Weak… I was always called it. Ever since my graduation from the Academy Class, I have been looked down on. Iwagakure was a place of unique skills, techniques, and Kekkei Genkai and the home of the powerful Dust Release Kekkei Touta. Powerful Shinobi were spread through-out the nation, all of which were expected to be role models and guides for our futures. And now, my future was beginning. The arrival of the Chunin Exams was finally here.

I sat at the kitchen table, scanning the Application Form for entry into the Exams. The array of questions just seemed endless. Asking everything possible thing that could be known about a Ninja's background and skills.

Chunin Exams Application Form:

Name: Hikaru Kotetsu

Clan of Origin: Kotetsu Clan

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 112 Lb

Age: 16

D/O/B: Feburary 22nd

Gender: Male

Birth Country: Land of Stone

Village: Iwagakure(Village Hidden in the Rocks)

Specialty: Taijutsu and Ninjutsu

Chakra Nature(s): Doton(Earth Release), Suiton(Water Release)

Kekkei Genkai: Jinton(Swift Release)

Weapons: Kunai, Shuriken, Explosive Tags

Primary Weapon: Kunai

Secondary Items: Medical Kit, Water Pouch

Appearance: Fairly short. Wears standard Shinobi sandals, Iwagakure Head Protector around forehead, bandages around arms, black trench coat, and several piercings on the ears and one lip. Black hair and blue eyes.

Background: I was born in Iwagakure, and raised by two loving parents. I was one of the few to inherit a Kekkei Genkai in my Clan. The Kotetsu Clan are branched off from the Senju Clan, so we have had a few members born with Wood Release Kekkei Genkai. My Mother and Father are Jonin-ranking Shinobi for Iwagakure, and are my role models. I graduated from an Academy Student at a young age. My Swift Release Kekkei Genkai has been mostly looked down on, but has intrigued some of the higher-ranked Shinobi of my Village.

That… Wasn't even the whole thing. There were specific, detailed questions about my parents, techniques of mine, my Clan, and what I knew of my Village. I had finally finished it though, it being now almost midnight.

I was beginning to grow tiresome, drifting in and out of potential sleep. A huge rush of relief filled my mind as I dropped the pencil down after finishing the form. There it was. This piece of paper was what confirmed my participation in these exams. It would be sent out tomorrow when we departed for the village of Konohagakure. The thought make me shake with excitement.

I began packing my tools and other supplies for the trip and the Exam. I knew what was expected. I had read and heard of the past Chunin Exams when they were held at Konoha. I was prepared for the brutal testing, but also could feel the uneasy anxiety that filled my mind.

The Next Day:

I flung out of bed, panting from a nightmare about tomorrow's Exams. That's when I realized it. I glanced at the clock, it was already the day. The day we travel to Konoha and see if we have what it takes to become a Chunin.

I rushed around, getting dressed, packing the rest of what I needed and eating breakfast. I stood there looking in the mirror as I put my Forehead Protector on. "This is it Hikaru. You have to show them you are worth something," I thought. The metallic plating of the headband shimmered in the light. I caressed the symbol engraved on it. I was proud to serve for Iwagakure, and I will do all I can to show it that I can be worth something important.

I was fully dressed and ready to go. I stood at the front door and hugged my parents good-bye. "Good luck out there, Hikaru. Don't underestimate anyone, and don't let anyone's underestimation of you stop you from succeeding," my Father told me. I said, "Thanks Father, I'll do what I can." "We love you, Hikaru. Be careful," my Mother said. I smiled, "Don't worry Mother, I'll be fine. I am your son aren't I?" They both smiled and waved me off. I heard the front door shut behind me, and I stepped out and headed for my destination with the others: Konoha.

After meeting the team at the Iwagakure Academy Building:

Me and my two other comrades began our journey to the Land of Fire with Tiruko-Sensei. Jumping tree to tree, and listening to the items in my backpack jumble around. The warm sun that would occasionally peak through the leaves was satisfying as it hit me. I have never traveled this far out of the village. The Land of Stone was a long way away from the Land of Fire, not to mention the distance between Iwagakure and Konohagakure.

We stopped to rest for the night, setting up camp and sitting around together talking about strategies, and also just each other. Tiruko-Sensei was very laid-back and caring, and he understood his role for turning us into fine Shinobi. He was the only one besides my comrades, Otoko and Karu, that respected my potential as a Shinobi.

Iwagakure is filled with uniquely gifted Shinobi, but for some reason, most of the classmates I have and others look down on my Kekkei Genkai. Calling it weak and a "fake Kekkei Genkai," due to it being similar to the Body Flicker Technique in some ways. It was often compared to the speed that the Raikage could achieve. It made me feel hopeless in becoming a good Shinobi, yet gave me the motivation to push myself to find the hope.

I lay on the ground, looking at the night sky, pondering over and over again about tomorrow's trials until I began to grow tiresome, and slowly drifted to sleep.

"Tomorrow, my future begins..."

Next chapter will be more exciting, and it will get better once the Exams begin. Just please review and message me with any suggestions! Thank you! ^_^