Chapter 36 – Test of the Mind
"I'm not going near that thing!" Naruto shook his fist towards the hazy red sky.
"Do you want to be trapped forever?" A female voice echoed around him. "You know what the rules are!"
Leaning against the yellow and grey stone walls he muttered, "Of course I don't wanna be stuck here!" He said this whilst keeping a wary eye on the grey object in the corner, "But why does it have to be that object we're collecting? Why not the pretty maiden, huh? Or how about that stupid spider...I can pick up a spider!"
"Damn it Naruto, if the walls change and block you off again, I swear I'll kill you myself!"
Now the knuckle headed ninja pouted, "Well no need to get so uppity, Mr Engineer! Why don't you come down here and go get it?"
Enjin could feel his facial muscles twitching involuntary, "Do you know how many times we've had to back track moves because you won't pick it up? We could have collected the last three objects by now!"
This did make the blond haired man reflect for a moment, "Alright! I get all that!" He looked across and gulped, "But why does it have to be a ghost?"
The 'ghost' Naruto was referring to was quite happily hovering in the corner minding its own business. It was an average sized ghost with two yellow eyes and an expression that suggested that it was more scared of the candidates, than they were of it! Gently it floated to and fro waiting to be collected.
Now Naruto gingerly tip toed towards the ghost chanting a mantra that Toshie promised would stop the ghost from possessing him.
"Ghosts are baloney; ghosts can't scare, because they're only full of hot air?" Enjin raised an eyebrow.
"If it helps him collect the stupid thing, why not?" she shrugged back.
How did we get stuck with this guy?
"Ghosts are baloney; ghosts can't scare, because they're only full of hot air. Ghosts are baloney; ghosts can't scare, because they're only full of hot air. Ghosts are baloney; ghosts can't scare, because they're only full of hot...AAHH!"
Loudly Naruto screamed as he went to pick up the ghost. Opening his eyes he found that the ghost had promptly disappeared.
"Er, guys? The ghost is gone, is that a good thing?"
"So, you finally managed to acquire it? I am surprised. In that case I will not ask you to vacate the premises after all." The proctor made a few swift notes on his clipboard and then walked away.
Toshie wiped her forehead, "That was a little too close!"
"We can't waste anymore time," Enjin took another glance at the large square board in front of him.
There were 16 fixed tiles in this maze like game called Labyrinth that never moved. Any row or column of the other thirty two tiles could be manipulated vertically or horizontally, provided the free tile of the current player pushed them in that direction!
Naruto was the orange dot glowing in the south eastern corner. All the squads had to choose one member to be put into the maze and they showed up as different colours. The other candidates were in charge of moving their team mate around the board to collect five specific items.
Seibi-shi watched their movements carefully. Each group was desperately trying to pick up the objects they needed whilst blocking the path of their opponent. This was the most peculiar game of strategy he had ever encountered. The game was deceptively simple and perhaps with two players that might be true. You could easily work out where the other player was headed and make life very difficult for them. However there were multiple squads here. The paths to items kept changing with every turn as the walls moved. The enemy had no idea whether their choices were hindering or helping anyone else.
Turning the ghost card over Toshie took the next card from the pack which depicted a set of keys.
"Looks like we're in luck for once!" She smiled at her brother. "Hey Naruto, things are going to get bumpy for a sec, hold on!"
She could hear an irritable groan from below, "Not again!"
Naruto felt the large chunk of earth he was standing on begin to shake and tremble. It was being lifted high into the air! Around him was nothing only a swirling red abyss that matched the sky above.
He clung on, "I should have kept my big mouth shut!"
From this height he could see that other parts of the path were moving all around the maze. At regular intervals the tiles were redirected and placed into a completely different location. As he squinted against the light it turned out he was mistaken. This wasn't the only maze in the area there were at least three others! He and the other candidates were playing a life sized version of some board game!
When at last his sky ride had come to an end and the path was rejoined securely he jumped off.
"Okay, now turn around and pick up the rusty keys dead ahead of you!" Enjin sang in a happy mood for once.
Skipping to them Naruto scooped up his prize and smirked.
Suddenly the keys rose into the air and were dancing in front of him! With annoyance he tried to grab a hold, but they were teasing him and jumped out of range.
"What the-"
He watched dumbfounded as the keys floated away from him and into the hands of another awaiting ninja.
This man was rather tall with raven black hair. He tossed the keys up and down with one hand playfully.
"Are these yours?" he asked.
"Yeah, what of it?" Naruto snapped back recognising the headband of the Hidden Mist.
The Mist ninja tossed them up again and blue strings of chakra could be seen shining in between his fingers. He placed the keys into his pocket, giving them a satisfying tap. The man was sitting at the top of one of the walls peering down at the disgruntled youth.
"So, this your first time at the Chunin exams?"
"Second," Naruto told him truthfully. "What about you?"
"Sixth, maybe seventh, to be honest I can't remember how many times I've been here!"
"Sorry to hear that, but I really need those keys." He stretched out his hand.
"What's your name?"
"It isn't polite to ask someone their name unless you give your name first!"
"Takehiko Hachiro," he offered without hesitation. To him giving names was not that big a deal.
"Uzumaki Naruto," he said still stretching out his hand.
Hachiro smirked, "Uzumaki Naruto, eh? Why is the great hero of Konoha even bothering with these exams? You'd think that your abilities and combat record would guarantee you Chunin status at least! Why bother with this whole charade?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Naruto was outraged. "Becoming a great ninja isn't just about having power and how many enemies you've defeated! These exams are a rite of passage and you don't move up until you earn it! Otherwise what's the point of the whole shinobi hierarchy?"
"Please, please just give me a moment!" The Mist Ninja begged.
Naruto was confused when Hachiro produced a paper bag.
"That's better, now I can vomit without making a mess!" He burst out laughing, "You really believe all that crap don't you? Look Naruto, I'm sorry to say it but not all ninja believe in the system. Not all the proctors and examiners are interested in ninja that play fair. They're interested in ninja that get results!"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that these keys now belong to me."
"Hey! We need that!" He cried out desperately. "There's no reason to steal other people's objects!"
"Aside from whittling down the competition," Takehiko pointed out. "The less number of squads the better our chances, all simple maths, Naruto. I want to bring the odds into our favour."
Naruto gave a shout to Enjin and Toshie, "Hey, people are starting to play dirty down here. They're taking objects that don't belong to them!"
"Well, don't just stand there!" They both shrieked into the speaker. "Get it back!"
This was not good news for Enjin who estimated that there were six squads left competing.
Toshie was worried, "At this rate our objects won't be on the board even if we do get to their position!"
"GIVE IT BACK!" Naruto was losing it now.
What am I supposed to do?
Through the chaos and shouting Enjin tried to concentrate and form a plan. They were so close to completing the task, but it was slipping through their fingers with each tick on the clock.
The engineer clutched his chest he was starting to hyperventilate.
Shit! I can't lose now!
It was too hard to breathe. It was too hard to think. The pressure was like a weight gradually becoming heavier and heavier pushing any hope of a useful idea out of his head.
I've messed up!
"Hey guys!" Naruto piped up. "We could do with a few extra hands to get the objects right?"
Enjn blinked at the flashing orange spot, "Yeah, but..."
"Then believe in me!" And with that he put his hands together and quickly weaved several signs. He called at the top of his lungs, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The two team mates gasped as twenty five more orange dots appeared on the board! At once they scattered and began clambering over the walls and dashing down paths.
Enjin watched with awe, his palms hot and sweaty. His brown eyes were glued to the proctor expecting him to throw them out.
"Well, this is the first original idea I have seen during this whole process!" The older man admitted.
"But the rules clearly state-"
"On a mission the situation is constantly changing. Do you believe the enemy is going to follow the same path as you? Do you think they are honourable and stick to the rules? Sometimes you must adapt the game to give yourself half a chance!"
Takehiko Hachiro was never quite sure what hit him when Naruto shouted, 'Rasengan!' He remembered the wall crashing down and tumbling from his comfortable perch. After that all went very dark.
When the dust had settled Naruto retrieved the keys from his fallen opponent.
"That'll teach you for being greedy!" He said. "Humph!"
Enjin was rubbing his eyes wildly, "I don't know where the hell you pulled that from Naruto but you're amazing!"
The Jinchūriki beamed at the compliment. It was nice (even for just a little while) to be getting along with his impromptu team mate. He recalled how it had all happened so suddenly: fighting at the park and the next thing Yasu turning up and chewing Enjin out.
She listened to both stories with equal patience. Apparently Enjin's third squad member was sick in hospital. Upon hearing Naruto's interesting theory that in fact he could enter the Chunin exams without two other members, she tried very hard not to laugh. She explained kindly that despite saving the Kage's life he couldn't expect Gaara to bend the rules for him.
"How are ninja supposed to learn about team work if they don't work in a team?" she'd asked him.
As expected Naruto had no answer to give and suddenly felt slightly foolish. It was then that Yasu struck upon the idea that there was a way for everyone to get what they wanted. She drew Enjin, Toshie and Naruto close together.
"So, how about it?"
They'd looked at each other in surprise. At first it seemed impossible. They didn't know anything about each other. Yasu vouched for Naruto and insisted that he would be a fantastic addition to the squad. So it was the three candidates made it to the admissions tent by the skin of their teeth and the rest was history!
With the other shadow clones it didn't take long for Naruto to collect the dragon and finally the sword at the very end of the northern path.
Did we make it in time?
Enjin and Toshie held their breath as the proctor continued to check his timing instruments and make additional observations. Finally he returned to the pair now reunited with Naruto who had stepped through the final door.
"Team Katashi, I presume?" He wanted confirmation.
All three replied in unison, "Yes, that's us!"
The proctor sniffed looking down at them through a pair of dark rimmed spectacles. He shook his head, "Never in all my days have I seen such a bunch of misfits! And you!" There was a glare directed at the blue haired ninja. "Do you even realise that you have other squad members? The way you choked back there I've half a mind to let you go!"
"Please!" Enjin sank to his knees. "We've only been together a short time, but I know we can work together. Just give us a chance!"
"You did collect the items and managed to complete the task in the given time," the proctor considered the facts. "Be it literally the final nano second!" He showed the timer to them when making his point. "But a test of the body is next and it might very well be your downfall."
"Put us through and we'll prove to you how strong we are!" Toshie was now also on her knees begging.
"And what about you?" The proctor demanded. "Are you prepared to continue with these 'make shift' comrades of yours?"
Naruto considered the Seibi-shi siblings kneeling on the floor. Would they be able to trust each other enough to make it through? This was a tricky question. He could see the passion in their eyes, their desperation and hope. It reminded him of how excited he was to be taking part in the Chunin exams all those years ago. This was nothing like the first time around with Sasuke and Sakura. Enjin and Toshie were completely different people and he had to accept this was not going to be easy.
"If they're just comrades for the sake of the Chunin exams maybe not," he said sadly with a shrug. "Who wants to make a bond only to break it when it no longer suits them? Is that what you intend to do Enjin, when all this is over?"
The engineer was silent. He was surprised at this side of Naruto who had come across as a fool until now. Behind the mask of a clown was actually a very deep and honest man. It scared him a little like the blond was staring directly into his heart.
"Toshie, is the only reason you're being nice to me for the sake of your brother? So while things are going well you accept me, but if we get thrown out you'll just pretend like you don't know me any more?"
"Naruto I..." she could only look at the ground.
He sighed. "I don't want to be a part of a team that just uses each other. I'm guilty of the same thing! I was so desperate to get into the Chunin exams, I didn't want to go home and tell Kakashi Sensei that I'd messed up again!"
"So we go no further then? Is that what you're saying? All because you've had an attack of conscience! You are a complete pain in the ass!"
Enjin pounced on him grabbing the coarse material of his orange jump suit. He was pulling Naruto towards him angry at the ninja changing his mind like the whims of a child.
"I don't care about me any more! I wanted to do this for Yasu Sensei she's counting on me to give it my all. I know what she said about team work. I'm prepared to face the challenges but that's enough! I can see now that I can't do everything by myself!"
"These exams are designed to test you to the limit," Naruto said quietly. "I need to know if you've got my back."
Enjin pulled a disgusted face.
"Hey, it's not just about having comrades to save my skin! I want to know that you've got my back because you trust me to protect yours!"
"I've got Toshie." His grip on the jacket was beginning to loosen.
"You've always had each other to rely on and that's great!" Naruto's words became intense. "But you have to let others in, you have to take a risk! If you can't do that then we may as well pack up and go home now!"
Enjin let him go completely but looked him squarely in the eye. ""I haven't come all this way just to quit! But you're right this squad was formed for convenience - at least it was to begin with."
He wondered suddenly what Yasu might do in this situation. It had taken him months to accept her as his teacher. She was one of the few people that he could genuinely say that he would trust in a pinch. Lady Leaf believed in Naruto for whatever reason. If he couldn't allow himself to take a leap of faith all of this was going to come to an end.
"I've never trusted anyone one hundred percent," he hated the way his voice sounded, pathetic and weak. "Life is a bitch and the only person you can rely on is you. People say 'I'll look out for you' but when it comes down to it they always... I've let down my own sister on countless occasions. You're asking me to change who I am-"
"You think you're the only person in the world who has ever felt that way?" Naruto interrupted. "I've met so many people that have done just that! They opened up and from what I can see they're much happier now." He could sense Enjin's confusion. "I'm not saying it'll happen overnight, but are you willing to try?"
"Yasu Sensei has this saying, I'll try anything once." He laughed.
Upon hearing these words the Konoha ninja went to shake his hand. Enjin looked at it and kept his hands firmly by his sides.
"Do we have to do that?" he pleaded. "It's a bit naff!"
Naruto's face screwed up as though he had swallowed a fly.
What the hell is wrong with a handshake?!
The two glared at each other.
Finally Naruto exhaled in defeat, "Fine, guess we should stick to changing one thing at a time!"
Author's note – Sorry there was no Gaara and Amelia in this chapter! I realise that there are a few readers that want to find out what happens – please be patient. I have written two very intense chapters for the story ahead regarding those two, so it is in the pipeline!
It's been a while since I've written about Naruto. I loved being able to get inside his head again, he's such a bouncy happy guy! In contrast to all the doom and gloom happening in Suna it was very refreshing.
I think the comedy in this chapter might be a little 'marmite' but when it comes to Naruto you can't really avoid it! I hope you've enjoyed it anyway.
Happy New Year!
Allybee x