Silence

31. Dramatic Entrance.

Shizukana's P.O.V.

I woke up to my alarm beeping. It was the day of the tournament. I got dressed and packed my weapons. Kunai, marked kunai, shuriken, summoning scroll, Karito's scroll and other necessities.

I ate some leftover noodles before walking towards the arena. Everyone in the village was heading towards the arena with excitement in their faces. Most of them were rooting for Sasuke. Well since he is the last Uchiha, they have high expectations.

I had an hour before the tournament began so I decided to take a slow pace. I could just teleport to a marker near the arena but this way I can save chakra. I walked past a few kids who were throwing paper shuriken at each other.

Without a second glance I dodged the paper shuriken that came my way. I heard the kids gasp in amazement while the kid who threw it at me furrowed his eyebrows in anger. I turned around to face the kid and gave him a light glare which sent the kid crying.

Satisfied with my work, I continued my journey. After a few minutes, I got bored from this slow journey so I teleported to a marker which was a block away from the arena.

I saw Sakura who was walking with Ino heading towards the arena. They turned around to see me. The both of then rushed towards me with smiles on their face.

"Shizukana-chan, how are you?" Sakura asked me. The both of them weren't in the tournament so they came to watch. They had overcome their 'love rivals' and became friends again.

I smiled before replying. "I am doing fine." I unconsciously was fiddling with my gloves. I guess I am nervous.

My eyes widened in surprise when Sakura slapped her hand on my shoulder with immense strength that it made me stumble to the side. The both of them were grinning.

"Good luck. I hope you graduate Chunin." Sakura said making me smile awkwardly.  Ino also looked excited.

The two of them continued to chatter while I quietly sneaked away. I made it into to the stadium to find it already filled to the brim. People of all ages and villages were seated in the massive stadium.

I walked over to the balcony where the rest of the competitors were standing. Shikamaru stood there yawning and rubbing his eyes. Clearly he didn't want to be here. I stood next to him making his look at me and wave.

"I see you're finally here. Thought you would have come early but clearly I was wrong." He said making me smile.

"I met Sakura and Ino. They held me up for a few minutes." I explained making Shikamaru nod.

"Those two can be quite talkative if they have the chance. Troublesome women." Shikamaru mumbled.

A few minutes later, everyone had arrived including the Hokage and Kazekage. Anbu were stationed all around the stadium and crowd was cheering madly.

A Jonin walked to the middle of the arena. It wasn't Hayate Gekko who was our proctor for the preliminaries. It was Shiranui Genma. The same ninja who was present the day my parents were murdered.

He introduced himself and explained the rules of the match. Each competitor fought and made it to the next round. The Kage and select few of the highly skilled Jonin will decide who will reach chunin and who will stay genin

As he was explaining, he was interrupted by a large yell. Everyone turned to the source to find Naruto panting. I sighed before mentally facepalming. Really Naruto.

Once Naruto realized the situation he was in, he quickly apologized before coming towards me. He had a smile on his face and his eyes were filled with excitement. "Shizukana-chan."