Disclaimer – Kishimoto owns Naruto and the characters therein.

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Memories Of Others

Chapter 21

Duties Of A Genin

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"Feels like it's been almost years since I was last doing The Wall." Naruto mused as he ambled along, eyes constantly scanning the surrounding forest.

"It has been a little while, but wall patrol is one of the few D-ranks that you can always count on." Kosuke agreed. "Have you been approached regarding the upcoming chunin exams?"

Naruto blinked. "The… what? I've heard of them, but not what they are."

"The chunin exams," Kosuke repeated, "Are where the elite genin teams compete against each other for promotion, showing off the attributes that mark them as future team leaders."

"I wonder if I could enter." Naruto mused. "I mean, with my clones, I'm a team… if not a task force by myself."

"It's only for those who are officially on teams." Kosuke said and Naruto looked slightly downcast. "For those of us who serve as normal genin, there's always mission promotion, such as how you became a genin in the first place. If you help with enough C-rank missions, you'll be considered for promotion. B-rank missions are also good. An S-rank mission almost guarantees promotion if successful, but being caught up in one means that something has gone seriously wrong."

"Like Wave." Naruto nodded. "That started out as a C-rank, but I think it was A-rank near the end with those Iwa-nin."

"High B-rank, certainly." Kosuke nodded. "It cost Iwa a great deal to get their shinobi back."

For several minutes, they proceeded in silence, then Naruto spoke.

"So, since I'm not on a team, why would I be approached for the exams?"

"Security." Kosuke said in explanation. "How many places can you be at once? And you can have a dozen clones ready to transport a fast-reaction ANBU squad to wherever it's needed…"

Naruto nodded in understanding, then he smirked.

"Thought of something?" Kosuke asked curiously.

"When I use my clones to transport someone, it looks like they've learned dad's version at the other end…"

Kosuke pondered Naruto's words for a moment, then he smiled as well.

"You may want to suggest it to Ibiki as a way for him to make his entrance." He said. "Having the genin taking part thinking that the leader of T&I is of the same level as the Yondaime will really increase the stress on them, and if they can't cope with that, they aren't ready to be chunin."

Naruto grinned evilly.

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"Good morning." Kurenai smiled at her genin team. "As you have probably heard, the chunin exams are going to happen next month and given how much training you've done with Naruto's help, I believe that you are ready to experience just what a chunin exam is like."

"Cool." Kiba perked up. "So we're gonna get a chance to be promoted?"

"Yes and no." Kurenai allowed. "It is very rare for a genin to be promoted on their first chunin exam since the examiners look for more things than simply passing the various tests. In addition, the tests themselves can be dangerous. All of you have seen combat, so you should be able to cope, but deaths in Chunin Exams are unfortunately fairly common. I can't remember a single chunin exam where someone didn't die."

The trio stared at her in near-shock and Kurenai shrugged.

"As shinobi, we need to be prepared to face death." Kurenai continued. "I'm not saying that there's a high chance of you dying, your experience will help you to overcome almost anything you are likely to encounter, but even a stray kunai has been known to kill a Jonin.
"On the other hand, participating in a chunin exam will help you towards progressing up the ranks. Even if you fail, so long as you demonstrate at least some of what the examiners want, it will be noted in your file and you will be more likely to pass the next time.
"The reason I'm telling you about this now, rather than closer to the exams, is so that you can decide for yourselves whether you think that you are ready or not. I don't want an answer today, we'll wait a full week for you to make your decisions so that you can consider it carefully. I'd advise asking your clans about what chunin exams are like and whether or not they think that you are ready for them.
"In the end, though, the decision is yours and only yours."

Kurenai waited for several moments as all three genin thought through her words, then she motioned for them to follow her.

"For now, though, we need to pick up another D-rank." She remarked.

"Not Tora!" Kiba yelped.

"I'll see if there are any non-Tora missions." Kurenai chuckled and Kiba heaved a huge sigh of relief.

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"And that's done." Kosuke said as the duo descended from the top of the wall. "Just claim the payment from the guardpost and we're finished for the day."

"And I can take over." A new voice said, causing Kosuke and Naruto to look at the new arrival.

"Jiraiya-san." Kosuke said in a tone that was both respectful and somehow warning.

"Kosuke-san." Jiraiya responded with a respectful nod.

"Hey, weren't you calling him -sempai yesterday?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"Uhhhhh, yeah. Long story." Jiraiya said with an embarrassed shrug as he walked over with a slight limp. "So, if we collect your fiancee once she's finished her task, I can get you started on the third stage."

"Sure!" Naruto said as he raised his hands to form the cross-seal, then he paused.

"Sempai, do you want to come?"

"Thank you, but I'm heading home to be with my grandchildren this afternoon." Kosuke smiled, ruffling Naruto's hair and earning a mock-scowl in return. " I'd suggest sending a clone to pick up the payment."

"Good idea!" Naruto chirped as three clones appeared in a burst of smoke. "Thanks for helping me understand better, sempai."

"What?" Jiraiya asked as Naruto and two of the clones surrounded him. "What did he help you und…"

Kosuke smiled with amusement as a flash of golden light cut off Jiraiya's question.

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"And since I believe Hinata has special training, team training for today is done." Kurenai smiled. "Kiba, Shino, if either of you want any help with things you wish to improve, simply stay and tell me what you need help with. As for you, Hinata, I believe that your training partner should be here very soon."

"…stand better?" Jiraiya finished as he appeared in a flash of golden light. "Oh. Good afternoon, Kurenai-san."

"Jiraiya-sama." Kurenai said coolly and Jiraiya held up his hands in a defensive pose.

"No need to get angry! I'm not doing any more research until I leave Konoha! Promise!"

Kurenai blinked at the declaration even as the trio of Naruto's moved to greet her team.

"You… but…why?"

"Kosuke-sempei made some very forceful arguments. He had some… cutting comments and made several distinct points." Jiraiya said with a shudder of memory.

Kurenai blinked again, trying to come to terms with what the statement implied. "Ohhhh… kay?"

"Thank you for the training, Kurenai-sensei." Hinata said with a bow. "I look forwards to tomorrow's training."

"What are you learning?" Kiba asked curiously.

"It's a clan Jutsu." One of the three Naruto's provided. "Sorry."

Hinata smiled as she took position to the left of Jiraiya, joining hands with two of the Narutos, then they vanished in another burst of golden light, leaving one Naruto behind.

"Clone." He said by way of explanation. "Boss asked me to stay behind for a moment in case you needed anything."

"That's… very generous." Kurenai finally admitted, her eyes still on the space where Hinata had been standing. "Did Hinata really just…?"

"Yep." The clone nodded. "She did. Learned it in uder two hours, we think it's because she's got so used to sharing Boss' memories."

"That is one heck of a teaching technique." Kurenai said as she shook her head in resigned amusement.

"Clan jutsu?" The clone offered after a moment and Kurenai smiled.

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"The third stage." Jiraiya said as he held up an inflated balloon. Hinata activated her dojutsu and stared, as did her clones.

"Control." She whispered and Jiraiya nodded as he held up a rasengan in his other hand.

"As Hinata has realized, this part is all about holding the sphere steady. A single bit of loose chakra would be enough to shred the balloon, so you need to keep it as spherical as possible without actually touching the inside surface of the balloon. Do that memory-thing and get started."

Jiraiya pulsed the rasengans in his hands so that the balloon shredded, then let the chakra spheres dissipate. "Naruto, get it right and we'll see about summons next. Hinata, sorry, but I don't think you have enough yet to do a summoning technique, it takes quite a bit of chakra."

"I'm working on expanding my chakra reserves." Hinata smiled as her first clone dispelled. "I hope to be able to use the Kage Bunshin myself within a year."

Jiraiya gave her a proud smile. "Good target. And once you manage to learn it, it'll open up a whole new range of techniques for you."

"What I have learned so far already has." Hinata smiled and Naruto gave her a confused look. "I can curve my chakra in my strikes, it allows me to target up to six tenketsu in a single strike, although I can only do it from my hands at the moment. I'm still working on my feet and joints."

Jiraiya's jaw dropped.

"Even Neji-niisan doesn't know how I do it." Hinata added, her eyes sparkling with suppressed mirth.

"Ni-iiiiiiiice." Jiraiya smiled. "Very nice. Naruto, I bet you're suddenly very happy not to be going up against her in the exams."

"Hey, Hinata can kick my ass anyway with her Jyuuken." Naruto half-protested, causing Hinata to blush. "Why would she need to prove how awesome she is compared to me? Ow!"

Hinata lowered her hand. "Naruto, stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Putting yourself down." Jiraiya supplied. "I've been talking to all the Jonin and Special Jonin who've been helping to train you, right now you're pretty much a solid chunin. Sensei's admitted that if you get another mission that goes up in rank like Wave did, especially since you knew when to call for backup which is something many ninja never truly learn, you'll be granted the vest. Failing that, as long as you don't screw up, you'll be a chunin at sixteen by the latest."

Naruto grinned. "Thanks… Ero-sennin!"

"Dammit! Stop calling me that!" Jiraiya growled. "Look, just get practicing, okay? I have work to do."

Hinata raised an eyebrow and Jiraiya shook his head. "No, I said work, not research. Completely different."

"If you say so." Naruto replied, doubt filling his voice.

"I do, brat."

"Pervert.

"That's Super Pervert!"

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"Ow."Shikamaru moaned as Ino helped to bandage the wounds caused by the spray of senbon that the shadow user had almost dodged.

"Oh, shut up, you baby." Ino snapped. "I get worse than that whenever one of my traps misfires and I'm still working on my poison resistance. You have it easy."

"Go easy on him, Ino." Asuma laughed as he ambled up. "You all did good today."

"Thanks, Sensei." Choji said as he handed another bandage to Ino, who gave him a nod of thanks.

"So, I've decided that you do indeed have a chance." Asuma said. "The Chunin Exams are only a month away. I've been holding off on offering you the chance to participate, but I think that you will be able to cope, seeing how much you have progressed since Wave."

Ino grinned as she finished tying off the bandage around Shikamaru's arm.

"I heard that Kurenai's entered team eight as well." She noted. "So, how much is because you believe in us and how much is because you're trying to impress her enough to get her to jump your bones?"

Asuma coughed. "I… don't know what you're talking about…"

"Oh, please." Ino rolled her eyes. "We all know that you've got the hots for her and she thinks you've got a great ass. I guess it's okay for an old man…"

"Unlike your toyboy." Shikamaru said, somersaulting to avoid the senbon that Ino fired at him.

"Inari is not my toyboy!" Ino ranted as she flung another dozen senbon at the frantically-dodging Shikamaru before Asuma placed his hand on her shoulder. "He isn't."

"I didn't even mention him, you just assumed that he was who I was talk-whoah!" Shikamaru added, ducking back behind the tree as a trio of senbon whistled through the space he had been occupying.

"Anyway." Asuma said loudly to refocus their attention. "I want you three to think about whether or not you want to go for this exam or if you would prefer to train more in order to have a greater advantage at the next one."

"I vote for this one." Choji said as he pocketed the scroll that held the now-unneeded medical kit. "I don't know where the next one is to be held, we'll have the home-field advantage for this one."

Ino gave her large team-mate a look of respect.

"Damn, Choji, I didn't expect you to come up with that reasoning." She marvelled and Choji blushed slightly.

"I have been trying to keep up with you and Shika…" He mumbled defensively.