Chapter 14 The Hokage's return and Chunin Exams revealed
As the Village Hidden in the Leaves welcomes back the Hokage, he calls in the Jounin of the village to discuss new developments with the situation at hand as well as discuss the upcoming event of the Chunin exams.
"Well Iruka, how have things been since I've been gone?" Lord Hokage asks.
"We haven't learned anything new about the missing Jounins." Iruka answers.
"Except that they were taken by the cloud village." Shikamaru states interrupting Iruka.
"Also, we have a visitor to the village if you haven't noticed."
"Yes, I see, it is good to see you again Kankurou." Lord Hokage says
"It is good to see you again as well Naruto or should I say Lord Hokage." Kankurou replies shaking Naruto's hand. "I just wish it were on better terms."
"So tell me what happened?" Naruto asks.
"While on a mission with Shikamaru's team, the Village Hidden in the Sand was attacked and Gaara as well as Temari were kidnapped." Kankurou explains. "Presumably by the cloud nin who ambushed our two teams during the mission"
"I'm saddened to hear that and we will do everything in our power to get them back but in the mean time you are all welcome here" Naruto says.
"Thank you Hokage, my team has just started adjusting." Kankurou says.
"Speaking of teams, if you remember it is that time of year again." Naruto exclaims.
"What are you talking about Lord Hokage?" Shuiro asks confused.
"I think he is talking about the Chunin exams." Shikamaru answers.
"Absolutely" Naruto says.
"Are you sure we should continue this with our current Jounin situation?" Shuiro asks concerned.
"Definitely, we need to maintain an air of normalcy not letting the other villages know of the situation." Naruto explains. "So have you all decided who you want to participate in the exams?"
"I am nominating my team." Shikamaru states
"As am I" Kankurou states.
"Well then, I think every member of my team should be nominated." Shuiro exclaims.
"Well, I think we are finished for now." Naruto says. "Go now to your teams and explain the exams to them. Make sure that they are prepared and fully want to go."
"Yes Lord Hokage" The Jounin say in unison.
"Iruka, I would like you to stay behind and explain any other things that I should know." Naruto states.
Iruka turns to Naruto and nods his head in agreement.
With that, the Jounin dispersed leaving the Hokage and Iruka discussing matters.
Meanwhile, Shakou went and joined Kin and Iwa in the hospital.
"So what did you get yourself into this time?" Shakou asks Iwa as he walks into the room.
"Actually, this was an instant where trouble found Iwa." Kin answers as she turns to Shakou.
"What are you talking about?" Shakou replies with concern.
"I, apparently, am a member of one of the clans in this village." Iwa explains. "I am a member of the Aburame clan."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Shakou shouts still confused.
"Didn't you hear him?" Kin says. "He's from this village. He is an Aburame clan member."
"I can't believe this." Shakou states. "I find my father and you find your family. Where does this leave you in terms of being a sand ninja?"
"I don't know. But what I do know is that I need to find this Aburame clan and find out what is going on." Iwa says as he gets up from the bed.
"There you guys are" Kankurou says as he enters the room. "I've been looking everywhere for you guys."
"What is going on Kankurou sensei?" Kin asks.
"Our team along with Shikamaru's team are meeting together to discuss some business." Kankurou states hurriedly.
"What business are we going to discuss with that team?" Shakou asks defiantly.
"You'll find out when we get there." Kankurou replies as he ushers the genin out of the room.
As the sand began to walk towards the opening gate, Shikamaru's team is seen gathered in the hospital. They are in the room with Rei who seems to be feeling better; she is sitting up and talking to her fellow teammates.
"It looks as though I will finally be able to leave now." Rei says relieved.
"That's great." Taiki says excitedly. "So, what happened in here with you and Hideo?"
"I really don't want to get into it." Rei replies as she looks over to the window.
"Well it must've been big since I saw Hideo storm out of here." Taiki exclaims.
"I said I don't want to talk about it." Rei states angrily.
"Alright, I just want you to know that I am here for you." Taiki says.
"Here you guys are" Shikamaru states entering the room.
"Shikamaru sensi" Taiki and Rei say together.
"Where is Hideo?" Shikamaru asks. "We need to meet up with the Sand Team to discuss important business."
"I don't know; he left a while ago." Rei answers getting up slowly.
"Taiki, take Rei and go to the gates of the city." Shikamaru orders. "I'll find Hideo and meet up with you."
"Alright" Taiki replies as he helps Rei.
While Shikamaru, Rei and Taiki leave the hospital, Hideo is seen with Sora. They have just finished dinner and are outside of her house.
"Dinner was great wasn't it?" Sora asks happily.
"Yea, great" Hideo says aloof.
"Hideo, what is going on?" Sora asks. "You seemed to be distracted the whole time."
"I don't know; I guess I am just worried about Rei." Hideo states.
"But, didn't you say she was going to be okay?" Sora asks suspiciously.
"Yes, but still she is my teammate. But right now, you need to rest after what happened with your team." Hideo says smiling. "I will speak to you soon."
"Alright see ya" Sora replies as she gives Hideo a kiss and goes inside her house.
'I still can't decide' Hideo thinks to himself as he walks down the street.
"Hideo" Shikamaru says as he approaches the young Genin.
"Shikamaru sensi" Hideo states surprised. "What's going on?"
"We need to meet with the rest of the team." Shikamaru says.
"Do we have to now; I really am not up to it." Hideo asks.
"It's important and don't worry I think it'll be worth it." Shikamaru answers leading the Genin toward the gates.
The duo made their way to the opening gates of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. As they approached, the rest of the team Shikamaru was there as well as Kankurou and his team. They appeared to be waiting for Hideo and Shikamaru to arrive to find out what this meeting is all about.
"So what is this all about?" Shakou asks impatiently.
"Yea what are we all doing here?" Taiki asks.
"Well, we brought you here to explain a very important event that the Hidden Leaf village is hosting this year." Shikamaru begins. "Each year, there is an exam that is held twice. This exam is called the Chunin Exam."
"The Chunin Exam?" Taiki asks.
"What are you, a parrot?" Shakou states agitated.
"You know…" Taiki replies becoming annoyed.
"Hush, let the senseis' explain." Rei exclaims.
"Thank you Rei" Kankorou says. "Now these exams are held to determine of all the participating Genin, which ones are going to advance to Chunin level."
'Wow Chunin level.' Kin thinks to herself.
"Now there are three tasks that must be accomplished and will be explained in time." Shikamaru explains.
"What are these exams?" Iwa asks flicking away bugs.
"We don't know." Kankurou answers. "The examiners change them, so they can be anything."
"Now getting to the point of this meeting." Shikamaru continues.
"Finally" Shakou states as some of the Hidden Leaf team glare at him.
"Kankurou and I have nominated all of you to participate in the exams." Shikamaru reveals. "However, this doesn't mean that you have to participate. If you feel that you are not ready to take this exam, than speak up now."
"I'm ready" Taiki says excitedly.
"As am I" Rei re-iterates.
"I am willing to do it" Hideo says.
"If these Leaf losers are doing it then I am" Shakou exclaims. "Anything to take me away from the boredom of this town"
"I'm in" Iwa says.
"I am definitely doing this" Kin says joining the rest.
"Well then, I am glad that I told the Hokage that you are doing this." Shikamaru says.
"Now we are going to be training starting tomorrow so be ready. Also Shakou, I would like to meet with you a couple of times this week as well."
"We are also going to be training this week." Kankurou exclaims. "Iwa, you are going to be training with Shino of the Aburame clan. We believe he is the closest relative to you."
The Genin all shook their heads in understanding.
Upon hearing this, the Genin absorbed the information and headed to their respective homes and went to sleep to prepare for training and the start of the Chunin Exams.