Have of this was pain to write, which was the beginning part but it needed to be done. But the rest was a bit fun to write I guess.
Chapter six
Naruto and Sakura lay panting on the grassy fields of the training grounds in area number seven. For more than five hours they have been training none step with their last teammate and sensei, preparing for the exams tomorrow. The two remain sprawled out under a large oak tree in the training grounds as they heard the distant sounds of melt clashing with one another.
Sasuke charged at his older brother with great force and termination with a single kunai in his hand. When he struck, kunai met kunai, Sharingan met Sharingan. The younger Uchiha scowled in pure anger at the fact that his brother was able to block his attack so easily like that without putting any effort into it. Glaring at Itachi with anger at this point, Sasuke brought up his left leg and aimed a kick right to his brother's head. But Itachi easily caught Sasuke's leg before it could make its mark.
Sasuke's anger now reached a boiling point for his kick failed. But is anger was his downfall for Itachi took this chance to grab hold of his brother's leg and knocked the kunai knife out of his hand. With one simple move, Itachi threw his brother across the training grounds, sledding across the grass that it made a mark when he final stopped twenty feet away from his older brother.
The younger Uchiha groaned in pain as he pushed up into a sitting position from the ground. But in a blink of an eye, he saw that Itachi was now standing in front of him with a cold look. At this Sasuke glared at his brother before his eyes widen when he saw Itachi raising his left hand towards him. Not knowing what else to do now, Sasuke closed his black eyes and hoped that the pain his brother would bring would be quick.
Itachi said nothing as he notice his brother's eyes closed at that sight of his coming attack, already giving up.
But instead of attacking like Sasuke expected, Itachi simple gave a slightly hard tap on his brother's forehead with two of his fingers. The very same gesture that Itachi always did with his little brother, when he was in the mood to mock him a bit.
At the feeling of this familiar gesture on his forehead, Sasuke opened his eyes and immediately glared at Itachi while touching the spot he was hit on his head. But Itachi ignored it like always and gave him a bit of a smirk in response.
"Don't be so quick in giving up Sasuke. For in battle, there is no quitting." said Itachi.
At this Sasuke didn't response and looked away with a pout on his face.
Itachi simply chuckle at his brother's childlike behavior before turn back to the other two resting students. "That's enough training for today, I want all of you to now rest and be prepared for tomorrow."
Naruto and Sakura were already up when Itachi called to them and making their way to the two Uchihas.
"Man, I can't believe it's already here! I can't wait for it to begi! Bring it on big bad Chuunin Exams!" Naruto exclaimed from his sensei's side and right into Sakura's ear.
"You don't need to yell it in my ear Naruto!" Sakura gave him a good whack over the head.
"Whoa there, this is no time for all of you to be inflicting pain on each other injuries. You cannot afford to enter the exams in any poor state, you must be at your fullest and in perfect shape if you wish to pass. In the exams you will not only complete against those from our village but from others to, some that will most likely be stronger then you. And if you are not at your fullest in this exams, not only will you not pass you could also die in them." said Itachi, noting the now grim looks on his student's faces, which was exactly what he wanted. He just wanted to scare them a little and hope that they will take the Chuunin Exams a little more seriously and not do anything reckless.
"We could die?! B-But wouldn't that like, I don't know… cause problems with other villages or something?!" Naruto yelled in slight shock.
Their sensei shook his head. "No, not really. The neighboring villages as well as ours have already understood the consequences that the Chuunin Exams hold when they begin. True that some of our alliances with other villages are a bit shaky but when the exams begin and when we must face other villages, the alliance doesn't truly matter. The exams are for those to do their best and to come out on top that are worthy of becoming Chuunin. Over all, even if we are friendly neighbors with other villages anything goes in the exams, including deaths of others that will hold no responsibility over anything."
"So in other words it is allowed to go all out on your opponents with any downfall." Sasuke spoke up.
Itachi nodded. "That's about it."
"And you tell us this now!" Naruto exclaimed.
Their sensei gave them a blank look. "I assumed that you all knew this already for it is the shinobi way."
No one answered back.
"Anyways, all of you go home and rest for tomorrow."
"You're not coming home, Itachi?" Sasuke asked.
"No, not yet at least. I'm going to catch up with Kisame so I won't be home in time for dinner. Tell mother I'm with an old friend and won't be home until late." said Itachi.
Sasuke pouted a bit and looked away, clearly not happy of being his brother's messager boy. "Fine, whatever."
The older brother smiled faintly for a split second before turning to face his other two students.
"I'll see you all tomorrow before it's time to take the exams. Heed my warnings and take and use what I can give you. I wish you all the best of luck." With that said from their sensei, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Well, I don't know about you losers but I'm heading home." Sasuke stated as he stood from the ground and head to the Uchiha housing.
"Wait Sasuke." Sakura called out to him but he ignored her.
"Ah, forget about him Sakura. Come let's get something to eat, we haven't have lunch yet and I'm starving!" said Naruto.
Sakura frowned as she watched Sasuke retreating back before she finally walked off with Naruto. The happy blonde was babbling off about something to do with 'lunch' and 'ramen' as they entered the more lively part of the village. When they reached the area of all the food stands and take-outs area, their mouths started to drool at the heavenly aromas around them.
"Yo."
Both of their attention was pulled away from the food around them and up above them, where they saw a familiar silver haired Jonin.
"Kakashi-sensei!" said Naruto with a grin.
Kakashi jumped down from where he was and stood in front of Sakura and Naruto with a familiar orange book in his hands.
"What are you doing here, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked with a smile.
He shrugged. "Oh, nothing much really I just that it would be nice to see how you two are doing. Itachi told me he was entering you guys in the Chuunin Exams."
"That's right and we're going to kick butt!" Naruto declared.
"Well at least something like that." The pinkette rubbed the back of her head with a nervous smile.
Kakashi just chuckled. "I'm sure you guys will do just that, I have faith in all of you."
"R-Really?" Sakura asked in slight surprise.
"But of course, I've seen what you all can do and you are ready for this." He then snapped his book shut while still smiling under his mask. "Now, how about I treat you guys to lunch, any requests?"
"Ramen!" Naruto shouted in glee.
"That's fine with me, thank you Kakashi-sensei." said Sakura.
"No problem."
----------------------------------------------------
Night was quickly approaching over Konoha once again as it hit its twilight mark. Inside the Hokage tower, where the registration was held, Izumo and Kotetsu were finishing gathering all the registration papers for the Chuunin Exams and ready to ship them off to the up lever of the tower.
"Man what a day." Kotetsu let out a yawn.
"Tell me about, it's always that last day of these things that are a real killer." Izumo commented, finishing his part of the paperwork.
"I just wonder why so many wait until the last minute to enter for this thing; it's a real pain on our part."
"Well there is a three day limits for this and we don't open our village gates to the other villages until the first day."
"Who ever came up with these rules sure had a sick sense of humor."
Izumo laughed. "Ditto."
"Alright, I guess there nothing left to do but take these stacks up stairs now." Kotetsu stood from his seat with a large stack of papers in his hands.
"It seems like it." Izumo stood up with the equal amount in his arms. "Everything is cleaned up and there is nothing left to do."
"So the Chuunin Exam entries are now officially-"
The door suddenly burst open with a large bang as the doors hit the walls.
Both of the Chuunin dropped the stacks of papers in their hands, causing the papers to fly all over the floor, surprise at the sudden outburst. Before either of them knew it, a Genin team appeared in front of the desk with their sensei in front, breathing hard as if they were all in a marathon. The sensei slammed his fist on the desk and glared at the Chuunin while panting deeply.
"Were to –pant- enter into the –pant- fucking Chuunin Exams." said Hidan as he tried to catch his breath.
"I swear –pant- I've never run –pant- that fast before." Amaya said as she leaned forward with hands on her knees.
"We –pant- made it." said Kotone.
"But are we –pant- in time?" Oreo asked.
"You two!" Hidan glared towards Izumo and Kotetsu. "We want to enter this fucking thing and want to enter now!"
"B-But the registrations for the exams are now closed. Sorry but you're-" Izumo never finished for Hidan grabbed him by the collar and brought him up closer so they were face to face..
"What the fuck you mean we're closed! You two fuckers are standing right here! If you know what's fucking good for you – you will enter us in right now! For if you fucking don't I will make you two fuckers my next fucking scarifies to Jashin!" Hidan demanded.
"Okay, okay! We're still open, you can still register!" Izumo yelled in fear of the crazy Jashin.
Hidan had an evil smirk of satisfaction his face as he released the poor Chuunin. "Good now get these fucking brats registered."
Not wanting to face the angry Steam Jonin again, Izumo and Kotetsu quickly searched throughout the registration desk franticly for the papers needed.
"Okay here is everything you need to fill out." Kotetsu said as he turn back to face the team.
But instead of an angry and steaming Hidan they were expecting, they got a passed out Hidan that was sprawled out on the table from exhaustion. At this, both Chuunin sweat dropped. While Amaya shook her head with a shrug as both Oreo and Kotone stared at him
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In the hotel that was hosting the exhibiters of the Chuunin Exams, Sasori's team was gathered together in the slightly rundown living room as it was final dark outside. Temari and Kankuro sat on the floor of the living room with their legs tucked under them in front of the coffee table; as Gaara sat away from his siblings by the wall with his back to it and gourd next to him. While Sasori sat in the center of the old looking couch with one arm propped up on top of the headboard of it with his eye closed.
Tomorrow was the beginning of the Chuunin Exams, as both Temari and Kankuro have grown a little edge at this fact. To them it didn't matter if they became Chuunin or not, for the real reason was the mission that was given to them by the Kazekage. For this mission was S ranked and would decide the fate of their village.
All three Genin waited patiently for their sensei to speak, for he was the one that called them here. But when they all arrived he didn't say anything other than to sit. So now they stared at Sasori and waited to hear at what he had to say even though they had a good idea what it was. The older red head said that before the exams begin they will have a small meeting for the four of them about the mission and what will happen.
The silence of waiting was starting to get to Temari and Kankuro as their sensei made no move to speak or anything. But neither dared to speak themselves incase their sensei decided to bring his wrath upon the two for talking without promotion. So they were force to wait for Sasori to make the first move.
After what seemed like ages, Sasori let out a sigh and opened his eyes to look at his students.
"Tomorrow, the beginning of the end of the Leaf Village will start." said Sasori.
Temari and Kankuro tensed up at his words for they hit home for some reason, even Gaara tensed himself.
"It's a shame though." Sasori said with a bored tone as he stared out the glass door with a dull look. "This village… is nothing like ours."
Both Genin in front of him flinched a bit.
"Suna, is dull and seems so lifeless in the golden dry sand that surrounds everything, leaving nothing for anything to grow. Even the air it's self in Suna is dry and harsh as the winds that blows through our village, leaving our people to suffer and starve by the lack of food and growth. But here, they don't have to worry about any of those sufferings it seems. Their village is full of life and spirit that its surrounded by an endless sea of green. Even their air is different from ours. For it is sweet and gentle and not dry and harsh." Sasori sighed and looked back at his students. "It truly is a shame to see it all destroyed."
"Sensei." Temari spoke with her head bowed.
Their sensei stared at them with the same expression as before. He remained silent and stared at the oldest of the three.
"Do you… do you…" she repeated.
"Do I what?"
The blonde jumped a bit at his question but kept herself in check as she looked right at her sensei. "Do you believe that the plan will succeed?"
Sasori stared at Temari for the longest time; to the point where she could feel the wholes he was burning through her.
"Do I believe the plan will succeed you say." He muttered but mostly to himself as he leaned back further into the couch with his eyes.
"Well?" Temari asked.
Sasori stayed quiet again before he slowly opened his eyes again to look out the window once more. "No."
"But sensei!" said Kankuro.
"This plan was doomed from the start." Sasori cut in before either of them could protest anymore, which shut them up quick. "I don't know what the fool was thinking; does this really help our village?"
His students didn't answer.
"Why is it that all our Kazekages are nothing but crap." He spat out the word Kazekages like it was poison with a slight glare. "I have no I idea why your fool of father really believes this will work, it's just all destine to end horrible. This village is stronger than our own, even if it doesn't show it on the outside. But I can clearly see the power within it, the power our village can't hope to hold for dear life. It's because of that strength that our mission is destine to be doomed from the start."
"B-But, we have to try. Maybe if there is something else we can do something that will give us an advantage to make it a success then a failure." Kankuro asked desperately.
"It is futile; there is nothing we could do to change the outcome. Once we stepped through the village gates our fates for failure was sealed." The older red head said blankly.
"Why are you so negative all the time sensei!?" the blonde glared angrily at him.
"You could at least have some faith in the plan, or even hope that the outcome will be different!" Her brother next to her shouted.
"Faith?" Sasori lowered his head to the point where his scarlet locks hid his eyes. "Hope…?" he muttered those words to himself as a gloom feeling surrounded him.
His surroundings seemed to fade away, including his students with their heated gaze, to the point where it was him and only him. Suddenly a suppressed memory surfaced in Sasori's mind, one that he wished to never remember again along with others like it.
The memory flashed before him of a dark place he was kept in long ago. Darkness surrounded him and the only source of light was one lit candle in the corner. The pain never seemed to fade for it was always there to the point where it made his body feel so numb. The bruises and cuts seemed to never heal over the human parts of his body, leaving scars that will never hope of healing completely. And then those hands, those cold hands of ice… and those eyes. Those eyes that seemed to glow in the dark as they gaze right down at him with emotion he wish to never ever see within them again.
It was this memory of many others that made 'faith' and 'hope' seem so lost to him. For it was those memories that had stripped him of any kind of feeling of faith or hope to anything in his life.
Flinching slightly at one of the many memories he had surprised, he buried it back deep within his mind where it belonged and pulled himself together. Temari and Kankuro didn't notice the flinch that came from Sasori for they were angry at him for not believing the plan. But Gaara noticed the flinched and the slight pain look in his eyes, even though it was only there for a second.
"There is no such thing as hope or faith in the ninja world, only what is destined to be and nothing more. We shinobi do not pray and hope for the best of the worst outcome, you must accept your fate of that is yet to outcome." Their sensei spoke a in chilling voice that made Temari and Kankuro's heated gaze disappear. "We are shinobi, tools of our lands and nothing more. We will still follow the mission of what our village has planned, even if it will end in disaster. Tomorrow you three must pass the first part of the exams and moved forward until the third part of the exams, which are the finals. Understood."
"H-Hai." said the two in front of him.
"Good."
Suddenly an explosion was heard outside their front door as it caused their apartment to shake from the impact.
"What the hell?!" said Kankuro.
"I think it came from the hall." Temari said as she stood up and rushed to the door.
The two red heads stood up as well and headed to the door. Though Sasori took a moment to quickly hide inside Hiruko and moved to the doors just as Temari opened it to the hall. In the hall everything seemed to still be in tacked and nothing out of place, as if the shake from earlier never happen at all. But that was because the explosion didn't come from the hall, instead it came from the door right across from theirs.
Sounds were soon heard from behind the door as they could see small traces of smoke escaping from the door's edges. The sounds grew louder until the door burst open and stumbled out was a pretty blonde, hunched over, and was cough into her hand.
"Open the damn window, Aika!"
"I'm trying to you idiot!"
"Yuuen, go help her while I make sure there isn't a fire going on!"
"You're such a lazy ass Loki!"
"Shut up!"
Yells were heard from inside the room behind the blonde as a bit more smoke came out.
The said blonde continued to cough but little a less violent now as she stood up strait now. At the sight of her face Sasori could only groan in annoyance at who it was.
"Great, it's you brat." He said.
Deidara looked up to see Sasori outside in the hall, in front of their door with all three students by doorway behind him. Deidara glared down angrily at Sasori for the brat comment he gave her.
"I'm not a brat you old geezer, un! I do have a name, un." said Deidara.
"Yes you are and stop calling me an old geezer!" he said back.
They glared at each other.
"What happen out here? Everything shook a few seconds ago." Temari asked the older blonde.
"Huh? Oh that, un. I guess it was stronger than I thought, un. Well," Deidara looked embarrassed. "I was working one my latest master pieces that I've been working on for a while that I was close to completing, un. But something went wrong, which I don't know what yet, and then it blew up before for I could finish, un. Of course it was magnificent like the rest of my art, un. But it would have turned out even better if I completed it all the way, un."
Sasori snorted. "Please, those little explosions are not art. They are more of a disgrace to art as you are."
Now she looked pissed as hell. "Who are you to call someone an artist old geezer, un! Your way of art isn't true art at all, un! Just because you're older than me doesn't give you the right to be all high and might about being a true artist then me, un! And besides your way of art shouldn't even be bothered to be called a disgrace to art, un! No that would be the nice version of it, un! Your way of art is just plain carp, un!"
"What?!" Yelled Sasori.
"What you two idiot yelling about out here?"
Everyone's attention turned towards the new comer in the hallway that stood in front of his apartment door that was one door down from theirs. Behind him, his apartment door was open and all three of his students were peeking out to see what was happening to.
The man was tall and had a mask much like Kakashi's that covered half his face, even his hair seemed to be covered by the same martial. And on his forehead was the headband plate with the Village Hidden in the Waterfall marking on it.
"You, big blondie! Were you the cause of that racket moments ago?" Kakuzu demanded.
"Umm… I guess so." Deidara looked away in embarrassment.
"What the heck is wrong with you?! Do you even understand what insurants cause these days to pay every month for something like this! This run down place probably can't afford to pay every mouth for it! So now…" Kakuze continued ranting but we're going to tune him out for a moment as we take a look at his students.
"If it isn't his money that he's ranting about it's always someone else." Ren sighed from her spot at the door.
"Sensei seriously needs to get a new hobble, or go to therapy at least." Mindori sighed as well next to Ren
"At least I'm not the cause of it this time!" Shirahime said cheerful between Ren and Mindori with Yoko on her shoulder.
"Why should you even care about stuff like that, un? This place isn't yours, un." Said a now irritated Deidara. She did like the angry attention she was drawing now.
"No, I don't own this dump. But I just respect the idea of the value of a dollar is all." said Kakuze.
Everyone sweat dropped and stared at him with a 'are you kidding me' look.
"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard, un!" yelled the blonde.
"For once I agree with her." said Sasori.
"Shut up!" yelled the Waterfall nin.
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"Oi, what's with all that racket?" Kisame asked curiously.
"Don't know." said Itachi next to him.
The two Jonins were in Kisame's living room drinking some sake together when they heard an explosion and felt the room shake from the shock.
"Tch, and here I thought this village was a place you can find peace and quiet in." said Kisame.
The Uchiha couldn't help but smirk a bit. "Who said that this place was peaceful and quiet?"
Kisame took a gulp of his drink and then smirk. "What, that's not true around here?"
Itachi took a gulp of his drink before he replied. "Hmph, only those that believe that are more gullible then they are."
But the Mist nin wasn't offended by the comment and just merely kept smirking.
"Sensei." Katsumi said from the front door that was slightly open now. "There are some people out in the hall and seem to be arguing over something."
"Really." Kisame placed his cup on the table and pushed off the couch. "Might as well see what's going on out there, aye Itachi."
He sighed before placing his cup down. "If we must."
Katsumi silently stepped aside as she allowed her sensei and their guess through the door. Once out of the apartment she quickly moved back over to the door and poked her head out. Soon after both of her teammates, Kohta and Ryoma, joined her side and poked their heads out the door to watch the event before them.
"Hey, have you people ever heard of peace and quiet around here!" Kisame shouted.
"Weren't we having this conversation a second ago?" Itachi said from behind.
"Would you people all mind your own business already, un?!" the Rock Jonin shouted.
But sadly Deidara doesn't get her wish for karma decided that it didn't like her at the moment and wanted to torture her.
Another door in the hall, across from Kisame's room, opened and popped out a Rain Genin head with red hair as she peered curiously at the events in the hall.
"What are you looking at Katara?"
Katara pulled her head back inside and turned around to her youngest teammate behind her, staring at her curiously.
"Nothing much Hanatsu, but there is some sort of commotion going on outside in the hall." said Katara as she looked back out in the said hall.
"Really, let me see." Hanatsu hurried over to Katara side and looked out the door. "Your right."
"Of course I am." said Katara.
"Right about what?"
This time it was only Hanatsu that looked back to see their oldest teammate. "Hey, Harusame. There's a bit of a show down going onside in the hall, wanna see?"
Harusame raised an eyebrow. "Really, maybe I should go tell Pein-sensei and Konan-sensei about this."
"Do whatever you want." Katara said without turning around to face the older girl.
"What's with you blondie, there's no need to get your panties twisted in a bunch." said Kisame.
"Shut up, un!" yelled Deidara.
"It seems that the noise we heard and shake was her doing." Kakuzu said.
"Don't tell them that, un!"
"Ah, so you're the cause of all the ruckus then." said the Mist nin.
"It was an accident, un!" Deidara yelled.
"How is it an accident when you know that you're stupid so called art are actually bombs." said Sasori.
"My art isn't stupid, un! Your art is, un!" she glared and pointed an angry finger at the hunch back figure.
"Must you people be so nosy." came a chilling voice.
Everyone turned their attention on the new person in the hall, not only to see one but two people instead.
"Ah! Why can't you all stay in your rooms and mind your business, un!" Deidara yelled again.
"It's hard to ignore something when its so loud." said Konan next to Pein.
"It's your own fault for dragging everyone into this." said Sasori.
"Shut up, un!"
"Sensei, we've got all the smoke cleared out." Aika said as she quickly rushed over to the front door.
But Deidara didn't hear her for she was too busy arguing with everyone.
"Looks like we've caused more of a commotion then we thought." Yuuen said as he joined Aika by the door, poking their heads out like the rest of the Genin in the hall.
"Yeah." Was her reply.
"Did you tell sensei that we clear the smoke out?" Yuuen asked.
"I tried but she didn't hear me." said Aika.
"She's in a foul mood now." Loki sudden appeared behind them.
Both Aika and Yuuen let out a small startled scream and jumped before they turned around to see Loki.
"Baka! Don't do that, you almost gave me a heart attack!" Aika glared at him.
But Loki looked unfazed and sent her a cool gaze. "You're a ninja; therefore you should always be aware of your surroundings. For if not you will be dead before you know it."
"Shut up!" she yelled.
Yuuen only sweat dropped and titled his head to the side with a groan.
"Why did you blow up something in the first place?" Itachi blankly asked.
"I didn't mean to, un. It was an accident, un." said Deidara.
"Then why were making a bomb then?" Konan asked this time.
"Its art, un!" the blonde exclaimed.
"Destroying your work?" Kakuzu raised an eyebrow.
"No the explosion, un. Art is a fleeting moment where you can enjoy the true beauty of it when it's gone, un" said Deidara.
"For the last time, blowing up for shit called art isn't true art." said Sasori.
"Why you…" Deidara hissed, trailing off a bit when she glared down at him.
"Out of my way fuckers!"
Suddenly a silver haired man pushed his way through the crowd of Jonins as he tried to get to the other head of the hall, where Sasori and Deidara, with his students in tow.
"Who the hell are you?" Kisame asked with a bored look.
Hidan glared at him. "That's none of you fucking business you fucking fish human wanna be!"
"What!" Kisame tried to make a charge for him but was held back by Itachi.
Hidan ignored the two and continued to walk on, pushing pass Sasori and Deidara with a shove. "I don't have time to deal with you fucking idiots. What are you all fucking doing out here anyway?"
Sasori was about to answer but Deidara beat him to it. "We're doing nothing. What are you doing out here though?"
"What does it look like blondie, I'm trying to find my fucking room. Which is right here." Hidan pointed to the door proudly, happy to find it.
"Sensei, I found our room!" Amaya shouted happily from the other end of the hall.
Hidan paled a bit and looked at the door a bit better to see the wrong number on it. "Shit!" he yelled.
"Do you even know where the hell you are going?" Kakuzu asked dryly.
"Not really." Oreo answered for him.
"Don't fucking tell him that!" Hidan glared at her.
"Must you be so loud." Pein spoke a low quiet voice.
"Shut the fuck up melt face! I'll be as loud as I fucking want!" yelled the Steam Jonin.
"I don't care if he's so loud, I just want to know why we have to hear him talk." said Sasori.
"What the fuck did you say you fucking old fart?!"
At this point everyone forgot the reason why they were out in the hall in the first place and were just fighting amongst themselves at this point for no real reason. And the loudest and most annoyingness was Hidan, which in the end all three of his students had to drag him into their room to avoid any bloodshed or fight they knew their sensei would start.
But it was an event that none of the Genin will forgot about their senseis for they watched the whole thing. All expect one that left before the showdown began.
There we are! All the Akasuki members and their students have all appeared together!
Haha! Hidan really has no sence of direction.
In the next chapter the Chunnin Exams with will finally begin! And the Chunnin Exams will be very different then what we are use to.
Please reveiw!