Chapter 7:

Life or Death? Your Choice

Eventually, we reached the tower. We shambled towards the doors, Kabuto supporting me and Sakura supporting Sasuke. I looked up at the tower, and smiled in relief. Hopefully there would be a nice, feather mattress waiting for me. Or maybe it was a water bed. Either worked, as long as I could curl up and fall asleep in comfort. Even a nice chair would work. I groaned as the bushes behind us started rustling. Another enemy? I was spent already, I'd be dead by the end of this fight if they were enemies. As me and Kabuto spun around, Kabuto sighed in relief as two guys his age clad in black with black masks on walked out of the bushes.

"Oh, it's you guys." Kabuto sighed in relief.

"You're late, Kabuto." I glanced at their headbands, and saw that they were also leaf headbands. They weren't enemies it appeared. Atleast for now.

"Sorry, we ran in to a bit of trouble." Kabuto laughed nervously as Naruto took his spot in helping me stand. I thanked Naruto and smiled.

"But because of you we got the scrolls!" Naruto laughed.

"No, it was all because of you guys. You were great at the end, Naruto. Really." I kept my snide remarks to myself, and waited. "Anyway, we're going through this door." He said, motioning to the door beside their team. "Good luck to the both of us!"

"Yeah." Naruto nodded, before turning so we could walk to the door beside us. Naruto grabbed one doorhandle, while I grabbed the other, before throwing the doors open and walking inside.

When we walked in, I inspected the room. There were two balconys on either side of the room, with railings. There was a door in the far left corner, and a framed writing on the wall between the two balconys.

"Nobody's here." Naruto muttered.

"Sakura, I'm alright." Sasuke said, letting go of Sakura and standing up on his own.

"Yeah, me too." I said and slowly sat myself on the ground by myself, it infuriated me that I couldn't stand, however.

"So, what do we do?" Naruto asked.

"I think we-" I was abruptly cut off by Sakura.

"Look at that!" She pointed to the writing.

"Without heaven... What's this mean?" Naruto muttered.

"Looks like it's missing a word." Sakura muttered.

"I think we need to open the scrolls." I sighed, pulling out the Heaven scroll we'd recently obtained. Sasuke did the same with the Earth scroll. From my position on the floor, I sat the scroll in front of me, and took a deep breath, and looked up at Sasuke, who nodded. I grabbed the edge of the scroll, as Sasuke did the same, before pulling it open. I blinked and stared at the writing inside, before gasping. It was a summoning scroll.

"Sasuke! Get rid of them!" I shouted, chucking mine down the room towards the writing as Sasuke did the same. When the scrolls landed they were hissing and smoking. I watched as a cloud of smoke appeared as someone was summoned, and sighed in relief when the smoke settled and it was a Chunin wearing the standard chunin uniform. His brown hair was pulled back in a spiky ponytail, and a scar ran across his face, over the bridge of his nose.

"Hey guys, long time no see." Iruka smiled.

"Especially for us, sensei." I smirked, and Iruka blinked at me before raising his eyebrows in surprise.

"Koinu? Damn it has been a while." Iruka smiled. "Looks like you guys ran in to some trouble." I laughed a short bark of a laugh.

"You have no idea."

"Wh-why was Iruka sensei summoned?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"At the end of this second test it's set up so we Chunin meet up with the exam takers anid I was allowed to be the ones to greet you." Iruka explained.

"Greet us?" Naruto was as confused as ever.

Iruka pulled out a pokcet watch, and popped it open, he looked at the time and sighed. "Made it just in time to." He then popped it closed, and stuck it back in his pocket, and then smiled up at us.

"The second test, all four of you guys pass. Congratulations! To celebrate your successful completion of this test I'd like to take you all out for a round of ramen but-"

"WE DID IT!" Naruto cut off Iruka as he tackled him to the ground happily.

"H-hey, Naruto. Listen until the end-"

"We did it, we did it, we did it! WE DID IT! I'm so happy!" Naruto laughed, leaping in to the air as Sakura and Sasuke slid to the ground. "Yeaaaah!"

"Naruto!" He then looked over at me, a wide grin spread across his face. "SHUT. UP!" I growled, and he stopped screaming, but he was still smiling.

"You sure have changed in your inability to relax." Iruka laughed.

"Heh, I see. If we had opened the scrolls during the test, what where you going to do, Iruka?" Sasuke asked, smirking.

"As always, you're sharp, Sasuke." Iruka began. "As you may have figured out this test's rules are set up to take your ability to perform missions correctly. So if you were to break these rules and open the scrolls, you'd be put in a condition of unconcousness for the remainder of the test period. Those were my orders."

"Good thing you morons didn't open those scrolls then." I laughed.

"Oh yeah, sensei. What's the writing on the wall mean? Seems like there's a word missing... we can't figure it out." Sakura said.

"Who cares? We passed!" Naruto laughed.

"No, I'm also here to explain that. This is the motto of the Chunin, written by the Hokage himself. The 'heaven' in this paragraph stands for the human mind, and the 'earth' refers to the human body. 'If you lack heaven, seek wisdom and be prepared.' Thet's basically, for example if Naruto's weakness is his brain 'gain knowledge and be prepared for the missions.'" Sakura started sniggering and Naruto grumbled under his breath. "'If you lack Earth, run in the fields and seek advantages.' So if Sakura's weakness is stamina, then it's saying to continue to train hard." Naruto smirked and started chuckling, while Sakura rubbed the back of her head. "And if you have both heaven and earth, you can succeed in even the most dangerous mission. So basically all missions become safe and easy."

"Then, the part with the missing word?" Sakura asked.

"So, the words that represent a Chunin. The 'person' word from the scrolls goes there. The last sentence is: 'These rules will guide a person's extremes.' These five days of survival were to test the exam taker's basic abilities needed to become a chunin, and you guys successfully pass that. Chunin are at the rank of military captain, you have the responsibility of guiding a team. The knowledge, stamina, and inner wisdom, all are needed for your duties. I want you guys to challenge the next test with this motto in mind." Iruka commanded. "Just, please don't push yourselves in this next test." Iruka smiled sheepishly and I smirked back.

"Look at who you're talking to, sensei. The last survivor of the Uchiha Clan. The kid who pushes himself way past his limits to become strong enough to kill brother. The most popular kid of his year at the academy. Graduated at the top of his class.

"The flunk out, idiot from Konoha. The most hyperactive, attention seeking kid. The kid who defiled the Hokage's faces, and was hated by everyone in the village. The kid who has finally somehow fitted in enough to have a purpose in his life.

"The pink-haired, know it all girl who's the smartest of her class who somehow got second in that category. The girl who has the BIGGEST crush on Sasuke Uchiha ever. Who acts like she doesn't care when she really does, even though everyone knows she does.

"And last but not least, the outcast of the whole village. The one who's parents are dead before she even knew them. Her only family members were killed less than a week, but she works herself to near death anyway. She doesn't care what people say about her, or who says them. She doesn't take crap from anyone and has even attacked the Hokage because of it.

"Do you really think you're gonna stop this team from pushing ourselves to far? That's impossible." I laughed, and Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura smirked and nodded.

Iruka nodded and motioned towards the door in the far corner. "Just file in through there and wait for a little bit. It shouldn't be too long hopefully. I nodded and he disappeared in a cloud of smoke, allowing me to hiss in pain from the burn of my mark. I grabbed my neck and looked at Sasuke, who nodded. So his hurt too huh? I groaned before taking some of Garou's strength from earlier and got to my feet, though slowly. I then nodded and walked in to the room after Sakura, Naruto, and then Sasuke.

About ten minutes of standing in the room, kids around us conversing, a large cloud of smoke appeared at the front of the room. The Hokage one of them. Behind the Hokage were the Jonin that led our individual teams. Beside the Hokage were two lines of Chunin and then a few higher ranks, probably because the Hokage was here.

"First off, for the second test: Congratulations on passing!" Anko congratulated us, smiling. I blinked and looked around, counting us all out. Damn, only 22 of us left out of the 79 originally starting.

"Heh. I can't say that I'm getting a good feeling." Sasuke whispered to no one in particular, rubbing his mark.

"You okay?" I whispered back.

"Fine." I nodded, and tried acting like I didn't care. I blinked when I spotted the sound ninja's Jonin. He seemed... familiar. I sniffed the air, and almost collapsed in surprise. I smelled him... Orochimaru. He had either been here recently, or he was watching us from somewhere. My hands trembled in anticipation, and as I scanned the ninja assembled around the Hokage, the sound Jonin met my gaze. He smiled, and winked, before looking away. I narrowed my eyes before looking away. As long as I stayed alert, that was all that mattered.

"The Hokage will now explain the third test! Listen carefully!" Anko shouted.

"Yes, for the coming third exam, but before I explain that there's something I'd like you to know. It concerns the true reason for this exam. Why do we have all the allianced countries taking the exam together? 'To promote the friendship among the countries.' 'To raise the level of shinobi.' I don't want you to be confused about the true meaning. This exam is a replacement for war among the allied countries. If you go back in time, the current allies were enemies who fought each other over who would rule. In order to prevent wasteful fighting, the stage that these countries chose for battle... that's the origin for the Chunin Selection Exams."

"Wait! So that means you're basically throwing all of us in here, to let us fight and fight until exhaustion! Just so that nobody of higher ranks fight? You're pitting Genin against each other! Pure rookies against kids who have been in it six times! JUST TO KEEP PEACE! Anyone could have been killed in this past test! I'm SURE people were killed! How do you know that kids in the Sand or Sound villages aren't trained like CHunin or Jonin are in Konoha? I understand that these exams determine who should and is chosen to be granted the rank of 'Chunin' but if these exams were based originally on letting your upcoming shinobi fight against each other and slaughter each other just to keep peace... that's stupid! YOU'RE KILLING THE FUTURE GENERATION FOR NO REASON!" I shouted, and once I was done I glared at the Hokage who met my gaze calmly.

"Koinu! You are in no position to be speaking!" Kakashi's voice rose from the Jonin ranks.

"I don't care!" I growled in response, and the fellow Genin rookies from the Leaf village gasped quietly in shock. I realized almost everyone but Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke where staring at me.

The Hokage sighed and shook his head. "One day, you will all understand."

"I understand perfectly fine right now-" I was cut off by the Hokage though.

"No you don't! If you did you wouldn't be shouting at me!"

"You're letting the future fight just to keep peace between the villages. Once Konohamaru, your grandson, takes these exams would you be willing to let him die to keep the peace between Konoha and the Sound village?" I growled, but the Hokage decided to ignore me. I snarled in fury and made to shoulder my way up to him, But Sasuke grabbed the back of my shirt and held me back.

"Just stop, Koinu." He sighed, I growled in reply, before angrily taking my spot back.

"The exam has two sides. One is for choosing future Chunin. The other is for letting the different villages' Genin fight against other village Genin to protect their land's prestige. Watching the third exam will be leaders and influential individuals from many lands who make up the clients of the shinobi, and the leaders of the countries will also watch each of your battles. If the strength of a country is clear, that country will receive more clients. And if seen weak, they'll recceive less clients. And this will signal to potential enemies that 'out village ash this much power'. So it will send a political message to outsiders."

"Yeah but why do we have to risk our lives!" A Leaf Genin whose name I think was Kiba barked.

"The strength of the country is the strength of the village. The strength of the village is the strength of the shinobi. And the true strength of a shinobi is determined through life risking battles." I took a deep breath and rubbed my neck. The mark was starting to burn like crazy. "This exam is a place to see each country's strength and to show off your own strength. It only has meaning because lives are at risk. And that's why those that have come before you have fought in the Chunin Exam for this dream that is meaningful."

"Then why do you say stuff about it being for friendship?" Someone shouted from my right. I wasn't really paying attention though, my mark was stinging even worse.

"I said it in the beginning. I don't want you to confuse the meaning of this. By losing life and establishing balance. This is the shape of friendship in the shinobi world. Before we begin the third test I will tell you one more thing. This is not just a test. This is a life-risking battle. With your dreams and your country's prestige on the line."

"I don't care what it is. Just hurry up and tell us what this life-risking battle entails." A rough voice from further along the lines growled.

"Yes, I'd like to now explain the third test but-"

"Actually, *cough*" A leaf shinobi appeared in front of the Hokage, with a horrible cough it seemed. "I apologize Hokage. From here on out as referee, will you please allow me, Hayate Gekkou."

"Of course." The Hokage nodded.

"Hello everyone, I'm Hayate." The man said, turning to face us. I blinked. He looked like he was on his death bed. "Before the third test, there's something I'd like you to do. Ummm it's a preliminary for the third test to decide who gets to participate in the main event."

"Preliminary! What do you mean?" Someone shouted. I groaned, both in pain and the fact that I'd have to fight again soon. Hopefully after a nice nap though.

"Sensei, I don't understand this preliminary but why aren't all the people here allowed to move on?" Sakura piped up from in front of me.

"Because the first and second test have been too easy this year... we have a bit too many people. According to Chunin Exam rules, we must have a preliminary and reduce the numbers of participants for the third test. As Hokage indicated earlier, there will be there will be many guests at the third test. So the fights could take too long, and we are limited in time.

"So, anyway. Those who aren't feeling well, those who feel like quiting after these explanations, please come forward now. Since we will be starting the preliminary immedietly." I groaned, my legs shaking. I didn't feel good, but I didn't want to quite either. Sasuke glanced behind me and furrowed his brows.

"You okay?" He asked, and I shook my head.

"Still... exhausted." I whispered, and he bit his lip.

"What! Right now?" Kiba shouted.

"Umm. I'm gonna quit." Kabuto's voice rang out as he raised his hand. My eyes snapped over.

"Huh? K-kabuto..." Naruto muttered.

"Umm, you're Kabuto Yakushi from the Leaf, right? you may leave now. Does anyone else wish to quit? I forgot to tell you it will be individual fighting. You may leave based on your own judgment."

"Kabuto why are you quiting?" Naruto shouted.

"Sorry Naruto, but my body's all beat up. I actually haven't been able to hear out of my left ear since the beginning of the exams. And now we'll have to risk our lives I just..." With that Kabuto waved at us, and walked off. Sasuke groaned and clutched at his scar too.

"Um, there are no more retiring now, right?" the referee asked.

"Sasuke! You and Koinu should also quit this Prelim! You've both been strange since that Orochimaru guy attacked us. You're marks still hurt, right? And you're still exhausted from that wolf business, Koinu! If you guys continue... Please..." Sasuke and I both blinked as her eyes brimmed with tears. "Please quit. I'm afraid..."

"Since when have I cared about you're opinion?" I growled.

"You're in no condition to fight right now! I can see it! You've both been hiding the pain all this time!"

"Be quiet." Sasuke hissed.

"Whatever you say I'm going to tell the sensei's about the marks!" Sakura's hand slowly began raising up, but Sasuke's clamped down over her wrist.

"Shut up about these marks." Sasuke growled.

"Why are you both so stubborn? I don't want to see either of you suffer anymore! To me you're both-"

"This has nothing to do with you. Stay out of my business." Sasuke snarled.

"And mine." I hissed.

"Sakura, I've told you before. I'm an avenger. This isn't just a test to me. I don't care about CHunin or whatever. 'Am I strong?' I just want to answer that. To just fight strong guys here. And they're here. I can't forgive even you if you take that away from me." Sasuke explained.

"You jerks! Stop acting all cool and tough! Can't you see that Sakura's worried about you?" Naruto barked.

"Naruto, you're one of the ones I want to fight. Same goes for you, Koinu."

Sasuke groaned and tightened his grip on the mark, as my mark also throbbed again.

"Now, let's begin the preliminary. This preliminary will consist of oneon one fighting. You will basically fight as if in a real life confrontation. Since we now have 21 members, there will be ten randomly selected matches. My pure luck and chance, the last one who hasn't fought will continue on, along with the winners, to the third test. There are basically no rules. The fight continues until one of you either dies or is knocked out or admits defeat. If you don't want to die than quickly admit defeat. But when I decide that the winner has clearly been established. Since we don't want to pointlessly increase the amount of corpses, I'll jump in and stop things. And the object that controls your destiny is..." Part of the wall slid open and a screen slowly slid in to place.

"Is this electronic scoreboard. It'll show the matchups for each battle. Now, this is sudden but let's announce the two names of the first fight."

I looked up at the screen as all of the names began randomizing. I spotted my name tons of time, and gulped, hoping it wouldn't show up on the screen. I blinked when the names finally appeared. The screen read:

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado.

"Now these two entrants come to the front. The two participants in the first fight are Yoroi Akado and Sasuke Uchiha. Are you ready?"

"Yes." Yoroi, one of Kabuto's teammates said as he walked to the front.

"Yeah." Sasuke replied as he took his spot about a yard in front of Yoroi.

"Now, we will be starting the first match. Will everyone except the two participants move to the upper level?" The referee asked. I groaned as I started moving, making sure not to take help from either Naruto or Sakura when they offered it. If I took it, these guys might disqualify me, and I'd have to wait until next year to try to make it to Chunin.

I groaned as we finally took up a spot from the upper level, and instantly flopped down on the landing. Naruto and Sakura stood on either side of me, and Kakashi stood behind me.

"Now, begin."