The Real Me

39

The blonde stepped forward, "Who are you?"

Four Eyes blinked. "I haven't introduced myself? Oh god I'm so sorry, I'm Kabuto. And you are...?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."
"Sakura Haruno"
...

"Naruto"
Kabuto raised his eyebrows but then shrugged.

"Ok then should we start?" Kabuto exclaimed cheerfully.
"Don't you seem incredibly cheerful about all this?" Sakura narrowed her eyes.

Kabuto laughed. " I've already failed so many times at this that I've got really low expectations. It's just that this time maybe I can pass so... I'm just really pumped up!"

Kabuto could sense Sakura and Sasuke sort of believing him but that blond...he was not buying it.

He caught Kabuto staring at him an flashed him a big smile that looked so genuine, Kabuto would've thought he was just imagining stuff.

Naruto...he would be a small obstacle in his plan.

___________TIME SKIP______________a few hours later_

They managed to get their hands on the scrolls and after fighting quite a lot of enemies they had finally made it to the tower barely in time.

They lay in the medical room where the nurse applied bandages to the team.

Kabuto had gone off to meet his team apparently, but Naruto was sure he wasn't going to come back again.

Kakashi sensei had taken Sasuke somewhere else and wouldn't tell Naruto where but he guessed it had something to do with the Curse mark.

Sakura was sleeping and there were different members of other teams too.

With Kurama's help Naruto had recovered quite far so he had a whole day now to himself.

He went to the records room and found it empty. For some  reason the proctor Anko, was nowhere to be seen today. He had heard that she went out to the Forest Of Death for some emergency or something.

"Hmmm..."
The first Team to clear this stage was from the  Hidden Sands huh?
Gaara, Temari and Kankuro.

They looked pretty formidable and they had cleared it only in a few hours so there had to be something special about them.
What really surprised Naruto was the fact that the next team was Team Kurenai.
Kiba, Shino amd Hinata? They were able to clear it faster? Now that was really really embarrassing.

He looked through the other contestants and saw that Kabuto's team had... left?
They had simply given up? Or were they disqualified or something?

That Kabuto...he was bad news. Naruto wasn't sure but after Orochimaru trusting Kabuto with even their names seemed to be a mistake. He remembered that during the whole fight Kabuto never once used any ninjutsu that would disclose his style. He had absolutely no info on him and that was dangerous.

But why was he bothered? Naruto kept down the record and sat near the window.
Why was he bothered? Orochimaru had shown no interest in him. Nor had Kabuto. They were behind Sasuke for sure. And Naruto didn't like Sasuke either...but he was a good partner. And they fought together...
Maybe he wasn't so bad but...
Frustration took over him and he slammed his fist down.
Why did he even care? This village could go to hell.
But... If Sasuke obtained whatever power Orochimaru was offering him, and he became stronger than Naruto and.. and...

Hey. You need to calm down. Nothing like that is going to happen.

Kurama. But what if-

Stop it Kit! Stop it. This is not the time. Not the place. Just get over with this exam.

I am having an existential crisis here right now and you're telling me to finish an exam?!

This isn't the time to be having an existential crisis!!
What happened? You're not thinking straight. Think of it this way.
Orochimaru appears, and that weird Kabuto dude as well. We both felt something weird about him.
Now, forget Sasuke.
If Orochimaru somehow destroys the village then what about you? How will you get your revenge?
Isn't that enough reason for you?

...it makes sense. But enough reason for what? Protecting Sasuke? Protecting the village? Fighting Orochimaru? Or finishing this exam? What does this reason belong to??

Well that's up to you Kit. You have a reason. Use it for whatever you want.

Stupid goddamn Tailed Beast!!! Argh!

Someone stepped into the room and Naruto whipped around.
It was that red haired dude from the Hidden Sand...Gaara.

"You..." He said in a hoarse voice.

"So you're the first one to clear huh?" Naruto walked upto him.
"You have a Tailed Beast too right?" He deadpanned.

"What-?" Gaara asked shocked. "What are you talking about?"

Naruto frowned and leaned in closer, asserting dominance. This dumbass cleared it before him.

"That monster inside you. It's a Tailed Beast right? "

Gaara nodded. Naruto noticed sand floating around them in small amounts but sensed a lot more.

"I don't want to fight. Just know that I got one too. And when the time comes, I'll kill you." The blond grinned and walked out. Leaving behind a very shocked red head.
Gaara then turned around and his face twisted into an evil grin.

"Even I... DESIRE YOUR BLOOD!!!"

___________________________

A/N:
Finally a long chapter *sniffs*

Also y'all have no idea how grateful I am for all of your support *sniff sniff*

I love you all so much!!! Please bear with me Naruto's exile thingy should start in another 2-3 chapters *sniffs harder*

Maybe I should fill in Anko and Orochimaru's fight a bit? And Rock Lee's love for Sakura?
Hm? Tell MEEEE !! T^T

(If you want you can follow me on Instagram...if many readers do I might tell y'all bout updates? @23anubha that's my username. It's your wish! I just promoted my sad lil account)

Anyways,
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Yours Truly,
23