Sakura Blooms (#1 Sakura Trilogy)

Sakura Blooms: [Chapter 33]

A/N: This track is called "Sasuke's Theme" and it is the extended version. Enjoy!

"It feels good to be back, —ttebayo!" Naruto exclaimed, waving at Izumo and Kotetsu. They waved back.

"Aa," Sasuke agreed, glancing at Sakura, who still wasn't talking. He hadn't heard her voice in nearly three or four days.

"Let's go report and then you'll be free for the rest of the day," Kakashi suggested rather cheerfully, then lead the way to the Hokage Tower.

:::

"Thank you, you're dismissed." The Hokage watched as all of Team Seven left his office and sighed tiredly. The Chūnin Exams were coming up, which meant foreigners would start pouring into the village.

"Hokage-sama?" The old man turned to see an anxious Iruka.

"Yes, Iruka? Is something wrong?"

"Well, yes, Hokage-sama. I just bumped into Kakashi-san, and he told me he was planning to have Naruto take the Chūnin Exams." The brunette sighed.

"And you're worried about him," the Hokage stated. "He's changed a lot since the Academy. I'm sure you would be surprised. Why don't you go test Naruto?"

"W-well, it's not only Naruto I'm worried about. It's Sasuke and Sakura. Sure, they're quick learners, but will it be enough? It hasn't been too long since I became chūnin, and—"

"Iruka," Hiruzen said strictly, "their sensei is Kakashi Hatake. If you're worried, then test them. You may go."

The brunette sighed dejectedly again before bowing and leaving the room. "Hai."

The old man stood up from his chair and turned to the window, watching the busy crowds that usually formed around noon. The Chūnin Exams, Kakashi? You must be very confident to enter them, especially with the Kyūbi holder, the sole Uchiha heir, and the only person alive with Shōkuton. He turned back around and sat into his chair, leaning back and sighing. I'm getting too old for the job. Fourth... Hiruzen looked up to the picture showing a man with blonde, spiky hair. How did you do it?

:::

"Ramen, ramen~" Naruto sang as he paraded down the streets, ignoring dirty glares and the fact that he hadn't dropped any of his mission stuff off at his apartment. "Hm, I didn't think rocks could be this square, —ttebayo..." He mused at a terribly disguised box and kicked it so it tipped over, revealing three kids.

"Heheh, sharp as ever!" A boy with brown spiky hair that stood straight up tripped on his blue too-long scarf when he attempted to stand. He wiped under his nose mischievously.

Naruto blinked, then scratched the back of his head. "Eh? What's this, dattebayo? Who're the other two?"

"Ow, Udon, you're stepping on my feet!" A girl with brownish-orangey hair in two pigtails scolded a boy with glasses, presumably Udon.

He sniffed and pushed up his glasses, then patted his blue shirt, ridding it of dust. "Sorry, Moegi."

"Humph," she turned and fixed her hair. "This is the cool genin you were talking about?"

"Yeah! We play ninja sometimes!"

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto snorted haughtily. "I'm a real shinobi now! I don't have time to play, —ttebayo!"