The sound ninja attacked again, causing Sasuke and Naruto to jump from the branch to the ground, Naruto felt another tug inside him, but this time it wasn't from his own power, it was... Sasuke, the blonde raised her head and looked into Sasuke's eyes only to quickly look away when she saw those red eyes of the sharingan - Aah! - The ninja growled, Naruto could only see the drops of blood hit the ground before the ninja fled.
- So? - Sasuke was in front of Naruto, his eyes still with that three-Tome sharingan - Are you not nervous anymore? - The blonde blinked a couple of times before realizing that fact.
A smile formed on his face, one that was almost fox-like - no ~ -….
-This will surely happen again, they will try to trick us by taking the form of a member of our team - Sakura mentions, the three of them were making a circle thinking of solutions so that this would not happen again.
- How about Anbu sign language! - Naruto says raising his hands and Sakura raises an eyebrow.
-Naruto… you don't know anbu sign language, actually I don't know it either… you know it's from the anbu, dumb -Naruto shakes his head.
-I know -
-I know something too- Sasuke says and when Naruto looks surprised he whispers so low, just for Naruto to hear -someone in my family… was once an anbu- then Naruto thought a bit, did Sasuke have a relative in anbu? Who? Well I could ask him later or so Naruto thought -but it's still not a good idea to use that… signs are easier to memorize, but "you have a harder time with words" it would be better if we used a long sentence-
Naruto keeps her pout to herself and asks, "Which one?" She sincerely hoped that Sasuke would accept Anbu sign language, that was basically Naruto's mother tongue, he grew up with it and later learned to speak it properly…
-A ninja must be able to see what is underneath anything, above anything, because if he were to be deceived it could be so fatal as to cause his own death - Sasuke finishes and looks first at Sakura who nods, having the phrase.
- What did you say ttebayo? - Naruto raises an eyebrow and Sakura sighs, Sasuke knew that Naruto wouldn't be able to memorize it, he used similar words to each other and slurred the words to make it even harder for her.
-Come on Naruto, are you serious? It's pretty easy - Sakura tells him and Naruto just wrinkles his nose.
-What did I expect… -Sasuke heard Naruto mutter -stupid Naruto -the black haired boy frowned at that, this was not Sasuke's plan, he didn't want to try to offend Naruto in any way… wait actually how did Naruto learn anbu sign language?...
- Careful! - Naruto exclaims, causing his teammates to be surprised and confused, she moved to the side, dodging that fat that was thrown at her, she had felt it, as her reach with her Chakra had relaxed and had descended, but she had been successful in dodging and even more so when her teammates managed with her to grab her feet to the ground with Chakra against the current of wind.
- Sasuke kun, Naruto! - Sakura screams as the dust rises and they are separated….
Sasuke quickly moved to hide and waited with kunai in hand before looking around, he saw the pink haired girl, she gave a small smile as she looked back at him "tell me the password" Sasuke said his kunai glistened a little as he moved it, Sakura removed her smile and stood up straight.
- A ninja must be able to see what is underneath anything, on anything, because if he were to be deceived it could be so fatal as to cause his own death - Sakura repeats verbatim, Sasuke relaxes a little and comes out of his hiding place…
- "Where am I?" - Naruto asks herself when she sees that she was clinging to something slimy, it smelled horrible but there wasn't much else she could do.
The last thing she remembers was that she was with her team and she managed to see for a moment how a big snake came and she couldn't get back, instead... - it ate me! Aah! - she screams when she slides in the viscosity of those entrails and viscera...
- A ninja must be able to see what is underneath anything, on anything because if he were to be tricked it could be so fatal as to cause his own death… - "Naruto" he says with a smile, the wound he had on his cheek from that greasy mess was still there, Sakura raised an eyebrow at that… she had clearly seen when - Wah! Sasuke you idiot what's wrong with you! - Sasuke throws a kunai towards "Naruto" who raises an eyebrow and Sakura frowns and tenses… this was not Naruto.
-Naruto… I dodged the greasy mess - the fake Naruto opened his eyes in surprise as a proud smile settled on the Uchiha's grim and tense face - one of your biggest mistakes was believing that Naruto could memorize that and the other was underestimating him - the fake Naruto gave a fake smile before he licked his lips with a snake tongue, disappeared in a cloud of smoke and a girl with a hat appeared.
-I see, smart guys -she says, that sharp gaze boring into Sasuke as if she was going to eat him.
-What will I do? - Naruto asks herself as she becomes increasingly crammed into that place, her clothes, face and hair must have been stained with that disgusting slime, she looks in her small bag until she hears the sound of glass -ah-...
Sasuke felt like he was being stabbed and cut... that genjutsu had left him breathless and shaking, he had to vomit because of the pressure he felt in his stomach until he was able to eliminate all traces of food from his stomach -s-Sakura - Sasuke looked at his teammate... she was shaking and crying, - "she's worse than me" - he thinks while feeling his brain bouncing around in his head.
-Calm down… it will be quick - that girl mentions while taking out four kunai.
- "Move, move" -Sasuke repeated to himself over and over again –"I have to… find Naruto" -somehow that thought had sneaked into his mind before he himself took out a kunai, his heart was the only thing he could really hear when he stuck that kunai in his leg, freeing himself from the terror that girl had put him in when he heard an explosion.
-ah - Naruto feels the glass container in his pocket and understanding fills his face -maybe I can... I'll try ttebayo! - she took out that little bottle and looked at it, it was the little that was left of the inflating potion that she made into potions that... funny day, she took her kunai and left it between the snake's channel from side to side and poured all the liquid making that with each drop she poured it got bigger and bigger until it was twice as big as what that snake could undoubtedly hold -just a little more - she threw the bottle towards the giant kunai and it grew a little bigger then finally the kunai stuck in those entrails and a jet of blood came out towards Naruto -maybe it wasn't a good idea - she murmurs softly before closing her mouth completely and her eyes.
On the outside the snake had a new decoration of spikes on each side of its head as its body fell limp to the ground.
-"Well, I'm gonna throw up" -Naruto said when the smell of blood filled his nose… now, besides being slimy, she was covered in blood from head to toe, she slid and pushed that giant kunai like a cook cutting a fish, before coming out through a hole -free… ugh! -she had exclaimed but the blood managed to get a little in her mouth causing her to close it suddenly again, she ran her hands over her eyelids trying to clean her face of that bloody mess, blinking a couple of times she nodded to herself when she saw that snake behind her.
- What? -Anko was too paralyzed when she saw that personal mark of killing of who was once her master, she looked at the ninjas who had informed her -this... this is, it means that he is in the forest, oh shit -Anko points with a finger at the tower -look for anbu and bring them to the forest, I'll go first-
Anko had said she was going first, but, she didn't know that someone had heard everything and was already on their way to find… the one she was supposed to protect…
- Sasuke! - Naruto exclaims, pushing his partner out of the way. Sasuke stumbled, but managed to jump onto the branch of another tree.
Her heart was pounding in her ears when she saw Naruto and behind him that woman who... although Sasuke didn't want to admit it, could kill them with one blow - Naruto, go now! - Sakura had seen when Naruto arrived, she couldn't hide the relief that had invaded her, but when Sasuke told Naruto to leave, he had confused the pink-haired girl again.
- W-what? - Naruto stood stunned for a moment, before feeling that pressure on his chest and looking at Sasuke intently, the boy was shaking, his eyes were squeezed shut as if with his gaze he was trying to get Naruto away, the blonde looked behind her to see a girl, Naruto knew she stank right now, he had managed to get everything off her face and some of her hair, but her clothes were now not orange but phosphorescent red - What did you do to them? - Naruto clenches his fists and almost growls.
-Oh, you're it- the girl twisted that snake tongue she had before a smile appeared, Naruto was burning , his entire being in general was exploding in contained rage, how dare this person hurt his team in such a horrible way? The Chakra mixed with the magic and the wind began to flutter everywhere in a more erratic way.
Naruto's eyes went from their normal blue to red tearing his pupils in an animalistic manner that showed his fangs, before lunging forward - noo! - Sasuke screams, but his body paralyzes with just one look from the woman, he couldn't move, everything in him was dead, all he could do was follow Naruto's movement as he was thrown by a breeze against a tree, the force of the impact broke the tree in a way that Naruto let out a pitiful sound, he must have at least sore ribs and at most some broken.
-Very well now -the girl looked at Sasuke, let's go back to you Sasuke kun -now with that snake she launched herself towards Sasuke, he had to get out of the way, he had to get out of the way, he had to go help his partner, he had to do so much but he couldn't do anything...
- because you do not move!? -
-brother -
A voice that he felt he recognized full of at the same time that Sasuke knew he didn't know it, he felt Naruto wrap his arms around him before rotating and pushing himself out of the snake's way, Sasuke finished over Naruto – "I'm supposed to be better... I'm stronger than you... I was supposed to be the one who was going to be the leader" - that last part had been from that voice surprising Sasuke himself.
But Naruto pushed Sasuke off of her and narrowed his eyes at the Uchiha, he saw that red and scratchy tone that Naruto had, he narrowed his eyes in an almost painful way -Sasuke ... I won't let anything bad happen to you ... if you prevent something bad from happening to me ... we are partners so ... p-please I need my partner - that red increased when that enemy returned, she got up, Sasuke stayed still watching as that tongue took Naruto by the arms and over the chest and pushed her away, she let out a scream when he squeezed her ribs - let me go! -
- Naruto! -Sakura took two steps before looking at Sasuke - Sasuke kun do something! -
-You're the jinchuriki... what a fun childhood you must have had- Naruto writhed as anxiety filled him, his body trembled when that person lifted his shirt revealing the seal.
Naruto shook his head -let me go, no, no! - She thought this sound ninja wanted to free the kyubi, but instead he dug his fingers into Naruto's abdomen, everything became too painful, his ribs now not only hurt , they were killing him, Naruto always felt like he had Chakra circulating through his entire body, especially when he was hurt, he didn't know that the kyubi had made everything heal and hurt less, but... at least something was different, Naruto gave one last scream, his magic came out of him in its entirety, without Chakra restricting his path, it was like a bomb had exploded...
After that… everything went black for Naruto…
- Sasuke…. I won't let anything bad happen to you… if you stop anything bad from happening to me… we're partners so… p-please I need my partner –
Sasuke watched as Naruto was caught by Sakura after they fled from the previous explosion, the words echoed in his head over and over again, anger filling him as he saw the sound ninja -how... You dare hurt him like this -his eyes turned red his sharingan swirled -What did you do to him...? Ah? -Sasuke was no longer fighting a girl, instead that explosion had burned the woman's skin revealing that all this time she was hiding her true identity.
- A-aren't you p-part of the exam? - Sakura asks, but maybe she was just stating it, Naruto was on the ground at the moment.
Sasuke didn't care if this person was part of the test or not... he was going to defeat him, he had messed with his team -damn demon - Orochimaru growls before looking at Sasuke -well I guess that's all - that ninja had the scroll in his hands and burned it completely, surprising them -come on, I hurt your partner come and hit me good - Sasuke growls and propels himself forward demonstrating his great skill in taijutsu, that man tried to hit him a couple of times and when he tried to take distance Sasuke threw some fire at his current position before backing away... it was only a few centimeters, but that was enough and he was able to kick the man -you are strong Sasuke kun kakapu -the laughter only made Sasuke sick, that man looked at him as if he was really nothing while saying that -but... - that man looked at Naruto -very soon Uzumaki kun will be stronger than you if you don't improve... - that man made a sign with his hands and his neck grew until it bit Sasuke's, he was strong enough not to say more.
- Sasuke kun! - Sakura ran to help her teammate who now free was feeling the bitten area with even more pain.
Sasuke felt his heart in his ears again, he looked at Naruto lying on the ground and Sakura full of worry and he knew that this was the last time he would see them in such a clear way... that this would be the last time he would feel Naruto so close...
-Well now I- I didn't have time to say anything when a kunai hit my cheek, when I turned around I saw an anbu - They managed to send anbu so soon? Wow I'm still not very impressed, but this is at least something - that anbu had a turtle mask, his brown hair was tied in a ponytail, that anbu looked at Naruto who was lying on the ground and the rest of team seven.
-I'll... keep you here -Turtle says before looking at Sakura -Take them out of here -The girl was blocked at first, but she nodded and took her teammates with great effort.
-You know you're no match for me, right? -Turtle shrugs.
- She wasn't one either and I face you with courage, if I don't do it being of a higher rank then it makes me a coward... right ex sannin? - that man narrowed his eyes removing the remaining skin that was left of the girl and looked giving a smile.
-I see... so a girl -Turtle cursed himself, he had given too much information... but he hopes to keep this man until reinforcements arrive... his duty is to protect Naruto, he couldn't always do that job, he couldn't be there when she was hurt, if she dies here... he can rest easy, knowing that Naruto will be okay and that... she will help his cursed clan ...
Sakura did what she could, she was completely alone now, with her two teammates in red and almost hallucinating from exhaustion, Sasuke was burning with fever and Sakura didn't have the confidence to see if Naruto had something preventing him from waking up.
- You stink Naruto - Sakura murmurs looking at that once orange sweatshirt now covered in red and still drool stains, she doesn't know what happened to it but it must have messed with the biggest animal here to end up like this, the girl saw them sleep peacefully even though Sasuke was suffering, Naruto at least seemed to be just tired maybe in pain by the way his breaths suddenly trembled when he took a breath and his lungs filled - Maybe I can do something for him - Sakura made a decision and took Naruto's sweatshirt, pulling the edge and carefully saw that Naruto was wearing a blue shirt, the sweatshirt she had in her hands must be of good quality since Naruto's shirt didn't stink at least... - "Huh?" -Sakura was a little confused, she had managed to lift Naruto's shirt a little because of his orange sweatshirt, there were bandages on his chest that undoubtedly had a purpose, although Sakura thought that maybe Naruto only used them to look cool or something like that... she could sigh at the thought.
She soaked that sweatshirt hoping the fabric would regain its color and little by little it turned orange again, it was too big, but it fit Naruto's sleeves to size, Sakura thought it was like a dress in one way or another.
She thought about maybe doing the same with Naruto's pants, but… she just blushed at the thought and also thought that would be too much to get into.
She hung up her jacket and continued her work with Sasuke… she wanted to leave and get help, but she wasn't sure how her teammates would take this… how Sasuke would take it … she said that Naruto was less strong, less intelligent, but he had done twice as much as her, he fought face to face against that ninja, without regret or hesitation, he was brave and he got hurt, but… she had said something that made Sasuke fight, not give up… Naruto was her friend and she didn't want to be just a pretty girl anymore .
Then she heard there was someone or… some people on a nearby tree branch, she tensed up when she thought that she would be attacked at any moment…
-What a pain- Shikamaru mutters with a yawn seeing how his latest prey didn't fall for Ino's tricks, it was obvious, from afar the boy was undoubtedly as serious as his Uchiha classmate.
-Shut up Shikamaru -Ino says blushing while she put her hair in a ponytail, Chouji sighed, he knew that at this rate he would run out of food before he even finished this test... he would die .
But then they heard people talking in the distance - aha! Let's go for them - Ino says pointing the way, Shikamaru just puts his hands in his pockets and follows his troublesome companion through the forest.
- Shika? -Chouji tries to keep his voice low so that Ino wouldn't hear him and looked at his best friend who only made a sound to indicate that he was listening -you should lead-
Shikamaru shrugged and raised an eyebrow at her - do you want Ino to kill me? She would never follow what I say, even if it was the end of the world... besides, that would require a lot of effort, let's keep going until we get a stroke of luck -
-Ino lets out a soft scream before covering her mouth, Shikamaru sees them and can only mutter a creative rudeness and pull his teammates behind some bushes…
Sakura saw the little squirrel running towards her and knew perfectly well that something was wrong, that's why when she threw the shuriken and scared the squirrel away she could see the paper bomb tied to its back while the poor thing ran away terrified, breathing a sigh of relief she kept her senses alert for anything that could happen...
The three ninjas watched as Sakura slowly closed her eyes in exhaustion and they scoffed, deciding that they had waited and done enough.
-You're supposed to keep watch and look at yourself... you're almost there and you're snoring - Sakura jumps up and turns around quickly, while taking a kunai and frowning -What a terrible ninja - then the frown goes away and turns into a grimace.
-I know you are with Orochimaru -the three ninjas were surprised- I will not let them kill Sasuke kun-
-Oh so the little girl really wants to die- the ninja on the right advances- well I'll finish you off and then I'll kill Sasuke- Sakura gulped nervously and somewhat anxiously when the ninja was about to take another step.
- wait Dosu - the ninja in the center stopped his partner looking at the shuriken buried in the ground - a trap… not a very good one I must say - then Sakura sweated cold and only heard the laughter of the ninja on the right, when the three ninjas launched themselves into the air, she smiled shamelessly and with the kunai she cut a thread and the trunk was freed - w-what? - the ninja managed to murmur before laughing - good try but… being so weak you should try harder - that ninja broke the trunk into pieces and Sakura only squeezed the kunai between her hands and felt her eyes fill with tears, she couldn't protect them, she really wouldn't succeed, she felt so imposing.
Then she heard someone mumble something about "flying kick" and thankfully discovered that the enemy ninjas had not mashed her, instead the boy with bushy eyebrows and bowl hair was in front of her in a taijutsu pose very similar to the one he did when he fought Sasuke - you. - she murmured softly wiping away her tears.
- Who are you? -Dosu asks and the boy lightly pets the squirrel on his shoulder.
-So it was you guys who placed an explosive seal on the squirrel -then at that moment the boy lowered the squirrel from his shoulder -thank you for guiding me here -his gaze was soft towards the creature that made a cute sound before running away from here, then the young man's gaze hardened again when he saw the ninjas -I'm Rock Lee and I think you guys need training too...
- Shouldn't we help, Ino? - Shikamaru asks with his companions from that bush, Chouji frowns seeing Naruto's long sweater hanging on that trunk and sees a protruding lock that undoubtedly belongs to the blond.
- Why would we do that? We knew that because of... the marquee forehead and Naruto team seven wouldn't last long even with Sasuke kun in it - then Ino looks at Shikamaru - do you want to go help? - Shikamaru frowns... His mind moving to the current situation, Sakura looked like she was in serious trouble before that Lee guy arrived, Sasuke looked bad even from so far away Shikamaru could notice it and... he knew that Naruto never took off that sweatshirt that was too big for him for anything in the world, which meant that he had to have someone else take it off to heal him, which also means that Naruto was out of action.
The three ninjas the pink-haired girl was facing are the same ones who attacked Kabuto before the first stage of the exams, they are strong and even for Shikamaru intimidating , what could they do? He wasn't sure yet, he didn't know precisely the movements of the enemy ninja, what happens if they go and end up just as bad as Sakura when trying to defend them, it would be twice as bad -I don't think... we should do it right now- Chouji looked at him with surprise and anguish and looked back at the trunk, Shikamaru knew why his friend was giving him those looks criticizing such a decision, he knew that Chouji would never tell him anything because he trusted him but his eyes said much more than his words, he wanted to go and help, like he once told me that Naruto was helping him.
-Then we won't do it -Ino says more as a statement to herself, something she preaches to her heart and she doesn't really believe in it.
- W-why? - Sakura murmurs to Lee, she had quickly rejected him.
-I made you a promise, remember Sakura san? I will protect you - Sakura remembered it, but she thought it was no longer valid since she rejected it so badly
Lee was also strong, Sakura knew that, she had witnessed the fight between Sasuke and this boy, that's why she wasn't surprised when she saw him fight against those ninjas or when he created a tornado that left him buried underground.
-You are strong -this Zaku guy told Lee in the middle of the fight- but not strong enough- at that moment Lee saw double, maybe triple when everything became distorted- you can follow my movements, but I doubt you can resist this little device on my arm- he showed it and quickly approached Lee who had to put his arm next to his side to avoid being hit before that thing made the worst sound he could imagine, it was torture.
As Zaku stepped back, Lee fell to his knees, feeling his ear throbbing as well as his brain, and he had to put a hand up to try to stifle the pain. "M-my ear," he groans as he ends up on the floor.
- L-Lee! -Sakura exclaims and looks at the sound ninjas - y-you… -
-…. -Ino wouldn't move, Sakura had already betrayed her when they were young, it wasn't her duty to help her, if she were to get up it would be when the life of her lover Sasuke was in real danger and deep down Naruto too.
- itaiii! -Sakura says when they pull her hair, Ino twists her hands on the leaves, she wouldn't do that .
-Look at that soft and delicate hair- the only girl on that team and the person who was pulling Sakura's hair, exclaims as she buries her fingers deeper and pulls again -Maybe if you had spent more time training and less time combing it maybe you wouldn't be in this situation - Sakura tries to free herself again -Zaku... go and finish off the Uchiha -
-n-no –
- Should I finish off the blond one too? Ha! We'll see - tears were about to come out of Sakura's eyes...
Then Shikamaru's expression barely changes at that, but a slight tremor shows that he was thinking about jumping, why did Naruto always get into these situations?, while Chouji looked at Shikamaru waiting for the indication to go and help, but it didn't come.
" And… would Sakura protect me if I was in danger? " Naruto's voice echoes in Sakura's head as Zaku mentions finishing off her friend as well.
Sakura was useless, she had never done anything for team seven, she always stayed protecting, she thought that was her role in the team, to wait for one day Sasuke to see how beautiful and delicate she was and fall in love with her because of that, but... she was a kunoichi, a ninja who must become strong because as her sensei told them, those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum and Sakura is just scum .
She takes the last kunai she had in her arsenal -don't even try to attack me- she raises it slowly and smiles.
-I'm not aiming at you, bastard -she immediately runs the blade through her hair, surprising the girl when Sakura immediately got up and went to Zaku, the boy was a little surprised, but.
-It won't be enough - Zaku exclaims thinking about hitting Sakura only to be greeted by a log and hit in the head from behind.
-I will not fail- Sakura was weaker than Naruto in a battle, Sasuke had told her so, at first she had taken it as an insult, but then with time she noticed that Naruto was not weak , of course he was not Sasuke, but it outlined his heart and courage, being just weaker than Naruto, it was not an insult from Sasuke, it was more of a compliment now.
-Bitch -he said, launching himself towards Sakura, who only performed a replacement Jutsu and launched herself on top of the ninja, she would fight tooth and nail to protect them.
" Would you fight to protect me? " Sakura already had the answer to that question.
She bit the boy who was hitting her in the head to try to free herself from the grip of this bastard.
Sakura looked at the other two remaining and knew this wasn't over when she saw the girl go towards Sasuke and Naruto - Naruto, Sasuke kun! -
I regret everything that was the first thought Naruto had when he fell into unconsciousness, his chest hurt and he had trouble breathing and he felt that he should have obeyed "go away" for once in his life, of course he had created that Harry should face the now recognized as "Voldemort" only last year but that was only because Ron was hurt and you know ... she was not going to let him suffer . - Hear - Naruto heard the voice that sometimes tormented his deepest dreams, but this time it sounded different more distorted, as if he was trapped in the deepest cave - you must ... I hate to admit - he hears a distant growl when he feels something filter through his body - look for ... the human of the toads ... can ... oh ... I can now send my Chakra to ... Heal you a little, this will help ... - then Naruto took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
- Naruto, Sasuke kun! - Sakura's scream immediately tormented her ears and she saw the kunai in front of her, about to kill... the person next to her, Sasuke, in the background she could hear Shikamaru screaming her name or at least it sounded like Shikamaru's voice, but... why couldn't she feel her friend? Normally Naruto has that connection with Sasuke, he feels him as if he were his own heart beating and then his pupils shrank at the idea that Sasuke was dead ...
- W-what? - She stood up abruptly, her feet scraping against the ground as the kunai stabbed into her hand.
- What happened?! - Naruto screams and looks around when he manages to get that ninja out and away from Sasuke, he saw how Sakura looked at him, her eyes filled with tears, she had bruises and cuts, as well as a shuriken stuck in her, she was clinging to that boy who must have hurt her, Naruto's hand was dripping blood in droves from that kunai that was embedded in him when she saw the ninja... his bruised chest still hurt but anger dominated his being and he showed his teeth - how dare you -
The kunoichi took a deep breath and felt like she couldn't move, she felt completely paralyzed when Naruto looked at her and a wind ruffled her blonde hair.
-Move! - The kunoichi heard when Desu yelled at her to move, she blinked and the blonde was no longer in front of her instead she felt a chill run through her, she shouldn't be afraid of that blonde boy, Orochimaru said he wasn't a big deal besides containing the nine-tails, he didn't have any other real abilities... the Kyubi's Chakra shouldn't affect him but... this wasn't Chakra , it was a different force, one that could change the environment at will, something too powerful, something that could crush her...
Then he heard a scream of pain to his left, coming out of the trance he took a new kunai from his weapon and looked to his side, to see that Sakura was no longer on top of his partner and instead that blond had buried something in his friend's neck...
- They shouldn't have messed with team seven - Naruto whispers and the cold blue of his eyes changes to a softer and kinder one before pointing at his neck, looking directly at the kunoichi of the sound, his hand trembled when he felt or tried to feel his neck, since he immediately found a needle stuck in it, she could withstand any poison, but this one strangely weighed too much on her and melted into her like a soft blanket.
He fell to the ground with his partner, leaving only a sound ninja who clenched his fists and prepared to attack.
Shikamaru was confused when suddenly Naruto was gone and then he was helping Sakura with that shinobi and the girl from that same team fainted too.
Naruto felt light without all that Chakra in her, instead she felt her magic pulse throughout her body like a soft blanket as anger stored up, she had brought some things, some passions just in case and she knew she couldn't kill them , so instead she made the decision to put them to sleep... as soon as that decision was made, Naruto felt his mind and vision go blank and when he came to he was pointing at his neck and the kunoichi in front of her was falling to the ground, the anger as well as her magic faded away, as if everything had been exhausted, the pain in her ribs was throbbing again and the non-weight of not having her Chakra under control drained her almost completely.
-n-Naruto - Sakura whispers and looks at her, when she sees those green eyes open nervously and her mouth moves, but Naruto is not listening anymore, his eyes are half-closed trying to understand what his partner was telling him. Sakura then grabs the collar of the shirt Naruto was wearing and puts it behind her, Naruto sees the enemy ninja about to bury a kunai in Sakura's head.
-! - Naruto can't move, inside everything was fine, he felt panic, fear and anger but on the outside he couldn't get his body to move from his standing position - "Come on, move Naruto! They're going to hurt Sakura!" - but again his arm barely trembles when he tries to push the pink-haired girl out of the way, when his legs collapsed, it was as if his strength had completely gone, the only effort he kept was to keep his spine straight and his neck so he could look at Sakura.
She was grateful to see that her partner and friend still had her head and wasn't bleeding any more than she was before, the ninja moved and from Naruto's perspective he couldn't make out the shadows that were moving around on the ground when she finally lost consciousness again.
- damn it… no… I can do that… my Chakra…. - Naruto noticed how the voice was distorted even more in his head, he heard and felt Sakura, lift her a little in her arms, almost in a hug… it was the closest Naruto and Sakura have been, he heard her call her by her name and asked her to get up, to… " Naruto i-it's okay, I'll protect you already… Sasuke, just like you got up despite not having the strength to protect me " then finally Naruto became completely unconscious of the battle that took place around him and… entered a dream…
-Well at least Naruto made the path easy for us- Ino exclaims as she stands next to Shikamaru, Chouji to her left giving Sakura a look silently asking if Naruto is okay.
The pink-haired girl was cradling Naruto in her arms and looked at her, she was breathing calmly and much better than before -Naruto... it's okay - Chouji smiled and looked at Shikamaru, noticing how his friend had let out a light exhale.
-Easy way, huh? - Zaku mutters and looks at his two teammates lying on the ground as simple bait, you don't think it will be that easy, right? -Look, there's a reason why those two fell to some simple fatso, a ninja is supposed to be able to deal with these things, but - Shikamaru frowned when the guy Zaku moved to the side and takes the needle from his partner's neck -Wow... that boy is a terrible shinobi -
Shikamaru had said that Naruto was weak and maybe a bad ninja, but… he knew deep down that he didn't mean it, hearing it from this person's mouth made his stomach turn and he wasn't even sure why, instead he used words to express it -says the person whose team was defeated by a single gennin-
Shikamaru gulps a little when he feels Chouji, he knows there are two things he shouldn't mess with and one of them is Naruto, for Chouji even though the blond boy never proved to be very strong, he was his hero, a kind person and above all his friend, if there are two things Chouji would get into a fight for it would be one for his friends .
-Exactly then -Ino looks at Sakura -take care of your team Sakura-
Zaku didn't know how long he would survive when the lazy genin made the corresponding signs for his Shadow Jutsu, he saw as if they were tentacles chasing him and that chubby boy kept spinning and becoming giant, when he managed to get as far away as possible from the Nara's shadows, then he would almost be crushed, he didn't expect much more when the girl threw a bouquet of flowers towards where he was running and made the "release" sign causing them all to explode in his face, making him have to perform the replacement Jutsu, he raised his hand and used the sound wave gadget to remove the chubby boy from the way but then another plan crossed his mind.
His hand quickly changed direction and pointed at the Nara boy, immediately the waves sent Shikamaru flying causing him to crash into a tree.
- Shikamaru! -Ino exclaims turning around to see her fallen partner only to have her cheek immediately hit with a hard blow.
-Shit- Zaku cursed as he watched the boy almost fall on top of him if it weren't for someone pushing him out of the way -Wow... I see they're finally awake.
Sakura had left Naruto next to Sasuke again and clenched her fists when she saw that the other two companions had woken up.
-That boy didn't want to kill us after all - the sound kunoichi said with a yawn - he just used something to put us to sleep, something… extremely powerful -
Chouji had ended up dizzy, a side effect of his Jutsu, he saw Shikamaru, no doubt his Chakra reserves were low, he stood up leaning on the tree in which he had been pushed moments before…
Sasuke's head hurt , he listened and watched as he repeated to himself over and over that if he had been stronger he could have done something... but that honestly didn't have much of an effect on the last Uchiha, Naruto and he had talked about it sometimes and his rival... Hateful teammate and... best friend told him that back then he was just a kid and that he would never get stronger if he kept tormenting himself like that.
Then the image changed and distorted, a Sasuke of his same age appeared, his eyes did not release tears compared to his younger self and looked directly at him - Don't you think Naruto is hiding secrets from us ? - Sasuke frowned, walking away and shaking his head.
- What are you talking about... it's impossible for Naruto to keep a secret -
Then the fake Sasuke's gaze becomes much sharper... like a snake's - Where has he been training for almost two years now? Has he told you? - the raven-haired man shakes his head and his frown increases - Oh, and what about how he defeated Haku? Not that either, right? -
-H-he must have his reasons for not telling me... I trusted Naruto - Sasuke says and that thought resonates in his heart, because it was true, they had a stronger connection than anyone could ever feel.
- wake up heir of the Uchiha clan - Sasuke writhes when in the shadow of his other self appears the person who torments his dreams - Naruto and you are always competing, it has been like this since you were little and you always beat him... You beat Naruto - Sasuke nods and the image of the person he hates the most disappears and is replaced by a younger Naruto and himself at that age in one of those typical fights they had, Sasuke always comes out victorious - but now... Naruto defeated Haku, someone you could barely even scratch and was much braver than you when facing Orochimaru... this is no longer a game - the image distorts again and Naruto is now the correct age and barely looks at him when he runs off.
-n-Naruto -Sasuke murmurs and feels the need to run after him and he does so, running after him while the voice continues to echo.
- The race has already started and Naruto has the advantage, if you don't catch him in time and pass him someone else will - Itachi appears and carrying a katana he launches himself towards Naruto and catches him.
- N-no, please I don't want that, I-I! - Sasuke didn't know what to do when the image faded again.
- Naruto is getting stronger than you and there's not much you can do against that unless... he helps you - the heat... everything was becoming unbearable, his body was burning, but at the same time he had never felt so powerful before.
When she opened her eyes and turned her head, the first thing she saw was Naruto, breathing calmly beside her and deep down Sasuke was glad to have woken up before her, he felt powerful when he got up and saw Sakura hurt, full of bruises and her once long hair was cut in a horrible way, the cuts on her arms strangely made Sasuke's anger increase, he himself did not understand why, but he looked at the three ninjas.
-I see you're finally awake, Uchiha - Zaku said as Sasuke's sharingan spun and glared at him angrily, moving forward slowly.
- Hey, are you going to ignore us? - the sound kunoichi said, launching herself towards Sasuke…
-W-what's happening to him? -At that moment the InoShikaCho team had reunited and Chouji asks Shikamaru, seeing that... Well, he thought it was purple and evil Chakra surrounding Sasuke.
-I don't know, but -Shikamaru's gaze shoots towards Sakura and Naruto who was still unconvincing- we'll stay in case things get complicated -Ino nods as they settle behind some bushes.
-Wow -Neji Hyuga was watching from the branch of a tree- you really don't need us to intervene, Tenten, we'll go for Lee after seeing... the Uchiha's skills- Tenten looks at her partner on the ground, very unconvinced, and nods.
Sasuke just sent her flying as fast as he could, his fist crashed into her stomach and the girl could only let out a cry of pain before crashing into a tree.
"nee Sasuke"
Another voice echoed in the back of Sasuke's head, but as soon as it did the other one drowned it out.
" Finish them off"
Desu lunged forward -wait, de su!- Zaku exclaims as his partner tries to hit Sasuke only for the last Uchiha to step back and perform hand signs and throw small fireballs at Desu, who simply used his wave technique, causing them to be revealed to be rapidly spinning kunai, crashing one after another into his aching body.
Sasuke pressed his foot against Desu's back and took his arms, to all witnesses his smile was nothing more than macabre and crazed.
-Your arms must be very important to you, aren't they? What if I- Sakura gasps as she hears the clear crunch of the boy's bones breaking into pieces, falling unconscious in pain.
Sakura got up, she was going to do something... she had to, this was not the Sasuke who fought with Naruto or the usual serious one, she knew it had to do with the mark that was placed on his neck.
" nee Indra nii san "
Then a new name appeared directed towards Sasuke in his brain, for some reason he knew that childish voice was directed towards him.
" Why can't the moon live without the sun? " The question confused Sasuke because… he knew.
" The moon would be lost without its sun, wandering alone through the universe, full of hate and resentment " was that her voice? Sasuke thought it was, when he stopped dead and looked at the palms of his hands, everything was distorted but beneath the dark ink-like stains he could see a moon in his left hand, it seemed as if he was fighting to stop that black thing from continuing to expand and instead little by little he felt a spark of worry that replaced the envy and competitiveness he had had when he woke up and turned around, everything became clear when his eyes, now without the sharingan, found Naruto on the ground unconscious and Sakura had gotten up and approached, her green eyes full of anguish changed to relief and she looked at what Sasuke was looking at.
-Sasuke... Naruto is okay, me too - he said quickly and finally he was able to rest he let himself fall down sitting on the floor breathing heavily - are you okay?! - Sakura asks sitting next to him with concern again, Sasuke nods.
As Sakura looked at Zaku Sasuke looked at his hand again.
" So it's good that the moon has the sun, right? " asks or rather states that childish voice with a cheerful tone when finally the Moon drawn on Sasuke's left hand disappears.
-You are strong Sasuke Uchiha - Zaku mentions as he picks up Desu from the ground as if she were a sack of potatoes, while moving towards his partner to carry her under his arm, leaving a scroll on the floor as he did -We will leave you this scroll in exchange for letting us go this time - Sasuke doesn't understand why not attack him now, he looked panting and tired, they can kill him -But... next time we won't hide or run away, you heard right-
When Zaku was about to leave, Sakura stops him - wait! - she exclaims while frowning - what does this Orochimaru guy want from Sasuke! -
Zaku glances at the girl and the sparkle in his eyes fades -I don't know... they just sent me to kill Sasuke, it's not really-
-Ino goes see Lee and we will see Naruto Shikamaru exclaims when he sees that things have changed, this battle had come to an end...
Sasuke remembered few things, that he woke up with that... now recognizable non-dream and a possible genjutsu from the same jealous and envious Naruto, now it sounded ridiculous to him, Naruto was not stronger than him and not even a "rival" seriously, the two of them were more like best friends... wasn't that right?
Shikamaru and Chouji watch Naruto writhing on the ground, it was strange to see his friend wearing a shirt that wasn't as colorful as orange and especially for Shikamaru the folds that were noticeable on Naruto's chest, like bandages when he saw that he was breathing.
Naruto was writhing like a child in the middle of a nightmare, his hands moving in little nervous tics and his eyebrows furrowed as if he were trying to understand a puzzle, before he looked utterly distraught.
-I think... he's not feeling very well -Chouji states while Shikamaru sits on his knees next to Naruto, How will they wake up the imperative blond who is no longer so imperative?...
-no,- Shikamaru is interrupted when Naruto suddenly reaches out and pulls at his clothes - are you waking up, huh? - then the words he had never heard the blond say before came out.
-Dad- Naruto said softly and a new frown appears, Shikamaru blinks processing everything at the speed a Nara can, Naruto was confusing him with his father in his dreams and honestly this scene couldn't look sadder.
-c-Chouji w-what - his best friend wasn't quite sure what to do now either, he was processing even slower, Naruto was an orphan from the little information they had, he lived in an orphanage his entire life and that was almost all they had of Naruto's past.
She heard the screams of the people and felt the strong tremors of the earth but she couldn't see anything " My Naru " Naruto squeezed his eyes shut before trying to open them but again everything was black " This is a secret from dad, one that I would have liked to tell you when you were older " the sound of paper shaking in front of her confused her even more, no doubt this was a dream because Naruto as far as she knew had no parents, this was a distorted reality or so Naruto thought " I wanted to tell you about your beautiful mother and prepare you for the world you are about to enter " she heard the baby cry coming from herself when she heard soft hisses and she was gently shaken when she no doubt received a kiss on the cheek " I have to take care of the kyubi, so " that soft voice that came from those lips that now gently kissed her forehead, were full of love " Good night Naruto " that person was moving away and Naruto for some strange reason began to feel very scared and felt her arm stretch out and her mouth pronounce the next word -Dad- I grabbed the cloth from something, even though I couldn't see anything... maybe I had managed to catch it.
Then Naruto let go, his hand falling softly as she opened her eyes, a dull blue showing while she was still sleepy…. She looked at Shikamaru as if he was the strangest thing she had ever seen in her life and then looked at Chouji already a little more awake -oh…. I had the strangest dream - that was all, Naruto sat up and looked at Shikamaru who seemed to not know what to do yet - What's wrong? - she was confused.
The two boys looked at each other and back to Naruto letting out an insignificant sound, Chouji was about to say something when Shikamaru got there first.
-It took you a while to wake up, you almost became lazier than me, annoying - Naruto puffed out his cheeks - You were tired from the start you had a while ago - then the pout changed to concern, Shikamaru had made a mistake and he knew it.
- Chouji, Shikamaru are you okay?! -she screams, Shikamaru murmurs "the imperfective number one is back"
-W-we're fine -Chouji waves his hands in front of his face while smiling at Naruto.
Then Naruto's interest shifts to Ino who is checking out Lee -well take it easy and- Shikamaru scratched the back of his head when he noticed Naruto wasn't sitting with it anymore.
- Are Ino chan and Lee okay?! - he asked again with the same intensity to Ino who sighed, but gave a small smile to Naruto.
-I checked him -Ino says more to those waiting at the tree -he's hurt, but... he'll be okay -Tenten sighs in relief -and -Ino looks back at Naruto -I'm fine-
- Aren't you going to ask about us? - Sakura says almost playfully but stops when she sees those worried blue eyes.
- ARE YOU ALL OK?! - She runs towards her team sitting with them and looks at Sasuke, who throws confusion back at her, Naruto sighs when he feels the connection he has with Sasuke, it's lighter, but... It's better than when he thought Sasuke was dead -s-Sakura your hair... - Naruto didn't finish his thought, Sakura shook her head at the sadness in Naruto's bright eyes.
Her hand caressed the soft blonde locks, ruffling them. She didn't know Naruto's hair was so soft. "I'm fine. I decided to cut it. I like to keep it long, but... I think that in the environment we're in, it's not a good option."
-Naruto was amazing -Ino approaches with Lee hanging a little on her back, she couldn't say more when Tenten goes down for her partner.
-I'll take it from here- Tenten says, Ino blinks a few times before nodding and handing it over, only for the girl to shake him- Lee wake up, wake up! - She shakes him hard until the boy gives a hint that he's awake and lets go, Lee looks at his teammate.
- Tenten? What are you doing here? - The girl sighs and puts her hands on her waist.
-fool, I came to help you -…
Ino was now really standing next to team seven and… she couldn't really look Sasuke in the eyes, he looked so… cruel at that moment so she preferred to address Naruto, less cruelty and more brilliant -seriously you looked great when you had basically defeated those two ninjas, we didn't even see you move!-
Sasuke thinks when he sees Naruto, he can't say much either, he doesn't remember when he defeated those ninjas, he only remembers anger, broken pride and envy at the thought that Naruto was stronger than him, maybe the ninjas weren't even that strong... right?
Sakura was about to thank Naruto for helping her despite being injured but she only saw confusion in those blue eyes, Shikamaru from afar heard the conversation and noticed the confused look and the typical way Naruto turns his head like a confused kitten - What did I do? I-I mean I remember waking up... I saw Sasuke - Naruto says turning his head to see his partner - I thought... That he was dead then I got up and... - Naruto disappeared into the sunset... looking at Ino, but the kunoichi of team 10 didn't really think he was looking at her.
-Naruto -Sasuke calls and waves a hand in front of Naruto's eyes to get his attention. The blonde came to and looked at Sasuke questioningly. -I think... that's all. -Sasuke wasn't going to let Naruto get lost like him thinking about what had happened in his "blank mind" times.
- very well cat - Kotetsu said but quickly regretted it when the "cat" hissed at him and tried to tear his face off with its claws - Naruto said... that you couldn't come, do you understand? - the not-cat looked at him with his eyes narrowed almost in a challenge - you are rude - the not-cat hissed again and this time he escaped from Kotetsu's hands jumping at his face - h-hey no, not my face! - but he didn't scratch him and instead his soft pads hit him for a second before being gone, Kotetsu quickly turned around to see the feline licking a paw - you - the chunnin murmured sternly - when the cat started to walk looking at him as if he were stupid - don't you dare run - then the feline ran out of the tent where they were and jumped over the fence of the forest - no, no, no, Naruto is going to kill me wait! -I screamed again trying to locate the non-cat in the forest, but it was already gone -m-it will kill me if you die… -Kotetsu sighed -well now… I have to go-
-Kotetsu -azumo calls to his partner -the hokage wants to see us, something… something happened -Kotetsu curses internally… an order from the hokage and death if that non-cat dies provided by Naruto or a demotion and maybe being killed by the hokage and his chunnin squad leader -… Kotetsu? -the called one looks back at his partner - and Naruto's kitten? -
-He went home... hey, that works! -Kotetsu says, doubting that that feline will even find Naruto in that thick forest. If Naruto dies, he can tell him the same thing he told him when he accidentally forgot to water his plants... at least a similar version.
When Kotetsu forgot to water Naruto's plants they dried up, the girl was only seven and loved certain flowers and always took very good care of them until she had an internship at the academy so she asked her favorite babysitter (of course) Kotetsu to take care of them while she was at it.
He forgot about them the second day... he didn't know what to do when he saw the dead flowers so... he threw them away and thought about what to say to her, the only thing he could think of was to say "Naruto, I took your flowers out in the sun one day so they would be comfortable and they were so happy that they went to a field of flowers with their friends" it sounds silly... but Naruto was seven and he believed it.
He would have to come up with a better excuse this time, Naruto was already twelve, surely he wouldn't believe that "your kitten went out in the sun and was so happy that he went with his friends, he said he'll never come back" right? -Kotetsu- Izumo looked at his partner and knew that Naruto would again have the story of the field of flowers, a sequel that was wonderful , but this time Azumo was not going to keep quiet and he would tell Naruto the truth -we have to go see the hokage.
-Yes, yes - Kotetsu said as he rested his arm on his partner's shoulder while walking towards the tunnels, an easy and efficient way to get to the place where the second stage of the chunnin exams ends.
The kneazle leapt from branch to branch, wobbling a bit as he did so, but he had seen his owner do it before so it shouldn't be too difficult for a large kneazle like him.
Then he saw the masked ninja that visited Naruto every so often fall to the ground with force surprising him, he looked confused and jumped to land right next to his owner's friend, the mask was broken revealing when he opened his eyes, shiny pearls with veins on each side, the kneazle could be reflected in that -oh... you go now, you are of a singular appearance if I saw you -he closed his mouth suddenly -go on... I ask you to go and protect Naruto please -the kneazle normally wouldn't listen to orders but... It wasn't an order it was what did his owner call him?... an important mission.
The kneazle jumped, digging its claws into the trunk of a tree before climbing onto a branch and jumping off one at a time, only taking one last look at its owner's turtle friend.
-We were actually lucky- Sakura mentions turning her back to her two companions, at least Sasuke kept his pants on, but Naruto… was being a fool in his underwear and shirt, Sakura told him that he should keep them on and maybe stop them from being so damn stinky, only for Naruto to smile at her and laugh in a strange way, hiding something.
- What? - Naruto asks as a fish almost steals his first kiss, making him let out a shriek, Sasuke preferred technique… kunai and a branch… being a caveman is fine when you're hungry.
-A masked Anbu ninja came to interfere when… we ran into that guy… ah! You weren't conscious anymore –
Naruto dropped the fish he was holding when he heard that. "Who was it?"
-I already told you, idiot, it was a masked one. Maybe from the Anbu section? -Sakura repeats rolling her eyes
- What animal was the mask of? - Naruto changed the question and Sakura was surprised that Naruto knew about masks.
He shook off his surprise and replied, "It'll be okay, it's an anbu, if that's what you were worried about… oh and it was like… a turtle?"
Naruto gasped, his friend faced that man alone... three days ago? He wasn't even sure if Turtle was still alive, he took a deep breath, he had to trust that he was okay.
-Oh, by the way, I remember that it seemed like you knew that Anko, remember? - Naruto lets out a yes, still lost in her thoughts before saying it louder, she trusted that Turtle was okay, she was strong... she knew it - How do you know each other and...? - Sakura lets out a giggle - Why Kitty? -
-me… -Naruto rolls his eyes and looks at Sasuke when he looks confused smiling he raises two fingers in a "V" –" I take care" in many quotation marks -if throwing a two-year-old baby off a balcony was taking care of him, Anko was the caregiver of the year -better… it made me strong -yep, that sounded much better
-And... Why Kitty? - Naruto finally caught two fish and walked out of the river towards Sakura, the pink-haired girl heard the footsteps and raised her head, looking at Naruto upside down, she had a smile.
- Because Kitty was Kitty! - That was the only answer Naruto gave before going to get his pants, muttering that he should stay near the fire to dry his shirt.
-I think we won't make it- Sakura sighs, her stomach already full, Sasuke looks at her.
-how positive- Sasuke says and Naruto rolls his eyes, she was lying next to the fire since she couldn't take off her shirt since her bandages were… somewhat damaged and when she tried to take off her shirt to fish Sasuke exclaimed loudly a 'no' and adjusted it back on Naruto saying that 'she saw something that will haunt her dreams' and when Naruto asked what, Sasuke blushed says 'pink', she still isn't sure what Sasuke saw but she just shrugged, when she finished fishing she stretched her shirt by the neck to see and… she knew what Sasuke was trying to say but… was his chest that ugly? Naruto was either ignorant or very innocent… one of the two or both.
-Sasuke, how do you expect Sakura to be positive ttebayo, we've been in the forest for four days now and we still haven't found the scroll to go downtown - Naruto sighs, rolling over onto his stomach and looking at Sasuke. Naruto complained a little about his ribs, but otherwise he was fine, maybe a little because of the smell of his pants... according to Sakura, they smelled like a dead rat vomited by a dog that was the vomit of another dog and Naruto had to admit it was true.
-I don't expect it... I'm not very positive in this situation either, you know - the three gennin sighed, when Naruto gets up, Sakura looks at him sideways before Naruto points towards the forest, I'll check our traps, I'll be back soon - Sasuke also gets up while Naruto puts on his sweatshirt, it had a slight smell, but... it wasn't as horrible as his pants.
-If you were to check them then you check the ones on the left side and I'll check the ones on the right - Naruto nods and starts walking with his hands in his pockets, not very enthusiastic.
Nothing
Naruto saw all the traps, Sasuke's wire traps, Sakura's trunk traps and her own paint or rather water traps, no one had been through here, except of course any member of team seven.
But then she heard the rustling of grass, her senses were altered, she was somewhat anxious since she couldn't feel people like before, her Chakra wasn't spreading anywhere, it was terrifying, she almost had no weapons left so she looked closely at the bush waiting for the person or animal that was there to come out, when the creature jumped Naruto could barely see that furry little tail to reach to avoid attacking - kneazle! - Naruto exclaims, removing the creature from his face, purring happily as he looked at Naruto - I told you to stay with Azumo and Kotetsu, this is dangerous it is… - Naruto saw that the kneazle knew what he was doing, he knew that this was a mission, since he had Naruto's shining eyes when he was about to do his first C-rank mission, sighing he shakes the feline and then rubs the soft fur of the kneazle's cheek against his own cheek, the feline let him do it without much complaint - it's okay, I missed you a little - he walked away and frowned again - but it's dangerous and I don't have permission for you to be here -
The kneazle turned his head pretending not to understand Naruto, the blonde pouted.
-I know you understand me, you are much smarter than a cat, so please… -the kneazle was doing the betrayal as a last technique, little eyes -mmh… okay stay with me at all times, this forest is very, very dangerous okay ttebayo? -the kneazle escapes from Naruto's hands and gets on his shoulders turning back into a furry and very lively scarf -okay let's get back to the team -
-Naruto -the pink-haired girl calls with a raised eyebrow- What is that... Kneazle doing here? - Naruto gently caressed the creature's chin with a finger and then puffed out his cheeks at the question.
-It must have escaped from Izumo and Kotetsu, I can't let it go back alone. What if someone steals it? Oh! What if they eat it?! - Sakura saw the creature and honestly, it also gave it a certain tenderness.
-You know what... it doesn't matter, we won't pass the test - Naruto opens his eyes in disbelief - Look Naruto, it's almost over, today is the penultimate day, surely if not all of them, those who passed to the third stage are already in the tower -
- b-but - Naruto shook his head - we can still find some scrolls, if we move fast! - She checks her Half Moon bag and takes out the four earth type scrolls, they needed a sky type if they wanted to pass, the kneazle turned his head seeing the small rolled paper tubes before starting to feel Naruto's shoulder with interest - What's wrong? - The kneazle gets off Naruto's shoulder, causing Naruto to look at him quickly - Where are you going! I told you you couldn't leave without me - The creature didn't take many steps it sat looking in a direction in the forest - Do you want us to... follow you? -
- Wait Naruto! - Sasuke arrived excitedly when he saw the scrolls Naruto had in his hands, followed by a boy they hadn't seen in a while - What are you doing?! Don't open the scrolls - Naruto pouts and stands on the tips of his feet, looking like a bristly cat.
- I wasn't going to open it! - she squeals and puts the scrolls back into her little half-moon bag.
-Well then- the boy behind Sasuke said and Naruto looked at him curiously when he realized it was Kabuto -they would have automatically lost if they had opened them-
- What! - Naruto looks at the scrolls in his bag and sighs, he had the idea to open them a while ago.
-Kabuto san -Sakura speaks to the boy giving him a somewhat tired smile -so there are still people in this forest -the pink-haired girl is relieved, maybe they will have a chance to move on to the next stage.
-Yes, I came to - Naruto interrupts him.
- Wait! -Naruto points at the kneazle who seems impatient for Naruto to follow him -kneazle wants us to follow him-
Kabuto with a nervous smile adjusts his glasses -nee Naruto, I don't think it's a good idea for us to simply follow a cat and - immediately the kneazle hissed and Naruto pouted.
- It's not a cat! - she shrieked and Kabuto put his hands in front of him to avoid the fury of the whiskered blonde.
-Okay, it's not a cat, but it's the same thing, it doesn't have training like a ninken, it's best that we go to the center and there we will surely find people and - Naruto shakes his head, putting his hands on his waist.
-Kneazle are very intelligent, you know? - the kneazle puffed out his chest proudly while the others had a drop of sweat in disbelief - Well... then I'll go, that way the rest won't be in any danger, let's go - Naruto straightened his sweatshirt that was already somewhat torn here and there before following his furry companion through the forest.
Kabuto sighed and looked to his side looking for Sasuke and Sakura - huh? - he was confused when he didn't find them with his gaze, instead now they were heading towards the forest, where his partner went before - o-hey, are you really going to -
Sasuke shrugged. "Naruto needs supervision," was all the Uchiha said with a shrug.
Sakura waves goodbye - thanks for the warning scroll, bye Kabuto san! -
-So in the end I'll have to follow them -Kabuto grunts and starts walking -Hey! I'll follow them -Sasuke looks suspiciously at Kabuto, he had met the boy a while ago and had said that he could help get the missing scroll, but now... Naruto's creature seemed to know something else and if it is Naruto's
" He's reliable, you thought that right? " the voice echoes in his head " you know Naruto gets into trouble all the time and you say, what's more reliable than a ninja who has shown better skill than Naruto?"
Sasuke frowns and feels the mark – "there's a difference, I know Naruto better than Kabuto " - Sasuke thinks and shuts up at the voice when he finally sees Naruto standing still looking surprised - What's wrong? Ah! - Sasuke looks at the people lying on the ground, there were a lot of ninjas of different types, they had scratches and bite marks.
-Wow... What could have done this? - Naruto says in surprise and his companions and Kabuto look at the creature as if it were a demon with soft and adorable little paws.
The kneazle climbs onto Naruto's shoulder and turns back into a scarf, Naruto walks over and checks, Sakura does the same with another one, sighing in relief she looks at Sasuke -they're alive, but knocked out- Sakura takes the scroll and sees that it's dirt - How's it going Naruto? - the blonde was looking intently at a scroll before standing up and showing it with a smile, it said "sky"
Sakura relaxed and smiled, while the voice that tormented Sasuke fell silent at that, the Uchiha smiled proudly - good now we can go to the tower - Sasuke says, they wouldn't break any records, but they would arrive a day earlier.
Kabuto clicks his tongue as he sees the ninjas he was going to test the Uchiha and Uzumaki's skills on defeated. What was he going to say to...? - Kabuto san! - Naruto calls and Kabuto goes back to his role with a fake smile as he wants to kill this creature that looks happy wagging its tail like a proud lion, but... when he looks at Kabuto he narrows his eyes, the purple turns deeper, there was too much distrust - I told you! The kneazle are smart -
-That's it... I see, Naruto -Kabuto thinks better about that kneazle... Orochimaru would be interested in such a peculiar creature .
As soon as they arrived at the tower, Kabuto left with his team while Naruto's team entered.
- "I know… what this place is" -Naruto murmurs and looks at the kneazle -Sakura, Sasuke… you can go ahead and I… I have something to do -Sakura raises an eyebrow, but Naruto immediately turns around and walks towards the exit.
-… -Sasuke watches Naruto leave with some distrust…
Naruto checks one of the walls of the entrance until he finds the hatch and lifts it - aha!, an anbu passageway - Naruto takes the kneazle in his arms and smiles at him - thanks - Naruto starts speaking in English - you helped me a lot, but now I must face the last test alone - the kneazle writhed in Naruto's arms - also... I have a favor to ask you - the kneazle stops and turns his head - you remember my masked friend... I'm worried about him, can you go and make sure he's okay? Just follow the tunnels and you'll reach the anbu base... Please - the kneazle hisses softly before Naruto sets him down on the ground, the hatch still open, the kneazle hesitates before jumping towards the hatch - thanks again - Naruto smiles and closes it before heading to be with his team.
Naruto hummed as he saw his team looking at something on the wall, there were a lot of words which made Naruto hiss before he started reading.
"If you don't possess heaven, you get the knowledge that represents it"
"If you do not own the land, you will run so far in search of strength"
"If you have the scrolls of heaven and earth, the paths of dangerous will become safe"
"It is the secret of a chunnin. You will be part of the elite that will guide the others."
-I see- Naruto says nodding his head, before sighing -I see a lot of letters, but I don't understand anything ttebayo-
Sakura gives Naruto a smile before reading again and turning back to her teammates -I think… we should open the scrolls-
- W-what? - Naruto answers and looks at Sakura in surprise - Sakura, but... What happens if we get disqualified or something else.
Sakura looks at Sasuke swallowing deeply before looking confident -I think… it is…. No, I'm sure this is the answer-
Sasuke looked at the wall again before nodding, "Then let's open it," he says simply while Naruto accompanies him with a smile.
- Yeah! -
Naruto takes out the scroll from heaven and Sakura the one she had kept from earth, both of them opened it slowly and smoke began to come out of the scroll, Naruto read the content - "person" - was the word that stood out the most among the twists and turns that the scroll full of words had.
- Sakura, Naruto! It's a summoning seal, release it! - Naruto was startled by the serious tone in Sasuke's voice before both girls threw him away, the whiskered girl wanted back her strange ability to know who's Chakra someone had when an adult was undoubtedly in front of them.
Then his mind started racing with something else - "summon, like grandpa and his monkeys? Or would it also serve as a means of transportation like, apparitions in the magical world?... wait, I should focus!" - when the smoke dispersed, Naruto's body relaxed and a smile appeared on his lips - Iruka sensei! - he exclaimed, watching as one of his favorite sensei put his hands on his waist and gave them a proud smile, he inflated his chest even more when he saw Naruto.
-I'm glad you've made it this far and finishing the penultimate day... wow - Iruka didn't think they would arrive now, from what he knew they had had "problems" or that was the little they told him, which is why he was a little worried about his students, especially his most unruly student... But, maybe Naruto deserves more credit for being here today.
- What is Iruka sensei doing here? - Naruto asks jumping to his feet, as if the days in the forest hadn't taken their toll on him, while Sasuke turns his head and avoids looking at Naruto too much.
-Stop it, silly, just watching you bounce like that tires me out- Sasuke says with a sigh as Naruto turns on his heels and puffs out his cheeks in Sasuke's direction before sticking his tongue out at him.
-That's enough - Sakura says scoldingly before looking at her academy sensei - I assume you're helping with the test, aren't you, sensei? -
Iruka looks at the girl and nods with that same smile -I'm one of those in charge of finishing the second stage of the chunnin exams... well at least it was supposed to be-
Naruto turned his head, another doubt settling in his mind - What would have happened if we opened the scroll outside of here? - Iruka doesn't seem surprised by the question in general, but he does when Naruto continues - I know what the general objective of the test was, but not the punishment -
- General objective? - Sakura asks confused, wasn't it simply an order not to open the scroll and get here?
-yes - Naruto nods towards Sakura -sometimes the missions are not all clean or shiny - Sakura turns her head starting to think that Naruto was talking nonsense, but instead Sasuke nods starting to see it from the other perspective... Naruto's perspective -I mean that we will not always know exactly what we are carrying, they only pay us to carry it without asking questions ttebayo - Naruto raises a hand and rolls one of the sponge strands of his hair before complaining with a tug because it got tangled, he doesn't know if he should cut it or comb it since it almost reached his shoulders and sometimes it was uncomfortable to carry, it got tangled when he jumped from branch to branch and every so often it blocked his view -our duty is to know how to complete the mission without all the information - Naruto knew... anbu was in charge of many of these jobs... getting weapons, killing ninjas... and even civilians that was the anbu's job, the dirty work .
Naruto is sure that Sakura thought of the Anbu in a different way or as she was taught at the academy – "the Anbu that protect our village work from the shadows" - Naruto was there that day to listen to that lesson and at that moment he knew that that was not all the information that Iruka sensei... was not being very explicit with the jobs they did.
Before going to Hogwarts Naruto thought it was silly that Iruka wasn't direct with everyone about the life of a shinobi. Sure they knew they had to kill, but... everything had been toned down, it wasn't how it had been explained to Naruto since he was young.
" Ninjas have difficult missions, both mentally and physically , you have to be prepared to have to... finish off your enemy " - those were Iruka sensei's words when explaining it, that day Naruto screamed out loud and angrily left the classroom, that explanation was for softies .
In anbu they had explained it to her in a different way " shinobi have missions that can become exhausting to the point where you can end up mentally and physically broken, it's kill or be killed, you have to be prepared to kill " and that's why Naruto couldn't become an anbu, she doesn't believe she can kill someone and the right thing to do then is... die , but Naruto wouldn't do that either, she wouldn't die, after all she still has to be hokage, right?
- it was for softies - Naruto murmurs with a laugh, mocking his younger self, when he went to Hogwarts, he learned magic… that's right, how to make potions… mmh that's also correct, but above all things he learned a totally different perspective of the anbu, different from the "softie" of the academy, Hogwarts was even softer in general everyone was softer just for the simple fact of being younger for the simple fact that it is important to value childhood and youth in general .
Naruto saw his teacher's proud eyes at the words he had said earlier and his gaze softened – "Iruka sensei is not soft... he only values the purity and heart of his students" –
-that's correct Naruto and to answer the question… I would have knocked them out – Naruto almost wants to erase his previous words when his companions sweat cold – it seems that you want to achieve heaven Naruto right? - Naruto turns his head like a confused puppy – although I see that you are a little bit away from it… but for now I think I will explain them to you – Iruka points above his head at the words engraved on the wall – these were the instructions that hokage sama left – Iruka sensei repeats as if he knew them by heart – If you do not possess heaven, you obtain the knowledge that represents them instead If you do not possess earth, you will run so far in search of strength –
-ah -Sakura reacts -the sky represents the mind and the earth represents the body-
-correct Sakura, if your weakness is something physical then train more so that it stops being so and on the other hand if -Iruka looked at Naruto- your weakness is things of thought, learn, learn and learn all the knowledge you need so that it stops being so, then you can finally be a chunnin or the paths of dangerous will become safe -
Naruto thinks about the words and... he thinks he understands them, she thought she had managed to learn things thanks to Draco's help at Hogwarts, he was smart and she was stupid and without him she would never achieve that... now she also knew that it was thanks to her effort that she was achieving things.
She looked at her feet, they were small like the rest of her - "I'm small so I take smaller steps, but... I can walk firmly to where I want to go" - she clenched her fists and raised her head.
-Everyone has done an excellent job up to this point- Iruka's smile grew for a few seconds before falling- but… I don't want you to force yourselves for the third part of the exams, especially you Naruto, I know… - Iruka stopped at the small smile Naruto had and the change in the atmosphere was more noticeable to the chunnin.
-I'll be fine Iruka sensei, I've come this far, I'll continue as far as I can ttebayo, after all I'll be the next hokage! -she exclaims.
-Okay... - Iruka sighed seeing how that had raised, even if only a little, the morale of the rest of team seven -then there are a couple of hours before dawn and the second part of the chunnin exams will be ending, so rest a little and... - Iruka sensei looked at Naruto -you stink - Naruto stuck his tongue out in amusement and stood on his tiptoes while shrugging his shoulders...
Naruto wipes his face looking at his reflection in the mirror in front of her, it was one of the few bathrooms in the tower, this place was not intended as a resting place as such from what Naruto remembered, a place where meetings were held for emergencies or in this case the chunnin exams -it's good to finally rest... right Sasuke? - the boy was sitting outside the bathroom while Sakura instead had gone to find another bathroom.
-hm - Naruto didn't complain about the little attention his words received.
-it would be great if we also passed the third stage- Naruto mentions as he takes off his sweatshirt and shirt with effort, the sound of tearing was heard and the already very worn bandages fell to the ground- wah! - Naruto exclaims mainly but then hisses when he sees the bruises on his ribs- this isn't very good ttebayo "if Professor McGonagall saw me like this" - Naruto removes those thoughts from his mind.
- What? - Sasuke asks from the other side of the door.
- Nothing! - Naruto continued and looked at his bag that was lying on the floor next to her, he checked for some medicine to apply and another bandage to put on, Nurse Pomfrey's ointment was superior to anything, it had greatly softened the pain of Naruto's bruises every time he fell off his broom, leaving him on top of the faucet he looked for another pair of bandages - oh ... - he didn't have any others, Naruto didn't care much that she had breasts, they weren't big and if she didn't tighten the bandages as much as she does it would be slightly noticeable on her silhouette and without the bandages they were still easy to cover with her tunic sweater, the problem was that ... she moved and - it hurts like hell - Naruto slowly approached the door and opened it a little - nee Sasuke - the boy looked up when he saw Naruto's head barely sticking out a little - do you have bandages? -
Sasuke's brain was mashed from exhaustion and the constant itch on his neck, so he could barely process the request. "What? Are you hurt?" Naruto rolls his eyes, but regrets it because she could be hurt.
-No… - Naruto hoped that that prodigious brain would finally understand what he was asking, he didn't care much about telling him directly and seeing Sasuke blushing with embarrassment was very funny for Naruto, but then Sasuke frowned in a long and tedious process, the cold was whipping Naruto's bare back,
-And... what are they for then? - Naruto patted his face and almost opened the door a little more, but held back, Sasuke seeing her half naked is... bizarre, but bizarrely funny. On the other hand, if any ninja were to pass by it would be embarrassing and uncomfortable for Naruto.
-Sasuke… I remind you that I suffer from a condition - the boy raises an eyebrow.
- What silly condition? - Naruto finally rolls his eyes.
-one that a hundred out of a hundred girls suffer from -when Sasuke hadn't caught it yet Naruto feels a small need to hit Sasuke to restart him or something like that -breasts, pass me the bandages damn it-
-oh… I-I see- normally it was funny to see Sasuke blushing, but now Naruto was cold and he was not happy about it at all, Sasuke raised his hand with the bandages on it without looking at Naruto
-Thanks- Naruto says in a sigh before taking it and closing the door again.
-You should have said it from the beginning, idiot- Sasuke mentions and Naruto gasps.
-You're the one who says I'm a shameless ttebayo - Naruto applies the ointment and rolls up the bandages - You, the cold Sasuke Uchiha, can't handle the word breasts - he says while putting his shirt back on.
- Oh my God!... you were the one who... - Sasuke doesn't finish what he was saying.
Naruto gathers his things and leaves the bathroom suddenly and looks at Sasuke -your turn bastard- Sasuke curses and gets up stumbling a little to the bathroom, Naruto sat on the floor thinking until he remembered that he had to ask the hokage if letters from Hogwarts had arrived, with the chunnin exams and... the arrival of that guy had made him forget what was happening at Hogwarts -"I should... send a letter to ask if everyone is okay... if they found answers or if the petrification has been undone" - Naruto also thinks hoping that Hermione has received his letter about her idea that he was attacking the others.
Naruto raised his head and looked down the hall as he heard footsteps, he may not be able to sense the person anymore, but he still had excellent hearing.
- "Oh… it's that boy from Lee's team" -Naruto thinks as he watches him pass by, long brown hair and… pearl-colored eyes. -A Hyuga – he murmurs softly.
-Naruto - the girl in question jumps when someone puts a hand on her shoulder, she quickly turns around and looks at the person calling her.
- W-what? - Naruto blinks a few times, even without recognizing Sasuke's Chakra, Naruto must have felt it , she had done it sometimes, she suddenly knows when Sasuke is training or if he is relaxed, his heart… she somehow feels it as if they were one.
-Look at you, your hair is worse than a scarecrow's- Sasuke puts his hand in Naruto's hair and pulls, she lets out a shriek when her fingers get caught in the tangles, the touch upsets Naruto, but he calmed down when Sasuke stopped pulling and instead lowered his hand to free himself from the tangle.
-Kakashi sensei is a scarecrow - Naruto mumbles with a pout when Sasuke pushes her forward, the push had been too sudden, when she saw that Sasuke's legs were on either side of her, basically making Naruto sit between her legs with his back to her - What are you doing? - She suddenly felt soft tugs on her hair from what looked like a brush, although she couldn't see it - do you have a brush?... wait why do you have a brush? - Naruto received no response as he felt the brush gently pass through it - okay, okay, I guess that duck hair style isn't natural ttebayo... itaiii! - Naruto complains when Sasuke pulls on his hair a little.
-It's not mine, the other day before the exams Sakura dropped it on the floor, I was going to give it back to her, but she already had a new one and... I forgot that I had put it in my armament - Naruto hums at the answer, although she is surprised not to feel as if her life was being ripped out of her in the gentle tugs that Sasuke made, it was actually quite gentle.
-You... you know how to do hair really well, that's surprising! - Naruto scoffs before letting out a few giggles -Well maybe not really, Sasuke didn't only have one first option, the second was to be a hairdresser! - Sasuke rolls his eyes, but is somewhat amused by Naruto's words.
-Can you imagine me as a hairdresser? That is a silly thought –
-He's not that stupid, you'd have a great business! You get a lot of attention from the ttebayo girls - Sasuke mutters under his breath at the comment.
It was a pleasant silence that followed from there, until Sasuke ended up leaving the brush back next to his weaponry - you're not a scarecrow anymore, you idiot - Naruto scoffs at the comment and lets himself fall on his back, falling on top of Sasuke, letting his head rest on one of his companions' shoulders - you're sticky, you know that? -
- I am? -
-Well not with everyone or all the time, more energy than attachment- Naruto hums and turns his head slightly to look at Sasuke out of the corner of his eye, the boy had his eyes half-closed and his voice became softer looking very sleepy.
-nee Sasuke - Naruto calls a minute later, the boy barely makes a sound in recognition - I know that for you I am a girl physically, but… I think you consider me a boy in everything else, why? It's not that it bothers me! I don't care about any of that - Naruto says quickly and waits for the answer.
It was taking so long that Naruto herself was falling asleep - I feel - Naruto jumps at Sasuke's words - I feel like you were once a boy - the girl with a whiskers turns her head slightly in confusion, blinking a couple of times.
-I was always a Sasuke girl –
-But you don't mind being addressed as a boy, don't you think there's something behind that fact? -Naruto thinks about it, maybe it was because of how he grew up? In Anbu there is a phrase that describes them "don't get attached", many will think that it refers to the emotional affection towards people, but it is not like that.
Don't get attached to just one thing, grow by looking at different paths, different solutions.
And for Naruto I might use it in Don't stick to one genre .
Although maybe there is something much more behind that perhaps, Naruto lets out a laugh and feels Sasuke's curiosity about it - maybe in another life I was a boy? - she scoffs, she doesn't believe in those things and she expected those snickers from Sasuke... but he didn't.
-… and -Sasuke continues looking at his hand… the same hand in which during that battle he had held the symbol of the moon - if in that past life we had already met –
-That's impossible - Naruto turns to face Sasuke -We would have already realized that... We would have already - Naruto stops dead when he looks into Sasuke's eyes, black against blue, she felt Sasuke's heart again as if it were his own -Noticed... -
- Wah! - Sasuke suddenly gasps and feels his neck with one hand.
- S-Sasuke? Are you okay?! - Naruto watched as he writhed, as if... he was struggling , the mark was causing his friend intense pain and he didn't know what to do, as he watched inky black spots spread across Sasuke's neck - I-I'll... get help. - Naruto didn't have time to finish when he was already standing up, only for Sasuke to pull on his sweatshirt causing him to end up on the ground with a shriek.
know him?... do you really think you know Naruto Uzumaki?
- "h-he's my friend... m-my best friend" -Sasuke repeats in his mind and the pain increases, he feels his heart pounding in his chest.
He keeps secrets from you and…
- "We all have secrets, that doesn't mean"-
Let me talk! Don't you think it's strange that I could defeat Haku when you couldn't? Don't you find it strange that you don't even know his birthday? That he has such great power and doesn't even use it...
-S-Sasuke l-let me go get help myself - Sasuke firmly grabs Naruto by the shoulders, she squeals a little from the strength of the grip, when she stops feeling Sasuke again, the connection they had is lost again
-No, no, no, I refuse to believe, no! - Naruto feels like she is being pulled back by someone else and when she looks over, there was Sakura.
-s-Sasuke -Sakura looks at her teammate, Naruto gives her a nod, she was fine, it was Sasuke who was acting strange now.
-Hey dumbass... Sasuke are you okay? - Naruto asks kneeling in front of Sasuke again, he had covered his eyes with one of his arms, he gulped heavily before Naruto with two fingers pinched the cloth that Sasuke was wearing on his arm and pulled, Naruto could see Sasuke's eyes again, but there was only darkness without a real glow like Naruto had always seen them before.
-…. I am - Sasuke's voice echoed as he stood up - I'm… going to be alone until the next stage begins… -
Naruto stood up and saw Sakura clenching her fists as Sasuke began to walk away... then Naruto knew that if she let Sasuke take one more step, she wouldn't be able to catch up to him, that fact filled her with terror, taking faster steps she grabbed the back of Sasuke's shirt, the boy stopped and turned around to be face to face with Naruto -and- me- Naruto managed to stammer, blinking a bunch of times.
-It's okay Naruto... I think I'm okay - Sasuke suddenly whispers, surprising the blonde, who sees a small sparkle in her partner's eyes again and relief floods over her when she feels Sasuke's presence with her again, so she lets him go...
-Do you think it was okay to let him go like that? - Sakura asked. They were both now sitting on the floor, Naruto was fully stretched out and gently shook her feet.
- I don't know... I think it's okay I guess - Naruto answers looking at Sakura now - we should tell Kakashi sensei soon ttebayo - Sakura nods and relaxes feeling her body weighed down by tiredness but she didn't let sleep defeat her they were still in the test so they were still in danger - you can sleep Sakura, I'll watch for a while until the third stage starts, don't worry - the pink-haired girl denies but... she is slowly falling asleep until Naruto feels a weight on his shoulder, he looks at Sakura who was now resting her head on that place, Naruto sighs in relief they had survived this test even with that man appearing she lets out a growl - now I don't like snakes at all - Naruto murmurs, first one almost attacked her in Hogwarts and now one devoured her and attacked her team...
Naruto stretched as they reached the center of the tower, the remaining genin were gathering when he saw Sasuke leaning against a wall, he clenched his fists before stuffing them into his pants pockets, a few seconds later blue collided with black as their gazes met, their gaze softened and their shoulders relaxed, he watched as Sasuke's gaze left her to rest on Sakura who was beside him -I see you're here already, you took a while- Sakura blushed when she saw a little of Naruto's shoulder, the orange fabric was darkened in the area where her head had rested.
-Oh well Sakura was there- the pink-haired girl placed a hand on Naruto's mouth surprising the blonde who took two steps back- Why was that?! - she exclaims puffing out her cheeks.
-Oh I-I… I'm sorry! I just – then Sakura relaxed and realized a fact, she looked at Sasuke and narrowed her eyes – I was sleeping for a while – she said in a clear voice – "I needed to rest, what does it matter if Sasuke finds out that I drooled on Naruto's shoulder" –
Sasuke looks at Sakura and feels like something had really changed in her, Sasuke described her as a gum that only knows how to follow him and try to look good for him, but now her hair was still not completely well cut only with the touch-ups that Ino had done and covered in dirt that she couldn't clean well in a sink, with a frown and her eyes half-closed, Sasuke was fascinated by not being Sakura's everything -well... - she answered simply to that but Sasuke now didn't look at her like before either, she was no longer his annoying and in love teammate and maybe she can finally show why she got the title of the best kunoichi of her year.
Naruto watched the exchange like a game of ping pong, he felt the change, but could only turn his head slightly at it….
The blonde didn't know all the Konoha ninja, but she would certainly recognize Hayate Gekko among the jounin behind the hokage, but most of all she recognized him for being Tigre 's boyfriend , the woman always mentioned something about a certain Hayate helping her with her Kenjutsu.
A certain relief invades her when she sees Kakashi standing in front of her when she is forming in line with her team but... she is nervous again seeing so many people still, she herself knows that she is not the sharpest kunai in the bag but... she knows that to pass to the finals there must be less than ten people, Naruto feels Kakashi's gaze but it was strange that he was not on her, normally he was and he was a few moments ago, checking that she was okay but now he was on Sasuke and... his shoulder and neck.
- Your students managed to get here Kakashi - Guy mentions looking at his rival from the corner of his eye, the man stops looking at Sasuke for a second to put his hands in his pockets - You know ... I don't know if it's a coincidence, destiny, chance or anything else, it's impressive that ... You have the daughter of your sensei as a student - Guy gives Naruto a look when he sees the blue clash with his own eyes, the blonde looks surprised when Guy doesn't look away and instead looks around confused, thinking that Guy wasn't looking at her - Well ... that same coincidence has brought your students here but I think they're running out, with my team here, yours won't have a chance - Guy says proudly Kakashi who still looks at him from the corner of his eye mocks himself.
His team might not be the most sensible of those chosen by the Hokage, Kakashi knew that. It was a pleasant coincidence that one day he opened a file and found Naruto's name, but the more he read the more curious he became.
In addition to assigning Naruto to him, they had also assigned the last Uchiha, Sasuke, and the best kunoichi Sakura. The Hokage thought that Kakashi would not... despise the team for having Naruto on it, instead he would prevent the man from rejecting it.
Although Kakashi knew he was partly forced to have them, Sasuke had to train his sharingan so... What better than to bring in the infiltrated flea of the Uchiha clan?... and you know what's even better, let's also bring in the jinchuriki of the nine-tails because it turns out that flea is strong enough to be able to keep the situation stable.
It was all statistical while Kakashi was explained why he should have the Uchiha separately on his team plus jinchuriki, in addition the hokage had used the factor "she is the daughter of your sensei Naruto chan"
The Hokage was certainly lucky that Sasuke and Naruto managed to get along... more than well, almost like a duo that has fought together for years and Sakura... was advancing at her own pace.
But this was the team that Kakashi finally passed and he was proud of them -mmh… oh did you say something Guy? - the bowl-haired man squirmed saying things that Kakashi honestly didn't pay attention to anymore.
Naruto squirmed a little as she pushed herself forward and back, ignoring very… no, a lot of the leering looks from the Hyuga beside Sasuke, maybe it wasn't directed at her but she doesn't know why he's looking at Sasuke like that, Naruto gives her a small glance out of the corner of her eye and squeals a little when she's almost discovered –"he looks… angry" -she thinks, the boy wrinkled his nose in disgust the second she looked at him –"I wish I knew more… if I could feel him I could know more things, if his Chakra was spiked then he was angry if they were waves maybe he was just nervous, Naruto had learned that over time but right now it's of no use to him.
-it sucks- Naruto hears Kiba mention it was weird since he couldn't hear as much as before either, but he tried his best.
- What's wrong Kiba kun? -Hinata asks turning a little.
-There's a very strong smell of blood and guts nearby- the boy with the dog mentions almost sticking out his tongue, Naruto stops listening and tries not to move too much so that the smell doesn't spread.
-Now -Anko begins causing the murmurs to disappear -Hokage sama is going to explain the third test, you better listen up, worms - the woman finishes and looks at the older man giving him a nod.
The Third Hokage cleared his throat before continuing to step forward - Well, before I tell you what the third stage of the chunnin exams is about, I have to explain to you…. The true intention of the exams –
Naruto thinks about the Hokage's words - "true goal... wasn't it the union between nations and finding the right candidates to be chunnin?" - she squirms as she listens to the murmurs of the people.
-The reminder of the ancient battles between nations and their pride -the hokage answers after a while- before the alliance between certain nations, there was a war between nations and a constant fight of which territory had greater strength, apart from that, to maintain less casualties they sent the champions to represent in a neutral area, that was how the chunnin exams finally began -the hokage inhales the pipe before letting the smoke out to continue- I know it is true that the chunnin exams are no longer used to send the best as champions to fight, it is also used to select the best candidates for chunnin but it is not only that… the exams are an area where shinobi can carry the pride of their nation on their back, many leaders and prominent people -Naruto is not very sure of knowing what is "Prominent" - are invited to watch these exams with the option of hiring shinobi to work with them-
- "Hokage ji chan forgot to mention the bets…" - Naruto knows, well, know isn't the right word, but he knows about the bets because one time he was in the hokage's office and found a sheet of paper full of numbers and names, it was a lot of money! Naruto had never seen such a high figure, at first he thought they were "bad ninjas" they were hunting, but then he realized that… maybe it's not that.
-This exam can determine the course of your life as a ninja, those rulers will watch your battles and take note of your skills - Naruto can see how Sakura swallows deeply, looking terribly nervous by this fact - that each ninja and each nation is developing, if there is a power vacuum between each country, the strong nations are filled with job applications for their ninjas and instead the applications of weak nations are… rejected, that is why it is important to demonstrate the military strength that we have -
-Okay, but -Kiba asks making Naruto look at him- Why do we have to risk our lives?-
-The strength of a country is the strength of the village, the strength of the village is the strength of the shinobi and... the true strength of a shinobi is only reached when they reach their limit like in a battle of life or death, these exams are the way to demonstrate the strength of a nation which in this way is the way to strengthen the same nation, this is why in this exam one's life is at risk, this third test... is a fight for life with the pride of one's village and one's own dreams in danger -the third one looks at Naruto a bit when he mentions about dreams, she squirms a bit before shaking her head and standing up straighter -With that said it's time to explain the third part of the exam -The hokage closes his fist and coughs a little, in seconds Hayate Gekko is in front of him kneeling -With your permission hokage sama, I will say a few things before, I am Hayate Gekko designated as censor of the third stage-
-Go ahead - the hokage encourages to continue, Gekko stands up.
-It's good to meet you all- the man coughs and Naruto hisses he had heard a little that the tiger's boyfriend was sick with a mysterious disease -but before we start *cough* I want you to do *cough" something - Naruto notices the dark circles under his eyes and his pale skin not natural at all.
Naruto, without even looking at the others, knows that they must be thinking the same thing together, she can only think – "You're going to lose a lung, ttebayo" –
-before the final *cough*, you have to do a preliminary to continue with the real one afterwards *cough* -Naruto can hear the voices around him, people echoing with uncertainty.
-A preliminary one. What do you mean by that? -Shikamaru asks almost taking a step forward, Naruto would say that he is surprised to see so much energy overflowing from the normally lazy boy, but he understands a little what Shikamaru is thinking, if there was another test it would be even more "troublesome", Naruto only let out a silent laugh at that, yes... that was the Shikamaru he knew.
-I'm sorry sensei, but... I don't understand the point of this - Sakura also speaks, looking to the side to talk - what is the preliminary about? Why can't we continue with the third stage right away? -
Naruto swayed gently on his heels to the tips of his toes, she had the answer or at least she thought she did... there were too many gennin .
-Well, you see, the first and second exams were perhaps too simple because -
- HEY! - Naruto exclaims for the first time since he's been here, Sasuke sighs, Naruto had been quiet for too long - you weren't there when! - At that moment Sasuke turned around and put a hand over Naruto's mouth, she staggered, shaking her arms angrily.
-You may continue- Sasuke says watching as Naruto still writhes.
Gekko coughed once before continuing -the fact is that it wasn't expected that so many students would make it this far *cough* according to the rules of the chunnin exams a preliminary round can be helpful at any stage, in order to reduce the number of candidates that make it to the finals -Naruto is finally released and sticks his tongue out at Sasuke in a childish "boo" -since in the last stage we'll have to speed things up a bit *cough* because as you know important people will be watching and we can't waste their time, only the best will come to watch-
At that moment the censor of this test had a sudden coughing fit making Naruto wonder if it was right for this man to be the monitor of this test, the man was clearly dying as he spoke and she was sure she wasn't the only one who was thinking that way.
-Excuse me- Hayate clears his throat and continues -Those who think they can't continue, you can leave since the preliminaries will begin right now- Naruto shudders, his Chakra is not at its best, it is too out of control for even a natural sensor like her to sense people.
- You can't be serious! - Kiba almost screamed and then Naruto glanced at him from the corner of his eye before frowning a little when he saw Akamaru between Kiba's jacket.
So while some were complaining a little someone raised their hand, someone Naruto easily recognized as Kabuto, she was honestly a bit surprised when he mentioned being tired and almost out of Chakra.
Naruto's body shakes in dread as he looks ahead and searches for something he doesn't even know what it is... something bad that makes his skin crawl and... he feels like he's seen that goosebump look before.
Sasuke squirms in front of her and Sakura, both not quite sure what to do at this moment, Sakura steps forward standing next to Naruto to talk to Sasuke -Sasuke... you should leave- the boy in question opens his eyes in surprise, but more than anything looking disgusted with the simple fact of giving up.
- What are you talking about Sakura? - Sasuke says almost in a growl while holding his shoulder tighter, Naruto sees how Sakura trembles and clenches her fists again and tries to convince him.
-I've seen you since you fought Orochimaru, you're not well enough to continue and- Sakura stops dead when she sees those eyes watching her coldly with only a hint of something like anger. Naruto takes a deep breath and interferes between the two becoming a human barrier again, then Sakura gives Naruto a look- please... help me convince him- Sakura whispers to Naruto, but the whiskered girl's gaze never left Sasuke's now cold and empty eyes.
-You're going to keep going no matter what, right? - Naruto blinks several times as he feels Sasuke's pain for a few seconds and... in some strange way, envy? -It's okay... just d-don't do anything stupid ttebayo - she says, her fists clench under the fabric of her sweatshirt and Sasuke's gaze relaxes and even the corner of his lips lifts in a mocking smile, his hand still firmly on her shoulder, but the pain faded when Naruto gave his approval.
-That's what I say - Naruto puffs out his cheeks in a childish gesture before simply giving Sasuke a smile.
-Estupid- Naruto whispers to Sasuke as they get back in line again.
-idiot -Sasuke answers
-bastard -and Naruto returns.
-loser- Sakura just sighs at the exchange, but her gaze still remains firmly on Sasuke
From the front just as Sasuke hissed in pain Anko squeezed her own shoulder -it's the mark- the woman says whispering to the others looking directly at the hokage -we have to take him out of the exam and put him in confinement until we control the seal correctly-
- Do you think it will be that easy? - Kakashi says with a serious look watching how Sakura and Naruto were talking about something with Sasuke who was ahead - you forget that this boy is from the stubborn Uchiha clan - he knew it himself, he had had a partner perhaps not so serious, but just as stubborn as his entire clan with what he wanted.
- And what! - Anko exclaims before lowering her voice - that doesn't matter, at this moment not only is the boy's life in danger but everyone else's... it is - Anko looks at the boy next to the anbu puppy and the woman knows that that painful thorn is not what the boy now has the same mark as her, but that he is too close to her idiotic but little friend , Anko could have hurt Naruto but that doesn't mean that others can do it - impressive that it is still standing, this seal tears from your Chakra and feeds on the anger inside you, you don't know - Anko bites her lip when she doesn't see a real reaction from the silver-haired jounin.
-even so- Sakura whispers and Sasuke lets out an exasperated growl, it's not that he doesn't care what Sakura thinks, but he can't give up, not now, if he does he'll never be able to reach that person, Sakura didn't say anything else, she knew it, she narrowed her eyes finally leaving this conversation aside.
-Sasuke, don't growl like that at Sakura ttebayo - Naruto tells her, she had been caught between the conversation of these two and just puffed out her cheeks and stood on her tiptoes to once again be a barrier between Sakura and Sasuke.
If you don't chase her, someone else will.
The voice echoes in Sasuke's head but his eyes are still clear, the mark isn't affecting him enough, not when Naruto is so close to him -Naruto - the girl is surprised at the somewhat expected tone of someone who is one of her best friends, she blinks in confusion when she sees a defiant smile on his face - you are one of the people I want to challenge the most - Naruto's heart races and he swallows heavily, it wasn't the first time Sasuke had fought her, for years at the academy the two of them had met in every training battle and for some reason Naruto wasn't afraid of Sasuke, not like when Kiba was a bully, she was afraid of Kiba but never of Sasuke but now it was different, Sasuke had never challenged her so directly and much less really considered her as an enemy to defeat.
The hokage saw how the boy's pain calmed down after Naruto had told him something and taking a sip from his pipe he spoke to Anko -let the boy continue with the exam- Anko had a face of disbelief, while she seemed to want to claim that -but... at the first sign that the mark is taking effect they will come in to stop him... -
-Well, then if no one else is going to withdraw, we will begin the preliminary round of the chunnin exams…-