"Whoa, nice place!"
"You think?"
"Yeah, but... what is it?"
Arms crossed, I stare up at the rusting gate and fence ahead of us, and then beyond that, the never-ending twists of trees and their trunks contained by them. Just being in the presence of this place, it... I feel uneasy. I'd already be running away from this place as fast as I could – if I could.
"This is the location for the second phase of the exam," Miss Anko tells us, placing a hand on her hip. "It's the forty-fourth battle training zone, but we call it the "Forest of Death".
"T-The Forest of Death?" I accidentally repeat, my voice having gone hoarse and my body immediately stiffening. Suddenly, a large object comes in contact with my leg, and I scream – I thought one of the creatures Miss Anko mentioned earlier on had gotten out, okay?! I'm n-not a scaredy cat!
"Kari, calm down!" I barely hear Sakura say until she grabs my shoulders to steady me. "It's just Konohamaru!"
My screaming cuts off when, lo and behold, it is just Konohamaru, contained in that fake box of his again. Sighing in relief, I watch, annoyed, as it chases Naruto back in forth before finally, it explodes in multiple colours of gunpowder that reveals him and his team.
"I'm Moegi, the sassiest kunoichi in preschool! Check me out!"
"I love algebra! Call me Udon!"
"And I'm the number one Ninja in the village – Konohamaru!"
"And when we're all together," they begin to chorus, "we're the Konohamaru Ninja Squad!"
"Yeah, I knew it was you guys the whole time," Naruto says, throwing his hands behind his head. "What do you losers want? I'm getting ready to take the second phase of the Chūnin Exams and you're interrupting me. I don't have time to play with you guys now."
"We didn't come to play around, Boss!" Konohamaru says. "We're on official business!"
"Yeah, that's right! We came here for an exclusive interview!" Moegi adds, Udon agreeing with the both of them.
"What is it for?" I ask her.
"We're here on assignment to write an article for the Academy's newspaper! It's a big-time featured story, all about the Chūnin Selection Examinations!"
"So, that's why I want to do an exclusive interview with you! Please tell us you're going to do it?!"
"It would mean a lot!"
"Y-Yeah, but right now?" Naruto asks, groaning awkwardly.
"Hey! You over there!" Looking away from the fidgeting preschoolers, we find Miss Anko walking over to us, not particularly pleased. "What are you doing? You're holding up the exam!"
"Uh, sorry," Naruto says, "but Konohamaru was telling me something about an interview for the Academy newspaper?" Miss Anko suddenly gasps before chuckling in apology.
"Oh, I-I forgot all about it! Lord Hokage had mentioned something about them interviewing me!"
"Interviewing you?" I hold back from asking her why they'd want to in the first place. Something tells me she has a bit of a one-track mind like Naruto does...
"A-All right, everyone! We're taking a ten-minute break!" she announces. "For those of you that are scheduled to be interviewed, please be courteous and respectful to the reporters from the Academy newspaper."
"I thought I was the only one being interviewed," Naruto grumbles.
"No, Boss, but you are the most important!" Konohamaru says, beaming at him so strongly it prompts Naruto to return the expression.
"Oh! Well, in that case, I'll give you an interview to make it clear to your readers why I'm the greatest Ninja ever!"
I sigh. Yep. One-track mind.
"All right, Boss – first tell us a little bit about yourself!" Konohamaru clicks his pen and opens his notebook.
"Okay! I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I like ramen, and I love it when other people buy it for me!"
I'm sure you do, I think, shooting him a look.
"My future dream is to become the greatest Hokage ever so the village will respect and look up to me! No other Genin can match any of my Jutsu – even Iruka-sensei can't help but be impressed!"
Maybe not the greatest Genin, but probably one of the most promising!
"And now that I'm on Team Seven, I get to go on dangerous missions every day!"
Since when is catching a cat and walking some dogs dangerous?
"The other Genin in Team Seven are Sasuke, Sakura, and Kari, but since I'm really the only one who shows any promise, you don't need to hear about them."
I gape at him. "Y-You..."
"Well, do it, anyway!" Konohamaru insists. "You know – for the article?"
Naruto huffs. "Okay, okay!
"Sasuke Uchiha is a real pretentious guy. All the girls think he's cool, but they don't realize what a jerk he is! Anyway, he's always swooping in at the last minute to make me look bad, but one day, I'll show him!
"Then there's Sakura Haruno. I'll let you in on a little secret – she's madly in love with me. She'd never admit it, of course, but I think her coyness just makes her cuter—" Sakura is quick to cut Naruto off with a punch so hard that he goes flying into the trunk of a nearby tree before returning to her spot next to a fuming Sasuke.
"You had that comin'," I say pointedly, trying hard to hide my concern from his potential injury. Jeez, he just doesn't know when to quit...
"I-It doesn't sound to me like she's in love with you, Boss," Konohamaru mumbles, shrinking away from Sakura's cold stare felt from a few meters away.
"Ouch..." Groaning in obvious pain, Naruto clambers out from the hole in the tree, head in his hand. "V-Very funny, Konohamaru, but trust me – she is!"
"What about her?" Moegi asks, sounding eager to continue the interview when she suddenly points at me. I look to my friend.
"Yeah, Naruto. What about me?" I challenge. As he reclaims his seat, he easily shakes off his injury and smiles.
"This is Kari Yamada! She's new to the village. She always buys me things to eat or cooks for me whenever I'm hungry." I'm surprised to see him take on a distant look. "Kari was also... the first person to really want to be my friend." My lips part as Naruto's smile widens. "I'm really grateful!"
"Naruto..."
Thinking back to all the stories he'd told me, where he'd once painted over the Hokage Monument, or when he'd emptied everyone's garbage into their street, and even when he'd protected Hinata from being bullied when they were kids but was still shunned by the family members that retrieved her – it truly is a wonder to me how such a big and amazing world can be so cruel.
"Naruto, I'll always be your friend," I tell him firmly, finally smiling back, "no matter what! Besides, you're the very first friend I'd ever made when I got here. It just really means so much to me that—"
"Back to the interview!" Konohamaru interrupts loudly. "Save the mushy stuff for your own time!"
Naruto clears his throat in response.
"Well, putting all that other stuff aside, our squad is a well-oiled machine that can succeed in any mission, no matter how dangerous!"
"I don't think plucking weeds and picking up some garbage really counts toward the "dangerous missions" we've had," I mutter, "but you kept trying to show up Sasuke, which made the missions dangerous, so that's all on you!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! Even still! I had time to teach even the Hokage a few lessons, too!"
"All you did was transform into a naked lady and give him a couple of nosebleeds."
"I don't think this material is appropriate for the article," Konohamaru interjects.
Naruto groans. "Fine. Then what do you want to talk about?"
"How about the first time you met me?" he suggests.
"Oh, yeah – how did you two meet?" I ask. "I doubt it was a coincidence."
"Actually, it kind of was a coincidence," Naruto admits.
"Really?" His little friend smiles at me, confirming his words.
"Don't forget about Iruka-sensei," Naruto adds. "Before Kari came around, he was the only one who was ever nice to me, and I sure did drive him crazy!"
"To put up with that for so long on his own," I say with a giggle. "He's a tough nut to crack!"
"Believe it!"
"The whole article can't be about you, Boss!" Konohamaru all but screeches at him.
"Oh, I guess you're right." Naruto rubs the back of his head, laughing. "I guess I could tell you a few stories of how Sasuke screwed up?"
"I've already heard those stories, Boss!" he reminds him. "Can't you talk about anyone but you?"
"That's a "dangerous mission" on its own," I joke, causing the three younger kids to laugh. Naruto, however, glowers over at me.
"I can talk about someone else! Believe it!"
"Tell us about Sakura Haruno!" Moegi suggests. "She's one of the two kunoichi who I really look up to. She's got what it takes to be a top female Ninja!"
"Moegi, if you want to know the truth about Naruto, talk to me," Sakura says, glaring at him. "I'll tell you about his different Ninjutsu without all his bragging.
"First is his "Sexy Jutsu". Then there's his "Harem Jutsu". Lastly, his Shadow Clone Jutsu, but who can take that many Naruto's? Most of the time, he's just Naruto, which is not a good thing." She sighs, exasperated.
"Then there's Kari. She's kind of a Taijutsu prodigy that showed up right before we graduated – she even beat Sasuke, of all people!" And while it sounded like it should be some kind of compliment, it definitely came out backhandedly.
"Uh, sorry?" I offer.
"But he's who I really want to talk about. The number one rookie, Sasuke Uchiha! Not only did he graduate from the Academy as the very top student, but he's also the most popular guy in class! He can even hold his own against Kakashi-sensei! I-I mean, he's so cool! O-Oh my – I think I'm gonna faint!"
I let out a laugh, one that ends up being a little drier than I'd meant it to be.
"Your tribute to the Great Sasuke is putting everyone to sleep, Sakura," Naruto mumbles, sounding bitter.
"Be quiet, Naruto!" she snaps, pushing him away from her. "Oh, admit it, Sasuke – you care about me!" Confused – because he definitely was not listening until just now – he glances over his shoulder at her.
"I-I, uh – I guess that's true..." Well, my guess is that he didn't expect to be asked such a silly question.
"O-kay!" I clap my hands together. "Back on track! Sakura! Who's next?"
"Up next is our Sensei, Kakashi Hatake," she says. "Also known as the Copy Ninja – he uses his Sharingan eye to assess the enemy's technique and then copy it in an instant! He's copied over a thousand Jutsu! But he's always reading that dumb book!" I feel myself go red in the face, accidentally recalling what one of them had been about. "Whenever he's supposed to meet us early in the morning, he's always late! Plus, like everyone else, Naruto really gets on his nerves. But the biggest mystery of them all is his face, hidden under that mask of his. I wonder what he really looks like?"
"I mean, we really could just ask him to show it to us," I say.
"But why would he cover it up only to reveal it to us?" Sasuke points out.
"Maybe there are certain people he doesn't want seeing it," I offer.
"But how come only one of his eyes has the power of the Sharingan?" Sakura wonders aloud. "I thought it was a trait exclusive to the Uchiha Clan... Anyway, there are plenty of other Ninjutsu that other Ninja can do, as well. In fact, there are so many different types and styles that I-I don't have the time to explain them all in a short interview!"
"Boy, Sasuke, you're the coolest!" Udon gushes. "When I look at you, I feel like I'm looking at my future self! Do you think I could get a few cool tips for our article?"
"Well..." Sasuke sighs before unwillingly joining our circle. "I guess I ought to set the record straight. If you listen to Naruto, his story will be more fairy tale than truth."
"Oh, no, you don't, Sasuke," Naruto starts, "they came here to interview me, not you!"
"They came here to interview everyone, loser," Sasuke spits back. "There are other Ninja here, you know – believe it." I can't help the small laugh that escapes me at him using Naruto's catchphrase.
"The article's about me!"
"No one cares about you, Naruto; all you do is goof off and get into trouble. That's why you'll never be a real Ninja."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah."
"All right, that's enough," I groan at them, pushing them in the opposite direction of each other when I step between them. "This isn't the time for your silly rivalry! We've only got a bit of time left before we have to go and start the second exam, so let's finish this interview, okay?" They end up growling at each other before crossing their arms. "Oh, boy..."
"Whatever," Sasuke grumbles. "Anyway, the students taking the Chūnin Exams are all highly skilled, and every one of them is considered to be the "cream of the crop" – except for Naruto."
"Hey!!"
"Shikamaru Nara; Chōji Akimichi; Ino Yamanaka; Hinata Hyūga; Kiba Inuzuka with Akamaru; and Shino Aburame. Each one of them is talented in their own, unique way, and I'm still better than everyone combined."
"Yeah, right," Naruto grumbles. "That's why you got your butt kicked by Rock Lee, right?"
"More like cut off and handed to on a silver platter," I add, offended by his statement.
"And all because you're better than them? You shouldn't be talking!"
"You've screwed up a bunch of times, for sure!"
"I'm going to screw you two up if you don't watch it," Sasuke threatens.
"Go for it!"
"Do it then!!"
"Ugh, will you three cool it?" Sakura begs, visibly annoyed. "Listen. We've passed the first phase of the Chūnin Exam, and we're about to enter the Forest of Death for the second phase. I-I don't know what's waiting for us in there, but no matter what lies ahead, we won't be afraid, and we'll pass the exam to become Chūnin! Because Kakashi-sensei taught us to work as a team, nothing will be able to break that bond! Right, guys?"
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Teamwork, right!"
"Sorry, Sakura..."
"Alright, misses, you're up next." I blink, until finally realizing that Konohamaru had meant me.
"Misses?" I repeat. "What do you mean?"
"You and the Boss are pretty close, right?" I nod slowly. "So then, you guys are like a couple, right?"
"Uh, a couple? What's a couple?"
"Kari here doesn't really know much about relationships and love and stuff," Sakura says, leaning onto my one shoulder.
"Relationships? Love?" I groan. "Oh, I give up. Why don't people just explain these things to me, then? Instead of letting me embarrass myself any more than I already manage to..."
"I think she's gonna overload," I catch Moegi whisper to her group. "Oh! So earlier, I said that there were a couple of female kunoichi I really admired! You were the other one!"
"H-Huh? Uh, really?"
"Mhm!" She quickly flips to the front of her worn down notebook, smiling. "You graduated from the Academy a couple of months ago, third in your graduating class even though you're so new, and you got the highest marks in Taijutsu in your class, too! You were able to break a D- and C-rank Genjutsu but came close to last in Ninjutsu." My jaw unhinges. "But then you learned a Fire Style Ninjutsu!"
"H-How the heck do you know all this?" I ask her, nervous for the answer. Am I being stalked?
"Naruto told me, of course!" she replies. Ah, that makes a lot more sense.
"The Boss also said you're not from here!" Konohamaru says, clicking his pen at me. "A lot of the kids at the Academy were wondering about that."
"Oh, sure," I say. "I came from the Land of Snow, right deep in the mountains where it's always blizzarding. I lived there with my grandmother and first Sensei. Before... before she passed away, she asked me to come here to the Hidden Leaf. Apparently, she used to live here a long time ago, and left me my parent's house to me."
"Who are your parents?" Udon asks.
"A-Ah... well... they passed away, too. I never met them, but apparently, they were Leaf Shinobi, too." The three exchange grim looks with each other. I let out an awkward laugh. "Anymore questions for me?"
And in seeing them panic a little, Sakura offers one. "Can you us about your journey here? The Land of Snow is pretty far, isn't it?"
"I think it took a little over three days to get here. I had to pass through a bunch of villages and towns on my way here, and I almost got eaten by a giant snake! It was scary, especially since it was my first time ever even leaving our cabin in the mountains. But besides all the scary stuff... everything I'd come across amazed me. This world is so beautiful!
"So, when it comes time for you to go on your first mission outside of the village, don't be afraid until you're given something to be afraid of – like a giant snake!"
"We really want to thank all of you!" Moegi bows her head, Konohamaru and Udon following suit. "That was a great interview!"
"Yeah, thanks!" Udon pipes.
"Knock 'em dead on the Chūnin Exam, Boss!" Konohamaru flashes Naruto a thumbs' up.
"Don't worry, guys – we'll make it!" Naruto does the same right back. The three of them wave goodbye and take off in the direction of the village.
"We'll do great, I just know it!" I cheer. "And really, I think this whole interview made us a little closer, don't you guys?"
"What do you mean?" Sakura asks, her tone dull.
"Well, we've all learned some things about each other, in a way that were ourselves." The four of us start walking back to the gate. "It's nice like this – maybe now it'll be easier to work together. I think the four of us can really all become good friends now."
"... you know what? Maybe you're right." There's a sudden weight on my shoulder again from Sakura leaning on me, causing the speed of my stride to lessen. She's smiling brightly, hopeful! "Then let's start now!"
"Yes!" I grin back. Sakura links her arm with mine and we pull each other along. "Come on, you two!" I call, looking over my shoulder.
"Stop dragging your feet and let's go!" Sakura adds. "We've got an exam to pass!!"
Updated February 5th, 2022 | 3,164 words