"Finally! You're here!"
"I waited so long for you, I didn't even go watch the Chūnin Exams!"
Sitting at the entrance of the ninja tools shop, a bun-haired girl cracked sunflower seeds as she waved happily toward the pink-haired figure approaching from down the street.
But her smile froze for a second.
Wasn't that vest something only Chūnin or Jōnin could wear?
Still, Tenten lived by the motto "never ask what you don't need to know." She simply grabbed Sakura and pulled her into the shop, disappearing to the back before emerging with a huge scroll in her arms.
"Here you go, Sakura. The weapon you asked for."
"The scroll is a free bonus."
Tenten placed the massive scroll in front of Sakura, smiling brightly.
Sakura took the scroll, inspecting the hefty object before securing it to her lower back using the straps attached.
"Aren't you going to check the goods?" Tenten asked, surprised that Sakura just packed it away without a glance.
"No need. I trust Tenten would never give me anything subpar."
Sakura smiled, waved casually, and walked out of the ninja tools shop.
Tenten watched her leave, a flicker of worry crossing her face.
Just who exactly was she planning to use that thing on?
As long as it's not Lee… anyone else is fine, I guess~~~
---
At the Chūnin Exam Arena
The audience erupted in thunderous applause after the exciting match that had just concluded.
Hyūga Neji lay flat on the ground, gazing silently at the birds soaring freely in the sky above.
No one knew what was going through his mind at that moment.
Maybe he had let go.
Maybe he had accepted fate.
Or maybe… he had started to believe in that blonde boy, believing that he really could change everything—just like he said…
But then—
"Tch, what a fool."
A black-haired girl, arms crossed over her chest, looked down with disdain at the boy with white eyes being lifted onto a stretcher, as well as at the golden-haired victor beside him. A smirk played on her lips—equal parts contempt and challenge.
"If fate is truly like that, then all the more reason not to accept it."
"Rather than sit in a cage and become some ornamental bird, I'd rather die fighting—smashing everything in my way."
"If it were me, even if it meant death, I'd make sure to tear a piece of flesh off those bastards."
Kurotsuchi's words were so bold that they drew sideways glances from the surrounding competitors.
"K-Kurotsuchi, don't—don't say that…"
"She didn't mean it like that, everyone. Please don't misunderstand," Akatsuchi stammered, heart pounding, trying to deflect the sharp gazes directed at Kurotsuchi.
This was the heart of the Hidden Leaf Village, and the topic involved the Hyūga Clan—the most prestigious family in Konoha. If word of this got out, who knew what kind of trouble it might bring?
"Hah?"
"Akatsuchi, I meant every word," Kurotsuchi said without even looking at him, clearly annoyed.
Please, dear ancestor, this isn't Iwagakure—just keep your mouth shut~~~
Leaning against the railing, a black-haired youth glanced briefly at Kurotsuchi but said nothing.
"Better to die a jade than live as a tile..."
Uchiha Itachi…
I swear—I'll kill you one day.
On the other side, a red-haired boy stood with arms folded. He glanced at Kurotsuchi, then quietly closed his eyes. No one could tell what he was thinking.
Temari, watching Gaara with concern, spoke softly:
"Gaara, I'm up next. I'll come right back once I'm done."
For a long time, Temari heard no response. Just as she was feeling a little disappointed and about to enter the arena, Gaara finally let out a soft grunt:
"Mm."
That one sound brought a gentle smile to the blonde girl's face. Relaxing, she laughed lightly and said:
"Wait for me."
With that, she leaped elegantly into the arena.
Under the watchful gaze of the three Kage and tens of thousands of spectators, Temari raised her giant iron fan high, pointing it straight at Kurotsuchi, who was among the participants. She stood proud and tall, her voice ringing out:
"Kurotsuchi of Iwagakure—face me in battle!"
The moment her words fell, the audience erupted with thunderous applause.
All competitors' identities were public knowledge.
Besides the mysterious Uchiha orphan, this was the match everyone most wanted to see.
One was the daughter of the Kazekage, the other the granddaughter of the Tsuchikage.
The Princess of the Sand vs. the Princess of Stone.
"Tch, she sure knows how to steal the spotlight."
Kurotsuchi crossed her arms and smirked, a gleam of eagerness in her eyes. She placed one foot on the railing and, defying gravity, landed gracefully opposite Temari in the arena.
High above, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the two girls now standing in the field and remarked jokingly to the two Kage beside him:
"This truly promises to be a spectacular fight."
"I hope this little match between juniors doesn't spark any real tension."
Rasa shot a side glance at Hiruzen, silently cursing him in his heart.
The reason these two met was clearly because of that old fox's deliberate match arrangements.
"Fire Shadow-dono overthinks things," said Ōnoki calmly. "A friendly spar among the youth is nothing to worry about. If we can't even handle that, how could we expect to lead our villages?"
He then added with a straight face:
"Besides, my granddaughter will win."
With the combination of Light-Weight and Heavy-Weight Rock Techniques, Earth Release, and the Lava Release she hadn't even revealed yet, Ōnoki couldn't imagine Kurotsuchi losing.
Her opponent was just a girl who used Wind Release.
"Tsuchikage-dono certainly has confidence in his granddaughter," Rasa replied coldly. "But Temari is no slouch either."
He wasn't about to let Ōnoki's provocation slide. He retorted directly, defending his daughter.
The tension wasn't only between the two girls on the battlefield—there was a strong undercurrent between the two Kage as well.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled as he watched them, pretending to mediate while secretly enjoying the brewing conflict.
Ōnoki and Rasa both cursed him inwardly.
Old fox!
---
Back in the resting room for exam participants, Naruto returned triumphantly, immediately eager to show off in front of Sakura.
"Eh? Where's Sakura?"
"She's still not here?"
Naruto looked around, puzzled. His eyes then fell on Sasuke.
"How should I know?" Sasuke replied. "She's probably on her way."
In Sasuke's mind, Sakura was always a steady and meticulous person. If she wasn't here yet, it must mean she had more important things to take care of.
"Sakura-san must be preparing thoroughly—for my sake!"
"Waaah! My dear Sakura-san!"
"I won't let you down!"
Lee, who was doing one-handed push-ups nearby, burst into dramatic tears the moment he heard Sakura's name mentioned.
"You damn idiot!"
"Sakura would never like a green, bowl-cut weirdo like you!"
Naruto's temper flared at Lee's reaction, yelling furiously.
Sasuke glanced at the chaos Naruto was stirring up with the green bean and said nothing.
In a dark corner of the room, a boy with minimal presence silently watched the scene unfold.
Sakura would never choose Naruto or Lee…
And why was he so sure?
Because—
A bug's instinct never lies.
---
(End of Chapter)