In Bloom and in Battle

by Privation

After an untimely death, a woman awakens in a world she knows only from manga and anime—Naruto. Reborn as Kimiko Yuhi, the younger sister of Kurenai, she must navigate her new life in the Hidden Leaf Village, grappling with the disorientation of infancy and the reality of a ninja's world.

21. Chapter 21: Wildflower Chuunin Exams VI

Chapter 21: Wildflower (Chuunin Exam, Preliminaries, Part I)

Having an extra day to rest was a blessing. The tower provided beds—actual beds with mattresses—and for the first time in days, Kimiko could stretch out without the rough bark of a tree digging into her back. It was bliss. Her teammates weren't as lucky. Naruto and Sasuke were stuck in the men's barracks, crammed in with other teams, while she enjoyed the quiet of the kunoichi quarters.

That peace had to wait.

They barely had time to unpack their gear when Kimiko caught word that their sensei, Kakashi, was inside the tower, along with her sister Kurenai. Knowing Naruto and Sasuke's condition—Sasuke with the Curse Mark, Naruto with his potentially tampered with seal—Kimiko knew she couldn't afford to wait. This was a conversation that needed to happen immediately.

Which is why she found herself standing outside the Jonin Breakroom, her knuckles rapping lightly on the door.

"Come in," came Anko's voice from the other side.

She pushed the door open and was greeted by the sight of five jonin within. It was more crowded than she expected. Her eyes quickly swept over each figure.

Kakashi sat in the corner, lazily flipping through a book she recognized as Icha Icha Paradise , paying little attention to the world around him. Beside him, Might Guy was shadow-boxing with fluid but silly movements. Near the center of the room, her sister Kurenai spoke with Asuma, her eyes briefly flicking to Kimiko as she walked in. Anko Mitarashi leaned on a table near Ibiki Morino, who was as sharp-eyed as ever, his gaze locking onto her the moment she entered.

Anko arched a brow, smirking. "How can we help you, Kimiko-chan?" She grinned. "Congrats on passing the second test, by the way. Not that I'm surprised. You're Kurenai-senpai's sister, after all."

"Thank you, Anko-sama," Kimiko replied, stepping further in. She turned her attention to Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi didn't look up. He gave her a lazy wave, still reading. "Can't stay still, huh? Go ahead, I'm listening."

Her gaze flicked to Kurenai. "Actually, it'd be best if I told all of you at once."

Kakashi closed his book with a soft snap and sat up straight, his eye locked onto her. Kurenai and Asuma stopped talking. Guy lowered his fists, and even Anko stopped chewing.

They already know something's wrong.

Ibiki didn't speak. He just watched. His stare alone made her feel like she was already answering questions she hadn't even been asked.

"Go on," Kakashi said, his voice calm but serious now. "We're listening."

Kimiko swallowed the tightness in her throat. Her fingers flexed at her side. She glanced at Kurenai, her sister's eyes full of concern, and at Kakashi, who was waiting with quiet patience. Her eyes briefly flickered to Anko, then Ibiki, and that was the hardest one to meet.

She inhaled slowly and stepped forward. No backing down now.

"It's about what happened in the forest," she said, "We encountered Orochimaru."

The shift was immediate.

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. Anko's grin vanished. Kurenai pushed off the table. Guy's brows drew down, his face becoming unusually serious. Asuma lowered his cigarette. Even Ibiki tilted his head, eyes narrowing with razor focus.

They all knew. None of them were surprised.

"As you probably know by now, he attacked us about two hours after the Second Test began," Kimiko continued, her voice steady but serious. "He targeted Sasuke specifically and bit him on the neck, leaving a mark. Based on my sensory abilities, the mark constantly drains Sasuke's chakra and replaces it with something similar, if not identical, to the chakra I felt emanating from Orochimaru."

Her eyes flicked to Kakashi. "I've been doing my best to mitigate it, making sure Sasuke uses as little chakra as possible during the rest of the second test."

"I see, that's very responsible of you, Kimiko." Kakashi replied, "Anything else?"

Kimiko nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Orochimaru also tried to tamper with Naruto's seal."

That statement sent a ripple through the room. Tension spiked instantly. Kurenai's eyes widened, and Asuma's cigarette stopped halfway to his lips. Even Ibiki's gaze, which had been as steady as stone, flickered with surprise. It was only Kakashi who didn't move, but the narrowing of his visible eye said everything. That makes sense. If I remember correctly, Orochimaru told Anko about giving Sasuke the Curse Mark. No one knew what he did to Naruto's seal until Jiraiya unsealed it.

"Explain," rumbled Ibiki.

Kimiko didn't hesitate. "I believe he attempted to use something called the Five Elements Seal. I'm not well-versed in fuinjutsu, but I overheard him mention the name. He was preparing to place it on Naruto. I managed to stop him by throwing three senbon into his arm before he could complete it."

"However," she continued, "I was knocked unconscious during our confrontation with him. He may have done something to Naruto's seal while I was out. I tried to sense any changes, but I'm no sealing expert. If there's something wrong with his seal, I wouldn't be able to tell."

Kakashi's gaze lingered on her for a long moment, like he was sifting through her every word. But it was Kurenai who stepped forward, her eyes soft with concern.

"You're a genin, Kimiko," Kurenai said, "And not even a full year into it. The fact that you were able to spot the threat and intervene at all already shows your growth. And that you came here to tell us…that speaks volumes about your wisdom."

Kimiko didn't reply, but her heart eased just a bit at her sister's words.

"Is that all, then?" Kakashi asked, his voice quieter now, more serious.

"...No," Kimiko said slowly, her eyes flicking to Ibiki for half a second before focusing on the rest of the room. Her fingers flexed at her side. "Orochimaru did something to me too."

This time, she had their full attention.

Kurenai's eyes immediately sharpened. "Did he give you a curse mark too?"

"No," Kimiko said, inhaling deeply. "He bit me. Sank his fangs into my neck. I felt something being injected into me—chakra, venom, I don't know. But when I woke up, I was surrounded by a thick layer of black gunk. Impurities. It was as if something had been flushed out of me."

Her hand went to her neck on instinct, fingers tracing the spot where the bite marks used to be.

"I was the first one to wake up," she continued, her voice quieter now but no less firm. "Naruto and Sasuke were still unconscious. I had to move them to safety, especially since Orochimaru mentioned the Otogakure genin would be coming to hunt Sasuke."

Ibiki raised an eyebrow. He was the first to speak. "And you took them on by yourself?" His tone wasn't disbelieving. It was more of a test. Why does it feel like he already knows about this?

"I did," she replied simply, raising her chin. "I managed to subdue them."

"Alone," Ibiki said again, this time with a hint of curiosity.

"Alone," she confirmed, her eyes unyielding.

The silence was heavy. No one questioned her. But Ibiki leaned forward slightly, the faintest glint of interest in his eyes.

"And then?" Kakashi prompted.

Kimiko hesitated for only a second before speaking. This part will be hard. Don't falter now.

"After they were subdued, I… interrogated them," she admitted. Her gaze stayed firm, flicking briefly to Ibiki before settling on Kakashi. "Orochimaru claimed he planned to attack Konoha. I needed to confirm it. So I questioned them."

It was a lie. Orochimaru never said anything to her about attacking Konoha. But Kimiko remembered from the anime that he told Anko about doing so if the Chuunin Exams were canceled, so it wasn't an implausible claim.

Most importantly, it wasn't technically a lie. Orochimaru did plan to attack Konoha — she just knew it from the anime, not from conversation. This was the perfect opportunity to use that knowledge. No one could prove her wrong, and all the evidence would eventually prove her right.

Ibiki's voice broke the silence. "Questioned? You mean you tortured them."

There was no question in his voice. Just fact.

Kimiko inhaled deeply, her gaze locked on his. "Yes."

Ibiki didn't react. No judgment. No scorn. He just nodded once, like she'd passed a test only he understood. Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his gaze unreadable. Kurenai's face tightened, and Anko's eyes flickered with something between surprise and understanding. Asuma rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away, and Guy's eyes narrowed in quiet thought.

"Very well," Ibiki said at last. "Continue."

Kimiko's fingers twitched. This was the hardest part. Just get through it.

"During the interrogation, something… happened," she said slowly, "I noticed the wounds I'd inflicted on them started to fester. They became infected, but not like any normal infection. Their flesh started to blacken, like rot spreading from the wounds I gave them."

She flexed her fingers, her eyes drifting to her hand.

"Then I realized what it was," she continued. "It was me. "

Her hand rose slowly. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she pushed forward.

"Watch," she muttered.

Her fingers flexed one last time, and she flared her chakra. For just a second, it glowed the same way it had during the fight—a dim, eerie crimson light, like blood glowing under her skin. It pulsed once, then flickered out.

Kurenai took a step back. Her breath hitched audibly. Her face was pale.

"...This," Kimiko muttered, her hand still raised, her eyes on the fading glow. "This is the end result of the Poison Pill experiment I attempted before the Chuunin Exams. Back then, I failed." She lowered her hand. "But Orochimaru knew how to complete it."

She glanced at Kurenai. Her sister's eyes were still wide. She glanced at Kakashi, whose eye was as sharper than ever. Ibiki leaned forward just a bit more, but he did not look at all surprised.

Kimiko's gaze went to the floor. Her throat felt dry, but she kept going. Don't stop now. Finish it.

"Because of his intervention," Kimiko began, her voice steady but threaded with a subtle undercurrent of unease, "my chakra has... changed. It's no longer normal. It's toxic." She exhaled slowly, her gaze firm but guarded. "Or rather, I can now command my chakra to become toxic with little effort. I'll present my theory as to how I think it works, based on my experiments."

Her fingers flexed at her side. "Over the course of the exam, I discovered that I've also developed an immunity to poisons and venoms." Her eyes flicked to Kakashi and Ibiki, gauging their reactions carefully. "But the most significant change? I can knead my chakra to mimic the effects of toxins introduced into my system. This, combined with my immunity, means I've essentially become a living crucible for poisons." She clicked her tongue. "As long as a toxic substance has been introduced to my chakra network, I can have my chakra replicate its effect with near perfection."

She paused, scanning their faces. "For example, the rotting effect I inflicted on the two Sound-nin was likely my chakra emulating the qualities of the Poison Pill I swallowed and crafted during my earlier experiment."

Silence. Heavy, suffocating silence.

It was Ibiki who finally broke it. His voice was rough, but steady. "That lines up with what we've seen so far." He leaned forward, fingers tapping slowly against his armrest. "I sent some of my underlings to retrieve the bodies of the two Sound-nin. There wasn't much to bring back — the poison necrotized their flesh to the point of near-liquid decomposition. Whatever toxin killed them, it's not something listed in any of Konoha's poison databases."

Kimiko said nothing, but her eyes remained sharp and calculating.

Ibiki continued, "We also picked up their teammate. The one missing an arm."

Her eyes flicked to him. "Hm. He took my advice, then."

Asuna raised a brow at that. "Advice? You told him to cut off his arm?"

Kimiko's face was stone. "It was the only way he could survive. The poison was spreading too fast. I had no antidote. His arm was already useless at that point."

Kurenai's lips pressed into a firm line, and she glanced toward Kimiko with a look that was equal parts concern and something… sadder.

"Wait," Anko cut in, turning her sharp gaze on Ibiki. "You dragged a live participant out of the exam? The corpses I get, but pulling a live participant? Without even notifying me?"

Ibiki turned his head slowly to face her, his eyes flat and unreadable. "Two of his teammates were dead. By the exam's rules, that's an automatic failure. He was done. We pulled him because there was no point in letting him suffer any longer. When we found him, he'd already severed his arm with a kunai. He would have bled out if we didn't intervene. Besides, we got explicit permission from Lord Third. If Orochimaru is planning something, we need all the intel we can get."

Anko opened her mouth to argue but stopped. Her lips pressed into a hard line before she clicked her tongue and leaned back. "Tch. Fine. But I expect to be informed next time."

Ibiki gave her a slow nod, not a promise, but something close enough. "Hopefully, there won't be a next time."

"In any case," he continued, his eyes locked on Kimiko, "everything you've told us so far checks out with the intel we got from Dosu Kinuta. You did good work, Kimiko." His lips twitched in something close to a smile. "He was ripe to spill everything. You put some real fear into him, that's for sure."

Kimiko stayed silent, her eyes narrowing slightly. Something about the way Ibiki's voice shifted made her stomach twist.

"There's just one problem," Ibiki added, his eyes fixed on her now. The weight of his gaze was like a vice. He tilted his head slightly, "Dosu Kinuta mentioned something curious. Said you were asking about Konoha being attacked and about a certain name." His eyes flickered, sharper than before. "Kabuto Yakushi. "

The air in the room shifted.

Kimiko's breath hitched, but she buried it under layers of calm. Her eyes stayed steady, but her heartbeat spiked.

"That was an interesting thing to ask him," Said Ibiki. "The invasion, I understand. You claimed Orochimaru gloated about it, and we have intel that supports the possibility of an attack on Konoha. But…the other part is what doesn't make sense." His eyes bored into hers, like he could already see her answer before she even spoke.

"Why do you think Kabuto Yakushi is a spy for Orochimaru? "

Her chest tightened.

Her throat felt dry.

This was it.

Damn it.

She'd slipped. She'd been too aggressive during the interrogation. Too reckless. She'd pressed Dosu for answers about Kabuto without realizing how it would look. In hindsight, it was obvious. They had no reason to suspect Kabuto at this point. No one did. By all accounts, he was just another participant. Another ordinary genin.

But Kimiko had been desperate to use her foreknowledge. Desperate to change the future before it was too late. Too desperate.

Her fingers twitched against her thigh, her mind racing for a way out. She needed to say something now, or she'd risk everything. The interrogation, the bodies, her claim about Konoha's invasion — all of it had built her up as someone who "knew too much." They'd start asking the wrong questions.

Her gaze flicked to Kurenai, then to Kakashi. Her sister's face was tense with concern, brows furrowed. Kakashi was unreadable, his mask hiding everything but his curious gaze. Ibiki's face, however, was all business.

"Kabuto Yakushi approached us before the start of the first exam," Kimiko said, her voice calm but firm. "He was offering data cards containing information about the applicants, including supposed-to-be confidential details like skills, mission counts, and known jutsu." She paused for a moment, letting the weight of her words settle.

Ibiki's brow lifted slightly. "Mm," he grunted, his eyes sharp. "Definitely suspicious, but not necessarily a link to Orochimaru. Anything else?"

Kimiko tilted her head, her gaze steady but thoughtful. "No genin should have access to information like that, not without some serious backing. And then there's the way he acted. Kabuto claimed he failed the Chuunin Exams several times, but his composure didn't match someone who's failed that many times. If anything, he acted like someone who had already seen everything before. I noticed it right away, especially since he kept inserting himself into our team and the other rookie teams."

"Trying to ingratiate himself," Kurenai muttered, folding her arms, her eyes narrowed in thought.

"Exactly," said Kimiko. "He tried too hard to act friendly like he was supposed to be there. No normal genin behaves like that, not with his experience and the knowledge he had." Her lips pressed into a thin line. "I rebuffed him as often as I could, but he still stuck around."

Ibiki hummed, tapping a finger against his arm. "Odd behavior, but hardly definitive. Anything else?"

Kimiko's eyes flicked to him, sharp as a kunai. "Orochimaru," she said, "he mentioned during the fight that he had 'eyes everywhere.' He said he'd always know what happened with Sasuke, no matter what we did." Her gaze hardened. "I knew that had to mean spies. And considering I was already suspicious of Kabuto, it wasn't hard to connect the dots."

"Let me get this straight," Ibiki said slowly, his eyes narrowing. "You just happened to link two isolated events together? On instinct alone?" His gaze bore into her like a scalpel, his voice dry and cutting. "You must have some gut , kid."

Kimiko didn't waver. "Instincts are a shinobi's best weapon. And I trust mine."

"Is that so?" Ibiki raised a brow, clearly unconvinced.

But before he could press her further, Kurenai stepped forward, placing herself squarely between Kimiko and Ibiki. Her eyes burned with a quiet but firm intensity. "Ibiki," Kurenai said sharply, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Why is my sister — a genin — who survived Orochimaru, defended her teammates, and has been permanently marked by that monster, being interrogated like she's a criminal?" Her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. "She's a child, a survivor, not a suspect."

The room went still. Kakashi glanced at his colleagues, his lone visible eye drifting lazily toward the scene. Asuma glanced at Kurenai, tilting his head slightly, clearly interested to see where this was going.

"Interrogation is a standard procedure," Ibiki replied flatly, locking eyes with Kurenai. "We question everyone who survives a direct encounter with Orochimaru. It's not personal, it's protocol. Especially," his eyes cut toward Kimiko, "when they start throwing around accusations like 'Kabuto is a spy.' Flushing out spies and counterintelligence are my specialty, Kurenai. You know that."

"That doesn't matter." Kurenai snapped, stepping forward, her body between Kimiko and Ibiki like a lioness defending her cub. "She's given you her story. She's shared her reasoning. Unless you have proof she's lying, maybe you should focus on your actual suspects."

The air grew tense.

Ibiki's eyes lingered on Kurenai for a moment longer before he grunted, a deep, rumbling noise like distant thunder. "Hmph. Your sister's lucky to have you," he muttered. "But I'm not here to baby anyone. Even genin. If she's smart enough to accuse one of ours of being a spy, she's smart enough to back it up."

"Back it up?" Kurenai scoffed, her eyes burning with cold fury. " She just did. "

"Enough."

The voice cut through the room. Every head turned toward the entrance, and Kimiko felt her heart seize for a moment. She didn't even need to see him to know who it was. His eyes swept the room, taking in each person like he could see everything about them in a single glance.

The Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward, his long robes flowing with each measured step. His iconic hat sat atop his head, his hand resting lightly on the pipe tucked at his lips. Behind him, two masked ANBU flanked him on either side like silent shadows.

"There is no need for such debates," Hiruzen said calmly, his voice carrying the weight of finality.

The moment his words registered, every jonin in the room dropped to one knee. Heads lowered. Kimiko immediately followed suit, her heart thudding in her chest. Right… the Hokage was supposed to watch the preliminaries, she recalled, silently cursing herself for forgetting.

"Hokage-sama!" they all said in unison.

"No need for all that," Hiruzen replied gently, waving them off as his eyes settled on Kimiko. His gaze lingered, studying her with a curious, searching look. Kimiko didn't dare meet his eyes for long, but in that moment, she felt as though he could see everything — every secret, every doubt, every moment of hesitation she'd had.

With a slow exhale, Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe, the glow from the embers briefly illuminating his face. "Ibiki, you've done well securing that young man," he said, his voice steady and even. "I will undoubtedly rely on you further if these suspicions of spies within our village turn out to be true."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Ibiki replied, his head still bowed low.

Hiruzen glanced at him, then at Kurenai, before finally letting his eyes settle on Kimiko.

"But I am of the same mind as Kurenai," the Hokage said, his gaze softening as he stepped forward. "This young kunoichi has gone above and beyond. She supported her teammates, reported crucial information, and played a direct role in ensuring that one of Otogakure's ninjas is…" He paused, taking a slow drag from his pipe. His eyes grew heavy with thought. "Pliant and willing to divulge information. "

The air in the room shifted. Kurenai tilted her head, watching him carefully. Kimiko's lips parted slightly as she processed his words. "Pliant." Her heart twinged at the implication. Still, she was thankful for the intervention. Ibiki's great loyalty to the village was inviolate, and he would not dare disobey a direct order.

Hiruzen exhaled a slow stream of smoke, the smell of burning tobacco filling the room. "And in exchange, she was left with a mark far worse than any scar." His eyes grew somber, wrinkles deepening as his gaze lingered on her face. "Orochimaru twisted her very essence. Changed her in a way none of us fully understand. For that, I bear responsibility."

Kimiko's breath hitched.

He blames himself?

Her eyes darted to Kurenai, who glanced down at her with a small, quiet frown. She didn't say anything, but Kimiko saw it in her gaze. He always blames himself.

"And even if her intuition regarding Kabuto proves false," Hiruzen continued, his voice as gentle as a grandfather speaking to his grandchildren, "it's only natural for a young kunoichi to feel protective of her teammates. To see patterns where there might be none. To take a risk, even if it is born of worry."

The pipe in his hands shifted slightly.

"...But in this world, sometimes, those 'leaps in logic' are the only thing standing between life and death." His eyes locked onto Kimiko. "So I would ask you, Ibiki, and all of you here, to remember that as we move forward."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" They all repeated.

"Then we will speak no more of this business here," Hiruzen declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. His gaze shifted to Kakashi. "Kakashi, I entrust your genin team to you. Use your judgment to do what you think is best for them." He paused for a brief moment, 'Though, I will need to inspect Naruto and his seal. That, unfortunately, cannot wait."

The subtle shift in his tone sent a ripple of tension through the room, but Hiruzen's gaze was already moving. His eyes found Kimiko.

"Kimiko," he said, his voice softer now.

Kimiko straightened immediately, her spine snapping to attention as she met his gaze. She stood as still as a soldier before a general.

"You have done well," Hiruzen said, his expression shifting into something warmer, more familiar. "My late wife, Biwako, was quite fond of you as a child. I believe you were the last infant she held before her passing. You were in her care for a time at the hospital, though you were far too young to remember."

I remember it quite clearly, actually.

His eyes grew distant, his smile lined with nostalgia. "She once told me you would grow into a fine kunoichi. It seems she was right." His smile returned, soft but certain. "Do your best in the upcoming tests, Kimiko. Live up to the example set by your father and sister, and I have no doubt you will surpass it."

Her chest swelled with an unfamiliar warmth, but guilt lingered just beneath it, twisting like a thorn in her heart.

He believes in me so much... and I know what's coming for him.

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. I can't stop Orochimaru from infecting Sasuke. I doubt I can stop Konoha Crush from happening. The most I can do is save as many as I can.

Her face, however, betrayed none of this inner turmoil. She clasped one fist into an open palm and bowed deeply. "You honor me, Hokage-sama," she said with all the sincerity she could muster.

Hiruzen watched her for a moment longer, nodding with quiet pride. "Carry that strength with you, Kimiko." He adjusted his robes and turned to leave. "Now, I leave this to you to settle. I will be with Naruto shortly."

The moment the Hokage left, silence reigned. The tension that had been hidden beneath their formalities suddenly returned.

It was Kurenai who broke it.

"Kakashi, I sincerely hope you're not going to let my sister compete," she said, her voice firm and unyielding as her eyes cut toward him like daggers. "She's obviously infected with something. She should be quarantined before…" Her voice faltered, but her eyes didn't. She was a woman on a mission.

Kakashi didn't flinch. "Kurenai." he said flatly. "That's between me and her."

"What?!" Kurenai snapped, her voice sharp with incredulity. "Kakashi, you heard it from the Hokage himself. She's marked with Orochimaru's powers! Who knows what will happen to her if she keeps using that noxious chakra! We almost lost her once, and now you're telling me you're willing to risk it all over again?"

Kakashi exhaled slowly.

"Kurenai," he repeated. "Kimiko is a kunoichi of the Leaf. She is part of my genin team. She is my subordinate." His visible eye locked onto Kurenai's with quiet intensity. "I don't tell you to pull Kiba, Shino, or Hinata out of danger. I don't question your decisions as their squad leader. I trust you to guide them. So I expect you to trust me to guide her."

His tone sharpened. "Kimiko is a shinobi of the Leaf first — before she is your sister. And in battle, I am her commanding officer. Her fate is in my hands. Only she and I get to decide how to move forward."

Silence followed. Kurenai's lips pressed into a thin line. She looked like she wanted to shout, to argue, but she didn't. She knew better than to challenge Kakashi on battlefield protocol.

"I will compete," Kimiko cut in, stepping forward. "I didn't come this far just to drop out because of what Orochimaru did to me. Naruto's going to compete. Sasuke will too, and they were both touched by Orochimaru. So tell me, why should I be the only one to drop out?" Her gaze stayed locked on Kurenai, unwavering.

Her sister's mouth opened, but Kimiko raised her hand to stop her before she could even form a sentence.

"I will submit to a full medical evaluation at the hospital after the Chuunin Exams," Kimiko said, her voice firm and final. "But I will not drop out. Not now. Not after everything I've done to get this far."

Her eyes flicked from Kurenai to Kakashi, then back again.

"This power I have? It's not something Orochimaru gave me," Kimiko said, and her voice grew colder, quieter, and somehow heavier with every word. "It's the same power I've tried to build and create. I took the Poison Pill. I ate it. The only reason I failed was a lack of knowledge. Orochimaru wouldn't have been able to give me the power if I didn't create the conditions myself — he just ensured I succeeded." Her eyes locked onto Kurenai's "This is mine. I'll prove it."

Kurenai's lips parted like she was about to argue, but she stopped. Her eyes flickered toward Kakashi. For a moment, it looked like she was going to press him further. Don't let her compete, her eyes seemed to say. But he was already flipping his book back open, not even sparing her a glance.

"Fine," Kurenai muttered, biting out the word like it physically pained her. Her shoulders relaxed with a slow, shaky exhale. "But if she dies out there, Kakashi, I'm holding you responsible."

"Then I'll do what I always do," Kakashi replied without looking up from his book. His tone was flat, disinterested. But his eye, that single eye, darted toward Kimiko for just a moment. A brief, silent acknowledgment.

"I'll protect them."

Kurenai's lips pressed together, but she nodded once, eyes hard but no longer hostile.

Kimiko inhaled deeply, letting the tension bleed from her shoulders. She glanced at Kurenai, her gaze softening ever so slightly. She knew her sister only wanted to protect her, but she also knew she had to protect herself now. She wasn't the helpless girl from back then.

She was a kunoichi of the Leaf. Someone that Sasuke and Neji, both considered the prodigies of their year acknowledged.

I won't stop now.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei," Kimiko said quietly.

Kakashi's eye flicked up from his book. For a moment, she saw it. That silent pride he never spoke aloud. He didn't smile, but she knew it was there.

"Don't thank me yet," Kakashi replied. "You still have to survive the Third Exam."

Kimiko's lips curled into a grin, sharp and sure.

"I will."

---

With that weight finally lifted off her back, Kimiko decided it was time to catch up on some much-needed rest. The tower's accommodations were surprisingly respectable — actual beds, stocked rations, and even running water. Compared to the hell of the forest, it might as well have been luxury. Moments like this made her realize just how much of an advantage the early arrivals had. Rested bodies. Full stomachs. Meanwhile, the unlucky ones outside were still clawing their way through hostile terrain, fighting to survive. Only to be greeted by a one-on-one duel the moment they got there.

After eating her fill, Kimiko wandered into the public cafeteria. It wasn't too crowded, but a few familiar faces were scattered around. Her eyes landed on one of them immediately.

Sitting at one of the long cafeteria tables was Hinata. Her fingers idly toyed with the edge of a sandwich wrapper, her gaze distant and unfocused.

"Hina-chan," Kimiko called softly, walking over.

Hinata blinked as if pulled from a trance, then glanced up at her. "Kimiko-chan…" Her voice was soft as ever, but it lacked its usual warmth. When Kimiko sat down beside her, Hinata leaned in and rested her head on her shoulder.

Kimiko raised an eyebrow, pulling her closer with one arm. She's not usually this downcast.

"Everything okay, Hina-chan?"

"Yes," Hinata mumbled, but her tone told a different story. Her eyes stayed fixed on the sandwich, untouched. "I was just… thinking about something. Congratulations on passing the second test, by the way."

"Thank you, Hina-chan," Kimiko said, tilting her head to glance at her best friend. "But thinking about something, huh?" Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "I'd hope it's the upcoming Third Test… and not Naruto-kun."

Hinata's eyes shot wide, and she jolted like a startled rabbit. "K-Kimiko-chan!" she stammered, her face flushing a bright, cherry-red hue. "He might hear!" Her eyes darted left and right, scanning the room like Naruto might jump out from behind a chair.

Kimiko let out a light giggle before leaning in and placing a quick, playful kiss on Hinata's cheek. "Relax, Hina-chan. He's not even here." She grinned. "But seriously, something's bothering you, isn't it?"

Hinata glanced down at her hands, wringing her fingers together. "That obvious, huh?"

"Painfully," Kimiko said, her grin fading into something more serious. "You've never been good at hiding things from me, you know that."

A long pause followed. Hinata's eyes shifted across the room before settling on something — or rather, someone. Kimiko followed her gaze and saw Kiba sitting at a table, scratching behind Akamaru's ears. The little white pup's ears were pressed flat, his body tense like he was ready to bolt at any moment.

That's odd. Akamaru wasn't usually like that.

Hinata let out a small breath. Her eyes stayed on Kiba as she began to speak, voice soft and low, like she was afraid the air itself might hear her.

"...It happened before we got here," she said quietly. "We… we ran into another team." Her fingers tightened on the sandwich wrapper, crinkling it between her hands. "A team from… Suna."

Kimiko's breath caught. Right. Team Eight was the one who saw it happen. The Amegakure team that ran into Gaara…

Her eyes flicked back to Hinata, heart sinking at the distant, haunted look in her eyes.

"Hinata," Kimiko said softly, leaning forward. "What did you see?"

Hinata's fingers gripped the edge of the table now, her eyes downcast.

"...The boy with the gourd," she whispered, her voice shaky. "He… he killed them. All of them." She bit her lip hard, her eyes squeezed shut as if willing the memory away. "He didn't have to. The team surrendered, Kimiko. They surrendered. They dropped their scroll, they begged him to stop, but he didn't care. He…" Her breath hitched. "He crushed them."

Silence settled between them like a suffocating fog.

Kimiko's fingers tightened into fists on her lap. How would she look at me if she knew what I did to Zaku and Kin?

Her eyes flickered down to her hands, staring at her own fingers. She'd held them underwater. She'd watched them writhe, felt them weaken, and she still didn't let go.

She clenched her teeth. Don't think about that now.

Her gaze rose to meet Hinata's, and her expression softened. "...It's part of being a shinobi," Kimiko said slowly, carefully. "Sometimes, people die. Sometimes, we have to kill people." Her tone was measured, as if she were forcing herself to believe her own words.

"But it wasn't like that," Hinata said, her voice sharp for once. She shook her head, eyes wide, her gaze locking onto Kimiko like she was desperate to be understood. "You didn't see it, Kimiko-chan. You weren't there." Her voice trembled as her grip on the table grew tighter. "They surrendered. And he still killed them."

Kimiko frowned, leaning forward. "Hinata..."

Her gaze fell on Hinata's hands, which were trembling. She reached out, placing her hand gently over them, stilling their shaking. "Hinata, I... I also killed two people," Kimiko admitted, her voice lower now. "Two of the Sound-nin. I don't regret it. They would've done worse to me. To Sasuke. To Naruto. I didn't have a choice."

Her words were quiet, steady, and honest. But they carried the weight of something she wasn't telling.

Hinata's eyes widened. Her gaze darted to Kimiko's face, searching her expression like she was looking for something. "You… You killed people?"

Kimiko nodded.

"...Was it like his?" Hinata's voice was so small it was almost inaudible. Her eyes looked down, not quite able to meet Kimiko's.

Her first thought was to deny it. To say, "No, it was different." But the words caught in her throat.

Was it really that different?

Her mind flashed to the way Zaku had screamed, the way Kin's arms twitched as her muscles seized up from her poisoned senbon. She could still hear it. She could still feel it. Her breath grew shallow, her fingers twitching involuntarily.

"...No," Kimiko said finally, forcing the word out. "It wasn't like that." Her eyes lifted to meet Hinata's. She didn't blink. "They were still fighting. I didn't have a choice."

Hinata's eyes searched her face for a moment longer. Her lips pressed together in a thin line, then she nodded slowly. "...Okay," she whispered. Her fingers relaxed beneath Kimiko's hand.

Kimiko sighed softly, her grip on Hinata's hands loosening.

"I'm sorry, Hina-chan," Kimiko muttered.

Hinata shook her head, her eyes still distant. "He's… something else," she said, voice hollow. "That boy. The one with the gourd. He's not like us, Kimiko. He's not like us. "

Kimiko glanced at her best friend, at the fear in her eyes, and for a moment, she wasn't sure who Hinata was talking about anymore.

Gaara... or me? At least Gaara had a reason why he's the way he is.

The silence stretched on for a moment longer. Then, Kimiko squeezed Hinata's hand once more and smiled.

"Well, I'm still me," Kimiko said with a grin. "And no creepy gourd-wielding sand freak is gonna stop me from taking that promotion."

Hinata blinked, staring at her. Then, slowly, a small, tired smile tugged at her lips. It wasn't much, but it was something.

"...Right," Hinata murmured, her voice a little stronger now. "Of course."

"Damn right," Kimiko said, nudging her playfully with her shoulder. "Now, finish that sandwich. You're too cute to look this miserable. And after that, we'll go ahead and find Naruto. The Third Hokage should be finished with him by now."

"Huh? What did Lord Third want with Naruto?" Hinata asked, her brows furrowing with concern.

"Well, it's a long story," Kimiko replied with a sigh, rolling her shoulder. "But the gist of it is—"

"Kimiko!"

Kimiko's head snapped up at the sudden call of her name. Her eyes darted toward the source, and there, running toward her, was a familiar figure with long, red hair and square-rimmed glasses.

Oh?

Kimiko tilted her head, her brow lifting in mild surprise. "Karin?" she said just as the girl skidded to a stop in front of them, her hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

"Hi!" Karin panted, grinning as she straightened up, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Sorry. Thought I'd stop and say hello."

"Not at all," Kimiko replied, giving her a small, genuine smile. "Looks like you and your team made it through."

"Yup!" Karin said, nodding proudly. "All thanks to your generosity with that Heaven Scroll. Took me a while to track down my team, but once we linked up, we made a straight beeline for the tower." She paused, her grin widening. "Lucky us, too. Turns out someone already set off all the traps on the way there, so it was smooth sailing."

Kimiko raised an eyebrow, arms crossing over her chest. "Guess who cleared out all those traps?" she said dryly.

Karin blinked, confused at first. "Huh?" Her eyes darted toward Kimiko, realization dawning. "No way."

"Yup," Kimiko replied, shaking her head with a faint smile. "Naruto and his clone army did most of the heavy lifting, but yeah. That was us."

"Pfft." Karin's lips twitched into a grin. "You guys are crazy."

"Yeah, well, crazy gets the job done," Kimiko shot back with a playful smirk.

At that moment, Karin's gaze shifted to Hinata, her eyes squinting in curiosity like she was just noticing her. Her head tilted slightly, lips pursing.

"Oh, right," Kimiko said, gesturing between the two. "Karin, this is Hinata Hyuuga, my best friend." She placed a gentle hand on Hinata's shoulder, giving her an encouraging squeeze. "Hinata, this is Uzumaki Karin, a kunoichi from Kusagakure."

Hinata's eyes darted nervously, her hands fidgeting at her sides. "H-Hi," she said, her voice small but polite. Her eyes peeked up at Karin before flicking away just as quickly.

"Hi!" Karin chirped back, her grin easy and open. She glanced between Hinata and Kimiko, her eyes flicking between them as if connecting dots in her mind. "Your best friend helped me out a lot. Gave me their Heaven Scroll. Our jonin-sensei told us to make sure we thanked you,"

Hinata blinked, her eyes widening in surprise as she glanced at Kimiko. "Kimiko-chan… you gave her your scroll?" Her voice was tinged with disbelief, not angry but certainly confused.

Kimiko shrugged, "I stashed it there and she found it. Finders keepers," She tossed her hair across her shoulder.

"That's still…" Hinata frowned, glancing at Karin again, her eyes scanning her from head to toe like she was reassessing the redhead.

"Don't get the wrong idea," Kimiko added, her tone calm but firm. "It was an investment as much as it was charity. I wanted to make sure Karin knew what a proper teammate looked like," She gave Karin a pointed look. "And that she wouldn't forget about the people good to her."

Karin blinked, then laughed. "Heh, I like the way you think." She grinned, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Favors owed and all that. Don't worry. You need something, I'll remember." She pointed to her head, tapping it twice. "Got it stored right here."

"Good," Kimiko said simply.

Hinata glanced between them, her gaze softening as she realized what Kimiko was doing. A slow smile formed on her lips. "Kimiko-chan, you're so clever."

"Naturally," Said Kimiko, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I'm a genius strategist, after all."

The three girls giggled together, the tension that had been sitting on their shoulders for days finally lifting. It was a simple, fleeting moment, but it was real. For the first time since the exam started, Kimiko felt like she could breathe. No traps. No ambushes. No enemies lurking in the shadows. Just warmth, laughter, and the easy company of friends.

The rest of the afternoon passed like that—lighthearted conversation, shared meals, and quiet moments of reprieve. It was the first time Kimiko had truly enjoyed herself since the exam began. No pressure, no blood-soaked battles, and no fear that an enemy genin might slit her throat in her sleep. Just peace. It was enough to restore her spirit, to remind her that they were still kids, even if the world expected them to be soldiers.

At one point, Kimiko nudged Hinata, whispering something into her ear. Hinata's face flushed pink, but after some coaxing and a gentle push, she finally worked up the nerve to approach Naruto. Kimiko watched with a soft smile as Hinata hesitantly sat beside him, her fingers nervously tapping her lap. Naruto blinked, surprised at first, but his face broke into one of those big, bright grins that could outshine the sun.

It was sweet to watch. Much sweeter than in the anime. Kimiko felt a quiet sense of pride. Huh, they seem to be much closer than they were in the anime at this point. she thought. No more waiting around for years. If Hinata makes her move now, they'll get closer earlier than canon ever allowed.

Karin leaned in close, nudging Kimiko with her elbow. "Matchmaker, huh?" she teased, lips curling into a sly grin.

"Of course," Kimiko said, resting her chin on her palm. "I'm a genius strategist, remember?"

Karin snickered. "Still, I'm surprised Sasuke hasn't come by yet. I was hoping to see him…" Her voice trailed off, eyes shifting toward the entrance to the cafeteria, as if willing him to appear.

Kimiko raised a brow, giving her a knowing look. "Missing my teammate, huh?"

"W-What?!" Karin's face turned a little red, but she folded her arms with a huff. "Don't get it twisted! I just… wanted to thank him properly for helping me, that's all."

"Mmhm," Kimiko hummed with a sly smirk. "Sure you did."

Karin clicked her tongue, puffing her cheeks in frustration. "I'm serious!"

"Sure, sure," Kimiko said, waving her off with a grin that said she didn't believe a word of it.

But in truth, Sasuke hadn't shown up for a while. Knowing him, he's probably off brooding somewhere, or speaking with Kakashi about his…situation. Kimiko thought to herself. He'll show up when he's ready. He always does.

For now, she decided not to worry. It was nice, just being able to sit, laugh, and feel like a person again. No shadows looming over her. No cursed marks to worry about. Just her, Hinata, and Karin.

---

On the fifth day, they were summoned by a group of chuunin to gather in the tower's central chamber. It was a room Kimiko recognized from the anime — the place where the preliminaries would be held. The space was massive, with a second-floor balcony lined with railings that allowed spectators to watch the fights from above. Below them was a large, open arena where the battles would be fought, framed by two large, stone hands forming a seal.

At the very front of the room stood the Hokage himself, his presence commanding attention with every glance. To his immediate right was Anko, her signature grin sharper than ever, and to his left was Ibiki, his face as unreadable as stone. Next to Anko stood her Hayate-senpai, though he looked far more sickly than the last time Kimiko had seen him. His sunken eyes and gaunt features made her frown with concern. On Ibiki's side was Iruka-sensei, his face far more approachable but just as serious.

Directly behind the Hokage stood the jonin sensei of the remaining teams. Her sister Kurenai was directly behind him, her face stoic but proud. To Kurenai's right was Might Guy, his hands on his hips. Then came Kakashi, looking muted, but his visible eye clearly watching them. Finally, Asuma was there, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

On the opposite side of the Hokage were the foreign jonin. Baki, the Suna jonin, stood with his usual calm, sharp-eyed demeanor. Next to him was the Grass-nin's jonin, a pale, emaciated-looking woman who seemed too fragile to even be there. But Kimiko knew better than to underestimate anyone based on appearance.

Her gaze swept across the room. No Sound-nin made it to the finals. That meant Orochimaru wouldn't be able to disguise himself as their jonin sensei. He wouldn't have the opportunity to watch Sasuke fight directly. That was one small victory.

Anko's voice rang out, crisp and commanding thanks to the lapel microphone she wore. "Alright, listen up! The final team has just passed through the tower doors. Give them space."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd as eyes turned toward the large double doors at the back of the room. Slowly, they creaked open, and three figures walked in.

Kimiko's eyes immediately narrowed.

Her gaze locked onto the familiar silver hair and circular glasses of Kabuto Yakushi. Behind him were his two teammates, both masked Konoha-nin. One wore rounded black goggles over his face, and the other kept his hood up so far it was impossible to make out his features.

Kabuto's eyes scanned the room, moving from face to face with that same calm, analytical look she remembered from the anime. But when his gaze met hers, the subtle shift in his expression was unmistakable.

Irritation.

A brief flash of annoyance flickered across his face, as if she were the single thorn in his side that he had to endure.

Kimiko tilted her head ever so slightly. Then, as slowly and sweetly as she could, she smiled at him.

A smile so saccharine it could rot teeth.

Kabuto's brow twitched, his eyes narrowing just a fraction before he looked away, his face a mask of neutrality once more.

Got you, she thought, satisfaction curling in her chest. You see me, and you don't like it. Good.

She glanced at the jonin behind the Hokage, her eyes landing on Kakashi. He hadn't missed the exchange between her and Kabuto. His visible eye crinkled in amusement as he gave her a small, knowing nod. And she saw even Ibiki's lips curl in a slight grin.

The moment Kabuto and his teammates slipped into the crowd, Kimiko tapped Naruto and Sasuke on the shoulders from behind.

"You two good? What happened yesterday?" she asked, leaning in close so only they could hear. Her gaze flicked toward Sasuke. "I couldn't catch a glimpse of you, Sasuke. And I heard the Third Hokage called you in for something, Naruto."

Naruto and Sasuke both glanced over their shoulders, giving her the same flat, unimpressed look.

"Stop lying, Kimiko-chan," Naruto said, but there was no bite in his tone. His grin was lopsided, eyes squinting with good-natured amusement. "We know you told the jonin-senseis everything. It's fine." He flashed her a grin that only widened when Sasuke scoffed under his breath.

"Anyway," Naruto continued, rocking back on his heels, "the Old Man came to the barracks and told me to lift my shirt. I called him a perv, which made Kiba laugh and embarrassed him, but eventually, I did it. Then he told me to knead my chakra. After that, he did something to my stomach."

Ah, right. Naruto doesn't know much about the Nine-Tails yet, Kimiko thought, keeping her face carefully neutral.

"I'm not sure why, but I feel a lot better now," Naruto admitted, his grin growing softer. "Like a weight got lifted off my shoulders. Anyway, he told me to thank you. I told him I'm always thankful to have you as a teammate." His grin turned toothy.

Kimiko's heart warmed despite herself. "Aww," she teased, batting her lashes dramatically. "That's sweet, Naruto."

Then she turned her attention to Sasuke. "And you? What about your... bruise?" Her voice dropped to a quieter, more serious tone.

Sasuke eyed her carefully, as if considering how much to say. Then, with a shrug, he answered, "It's fine, Kimiko. I already told Naruto about the mark Orochimaru gave me."

Kimiko blinked, caught off guard. Huh. That was new. In the anime, Sasuke asked Sakura to keep it a secret from Naruto. Said he didn't want him to worry or throw off their teamwork. But this Sasuke…

Her eyes darted between them. He's close enough with Naruto that he's willing to confide in him. No secrecy. No clamping down on his emotions. So far, so good.

"Anyway," Sasuke added, his tone flat as usual but not unkind, "Kakashi told me to rest and not exert myself. Said he'd pull me out of the exam if the mark starts spreading again, even if it's in the middle of a fight."

"Hm," Kimiko hummed, letting that sink in. At least they know about it now. "Well, I'm glad you're both okay." She glanced past them, spotting Anko stepping forward with a sharp grin that could cut through steel. "Looks like Anko's about to make her announcement."

"Congratulations to you all!" boomed Anko, her voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the murmuring crowd like a kunai through paper. "On passing the second exam!"

Her sharp eyes scanned the room, pausing briefly on familiar faces. "Now, Hokage-sama himself will explain the Third Exam. Listen carefully and take every word to heart!"

Her voice echoed off the stone walls as she turned toward the center, eyes locked on the elderly man approaching with quiet authority. "They're all yours, Hokage-sama." She bowed her head respectfully and stepped back with a practiced grace, arms folded.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward, pipe in hand, his robes shifting with the weight of his presence. His gaze swept over each and every genin, his eyes quiet but commanding.

"Very well," he began, his voice calm but firm, like a teacher addressing a room of restless students. "The Third Examination is about to commence. But before I go into the specifics of how it will be conducted..." He took a slow draw from his pipe, exhaling a thin stream of smoke that curled around his face like a drifting veil. His eyes sharpened. "...let me make one thing perfectly clear regarding the true purpose of these exams."

He allowed a pause to settle in, letting the weight of his words fall on them like a stone dropped in still water.

"Why do you suppose an examination of this nature is conducted jointly by all the villages in our so-called 'mutual alliance'?" His eyes moved slowly across the room, his gaze as heavy as his words.

No one answered, but the air grew heavier.

"'To promote friendship among allied nations and raise the standards of what it means to be a shinobi,'" Hiruzen quoted, his tone laced with quiet cynicism. "That's what they say." He glanced meaningfully at the foreign jonin watching from the sides, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

He took another puff of his pipe. This time, his gaze locked onto the genin below.

"But let me be very clear on what this fine phrase actually means." His words were sharper now, like a blade slowly being unsheathed. "This examination is, in truth, nothing more than a controlled, small-scale war between all of our allied villages."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap.

The genin exchanged confused glances, their eyes darting between each other as they tried to process what had just been said. "War?" some of them whispered, faces scrunched in disbelief. Others frowned, their eyes narrowing in thought.

The jonin were less reactive, their expressions calm and unreadable—though a few of the foreign jonin stiffened. The weight of Hiruzen's words wasn't lost on them. "A war, huh…" one of them muttered under his breath.

But Hiruzen did not slow. His eyes remained fixed on the genin, unblinking and sharp.

"If you were to study our recent history, if you were to consult a map, you would see the truth for yourselves." His voice grew colder now, with the chill of wisdom that only comes with age. "Our so-called 'alliance' is, in reality, nothing more than a temporary, mutually beneficial agreement between a group of geographically connected lands."

Another pause. Another pull from his pipe. Smoke drifted lazily into the air. His eyes never left them.

"But it wasn't always this way," he continued, his voice quieter but somehow more forceful. "For generations, these same lands were locked in constant strife, ceaselessly jockeying for power. Resources were fought over, stolen, depleted, only to fuel the next conflict. Battle after battle, generation after generation, shinobi fought and died on foreign soil, never knowing peace. Entire clans were extinguished in the name of conquest and dominance."

His gaze shifted from one genin to the next. No one dared look away.

"And yet, when the destruction of war reached its peak, we found another way." He paused for effect, letting his words hang in the stillness.

"The Chuunin Exams."

"THAT'S THE STUPIDEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD!" Naruto's voice thundered, cutting through the silence like a kunai through cloth. "I THOUGHT THE PURPOSE WAS TO SELECT CHUUNIN!" His fists were clenched at his sides, and his glare was as fierce as ever.

Unbothered, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an eyebrow, his calm gaze steady as ever. "Make no mistake," he said, his tone unwavering and firm. "When the exam is over, it will have achieved the side effect of winnowing out applicants unfit to be Chuunin. But most importantly..." His lips curled into a faint, almost mischievous smile. "...it serves as an arena where, for the honor of their respective homelands..." He paused for effect, his eyes sharp as ever.

"...young shinobi may fight to the death if need be."

The room froze.

Gasps rippled through the crowd of genin. Naruto's face twisted in shock, his mouth opening as if to protest, but no words came out.

"This examination," Hiruzen continued, his voice louder now, "will be conducted under the watchful eyes of distinguished guests, including daimyos and nobility from the various lands you all aspire to serve. Among these guests are the rulers of each country's own Hidden Ninja Villages." He exhaled softly, the smoke of his pipe curling like a specter above him. "They will be watching you."

His eyes scanned the room slowly, locking briefly with each genin before moving on.

"If any one village's applicants demonstrate outstanding skill and superiority, then noblemen from every land will be quick to commission work from that village. But conversely, if a village's applicants are shown to be feeble or incompetent..." His eyes lingered on a few genin, specifically, the Kusagakure genin. The only genins left who weren't from major villages."...then commissions to that village will dwindle."

Kimiko's eyes flickered to Karin and her teammates. Karin didn't seem offended at all. Then again, she never considered herself part of her village, refugee and all.

How ironic, she thought. That's the exact reason why Sunagakure is helping Orochimaru invade the Leaf. She glanced toward Gaara, the red-haired Suna genin who radiated killing intent even when he wasn't trying. They're doing it to protect their economy, their pride, their honor...

Hiruzen's voice echoed again, drawing her attention.

"When one village becomes strong in battle, and their coffers fill with riches, that village can tell its neighbors to beware." His eyes narrowed, his voice growing colder. "Because that village now wields supreme political power, military prowess, and wealth."

"SO!" Kiba barked, his arms raised in frustration. "Why do we have to stake our lives just to fight each other? What's the point of that?!" His voice was brash, and his fangs were bared in irritation.

Hiruzen's gaze shifted to him, calm but stern, like a father dealing with a rowdy child.

"The strength of a country is derived from the strength of its ninja village," he said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority. "And the village draws strength from the shinobi who live within its walls."

He gestured to the crowd with a slow, deliberate motion. "And the true strength of those shinobi... only emerges in a life-or-death battle."

A tense stillness hung over the crowd.

"This exam provides a public arena for each country to showcase and boast the strength of its warriors. And by extension, the strength of the country itself."

Kimiko's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowing in thought. No wonder shinobi are so revered. They're literally living weapons. Symbols of their village's strength. Her gaze shifted to Naruto, then to Sasuke.

"This test," Hiruzen continued, his voice heavy with gravity, "has great meaning and far-reaching consequences. As you struggle, fighting for your lives and the dignity of your people, you help fulfill the dream envisioned by our ancestors."

Kimiko's eyes twitched. Dream, huh?

"I'm pretty sure the Tobirama-dono never dreamed of us fighting to the death in an exam," she muttered under her breath, arms folded. Her gaze shifted toward the floor. It's literally the opposite of why he and his brother founded the village.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice nearby.

"But..." It was Tenten, standing nearby with her brow furrowed, eyes full of doubt. "You always emphasized the concept of friendship. Why?" Her voice wasn't challenging, but it was curious—genuine.

Hiruzen sighed softly, his eyes closed for a brief moment. When he opened them again, they seemed just a bit sadder.

"Though my meaning may be subtle, I choose my words with care," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "To preserve the balance of power at the risk of lives... that, too, is the essence of friendship in the shinobi world."

Kimiko's breath hitched. She frowned deeply, her eyes narrowing. I don't agree with that at all. She knew, more than most, that war was the failure of diplomacy. But here, it felt like diplomacy had never even been attempted. This wasn't friendship. This was leverage disguised as friendship.

Hiruzen's gaze swept over them one last time, his voice growing sharper. "Let me reiterate before the Third Exam begins." His tone was like thunder. "This is no ordinary test. You risk not only your future and your dreams, but also the dignity and prestige of your home village."

There was silence for a moment, then...

"NOW I GET IT!" Naruto barked, his arms crossed, face tense but understanding. His usual cluelessness had vanished, replaced with a sharp determination. "It's all about showing off our power, huh? Fine! I'll make 'em watch me!"

"Whatever," Gaara muttered flatly, his tone as hollow as ever. He glanced up at Hiruzen, his teal eyes like glass. "Could you wrap up the philosophy talk and get to the part where we fight?"

A few genin flinched at his tone, clearly unnerved.

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, but his lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. "So, you insist I explain the Third Exam, do you?"

Suddenly, a blur of motion.

There was a flash of blue-gray, a sharp gust of wind, and her senpai, Hayate appeared, dropping to one knee in front of Hiruzen. His arrival was as quiet as it was sudden, the only sound the soft click of his sandals touching stone.

His head was bowed, his arm resting on his raised knee, his breathing quiet but shallow.

"Hokage-sama," he said, his voice hoarse but clear. His tone carried the weight of quiet dignity. "If you don't mind, I, Hayate Gekko, Proctor of the Third Exam, would like to handle the proceedings from here."

He raised his head, sharp brown eyes peeking out from behind messy hair. His gaze swept across the room, sharp but measured.

Hiruzen nodded, stepping back slowly, pipe still in hand. "Very well, Hayate. They're all yours."

"Good to meet you, everyone. My name is Hayate," said Hayate Gekko, his hoarse voice low but firm. His sunken eyes scanned the group with quiet intensity.

"Before we start the exam, I must ask you to do something for me," he continued. But before he could say more, a harsh, wracking cough overtook him. It was louder than Kimiko ever remembered it being. She watched as his shoulders shook with each rasping breath, his body trembling from the effort.

A small frown tugged at Kimiko's lips.

His illness is getting worse, she thought grimly, her gaze fixed on him. If it doesn't get treated soon, he might be forced into early retirement.

Her eyes flicked sideways, landing on the Suna jonin, Baki, who stood nearby, his face as stoic and unreadable as ever. Or... maybe it won't be retirement that takes him.

Her frown deepened before she shifted her gaze back to Hayate. Not if I have something to say about it.

After a moment, Hayate straightened, one hand on his chest as he caught his breath.

"You see..." he said, voice strained but clear, "there are some preliminaries for the Third Exam. And whether you proceed to the main event depends on how you manage them."

A ripple of confusion spread through the room, and several genin glanced at each other. It was Shikamaru who finally voiced the question on everyone's mind.

"Preliminaries?" he muttered, his brow raised as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Why can't all of us just go straight to the next exam, Hayate-sama?"

There was a brief pause as Hayate gazed at him with a tired but patient look.

"...I'm not saying the first two exams weren't demanding," Hayate admitted, his voice growing raspier. He coughed once more, raising a hand to cover his mouth before continuing. "But the truth is, we have too many applicants."

Another pause. His eyes scanned the room, ensuring every genin was paying attention.

"Under the traditional rules of the exam, we're required to reduce the number of participants before the third exam begins. That's where the preliminaries come in."

Several genin frowned, frustration flickering across their faces.

"But...Hayate-senpai, I don't understand…" It was Karin this time, her voice barely above a mutter, her brows knitted together. Her confusion mirrored the growing unease in the room.

But Hayate didn't slow down. "As Hokage-sama mentioned earlier, this third exam will be observed by an audience of honored guests—daimyos, noble lords, and leaders from other villages." His voice grew sharper, his gaze moving steadily across the faces of the genin. "These guests aren't here to watch a slow, drawn-out tournament. The exam must be intense, tight, and fast-paced."

He let those words linger.

"So, now that you understand, I'll give you a chance," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly, his tone taking on a more serious edge. "If you don't feel up to the challenge—whether physically or mentally—then step forward. One step is all it takes to withdraw." His gaze swept across the room, his eyes lingering on certain genin just long enough to make them shift uncomfortably.

Another pause.

"Because the preliminaries start now."

The shift in the room was immediate. The weight of his words fell on them like a dropped anvil. Every genin tensed. Wide-eyed glances were exchanged, fists tightened, and breaths grew shallow.

"NOW?!" roared Kiba, his voice booming as his eyes darted toward Hayate. His body jolted forward, his face twisted in disbelief. "They want us to fight RIGHT NOW?! Are they serious?! We just got out of the Forest of Death!"

"You've had days to rest," It was Shino who replied, giving him a side glance.

Kimiko remained still, watching as the tension swirled in the air. Her eyes flicked to Kiba, then Shikamaru, then to Baki, whose gaze hadn't shifted a millimeter.

No rest. No mercy. Typical. Well, I'm likely not afforded the luxury of showing any mercy to my opponent too.

"Well, I'm outta here," said Kabuto, raising his hand lazily as he turned toward the exit. Unlike in the anime, however, Naruto didn't react. He didn't shout at him and ask why he quit. This time, Naruto didn't even look at him.

Hayate glanced up from his clipboard, his sunken eyes flicking to Kabuto with mild disinterest.

"Aren't you Yakushi Kabuto of Konoha?" he asked, his raspy voice cutting through the murmuring crowd. When Kabuto gave a simple nod, Hayate scratched something onto his clipboard. "Alright, you're free to go."

He sighed, taking a moment to adjust his posture. His gaze scanned the genin in front of him, his shoulders rising and falling with a tired breath.

"I almost forgot to mention," Hayate said, "From this point on, you will fight as individuals—not as members of your teams. This means you are free to make the best decision for yourself without worrying about anyone else." His eyes swept across the genin. "If you think you're too injured, too tired, or too scared, then step forward now."

He raised his hand, gesturing to the space in front of him. "Show of hands. Anyone else want to withdraw?"

Silence.

Not a single hand went up.

Kimiko's eyes shifted from Kabuto, watching his back as he quietly walked away, his footsteps echoing against the cold stone floor. Her gaze flicked past him and landed on Anko. The older kunoichi looked pensive, one hand holding a clipboard of her own. Her eyes, however, weren't on the genin. They were on Hiruzen.

They're talking about something. Kimiko's eyes narrowed as she followed Anko's gaze. Ibiki was paying attention too, his eyes tracking the movements between Anko and Hiruzen.

Her attention shifted again when she saw Sasuke wince, his hand snapping up to clutch at his neck—the exact spot where the cursed mark had been placed. His eyes squeezed shut for a second, his breathing sharp. Kimiko frowned, her heart tensing in her chest. Without a word, she reached out, her fingers slipping into his hand. She squeezed.

Sasuke's head turned slightly, his sharp black eyes glancing at her before his expression smoothed over. His hand squeezed hers back once—quick, firm, steady.

Naruto noticed too. He took one step closer, his eyes flicking from Sasuke's hand to his face, his brow furrowed with concern. "Sasuke, you okay?" he asked, his tone uncharacteristically quiet.

Sasuke straightened, yanking his hand away from his neck as if it burned him. His eyes shifted to Naruto, sharp and guarded.

"I'm fine," he muttered, his voice cold but controlled. He rolled his shoulders, exhaling through his nose like he was forcing himself to relax. "It'll be fine."

"I'm not gonna tell you to quit," Kimiko said flatly, crossing her arms. "Because I know you won't. But don't take any unnecessary risks."

Sasuke scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. "Tch, I know." His eyes darted towards Neji, then Lee and Gaara. "To be honest, I don't care if I become a Chuunin or not. That's not why I'm here." His smirk grew sharper. "I'm here to test myself against the best of the best. And right now, the best opponents I could ever hope for are all gathered right here."

Kimiko glanced around the room, seeing his logic. He's not wrong. I can sympathize.

She nodded, lips quirking into a faint smile. "Fair enough."

"Stop acting cool, idiot," Naruto huffed, his arms crossed in front of his chest. "Kimiko-chan and I are just worried about you, that's all."

For a moment, Sasuke didn't respond. His eyes lingered on Naruto, searching for something.

Then, slowly, his lips parted. "Naruto..." His voice was steady, quiet, and serious. "You're one of the people I want to fight."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, his arms slowly falling to his sides. "Huh?"

Sasuke's gaze didn't falter, his eyes locked on Naruto's face with quiet resolve. "When I said I wanted to face the best... you're one of them."

Naruto blinked, his face stunned like he'd just been hit in the chest. For a second, he didn't say anything at all.

Then Sasuke turned his gaze to Kimiko, eyes sharp, serious, and focused.

"You too, Kimiko." His tone didn't change, but there was something warmer in it. "I want to face the strongest kunoichi of our year. The one who never backs down. My oldest friend... and my oldest rival."

Kimiko froze.

He really said that.

She wasn't sure whether to smile, scoff, or punch him. Maybe all three.

Her gaze softened. "You better be ready, then," she muttered. "I'm not going easy on you just because you're sentimental today."

Sasuke's smirk widened into a grin. "I'd be insulted if you did."

"So..." Hayate's voice echoed through the room again, drawing everyone's attention. "Looks like no one else is bailing out." He glanced at his clipboard and tapped it with his pen. "We'll begin the preliminaries."

All eyes were on him now. The mood shifted from confusion to tension.

"The preliminaries will consist of individual combat matches, structured like the final tournament itself," Hayate explained, "There are twenty of you remaining, so we will hold ten bouts. The victors of each bout will advance to the Third Exam."

Another ripple of unease swept through the genin. The reality of what was coming had fully set in.

"These matches are no-holds-barred," Hayate added, "You fight until one of you is dead, unconscious, or admits defeat." His gaze lingered on a few of the genin. "So, if you feel your opponent is overwhelming you, concede immediately. If you value your life, don't hesitate."

His eyes locked on Kimiko for a second too long. Then they shifted to Kurenai, who had her arms crossed, a frown on her lips.

Kimiko's brows drew together, her frown deepening. I don't need you two hovering over me. She glanced toward Kurenai but didn't hold her gaze for long.

"However," Hayate continued, his voice growing heavier, "since we're not looking for a full-blown massacre, there may be cases where the proctors will step in to declare a winner." His gaze hardened as he swept his eyes across the room. "But don't count on that."

He lowered his clipboard, his fingers tapping against it softly.

"From this point forward, your fate is in the hands of this." He turned, pointing toward the wall. With a deep clunk , the stone shifted, and a section of the wall slid away, revealing a large electronic scoreboard. Numbers and names flickered across its surface as it lit up.

All eyes locked onto the board.

"This board will display the names of the two combatants for each match," Hayate explained, turning back to them. "When the names appear, those two fighters will step forward and prepare to battle."

He let that sink in for a moment. The silence was tense, sharp, and buzzing with unspoken anxiety.

Hayate raised his gaze once more. His eyes were sharp despite his exhaustion. "Not to rush you all to the slaughter..." His lips curled into a faint, tired smirk. "...but let's get started."

The board lit up.

The first two names appeared.

"UCHIHA SASUKE VS AKADO YOROI."

Murmurs spread through the room, low whispers darting between the genin as all eyes shifted toward the scoreboard. The tension was palpable.

At the edge of the room, Anko suddenly moved with purpose, marching straight toward Kakashi. Her stride was sharp and fast, her face set with hard lines. She jabbed a finger at him, her other hand clutching her own cursed mark. Her eyes flickered toward Sasuke, her lips moving quickly as she gestured animatedly toward the boy.

Kakashi stood as still as stone, his hands in his pockets, his lone visible eye watching her with calm detachment. When she was done, he shook his head slowly, not a word spoken.

Kimiko watched carefully.

Her gaze followed the exchange as Kakashi and Anko both turned to face Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. The old man didn't move right away. He exhaled a slow stream of smoke from his pipe, his eyes half-lidded but alert. After a moment, he shook his head.

Kimiko caught the shift in Anko's posture immediately. Her shoulders rose, her fists clenching tight at her sides, her jaw flexing like she was about to snap her teeth together. Her eyes darted to the side, away from them, lips pressed into a thin, frustrated line.

Kimiko's eyes narrowed. They're talking about Sasuke's curse mark. It's obvious.

Hayate's voice broke the tension.

"Will the individuals whose names are listed on the board please come forward." He raised his hands, his voice as hoarse as ever but clear enough to cut through the hum of conversation.

Two figures stepped forward from opposite sides of the room.

The first was one of Kabuto's teammates—the one with circular dark glasses and a mask covering the lower half of his face. His movements were slow but deliberate, like he had all the time in the world.

The second was Uchiha Sasuke, his steps firm, steady, and unbothered. His eyes were calm, but his body was tense, ready.

Hayate glanced at his clipboard, scanning it briefly. "Yoroi Akado. Uchiha Sasuke. You two have been selected for the first battle." His gaze shifted up from the clipboard to meet their eyes. "Any objections?"

"No," they both said in unison, their voices steady and sharp.

Kimiko watched them both. Sasuke's gaze never wavered.

Hayate nodded, satisfied. "Everyone other than the two combatants, please move to the upper gallery." He raised his arm, pointing to the upper viewing platform that overlooked the battle floor. "Clear the floor."

The genin began moving immediately, their footsteps shuffling softly against the stone as they made their way up the stairs. There was a quiet buzz of conversation—whispers about Sasuke, Yoroi, and predictions on how the fight would play out.

But Kimiko didn't move.

Neither did Naruto.

Her eyes were still on Sasuke, who had taken a step back, glancing in their direction. Their gazes met, and for a second, it felt like they were the only three people in the room.

"Good luck," Kimiko said, her voice quiet but firm. Her eyes softened slightly, her gaze steady and sure. "You got this."

Sasuke's lips quirked up at the corner, but he didn't say anything. He didn't need to.

A moment later, the sound of rushing footsteps caught Kimiko's attention.

"Oi! Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto's voice rang out loud and clear, and sure enough, Kakashi was already walking toward them, his hands still deep in his pockets.

"We already talked about this," Kakashi said, stopping in front of them. His visible eye fixed on Sasuke, "No using the Sharingan. And if you lose control of that curse mark, the Hokage will end the match. And I won't be able to stop it."

He didn't say it with anger or warning. Just fact.

His hand reached out and patted Sasuke's shoulder, the weight of it lingering for a second longer than usual.

Kimiko saw Sasuke's eyes narrow, but he didn't say anything. His lips pressed into a hard line.

Satisfied, Kakashi turned toward Kimiko and Naruto, his expression lightening just a bit. He reached out, placing one hand on Kimiko's head and the other on Naruto's.

"Come on, you two." His tone was quieter now, more like an older brother than a sensei. "Let's head up and let Sasuke have his fight."

He gave them both a small but firm push toward the stairs.

The moment they reached the gallery, Kimiko's hands gripped the railing, her fingers curling tightly against the cold metal as she leaned forward. Her eyes were locked on Sasuke and Yoroi, the two shinobi squaring off below. Beside her, Naruto crouched, his eyes just as sharp and focused. His fingers drummed lightly on his knee as he watched the two opponents with rapt attention.

"Alright," said Hayate, voice carrying clearly across the arena. "Begin."

The first exchange was immediate.

A volley of shuriken flew through the air, thrown by both Sasuke and Yoroi. The blades clashed in the air with a series of sharp clangs, deflecting each other in mid-flight. Both shinobi jumped back, creating distance.

Sasuke's landing was rough. His face twisted into a grimace, one hand clutching his neck. Kimiko's eyes narrowed.

"That curse mark is making this otherwise easy fight difficult," she muttered, her gaze tightening as she tracked every movement.

Behind her, she heard Kakashi hum softly in agreement.

"Sasuke could have ended the fight five different ways from that first exchange alone," Kimiko added, her eyes never leaving the arena. "Yoroi's slower. He's not on Sasuke's level, not by a long shot. But…" Her voice trailed off, her eyes narrowing further. "...the curse mark is like a tumor."

Below, Yoroi pressed the advantage. Seeing Sasuke in pain, he dashed forward with a burst of speed. Kimiko's eyes flicked to Sasuke. He was down on one knee, his face tense with pain, his body rigid.

"Move, Sasuke," she muttered under her breath, her eyes sharp with urgency.

Yoroi's shadow loomed over Sasuke, his arm raised high, ready to strike. He brought his fist down like a hammer, aiming for Sasuke's head.

But Sasuke rolled—smooth and fast—just as Yoroi's fist smashed into the ground, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the stone floor.

Kimiko's lips twitched. He's still got his instincts.

In one fluid motion, Sasuke planted a kunai into the ground, using it as an anchor to stabilize himself. His legs coiled, and with a sudden twist of his hips, he spun sideways, one leg snapping out in a low, sweeping kick. His foot crashed into Yoroi's shin, hard enough to force him off balance.

As Yoroi stumbled forward, Sasuke moved like water. His free leg rose sharply, his foot striking Yoroi in the face with a brutal snap, forcing him to flip backward. Yoroi hit the ground hard, his body sliding back a few feet.

But Sasuke didn't stop there. He followed through.

In a flash, Sasuke grabbed Yoroi's arm, his legs snapping into position. One leg coiled around Yoroi's chest, the other braced near his neck. His hands gripped Yoroi's wrist and elbow, yanking his arm straight and locking it in place.

"He did it!" Naruto's voice exploded from beside her, eyes wide with excitement. "He's got him in an armbar! It's over!"

Kimiko didn't smile. Her eyes were locked on Yoroi.

"No," she said flatly, her eyes narrowing. "This is where it gets worse."

She could feel their stares shift to her—Naruto and Kakashi both glancing her way. She could tell without even looking at them.

"Look at Yoroi's arm," she explained, voice sharp but calm. "He's siphoning Sasuke's chakra. I can feel it from here." Her gaze flicked to the faint glow surrounding Yoroi's hand. "And paired with the curse mark draining him too…" She exhaled slowly, lips pressed into a thin line. "This is one of the worst possible matchups for Sasuke."

Evidently so.

On the arena floor, Sasuke's grip faltered. His hands twitched, his hold on Yoroi's arm loosening as if his strength had been leeched from him.

Yoroi took full advantage. He raised his free arm, his elbow cocked back. With a grunt of effort, he drove it down toward Sasuke's body.

Kimiko tensed. Move, Sasuke.

But just before the elbow could connect, Sasuke flickered.

A burst of speed and static—a faint, flickering afterimage where he'd been. He reappeared on the other side of the arena, crouched low, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. His eyes darted to Yoroi, still sharp but visibly strained.

"He's running out of time," Kimiko muttered, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"He can't use much ninjutsu," she continued, her eyes flicking to the mark on Sasuke's neck. "If he does, the curse mark spreads. That means he has to rely on taijutsu alone."

Naruto shifted beside her, gripping the railing. "Come on, Sasuke," he muttered, eyes focused like a hawk. "You can do this."

But Yoroi wasn't going to wait.

He was already back on his feet, his right hand glowing with chakra siphoning energy. He charged toward Sasuke, each step growing faster.

Kimiko's eyes narrowed. She saw it before it happened.

Sasuke's fingers twitched. His hand flicked, his fingers spinning a kunai into a reverse grip. His knees bent, his entire frame coiling like a loaded spring.

"Here it comes," she muttered.

Yoroi lunged forward. His hand shot out, reaching to grab Sasuke's head—

—But Sasuke ducked low, his body snapping forward with the speed of a thunderclap.

A flash of steel.

Sasuke surged past him, his swing precise and deliberate. The kunai sliced cleanly across Yoroi's chest, leaving a deep, diagonal slash. Blood sprayed in a harsh arc, some of it catching the ground beneath them.

Sasuke's momentum carried him forward, his body twisting mid-air before landing in a low crouch, his back to Yoroi. His arm was still extended to his side, kunai in hand. Blood dripped from the tip of the blade.

"Uchiha Style Kenjutsu: Twin Moons." His voice was quiet but firm.

The entire room went still. Even Yoroi was frozen for a second, his body stiff with shock. Blood dripped from the fresh gash across his chest.

Kimiko's gaze flattened. She let out a long, slow breath through her nose.

"Or," she muttered dryly, "he could steal one of my moves and use it." Her eyes remained on Sasuke, her lips curving into a lopsided frown. "That's also an option."

Behind her, she heard Kakashi chuckle, soft and amused.

But it wasn't over.

Yoroi's face twisted with pain, but also with rage. His teeth bared as he staggered back, one hand clutching at the bleeding gash on his chest. His eyes blazed with indignation as he glared at Sasuke.

He wasn't done.

Sasuke slowly rose from his crouch, his kunai still at his side, his eyes locked on Yoroi. His body was stiff, his breathing shallow. The curse mark wasn't spreading, but it was clear he was straining to keep it in check.

"This isn't over," Naruto muttered from beside Kimiko, his hands tightening around the railing. His eyes were locked on Yoroi. "That guy's still got fight in him."

Kimiko didn't answer. Her eyes stayed fixed on Sasuke. She could see it too.

If you can't end it now, Sasuke... this fight's going to get ugly.

Yoroi dashed forward, his chakra-siphoning arm extended, fingers spread wide as he aimed for Sasuke's head.

Sasuke weaved through each strike, tilting his head to avoid one blow, twisting his torso to avoid another. His movements were sharp and precise, each dodge taking just enough effort to avoid the attack without wasting energy. Side-step. Duck. Weave. Yoroi's open palms grazed past him but never connected.

Kimiko's eyes narrowed.

He's fast. Faster than Yoroi by a wide margin. Her gaze followed every shift of his movements, tracking the angle of his dodges and the control in his footwork. But this isn't sustainable. Her frown deepened as she felt it—the faint, constant thrum of chakra leaking from Sasuke's body. He's burning too much chakra. The curse mark is bleeding him dry.

Sasuke flipped backward, narrowly dodging another wild swing from Yoroi, his landing controlled but lower than it should have been. He crouched, eyes sharp, his breath measured. A smile crept across his face.

Kimiko's eyes widened. He's about to end it.

With a sudden burst of motion, Sasuke lunged forward. The space between him and Yoroi vanished in an instant as his body flickered.

"Below you," Kimiko muttered dryly, loud enough for Naruto and Kakashi to hear.

Yoroi's eyes darted downward, but he was too slow. Sasuke was already there.

Crouched directly beneath him, one hand flat on the ground, his body twisted like a coiled spring. His muscles flexed, and with one powerful push, he launched himself upward into a handstand. The momentum carried his right leg with him in a sharp, sudden snap-kick aimed directly at Yoroi's chin.

CRACK!

The impact was thunderous. Yoroi's head snapped upward, his body lifting clean off the ground, his arms flailing uselessly as his entire body was sent hurtling into the air.

"What?!" came Lee's voice from Kimiko's side, his eyes wide with surprise.

Kimiko smirked, eyes still tracking the motion. Oh, it's over now.

"Yep," she muttered to Naruto, who was staring slack-jawed, his mouth hanging open. "The Dancing Leaf Shadow." Her smirk widened. "Or at least, Sasuke's take on it."

Sasuke landed cleanly from the handstand, crouched low like a prowling cat, his eyes locked on Yoroi's airborne body. For a moment, his gaze tracked Yoroi's movement with absolute precision.

And then, he flickered.

He reappeared behind Yoroi, mid-air, his body weightless as he hovered just a few feet behind him. His eyes locked onto Yoroi's back, his face set with absolute resolve.

"After this, I'll only use my own jutsu," Sasuke muttered under his breath. "But for now… eat this!"

He moved, his body twisting in the air to deliver a powerful, spinning kick aimed for Yoroi's hip.

Kimiko's eyes narrowed as she spotted it—that flicker of pain on Sasuke's face. His gaze shifted for a fraction of a second, and she saw it. The Curse Mark. It pulsed, twisting like smoke on his neck, the black tendrils creeping outward just past his collar.

"Uh oh," she muttered. "Crap."

"Sasuke!" Naruto's shout rang through the gallery, his voice loud and clear.

Sasuke's head snapped toward them, his eyes locking with Naruto's for a brief moment. Then his gaze shifted—he looked at Kimiko.

Her eyes met his.

The change was instant.

The curse mark's tendrils recoiled, slithering back into his neck like a startled snake. It didn't even make it past the base of his neck. The dark ink-like markings vanished as fast as they had appeared.

Kimiko felt her shoulders relax, but her gaze didn't soften. "Idiot," she muttered. "Don't lose focus now."

Kakashi hummed thoughtfully behind them.

"He must really, really trust and care for you two," Kakashi said, his voice light but carrying an undertone of meaning. His lone eye shifted between Kimiko and Naruto. "The curse mark receded almost instantly when he heard you both. You two make his willpower even stronger than it is. It seems he found the right sort of friends."

Kimiko glanced over her shoulder at Kakashi but didn't respond. Her eyes shifted back to Sasuke.

"Mm," she replied quietly, her gaze locked on him.

Below, Sasuke's smirk returned, his eyes sharp once more. He leaned back, his hand pressed against Yoroi's back, his right leg rearing back for another kick.

"You're weak!" snarled Yoroi, his arms shifting to block the kick. His fist came up fast, ready to parry.

Kimiko's lips curled into a small, serene smile.

"Idiot," she said softly, folding her arms. "He baited you."

Sasuke didn't stop.

As Yoroi's fist met Sasuke's leg, the impact sent a small ripple of force through both fighters. But instead of retreating, Sasuke let the momentum of the block spin him. His body twisted mid-air, and his legs swung like a pendulum. The rotation was sharp, precise, and deliberate.

"That's checkmate," Kimiko muttered.

His forearm came down hard. Sasuke spun with the momentum of the block and slammed his descending elbow directly onto the side of Yoroi's neck. The force sent Yoroi's body spiraling downward like a stone dropped into a pond.

But Sasuke wasn't finished.

His body spun with the force of the attack, the momentum carrying him into a sharp downward punch. His fist smashed into Yoroi's face, accelerating his fall, his body crashing toward the ground even faster than before.

And before they could hit the ground, Sasuke spun again. His body rotated like a falling hawk, and he twisted his hips sharply, raising his leg high.

"Leg drop," she muttered, lips curling into a grin.

"LION'S BARRAGE!" Yelled Sasuke.

Sasuke's heel came down like a guillotine. It slammed directly into Yoroi's gut as they both hit the ground.

BOOM!

The impact was deafening. The stone floor of the arena cracked, sending fractures spreading out from the point of impact. Dust and debris shot up in every direction, momentarily obscuring the two fighters. The entire room fell silent, every pair of eyes locked on the crater in the ground.

As the dust began to settle, the first figure they saw was Sasuke, his body crouched low, one leg bent, his right leg still extended over Yoroi's stomach. His chest rose and fell steadily, sweat dripping from his brow. He didn't move. He didn't have to.

Underneath him, Yoroi lay motionless, his limbs splayed awkwardly, his face twisted in pain.

Naruto shot to his feet.

"Yeah! He did it!" he shouted, pumping his fists in the air. His grin was so wide it looked like it might split his face. "That's my teammate, you know!"

Kimiko stayed quiet, watching. Her eyes tracked every breath, every movement, every shift of weight from Sasuke's body.

"He won," Kakashi muttered, his voice casual but filled with quiet pride. "Not bad at all, Sasuke."

Kimiko tilted her head, eyes half-lidded, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. "We still have to wait for the formal decision, but…" Her eyes went to Sasuke.

"He stole Lee's moves, stole mine, and still made them his own," she muttered. Her eyes glowed faintly as she gazed down at him. "That's just like him."

Hayate approached Yoroi's body with an impassive demeanor. His footsteps echoed lightly as he knelt beside the unconscious shinobi. His fingers pressed gently against Yoroi's neck, checking for a pulse. After a brief moment, he nodded to himself, satisfied.

"I'm halting this match before it goes any further," Hayate announced, his raspy voice cutting through the growing murmur of the crowd. He straightened his posture, turning his gaze toward the gallery.

"Uchiha Sasuke wins the first battle and advances to the Third Test."

"HE DID IT!" Naruto's voice exploded from the gallery, loud and boisterous as ever. He was leaning so far over the railing that Kimiko half-expected him to fall off. His grin was wild as he waved his arms.

"Hey, Sasuke! You won, but in such an uncool way!" Naruto cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone. "And you look like the one who got beat up, idiot!"

Sasuke, still panting, glanced up at Naruto, his eyes half-lidded in exhaustion. "Shut up, idiot," he shot back.

His gaze shifted across the gallery, moving from Naruto to Lee, lingering on him for just a second longer than necessary. Kimiko caught it immediately. It wasn't hard to figure out why. He's likely thankful that he fought Lee, since that move he copied from him saved him from dying against Yoroi.

Then his eyes landed on Kimiko.

Her lips curled into a fond smile, and she leaned forward, bracing herself against the railing.

"Your kenjutsu is pretty crappy, by the way," she called out, loud enough for everyone to hear. Her fingers brushed her hair over her shoulder with exaggerated flair, her eyes half-lidded with playful smugness. "Didn't know the illustrious Sasuke Uchiha liked being a copycat. "

The murmuring in the crowd grew louder. Several heads turned toward Sasuke.

"Wow, you're so cool, Sasuke-kun!" cried Ino, her eyes practically sparkling with adoration.

"W-Wow…" muttered Hinata, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

"Tch," grumbled Kiba, crossing his arms. His eyes darted toward Hinata, and his frown deepened. "Come on, it wasn't that great…"

Kimiko's gaze caught something across the room. Karin. The redhead was standing at the edge of her team, trying and failing to hide the blush on her face as she peeked at Sasuke through the corners of her glasses. Kimiko didn't miss the way Karin's eyes followed every movement Sasuke made.

Kimiko tilted her head, glancing toward her sensei, who was leaning forward against the gallery railing, eyes on Sasuke. Her eyes flicked to Kimiko briefly, and they shared a brief glance with each other.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from below.

A familiar flash of pink entered the arena. Sakura was running toward them, still wearing the light-blue uniform of the Medical Corps, the symbol of the med-nin stitched on the sleeve of her arm. Her footsteps echoed loudly as she made her way across the stone floor.

"Oh, Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved to her, still leaning over the railing. "What are you doing here?!"

Two other med-nin followed her, both of them moving toward Yoroi's body, their faces set with calm efficiency. They crouched beside Yoroi, checking his pulse, and quickly lifted him onto a stretcher. They wasted no time as they carried him toward the exit.

But Sakura didn't follow them. Her eyes were locked on Sasuke.

She slowed her approach, trying to steady her breathing. When she reached him, she stopped just a foot away, her fingers fidgeting nervously. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes darted up at him, then away, then back to him again.

"Uchiha Sasuke," she said, trying to sound formal, but the waver in her voice betrayed her nerves. "The Medical Corps will provide you with the best treatment if you'd just… follow me?" Her fingers twitched at her sides, her eyes peeking up at him, trying not to blush.

Kimiko pressed her lips together, stifling a laugh.

Then, a shift in the air.

A flicker.

Kakashi ppeared behind Sasuke in an instant, crouched slightly, one hand placed firmly on top of Sasuke's head. "Nah," he said casually, his tone light but firm. "You guys are out of your depth." His eyes shifted to Sakura, his voice still as casual as ever. "He's coming with me. Right now."

Sasuke tensed. His eyes shifted upward to look at Kakashi. Kimiko saw it immediately.

Kakashi's sealing the curse mark.

Kakashi leaned down, his mouth close to Sasuke's ear. He whispered something, his tone low and deliberate. Whatever it was, it made Sasuke flinch. His face twisted into something tight and frustrated. His eyes flicked to Kakashi, his gaze sharp and defiant. He whispered something back, but Kakashi shook his head.

Kimiko's eyes narrowed. He wants to stay and watch the rest of the matches.

She could see it plain as day—the way his eyes darted toward the arena, toward the gallery, toward Naruto and herself. He didn't want to leave.

She sighed. Guess I have to get involved.

"Sasuke." Her voice was clear and commanding, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Sasuke's head snapped up. His gaze locked on her.

She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing just slightly. "Don't be stupid."

A pause. Her gaze stayed steady, like a tether pulling him back to reality.

Sasuke sighed. It wasn't dramatic or loud, but everyone could hear it. He let his shoulders drop, his eyes narrowing with irritation, but his posture eased.

Kakashi turned his head toward her. His visible eye curved in an arc, his version of a smile.

"What would I do without you, Kimiko, seriously," he said with a soft laugh.

Kimiko felt the weight of dozens of eyes on her. She knew they were looking at her now—Ino, Tenten, Kiba, Karin, all of them. Her face stayed still, her expression steady. She didn't flinch.

Instead, she turned her head to look at Naruto, nudging him lightly with her elbow.

"Man, watching Sasuke fight makes me want to fight too." Her eyes shifted to him, a sly grin pulling at her lips. "How about you?"

Naruto's eyes flickered to her, his grin growing wide and wild. His teeth practically glinted in the light as he stood straight, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Hell yeah, it does!" he barked, his eyes burning with excitement. "I'm ready to show 'em all what I've got, you know!"

Kimiko's grin mirrored his. "I want to fight you too, but not here. In the finals."

Her gaze flickered to the arena below, watching as Kakashi guided Sasuke toward the exit. Sasuke didn't look up again, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.

But Kimiko's gaze stayed on him just a moment longer.

Rest up, idiot, she thought, her grin softening slightly. If we both make it to the finals, I'm going to show you what a real fight looks like.

"Well then.." said Hayate, "Let's get the next match going."

The board flickered again, and it displayed:

"ABURAME SHINO VS TSUMAKI ARASUKA"

Kimiko sighed. "Well, looks like we still have to wait for our turn."