III

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Arc III Chapter 15

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Their first guests made their appearance, a nameless genin team from Amegakure. Two boys, one girl. They looked motivated. They actually believed they could defeat her and pass the test, a shame that they fell for her trap. They even delivered her the missing Earth scroll.

The Ame girl protected the Earth scroll. The scroll hung around her hips, easily accessible. Not the most intelligent choice. The scroll only waited for a change of ownership. A single moment of distraction was everything Asami needed.

Her other guests were far more troublesome. A blonde girl and her over-sized fan, her brother and his puppets, and the red-haired emo kid. The Sand Siblings had arrived.

Temari plunged her fan into the ground. ”Apparently, we weren’t the only ones who got the idea to prey on the weak, Kankuro.”

Kankuro grinned. “Apparently, but I doubt that our Ame-nin represent a credible threat. ”

Both sides engaged in a staring contest, but the Ame-nin didn’t budge.

Asami clenched her fist. Her eyebrow twitched. These insolent brats. They dared to ignore her. They ignored her as if she didn’t exist. Unacceptable.

Asami whispered. “Hisaaki, Katsusane, listen, when I give you a sign, run. Get inside the tower.”

“The tower is neutral area. No fighting is allowed inside. We will use that to our advantage. Get inside, and we are safe.”

Asami produced two kunai from her sleeves and placed them right in front of the two teams. Her kunai gained her their attention.

Asami waved and deployed her cutest smile. Her plan required a suitable diversion to lower their guard. She was just an innocent little girl. Ignore her. Underestimate her.

Her smile resembled a little sun.”Excuse me, but didn’t your parents teach you any manners, you dim-witted cretins? It's not nice to ignore us. My team and I also exist.”

Gaara narrowed his eyes and the forest fell silent, only the wind disturbed the silence amid a sea of incredulous stares. His sand awakened and poured forth from his gourd. His sand surrounded him, ready to obey his orders.

Temari and Kankuro paled. They feared the worst, the girl had signed her death warrant.

Gaara glared with an intensity that transcended human. He almost scared her. “What did you say?”

Asami scratched her head and merely laughed. “I guess this means trouble.“

“Well, you see, you shouldn’t take everything I said too seriously… RUN!!!”

Hisaaki and Katsusane sprinted. They trusted in Asami, even when she gambled with their lives. Not that they had much of a choice.

Asami used her superior speed. The poor Ame girl didn't even realised what happened until it was too late.

Asami closed the distance and claimed her prize, the unprotected Earth Scroll, before fleeing the battlefield.

Asami ran and the heavy metal doors closed behind her. Her team reached the comforting safety of the tower and set a new record. They finished the exam in 26 minutes and 33 seconds.

Katsusane leaned against the heavy steel door, mentally and exhausted. “You will never, I repeat, never, ever do this again. Do you understand? Stop playing with our lives! We aren't your toys!”

“Stop being such a pessimist, Katsusane. My plan work perfectly. We have our scroll, and we passed the exam! We are even first! We.” Asami puffed out her chest in pride.

“But at what price? Didn't you see his eyes? The boy wanted to kill you.” Katsusane trembled. His hands shook in fear.

His question showed her once again that they were worlds apart. In the end, Asami was an ANBU, an Uchiha, while Katsusane was only a genin.

Hissaki and Katsusane lacked her experience, her strength. Most genin had never tasted real combat, the brutality of real carnage, but she did. She didn't fear the wannabe jinchuuriki.

Asami rolled her eyes. “Take it easy, Katsusane. He was scary …”

“Scary? He was about to kill you.”

”Katsusane, you don't need to worry about me, I have seen worse. A brat with delusions of grandeur doesn't scare me, quite the contrary.”

“Why did we run then?“

Asami poked his nose. “Because of you two of course, dummy.“

“Us?“

Asami nodded. “I could have fought them easily, but what about you?“

“I am responsible for you, and your well-being is far more important than proving my point. No need to put you at risk for naught.“ Asami smiled.

Katsusane was lost for words. He didn't know what to say.

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