A/N: Ah, hey guys... My computer crashed with all my files so I couldn't update. Thankfully it's alright now. Here is the second part of the chuunin exams Minami, Akio and Haru are participating in. I feel like there is a bunch of stuff I should edit but in the other hand my computer feels like a ticking timebomb so I just want to submit this quickly for you guys to read.


Chapter nine: And the Leaves burn in the Forest

Year 9 ANT: Konoha, right next to training ground 44(The Forest of Death)

There was… surprisingly many teams left. And the new proctor (an Inuzuka if the dog next to him was anything to go by) seemed determined to dwindle down the numbers into a quarter at least. Why? Because each of the teams was given a colored tag. It was circular with a hole in the middle. The colors for the tags were blue, yellow, red, black and white. They also had a kanji representing an element in them. Water, lightning, fire, earth and wind respectively.

"The rules are simple: get all five different colored tags and make your way to the tower in the center of the forest. If you miss even one tag, you won't pass. If one of your team mates is incapacitated and or dead, you won't pass. You have one solid week. If you are not at the tower by then with all five tags and all of your team mates, you are disqualified."

Minami cocked an eye brow. Five tags… the amount of teams there wasn't dividable by five. Maybe six or seven teams would make it through if all the tags were to be used. Not to mention that it seemed they'd have no idea which team would get which tag. This was going to be fun.

Next to him Akio and Haru were sharing his sentiments.


They had their tag. It had the kanji for wind in it. Appropriate since the three of them could use the element. Haru as her second primary, Minami as his secondary and Akio as his primary. The tag was sealed inside a storage seal beneath Minami's sleeves.

They were escorted to gate 34 by one of the chuunin around. The woman was dressed in regular Konoha blues and a green chuunin vest. Minami remembered a photo of his mother wearing the similar attire when she was younger. Then she moved to Tani, had him and became Tani-nin. Meaning that the color-scheme changed to some shades darker blue and a chuunin vest that zen labelled as light tea color. It was very light bluish green in the other words.

Minutes ticked by. The chuunin kept an eye on the clock she had. She had dark hair and eyes. Underwhelming presence, blended easily to crowd. Probably a type of infiltrator or part of a support unit.

Click. The lock on the gate was open. A minute until it was time to rush into the fray. Minami's leg muscles tensed. Akio removed his hands from his pockets. Haru adjusted her hip pouches.

Tick, tick, tick, tick…

And they were off.

"We are going to need some rain for tomorrow, Haru." Minami spoke when they hopped through the foliage, heading to the river that ran through the area. "Akio, can you provide genjutsu on us?"

"Sure." The shurikenjutsu practitioner ran through a set of seals and the trio faded out of sight. It was handy technique as it was linked on their own chakra signatures, so it would move with them and anyone who it wasn't linked to, wouldn't see them. Naturally they could see each other though.

Behind them Haru was going through the seals in order to prepare the Rain Tiger at Will Technique. She couldn't do it instantly because currently Konoha had a clear, cloudless sky. So first she needed to make clouds. And that would take time.

"Are we going to send clones after teams?" Akio spoke then.

"…Yes. That sounds like a good tactic. And your genjutsu will automatically conceal them too." Minami nodded, slipping into the role of a leader. "We'll have them scout the locations of the other teams and preferably we'll strike at least one of them today. With almost four to five odds in getting a tag we're missing, it's best to act quickly."

"Fuuton: Kazebunshin no jutsu!"
(Wind Release: Wind Clone technique)

It was interesting. To make clones right out of elemental release. But in a way it made sense. Clones were chakra constructs after all, solid or not.

Three hours later they had an earth-tag liberated from a group of Sand-nin. It was sealed to similar storage seal that Minami had, but on Haru's stomach. Yeah, it wouldn't be found too soon from there.


Night fell way too soon in Akio's opinion. Thankfully they'd discovered a safe place to sleep and rigged the surroundings with various traps. The boys' prankster background had come to good use with them and Haru had merely shook her head in amusement when the two described the effects of some of the traps. Which were more humiliating than dangerous.

"Tar trap? Really, Mina? Really?" Akio stared at his friend. "You seriously packed that with you?"

"Of course! I took my prank scroll with me." The blonde grinned. "And you can't really talk, you just laid down a syrup trap."

"That's a Ninpou jutsu!"

"Alright guys! Let's get some rest. I'll take the first watch." Haru told the duo, pushing them towards the sleeping area. "Minami takes the second one and Akio the last one, okay?"

"Hai!" The boys chorused in complete dead-pan.


Next day dawned way too late in Akio's opinion. Well, he had had the last watch. And nothing of note had happened during the night. No one had tried to sneak on them. No had been caught in their traps. Hopefully this day would be more eventful.

"My clone has found a Konoha-nin team. They seem to have fire-tag." Minami spoke between munches he took from his ration bar.

"Do you think he can take them on or does he need back-up?" Haru asked, packing away her blanket.

"…Back-up would be nice. They look like rookies but at least one of them is a clan kid. Konoha doesn't favour teams without clan-children." The blonde frowned. It was one of the things he didn't like about the village of leaves: they had so many big clans (and minor ones) that if a fully civilian team had been formed, it was likely that they wouldn't pass. Oh, it might be that a team with one clan kid and two civilians would be sent back to academy but next year the clan kid would definitely pass in a new team with another clan kid or two. When Minami had been in Konoha watching after Naruto two years ago, he'd gotten quite a good look on the system there. While the standards of the Academy had decreased because of civilian council and peace time, thus giving an illusion of equal chances, in the end the teams that failed the genin test the jounin sensei gave them, the civilians were the ones weeded out. Favorism at its finest. The only thing Konoha did right nowadays in the school system was the amount of years they taught and when they led children graduate. Not even the prodigies were let to take the exam until they were ten or eleven.

"I'll direct my clone there then." Akio replied. "Haru, what do you think about the weather? Rain tonight?"

The girl looked up through the thick foliage at the sky and the heavy clouds that encased the forest and majority of the nearby training fields. With the build-up of the night and the moist air of Konoha, the rain could last at least two days.

"I'd say it'll rain in an hour." She smiled blandly. "Let's get one or two tags prior that."


The clones had gathered to take down the Konoha team. Even though Akio's genjutsu had shielded them from sight and sensing, only Minami's made it back with the fire-tag. This one was sealed onto the Akio's leg and now the trio was aiming for another Konoha team(considering that the majority of the teams were from the leaves, they were the ones most likely to find). They'd been kept moving so other teams hadn't managed to ambush them.

"Three out of five." Minami spoke. "We've got a good luck with the teams this far because we've been so quick but today will be the second hardest day. Most of the teams are on the move, most likely have rested so they are the strongest now…"

"Only second hardest day?" Haru spoke up, right when the sound of water drops against foliage began all around them. The girl went through hand seals(Bird-Rat-Ox-Monkey-Rat-Snake) and it began raining at earnest. "What will be the hardest one then?"

"The last one of course. Majority of the teams that will pass, have passed by then and it'll be hit and miss with acquiring the tags. Not to mention that some teams might've trapped the surrounding area of the tower in order to catch teams unaware." Akio grinned. Apparently when they weren't in the main village anymore, the brunette was gaining back his cheerful personality.

"Yes… You definitely know your traps." Minami spoke slowly, with complete deadpan.

"You are just jealous that I can set them up quicker than you!"

"But I know better places to set them!"

"Guys…" Haru tried to get their attention.

"I have more creative and better hidden traps!"

"I'm quicker than you to avoid them!"

"Guys…?" The girl tried again.

"But I-!"

"Guys!" Having fed up with the pointless arguing, the girl yelled at the two boys, effectively getting their attention and shutting them up. The blonde and brunette turned to look at her. "There is Iwa-nin team fifty meters in two o'clock. They seem relatively strong and talk about needing only two tags. And they've taken out the other team from our village."

Minami seemed to consider this, weighting the situation and then finally coming to a decision. "Alright. "We'll go to them. Getting three tags, whether they are what we need or not, will weed out the competition more. Lead the way, Haru!"


It was surprisingly a fire release technique that was aimed first at them despite the rain. Akio and Haru jumped to left and right respectively while Minami dropped down from the branches. He preferred flat terrain unlike the other two. As soon as the blonde's feet touched the ground, an earth wall was already aimed towards him. The boy jumped and rolled aside before drawing kunai. While the genjutsu was still on him, it seemed that at least one of the Iwa-nin could sense him some other way. Smell? Vibrations of earth? Minami didn't know. Instead he threw the kunai at the trio, effectively scattering them. Now they'd could have a shot in picking them one by one.

Minami eyed his opponent before giving Akio signal to drop the genjutsu. This fight would be a tough one and the brunette didn't need anything hindering and depleting his reserves even if he favoured traps and weaponry.

"Alright then." The blonde smiled at his opponent, the fire user. While Fire wasn't ideal affinity against Minami's lightning and wind, at least the rain would hinder the Iwa genin a bit. Because of Kawa no Kuni's location between Kaze and Hi and Ame, and the numerous river running through, rain was quite regular occurrence there and all Tani-nin knew how to use it to their advantage. "Shall we?"

For some reason his nonchalant question seemed to enrage the other shinobi who sent a massive earth release technique at him. So, fire and earth? Sounds reasonable. These guys seemed to be long line genin. Even their age(early twenties) spoke of it. Minami couldn't help but wonder though why they hadn't received a field promotion. Well, maybe they just weren't suitable to lead teams or didn't have enough strategic thinking because they definitely had the firepower.

"Maybe… I could try to use that… Or not." Minami mused as he dodged yet another attack. He knew he was the fastest genin in these exams. He was certain of it. And his aim was to become the fastest shinobi of the entirety of Elemental Countries.

"Fight back you coward!" The Iwa genin shouted at the blonde.

"Alright, alright." The Tani shinobi sighed and ran through a set of hand seals.

"Raiton: Bakurai."
(Lightning Release: Depth Charge)
And he rushed at the other ninja.

"Katon: Benijikumo!"
(Fire Release: Crimson Earth Spider)

Minami dodged the spider-shaped fireball just barely, slipping underneath it and without slowing down at all, he zig-zagged past the remains of the previous earth techniques and the kunai thrown at him. And with just one touch, the 'enemy' was down. Disappointing really.

"Tch… A prime example of all bark and no bite." The blonde muttered, finding wind tag upon his 'victim's' person. Somewhere above him a yell and decreasing temperature indicated the capture of the other member of the Iwa team and somewhere in his left and crash told him that Akio managed to snag the last one either to one of his traps of then into a genjutsu.

"These three got lucky and took out also a rookie Konoha team." Akio informed, presenting water and earth tags he'd collected from his victim. "This guy was a short range fighter and wasn't prepared for my… unusual approach when dealing with opponents."

"You pranked him." Minami stated dryly. The brunette just shrugged in unapologetic way. Right then a cube of ice slid down a tree trunk, with Haru jumping a top of the head that peeked out of it.

"I caught their sensor. He was helpless once he couldn't touch the ground but thought I was a weak girl. Annoying chauvinist."

"Arrogant lot then." Minami noted, with Akio nodding sagely next to him.

"Which tags do we have now?" Haru decided to cut in. Honestly, she couldn't tell sometimes whether or not those two were serious.

"Two wind, two earth, one fire and one water tag. In the other words we are only missing lightning one."

"We can use the extra ones as decoys then."

"Correct." Minami slipped the two tags in his jacket pockets. Meanwhile Akio put the water tag in the same storage seal than their original wind tag. "Let's move on. With luck, we'll have the remaining one by tomorrow before the rain stops."


"I found a team with the last tag we need. It seems they've been hiding since they have no others and are heading to set traps by the tower."

"Which village?"

"Konoha."

"Why I'm not surprised?"

"Because their percentage in this exam is greater like we've pointed out multiple times?"

"Right…"


"Akio… how many markers can you get in the area?" Minami asked from his perch on a thick tree branch. Akio was hanging upside down from the same branch while Haru was sitting next to Minami.

"You are going to try and use that?" Akio blinked, but nevertheless unfastened one of his weapon scrolls from his belt.

"Hai."

"What is 'that'?" Haru asked with a frown.

"It's…" The brunette leaned forward to catch the blonde's eyes past the branch between the soles of their feet.

"It's a version of Hiraishin Aki and I have been working on for the past two years. My mother followed the progress my uncle originally made with the technique so she has been able to supervise us."

"Mina hasn't used it in action before though. And it's not finished yet either. Currently it's more like a cross between Shunshin and Kawarimi. Mina's natural speed makes up a lot but…"

"Work in progress." Minami smirked, turning his eyes back to the trio walking beneath them. "And I think I'd be quite alright with that group. To scare them a bit and keep them on their toes."

Haru scoffed.

"Unless, of course, you want to do this."

"Go ahead, Minami. If I were to attack, they'd already be down." Haru waved a dismissive hand but was secretly smiling. This would be an interesting demonstration.

"On the count of three, Mina." Akio stated, opening the scroll. Minami drew a pair of kunai himself.

"One…" Akio cut the chakra from the bottom of his feet and began to free fall.

"Two…" Minami crouched while his friend flipped upright and spread out the scroll. The Konoha team froze on their tracks.

"Three!" Dozens upon dozens kunai, shuriken and senbon flew out, Akio aiming them at everywhere in the area. Minami leaped forward, leaving only a faint afterimage behind. Haru gaped. Damn, he was quick.

One of the Konoha-nin(girl) screamed when Minami appeared in front of her in a crouch. And in the next moment he was gone. The boys of the team tried to pin the blonde down but by the time a thrown projectile or a weapon reached his spot, Minami was already gone to the next one, leaving a marker behind. His technique was thankfully sealless but he had to change places with a marker, thus making it work like Kawarimi.

"Who the hell is that?!"

"I can't see him!"

"Shinji-kun, help me!"

Okay, maybe Minami was toying with them. He wasn't exactly attacking but… there was something, something about having this technique work that made him ecstatic. Yeah, he was a nerd. Yeah, he had started working with this from almost a scratch since he didn't have access to Nidaime Hokage's original notes and the technique wasn't finished yet but still…

Minami was having the time of his life. He had always enjoyed running, seeing how fast he can go. Especially after hearing stories about his uncle(Whom he still preferred to call 'nii-san'). Whenever Minami wasn't pranking, training, researching or at the Ghost Pond, he was running.

"Y-Yuurei(Ghost)!" One of the kids suddenly gasped.

What?

"Kiiroi Senko no Yuurei!"

Excuse… Oh, this was ridiculous. Minami halted to stop at the other end of the opening, opposite the Konoha trio. He gave a measuring look at them. Some years older than him, probably in the Academy during the last years of war. Most likely had heard of Yondaime's nickname and signature technique. And… well, Minami sort of resembled the man. Especially with his hair style. Though the color was different. The yellow wasn't sunny like Minato's or acidic like Naruto's, but softer and warmer which leaned towards brown. It was thanks to Kazekoi Kenta's genes, as well as Minami paler complexion. At least in comparison to those of Namikaze blood.

But this…

"A ghost?" Minami mouthed in bewilderment. From the corner of his eye he could see Akio barely holding up and restraining his laughter. Haru wasn't in any better state really. "Oh for the love of all that's good and dandy…"

A step.

Minami was behind the trio once again. First one was knocked out swiftly. And the second. And the third. None of them could even react.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Aki and come to collect the markers." The blonde groused. He did not appreciate being confused for his dead uncle no matter how flattering it might've been in any other situation.


All tags gathered, the remaining Tani team headed for the central tower. It was the third day. It wasn't raining anymore. And with keeping the extra tags, they'd ensured that at least one team less of the maximum possible passing numbers would pass.

The five tags had to be placed on an array which summoned one of the Konoha chuunin into the reception room. The man explained about the requirements for chuunin rank and how balance between elements had to be kept in order to succeed: earth represented body, water blood, lighting chakra, fire emotions and wind movement. Yin and Yang were balance between physical and mental stamina. Or something. It sounded like Nattoo Ueno's special clones that were used in tracking exercises.

There was only one team before them. From Konoha. Not surprising really.

Days trickled by until the week was at its end. More teams made it to the tower. In the end there was five teams. Konoha, Tani, Iwa, Mizu and Konoha again. Fifteen genin would have a month to prepare for the finals: a tournament. The numbers and opponents were dealt. Haru had the first match against a Mizu-nin. A bit later Akio was against Konoha-nin and right after that Minami would face an Iwa-genin. It was going to be interesting.


A/N: Alright... Whew. I hope you liked this chapter. It was surprisingly fun but though to write. I mean... There is a line between reasonably strong and slightly overpowered and finding it is hard. And as you can probably guess, Minami will have the full Hiraishin eventually but right now relies on Akio's marked weapons for his kawarimi.

I put up a poll about the SI-OC's if you'd be so kind and check it out.(An SI-OC will come but how much she'll affect the plot is still up in the air.)

Pairings are still relatively open. And I'll try to get my updated character designs soon to deviantArt. A link to my dA is on my profile now.

In the next chapter is some tokujo/jounin gossip. People discussing about Aki and Mina and sniffing about... A break before finals and then the fights finally.

Happy April Fools btw! o/