Soon, other teams began to arrive one after another.
Some of them looked like they had been through a war — tattered clothes, dirt-streaked faces, and eyes that screamed sleep deprivation.
"It's finally over…" Naruto muttered as his team stumbled in. All three were drenched in sweat and exhaustion.
Four days without a bath — even Naruto found that unbearable.
Their journey had been anything but easy. They'd fought the team in yellow first, then ran into Orochimaru's trio from the Sound Village. Those three had given Naruto and Sasuke plenty of trouble.
Still, by sheer stubbornness, they'd made it to the central tower. Barely.
Two extra fights near the end nearly wiped them out.
This second exam had truly changed them — especially Sakura.
She had sworn she'd never be the team's burden again.
Watching Naruto's clones fight to protect her had crushed her pride.
So the moment they entered the hall for the next stage, Sakura rushed straight to Menma.
"Brother Menma, can you teach me ninjutsu?"
Menma blinked, clearly surprised. "Why the sudden interest?"
Sakura being motivated was not something he'd expected.
In the original timeline, Sakura didn't truly buckle down until Sasuke's defection.
But here? Sasuke's family was alive, his heart steady — no darkness, no revenge path. Without that trigger, Menma never thought he'd see Sakura like this.
Just as Sakura opened her mouth to answer, Naruto burst in behind her with a grin and a thumbs-up.
"Sakura! Great idea! You'll definitely get stronger if you learn from my brother — he's way better than Kakashi-sensei!"
From the distance, Kakashi froze mid-blink. (¬_¬)
Oh really, Naruto? Can't hit the big brother, so I'll hit you instead.
The room filled with candidates — survivors of the second exam — plus Konoha's examiners and the supervising jōnin.
Naruto wasn't done. "He's even better than Brother Itachi!"
Sasuke: (╬)
"...What did you just say?"
"I'm just telling the truth."
Menma: "..."
Here we go again.
Before the argument could start, Menma lightly kicked each of them — Naruto and Sasuke both flew neatly into the far wall with a synchronized thud.
The sound turned heads across the hall.
Ignoring them, Menma turned back to Sakura. "So, Sakura, why do you want to learn ninjutsu?"
Sakura clenched her fists. "Because I don't want to drag my team down anymore. Every time we fight, I just stand there — or worse, need Naruto to protect me."
Menma nodded seriously. "You're right. You have been the team's weak link."
His words hit her like a senbon to the chest.
Sakura: (;﹏;) Brother Menma… you could've phrased that nicer.
Menma continued, "Then, what kind of ninjutsu do you want to learn? How do you see your role in the team?"
"Role?" Sakura blinked, confused.
"Every team has its parts — attackers, controllers, and support. What do you want to be?" Menma asked.
After thinking, Sakura answered firmly, "I want to be support."
"Good choice. After the Chunin Exams, I'll have Lady Tsunade train you," Menma said with a satisfied nod. "Support suits you best."
Sakura: (°ω°) "Tsunade-sama? The Fifth Hokage?"
She panicked, waving her hands. "N-No, that's too much!"
Menma chuckled. "Don't be silly. Tsunade-sama is the most powerful medical-ninja in Konoha. Just imagine — once you've mastered her techniques, if Sasuke ever gets injured, you can, you know… treat him personally. Maybe even—"
His grin turned teasing.
Sakura's face instantly turned crimson. Sasuke… shirtless… oh no no no—!
"I'll learn! I'll learn! Please teach me, Brother Menma!" she blurted, grabbing his arm.
"As my junior, of course it's no problem," Menma said warmly, gently patting her forehead.
He smiled faintly. Once they've all grown stronger, maybe I can finally take a break and stop fighting every battle myself.
His thoughts must have shown on his face, because when Tsunade and Shizune walked in just then, Tsunade blinked in shock.
"Shizune, am I seeing things?" Tsunade rubbed her eyes. "I swear, I've introduced him to so many women. So that's why he wasn't interested — he already has someone!"
Shizune sighed. "No, Tsunade-sama… you're not seeing things."
"Good!" Tsunade grinned, completely misunderstanding the scene.
If Menma knew that patting Sakura's hair had been mistaken for flirting, he'd probably weep.
Sakura belongs to Sasuke!
Some pairings are sacred, people!
As for romance… Menma had no time for that. Between training, missions, and his side projects, his schedule was already packed.
(Inner Menma: Say it again for the people in the back!)
Still, when free time came, a little food, drink, and relaxation never hurt. Balance was key.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Hokage-sama!"
The crowd turned as Tsunade entered. Dozens of Konoha examiners stood at attention to greet her, along with teachers and candidates from other villages.
Tsunade nodded politely and asked Shizune, "How much longer until the second round ends?"
"Three hours, Lady Tsunade."
She nodded again.
Three hours later, the final count was made. Anyone who hadn't reached the tower by the deadline automatically failed. Those who did were declared successful.
Out of 79 participants, only 22 remained.
Mitarashi Anko looked mildly disappointed — she'd been hoping for single digits this round.
The remaining candidates stood in rows before the Fifth Hokage.
Tsunade smiled faintly. "Congratulations on passing the second exam."
Among the 22 survivors, 13 were from Konoha. Not bad at all.
Anko stepped forward. "Now, Hokage-sama will announce the third exam. Everyone, pay attention."
Tsunade's expression grew serious. "Before we begin the third stage, there will be a pre-selection round."
The crowd stirred instantly. "Pre-selection?"
Tsunade explained, "The first and second exams this time were slightly easier than usual, and too many participants remain. To keep things balanced, we'll conduct a preliminary round to narrow down the numbers."
"Gekko Hayate, you're in charge of the announcement," she said.
A pale man with a persistent cough stepped forward and bowed. "Yes, Lady Hokage."
Ah… Gekko Hayate, Menma thought, suppressing a grin.
In his previous life, there had been a joke — "When the gale spreads, the gale dies." He hoped the poor guy's luck would be better this time.
Hayate raised his voice. "Next will be individual matches. Anyone wishing to withdraw may raise their hand now."
Silence.
No one moved.
Hayate smiled weakly. "Very well. All twenty-two will proceed."
(End of Chapter)
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