บท 63: I was here first!
A blonde-haired girl tiptoed quietly as she pushed open the door. Her clear eyes sparkled with the mischievous delight of someone about to pull off a prank.
The doorknob rotated with a faint sound as she carefully twisted it. The thick wooden door creaked softly as it was gently pushed open, making her even more cautious.
As the door opened little by little, Yamanaka Ino thought of surprising her best friend.
However, the scene before her made her freeze in place.
The pink-haired girl lay peacefully on the bed.
But next to her, wrapped around Sakura like a red octopus, was some kind of unidentifiable creature!
At the moment the door was pushed open, the pink-haired girl instantly opened her eyes.
"Huh? Ino?"
Sakura looked at the stunned Ino standing by the door, her expression a mix of shock, grievance, displeasure, and heartbreak. It was as if she'd been betrayed.
It had been two days since Sakura arrived at the Central Tower. Because the second phase of the Chūnin Exams lasted seven days, all the early arrivals had to stay in the tower until it ended.
The rooms were set up as shared accommodations for two, so Sakura naturally ended up paired with Karin.
"Sakura…"
Ino pouted, looking at Sakura with a mix of hurt and indignation. Pointing at Karin, she demanded, "Who is she?!"
Sakura sat up, moved Karin's arm off her, slid into her slippers, and pulled Ino outside. Before leaving, she carefully closed the door.
As the door shut, Karin opened her eyes.
"Sakura!"
"Who is that?!"
"And why were you two sleeping together?!"
Ino stared at the pink-haired girl standing before her in pajamas, her anger bubbling over.
Unforgivable!
I've never even had the chance to share a bed with Sakura!
And now someone else beat me to it?!
I was here first!
Ino gritted her teeth, glaring at Sakura.
Scratching her head, Sakura felt a headache brewing. She swore she could see flames burning behind Ino.
And this feeling…
Why does this feel like I'm a husband caught cheating by his wife?
No, no, absolutely not…
I'm a proud single warrior dedicated to staying independent!
Hah, this silly emotional stuff will never tie me down!
Sakura shook off the ridiculous thoughts in her head.
"Ino, let me explain."
Sakura looked seriously at her friend.
Ino's clothes were still a bit disheveled, evidence that she'd rushed here as soon as she reached the Central Tower.
"I don't want to hear it!"
Sakura: (´△`)??
After a long and tiring effort to appease Ino, Sakura finally managed to send her off and returned to her room, utterly exhausted. Crawling back into bed, she muttered to herself:
I'm a girl, so why do I have to calm one girl down over another girl?
Sakura didn't understand. The absurdity of the situation was something she'd never considered before.
As she lay back down, Karin once again draped an arm over her.
Looking at Karin beside her, Sakura's green eyes reflected a trace of helplessness.
Even though she'd prepared herself, Karin was unbelievably clingy.
Three days passed quickly, and the seven-day second phase of the exam finally came to an end.
During this time, the twelve Konoha genin gathered together, and under Sakura's guidance, Karin got to know them.
However, Ino's hostility toward Karin was unmistakable. Meanwhile, Karin, out of respect for Sakura, tolerated Ino's constant nitpicking.
But knowing Karin's personality, Sakura figured it wouldn't be long before her true colors showed. She could already imagine the chaos to come in the future.
At the Central Tower, all the surviving participants of the Forest of Death gathered together. The Jōnin leading each village's team stood on the second-floor balcony.
At the forefront was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, the host of the exams.
Sakura glanced around and noticed that even the unlucky trio of sound ninjas who had encountered Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin were present.
Standing on the high platform, Hiruzen Sarutobi briefly glanced at the purple diamond mark on Sakura's forehead before shifting his gaze and beginning his speech about the purpose of the Chūnin Exams.
Being old, his speeches were long-winded, and Sakura listened expressionlessly.
Even Naruto, standing in front of her, started yawning.
But there was no choice; as a mere genin, she had to silently endure.
The Jōnin nearby also maintained blank expressions, patiently enduring the veteran leader's lengthy monologue.
Come on, everyone already knows this stuff! Why explain it in such detail, old man?!
"Cough… Hokage-sama," interrupted a pale-skinned Konoha ninja with dark circles under his eyes and a sword on his back. "Shall I take over?"
Seeing the man, Sakura's dull eyes lit up slightly.
As expected of Gekkō Hayate, the master of swift efficiency!
"Ah, alright. I'll leave it to you, Hayate," Hiruzen said reluctantly, clearly not done talking yet.
"Given the number of participants, the next stage will involve random one-on-one battles. Surrendering will not affect your teammates' progression."
"Does anyone wish to forfeit?"
Unlike Hiruzen's long speech, Gekkō Hayate's words were concise and direct.
"I forfeit."
As expected, Kabuto Yakushi raised his hand.
A few other unremarkable genin followed suit.
Of note, only one Iwagakure team made it to the Central Tower, the one with Kurotsuchi in it. One of her teammates, Gaitsuchi, also raised his hand to forfeit.
Standing with her arms crossed, Kurotsuchi didn't seem to care about her teammate's decision.
After confirming no one else wanted to forfeit, Gekkō Hayate activated the large electronic screen overhead.
The names of the participants flashed across the screen rapidly.
Sakura glanced at it but didn't pay much attention.
Of the remaining competitors, aside from the Konoha Twelve, there were two Iwagakure ninjas, three Suna ninjas, three Oto ninjas, and a few other minor genin.
Only Gaara deserved her serious attention.
As for Kurotsuchi, she was a tricky opponent but nothing more.
In this limited arena setting, where could she even escape?
Besides, the old man wouldn't let her face Gaara or Kurotsuchi this early.
Sakura, Kurotsuchi, Gaara.
These three were the "sharks among minnows" sent by their villages.
The big matchups would be saved for a month later, during the finals.
Soon, the names for the first match were announced.
Akatsuchi VS Kin...
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