Hahaha I just freaked out because my entire internet browser was in English... Then I realized I opened the wrong browser... I really got to delete that one haha

But as promised, here is the winner for Saturday Special.

Enjoy

†

It was about time that the tenth question was brought up. But the uneasy feeling of how Akuma was doing was really bothering me.

"Now… before we get to it… I'd like to go over the added rules for this question." What the hell? Who would add rules without telling anyone from the start?

"First, for this tenth question… you must decide whether you will take it or not." We have a choice? There has to be a catch…

"If you choose not to, your points will be reduced to zero… You fail! Along with your two teammates." That look in his eyes wasn't very promising, possibly scary if I would admit it… which I won't.

"And now… the other rule." Oh come on! How many added rules did this guy come up with within that hour? 'The final rule is you need a pink pony that craps out sparkly rainbows with bows.'

Tch.

"If you choose to take it… and answer incorrectly… That person will lose the right to ever take the Chuunin selection exam again."

"What kind of stupid rule is that! There are guys here who have taken the exam before!" Kiba shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Ibiki.

"Hehehe… You guys were unlucky. This year it's my rules. But I am giving you a way out."

"Huh?"

"Those that aren't confident can choose not to take it… and try again next year."

Well hell… now that just made it a bitch for us all.

"Now, let's begin… the tenth question. Those that do not wish to take it, raise your hand. Once your number is confirmed, leave."

I glanced around the room. No one had raised their hands yet… but I could sense an aura around Akuma that told me that she was unsure of what to do.

If she chose to stay, she could be stuck as a genin forever, and make it harder for her to reach the title of Hokage like Naruto wanted to. But if she chose to leave… both Sakura and me would fail too.

I jumped when I noticed the person next to Akuma raise his hand. "I… won't take it!" I could see that he was visibly shaking. "I'm sorry... Gennai, Inoho…"

Everyone began raising their hands, cutting down the numbers in the room at a fast pace. I was surprised at how many people were raising their hands to quit. Most of them you wouldn't believe would quit, due to their looks. I guess looks truly are deceiving.

I glanced towards Sakura to see her staring intently at Akuma. She had the same concerns that I did about Akuma. Naruto has always wanted to be a ninja, a Hokage… and now all that was at risk if we failed the tenth question.

Sakura, I know, wouldn't want to see that impossible dream of Naruto's, crushed. I saw her hand slowly begin to rise before she froze, and had a shocked expression on her face.

Following her gaze I noticed that she was staring at Akuma, who was holding her tiny hand in the air. Even I was overtaken by the shock of the sight. Hell, even Hinata was! It was unexpected, considering the talk that Naruto always had.

Now her shaking hand was within the air. She was definitely the brave one out of us three to do something like thi-

"Don't underestimate me-ttebayo! I will not run!" She shouted as she slammed her tiny hand against the desk, causing it to crack slightly.

"I'll take it! Even if I am a Genin forever-ttebayo! I'll will myself to becoming Hokage-ttebayo anyway, so I don't care! I am not afraid!" I could see the change in her aura.

The aura around her before wasn't fear, no… it was anticipation. Did she know something we didn't know?

"The Uzumaki clan never gives up nor goes back on their nindo way-ttebayo!" I smiled softly. She wasn't thinking about us, not at all… she has more guts than we ever would have.

"I'll ask you again. Your life is riding on this decision; this is your last chance to quit." Ibiki said, his tone stern.

"I follow my unbending words… that's my ninja way-ttebayo." Glancing around the room, I noticed that the tense air that surrounded us before was now gone.

Who would have thought that a five year old would cause people to become inspired like this; I know I didn't.

Ibiki glanced around the room before a smirk formed on his face. "Good decisions. Now, to everyone still remaining…"

I could hear the creaking of the chairs as everyone leaned forward in anticipation. "I congratulate you on passing the first test!"

"Eh?"

"HUH!"

Ibiki cleared his throat. "To the 78 who remain… Congratulations on passing the first test!" He repeated.

Sakura spoke up first, asking the question that was on everyone's mind. "Wait… what do you mean? We already pass? What about the tenth question?"

"There never was such a thing. Or you could say that those two choices were the tenth question." Ibiki said with a toothy grin.

"Hey! Then what were the first nine questions for? They were pointless then!" The girl from the sound village shouted.

"They were not pointless… they had already served their intended purpose." He smirked more. "To test your individual information gathering ability… that purpose."

Was this guy bipolar or something? He went from being stern, to being scared of a five year old, to being a douche to now being more calm and cheery.

I toned out Ibiki as he explained the first exam to the sand ninja. Instead, I turned my attention to Akuma. She seemed to be pretending to pay attention, though I could tell that she was more interested in the ribbon on the back of Ibiki's haidate.

I watched as Ibiki went to take off his headband. What the hell did he say anyway? Wait… is those scars… oh god! I quickly turned my gaze to Akuma, who had her eyes covered by Hinata's hands.

Thank GOD Hinata is sitting next to her!

Ibiki put his headband back on, allowing Hinata to let go of Akuma's eyes. Ibiki smiled at everyone in the room.

"But… question ten… is the true purpose of this test." Oh sure… I pay attention and now it doesn't make sense to me… maybe I can ask Sakura after this.

"What do you mean?" Or not… she was confused by his statement just like me… maybe she wasn't paying attention too.

"Let me explain… the tenth question… the 'Take it' or 'not take it' decision… obviously these were painful choices. Those who choose the latter fail along with their teammates. Those who choose to take it… could lose the chance to ever take the test again."

He smirked at us. "…A true leap of faith." He pocketed his hand as he gazed around the room.

Once he began talking again I decided it was just worth toning him out to begin with. Best decision I had ever made ever since Naruto became 5.

I continued to stare blankly, even after shards of glass flew all over the room while a black ball rolled into the room.

Wait… What?

-AN-

We all know that this is what Sasuke was really thinking throughout the ending half of the exam. And yes... yes Sasuke is going all overly protective over Akuma/Naruto... Silly Sasuke, it's only scars! Naruto has a lot of those on his heart and in his memories! Those are nothing!

Wow I made that deep... so deep... Now I need to play 'emo music' to match my sudden mood...

Oh you know what guys? Robert Downey Jr. Is my favorite singer now. -nodnod- To be able to warp his voice to where you can't even tell its him... my god!

Oh and, Akuma/Naruto is saying '-ttebayo' more because of the younger age. When you are younger you say the words more often than when you get older. And yes, Akuma/Naruto said the same thing(Or close to it...?) from the original anime/manga. The reason for this is because Akuma is still Naruto no matter what, she has the same resolve... the same feelings.

Now you guys got less than a month for the next special saturday so vote it on up and maybe YnK can be the winner again, ne? (Oh and for my above statement... when I was younger I said 'ne' and 'yakno' a lot. Now I say it rarely, it has been over 14 years haha its been almost 18 years since I started saying one of the two words.)

7 more days until my birthday, yay! 歓呼！

-Ja ne