In a private and guarded room within the central tower in the Forest of Death, Anko clutched her shoulder in pain. One hand covered her curse mark from view; Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage of the Leaf Village watched the elite female ninja carefully.

"The curse mark, does it trouble you still?" he asked calmly.

"No, I can manage. Thanks to you it's much better" Anko replied firmly and pulled her jacket up to cover the mark.

"Okay then, this Orochimaru guy. He's one of the Sanin right? The legendary three ninja? I thought he was dead but apparently that's all a rumour now. He's supposed to be very powerful" a Jounin asked.

"Why is he here anyway?" another Jounin added.

"That kid" Anko began, remembering Orochimaru's conversation with her in the forest.

"You mean Sasuke, right?" Sarutobi asked, reading Anko's thoughts. Before anything more could be said, the radio in the room crackled to life.

"Anko! 21 ninja have finished the second exam, the rules state for this many we need to hold a round of preliminaries. The first time in five years. Over!" A voice said before the line disconnected.

"I have decided, for now we will continue with the exams as planned but I wish to keep an eye on his movements as well" the Third Hokage instructed.

Team 7 were lead into a huge arena where the third part of the exams was to be held. Two huge hand statues in the position to perform a jutsu were located at the far end of the building.

Iruka quickly instructed Team 7 to line up one behind the other and join the other remaining candidates in the centre of the room. He quickly jogged up to a platform where Lord Hokage stood.

Surrounding him were all the different Jounin of each of the different squads, Sakura spotted Kakashi standing next to Lee's sensei Gai. From a quick glance around the room, it seemed all of the Rookie 9 had passed the second exam.

The third exam had not yet started and everyone was chatting quietly amongst themselves, whispering about what the next task could possibly be.

Sarutobi had his eyes trained carefully on Sasuke, Orochimaru had not yet left the Leaf Village he was certain of it.

Therefore it was highly likely there were spies for him within the exams to track the progress of the Uchiha boy. Or perhaps the snake man was here himself, hidden from view. Upon entering the arena, Lord Hokage had been informed of the whispers circulating around Sasuke's curse mark. Apparently some of the Rookie 9 had witnessed the power it had possessed.

We need information on exactly what has happened to Sasuke, he thought and motioned for Kakashi and Anko to speak with him.

"Lord Hokage, it is my request that Sasuke Uchiha be refused entry into the third exams. I feel the curse mark may be activated during battle" Anko said immediately.

"It's at this point that I should remind you he is an Uchiha. You think he'll go quietly if you order him to do so?" Kakashi piped up happily.

"So? I'll stop him by force if I have to! If he manipulates his chakra in anyway it will provoke a reaction from that cursed mark!" Anko snapped angrily.

"You make your point Anko, but before I make a decision on this I wish to speak with Sakura Haruno" Sarutobi said.

"The girl, what does she have to do with this?" Anko demanded.

"From the whispers I have heard, it seems some of the Rookie 9 were around to witness Sasuke's response to the curse mark activation. I would like to know more of this, it seems reasonable to assume that either Sakura or Naruto was a witness to this" Sarutobi explained.

"What!? Why do we need to explore this!? Why not just withdraw the Uchiha boy from the exam. Send him to the hospital to be examined by Lady Tsunade! Anbu Black Ops can guard him!" Anko asked in despair.

"No, I wish to give Sasuke the opportunity to participate in the exams. But I also wish to know Orochimaru's plans and thoughts about the boy. I need more information before I can make an informed decision. What say you Kakashi?" Lord Hokage turned to face the silver haired man.

"Hm. Sakura has come a long way in a short amount of time; she has superb observational skills and intelligence that is absolutely an asset to gathering information. Plus her stamina has increased allowing her to hold out longer in a fight; there was a chance that she saw the transformation as well. She also shows a promise for medical ninjutsu" Kakashi supplied.

"Very well, Anko prepare to announce the final stage of the exams. After you do this, hand the speech over to me. I will request Sakura come and speak with me, yourself and Kakashi. I wish for this to be in front of everyone, if Orochimaru or one of his spies is in fact here and has had contact with Team 7 I want him to know I am aware of his plans" Sarutobi ordered and Anko nodded reluctantly.

"First of all, congratulations on finishing the second exam" Anko spoke into the small microphone next to her mouth and looked out at the candidates.

There were 78 ninja who took that exam, it's surprising even 21 passed, she thought and smirked.

"I'm really hungry" Choji whispered to Shikamaru, clutching at his stomach.

"Look at all these people left; this is going to be such a pain" Shikamaru grumbled.

"Aha! Sasuke and his team have passed too!" Ino squealed and gazed at the Uchiha boy.

"They better have after all the trouble we went to helping them" Shikamaru replied, annoyed.

"I see your team didn't do too badly, Kakashi. They must have gotten real lucky. Of course with my team still around your team is doomed to failure. What matters on the next exam is ability and you're far out classed. They'll just have to learn to deal with the heartbreak huh Kakashi?" Gai said turning to face his rival.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Kakashi asked coolly having not heard a word of Gai's 'victory' speech.

"WHAT! YOU WEREN'T LISTENING!" Gai yelled startling everyone and earning a glare from the Hokage.

Boy that drives me NUTS how he's always acting so cool! I'm not going to let him get the best of me! Gai thought, clenching his fist in determination.

"Gai sensei is the coolest teacher ever! He practically glows with cool compared to Kakashi! I will make you proud of me one day Gai sensei!" Lee said happily.

"Well in a game of looks Kakashi's got Gai beat" Tenten piped up, gazing at Gai's old rival.

"GAH! Tenten my youthful teammate what are you saying! Gai sensei is all charm and manliness! I model myself on his lady killer good looks!" Lee told Tenten, horrified at her comment.

You don't say Lee, Tenten thought and rolled her eyes.

I'll get you back for what you did to me Sasuke, no matter what it takes, Zaku thought angrily as he watched Sasuke from across the room. His arm was now in a sling.

The pale faced Sound Ninja Jounin with familiar snake like eyes made eye contact with Kabuto. Giving him a slight sadistic smirk that made a chill run up Kabuto's spine, the Sound Jounin quickly turned away.

N-Naruto passed too! T-thank goodness, Hinata mused happily, staring at the back of the blond boy's head.

"Woah! Everyone is here, old man Hokage, Iruka sensei and even bigger bushy brow!" Naruto whispered to his teammates.

"I don't have a very good feeling about this" Sasuke responded, placing his hand over the back of his neck. Sakura watched him quietly but said nothing.

"Alright now pay attention! Lord Hokage is going to explain the third exam to you! So listen carefully maggots!" Anko said and walked over to give the Hokage her microphone.

"Thank you Anko. I will be explaining the third exam to you all very shortly. But first I request a private word with one of you" Lord Hokage spoke and everyone looked up in curiosity.

A private word? Just who could that be? Is someone disqualified? I hope it's those Sound Ninja, Sakura thought as she listened carefully.

"Sakura Haruno, please make your way up to the platform" Sarutobi instructed his eyes finding the pink haired teen in the crowd.

So this is the girl Tsunade has picked as her private student. Interesting, he thought.

Everyone turned around to stare at the young girl. The whispers began immediately, what had she done to require an audience with the Hokage? Gai turned to Kakashi in question but Kakashi remained silent, not making eye contact. Many of the other Jounin looked shocked, what could Lord Hokage want with one of the candidates?

Sakura remained rooted to the spot, unable to believe what had happened. Was it something she had done during the exam? No that was impossible; she hadn't broken any of the rules. They definitely hadn't opened the scrolls otherwise herself and her teammates wouldn't be here now. Nothing else happened in the forest,except for the encounter with Orochimaru.

Of course. That was it.

Gritting her teeth and ignoring the accusing stares of everyone around her, Sakura stepped out of the line her teammates were in and began making her way towards the Hokage. Sasuke and Naruto watched her with worried and curious eyes.

She won't talk about the mark, she promised she wouldn't. Are they going to ask her about Orochimaru?Sasuke thought and narrowed his eyes at Lord Hokage.

Forehead gets a private audience with the Hokage? Suck up! Or maybe they'll kick her out of the exams, Ino thought happily.

The Sound Ninja Jounin smiled creepily at Sakura as she stepped onto the platform, resisting the urge to shudder Sakura felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Kakashi behind her.

"There are some matters I have to discuss in private with Sakura here, I request your presence Kakashi as her squad leader and yours too Anko as proctor of the second exam. We will return shortly, I apologise for the delay" Lord Hokage said and switched off the mike.

Before Sakura could even spare a backward glance at her teammates, Kakashi had put one hand on her shoulder and was steering her towards a small side door at the edge of the arena. Lord Hokage and Anko followed behind them and the door was locked.

"Sensei, what is all of this about?" Sakura asked as soon as the door was closed. She decided feigning ignorance would be the best approach.

"Sakura, we are well aware of the cursed seal Sasuke was given by Orochimaru during your battle with him during the second exam" Sarutobi cut in before Kakashi could respond.

"I see" Sakura replied evenly, so they knew. That meant they wanted information out of her.

"So you're acknowledging the marks existence then?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes, I am aware of the cursed mark" Sakura responded.

"We need information on it, plain and simple. You're the Uchiha's teammate. You need to tell us exactly what happened after Orochimaru gave him the mark" Anko barked and Sakura glared at her.

"Anko, I believe you could be a little kinder towards my student considering she's cooperated with us thus far" Kakashi deadpanned.

"How do you know that I saw Orochimaru give him the mark or what occurred after that? At most all you know from me is that I am aware of the existence of it. Sasuke could have told me that himself after the battle was over" Sakura countered and Anko glared.

I promised Sasuke I wouldn't say anything, Lord Hokage might be trying to get him out of the exam. The only person I want to speak with about this is Kakashi sensei, Sakura thought.

"Sakura, I understand you are trying to protect your teammate. We have no intention of telling Sasuke Uchiha he cannot participate during the exam. I am not ignorant enough to believe that you haven't promised him you won't say anything" Lord Hokage said quietly, sitting down.

Anko huffed and walked towards the wall; Kakashi guided Sakura to a seat in front of the Hokage and took up a standing position not too far away.

"What you have to understand Sakura is that Orochimaru is a very dangerous ninja. For some reason he has chosen Sasuke and we want to find out exactly what happened so that we can take the necessary precautions and protect your teammate" Lord Hokage explained and looked at Sakura who looked away immediately.

"We believe he is still within the Leaf Village, that or he has spies working for him within the candidates" Anko added from her position near the window. Sakura stiffened immediately.

Still here, he's still here. I don't have a choice; I have to protect Sasuke from Orochimaru no matter what, Sakura thought.

"I see. I had intended to talk with Kakashi-sensei about Sasuke's curse mark in the hopes that there could be something done about it. But I understand now it is better for me to tell you what I've seen" Sakura said quietly but looked at her sensei for his opinion.

Kakashi nodded at his female student and Sakura swallowed before telling them all that had occurred during the second exam. From the time Orochimaru bit Sasuke on the neck, the incredible pain he went through. She told of how Sasuke remained unconscious and her vital checks told her he had a high fever which no herbal remedy could cure. She explained the purple chakra she had seen seeping out of the mark and the black flames that engulfed Sasuke when it was active.

"He also intends to come back for him. Orochimaru said Sasuke would come looking for him, seeking power and revenge. Or Orochimaru himself would come back for Sasuke. I think since he's received the mark Sasuke believes he's an avenger and his path will always be to find more power to accomplish the goal of killing someone and restoring his clan" Sakura finished.

I won't tell them of Orochimaru's interest in me, it's probably of little consequence to them all anyway, Sakura thought and Inner agreed.

"I see. Thank you for telling us this Sakura. Please understand I may have to inform others of what you have told me but I will not mention you as the source of information" Sarutobi murmured, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"You did well Sakura, to assist Sasuke and Naruto during the exam when they weren't conscious. I am proud of you and you have grown" Kakashi smiled through his mask at her and Sakura returned the smile.

If I've done so well why do I feel so different, Sakura mused and suddenly remembered a question she needed to put to the Hokage.

"Since I have helped you with information, I request that you do the same for me" Sakura said directly to Lord Hokage who peered at the young lady.

"Yes, what is your request Sakura?" he asked.

"I wish to know about my father, what is his current status and what is being done to bring him home if he is not already?" Sakura stated calmly.

She is much like Tsunade in many ways, I wonder if Tsunade knows this herself? Lord Hokage thought and took a puff from his pipe.

"I was half expecting this from you Sakura, but I wonder if it will you do you much good to know of your father's status before the third exam commences?" he asked her.

"I would like to know straight away; it will motivate me to do better in the third exams if my father is alive but not yet returned home. Or should you tell me he has died I would feel as though I owe it to him to do well in the exams. My father is a great ninja, I would like to become one like he and my mother. Someone worthy of respect" Sakura said in a strong voice, trying desperately not to imagine her father dead.

"Your response is strong for one as young as yourself and I can see you worry greatly for he and your mother. Takao Haruno and his team have still not returned from their mission, he is now under the classification of missing ninja" Sarutobi said and Sakura let out a small breath.

Her father is a missing ninja? Takao Haruno? That would explain Sakura's reaction to comments about her father during the Land of Waves mission, Kakashi thought.

"We will do what we can to find him" the Third Hokage said and Sakura nodded.

"I still must insist Sasuke Uchiha not participate in the third exams. If anything because of her testimony the danger is even higher for the curse mark to activate. He is a danger and risk to the other candidates!" Anko said and walked towards the door.

"Anko. My decision stands. Sasuke Uchiha will participate in the exams. After this, Kakashi you will perform the Sealing of the Curse on the mark. Sakura will accompany you, since she has expressed interest in medical ninjutsu she can observe her teammates chakra and vitals making sure the sealing does not kill him" Sarutobi spoke in a hard voice.

"Right" Kakashi said.

I can only assume Kakashi has told the Hokage about my interest in medical ninjutsu. But help keep Sasuke alive while the curse mark is sealed? I don't know if I have the chakra for it, Sakura thought, unsure and confronted by the request.

"Well, now that I have discussed all that is required we can return to the third exam. I feel we have kept the candidates long enough and some of them have probably started to get restless. Good luck to you Sakura and your team as well" the Third Hokage said and left the room. Anko followed and Kakashi motioned for Sakura to stand as well.

"You can't mention anything that has happened in this room Sakura, to anyone" Kakashi said firmly and his female student nodded.

Walking back out into the arena, Kakashi gave Sakura a quick hand wave and took his place back up on the platform next to Gai. Sakura noticed all eyes were once again on her and she ducked her head walking back to her place with her team.

Avoiding Sasuke and Naruto's gazes, Sakura faced the front and waited for Lord Hokage to begin speaking.

"Before I explain about the third exams I wish to talk with you all about the test itself. I will now inform you about the true purpose of these exams, so listen closely" Sarutobi said.

The true purpose of the exams? What does that mean?Naruto thought and squinted at the old man.

"We hold these exams in conjunction with our allies to raise the ability levels of the Shinobi and increase friendship between allied nations is a certainty. These exams are so to speak, a representation of the battle between allied nations" the Third Hokage said and blew a puff of smoke from his pipe.

"So what exactly does that mean?" Tenten asked from the back of the room.

"Examining all the countries were are currently allied with, they were once neighbouring nations that fought with each other almost constantly. In order to prevent destroying each other's military strength, those nations picked champions to do battle on behalf of their countries in a selected location. This was the origins of the Chunin election exams" Sarutobi explained.

"Then what's the point of the exams, it's not like we're being selected to go and fight" Naruto piped up.

"Actually, part of the point of the exams is to select Shinobi worthy of becoming Chunin. These exams however also allow a place where the Shinobi can carry the pride of their nation on their backs and fight against other ninja for their lives" the Third responded.

"Thus many leaders and people of power from other nations are invited to attend this exam. They may look for Shinobi to work for them; this exam could determine the path you take as ninja. These rulers and dignitaries will take note of your battles and the strengths each ninja has. Also the strength of our ninja will better our chances when it comes to negotiating with other countries" Sarutobi