The next day right after dinner, both Kiba (with Akamaru), and Mei were standing at the training grounds next to a cliff Ebisu had told them to meet at. While Kiba was glaring at Mei a bit, Mei had been rubbing Akamaru's belly for a short while.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Kiba asked. Mei turned to him then replied. "Look, it's not like I hate you or anything, it's just that…I don't know. I don't mean to be mean, it's just that when I was thinking about my squad, I expected people a little more…mature than the ones I got stuck with. It's mainly Ebisu sensei and that dumb perv Soma Soma. It frustrates me so much because I want to live up to the Sarutobi name. Whenever any of my family sees me, all they think of me is some cute little kunoichi who's going to become a medical corp. Well, I want to show everyone that just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't be a strong full-fledged ninja!"

Kiba looked at her with admiration. "So you said its mainly just Ebisu Sensei and Soma Soma, then why do you hate meeee? I mean I can understand that you hate them, heck… they annoy me too!" Mei rubbed Akamaru slowly, then looked to the sky. "I don't hate you, you just weren't what I was expecting when I envisioned my squad, that's all. Plus, I've been told that I'm a pretty grumpy person, so don't let it get to you. I'm just…weird that's all."

Just then Ebisu and Soma Soma came into vision and walked towards the two until they were all together.

"Alright squad eight." Ebisu said. "I have some news that all three of you don't know about." The three looked at Ebisu as he adjusted his glasses and continued. "When you were at the graduation ceremony, they told you that you had all become Genin…however…" A small, evil, smirk emerged on Ebisu's face, then he said: "The thing they didn't tell you, is that first, you must pass one of my tests." Once he said this, the three started to pay more attention to him. "If you pass, we will continue being squad eight, and you all will remain as Genin. HOWEVER…if you fail, you will all be sent back to the academy!" Immediately all four, including Akamaru, had been shocked and Mei replied: "WAIT! That's not fair! Why did we go through all that graduation crap anyway if we are just going to be tested again?!" Ebisu snapped his finger. "Quiet Mei!" Mei hushed but gave Ebisu a bit of a dirty look. Kiba, who was also not pleased by this, demanded an explanation right after, however, Ebisu shushed him just like he did to Mei and continued.

"Squad eight, quite acting like children and take this like NINJA!" Just then, Mei had had an epiphany and realized that if she wanted to be the best, she had to act like the best, and she thought to herself: "He's right, we're acting like children…in a real life situation, ninja always have to go through stuff like this. However, ninja don't wine and cry like we're doing now."

"Alright, now, your challenge is to beat me in a climbing contest." Ebisu turned to face the cliff in front of them. "If ONE of you, can beat me in a climbing race up that cliff, then you all pass. However, if I make it up the cliff first before all of you, then it's back to the academy!"

As Ebisu finished explaining all the rules, the three squad members looked at each other then looked back at Ebisu and nodded.
"Very well then…" Ebisu turned to the cliff. "All right, we are going to start now so readyyyyy…Go!" Quickly, Kiba ran up to the wall and started using his hands to grab onto the wall and start climbing. Right behind him, Soma also went up to the wall and tried climbing it. However, Ebisu walked up to the cliff then lifted one leg, then both, and started walking up the cliff. "What the heck?!" Kiba said as he was still trying to climb the wall. Kiba, who was only five feet into the cliff had just been passed by Ebisu who was laughing at him, and slowly walking up the cliff non-chalantly. By the time Ebisu was about 1/4th up the cliff he looked back at the squad. Kiba, who was now at about ten feet was struggling to continue climbing- and eventually fell back down to the ground, Soma Soma, who out of pure frustration and not caring enough had decided to give up and was reading Make-out Tactics, and Mei who was…*VOOM!* Just then Mei had ran up the cliff, passing Ebisu and leaving him in the dust.

"WHAT THE!" Ebisu yelled as he started to run himself and though: "Damn this girl has such good chakra control for just being a Genin!" Before he knew it however, Mei had already reached the top and won the challenge.

When the two had walked back down below the cliff together, Ebisu gathered the rest of the squad together. "Alright, Kiba, while you failed to beat me up the cliff, I admire your hard work and determination." Kiba smiled a bit as he was still huffing and puffing from all the climbing he was trying to do. "Soma Soma…I am disappointed in you. You were lazy and gave up too soon! However, you have a good taste in literature. And last but certainly not least, is you Mei. I am proud of you. You were able to take advantage of me when I least expected it…on top of that, your chakra control is superior to those of many other Genin." Mei looked at Ebisu and the others for a minute as she was taking in all the glory. "Now, I must congratulate all of you, as you have all passed my test and have all become Genin!" The four cheered and Soma Soma hugged Ebisu. "Now, Mei... because you have demonstrated outstanding work today, I am pleased to promote you to squad leader during all missions when I am not around." Mei stood for a second in happiness then thanked Ebisu.

Then, out of jealousy Kiba replied: "Hey wait a second! How come Mei gets to become leader? That's no fair!" Mei looked at Kiba then stuck her tongue out at him and Ebisu said: "Shush fool! Now, you will all report to the Leaf village gate tomorrow immediately! There you will receive your first mission as squad eight, you got that?!" The three looked at each other, smiled, then looked back at Ebisu and said at the same time: "Yes sir!"