The Path of a Shinobi (Reader x various)

Preliminaries

The past couple of days you've been doing nothing but resting and waiting for the arrival of the other teams at the tower. When you arrived you noticed you weren't the first one there. Gaara and his team made it before you did.

They noticed your presence merely staring at you but you gave them a nervous smile before you left to find Kakashi Sensei. At the tower you informed Kakashi Sensei about the incident with Orochimaru along with what you soon found out was the curse mark.

Time has passed and you started recognizing familiar faces but your main concern was Naruto and the others. While waiting with the other participants you noticed your team enter. Waving your hand, alerting them of your presence, they made their way over. "Took you guys long enough." Informing you on the recent events to obtain a scroll, you guys were interrupted by the Third Hokage explaining the purpose of the exam, but before we could proceed to the third exam there'd have to be a preliminary exam.

A ninja named Hayate, was informing you all about the preliminary exams that would immediately start."If any of you thinks you aren't in top condition to fight then raise your hand."

While he was talking, you felt a sensation of pain coming from your curse mark but noticed Sasuke was in a bit of pain as well. Sakura and Naruto noticed our expressions and were concerned about us. Once the pain had eased a bit, moving closer to Sasuke you whispered, " Are you all right to continue?" He nodded his head but Sakura intervened trying to persuade him to quit.

"(Y/n) you tangled with Orochimaru too, both you and Sasuke should quit before it gets worse. Who knows what'll happen especially after what happened in the Forest of Death...I'm worried for you two," she said while wiping a tear away.

Sakura was about to raise her hand but Kabuto's hand went up first to dismiss himself from the exam. Something about him is strange you thought while looking at his retreating figure. Once he left Sakura saw this as her chance. Your eyes widened but Sasuke managed to grab her hand and hold it down.

"Sakura we're fine, it's our decision whether we want to continue or not," you sternly said. Naruto tapped your shoulder and began to argue with you and Sasuke. He was debating about raising his hand as well for your sake.

"She's only concerned for you two. (Y/n), Sasuke you don't have to prove yourselves to anyone. (Y/n) you may be my friend but I care about your wellbeing. I may not know what happened at the Forest of Death or about this mark but..if you really want to continue then I'll respect your decision."

You thanked Naruto and convinced Sakura to let Sasuke continue on as well. With a sour expression on her face she nodded but didn't like the idea.

"We will now begin the preliminary exam. The names that appear on the screen will start first."

"Sucks to whoever has to go first right," you quitely said to Naruto with a light laugh. "Um (Y/n)," said  Naruto while he pointed at the screen and there appeared your name. You've got to be kidding me.

Everyone began to head up the stairs to watch the first match. Walking up to Hayate, you saw your opponent was a member from Kabuto's team, Misumi Tsurugi.

"Due to the uneven amount of opponents, the winner of this first match will be allowed to continue on to the third exam. The loser will stay in the preliminary round and fight another opponent to have another chance to win and proceed."

You both nodded, staring at each other with an intent to win. "Begin!"

Jumping back you held out a kunai and waited for him to make the first move. Let's see what type of powers he has. He charged straight at you attempting to punch you but you easily grabbed his fist with your hand. You kicked him in the stomach then roundhouse kicked him in the face. He stumbled onto the ground but regained his composure, seizing after you again. Once he got closer he outstretched his arm towards you. His arm was tangling around your body and around your neck.