Chapter 102
"On that note, those of you that are not feeling well and/or would like to opt out. Speak now or forever hold your peace." I chuckled slightly before I realized in horror at the weird joke I made. However, I still needed to be professional so I kept a straight face. Looking out at those looking back at me, I saw someone who was looking at me with caution. He looked like he was trying to hide himself behind another contestant. If my chakra carpet had not been out, I might have dismissed his behavior as normal.
I did not recognize him but by his shifty attitude I could only assume him to be one of those who recognized me. He came with his partners as a team from the land of steam. Although the ninja land of steam had changed from being a militarized one, it looked like Hiruzen were in some talks with them. According to him, he would allow 'independent' ninjas to take the chunin test in the village when it was time, and in return, the village would take a higher percentage of the income earned from the missions they took from the village. It was a smart was to retain talented individuals they came across. More military might for the village.
That aside, I did not know about his other teammates, but it looked to me that the person might be an imposter. Thinking to this point, just like canon, Kabuto raised his hand which began a debate among him and Team 7. I ignored them and swept my eyes on the rest of the participants, as if to ask who else, but my concentration was on the one trying to hide his panic. Just as I thought he raised his arm as well.
His teammates however, only looked at him surprised before looking away again. It was not like it was the first test where the whole team was disqualified if one decided to leave. I had wanted to find out who he was, but like I told Hiruzen before; Even if the other villages find out who I was affiliated with, there was not much they could do.
The guy quickly run out of the place as if he was being chased by something. I shook my head and sneaked a look back to see Hiruzen smiling with his pipe. It looked like he realized the situation as well. I brought my attention back to Kabuto who looked like he was done with his convincing with Team 7. I saw him leave until it finally hit me. How could I have been so stupid. I was rooted to my spot, thinking for a while even after Kabuto had left. I was so disappointed with losing my opportunity with Orochimaru that I forgot I had the next best thing right under my nose. No, it was better than the original plan.
*Clears throat* "Sakura, I think that is all, you can move on now." Hiruzen spoke, seeing me silent even after the contestants leave. I looked at him with a quick thought, I answered him, "Give me a minute, I'll be right back." I had to move quickly else I would lose my window.
"Wait, Sakura. I don't think this is the time…" I was just about to move when Hiruzen tried to stop me. I could see some of the older shinobi frown, wondering what was going on. "I said I'll be back in a minute. Don't stop me unless you're ready to see blood!" Before he could finish his statement, I cut him off in a hurry before I run flickered out of the room. I truly was ready to kill something if I lost this opportunity as well. I had just gotten out of the room when Kurenai appeared behind me and grabbed my shoulder. 'What the fuck is HAPPENING?!" I screamed in my mind. I was about to lash out at her when she quickly stuffed something in my hand and nodded at me before returning to the room. Seeing what it was I couldn't help but be shocked. It looked like I had been greatly misunderstood.
I shook my head and put it at the back of my head. I stretched my chakra radar to its limits, hoping he had not gone to far. Thankfully he was not too far away. I found Kabuto walking away without much worry on his mind. Thank god. With my fastest speed I appeared in front of him. He was startled and tried to jump back but I was not having any of that.
With a quick sign, a large illusory mouth swallowed him in a single gulp. Kabuto's eyes dimmed as if he had just lost his soul for a moment, before it quickly regained its light. "Don't deviate from his original plans. I'll contact you soon." Kabuto looked at me and nodded before he flickered away. I breathed in a sigh. I felt as if a weight had been lifted. 'I need to get back before they misunderstand even more.' I thought to myself before I sped back to the room with a smile on my face.
When I returned, Hiruzen had an embarrassed look. I had lashed out at him in the heat of the moment without meaning to, and with the poor choice of words, I ended up causing a misunderstanding. "Old man. Sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have…" Hiruzen looked at me with a smile and interrupted me before I could finish. "It's fine. I did not know it was an emergency. I hope everything is fine now?" It was a good thing they misunderstood. Else with Kabuto walking out and me immediately following after, there was no way Orochimaru would not have found it suspicious.
I nodded to his question to which he nodded back. I turned to the contestants and addressed them finally. "If there is no one else, then we will begin the next stage of the exam. Being a ninja, we put our lives on the line every day. This however is only a spar. I will stop the match at my discretion if I see anyone unable to continue." I cast my gaze on everyone to make sure they understood, properly ignoring the obvious killing intent Gaara had been sending my way the entire time.
"Good. Please cast your gaze upon the screen." The scree above us lit up and began to randomly change with names until two names showed up on the screen. "Uchiha Sasuke vs Yoroi Akado. Please stay and prepare for the fight. The rest of you please move to the stands." Everyone else left, including the instructors, leaving the two combabtants and myself. I was glad to see things had not deviated to far from the canon. At least for the first fight. What would be different would be the outcome of the battle, which I was looking forward to. I looked at both of them standing at the ready, "Uchiha Sasuke vs Yoroi Akado, battle start!"