Sakura Petals

Let The Battles Begin

Shortly after promising Lady Tsunade the I would find her after the exams were over, The Hokage called everyone's attention.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming to this years chunin exams that Konoha is proud to be hosting. And a special thanks to the Kazekage, for graciously taking time out of his schedule to make it here today as well." Minato began as he gestured next to him to the other Kage, causing the crowd to cheer for them both..

Up in the stands was a specific viewing box where he stood, along with the current Kazekage, the leader or Suna. Behind him in the area for special guests stood his wife, Kushina. Along with Mikoto, and Fugaku Uchiha.

I would have expected to have seen Itachi and maybe Shisui as well, but they were nowhere to be seen.

If I had to make any assumptions, it would be that they were doing some last minute training with Sasuke.

But if both of Naruto's parents were here, and they were the one's suppose to be training him, then where was he?

I think I know, incoming.

Huh?

Just as Naruto's father was about to continue his speech, a large boom echoed throughout the arena's entrance as the main doors had swung open with a crash.

And there he stood, in his typical bright orange jumpsuit. His blond hair shining as bright the sun, and his eyes as blue as the sky. His trademark whiskers on his cheeks were being pulled on either side as his usual blinding grin was in place.

Man, was he an eyesore.

"Sorry I'm late! The line to Ichiraku's was longer than I had anticipated, it slowed me down in eating my lunch!" Naruto yelled as he rubbed his belly that was extended with the amount of ramen he had probably eaten.

While the crowd around him had laughed and cheered at the Hokage's son who had made a late appearance, I was rather annoyed.

Couldn't he have come in quietly, like a real ninja would have?

But then again, with him showing up, that means the Hokage would have to wait for only one more person, Sasuke. If both of them were late, he could have easily rearranged the matches to put me against Gaara, and have Naruto and Sasuke fight each other later after they finally decided to show up. But now that Naruto is here, and he and I can fight, maybe they'll just postpone Gaara and Sasuke's fight until Sasuke gets here.

"Naruto, nice of you to finally show up." Minato said as he gave his son a hard stare, making him gulp from the entrance.

"Sorry pops." Naruto said as he laughed sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head and quietly made his way over to stand next to me.

I could feet his stare on the side of my head, but chose kept my eyes trained forward.

The Hokage cleared his throat before he began to speak again.

"I'm aware that most of you have noticed that there is a missing contender," Naruto made a confused noise in the back of his throat before he looked from side to side, only to realize who was missing. "Uchiha Sasuke has not yet entered the arena, however, it has come to an agreement for us wait until the final match before anything is decided. In the mean time, the rest of the battles may begin." The end of the Hokage's speech ended with him telling all the contestants good luck before giving the floor over to the proctor for the exam.

And let me say, it took everything in my power not to out right laugh at this guy.

It was him, the one who's garden I accidentally flash stepped into while they wee gardening. He looked different without the apron, gardening tools and the petunias.