Chapter 37 - Sound Ninja

In the forest somewhere below the trees, there were five people. Three kneeled down to the other. "Orochimaru-sama" the trio respectfully called him. "I hope you remember what your mission is" asked Orochimaru. "Yes, challenge the one named Uchiha Sasuke." the trio replied.

"You are dismissed" Orochimaru said upon which the trio sound ninjas left the scene.

At the cave, Clone Sakura was looking at clone Sasuke. Suddenly a swirling portal opened up revealing Me, Naruto & Sakura. The Sakura clone smiled at us and disbersed. Suddenly, the curse mark started activating on my blood clone disbursed. "Aaahhhhh" I shouted not eing able to bear the pain and fellndown and fainted. The last thing I thought was 'shit how dis this happen'.

Sakura shouted "Sasuke kun". Then Naruto shouted "Sasuke" and came near me. Sakura worried, pulled me and placed my head on her lap and used healing jutsu on me to no avail. Naruto looking worried as well asked Sakura " What happened to Sasuke? Why did he suddenly faint?" Sakura then said "I have no idea. The medical jutsu is also not working." as tears filled the corner of her eyes.

At the tower, "heh heh! we're the first?" kiba asked as the group entered the tower. "No, i sensed someone a little while ago." shino said.

"More importantly, is akamaru okay?" Hinata asked as she comforted akamaru who hanged on kiba's jacket. "He's been scared ever since then." Kiba said. "Now that you mention it, what did akamaru say before?" shino asked as he turned towards kiba.

"Oh akamaru said it was dangerous because that guy with the gourd on his back was about to kill that big guy." Kiba said. At this time another group approached the staircase in the tower. "sheesh! just like i thought there's no other place to go!" kankuro complained. "They've already made us wait for half a day. How much longer do we have to wait?" Temari also complained as their team climbed up the staircase. Gaara's team entered in causing kiba and the group to remain extremely vary, as though they had been intimidated.

In the hokage's office, An anbu agent landed on the floor from the ceiling "Hokage-sama" Hiruzen asked "what is it?" "Report from the anbu group that had investigated the 44th training facility" The agent said as he handed over a paper "This."

Hiruzen said as he stood up. "That traitorous student of mine had the gall to come to this village." he spoke in a loud voice after which hiruzen continued reading the paper. 'This is even more complicated than i thought.' He mused to himself.

Hiruzen turned towards his subordinate. "Go back to the tower, to see if there's any movement. I will come there in four days." He said. "Yes!" the anbu agent said as he flew bak to the ceiling.

late night, in the highest floor of the tower. "It's becoming a real disaster, but we can't cancel this test." anko complained. "What do you mean?" the nearby anbu agent asked. Same time the door slid open as a man excused himself inside. "what is it? We're talking about something important" Anko shouted. "Excuse me, but.....ah.." the man stammered as he lifted a cassette into the air. "Please take a look at this" He said.

the man said as he inserted the video cassette into the vcr. "ready? here. Please take a look at the time!" the man said as he pointed to the tv screen. Anko saw gaara and his group enter the tower first. the man paused the video at the time of entering. "T-this is." anko stuttered seeing the clock on the display show 16:07. "This video is one hour and thirty seven minutes after the start of the second test!"The man said.

"This can't be. In mere ninety seven minutes" Anko said as she stood up. "This has never happened. Those guys are not genin level. They've rewritten the fastest time by about four hours." the man continued. "It's about 10 kilometres from the test entrances to the tower."

"Ferocious animals, poisonous insects, the rugged forest road. Their team passed through all, but the brown haired kid, there's not a single scratch on him." Anko muttered as she turned towards the windows and gazed outside. 'First Orochimaru, now this. The exam this year is beyond ordinary.' She thought.

The next morning, a few metres away. "Our target is sleeping in that cave" dosu said upon sensing me. "its been more than three hours." kin complained. "Patience is virtue" dosu said as he kept checking the cave we were hiding in. "That's it, i won't take it anymore." kin said as she walked towards the cave.

"Someone is coming" Naruto said as Sakura used a kunai to cut the rope beside her which had unleashed a giant log right towards the girl. At this moment dosu jumped in front of the girl as he emitted sharp sound waves from his gauntlet that destroyed the giant tree log to smithereens.

Sakura said "Let me handle it" and took a deep breath. 'genjutsu - cherry blossom world ' she said and unleashed her genjutsu technique on the two and started getting out of the cave. At this moment, zaku who was watching the battle saw his two teammates become stranded in one place while a girl in pink hair walked out of the cave. "You're not going anywhere." zaku said as he jumped towards sakura.

Sakura stopped as she stared at the man making his way in. 'Earth release-Trap Hole' she muttered. "A hidden hole trap" " zaku fell underground as soon as he landed upon the grass. Sakura then turned to see the two still trapped in the genjutsu. zaku finally succeeded in dispelling the genjutsu and started getting close to her.

Just as Zaku was getting close all heard a shout, "Leaf Whirlwind!" At that instant Zaku was sent flying backwards as dust and debris kicked up into the air. Sakura and had a dumbfounded look on her face as we she said, "EHHHHHHH?!" "Ugh!" Zaku grunted. Standing before Sakura was Rock Lee. "L-Lee?" Sakura said shocked.

"Hn I told you before, didn't I? That I would risk my life protecting you." Lee said with his back turned in a cool confident demeanor. 'Ah? That did happen didn't it? Sakura thought'. She thought back to when they met in the hallway. She then replied, "Th-Thankyou, but I could have handled them."

Ok Sakura, but however, I have a duty to protect you." He then got into a battle stance. Sakura facepalmed. "Well then, would you like me to help?" she asked Lee. He carefully glanced over Dosu, Zaku, and Kin before refocusing his attention on Zaku. "I will handle this". He said. At that time Naruto also walked out of the cave saying "Whats taking you so long Sakura". Then they both looked at each other and Naruto asked "Bushy Brows, what are you doing here?" Lee looked at Naruto and said "I'll handle them. In the meantime, pls protect Sakura." Naturo looked confused and just said "Eh"..

At this time, Dosu also appeared out of the hole and attacked Lee. The fight pretty much went the same as in the anime. Just as Lee attempted to block Dosu's right fist the metal arm on Dosu's hand began to emit a high pitched piercing noise and was redirected towards Lee's ear. Lee noticed the incoming attack but couldn't avoid it so he gritted his teeth preparing to take the strike headon.