Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Chunin Exams Arc: Part 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and I know that is a little shocking.
Playing the Role of the Byakugan Princess
Chunin Exams Arc: Part One
Chapter eighteen
The doors to room 301 appears just ahead of us as we continue to walk towards it. As we get closer, I feel my nerves begin to set in. Pass through those doors is an audience of Shinobi from all sorts of backgrounds and who are years older than us. Some have taken these Exams before, meaning they know what to expect by now, while others are going to want to target us because they might have the preconceived notion that we are a bunch of talented Shinobi fresh out of the Academy. Fresh meat.
I shake my head. I don't know why I am getting so worried right now. We are only going in to take a test that we technically do not even have to complete. I can just sit through the whole thing without moving and pass with flying colors.
Suddenly, two smoke clouds poof right in front of the doors and two figures appear.
"Yo," Asuma greets us.
"I am glad to see you all came," Kakashi greets his team.
"Why wouldn't we have came?" Ino asks.
Kakashi shrugs. "It sounds like you had a couple of hardships to overcome on your way up here."
"That's because Sasuke-kun cannot say no to a challenge," I tell him in a teasing manner.
Naruto crosses his arms. "Yeah. He was just trying to be a show off."
Kakashi glances over at Asuma. "It seems like my team is more motivated than your team to take these Exams if they are already picking fights with the competition."
Asuma smirks. "Is that what you think, eh? I train my students to use their brains, not their fists. They were smart enough to keep a low profile, but then they ran into your team. Who, I must say, seems to always be the center of attention."
"That just means they have more personality than your students and are willing to take a risk."
"If you have forgotten, it isn't exactly their specialty to be loud and obnoxious like yours."
I raise an eyebrow. Are they seriously comparing who's team is better right now and in front of us? I can expect that from Kakashi and Guy, but not from Kakashi and Asuma. I wonder what sort of underlying reasoning is going on that I am not noticing?
Shikamaru shoves his hands in his pockets. "Can you two stop bickering and let us through already? We are going to be late."
Kakashi and Asuma focus their attention back towards us as if they were not picking at one another in the first place.
"Before you guys go in, I just want to say to you three that I am proud of you," Kakashi says to Team Seven, smiling with his one visible eye. "I couldn't ask for a better team."
Asuma nods. "As am I. You three have been working extremely hard to get to where you are now and have improved tremendously since this team formed three months ago."
Wow, it has only been three months? I am around these guys so often that it feels we've been Genin much longer than that.
Asuma and Kakashi step aside. "Good luck to you all!"
"Thank you," Sakura and I say to Asuma while Shikamaru gives him a small smile.
"We won't let you down, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto says to his sensei.
Ino pumps her fist in the air. "We are going to take these Exams by storm!"
Sasuke nods. "Thanks."
Naruto rushes forward and decides to dramatically push open the doors for all of us as we step on into the room. The doors slam behind us and we all gasp and widen our eyes at the sight we are seeing. Staring back us is probably more than hundred intimidating looking Shinobi. For being cramped in a tiny room, this is a lot of people.
Geez, can someone scream killer intent because I am feeling uncomfortable and slightly frightened at the moment.
"W-what is this?" Naruto questions in shock.
"I-I guess we are not alone," Sakura doing what she does best, stating the obvious. "Oh, man. I didn't realize there would be so much competition."
Oh, I hope this doesn't cause Sakura to back out at anytime during the test. She isn't the most confident in her skills as a Shinobi and is always comparing herself to Ino. This whole ordeal right now is not going to help her case.
I give her a reassuring smile and lower my voice. "We are going to be just fine. Just relax your mind and avoid making eye contact with the crowd."
Sakura nods in response and averts her eyes, but I know her mind is racing a million miles a minute right now.
Ino wraps her arms around Sasuke's shoulders. "I'm not worried. I know we can handle this, right Sasuke-kun?"
Any fear melts away from Sakura as she spins around and points at Ino. "Keep your grubby fingers off of him! He isn't some sort of toy that you can just manhandle!"
"I'm not manhandling Sasuke-kun!" Ino protests. "You're just jealous that I can get this close to him and that I am on the same team as him."
"I could have Sasuke-kun if I really tried, but I choose to restrain myself so I don't make myself look desperate like you do to yourself! How sad!"
I just stare that the two girls. Are they really this stupid? Do they not sense the threatening tension in the air right now? Have they already forgotten about the audience of Shinobi that is staring hole through us right now, hating our guts?
Naruto crosses his arms. "You know, I just don't understand your things for Sasuke and why you fight over him all the time. He isn't that impressive."
Ino and Sakura stop arguing and glare at Naruto. "Don't insult Sasuke-kun!"
Naruto shifts his eyes over towards me. "Teme better be grateful that you're basically the only girl that doesn't go crazy over him."
I open my mouth to say something, but Shikamaru beats me to it. "Nah, she is. She is just lowkey about it. She talks about him a lot and has even said his name in her sleep before."
I feel my face grow red. That little backstabber! "Are you serious right now?"
Shikamaru shrugs. "I'm just speaking the truth."
I curl back my lips. "I'm so getting you back for that." I turn towards Sasuke. "I'm not a crazy, rabid fangirl like these two. I swear."
"Who are you calling crazy?!" Ino shouts.
Sakura gets in between me and Ino. "She just called you crazy, Ino-Pig! Is your brain really that small that you can't comprehend what she is saying?"
"She just called you crazy, too!"
"Yeah, but at least I know I can be!"
I put my hands to my head. How can Sasuke cause all of this without even saying a word? Here I thought Naruto would be the one to get everyone to target us. It has been Sasuke all damn day.
"Well, well. It sounds like the whole gang is back together again," I hear Kiba's voice say as he, Shino, and Choji approach the group.
Great, we really need Kiba's loud ass mouth and Choji's loud ass chip bag to the chaos we are already causing. Anyone else want to join and be public enemy number one with us?
"Man, you guys are here, too?" Shikamaru complains. "Everyone is here for this stupid thing."
"Yep, we are all here! The nine rookies!" Kiba announces loudly.
Choji waves at Shikamaru. "Hey, Shikamaru! Haven't seen you in awhile. Want a chip?"
Shikamaru gives his friend a smile. "Hey, man. Nah, thanks. I'm good."
Choji shrugs. "Suit yourself."
Hmm, I forgot how close of friends Shikamaru and Choji are. I hope they don't stray away from one another just because they are not on the same team. They were each other's first friend.
"I can't wait until these Exams start. This is going to be fun!" Kiba smirks. "Well, at least those of us that are good enough to make the cut, right Sasuke?"
Sasuke smirks back. "Kiba, careful that you don't get overconfident."
"Just wait! We are going to blow you guys away! We've been training like crazy."
Naruto narrow his eyes and points at Kiba. "What do you think we've been doing? Sitting around? You don't even know what training means!"
Yes, Naruto and Kiba. Let's just shout very loud how hard we've all been training. I wonder if Shikamaru can use his new Earth Style jutsu to create a whole in the ground so I can hide in it to avoid being even more of a target. The Rookie Nine sure is made up of a bunch of loud, strange, arrogant, and overconfident jerks. Except for me because I am awesome.
Akamaru randomly barks and I smile. Besides me, I guess he is the most normal being in this group. He is so cute and tiny. I just want to pet him!
I take a step foreward to do so, but Shino suddenly gets in my way in a threatening manner, towering over me.
I narrow my eyes in confusion. What's his problem? "What's wrong?"
Shino looks down and I follow his gaze as I notice a bug scurrying across the floor. "I thought maybe you hadn't seen it. I didn't want you stepping on it."
Damn, Shino is very protective over his bugs. I don't know why he is getting all angry. I didn't even see it there! I don't walk with my damn head down. I should just freaking step on it...no that's a mean thought.
I take a step back. "Sorry."
Shino nods, but then Sasuke speaks up. "Hey. Don't ever approach her like that again, especially over a stupid bug."
I snap my head towards him. Oh, please don't start.
Shino raises an eyebrow. "Just over a stupid bug? Excuse me?"
Sasuke grunts. "Hn. You heard me."
Kiba rubs his face. "One thing about Shino, don't insult his bugs."
Both males glare at each other as Ino gives me a jealous look. "Why is he so protective over you?"
That's it. I'm tired of holding back my tongue. "Because I am not annoying, clingy, and desperate like you. You shouldn't even be considered a Shinobi with all the time you put into obsessing over your looks and Sasuke."
Ugh, I'm so tired of her being a bitch when it comes to Sasuke
Ino gives me a surprised look as everyone grows quite and an awkward silence feels within the group. I sigh. This is why I don't express my inner thoughts. I think I just went a tad overboard with my insult.
"Hey, you guys! You might want to try and keep it down a little," a familiar voice suggests as I tense up. Shit, I forgot about him. I turn around and see Kabuto making his way towards us with an amusing look on his face. "No, offense but you guys are the nine rookies, right? Fresh out of the Academy? I wouldn't be making a spectacle of yourselves. Just cool it. This isn't a class field trip."
My eyebrows twitch as anger surges through my body. Telling us to cool it? How about you get the hell away from us? I just snapped at Ino and I really don't want to go off on you right now and blow my cover!
I take a deep breathe, but that seems to catch Kabuto's attention. "What's wrong with you?" he politely asks.
I remain silent and Sasuke, thankfully, speaks up for me. "It isn't really any of your concern."
Ino shakes her head and glares at Kabuto. "Who are you, anyways? Why are you bothering us?"
Kabuto smiles. "I am Yakushi Kabuto. But, really. Look around you. You all have made quite an impression."
Everyone glances around the room except for me. I am already aware that we have indirectly made many enemies with our loud mouths and that we are being glared at right now.
"See those guys?" Kabuto asks, looking over at a trio of foreign Shinobi. "They are from Amegakure. They are very touchy and short-tempered. I suppose everyone here is, really. The Exams are very stressful"
I perk my ears up. Genin from Amegakure are taking the Chunin Exams here in Konohagakure? My memories of Amegakure are fuzzy, but aren't they a very secluded village? I am assuming Pein is the currently leader right now. Has he sent out Genin so nobody suspects anything of Amegakure or did he send them to be on the lookout for Naruto? I don't remember any Ame Shinobi personally bothering Naruto so maybe I shouldn't be worrying about them.
Speaking of Pein, I wonder if Orochimaru has branched off from him and the Akatsuki yet? Probably so if he is after Sasuke. Speaking of the Akatsuki, I wonder if Kabuto is working under Sasori. Both Orochimaru and Kabuto are in the same room with me right now. Maybe I should just ask them.
"But, I shouldn't be so hard on you guys," Kabuto continues. "You all wouldn't know how things worked around here. You're just rookies. You remind me of myself from awhile back."
"This isn't the first time you've taken the Exam?" Sakura asks.
Kabuto scratches the back of his head. "No. This is actually… my seventh."
Shikamaru raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Huh? Really?"
"Well, they are held twice a year so this will be my fourth year."
"Wow! A veteran," Sakura says. "You must be an expert by now.
Kabuto gives a smug smile. "I guess you can say that."
"Cool! You can give us all the inside tips!" Naruto exclaims.
Shikamaru snorts. "Yeah, some expert he is. He's never passed."
I want to give Shikamaru a high five. Speak that truth, boy!
"Well, you know they say seventh time's the charm," Kabuto says in a slightly embarrassed tone.
Shikamaru sighs. "So, I guess all those rumors about the Exams being difficult are true. I knew this was going to be a drag."
"Now, don't lose hope yet," Kabuto tell him. He begins to search through his pockets. "I think I have something that can help you kids out a little…" He flashes us a deck of orange cards. "... With my... Shinobi Info Cards." Did he have to say that so dramatically? What a lame ass.
"What the heck are those?" Sakura asks.
"It is a little hard to explain, but these cards are chakra encoded with everything I have learned over the past four years," Kabuto replies as he bends down and sets down his deck of cards.
As Kabuto explains and shows how the cards work, I lean into Shikamaru's ear. "Is it just me, or do you also find it a little odd that a Genin like him has so much info about everything and everyone?"
Shikamaru nods. "It is a little strange. I don't care how many times he's taking the Exams, how does he have info about Shinobi he's never even met before? How did he even know who was going to partake in these Exams?"
"Yes. I don't recall that being public knowledge. I mean, we haven't even signed in yet."
"Unless the freak has been stalking everyone these past five days."
"Either way, I think we should inform Asuma-sensei about this as soon as possible."
Shikamaru is the only person that I trust that is smart enough to realize that Kabuto should not have access to this sort of information. It seems like everyone else doesn't seem to care because they in awe on how awesome his cards are and want to gather as much information as they can since they are newbies. Which, I understand and would probably be acting the same way if I didn't know who Kabuto was. Hopefully, telling Asuma about Kabuto will get relayed back the the Third Hokage, his father, and they will start watching him extra closely.
As I pay attention to Kabuto again, I realize that he has just gotten finished reading off Gaara's stats. If Kabuto has knowledge about anyone in this room, I wonder what he has on me? Nah, I can't ask him that; can't be revealing my skills to the enemy. But, maybe I can learn about the enemy's skills "at random" and attempt to shift the target from Sasuke to me. Even just a little.
"I want to know about someone, too," I quickly chime in before Kabuto can pull out his map card again.
Kabuto smiles. "Who would you like to know about?"
I activated my Byakugan and begin to search the crowd of Shinobi. All I remember is that Orochimaru's disguise is a woman with long dark hair and is wearing a forehead protector from Kusagakure. I find him hidden in the back corner of the room with his two other Kusa teammates, humorously watching the scene like everyone else.
"The woman with long dark hair who is from Kusagakure," I reply.
With my Byakugan, I saw the slightest twitch of Kabuto's eyebrow that the normal eye would not be able to see and he nods and begins to search his deck. From the corner in the back, I see Orochimaru give a brief look of confusion and irritation before I deactivate my Byakugan. Asking about Orochimaru's disguise isn't going to put me in any danger, at the moment, because he is not going to risk blowing his cover to try and confront me or anything for asking about him in front of everybody.
"Huh? Why do you want to know about her?" Naruto questions. "Have you met her before?"
"Are you trying to make enemies?" Shikamaru mumbles.
I shake my head and ignore my teammate to answer my best friend. "I just wanted to know some information about some of the stronger Shinobi in this room and her presence caught my interest. Sasuke received his answers from his choice and I am merely doing the samething."
I flash Kabuto an innocent smile as he continues to shuffle through his deck of cards. "Let's see here," he mumbles. Is it just me or is he stalling? He finally picks a card and puts an ounce of chakra in it. "Ah, here we go. Actually, the person you have pointed out is a male named Shiore, not a female, from Kusagakure." I try not to allow my face to grow red as I stare at Kabuto with a serious look. Well, now I look like a major dumbass. I could've swore he was a woman. "He has completed 22 D-rank missions and 17 C-rank missions. Not bad. I do not have anything else on him other than he relies on his speed during battles."
I nod. Of course you don't have much information on your own boss. How very convenient.
"Does anyone else want to know about anyone?" Kabuto asks. No one answers and he puts away his card. "All I have to say is that the Shinobi who have entered the Exams this year are exceptional. In my four years of taking these Exams, I have never seen a crop of candidates with as much potential as this bunch."
As Kabuto says that, I see Naruto's body begins to quiver out of the corner of my eye. Is… is he getting scared?
"Hey, it's okay to be scared," I hear Ino say. She comes up and rests her hand on his shoulder. Weird, Ino is actually being nice to him? "Don't worry, Naruto. We will be fine-huh?"
"Ryahhhhhhhhhhhh!" Naruto shouts as he spins around and points at the crowd of Shinobi. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to beat everyone of you! Believe it!"
Sasuke smirks and I give in with him. We have already made enemies with almost everyone anyways. I think we can allow Naruto to insult them now if he wants.
Naruto rests his hands on the back of his neck. "Whoohooo! I feel a lot better now!"
Kiba covers his mouth. "Uhhhh, can you say that again a little louder? I didn't quite catch that."
Shikamaru rolls his eyes. "Moron. Are you trying to get everyone in the place to hate our guts?"
I look at him. "Actually, everyone hates us already so no harm in him screaming at them."
Shikamaru raises an eyebrow. "Are you really condoning all of this?"
I shrug. "Why not? It is better to be positive and confident instead of negative and worried."
Shikamaru sighs. "If we get ganged up on, I do not want to hear you complain."
"Why? Are you worried that I will do a better job than you at it?"
"Tch. That doesn't even make sense."
Ino rushes over to Naruto and puts him in a chokehold. "Naruto! You jackass! Why did you have to go and say something like that?!" She nervously smiles and waves her hand towards the other glaring Shinobi. "Oh, don't mind this idiot. He has a psychological condition that makes him shout stupid things that he doesn't even mean." She goes back to choking Naruto.
"S-stop! Fine!" Naruto groans. Ino let's go and he gasps for air.
As Ino continues to fuss at Naruto, I suddenly sense three chakra flares heading towards Kabuto. I whirl around just in time to see one of the Oto Shinobi with black spiky hair hurl two kunai towards Kabuto. Kabuto jumps backwards to get out of the way. The Oto Shinobi that looks like a mummy appears before the undercover spy and reaches out to punch him. Kabuto easily dodges it and jumps away from them again. Kabuto smirks from his success and then his glasses shatter, bits and pieces crumbling to the ground.
"It was that sort of attack I see," Kabuto says to Mummy Man (sorry I forgot the trio's name. It has been a while.) as he takes off his glasses and inspects them.
Sasuke takes a step forward. "Hey! Hold it! I saw it all! He dodged that attack! What happened?"
"It must've came closer than he thought," Shikamaru comments. "Tch. Look at him acting like he's some tough guy."
I am just so happy that Shikamaru seems to dislike Kabuto as much as I do. But, I believe that the metal armor on Mummy Man's arm caused some type of attack to come out of the holes. I think it is suppose to mess with their ears or head or something. I mean, they are considered Oto Shinobi for a reason. To my delight, Kabuto begins to bend over and dry heave from the aftermath of Mummy Man's attack.
"W-what's going on?!" Naruto demands to know in shock. "Kabuto! What's wrong?"
The rest of the rookies stare at Kabuto and the Oto Shinobi in a mixture of fear, shock, and confusion as I just stare at him in satisfaction. Ehh, the others will come to realize he deserved it once they figure out his true colors.
Kabuto continues to cough some more as Naruto and Sakura run over to check on him.
"Are you alright?" Sakura asks.
Kabuto weakly nods. "Y-yeah."
"Not such a tough guy after all," Mummy Man taunts, staring amusedly at Kabuto with his one visible eyes. "No wonder he is on his seventh try."
"Humph. Write this on your little cards punk: the Genin from Otogakure with be Chunin when all of this over!" the dark haired boy says to Kabuto. Naruto growls and looks at them in rage.
Damn! What is their names?
My question is never answered as a huge poof of smoke appears at the front of the room. "Alright! Pipe down and listen up you baby-faced vermins!" a voice shouts through the smoke. Everyone instantly grows quiet as the smoke clears up, revealing a group of Chunin and one Special Jounin. The scar-faced Special Jounin smirks. "It is time to begin! My name is Morino Ibiki and I will be your proctor and, from this moment, your worst enemy!"
Everyone grows quite as they eye Ibiki.
Finally! Geez, what took so long? I guess they were, somehow, observing all of us and enjoying the fact we were all picking on each other and making ourselves easy prey.
"But, first!" Ibiki shouts as he points towards the Oto teens. "You candidates from Otogakure, knock it off! Who told you that you can fight? Do you want to fail before we have even begun?!"
The Mummy Man looks at Ibiki and I swear he is smirking underneath those bandages. "Sorry. This is our first time. I guess we are a little jumpy… sir."
What a smartass. Torture him Ibiki! Sic 'em!
After Ibiki threatens the room about fighting other candidates, he explains that we need to line up in order to grab a number for the written exam that we are about to take.
"Did...did he say a written exam?" Naruto asks, eyeing one of the Chunin that is shuffling around some papers. He widens his eyes. "No way!"
I nudge his arm. "You will do fine, Naruto-kun. I promise!"
Naruto gives me an unconvincing look as we line up and wait our turn. When I grabbed the piece of paper and unfolded it, it read "Seat 64". I walk over to find my seat and I am not surprised to find Naruto sitting beside of me.
"Oh, whew!" Naruto sighes in relief as he notices me taking a seat. "At least I'm sitting next to you."
I smile. "Maybe me sitting next to you will calm your nerves."
Naruto shakes his head. "Nope! I'm totally going to fail!"
I rest my hand on his shoulder. "Just trust me. I have never lied to you before so listen to me when I tell you this: I promise you will do fine."
Naruto gives me another unconvincing look and opens his mouth to say something, but a continuous tapping noise from up front disrupts him.
"Alright, everyone!" Ibiki says to us, tapping a piece of chalk towards the blackboard. "Eyes up front! There a few rules that you need to be aware of. And, I will not answer any questions so pay attention the first time around!"
"Rule number one…" Ibiki begins as he starts to write on the blackboard.
As he goes over the rules, I tune him out. I already know them already and what the outcome of this particular Exam is going to be. I am actually happy for once to know what is going to happen because nothing seems to have been going my way lately. Should I even bother to take this written exam? I can literally just sit here the whole time and pass. However, that might look a little suspicious if I just sit there. Maybe I should have a little fun and see how good of Shinobi I am and try to take this test like everyone else without getting caught. It beats being bored and just sitting there and I can use my forehead protect and bangs to cover part of my eyes to use my Byakugan. I'm not as smart as Shikamaru and Sakura, who are capable of answering these questions correctly. I mean, I might be able to if I actually concentrate, but that is also a boring option.
"WHAT HE SAY?!" I hear Ino scream, disrupting me from my thoughts.
I notice Naruto's face drop so I think we are at the part now that they figure out that anybody on a squad who makes a zero will fail.
"The final question won't be given out until fifteen minutes before the end of the testing period," Ibiki informs everyone. "You'll have one hour total to take this exam." He glances up at the clock and dramatically waves his hand. "Begin!"
The grows tense and silent as everyone begins to stare at their tests. I hear grumbles of confusion and displeasure from some of the Shinobi realizing that these are questions that are not meant for your average Genin to answer. I glance down at my own paper and instantly feel the same way. Damn, these problems are hard! Yeah, good them I know what is coming up because I would be freaking out like Naruto right now. Speaking of Naruto, he is currently beating his head with his hands out of frustration at the moment. Heh, at least he is making this serious situation comical for me. But, I suppose I will wait about ten or so minutes when people are starting to put a few answers down before I start cheating off Sakura.
After a few minutes, I begin to hear the noise of pencils hitting papers as people begin to jot down answers. It is time to cheat now! I undo my forehead protector, wrap it around my head, and cover some of my eyes with my forehead as I lower my head to look at my paper. I activated my Byakugan and feel my vision expand. I notice Akamaru scouting out answers from onto of Kiba's head, a tiny bug flying around from Shino, and mirrors that attached from some wire hanging from the ceiling because of Tenen to help out Rock Lee. All clever ways to cheat without getting "caught". Actually, I think the proctors know that we are cheating, but they have no actual proof that we are. They want us to do more than just look over at our neighbor's paper. I am about to focus my vision on Sakura when a kunai zooms by mine and Naruto's ear and lands on a brown headed boy's paper behind us.
Welp, looks like he's finished.
"What was that all about?" the boy asks, jumping up from his chair.
A Chunin with the black spiky hair and with a bandage resting on his nose smirks. "Five strikes and you're out. You just failed the test."
Ethier these Chunin have really look eyes or some of these Genin just suck at cheating. I mean, I really shouldn't be judging since I have my Byakugan to help me out. But, someone with no special powers like Tenten is making the use of her skills and weapons to cheat. You just have to think outside of the box.
More numbers are called out as more and more Genin are caught cheating and tossed out of the room. I attempt to ignore the commotion as I concentrate on Sakura. I see that she is already on her seventh question and I begin to copy down her answers. God, she is so smart! I am about to write down the fifth answer, when Sakura's body goes slump. I pause in confusion for moment and notice that just three rows behind Sakura is a slump Ino. Heh, I guess we are at the part now where Ino cheats off Sakura. Smart girl. I continue on with my test and then deactivate my Byakugan and place my pencil down. Well, that killed about ten minutes. Only twenty-fives more minutes until the tenth question is announced and we all pass!
I flicker my eyes over towards Naruto to see how he is doing and notice him finally giving in and sneakily looking at the guy's paper sitting next to him. As he does so, I hear a Chunin begin to rapidly mark on his clipboard and stare at Naruto. Crap! He's going to use up all his strikes and fail! I need to distract him! I raise my arms up to stretch so I can "accidentally" bump the back of his head, when his eyes suddenly widens and his body goes slump. I drop my arms and just stare at him. Is he just deciding to give up now? Seconds later, he raises his head up and smirks as he picks up his pencil and begins to quickly write down answers. I nod in realization: Ino has taking over Naruto's body to help him out.
"Thanks for helping him out," I whisper to "Ino".
She pauses for a moment and gives me a surprise look. "How did you…"
I shrug. "I guess I have eyes in the back of my head or something."
She frowns at my joke and continues to write. I guess she's still mad at me for insulting her earlier. Ugh, I need to apologize to her later.
A few minutes later, Ino leaves Naruto's mind and Naruto returns. He appears to be in a haze as he blinks and looks around. He glances down at his paper and his eye widen at the fact that there are answers on this exam now. He looks over at me in disbelief, but I wave my hand to hint that I will tell him later. He takes a deep breath and relaxes in his chair.
"Alright! Listen up!" Ibiki suddenly shouts. "It is time for the tenth and final question! But, before I do there are some more rules you need to be aware of…"
The door in the back of the room opens up, cutting Ibiki off, and Kankuro enters the room from his "bathroom break" with his puppet.
Ibiki smirks. "Ah. You made it just in time. I hope you found your trip to the bathroom enlighten. Go ahead and take your seat." Kankuro makes his way to his seat and sits down. "Good. Now, these rules I am about to tell you are unique to question ten. Listen carefully and try not to let them frighten you."
Well, if you say stuff like that than you are going to scare off some uncertain Genin.
As Ibiki begins to explain the new rules and how "we can never take the Exams again if we get the tenth question wrong", Genin start to quit like crazy. I swear Ibiki cleared the room by forty Shinobi within a minute. This man is good at messing with people's mind… and he is only using his words! I wonder what he can do physically to a person… eh nevermind I do not want to know or find out. At least I don't have to worry about anybody on Team Seven or Ten giving up. The only reason Sakura thinks about quitting before is because of Naruto and Naruto only raises his hand to give his motivational speech, which I doubt he will even give this time around his Ino helped him on his test. Though, it might actually be good on our part that Naruto isn't giving his speech because that prevented anybody else from leaving before and now it seems like more people are quitting this time around. Less enemies for us to face in the Forest of Death.
"Well, I admire everyone's determination for those who have decided to stick around," Ibiki finally says, staring around at all of us. "For those of you that is remaining, there is only one thing left to do and that is for me to tell you…" He smiles. "That you all have passed the first part of the Chunin Exams."
"H-huh… we passed?" Naruto says in confusion.
Sakura shoots out of her seat. "Hold on, what happen?! What do you mean we passed?! Where's the tenth question?"
I smack my forehead. Will you shut the hell up?! We passed! Be happy!
Ibiki chuckles. "There never was one! Not a written one at least. Actually, your decision to stay was the answer to the tenth question."
"Wait a second!" Temari shouts. "So, the other nine questions were just a waste of our time? Is that what you're saying?!"
Ibiki playfully looks up. "Oh, no. Not at all. Quite the opposite. The first nine questions had an important overriding purpose: to test your ability to surreptitiously gather strategic intelligence under the most adverse circumstances."
Temari blinks. "Oh, well that clears up everything."
Ibiki finishes explaining the purpose of this exam and unties his forehead protector that he has covering his head and reveals disgusting scars, puncture wounds, and burn marks. I gasp. This is even more creepier in person to witness. "Those who were caught during the test failed. Better not to cheat than to cheat clumsily. Information; it can be the most valuable weapon in battle. How well you gather intelligence can determine whether a mission is a failure or a success. There will be times you will have to risk your life to get it!"
I glup. I would risk my life in a heartbeat for my friends and family, but would I risk myself for some information that may or may not help me out in battle, save the village, and etc? I really don't know. I would like to think I would since I love my village so much and would do anything to protect it. But… I also love my life and I really do not care to die a second time at a young age. Unfortunately, dying at a young age is very common in the field I am in. Still, even if I wasn't reborn as Hinata and was reborn as a totally new character, I would still become a Shinobi. In any circumstance, I know it is my destiny, no wait I sound like Neji, my job to protect as many people as I can and alter the future in a positive way with my knowledge and the information I know, even if it kills me.
Heh, I think I would be a pretty good Chunin squad leader if I do say so myself. It would give me some good leadership skills that will help me out when I become the Head of my clan. That is if I pass these Exams the first time around. Which, to be honest, isn't my top goal. I mean, it would be nice to get promoted, but I am more focused on saving Sasuke and somehow preventing at less casualties as I can from Orochimaru's invasion. I would actually tell the Third Hokage about any future events coming up in a heartbeat if he wasn't backed up by Danzo and the other Council members. I'm pretty sure he would believe me, with proof of course, but sadly that isn't the case and it is better to play the role of the super intelligence kunoichi.
"Alright! We did it! That's one down!" I hear Naruto shout, bringing me back to reality. Man, I should stop letting my mind drift off. "Yeahh! Whoooohooo!"
Suddenly, a kunai crashes through the windows to my left, causing glass to shatter everywhere. A figure jumps through and throws two kunai towards two corners of the room in order to pin up a large banner that read: "Newly arrived second chief examiner officer Mitarashi Anko!"
"Heads up, boys and girls! This is no time to be celebrating!" the woman hollars. "I'll be your next proctor! Mitarashi Anko! You all ready for the second test? Good! Then, let's go! Follow me!" She pumps her fist up in the air.
We all just stare as she stares stupidly back at us.
Ibiki steps around the banner. "You're early. Again."
Anko's face turns slightly red as she makes a nervous grunting noise.
Don't worry Anko. At least you have some nice chi chi's. Flash those babies and everyone will forget about your embarrassing entrance.
"How many are there?" Anko asks, looking at her friend. "Ibiki, you let all of these guys pass? Hn, your test was to easy! You must be getting soft."
She thinks there's a lot of people left? There's only seventy-eight of us remaining; 26 teams.
"Or, it could be that there are a stronger crop of candidates this year," Ibiki replies matter of factly.
"Hmm," Anko mumbles, eyeing all of us. "They sure don't look it. Trust me, before I am done with them more than half will be eliminated."
"M-more than half… really?" Sakura asks.
Anko senses Sakura's fear and smirks. "Heh, this is going to be fun." She puts on a more serious face. "Alright, you maggots have had it easy so far! But, things are going to be different starting first thing in the morning. I will let your squad leader know where to meet me. Dismissed!"
Everybody gives each other a confused and frightened look before getting up and regrouping with their teams. I went back towards the back with Shikamaru and Sakura.
"What do you is going to happen tomorrow?" Sakura asks me as I approach her.
Okay, time to put my plan into action.
I give her a nervous look. "Well, based off what she said and her tone of voice I say that it is going to be something dangerous and difficult if she's so sure that over half of us will be eliminated."
Shikamaru shrugs. "If we quit now, we won't have to to find out."
Sakura shifts her eyes over to him in annoyance and then looks back at me. "Would they really put us in a situation that could harm us?"
I nod. "I mean, it is the Chunin Exams. It sounds like everything goes. If tomorrow is going to be potentially dangerous, I think we should get ourselves prepared for it."
Shikamaru raises an eyebrow. "Prepare for it. How?"
Sakura nods her head. "Yeah, how can prepare for the unknown?"
"Well, you really can't be fully prepared, but we can at least try," I admit. "We can prepare for it by bringing more weapons than usual and maybe even packing a backpack as if we were going on a mission or a night or two."
Sakura clasps her hands together. "Oh, that's a great idea! It is better to be safe and sorry."
"What's a great idea?" Naruto asks as he, Sasuke, and Ino make their way towards us.
Sakura frowns and crosses her arms. "I'm not telling you with her there." She winks at Sasuke. "Though, I can tell you later, alone, if you like, Sasuke-kun."
A tick mark appears of Ino's head and I sigh. I am not going through this again. "I was just telling my teammates what if we prepared ourselves for Part Two tomorrow, since it sounds like it is going to be dangerous and difficult, and bring extra weapons and lightly pack a backpack for a just incase type of thing."
"You're so smart, Hinata-chan!" Naruto exclaims. "You always think of the best ideas!"
I pretend to blush and wave my hand. "Awhh, you."
Sakura narrows her eyes at me. "Why are you telling them? Shouldn't we keep our plans to ourselves?"
I just stare at her. "You were just offering to tell Sasuke, who would've told his teammates. Either way, they were going to find out."
Sakura rolls her eyes, but doesn't argue any further.
"Well, if they're in on our little plan then I'm going to tell Choji," Shikamaru says. "He's my buddy."
I nod in approval. "And, I will tell my cousin Neji!"
Ino throws her hands up in the air. "Let's just tell everyone while we are at it!"
I shrug. "I would rather see my friends make it through the next round instead of some strangers from another village. Even though we are competing against one another, wouldn't it be better to compete with people that you know and are familiar with their skills?"
Ino remains quiet as she ponders over what I said. Heh, she knows I'm right.
Our talk doesn't last much longer and I find myself back at the compound before I know it. After a short dinner with my father and sister, I hurry to find Neji to tell him about my plans so he can tells his team and then I lock myself in my room for the night to prepare for tomorrow. I end up storing all the weapons that I owe, and that won't fit into my weapons pouch, into an empty scroll, and filled another scroll with rations, water, and another outfit. By doing this, we can focus more on staying alert within our surroundings instead of being hungry and looking for food. This will also save us from wondering around and stepping to any hidden traps. I tossed the scrolls into my backpack and zipped it up. Storage scrolls really do come in handy and I think they should be used more often on missions to travel more lightly.
I go over my plan on how to take on Orochimaru once again in my head before drifting off to sleep.
The next morning, I meet everyone at Training Ground Forty-Four. I know that everybody in the Konoha 12 came prepared with their backpacks and other Shinobi around us were eyeing us. I glup. Maybe I didn't think this through enough that this would put a slightly bigger target on our backs. I hope it doesn't.
After the whole scene with Anko, Naruto, and Orochimaru disguise, Anko begins to hand our waivers and explains more about the Forest of Death. I learned that there are Forty-Four locked gates that leads into the forest, the Tower stands 10km from each gate, and that we will be spending five days in the forest. I received grateful looks from my friends when that information was revealed. Though, I about smacked the grateful look off of Shikamaru's face when he asked can we quit mid-exam before I stopped to realize that maybe it was a good idea to ask that sort of question to make us look weak and scared.
After Anko tells us where to turn in our consent forms in order to get a scroll, everyone regroups with their own team. I drag my teammates over to Team Seven and Team Eight to continue on with the rest of my plan to protect Sasuke.
"Okay, guys," I begin when I had all of their attention. "I think I have an idea that might help us out. The reason they have that curtain up is so nobody else can figure out what team has what scroll, right? Well, I was thinking I use my Byakugan to see which scroll a team has. Whichever team has the opposite scroll from us, we just go after them. Since we are able to pick our gates, we can just pick a gate that is near that select team so we can go and ambush them. This beats wandering around the forest for five days in constant danger."
Kiba gives me a suspicious look. "While this is a good idea, why are you wanting to help us out so much? Shouldn't you be worrying about your own team?"
"I am watching out for my own team," I tell Kiba. "But, I am also watching out for my comrades by hoping we can get through this competition together so we only have to end up competing with one another. It is better to be competing with people whose skills you are familiar with verus complete strangers."
Kiba gives me a surprised look. "That… that actually makes sense." He sticks his nose up in the air. "Doesn't mean that I'm going to let my guard down around you guys just because we are deciding to help each other out."
"I didn't expect you to," I reply. "Also, I think we should find gates that are close to each other so we can regroup and maybe help outnumber other teams and make sure we get to the Tower swiftly and safely."
Kiba shakes his head. "No, no, no! That is where I draw the line. I am going through these Exams with my team and my team only. I don't need y'alls help!"
Shit, I didn't expect anybody to refuse this offer.
"But-" I begin to say.
Kiba crosses his arms and looks away. "No, buts. Right, Akamaru?" The dog barks in agreement.
Ugh, stubborn mutts.
"Erm," Naruto mumbles and I draw my attention towards him. "I kind of agree with Kiba, Hinata-chan. I want to get through these Exams on my own accord."
"Yeah! I don't want to spend a potential five days with Billboard Brow," Ino remarks.
"I can say the same about you, Ino-pig!" Sakura shoots back at the blonde.
Choji, Shino, and Shikamaru keep their opinion to themselves and Sasuke steps forward to give his. "I also would like to get through these Exams without any assistance from other teams."
I lower my eyes. Well, there goes my chance to save Sasuke if nobody agrees to my plan.
"But, I will just for you," Sasuke finishes and I feel my heart jump. Everyone gasps in surprise, but he ignores them. "Every time you have had a plan, it has always worked through. I trust you."
Sasuke, out of everyone here, agrees with me? I would've thought he would be the first person to say no because of his pride and stubbornness. Though, his one opinion alone isn't going to matter. It is two against seven right now.
"Well, if Sasuke-kun thinks it is a good plan then count me in!" Ino shouts as Naruto gives her a crazy look.
"So am I!" Sakura shouts as well.
Wow, thanks for your support Sakura. Appreciate it.
Shikamaru sighes. "You two are so troublesome."
Naruto gives Sasuke a strange look. "Teme, are you sure? I didn't expect you to-"
Sasuke nods. "Yeah."
Naruto's face brightens up and he smiles in determination. "Well, while I don't like it I will go along with your plan, Hinata-chan. I trust you as well!"
I grin as I grow happy again. The plan is back on!
However… "Well, you guys can count us out still!" Kiba says, standing his ground. "Our team can get through this without any help. In fact, I bet we can beat all six of you to the Tower!"
"Kiba, while you may think-" Shino begins, but nobody hears him as Kiba drags him and Choji away to receive there scroll.
We all just stare at them.
"I guess Kiba doesn't want to know which team will have a scroll opposite from his," I say, mostly to myself.
The next few minutes is spent using my Byakugan to memorize every team that went through to receive their scroll. We ended up being one of the last groups to go through. Our team received an Earth Scroll while Naruto's team received a Heaven Scroll. As I go through my mind to remember which team received what scroll, I remember a team from Amegakure with an Earth scroll and the Oto Shinobi having a Heaven scroll. Since we ht might end up crossing paths with them anyways, I think Team Seven should end up focusing on them to get their scroll. I relay this information back to Naruto, Sasuke, and Ino and they didn't seem to mind, especially Naruto since he wants to teach them a lesson for what they did to Kabuto. If only he knew the real Kabuto. From my Shadow Clones that I sent out to hide and spy, I found out that the Oto trio are planning to go to Gate 20 while the Ame Shinobi plan on going to Gate 32, which is not as close as I would like for them to be. However, while I still want to end up going after these teams, we need to focus on Orochimaru first since he is going to come after us no matter where we are. I ended up telling a small lie to everyone that we should pick Gates 7 and 8 since they are "the closest to our targets."
When we approach our respective gates, we wait for permission to enter. The Chunin in front of unlocks our gate and we get ready to enter.
"Alright you maggots!" we are somehow able to hear Anko yell. "The Second Part of the Chunin Exams begins now!"
Our gate opens up and we rush forward to enter the Forest of Death.
Author's note: What is Hinata's plan to face Orochimaru? Can she even prevent the snake from giving Sasuke the Curse Mark despite knowing his moves and having a total of six people facing him? The next chapter will give all the answers!
Weekly Power Status
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