𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍

The Third Exam, Pt. 2

Last time:

"Winner of the first match is Naruto Uzumaki," the proctor announced.

Now:

Everyone cheered. Naruto, unused to all the positive attention started running around the stadium and blowing kisses. Neji was taken to the medical area by the medic-nin. Once the applause died down and Naruto made his way to the contestants' area, Lord Hokage's guard came down to speak to Genma.

Genma nodded and said, "Because one of the contestants is not here, the next match will be postponed. Shino Aburame and Kankuro of the Sand please come down."

Shino was about to go down the stairs, but Kankuro forfeited.

'Why? Shino's bugs and your puppet would have made for an interesting fight.'

Genma let out an annoyed sigh, "All right, Shino Aburame is the winner. The next match is between Temari of the Sand and Shikamaru Nara."

'Well, that'll be interesting...'

Hanara smiled at Shikamaru, "I know it's not as ideal as it was before because the sun isn't as lower as you thought it would be, but don't you dare forfeit. Actually try, please."

Shikamaru sighed, "What a drag..."

"Yeah! All right, Shikamaru, what are you waiting for?" Naruto yelled, "Get down there already!"

And then Naruto pushed Shikamaru off the railing, causing him to face-plant into the arena.

Hanara turned to Naruto, "Was that really necessary? Now the crowd thinks he's some pushover, literally."

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck and laughed sheepishly, "Well, he's down there now."

"And he's getting trash thrown at him," Hanara deadpanned.

She looked back into the arena and saw a scowl on Shikamaru's face.

'Oh no. Please don't get petty now. You have what it takes to be a Chunin, don't give it up because the nobles are suckers for important clan names. I'm not saying that Nara isn't an important clan but... you get what I mean. Well, I mean yeah, because I'm talking to myself but- okay imma shut up now.'

Temari banged her fan against the ground, "What is it? You planning on giving up, too?"

Shikamaru's scowl deepened and Hanara laughed, 'I can literally read his thoughts right now. He's probably bitching because his opponent is a girl. If he beats this girl, he'll get another girl, me. He should probably stop being so sexist, boys can be troublesome, too.'

"Come on! Come on! Get up and fight!" Naruto yelled, jumping, "Get it together, Shikamaru! You gonna get going sometime this year?"

Temari glared at him, "Well if you won't move, I will!"

"Hey, I didn't start the match yet," Genma told her, annoyed.

Shikamaru sighed grabbing two kunai, "I forgot, this girl's a spunky one. I hate spunky..."

Temari jumped down onto Shikamaru, her fan closed, and she smashed her fan against the ground where Shikamaru had been.

"Woah!" Naruto exclaimed.

There was a dust cloud that cleared a moment later, revealing Shikamaru nowhere in sight.

Hanara let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, 'Good, he's safe.'

Hanara turned on her Byakugan and found Shikamaru standing on top of two kunai that he must have stuck into the wall, looking as lazy as ever. 'Smart.'