In the spectator area, Kakashi leaned back in his chair, the little orange book in his hands closed.
He watched the two boys in the middle of the arena, one unconscious, the other kneeling on the ground and holding him.
He sighed and shook his head, speaking so quietly that only he could hear.
"Ah, poor Sasuke, poor Naruto..."
The other candidates from Konoha exchanged glances.
Sakura woke up in the medical room, and tears immediately welled up when she learned the result.
Shikamaru frowned as he looked toward Team 7, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Neji remained expressionless, but his Byakugan stayed fixed on the Jonin from Sunagakure. He said nothing.
Rock Lee clenched his fists, wanting to rush down and demand an explanation, but Guy held him back.
"Calm down. This is an exam."
Hashirama sat in the front row of the stands, the flask of sake in his arms still unopened.
He looked at Sasuke and Naruto in the arena, then at Genya standing in the shadows, and thoughtfully rubbed his chin.
Then he opened the flask, took a sip, smacked his lips, and closed it again.
Genya watched the two boys in the middle of the arena. Naruto had done it-he had taken the blade for Sasuke. Sasuke probably wouldn't be angry anymore.
Yep, all according to plan. His lips curved slightly, and he turned to leave.
He didn't slow down as he passed Baki, leaving him with just one sentence.
"Keep the one-on-one matches going. Don't stop!"
Baki wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced at Sasuke, still kneeling in the arena, and the unconscious Naruto, silently sweating on their behalf.
Just what had these two done to offend their Lord Asura?
The one-on-one individual matches began.
When Naruto woke