The pale blonde-haired girl tiptoed quietly, gently pushing open the door. Her clear eyes sparkled with the mischievous joy of an impending prank successfully pulled off.
The doorknob turned with a soft creak under her careful grip, the somewhat heavy door slowly and cautiously opening with a faint creak — making her even more cautious.
As the door creaked open bit by bit, Yamanaka Ino was thinking about surprising her close best friend.
But what she saw in front of her made her freeze in place, utterly stunned.
There lay the pink-haired girl, Sakura, peacefully asleep on the bed...
But beside her was an "unknown creature" — a red octopus-like thing almost entangled around Sakura's body. What on earth was that?
At the exact moment the door was pushed open, the pink-haired girl's eyes suddenly snapped open.
"Eh? Ino?"
Sakura blinked at the sight before her: Ino's pouty face, full of shock, grievance, dissatisfaction, and heartbreak — as if she'd just been betrayed. Sakura was momentarily bewildered.
It had been two days since Sakura had arrived at the Central Tower. The second stage of the Chūnin Exam lasted a full seven days, and all the candidates who had arrived early were required to stay obediently inside the tower.
The living quarters were arranged as two-person dorm rooms, so naturally Sakura ended up sharing a room with Shōrin, the red-haired girl.
"Ino…"
Ino, still pouting, looked at Sakura with an expression full of grievance, then pointed accusingly at Shōrin.
"Who is she?!"
Sakura sat up from the bed, gently moved Shōrin's arm off her shoulder, slipped into her slippers, and pulled Ino outside the room. She carefully closed the door behind them.
As the door shut, Shōrin opened her eyes wide.
---
"Ino!"
"Who is that guy?"
"You actually live in the same room!"
Ino was utterly furious, glaring at the pink-haired girl dressed in pajamas.
How dare she!
I've never even lived in the same room as Sakura before!
And now someone else got there first!
I was clearly here first!
Ino clenched her teeth and glared fiercely at Sakura.
Sakura scratched her head, feeling a headache coming on.
Somehow, she felt as if a raging fire was burning behind Ino's eyes.
And that feeling…
Sakura looked at her baffled, then shook off the messy thoughts swirling in her head.
She was determined to be a tough fighter, a survivor.
Hmph. Such trivial nonsense couldn't possibly hold her back!
Shaking off the strange feelings in her head, she looked earnestly at the girl in front of her.
"Ino, let me explain."
But Ino interrupted with a sharp, "I don't want to hear it!"
Sakura was left speechless — (°Δ°`)???
---
After a long round of coaxing and convincing, Sakura finally calmed Ino down, though she was quite exhausted by the effort.
She slipped back into the room and crawled under the covers.
I'm clearly a girl, so why am I having to calm down another girl for the sake of a third girl?
Sakura couldn't understand this bizarre train of thought, something she'd never considered before.
As she lay back down, Shōrin's arm rested comfortably over her.
Sakura glanced sideways at her companion and her green eyes flickered with a trace of helplessness.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally…
Shōrin really was clingy.
---
As time passed, three days slipped away in a flash.
The seven-day second stage exam finally concluded.
During these three days, the Twelve Strong from Konoha all gathered, and under Sakura's guidance, Shōrin also got acquainted with the Twelve Strong.
However, Ino was visibly displeased with Shōrin, and Shōrin silently endured Ino's constant jabs — a tension that was unlikely to last long, given Shōrin's restless nature.
Sakura could already imagine that the days ahead would only grow livelier.
---
Within the Central Tower, all candidates who had survived the Death Forest trial had now gathered.
The team leaders from each ninja village stood silently along the corridor on the second floor.
At the head of them all was, naturally, the host, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Sakura gave a slight glance around and was surprised to see the unlucky Sound ninja trio who had clashed with Naruto, Sasuke, and Shōrin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the raised platform, quietly glancing at the purple diamond-shaped mark on Sakura's forehead before shifting his gaze and beginning to explain the purpose of this stage of the Chūnin Exam.
Age had made the old man talkative, but Sakura's expression remained blank.
Even Naruto, standing nearby, was starting to yawn.
But what could she do? She was still a Genin, and could only silently endure.
Nearby Jonin stood expressionless, quietly bearing the lengthy speech from this veteran ninja.
Everyone knew the basics — there was no need to go into so much detail, big shot!
---
"Ahem... Hokage-sama."
"From here on, please leave things to me!"
Finally, a pale-faced Konoha ninja with dark circles under his eyes stepped forward, carrying a ninja sword on his back.
At the sight of him, Sakura's dull eyes brightened slightly.
The hero of Naruto: Shippuden — it was him indeed!
"Alright then, I'll leave it to you, Hayate."
Hiruzen clicked his tongue, clearly unsatisfied and eager to say more.
---
"Considering the large number of successful candidates, from now on the matches will be random one-on-one battles. Withdrawals will not affect the progress of your teammates."
"Anyone want to withdraw?"
Compared to Hiruzen's lengthy words, Hayate's instructions were simple and straightforward.
"I withdraw."
As expected, Yakushi Kabuto raised his hand directly from the crowd.
A few other minor characters also opted out.
It was worth mentioning that out of the three squads from Iwagakure, only one managed to arrive at the Central Tower — the squad led by Kurotsuchi.
Additionally, one member named Gaito also raised his hand to withdraw.
Kurotsuchi, standing at the forefront with arms crossed, was unfazed by his teammates' decisions.
---
Hayate surveyed the remaining candidates and, after confirming no further withdrawals, activated the large suspended electronic screen.
The names of all participants rapidly scrolled across the screen.
Sakura glanced at the screen but didn't pay much attention.
Besides the Twelve Strong from Konoha, there were only a few others remaining — two from Iwa, three from Sunagakure, three from Otogakure, and a handful of minor players.
Only Gaara really caught her attention.
As for Iwa's Kurotsuchi, he was a somewhat tough opponent, but only just.
In this confined arena, which was essentially a dueling ground, where else could she possibly fly?
Besides, the old man wouldn't let Sakura encounter Gaara or Kurotsuchi here.
Sakura, Kurotsuchi, and Gaara.
These were the sharks used by the three villages to catch fish.
Such battles were reserved for the official matches a month from now.
---
Soon, the first match-up was announced.
Akatsuchi vs. Kin...
---
(End of Chapter)
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