Chapter Seven:

The Jounin Exam Announcement…

The Chosen Ones!

One month had passed since the mission, along with the news that there was a new Raikage in place in the Cloud Village. The two villages have since been in constant contact preparing for the upcoming peace treaty. But the village had more to prepare then their new allies. It would soon be time for the Jounin Exams.

"Jiraiya, I need to choose this year's group wisely," The blond Hokage said to her former teammate.

"Indeed, and we've got such a great bunch. The best I've seen in years," Jiraiya replied.

"Isn't the Raikage going to be here for the exams as well, Tsunade-sama?" Shizune asked.

"Yes, he's coming to help judge the exam, finish the peace treaty, and of course meet Naruto." Tsunade replied.

"So have you decided who you're going to let participate in the exam?" Jiraiya asked.

"Well, for the most part I have," Tsunade said as she wrote something down on a piece of paper. "Shizune have these people brought here, immediately."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune said before quickly exiting the room.

Meanwhile, around the village, many of Konoha's bright young Chuunin were already hard at work engaging in morning training. However, two of those bright young Chuunin were elsewhere. The two could easily be found at Konoha's now famous ramen stand.

"Another bowl!" Naruto proclaimed as he gulped down yet another bowl of ramen.

"Another bowl here as well." The red headed Chuunin added.

"My you two boys sure have an extra big appetite this morning." The owner said as he handed both another bowl.

"We've got a lot to do with our training today. We need the extra energy." Naruto said before digging in.

Suddenly, appearing before the two teens was a man wearing Anbu attire and a bear mask.

"Gaara-san, Uzumaki Naruto-san, you have been summoned." The man said as the two boys were still sitting at the stand eating.

"Summoned?" Naruto said between mouthfuls.

"Tsunade-sama has summoned the two of you to her office." The man replied. Both teens then slurped down the rest of their food, then drank the broth, sat their bowls down on the table and stood.

"Nee-chan wants us?" Naruto asked.

"Tsunade-sama requests your presence. It is urgent." The Anbu member replied.

"Alright, guess we'd better go." Naruto said. "Hey old man, the meal is on this guy, and thanks, it was awesome." Naruto said with a grin as he and Gaara quickly took off, leaving the man stuck with the bill.

"Wait… What!" The Anbu man replied as he turned to see the ramen owner have a huge grin on his face.

The two teens could have sworn they heard a scream of pure terror as they hurried to the Hokage's office.

"You're cruel." Gaara commented.

"He's an Anbu, he can take it." Naruto replied as the two arrived at their destination. Naruto quickly knocked on the window, and Jiraiya let them in.

"Don't know how to use a door do you boys?" Jiraiya asked.

"Shut up Ero-Sennin." Naruto replied.

"So Gaara, Naruto, it would seem you two are here, that's good." Tsunade said getting their attention.

"What did you need Tsunade-nee-chan? We were having breakfast when we were summoned." Naruto replied.

"Well as soon as the others arrive I will tell you." Tsunade told the teen.

"Others?" Naruto asked curiously only to be distracted as there was a knock at the door.

"That must be them." Tsunade said. "You may come in now." The woman said to the door, which then opened and in walked Hyuuga Neji and Uchiha Sasuke.

"Sasuke, Neji, Nee-chan called you guys here too?" Naruto asked.

"We're here aren't we, idiot?" Sasuke replied with a smirk.

"Now that you four are here…" Tsunade said interrupting before an argument could ensue. "I've called you here for something very important." Tsunade said gaining all three teen's attention. "It's the time of year for a very special event."

"A special event?" Naruto asked aloud.

"Yes, last time you were here, I had made mention of the upcoming Jounin exam." Tsunade said to the group. "It is once again time for the exam to take place."

"Is it that time again already?" Neji pondered.

"The Jounin exam is something special here in the village. Well mostly to the shinobi of the village. The villagers have no real knowledge of the event and it only happens once a year usually." Tsunade said to the group. "That is when we have candidates. You seem unlike the Chuunin exams, the Jounin exam is very different and there isn't always an exam, when no candidates are chosen. When you and Gaara left with Jiraiya three years ago, that year we had four people for the exam. Shikamaru, Shino, Temari, and Kankurou were all chosen for the exam, and they passed." Tsunade told the group.

"Just those four?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, just those four Naruto." Tsunade replied. "You see Sasuke was just back into the groups had yet to become Chuunin and with the situation with the Hyuuga we felt Neji needed some extra time to adjust to his new life outside the clan. But then the following year we had chosen both to compete in the exam. However much to our dismay, they both declined." Tsunade said looking over at the two teens. Both teens had smirks on their faces. "It would seem that they were waiting for something or someone, as the following year they would decline again. So for two straight years Konoha has had no candidates for the Jounin exam. But this year it's different."

"Different?" Gaara added.

"Yes, with you two back in the village I have a feeling that there will be no problems with a nice group for this year's exam. I have chosen the four of you to represent Konoha in this year's exam." Tsunade told the group.

"Wait a minute, what about Kiba, or Chouji, or Fuzzy brows, or even Hinata-chan or Akina-chan? Why only the four of us?" Naruto asked.

"Kiba, Chouji, Lee, may all be ready for the exam, but we felt they needed a little more experience in certain areas before we could choose them for the exam. Tenten and Ino are both busy with other engagements at the moment. Sakura is too busy with the hospital to participate and given the circumstances of recent events with Hinata and Akina we felt both would not be ready for the exam. That being said Naruto, while you could still use some more experience in the leadership department I have no doubt that you are ready for this exam." Tsunade said. "The sand and this time around the cloud will both be sending candidates as well. This year's event will be extra special as the new Raikage will be coming in person to help us with the judging, and to properly finish the new peace treaty. He's also here for one more very important purpose." Tsunade said to the group.

"What's that Nee-chan?" Naruto asked.

"He's coming here to meet you Naruto." Tsunade told the teen.

"What? Why does he want to meet me?" Naruto asked looking confused.

"Naruto I had explained to you last month after the retrieval mission that they felt indebted to you and how he had wished to meet you in person. Well, he's coming to do just that." Tsunade told the teen.

"So, Tsunade-sama, any details on the exam?" Neji asked the village leader.

"I cannot give you any details as of yet Neji. But you all have one month. I highly suggest you finish up any training you were doing and prepare yourselves. This will be one of the most important tests you'll ever go through as a shinobi. Failure is absolutely not an option." Tsunade replied. "When I am able to give you more details I will send messengers to retrieve you and bring you here. Now, before I dismiss you, are their any questions?"

"This exam, why is failure not an option?" Naruto asked.

"Naruto, I will not go into too much detail for risk of revealing any information on the test to you. But there is a reason why so few are chosen at one time. Also, when you participate in the exam you represent not just yourself but your entire village. Failure means failure for your village as well." Tsunade replied to which Naruto let out a loud gulp. "Are there any further questions?" Tsunade asked and then looked over at the teens, they all remained quiet. "Well then you are all dismissed."

The four teens exited quietly much to the surprise of both Tsunade and Jiraiya.

"I think you managed to scare even Naruto that time." Jiraiya said with a light chuckle.

"You think they are ready Jiraiya?" Tsunade asked her former teammate.

"They are all tough, strong, and stubborn brats. They'll probably kick this exam's butt." Jiraiya said with a reassuring smile.