A/N : I struggled a lot with this chapter. In more ways than one. thankfully, the writer's block resolved itself soon, on the flipside, my sister met with an accident, so between the hospital visits and the tense mind, i just couldn't find the time to write this chapter down. My sincere apologies. Next chapter will be out sooner, a couple of days, maximum. so stay tuned. Thanks to those who reviewed, you make my day.
Disclaimer: Today's disclaimer is brought to you by Il Padrino, the Uncrowned King of the Five Families, the Hipster who made guttural sounds popular even before birth of Death Metal, please welcome, Don Vito Corleone !
Don: It's a me! Mario! Er, I mean, Vito!
Me: Good to see you Padrino, I need your help!
Don: Go ahead Warren-Sherman, I am listening.
Me: I am at my wit's end; I can't get reviews no matter what I do. I do new plotlines, quirky characters, sudden twists, but my readers, they just look at me and say, 'we ain't reviewing.'
Don: You could act like a man. *slaps*
Me: OW! WTF!
Don: Whatsamattayou! Is this what you have become? Some Hollywood finnochio that cries like a woman? Oh Padrino, what am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?
Me: Hey now, be nice. No need to call me Tom Cruise or anything now, ok.
Don: I apologize. That was out of the line, wasn't it?
Me: Yeah. Speaking of out of the line, what's up with Michael these days?
Don: Infamita. That bastardo has renounced the family name and goes around talking in Cuban accent, doing Cocaine for all I know. He fell down the stairs once, got scratched on his cheek, and now he says,'look a me, I'm Scarface.' Bah.
Me: mmhmm. Still better than Santino or Fredo, yeah?
Don: I still don't know where I went wrong with those two.
Me: Sonny I can understand, but Fredo? Do you hate the kid? Each time I say Fredo I am reminded of either Pasta, or of a really short man with hairy feet.
Don: I don't know what to say. I spent my whole life being careful. Women and Children are careless, men are never careless.
Me: and yet, despite various pointed references stating otherwise, Santino was careless.
Don: Yeah he was. Yeah. So what now, will you make me an offer that I can't refuse?
Me: Don Corleone, I want you to read my disclaimer.
Don: Not that I mind, but what's in it for me?
Me: Let's see, I'll always speak well of you.
Don: I am not an orange, cheaply bought. I require more.
Me: Alright Alright, you can have an enforcer too. God knows you need one since Luca Brasi slept with the mermaids.
Don: FISHES! Not mermaids, Fishes.
Me: Tomayto, Potahto. Anyway, he is a good muscle-man. Lean built, grouchy, no personality to speak of. A trifle dull. Short. But he is intelligent.
Don: Doesn't sound very enforcey to me. What's he called? Lemme have a look at him.
Me: *pulls out Itachi from EZ Carry Shinobi Pouch™ * Here, meet Itachi Uchiha.
Itachi: Hn.
Don: Ah, how scary. He…grunts.
Me: Oh that's not all. You gotta push the right buttons. Look. Itachi, Family.
Itachi: *activates Sharingan* Hn
Me: Itachi, Foolish Little Brothers.
Itachi: *activates Mangekyo Sharingan* Hn.
Me: See! Scarier now huh?
Itachi: I have just one thing to say to you both.
Me&Don: What?
Itachi: Look into my eyes, what do you see? Tsukuyomi!
Sasuke: Is that really necessary Niisan? Each time you meet our author, you put him in a torture for 72 hours, why?
Itachi: Do I need a reason? He doesn't own you, me, Naruto, DC, Marvel, the Endless or a Tommy gun. Why should I dance to his tunes? Also, he is irritating. And gave me such a small cameo.
Sasuke: Hn. Dobe author. Niisan, let's do the Holy Uchiha Ritual of Familial Bonding.
Itachi: You don't mean….
Sasuke: Yes I do brother. Let's grunt. HN
Itachi: HNN
Sasuke: HNNN
Itachi: HNNNN
Sasuke: Ok, that's enough.
Late Night, Hours before the Start of the Chuunin Exam.
Haruki's impromptu council dispersed quite late at night. Many plans and stratagems were made and rejected. New findings were brought on board, while the older ones were assimilated with the new found data to present a more coherent picture. Every detail was ironed out and accounted for. Konoha only had one confirmed ally, Kirigakure, whose ninjas would fight for Konoha if the time came. Not so much for Konoha, as for Haruki, but the essence remained the same. Akatsuki were also factored in, and found to be a negligible threat at the present time, though that was liable to change soon. The two mist Jounins also present had important information with regards to Madara Uchiha too.
Once the larger picture was visible to all concerned, all eyes now turned towards the Chuunin Trials. To put it simply, they were going to be heavily rigged. It was not as bad as it sounded, all nations did it when their time came to host the games, but there was more at stake for Konoha this time. They were risking all on Haruki's gambit, and if he was honest with himself, it mildly alarmed him. Slowly, one by one, the stragglers departed, leaving Kurenai and Haruki behind. Too drained for anything else, the two retired for the night, wrapped in each other's embrace.
It was the screams that woke Haruki up, gut-wrenching screams of grief and pain. Immediately on alert, Haruki tried to spring into action but found himself paralyzed, unable to move. His sides felt to be on fire and ached with a dull throb. Slowly, he crawled outside with great difficulty, and saw a great battle being waged; the screams he had heard were of the dying shinobis who were falling by the hundreds. Haruki watched in silent horror as the carnage unfolded before him. Amidst the sanguine tumult, against the backdrop of a burning horizon, a single silhouette stood up straight and gestured violently at what seemed to be the enemy generals. Answering his challenge, a single man strode forth and made a move to remove what seemed to be a mask from his face.
The silhouetted man stood ramrod straight and didn't even budge as the formerly masked man ripped his throat out with a kunai.
Unbidden, the message from Destiny came crashing back to him.
'When the days draw to a close and the fields now lay bare.
Lightning-struck is he who watches there.
The shining light at the end is eclipsed once more.
And from its ember rises the watcher stronger than before.'
Haruki tried to get up again but found his body unwilling to follow his commands. He felt as if he was impaled through by a sharp horn which held him in place, cognizant of the pain but incapable of doing anything about it. And then it struck him. Impaled with a horn...a Horn. An Ivory. The Gates of Dreaming.
Realizing this to be a lucid dream, Haruki collected his faculties together and called out for the Lord of Dreaming. Who answered promptly from behind him.
"We meet again, Harry Potter."
"I noticed, Dream lord. I also noticed a Dream from the Gates. Which one was it by the way?"
"Can you not tell? Two Gates which stand at the heart of dreaming, one pure white the other darkly seeming. From the ivory pass the dreams which deceive, the horned one woeful dream to the man receive."
"I will go out on a limb and say this one was the real deal. What does it mean?"
"No charlatan am I, Harry Potter, to interpret your visions. What has to come to pass, will."
"Then why plague me Morpheus? If the future is as immutable as you claim, why the Vision from the Gates of Horn?"
The Dream lord's eyes seemed to glitter in the dark, like reflected starlight in deep dark pools, gleaming with an emotion Haruki couldn't quite place accurately.
"But times are changing. What was once rigid has become soft, and even when they weren't, Lucifer was still able to exert his supreme will and escape his destiny. I see the same proud eyes he had on you, never backing down, never swaying from a path once chosen. If you weren't the Scion of Death, Harry Potter, you would have made an acceptable Morningstar too."
"Flatterer. Mazikeen does the job well enough."
"True. Must you be so obtuse? I am here only on the insistence of Death; she wouldn't take it too kindly if you were to fail your purpose just because you didn't have all the relevant details."
"The injured younger brother card. You have fallen low Dream. Anyway, I am sure you had a message I needed to hear, so out with it."
"Two, as a matter of fact."
All at once, the tortured dreamscape disappeared to be replaced with an inky black nothingness. In the darkness, letters began to appear, emblazoned with a hidden fire. Haruki dutifully read the message, though it made no sense, being just a series of unrelated letters. Incredulously, he spoke them aloud.
"R-U-O-O-N-K-H-E-B-D-T-O-S-K-T-N-B-S-C-Q-E-N-H-Q-L-R-R-N-T-T-E. Is this supposed to mean something?"
"I do not know. Death told me that you would realize it's meaning when you feel torn. She told you to remember that 'While nothing has shifted, still Scion is the key'."
"Vague. But I suppose it would do for now. What of the other message?"
"The Scion of Destiny is found."
Haruki appeared nonplussed, shocked by the suddenness of the news.
"Did I hear you right? I could've sworn you said that the Scion of Destiny has been found."
"You heard me the first time Harry Potter. Must you be so dramatic?"
"Well excuse me for being surprised! When I departed for here, not even a single candidate was even being remotely considered. Who is it, by the way?"
"That was due to a miscalculation on our part. We were so intent that only Mortals could be our heirs that we neglected to consider demigods. In a world far away from here, a demigod named Balder Moon completed his trials and conquered his own destiny to forge his place among his Pantheon. There were many forces at play; all which our eldest brother could read from his book, in spite of those, Shadow achieved the impossible, impressing Destiny to an extent that he chose him as a Scion."
"That was unexpected. If I am right, soon only Despair and Desire will remain."
"No friends of yours are they, Harry Potter. They fear us and hate us, so they fear you and hate you. Beware of Despair and Beware of Desire, Scion of Death! Or they will be your undoing."
"I hear you, loud and clear. And I thank you, Prince of Stories; you honor me with your aid."
The Dream lord half-smiled at that and nodded solemnly, accepting of the compliment.
"Farewell, Harry Potter. It's time for you to awake."
The Dream lord vanished in a swirl of sand, falling through the worlds to reach his realm, leaving Haruki all alone in his lucid dream. Sighing, Haruki crouched low and shaped the sands left behind into the visage of the beautiful Fleur Delacour. As he breathed out on them, the sketch coalesced into an image, a memory of his wife from long ago. The memory, for it was nothing more than an imprint of events of the past, smiled at Haruki and mouthed the words 'I love you'.
Haruki smiled back too, ignoring the tears streaming down his face, and reached out towards the shade. At his touch, the sands fell back and collapsed, leaving nothing but dust behind.
A tear fell, gleaming and shining on the dusty dreamscape.
Haruki whispered a goodbye, sorrowful at not having seen them again, not even in the afterlife. Nor would he, until his task would be complete, which he fervently hoped would be soon.
"In dreams I hear your name, and in dreams…we will meet again." Haruki whispered sadly, departing the dreamscape as he willed himself awake.
There was no question of going back to sleep now, he had too much on his mind to appreciate that particular luxury. Stepping out carefully, so as to not disturb a sleeping Kurenai, Haruki closed the door behind him. Entering the armory, he took a moment to take in the sheer variety of armaments he had collected in his travels across the worlds. But no matter which world he was in, he would invariably drift towards the ones from his home, that forgotten age when he was known as the Boy Who Lived and later as the Chosen One.
He picked out a vest of dark leather, tough looking with a single hole near the chest. It gleamed, having been polished with great care, and the initials 'H.A.' stood out proudly on the shoulder. Stripping off his nightclothes, Haruki donned the vest once again, relishing in its familiar feel. He could almost smell the old world on the vest, the scent of his friends and foes. Maybe this was why he drew back again and again to it.
Fastening the rawhide trappings and belts, Haruki then wore a well worn scabbard of plain brown leather on his side and deposited the Sword of Gryffindor in it. As he pulled on the black pants, the ones on which dear old Hermione had cast her Undetectable Extension Charm, he felt complete. Not unlike a divine fulfillment felt by a parched desert when it finally rains after centuries of drought, a feeling which cannot be described. Only felt and experienced.
The last was a mask. One from this world, given to him as a gift by Naruto on the Oseibo festival. Oseibo festival was an occasion in which gifts are given to anyone you feel indebted to, who have helped you during the year. While many Jounins and such ilk had come forward to give him gifts, the ones given by the Rookies were the ones Haruki held the closest to his heart.
The mask itself was bone white, shaped like a snarling Kitsune, with the kanji for 'four' and 'nine' engraved on the front. Haruki remembered all too well seeing this mask in Naruto's house and enquiring him about it. The answer he got was as simple as it was sorrowful.
'I have had had this mask since I was seven, Haruki-sensei. It was left at my doorstep the night of the New Year, all wrapped in red wrapping paper. I had eagerly opened it, wondering what it was, and who might have left it. And when I finally got it open, I saw this. I was happy, excited. The next morning I took care to get up early, wore new clothes eagerly and put on the treasured mask. At first I didn't understand what the big deal was when I wore it to the academy that day, until Iruka-sensei took me aside later and told me how it was an ill omen to give someone something white as a gift, or anything to do with four or nine. Any one of those three was said to bring bad luck and death, and whoever left it for me was definitely not taking any chances.'
Haruki's heart had felt like breaking on hearing the injustices wrought upon the poor child for something he had no control over. He had never hated the mindless villagers than he had at this moment.
So when Naruto had come to him, asking what he wanted as a gift for the festival, Haruki didn't even hesitate to demand the mask. Naruto had tried to talk him out of it, insisting it was bad luck, but Haruki had nagged till he reluctantly gave in.
The scarred jounin looked at himself once in the full length mirror, and feeling confident in his terrifying image, strode outside to clear his thoughts. Walking aimlessly, he reached the plains where the other shinobis were camped. The whole place looked serene, bathed in the light of the full moon. Curling his lips in a sneer, the dark-haired jounin withdrew his sword in a swift motion and brought it to rest near his face.
"En Garde, you bastards, En Garde. I cannot allow you to harm who I care for, if I have to lie down my life for Naruto, Kurenai and all the rest, so be it." He silently snarled, and cut his palm with the blade, staining its edges with his blood. With that, he turned and walked away, sheathing his glittering sword. All the while unmindful of the sea-green eyes that watched him carefully, gazing thoughtfully from dark ringed sockets.
Next Morning, The Marauder's Den
Haruki was shaken out of his thoughts by an insistent knock on the door. Grumbling, he went and opened it, only to be greeted by Naruto.
"Duckling! You are up early today. Don't you have to get ready for the exams?"
"I couldn't sleep," he admitted, "And I have plenty of time to get ready, all I have to do is wear my clothes, everything else is already sealed in Sakura-chan's bag."
"Oh, come on in then. What brings you here?"
Naruto frowned and sat on the proffered cushion. "I am confused Haruki-sensei."
"What is it this time?"
"I don't know how to say it, I mean, I know we are going to be awesome today, and we will become chuunins soon. But I heard Kotetsu and Izumo saying we might have to kill other genins during the exams."
"So, what's the problem? It's not like you are a stranger to killing. And I am sure I told you there will be fighting in the exams."
The blonde genin made a frustrated gesture, "I know that. But this is different. Whenever we have killed, we were either fighting for our lives or trying to save someone. This…this is more like entertainment. It seems senseless to kill just for the pleasure of the rich daimyos."
Haruki sighed and didn't answer immediately. Instead he broke out a chess board and started to arrange the pieces. Seeing something new, Naruto forgot about his moral quandary and scampered towards the black-haired jounin.
"What is this Haruki-sensei, some kind of game?"
"Yeah, it's similar to Shogi, it's called Shatranj."
"How is it played?"
"Well, these small pieces? They are called Pyade, or pawns, and they are like samurai, guarding the more important pieces. The tower shaped ones are called Rukkh, they are like siege towers, only moving in straight lines. The one with the horse's head is called Asp, or Knight. They are like Taijutsu experts, being able to jump over other pieces and moving in a unique manner. That tall thin one is called as the fil or the bishop. He can move only diagonally. Finally we have the two most important pieces, the Shah, the Kage. He can move a single step in any direction. He is the most important because if he is captured or cornered, the whole game ends. The capture of the Kage is called Shahmat, The Kage is dead."
Haruki paused dramatically and took a moment to look at Naruto whose face was open in wonderment and the child-like excitement of learning something new. Grinning inwardly, he raised the Queen.
"Last is the Wazir, the single most versatile piece in the game of Shatranj. Like an ANBU, or an elite Jounin, it can move in any direction it wants. Which makes it ideal for springing traps and ambushes on the unsuspecting enemy."
"This looks fun, Haruki-sensei, but what are you trying to tell me?"
"Look at the arranged pieces Naruto, what do they look like?"
"Armies. Armies ready for war."
"Precisely. During my travels, I heard that in the old times, this game was played between two kings who were at war with each other. The outcome of the game was consequential as the wager was the crown of the other king. The game became a substitute for war, if only for a little while."
Haruki took a deep breath and continued. "The thing to understand here is Naruto, that War is wasteful. A horrific drain on resources and manpower, which is the reason no one wants war except as a last resort. But there has to be some outlet for the festering enmity between countries."
He could see realization dawning on Naruto's face which was confirmed by his next statement.
"So, these exams are just a substitute for war?"
"Right in one. Well done."
"I still don't like it."
"Nor should you have to. But it's your duty for your country, and you have to do it, regardless of what you feel about it. Maybe when you become the Hokage you can bring about peace and do away with these silly contests once and for all."
Naruto brightened at that, and then dragged Haruki down for a game of chess, which he had been eyeing for a while now.
The game was punctuated with much laughter and cheer. Kurenai, who had woken up sometime during Naruto's visit too joined them, looking intently at the game. At one point, Naruto had refused to let his pawns be sacrificed and had instead brought his Wazir from behind in an illegal maneuver to assassinate Haruki's Kage. He reasoned that if the Wazir was capable of killing the Kage on his own, why should pawns be sacrificed? He even shrugged off the illegal move saying that Honor was for Samurais, Ninjas take what they can get. Neither Haruki nor Kurenai could resist the proud smile that crept up their faces.
Soon, Naruto left to join his team and make the last moment preparations for the exams, once they were left alone, Kurenai decided this was as good time as any to have a heartfelt talk.
"Haruki-kun, why isn't my breakfast ready yet?"
Haruki, who had been expecting something along the lines of 'keep my team safe or else' talk, was left surprised. He intelligently ventured, "Huh. Whaa?"
"I said why my breakfast isn't ready yet? I know you have been awake for quite some time now."
"I...I'll get right on it; I just had a lot on my mind. To be honest, I was expecting you to give me an ultimatum too."
Kurenai smiled softly and hugged Haruki close, "I don't need to tell you that because I know you will. All I want is for you to take care of yourself. Come back safe to me Haruki, promise me that."
"Of course. I promise."
They shared a tender moment until Kurenai pushed Haruki away.
"Now go and cook me something filling Jounin, I am hungry."
"Yes Ma'am."
Ninja Academy, Konohagakure no Sato
The rookie teams had decided to assemble together and enter the Academy as one, in a show of unity. Team Asuma was the first to arrive, having been nagged by Ino to be as early as possible. Team Gai, the ever hard workers weren't too far behind. The slack was brought up by Team Kurenai and Team Kakashi who arrived together.
The Four Teams strode confidently, putting on a show of fearlessness. On Naruto's directions, who had picked up some tips on intimidation from Ibiki, the Rookies formed a file, and marched down the aisles, brushing aside the assembled genins from other villages. They stole quick glances at the various teams from around the Shinobi Nations, and noted several prominent ones, the ones from Suna, Kiri and Ame. There were lesser ones from Hoshi, Kusa, Taki, Cha,Getsu, Tsuki and Benisu Islands. All told, there were 180 participants, 60 teams.
As they walked towards the stairwell for room 301, where the exams were being held, they came across Izumo and Kotetsu who were posing as genins and trying to block entry for the exam hopefuls. Sasuke sighed and silently marveled at the stupidity of some genins who not only didn't notice the Genjutsu, but also didn't count that they were still on the second floor. A part of him wanted to call the two doorkeepers out on their deception, but finally decided against it. Kakashi always did say 'Look underneath the Underneath' if they were incapable of such a simple test, they were unworthy. Similar thoughts were running through the minds of the rest of the rookies too. Waving a surreptitious goodbye to the two Gate Keepers, the 12 genins moved on to the third floor without further incident.
Near the entrance gate, their Jounin senseis stood waiting for them. The four Jounins collected the exam forms from them and gave them a last minute talk, briefing them about the traditional history behind this ritual. The genin teams were expected to arrive as a whole, and if a team turned up incomplete, they were disqualified. But with the amount of trust building and cooperative exercises they had done with each other, this part of the exam was more or less redundant for them. The genins brightened visibly, but looked around, searching for their beloved Hanshi. Funnily enough, it was Shikamaru who caught sight of him through a window, gazing at them from the branches of a tree, a small smile gracing his lips. Acknowledging him with a nod, the lazy Nara pointed him out to the rest of them, who waved to him in turn.
Soon, goodbyes were exchanged; Asuma touched the earrings his team wore meaningfully, promising a trip to the Nara-Yamanka-Akimichi memorial if they succeeded. Gai was as exuberant as ever, striking poses from his Turtle summon, much to his Team's embarrassment and Kakashi's chagrin. In contrast, Kurenai was sedate enough, merely wishing her team luck. To her right, Kakashi brought his team in a huddle.
Naruto spoke up first. "This is cozy, Kaka-sensei. We should do this more often."
"Not now Naruto," he said, sighing a long-suffering sigh, "I just want to tell you that I'm the proudest Jounin sensei of the strongest genin team anywhere. Don't let me down. Do your best, and stick together with each other."
Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other and smirked, even Sakura grinned, which looked decidedly odd on her.
"Hn. Nothing to worry. We are Team-7. We stand alone, together."
"Dattebayo!"
"Shannaro!"
"YOUTH"
The huddled team jumped as one at the loud cry, and frowned at the offender, Maito Gai.
"YOSH! My most youthful rival, it is time for these children to go forth and show their flames of youth. They will show once and for all that in Konoha, the winter never touched our Springtimes of Youth! Their flames of youth will burn so bright that all the rest will be blinded by it's brilliance." He finished with his patented good guy pose.
Kakashi tilted his head and raised a lazy eye. "Did you say something Gai?"
As the two bickered back and forth, the rest of the group sweatdropped and waved goodbye to everyone as they went inside.
From behind his older siblings, the red haired boy continued to watch.
The Exam Hall
One advantage of arriving early is that you can sit like Lords and stare down the ones coming in after you, who are left feeling inadequate for being late. Late being a relative term. Which was precisely why the rookies were now arranged on the front rows of the exam hall. The idea had been Naruto's, but the 'geniuses' among the rookies had run wild with it, trying to maximize the interrogative atmosphere.
In the middle sat Kiba, while Akamaru stood guard in front of him. To his left was his teammate Shino, and on his right was an unusually serious Naruto. Next to Shino was Lee, who kept rewrapping his bandages, flashing his bruised knuckles occasionally. In the farthest corner Neji stood alone, his Byakugan activated. To Naruto's side was Tenten, who kept playing with the numerous sharp weapons she carried about, a long straight sword: Griphook's Bane, prominent on her back. Last of all was Hinata, who too kept her Kekkai-Genkai activated like her cousin. Behind them, the rest of the rookies were arrayed, casually displaying their power.
Their tactic had the desired effect. One by one, the rest of the participants entered the room, and were immediately faced with the sight of the rookies. Catching their eyes, most of them slunk away quietly. A few tried to show bravado, but were quickly brushed off to the back, where they sat silently, humiliated. Gaara's team entered too, and was not cowed. But they decided that discretion was the better part of valor and moved away without causing a scene. Soon, it was 4 in the afternoon, the time when the exams were due to begin.
At the stroke of the hour, Ibiki threw the doors open and swept inside with his entourage. Barking at everyone to be quiet, he distributed the seating arrangements. The already cowed teams complied meekly. Not that they would have resisted, Ibiki was easily a striking sight with his scarred visage and his dark trench coat. When he spoke, his voice was gravelly and deep and resonated all around. Looking darkly at the assembled teams, he smirked and began declaring the rules of the exam.
It was going to be a two part exam, first part written, the other one oral. The written part had ten questions. Each correct answer carried two marks while an incorrect one took away one mark from your tally. Each time you were caught cheating, points would be deducted. If you were caught five times, your entire would be disqualified. The second part would be revealed at the conclusion of the first one.
Sitting at his desk, Naruto growled in frustration. While he had picked up some of the knowledge he had been denied as a kid, the progress was slow, and the written exams were still not his strong point. Silently, he shuddered what his fate would have been if Haruki-sensei and Iruka-sensei had not taken out the time for his extra lessons. He smirked. If not for them, he probably would have broken down in the middle of the exam and made a fool of himself. Glancing to his side, he smiled at Hinata, who smiled back in return, coloring slightly. This did not go unnoticed by Kiba, who sniggered, and made a small note in the journal he carried around somewhere on his person.
At Ibiki's command, the genins turned the question paper and began to solve the questions hurriedly. The questions were varied and eclectic. One question asked the details of the Turtle Defense and it's use as an offensive tactic, another question needed a Cryptogram to be deciphered. One question, which was based on Squares and Cubes, asked the necessary velocity with which a Kunai had to be thrown if it had to hit a target a distance away (wind velocity to be considered too). Yet another question asked the genin to write down the best herbs to be used for blood clotting if you lose an arm on battlefield.
While some of the questions were common knowledge, they were few and far in between, one after the other, the rookies began to realize that the real challenge was information gathering. Once the proverbial light bulb went off, they began to devise techniques to steal off answers from others. This test was a breeze for the two Hyuugas, who used their Byakugan to read the answers off from Ibiki's answer key. Not far behind was Sasuke, who copied off the hand movements using his Sharingan. Shikamaru actually decided to do some work for a change, and used the Shadow Bind Jutsu on Chouji to help him write the answers. Akamaru barked out the answers for Kiba, while Shino's bugs gathered the answers surreptitiously. Tenten and Lee worked in tandem and used a complex system of mirrors to spy on the answers. Even the other genins were not too far off; Gaara used his Third Eye Technique for the purpose while his brother relied on his puppets. A genin from Kiri used a Suiton jutsu to create a reflective surface, a trick inspired from Haku apparently. Only Sakura and Naruto were among the few genins not copying any answers.
It wasn't as if Naruto didn't have a way to cheat. As a matter of fact, he had a plan to copy the answers too. All it needed was a Tiger and Ram seal, which would let a low powered version of Great Breakthrough Jutsu to blow in the room, a quick Kawarimi would ensure he got a set of complete answers from one of the Proctors. But he refrained, nevertheless. It felt strangely wrong to him, somehow. It was one thing to use everything at your disposal during a life and death situation. It was another thing to resort to petty cheating for an exam. And no, the fact that he didn't want to look bad in front of Hinata had nothing to do with it. No. None at all.
During the course of the hour, several inept genins were caught cheating and were eliminated. Soon, the hour was up and the answer sheets were collected. Quickly, the papers were checked and marks tabulated. Those with zero score were eliminated with their teams immediately. All told, there were 30 teams remaining in the competition still. 5 from Sand, 4 from Mist, 10 from Leaf, 3 from Star, 3 from Grass, 2 from Rain and Waterfall and 1 from Moon. Out of the remaining 90 participants, the ones at the bottom 45 were called out and sent to the back of the room, the top 45 were called forward, and the next set of rules was explained.
The next task was to ask a final question to the bottom 45. If they answered the question, they would pass. If they gave the wrong answer, they would fail and remain genins forever. They were of course welcome to back out and try again next year. The twist was that, the questions would be asked one by one, by the Top Scoring candidates.
The atmosphere tensed with this pronouncement. There were cries of protest and disbelief which were crushed down quickly by the T&I Head. Izumo's theatricality in calling out names as if reading them off an execution list didn't help matters either.
"Nara Shikamaru. Come forth."
"Troublesome. What do I have to do?"
"Open this envelope and read the number written inside."
"61"
"Sixty one…Sixty one…ah yes. Number Sixty one is Inuzuka Kiba. Are you prepared to ask him the Final Question?"
Shikamaru hesitated for a moment, before a lazy grin appeared on his face. "Yes."
"Very Well. Wait in the corner until I call you again."
And so it continued. By some clever design or luck, Team-mates were pitted against Team-mates, and friendships were challenged. Not all managed to pass this either. A few developed cold feet of being eliminated if their team-mate didn't answer the question and backed out. Some didn't want to pose such a challenge to their friends. The threat of remaining a genin forever was working wonders.
Each time a name was called; Naruto grew more and more restless. He had guessed at the game being played out, and was heartily cursing himself for not paying attention during lessons and ending up at the bottom of the pile. He wouldn't have fallen that easily to Ibiki's mind games, unlike some of the people he could see. A voice rang out, breaking through his reverie.
"Number Fifty Nine? That's Uzumaki Naruto. Are you prepared to ask him the Final Question?"
To his dismay, Naruto saw that his questioner was none other than Hinata. To make matters worse, she was shaking and trembling, obviously distraught at being forced to decide the fate of her friend. It seemed that in her mind she was sure that Naruto would not be able to answer and would remain genin forever.
"Hinata Hyuuga. Are you prepared to ask Uzumaki Naruto the Final Question?"
Naruto started fidgeting and glared at Izumo, couldn't he see what effect his questions were having on Hinata-chan? So righteous was his indignation, he didn't realize the '–chan' his subconscious had tacked onto Hinata. The other rookies were also sitting on pins and needles, afraid of seeing the outcome of this little drama.
"I ask you one last time. Will you ask Uzumaki Naruto the Final Question?"
"N-N-N…"
"SHE WILL!"
Everyone's eyes turned to the Blonde Ninja who had worked himself into a fine rage and was now glaring furiously at the assembled proctors.
"She WILL ask me that question, you hear me? You do not scare me, none of you. Hinata-chan, don't listen to any of these bastards, you trust me, right? Then ask me the question. So what if I can't answer? What's the worst that would happen? I'd remain a genin forever? It doesn't matter, because if I am forced to remain a genin forever than I'd be the first genin to become a Hokage. I have already promised Haruki-sensei that I'd never ever ever give up on my dream. And my dream is to be Hokage and protect everyone I care for. I am not going to let one stupid question stand between my dream and me. Believe it!"
Like the parting of the rain clouds when the sun shines forth, the gloomy pall descending on the exam room lifted as everyone got fresh courage in their hearts after hearing Naruto's impassioned speech. Hinata stood up straight, all doubt gone from her face, and nodded at Izumo, who was still looking a bit gobsmacked.
"I will ask the final question."
Izumo took a moment to collect himself, "Um...Uh…yeah. Just stand there and wait for your turn."
Ibiki grinned evilly at Naruto and remarked," Nice speech brat. Preparing it for long, have you?"
"Just you wait. When I become Hokage, I'll fire you and Izumo too, and put you both on Kitchen Duty."
"You do that. Now that the entertainment is over, all of you standing in the corner open the envelopes containing the final question."
With great trepidation, the dreaded envelopes were opened. As one, the multitude of voices cried out in cacophony, "They're Blank!"
At their questioning stares, Ibiki explained the secret behind the test. It was as much a test of information gathering skills as it was a test of resolve. A shinobi may sometimes have to accept missions blindly, not knowing what they are. If they are too scared of the unknown, they are not fit to be Chuunin. On the converse, in a world ruled by deception and betrayal, sometimes you have to sacrifice your friends and family in the line of duty. And Chuunins, being military captains, are liable to experience this during the course of their service.
With this, he removed the bandanna tied around his head to show them the numerous burns, scars and screw holes on his skull and told them about the saga of the Raijin and how he was tortured for information by the late Ame nin, Aoi, as well as the unintended betrayal of his village by his brother. Everyone was looking at him with a new respect once the tale was told, while the Ame genins merely glowered.
His story done, Ibiki stared off into the horizon, looking wistfully at the window Anko would've barged in from, had she still been in the living. Even as he watched, a black mist began to rise and cover the windows in the room, eclipsing the light inside. Then as one, the windows exploded in a shower of glass as a black ball darted inside, coalescing to reveal the enigmatic Jounin: Togieka Haruki.
"Impeccable timing, I must say, Haruki."
Haruki snorted, "Tell that to my students. You left 24 teams Ibiki, not bad, still got your touch in your old age it seems."
"Watch who you are calling old, young man, I can still break a man down faster than you ever could."
The scarred Jounin merely huffed and stuck his tongue out in response, "I was expecting fewer teams though, no matter, they will be cut down quickly enough. Come on, off we go to the training area 44, lovingly known as Forest of Death. If you aren't there in five minutes, you are a dead genin."
As one, the genin teams darted down the stairs, hurrying along to reach the designated area, once they were gone, Haruki peeped back in the room and quirked an eyebrow at Ibiki, who growled and slammed a Fifty Ryu note into the now-grinning Hanshi's outstretched palms.
"Now now, don't pout. You should've known better than to bet against Naruto."
"Whatever. Now get the hell out here Haruki."
"I'm going, I'm going. It's not like they will outpace me."
"Oh, and Haruki?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
Haruki nodded once and vanished with a small popping sound, leaving a quiet Torture and Interrogation head behind.
Present Time
"…and after that command, we ran like hell. I mean, we knew Haruki-sensei wouldn't really hurt us…but why take a risk? By the time we arrived, he was already there, waiting for us, ready to begin the second trial of the Chuunin exams. And I'm going to stop here, it's already dawn and I'm sure you have a team to attend to."
"NO! That's not fair! I want to hear what happens next!"
Naruto frowned and bonked Konohamaru on the head, "Behave, baka! You are supposed to be grown up now. I can't just sit around telling you stories."
"But I…But I got to know!"
"Yes. So I can see," Naruto exhaled slowly, "Tell you what, you get the rest of the story from Sasuke. He is going on an official visit to Suna in a few days. You and your team can tag along with him; consider it a C-rank."
Konohamaru cheered. "Thank you Nii-san! And I apologize again for breaking into your office."
"Don't do it again, and it's all forgiven."
Konohamaru nodded vigorously and ran out hurriedly towards the door. In the process, he somehow tripped and tumbled down the stairs. Naruto followed each crash and tumble and sounds of muffled curses with a mischievous grin. Behind him, Sasuke chuckled.
"Hn. He still hasn't figured it out yet?"
"Nope, of all the cool things Ojiisan did, this was his masterpiece." Naruto remarked, and deactivated the Trip Seal embedded inconspicuously on a floorboard.
"Why are you dragging this out for him dobe? You know as well as I that you intend to tell him everything."
"True. But no reason that he shouldn't work for it, or have you forgotten how we foraged for scraps of information from Haruki-sensei? Also, I figured that you would want to tell the next part. It concerns Itachi-san after all."
Sasuke's eyes softened at Itachi's mention, then he mock-scowled at Naruto.
"Hn. I'll do it. Was it necessary to tag his team along too?"
"Of course, it's been too long since you have last encountered a fan-girl."
"You complete bastard."
A/N2: to anyone who solves the puzzle Dream told Haruki , correctly and lets me know, i'll answer any one question you might be having about the story. spoilers be damned. if not, have a cookie. the puzzle's not too difficult as it is.
OMAKE: The Theory of the Red Heads
Destiny: What is this theory I have heard so much about, Scion?
Harry: *clears throat* ahem, Harry's First Theory of Prophecy Children states that, "All Children of Prophecies, here onward referred to as CoPs, have a Red Headed female as their progenitor."
Destiny: that is ludicrous. Do you have proof?
Harry: Yeah. Hello, I am Harry Potter. Haaaaave you met Lily Potter?
Destiny: Inconsequential.
Harry: Oh wait, there are more. Remember that guy from that place?
Destiny: I do not follow.
Harry: Oh come on, that seasoning guy.
Destiny: who are you talking about?
Harry: Let me try and remember…Mayo, Parmesan, Herbs, Paprika, Seasonings…Seasons…Autumn, Winter….Emma Frost? Naah, she was hot though. What was it? Summer….YEAH ! Summers!
Destiny: Arrived at a conclusion, have you?
Harry: Yep. Cable Summers. Son of Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor. Destruction Candidate #22C34. Status of Mother's hair: Red.
Destiny: I am intrigued. Go on.
Harry: Then there was Erik the Red. Candidate# 521D33, Status of Mother's hair: Red.
Destiny: Interesting. Are there more?
Harry: Yeah. Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto. Son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Status of Mother's hair: Red.
Destiny: But my book says nothing about this theory.
Harry: That's because you are bald. Baldy.
Destiny: *sadface* You meanie, you.
Deadpool : I'm dancing on the ceiling, yeah, i said i'm dancing on the ceiling...can you feel the love that i'm feeling, yeah?
Me: Man, this is too early in the morning for your brand of Crazy dude.
Deadpool: Avast Belay you lily-livered jackanape, you villain you.
Me: Nonsense. Can you even hear what you are saying?
Deadpool: Yes! Several Times! in several voices...
Me: I give up.
Deadpool: *smugly*...and the fiercest foes rout, when they hear Triumph's shout...nyeh nyeh.
Me: *bangs head on table* Someone, anyone, give me Novocaine. and an icepack.
Deadpool: Auf Wiedersehen Volken. Warren-Sherman says, 'Over and Out.'
