The cheers of the crowd enlightens the whole stadium, as the contenders prepared for the fight of their life. The kids no older than 10 went to their opposing sides doing warm ups, stretches, and untensed their muscles. The announcer  tapped on his microphone for testing purposes, as short screeching sounds rang on the audience's head

"Welcome Japan, for the annual Aikido tournament 2015-2016 finals! Two of the remaining will fight hand to hand! There are three rounds, and each fall will give the other player a point, and two points is needed for you to proceed to the next round" The speaker boomed in excitement receiving more shrieks from the bleachers. Even though they're watching little kids fight, they thought of this as no ordinary fight, for only the best of the country gets to participate. "But first, our special guest came to visit! The chairman of Konoha Academy, the most sophisticated school in Japan! Ibiki Moreno!" A thunder of applause descended on the crowd, as Ibiki stood up and raised his hand professionally. He was seated and the crowd paused their applause and averted back to the competition.

"Participants! To yours stations!" The referee and the two participants huddled as the referee explained the mechanics. And with a handshake from the two, the competition has started.

Two of the best young martial artists traipsed to the stage, the other a duckbutted ravenette, the other a delicate looking pinkette.

"Fighting on the red side, Sasuke Uchiha! Son of the most powerful men in Japan, and an exceptional genius! His opponent will have some tough competition here!" The speaker shouted enthusiastically. "Fighting on the other side, Sakura Haruno! The first ever female to ever qualify for the finals!"

"We got some good competition here, don't you think so folks!? Who will emerge victorious and walk out as the youngest national champions!?" The two of them put on their fighting stance.

Sasuke held his left fist up with the right on his chest and bend his knees for balance, while sakura had a calm posture. No fear, anxiety, nor nervousness was present in her demeanor. She had on hand raised for blockage and the other on her chest. Her face held a monotonous look and stared at Sasuke blankly, while Sasuke glared intensely at his opponent.

Ibiki noticed her collected facade, which caught his attention, and focused more on the mysterious pinkette. The referee held a red flag between the two as he slowly raised the flag.

A bead of sweat dripped from his neck. He saw how this girl fought before the finals. And damn, she was scary. The referee pulled down the flag as Sasuke charged at Sakura preparing a punch.

Sakura, instinctively dodged it and held his arm. She twisted it preparing to make him tumble from his feet and make him land on his rump as she gains a point. But as Sakura did her strategic attempt to make him tumble, he successfully landed on his feet and twisted his hand holding her by the neck.

Just when the referee was about to stop them and give Sasuke a point, she crouched down lifting him and slamming him to the ground. Sasuke gasped at her sudden counter attack grudgingly stood up and shook the pain away.

The referee blew his whistle and gestured Sakura a point. A loud range of cheers was heard from the whole stadium, not getting a moment of silence. Sakura put up a not-so-ovious smug expression, that a keen observer like Ibiki would've noticed.

So she has pride to huh?, Ibiki thought biting a finger to prevent unnecessary giggling, how cute

The digital scoreboard has gave Sakura a point.

Sakura:  1

Sasuke: 0

Sasuke glanced at the scoreboard and gnashed his teeth in annoyance. There's no way she's being beaten by a girl.

The whistle of the referee snapped Sasuke out of trance and focused back to her. They had one thing in common, which is having a mature state of mind.

"If I could deseyfer her movements maybe I could win" Sasuke mumbled to himself that wasn't heard due to the cheers of the crowd.

The flag dropped again, but this time Sasuke didn't flinch. They both circled each other as they raised their arms for defense. That's when Sakura decided to make the forst move. Sakura went for a roundhouse kick and aimed it at Sasuke's face, but he succesfully dodged it, as he stepped backwards. Sakura went for another kick and another successful dodge.

She balled up her fist and sent executive punches aiming his face and neck, as Sasuke grabbed hold of her arms and boosted his feet up to her chest and kicked her to the other side of the stage sending both of them falling. Sasuke jolted himself up, smirking knowing that his plan worked.
The referee raised his hand to Sasuke giving him a point, as the digital scoreboard gave him a point.

Pretty much the same thing happened all over again, Sakura getting a point, then Sasuke. With the crowd getting relentless every hit and tumble, it came to the last round with both of them with tied scores. One slight mistake and it's out of the big league.

Ibiki, the keen observer he is has still averted eyes at Sakura's moves and tactics. Something a normal 9 year old can't perform. He can say the same thing about her opponent, Sasuke, but she has something that Sasuke lacks. Her peaceful mental state. When Sasuke attacks he's aggressive, thus blinding him from his common sense. Though, both may have possessed mature, yet admirable qualities that are absent in kids their age, even teenagers. Seeing such talent being present in tourneys like this is the reason he keeps coming back. Some of the competitors here studied in his school Konoha Academy.

Including Neji Hyuga, who was defeated by Sasuke in the semi-finals, and Rock Lee, who was defeated by Neji, Shikamaru, who lost by disqualification, due to not wanting to participate, adn Kiba Inuzuka, who lost to Shino, who lost to Neji. Of course, not only males compete in this tourney that attends to his school. Ino Yamanaka, defeated by Hinata, Hinata Hyuga, heir to the Hyuga clan, Neji Hyuga's cousin, and Ten Ten, who lost to Sakura.

Ibiki's daze was cut off with a shrill blow of the whistle, as he focused back on the fight.

Sakura punched and blocked, as Sasuke did the same, punching with the left fist, defending on the other. Sakura raised her right fist, while Sasuke launched his left.

Both fists met each other's delicate, childish skin, hitting both square in the face. The punch was so hard it could knock out a full grown adult. Both were sent flying a few feet behind them, baffled by each other's attack.

Sasuke tried to stand up, but a nauseous pain, was felt in his buzzing head, pulling him back down. Sakura felt the same, and staggered, trying to stand up. The crowd silenced, in adrenaline as they watched them stand up profusely.

Sakura stood and spread her legs to balance her stance as the other failed to do so and staggered back down, anhered tears welled up from his narrow eyes. Sakura smiled toothily and faced the crowd. She raised her fist in victor as the crowd was as relentless as ever.

The announcer ambulated to the stage holding a glass trophy, with a gold holder, as she held Sakura by the arm and relaxed her balled up fist and gave her a handshake as he gave her a smile. Sakura couldn't help but give the slightest one in return.

"Sakura!" A bass voice was heard at the side of the stage.

"Oto-san!" Sakura said cheerily, as she ran to him dramatically. Kinda like a Lee x Guy moment. Not the gay way.

Sakura wrapped her thin arms against her father's stomach as he crouched down to hug her tighter.

"Your mother would've been so prpud of you, sweetie"  he brushed his little girl's ruffled hair to her ear and gave a sad smile, as tears formed in Sakura's Jade eyes.

"I know"

Her father chuckled awkwardly and hugged her daughter once more, as a monotonous voice of a boy was heard.

"Uh, hey" Sasuke stuttered as he scratched the back of his neck shyly. Both father and daughter stood up and eyed him curiously. "Um, congrats on, ya know, winning a national competition."

Sakura smiled warmly at him, her unemotionless earlier at the fight gone from her features, into a cheerful little girl. "Thanks! You're really good at Aikido."

He swallowed his shyness and replied a 'thanks' in return.

"Sakura Haruno" a stern voice called from behind them. Sakura turned around to see a tall man in a tuxedo.

"How may I help you?" Sakura replied neutrally as Sasuke looked anxious at his presence.

He cocked a smile and said, "You've got talent, Sakura. A talent that is rarely found in 9 year olds"

"Ugh, thanks! I guess" Sakura replied.

Ibiki was amused by her innocence.

"How would you like to study at Konoha Academy as my apprentice?"

Sakura's father stood agape. That escalated really quickly.

Sasuke eyes brightened. "Say yes, Sakura! We can both study in Konoha together."

Sakura kept her innocent stare and averted her gaze at the tall man in front of her. "But, sir. Isn't the tuition fee expensive"

Ibiki was once again amused. "When I said 'Study at Konoha Academy as my apprentice' of course your family won't have to pay for the school expenses."

"R-really?" Sakura stuttered, flabbergasted by the offer that could change her's and her father's life. "F-father, how would you respond"

Sakura turned to her father who was blanched with shock.

"F-father" Sakura called again, as he recovered and held her daughter's shoulders firmly.

"Sakura, sweetie." He looked at her seriously. "You have to say yes"

Sasuke's face lightened up and turned to Ibiki.

Ibiki smirked and said, "So, do we have a deal?"

Sakura smiled toothily and jumped from joy.

"Hai! Ibiki-san"