The Life of Ki (Naruto Fanfic)

A New Mission

Konoha Coliseum: Three days later

In hindsight, I should have stayed in bed that day.

It had been one of those mornings that when I wake up, I knew it was about to be a horrible day, but still, I forced myself out of bed to face the world despite that.

Now, here I am, standing at the center of a coliseum flanked by eight of the other genin that made it to the final round of the Chunin Exams. In the stands, hundreds, possibly a thousand people from all different nations cheer loudly.

I can't wait for my fight! Being the center of attention is the absolute best.

A section of the stands is dedicated to the high ranked Kages from the different nations, and I do my best to swallow my nerves.

I can feel the stress around me from the 8 other candidates, and I'm surprised to admit that I'm just as nervous as everyone else here.

Naruto's wide eyes find mine from his spot a row in front of me, and his eyes narrow in confusion as he glances at the empty position next to my side.

I know what he's thinking: a candidate is missing? There are a million things on my mind, and this missing candidate is one of them.

Where is Sasuke?

Sasuke Uchiha was marked absent alongside another ninja when I and the eight other genin had paraded into this coliseum earlier.

Not that I'm Sasuke's guardian, but I can't help but be concerned that he hasn't shown up yet.

Neither he nor Kakashi seem to be present, and I've begun to suspect the worse. Sasuke has been sabotaged.

I calm myself respectfully as the Hokage stands at his podium.

Sasuke will have to wait.

"Thank you all for coming today to the Hidden Leaf Chunin Exams!" The Third Hokage proclaims to the stadium around him. "We will now start the main tournament matches of the 9 participants who passed the preliminary rounds!"

I blink in confusion as the Hokage concludes his introduction. '9 participants'? There used to be ten, including Sasuke, and the other missing genin hasn't shown up yet.

Someone must have gotten nervous and dropped out.

An instructor steps in front of the 8 genin on the ground and holds up a sheet of paper.

"There have been some minor changes to the tournament." This instructor announces. "Dosu the Sound Ninja has forfeited, so the fighting line up has changed slightly. Shikamaru Nara, you will have a bye for the first round."

To my left, I see Shikamaru smile slightly as his good fortune.

"As for the rest of you, it remains the same." The instructor explains. "Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga will be fighting first. They haven't mentioned anything about Sasuke's absence yet... "The arena has changed, but the rules remain the same."

The Instructor continues. "Unless there is a clear winner, the two contestants will fight until one dies. Is that clear?"

Everyone nods in understanding, although some people are clearly displeased by these rules. Others, such as Gaara, seem utterly confident.

"Good. The first two to fight remain here with the other instructors. The rest, follow me to the waiting room." The Instructor waves the other 6 of us in the direction of a door at the wall.

Noooo! I want to watch the fighting up here! Why take us to a waiting room?

It's a little disappointing that I won't get to see the fight between Neji and Naruto, but I know this is the best course of action.