Chapter 10: Chuunin Exams
It had been a month since the mission to the Land of Waves. Sasuke had recovered from the injuries he had gained from the battle.
"Good news guys," Kakashi said. "The Chuunin exams are coming up and I've signed the three of you up."
"You think we're ready," Sasuke asked.
"You are coming along nicely in your training. If you don't pass the Chuunin exams this year, you will at least know what to expect for next year," Kakashi said.
"I guess it's worth a try," Shio said.
"The exams are in two weeks," Kakashi said. "Genin teams from the other villages will be coming to Konoha."
A week later, several other genin teams were in Konoha for the exams.
"Wow," Shio said, looking around. "There are a lot of teams this year."
"Hey look, the Kazekage," Sakura exclaimed.
"I wonder why a genin team is following the Kazekage," Shio wondered.
The Kazekage passed them.
"Temari, Kankuro, where is your brother," the Kazekage asked.
"Sorry father, but we lost track of him," the girl, Temari, said.
"What?!" the Kazekage exclaimed. "Find Gaara now; we can't afford to have any of his episodes happening right now."
"Yes father," Temari and Kankuro said in unison for rushing away.
"I guess that answers your question," Sasuke said.
"Yeah," Shio said. "Come on, let's go help them find this Gaara person."
Before Sakura and Sasuke could stop her, Shio raced off after the two siblings.
"Hey, wait up," Shio shouted.
Temari and Kankuro stopped and looked at her.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Kankuro demanded.
"Geez, I just wanted to help you," Shio said. "I couldn't help but overhear you were searching for your brother. Let me help you find him!"
Temari and Kankuro looked at each other uncertainly. Sasuke and Sakura caught up to Shio.
"Well, I guess it would be faster if we had help," Temari said. "Thank you for helping us."
"I'm Shio Namikaze. These are my teammates Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha," Shio said.
"I'm Temari. This is my younger brother Kankuro. We're from Suna," Temari said. "We're looking for our youngest brother, Gaara."
"What does he look like?" Sakura asked.
"He has crimson red hair, pale green eyes, and this red tattoo above his left eye. He looks like he hasn't slept in months. Oh, and he carries a large gourd on his back all the time," Kankuro said.
"Shouldn't be too hard to find if he's carrying a large gourd then," Shio said.
"Oh, you'll know him when you see him," Kankuro said. "He stands out a lot."
They walked around, looking for Gaara. They heard a cry of pain.
"What was that?!" Shio exclaimed.
Without waiting for an answer, the redheaded genin raced over to the sound. The others followed her. They saw three kids.
"Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon," Shio exclaimed.
"And Gaara," Temari exclaimed, pointing.
Team seven looked over to see a kid that matched the description of Gaara perfectly. Gaara looked absolutely murderous.
"Gaara, stop it!" Temari shouted.
Gaara looked over, his pale green eyes glaring intensely at her.
"That's enough Gaara," Temari said. "We need to get to the testing hall now."
Gaara said nothing. He just walked slowly towards them, his murderous glare intensifying.
"Thanks for helping us find him," Kankuro said. "He's not exactly the most…agreeable of people."
The three left.
"That guy is strange," Shio said.
"Gaara," Sasuke asked.
Shio nodded.
"There's something about him that makes my skin crawl," Shio said. "He's off somehow; I don't know how to explain it."
Shio rubbed her stomach where the seal was.
"Is the Kyuubi reacting," Sasuke asked.
Shio nodded.
"He's restless, but he's not telling me what's wrong," she said.
Sakura hummed.
"Something tells me we're going to find out soon," she said.
They reached the testing hall and took a seat. At the back, there was a fight going on between teams, mostly from Sound. A Jounin came into the hall suddenly.
"Everyone shut up," the Jounin commanded.
Everyone fell quiet.
"I am Ibiki Morino, your proctor as well as your worst enemy from this moment on," the Jounin said.
Ibiki pointed at the genin team from Sound.
"You candidates from the Village Hidden in the Sound," Ibiki said. "Who said you could fight? Do you want to be failed before the exams even begin?"
"Sorry sir," one Sound genin said. "This is our first time. We're just a little jumpy; that's all."
Ibiki tched.
"I'll only say this once. There will be no combat between candidates. You will not attack each other without permission from a proctor," Ibiki said. "And even then, the use of fatal force is strictly prohibited. Anyone who thinks about messing with me will be disqualified immediately."
Everyone shivered.
"Am I clear," Ibiki demanded.
"Yes sir," everyone exclaimed.
"Good, let's get started then," Ibiki said.
Ibiki picked up a piece of chalk.
"Listen up everyone," he said. "There are a few rules you will want to know. I will only say them once and there will be no questions allowed."
Ibiki began writing.
"Rule #1: the written part of the exam is conducted on a point reduction system. Contrary to what some of you are used to, you will all begin the test with a perfect score of 10 points. One point will be deducted for each answer you get wrong. For example, if you miss three, your final score will be seven." Ibiki said.
Shio frowned thoughtfully.
"Rule #2: teams will pass or fail based on the total scores of all three members." Ibiki said.
"WHAT," everyone exclaimed.
"You mean we all get scored as a team," Sakura exclaimed.
"Silence," Ibiki snapped. "I have my reasons, so shut up and listen."
Everyone fell silent.
"Rule #3: the sentinels you see positioned around the room are there to watch you carefully for any signs of cheating. For every incident they see, two points will be subtracted from the culprit's score."
Ibiki looked at them intensely.
"Be warned; their eyes are extremely sharp. If they catch you cheating five times, you will be dismissed before the tests are even scored. Anyone who's stupid enough to be caught by one of the sentinels for cheating doesn't deserve to be here." Ibiki said. "If you even want to be considered as a ninja, then show us how exceptional your skills as a ninja are."
Everyone began to shuffle uncomfortably.
"Oh, and one more thing," Ibiki said. "If any candidate gets a zero and fails the test, the entire team fails."
Shio blanched as Sakura and Sasuke turned murderous glares to her. Shio shuddered and hugged herself, whimpering.
"Shio," Hinata asked in concern. "Are you okay?"
"J-just fine Hinata," Shio said.
"The final question of the test won't be given out until 15 minutes before the end of the testing period. You will have one hour total," Ibiki said.
Ibiki looked at the clock.
"Begin," he shouted as soon as the second hand hit twelve.
Everyone turned over their papers and began the test.
Finally, only fifteen minutes remained on the test.
"Everyone listen up," Ibiki said. "The rules for this last question are unique, so listen carefully…and try not to let them frighten you."
Everyone looked uneasy. Some genin even found their hands shaking slightly. They all knew something was off about their proctor.
"Rule#1: each of you is free to choose not to be given the final question. It is your decision." Ibiki said.
"Wait a second, what's the catch," Temari exclaimed. "If we decide not to do the final question, what happens to us?!"
"If you choose not to take the final question, regardless of your answers to the other nine questions, you'll get a zero." Ibiki said.
He smirked.
"In other words, you fail," Ibiki said. "And of course, that also means your entire team fails as well."
"What are you talking about?" one genin exclaimed.
"If we fail by not choosing to answer the final question, then of course we'll have to do it," another exclaimed.
"Not so fast; you didn't let me finish," Ibiki said.
Everyone swallowed nervously.
"If you do choose to answer the final question, but get the answer wrong, you will not only fail, you will be forbidden to take the Chuunin exams ever again," Ibiki finished.
Kiba stood up.
"That's not fair! What kind of rule is that?" he exclaimed.
Ibiki chuckled darkly.
"You don't have to take the final question if you don't want to. If you're not feeling confident, then by all means, skip it. You can come back next year and try again." he said.
Ibiki laughed again.
"Well then, if you are ready, the tenth and final question," Ibiki said. "Those who don't want to take it, raise your hands. Your number will be recorded and then you are free to go."
The room was silent as tension filled the room. Shio was grinding her teeth together nervously. Sakura and Sasuke looked determined. Ibiki looked around.
"Well, anyone," he asked.
Nobody raised their hand. Ibiki smirked.
"Now is your last chance to back out," he said. "If you fail, you and your team will remain genin for the rest of your lives."
Shio suddenly stood up. Everyone looked at her.
"Shio, what are you doing," Sakura asked.
Shio looked at Ibiki with a determined look in her eyes.
"No way in hell I'm quitting now," she exclaimed. "I already came this far! I'm going to see this through to the end."
As if a string had been cut, the tension in the room disappeared. Everyone relaxed and their eyes filled with determination. Ibiki blinked before huffing. He looked at the sentinels. They all smiled and nodded. Ibiki turned back to the genin teams.
"Well then, I admire your determination," Ibiki said. "For those of you remaining, there is only one thing left to do…and that is for me to tell you…that you've all passed the first exam."
Everyone blinked in surprise.
"We did it," Shio said.
Everyone broke out in cheers of relief. Shio hugged Sakura and Sasuke.
"We did it; we passed the first part. Oh I thought we were done for," the redhead exclaimed.
Suddenly, something broke the window and kunai pierced the ceiling, hanging a banner up. Someone appeared in front of the banner.
"Heads up boys and girls, this is no time to be celebrating! I'll be your next proctor Anko Mitarashi!"