Elsewhere, after leading the others some distance away, Gekkō Raito suddenly stopped and turned to Sakura.
"Sakura, you're taking the Chunin Ninja Exams this time, right?"
Sakura blinked, then quickly nodded. "Yes! I may be a medical ninja, but I won't hold anyone back! Kakashi-sensei has already arranged two other teammates for me."
Raito frowned slightly.
His butterfly effect had allowed Sakura to learn some real skills early, but it had also cost her two powerful teammates: Naruto and Sasuke.
With her current strength, taking two random teammates into a death trap like the Chunin Ninja Exams was a risky proposition.
"How about this? Once we're inside the exam site, stick with us. Making a medical ninja charge onto the front lines isn't exactly fair to begin with."
Sakura was overwhelmed by the unexpected kindness, her face instantly turning red all the way to her ears.
Raito himself was inviting me!
Turn him down? Are you kidding? I'd have to have my head slammed in a door to refuse!
"B-but I already have teammates. Wouldn't that be a little inappropriate?"
"Just bring them along."
Raito shrugged, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You saw it yourself. That guy Gaara is a lunatic. I'm worried he'll take what just happened out on you and target you to get back at us."
The reasoning was airtight, and Naruto and Sasuke both nodded in agreement.
Naruto was already hopelessly devoted to Sakura, so he was more than willing. Sasuke might have been too proud to admit his feelings, but he didn't want innocent people dragged into trouble because of him, either.
"All right, the first exam starts tomorrow."
Looking at the young faces before him, Raito said seriously, "Go home tonight and get yourselves into shape. Eat properly, sleep properly, and