"Naruto, Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura's voice cracked through the air, relief and excitement bursting in her tone as she clutched her chest. A genuine smile spread across her face, her earlier panic vanishing in an instant.
"Naruto-kun!"
Hinata's voice was softer, trembling yet filled with warmth. Her pale lavender eyes shimmered as she clasped her hands together, cheeks flushed.
Around her, Rock Lee's fist clenched in spirited joy. "Yosh! Naruto-kun and Sasuke-san have arrived at last!"
Ino leaned forward over the railing with sparkling eyes, while Chouji let out a sigh of relief and popped another chip into his mouth.
Even Neji's usually stern expression softened with quiet approval.
On the balcony, Hiruzen's weathered eyes crinkled, a long breath leaving him like a burden had been lifted. "Those two… they're back safely."
Beside him, the Kazekage, hidden beneath his robes and mask, gave a slow nod. "Good. That they are back."
His voice carried a weight of interest, as though the two boys were already subjects of deeper scrutiny.
"HELL YEAHH!!"
A single voice rang out from the stands like thunder, breaking the tension, and in an instant, it spread like fire.
The entire stadium erupted, and the cheers, whistles, and claps echoed from every corner, the energy surging higher than ever.
"Finally!"
"We can continue the matches!"
"This is what we came to see!"
The storm of voices rattled the very walls of the stadium.
"Hmph..." Genma couldn't help the faint smirk tugging at his lips, his senbon shifting in his mouth.
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly as he walked toward him. "Are we late for the battle?"
"No." Genma's smirk sharpened. "But you're still late."
"I understand…" Naruto winced. He gave a nervous laugh, rubbing his head harder.
Genma stepped closer, his sandals clicking softly on the ground. Naruto blinked, a little startled, when the proctor bent down.
"Huh?"
Genma's words slipped into his ear in a low whisper, too quiet for anyone else to catch.
Naruto's eyes widened just slightly. A bead of sweat formed at his temple, sliding down his cheek. His grin faltered as his gaze flicked instantly toward Sasuke, whose eyes had narrowed in quiet suspicion.
"Hmm?" Sasuke's stare was sharp, searching Naruto's face.
'What did he say…?' Shikamaru, leaning lazily against the railing, frowned. His eyes shifted toward Genma, curiosity gnawing at him despite his usual indifference.
Straightening, Genma's expression returned to calm professionalism as he turned to address Sasuke and Sakura.
"You both go to the waiting room..." He flicked his fingers toward Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru!" Sasuke's dark eyes snapped to the Nara.
"Mm..." Shikamaru gave a small nod, though his sigh betrayed his usual irritation. "What a drag…"
Shikamaru fell in step with Sasuke as they made their way toward the staircase. But just as the group began moving, Sasuke suddenly stopped. His sandals scraped against the floor as he pivoted back.
"Wait."
The crowd hushed, sensing the shift in his presence.
Sasuke's gaze locked with Naruto's, black eyes burning with quiet fire. His voice was calm but rang with absolute certainty. "I will fight against you."
The declaration reverberated through the arena, thick with tension.
Naruto froze for half a heartbeat before his grin returned, wider and brighter.
"Yeah!" He shot his rival a thumbs-up, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Let's go." Sasuke gave the smallest of nods. With that, he turned and walked off toward the staircase, his cloak swaying lightly behind him as Shikamaru followed.
Naruto stood rooted for a moment, his grin lingering, the cheers of the crowd echoing in his ears.
As Sasuke and Shikamaru moved up the stone staircase, the dim light of the waiting area fell into view. Sasuke's eyes caught a familiar figure sitting with her head lowered, shoulders slightly slumped.
"Sakura!"
His voice cut through the quiet air, firm and commanding.
"Mm?" Sakura lifted her head quickly, green eyes widening as if she had been caught off guard.
Sasuke's gaze locked onto her with that same sharp intensity, his tone casual yet demanding an answer. "Did you win your match?"
The question pierced her like a blade.
"Ugh—!"
Sakura froze, her lips parting but no words escaping at first. Her fingers curled against her skirt, betraying her hesitation.
Sasuke's expression didn't change as he continued his climb, Shikamaru trailing beside him with a sigh at the unnecessary drama. But as Sasuke reached the top of the steps, he slowed, tilting his head just slightly back toward her.
"Hmmm? What's the matter, Sakura?" His voice was calm, almost taunting in its lack of concern.
Her throat tightened, but finally, she forced the words out. "I… lost…"
Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, as if saying it aloud made the defeat sting all over again. Inwardly, though, his thoughts flickered. 'It doesn't matter anyway. The real thing is following Naruto-sama's orders…'
Sasuke glanced at her only briefly, his face unreadable. His mind shifted back to the exam, and he turned forward again, climbing the last step into the waiting room.
Sakura wanted to say something more, but the words tangled on her tongue. Just as the silence threatened to stretch, Sasuke's voice drifted back.
"Don't let that match bother you."
He didn't look at her when he said it, his back to her now as he stepped fully into the waiting room, posture straight and unwavering. But his tone was steady, resolute, almost dismissive, struck her harder than any blow.
"Huh?" Sakura blinked, her heart skipping. Her lips parted as surprise washed across her face.
Sasuke's eyes swept across the waiting room, sharp and searching. He ignored the shifting crowd, the lingering chatter, even Sakura's stunned gaze still on him. He was only looking for one figure.
'There he is…'
At the edge of the balcony, Gaara stood like a shadow, unmoving, his sea-green eyes fixed on the battlefield below. His presence radiated a weird warmth that was not there before, and Sasuke's own blood stirred at the sight.
'You're mine, Gaara.'
Below, another figure moved.
'It's my turn.'
Neji's pale eyes flickered toward Naruto, sharp with resolve. His thoughts burned as fiercely as the veins spreading at the corners of his eyes. 'I am not going to lose, Naruto. You may be stronger than me… you may have surprised everyone… but I've been working my ass off during the holidays. I've pushed myself beyond my limits. His jaw tightened. And this time... I will defeat you.'
Without hesitation, Neji leapt from the balcony. His body cut through the air like a blade, cloak whipping behind him before he landed on the arena floor in perfect balance.
The crowd erupted in cheers at his flawless movement.
Naruto exhaled slowly, his expression serious in a way that made his usual grin feel far away. His blue eyes tracked Neji's every step as the Hyūga prodigy came to a halt opposite him.
"Neji…" Naruto muttered, the name leaving his lips with a weight that carried more than rivalry.
The distance between them crackled with unspoken challenge.
Genma's gaze darted between the two, senbon glinting in his teeth. His tone was calm but edged with anticipation. "Are you two ready?"
"Mm." Both nodded in unison, eyes locked.
The crowd leaned forward in their seats, restless energy building like a storm.
"This is just too good…" A man muttered breathlessly from the stands, clutching the railing as he watched with rapt attention.
All around him, cheers and shouts rumbled like thunder across the stadium.
Naruto's mind flickered back to the words Genma had whispered only moments ago.
'This will be your jōnin exam. You are to battle with only taijutsu. No ninjutsu or Genjutsu. Prove your strength with your fists alone.'
A single bead of sweat trailed down Naruto's temple, in excitement. His fists clenched, knuckles popping as he shifted his stance. He would fight on equal ground.
Neji's eyes glowed as his Byakugan came to life, veins spreading around his temples, his expression unreadable yet deadly sharp.
The tension climbed to its peak.
Genma raised his hand. His voice boomed over the stadium.
"THEN… THE FOURTH MATCH BETWEEN UZUMAKI NARUTO AND HYŪGA NEJI OF THE HIDDEN LEAF VILLAGE... BEGIN!!"
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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