(Days later. Secret room in the tower)
Anko, Sarutobi, and two other ninja were discussing about Anko's curse mark and Orochimaru's interest in Sasuke, when a voice from the TV received all of their attention.
"Anko, we've confirmed that 25 ninja have finished the second exam. And as for the third exam according to the rules we'll have to hold a round of preliminaries first. For the first time, in five years." The man informed before the TV shut off. The four were left in a shocked silence.
(The arena room)
The students stood in multiple rows as their sensei's, teachers, proctors, and even the Hokage stood on the stage in front of them. Assassin was in his own line next to his team.
"First of all, congratulations on finishing the second exam." Anko spoke into her ear piece/microphone.
"Woo! Time to celebrate!" Assassin exclaimed, removing the lower half of his mask so he could start chugging from his flask.
"Idiot! Be respectful!" Kiba growled, taking the flask.
"Hey, don't be mad at me cause you lost our bet. Hope you clean up better than you fight." Assassin teased, grabbing the flask back. Kiba turned red from the comment, which drew unwanted eyes from some of the others.
"Bet?" Naruto asked.
"It's nothing!" Kiba exclaimed loudly and quickly, his face turning brighter than before.
The Hokage cleared his throat, which caused everyone to settle down and to stop talking. Assassin, however, still continued to drink.
"I see your team didn't do too bad Kakashi. They must've gotten real lucky." Gai stated snidely "Of course with my team still around, your team is doomed to fail. And after all, with the next test being all about their abilities, we've got you far outclassed. Well I guess part of growing up is learning to deal with heartbreak, eh Kakashi?" He smirked.
"Hmm? Did you say something?" Kakashi questioned. Gai, in his mind, grabbed onto his head and screamed in jealously. He turned away so his rival couldn't see him clench his fist.
"All right Kakashi you've won this round. Boy that drives me nuts when you act sooooooo cool! There's no way I'm gonna let you get the best of me!" He exclaimed under his breath.
"So Kurenai-" Kakashi began to speak. "-you must be pretty proud." He stated, drawing the attention of Gai and Asuma.
"Of course I am. My team was the second one to the tower." She smiled.
"I wasn't talking about them, I was referring to your newest student. Word is that Assassin was able to convince the Hokage to let him be his own team and arrived at the tower within the first hour. He was the first ninja to arrive." He informed, shocking the three. "Oh, but what do I know? It's just a rumor after all…I mean, it comes from a reliable source, but a rumor nonetheless." He turned back around, waiting for the announcements to continue.
Kurenai turned and stared at her team, realization finally hitting her. Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino were all covered in scratches, dirt, and a bruise or two. Meanwhile Assassin stood next to them unscathed in his suit, like an action figure fresh out of its packaging. She would speak to the Hokage later about the situation.
As they spoke, the students had their own thoughts about their current enemies. Most of the thoughts were centered around how shocking it was that so few ninjas managed to make it this far, while others were more concerned about some individuals. Like Neji with Sasuke or Kiba with the sand ninjas.
"Alright, now pay attention! Lord Hokage is going to explain the third exam to you, so you better listen carefully maggots!" She sneered at them, before turning to Sarutobi. "Lord Hokage, they're all yours." He nodded before walking closer to the students.
"Hmm, first before I tell you what the third exam entails I want to explain something about the test itself."
Assassin groaned quietly, he just wanted to get this thing over and done with.
"Listen closely now it's something that all of you need to understand." Hinata perked up, doing as he told and paid close attention. "I'm going to tell you the true purpose of these exams."
"To bore me to death." Assassin whispered, causing Choji and Naruto to snicker.
"Why do you suppose our country holds these exams in conjunction with our allies?"
"So we can see who has the most amount of pussies!"
"No. It's to raise the ability levels of the shinobi and increase friendship between allied nations, but it's important that you understand it's true meaning. The exams are, so to speak…" He trailed off, removing his pipe and blowing out some smoke. He sighed. "They are representations of battle between allied nations."
This raised more questions than answers amongst the group. Tenten was more vocal than anyone else.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Now if we look at our history all the countries that we are currently allied with were once neighboring nations that continuously fought with each other for power."
"Oh yay, a history lesson. Just what I need at this godforsaken hour." Assassin sighed. Turning his flask upside down, he realized there was nothing left. "Fuck my life."
"In order to avoid destroying each other military strength aimlessly, the nations picked 'champions' to do battle on behalf of their countries and were at mutually selected locations. That was how the Chunin selection exams originally began."
"Ok, I'm bored now. Suit, take notes for me."
"Why do I gotta do it?"
"Cause I told you to." Before Suit could argue, it felt its creator go limp. It sighed, knowing he was probably visiting his 'headspace'.
Turning its attention to the Hokage, Suit noticed as a guy jumped and landed in a kneeling position in front of Sarutobi.
The guy addressed himself as Hayate Gekko. He asked if he could explain the details as he was the proctor, and the Hokage agreed.
"Ok, fuck this." Suit turned itself off, causing Assassin to fall onto ground, his body landing in a chalk outline position.
About 12 minutes later after Hayate finished explain what was to happen and the powers he held, Sarutobi and Anko spoke to each other about Sasuke and what Orochimaru may be planning. While it may have been dangerous, Sarutobi said he wanted Sasuke to stay and fight. Anko was shocked of course but said nothing. It was also shocking when Kabuto Yakushi said he would be dropping out due to an injury he sustained. It was also a bit suspicious, but shocking nonetheless. The exams, however, would not stop solely because he was dropping out.
"Open the panel." Anko ordered into her mic. One of the blue panels on the back wall rose, revealing a black screen.
"The names of each pair of opponents are chosen completely at random. Before each match these names will appear on the display behind me. Since there's nothing left to say, lets begin." Hayate informed. "In a moment the names of the first two opponents will appear."
The screen flashed yellow, before the names of every ninja stared rotating and changing. Everyone stood nervous (besides Assassin) as they saw their names pass by every few seconds. Finally, it stopped on two, which caused Naruto's eyes to widen.
Yoroi Akado vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Sasuke smirked, before gritting his teeth as his curse mark began to burn. Yoroi did the same, happy to have him as an opponent.
"Alright now, those names who have been drawn, come forward." Hayate ordered, prompting the two to step up. "You two have been chosen for the first match. Yoroi Akado and Sasuke Uchiha. Are there any objections?"
They each shook their head as everyone watched in worry or amusement.
"Alright then, lets begin the first match. Everyone else will now clear the area and move to the upper level.
Doing as they were told, everyone besides Assassin, Choji, and Shikamaru walked towards and up the stairs to the upper level.
"You think he's dead?" Choji asked. Shikamaru shrugged, before kicking Assassins leg.
"Woo! What time is it?" Assassin exclaimed, jumping up to his feet. Choji yelped and jumped back while Shikamaru sighed.
"It's time for us to get out of here. The first match is about to begin."
"Who's it between?" Assassin questioned, before turning back. "Ah yes, the edge lord himself against the asshole who doesn't know how to use a bandana properly. Classic."
Choji snickered while Shikamaru sighed, trying to best not to let out a lazy grin. The three walked to the upper level and grouped up with their teams.
"Hey cutey." Assassin cooed when he got near Kiba. The dog user groaned, before pulling at his jackets strings, allowing him to hide in its comfiness. "You know you love me."
"I hate you. Sooooooo much." Kiba replied, which was muffled by his jacket.
Everyone watched as Sasuke and Yoroi fought. Eventually Sasuke used his 'Lions Barrage' and ended up winning.
The second match was Shino and some guy named Abumi. They met in the middle and readied themselves.
"Don't fuck this up Shino! I've got money on you!" Assassin exclaimed.
The fight didn't take long in Assassin opinions. Shino used some of his chakra eating bugs and crippled Abumi's attacks. Shino won without a problem, much to Assassins joy.
"My man!"
The third battle was clown face (Kankuro) against another guy named Tsurugi.
"Try not to die clown face! I want a shot at you eventually!"
Kankuro was crafty and tricky at the same time. He used his puppet to squeeze and knock the guy out. Naruto voiced his displeasure, but Kakashi and Sakura explained the difference between fighting two ninjas and fighting a ninja who was using a tool/weapon.
The forth was Sakura and Ino. It was more intense and epic than Assassin was expecting. They knocked each other out and after five minutes of neither of them getting up the match was called a draw, and neither of them would pass on.
The fifth was Temari and Tenten. Temari won.
Sixth took place between Shikamaru and someone named Kin. Shikamaru won.
"When is it gonna be my turn!" Assassin exclaimed, getting antsy and riled up from watching the previous fights.
Kiba rolled his eyes but agreed with him. He was ready for a fight, and really wanted one to take his mind off of the crazy guy next to him. His eyes drifted towards the screen and widened as the names popped up.
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka
"How about another bet." Kiba grinned.
"I already got a date with you. You gonna offer your ass next?"
"No you idiot! If I can beat Naruto, the date's off and you gotta leave forever."
"Ok, but when I win not only do you gotta go on a date with me, you've also gotta me my maid for a week!"
"Don't get cocky Kiba. Naruto's full of surprises." Shino warned.
"H-He's stronger t-than you think." Hinata whispered quietly.
"You've got a deal." The two shook hands, before Kiba and Akamaru jumped onto the field. Naruto met him on the field, before the two got into a fighting stance.
It was after the fight was over and Kiba and Akamaru were being carried away on a stretcher did Assassin begin to laugh loudly.
"I owe you one Naruto." He grinned as the blonde walked past him.
"Owe me what?"
"Anything you want."
"Ramen?" Naruto perked, eyes shining at the thought.
"As much as you can eat." Assassin nodded, missing the horrid look everyone close by gave him.
"I'll hold you to it!"
The eighth battle was between Lee and some sound ninja named Akio. Akio was a big and buffed individual, standing at an even seven foot. He was practically a giant when compared to Lee, with long flowing gray hair, green eyes, and a piercing in his left nostril.
The battle was long and fierce, especially since Lee was only able to use taijutsu. It was when Lee opened the forth gate of the eighth gate technique was he finally able to do some damage. After a while, however, Akio was able to break Lee's leg in the battle.
The battle ended when the two ended up on the ground unmoving. After a solid five minutes it was called a draw, and neither of them would be moving on. Gai Sensei gathered Lee into his arms before carrying him off to the infirmary. Akio's teammates did the same with him.
"That was pretty epic. Imagine if that was a fight scene in a book that the author was too lazy and impatient to describe? God I'd be pissed if I were the reader." Assassin said without a care in the world, not paying attention.
"It's looks like you've finally got your wish." Shino stated, elbowing Assassins arm before pointing to the screen. Assassin followed his gaze, and had the biggest shit eating grin under his helmet as the opponents were chosen.
Assassin vs. Gaara
Multiple gasps could be heard from around the room. Many, especially Kankuro and Temari, were worried about the fight ahead. Assassin was not one of them.
"Woo! You and me ugly, lets get it!" Assassin exclaimed excitedly, jumping into the arena while Gaara calmly walked down, eyeing him the whole time.
"Are the opponents ready?" Hayate questioned before coughing. The two nodded without hesitation. "Okay. Begin the fight."