All right, it's Sunday and time for another chapter of the Will of Fire. I know that I did not publish a chapter doing the week, I do apologize for that. I just didn't get around to it. I may also drop down to once a week again for a bit. It depends on how quickly I get to part three. We'll see how things go. Let's get all of the chapter!
THE WILL OF FIRE
PART TWO
Chapter 52 - The Final Question
The entire room held its breath as Shikamaru tried to activate the test. No one knew if he was right or not, but they couldn't look away. He might just have the answer. He seemed to have it. Maybe that meant that he was right. Then again he could be just a fool. Either way the room kept their eyes on him. No one moved or made a sound. They just watched what appeared on the page.
Then the text appeared. A lump formed in Shikamaru's throat as he read what it said, "Congratulations. You have successfully activated your test, Shikamaru. Please wait for more instructions. The next part of the exam will start soon."
He had done it! Shikamaru had activated the test! He gotten it right! Now all he needed to do was explain. He had promised to do that and he wouldn't break his word. Besides, he wanted his comrades to pass. It would be such a drag if they all failed. He looked at the other shinobi in the room then sighed. If he was going to help his comrades than he was probably going to have to help them too. Once he explained then it was no going back. Everyone would know the secret. It was impossible to hide it now. He might as well explain it to make it easier for them.
Shikamaru ventured over to Sakura then gave her his number. "Here. You'll need this." She took it warily. He explained. "Your number is worthless to you. As the proctor explained. It is only useful to your opponent. It will not unlock your test." This was something that the entire room knew. It was why they were so desperate to get the other team's numbers. "However, you cannot take this item by force. It must be given to you freely. You have to help each other to pass. Nothing else will work."
His teammate, Ino interrupted, "It can't be that easy. There has to be more to it!"
The others in the room silently agreed. You shouldn't help your enemy. It was counter-intuitive. Shinobi do not cooperate with the enemy. What he said does not make any sense. Yet this was exactly what happened. It shouldn't work, but for some reason it did! They were at a loss.
Only Sasuke believed Shikamaru. He walked over to Choji and gave him his number. Who reluctantly gave him his number. Then they all went down and activated their tests together. It worked!
Reluctantly, she went down to the Proctor's desk and took a exam. Then she placed the number on the test and waited. Within moments, a similar message appeared for her. The room was shocked. It shouldn't have worked yet it did. Sakura could now take the test too. They had no idea how that could work. All their previous efforts to secure the numbers had failed. Why would something so simple work? It defied logic. Yet, they could not ignore what they saw. It had worked. Now, they needed to figure out why. And the one who had the answer was Shikamaru.
Shikamaru could feel the eyes of the room upon him. He hated it. He much preferred to be home watching the clouds than doing this annoying test. He didn't like tests nor did he like being the center of attention. Yet that is exactly what was going on. He hated it! What a drag. He thought as finally got around to explaining.
"Switch the numbers with someone else. Trust me, it will work." When no one moved he clarified, "If you remember; the proctor mentioned the six who did not make it to this room. I know that you probably don't care about them but they are important. Their failure is the key to everything. They got caught in a trap that they were warned about. Why? Because they did not trust another team. It's as simple as that."
Naruto scratched his head. "Yeah so, what's that got to do with switching our numbers?"
Shikamaru sighed. It was just like Naruto not to get the obvious. He liked the fool but he wasn't good at he wasn't that smart. Sometimes it was hard to believe that he really was the son of the Fourth Hokage. How could he not inherit his father's intelligence? If he didn't know any better than he would believe the rumors about his mother.
"Everything, Naruto. They wanted you to help each other. The proctor said it herself: You have to get a number from someone else without using violence any kind. There is no way to take the numbers by force. You must trade the numbers with someone else in order to pass the exam."
Shikamaru didn't want to keep talking. It was annoying to be the center of attention. He did not like to blabber on like Naruto. He just wanted to get this over with. Frankly, he didn't care if the others got it or not. All that mattered was that his team passed. That way his parents didn't pester him about losing. The rest didn't matter. However, in order to do that he needed the cooperation of another team. He saw no better team to work with than Naruto's ragtag bunch. Now if only they would just do what he needed and . . .
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud whoop from Naruto. He ran over to Ino and offered his number to her. Naruto grinned from ear to ear while she looked at him warily. She had heard what Shikamaru said. She trusted her teammate on this, but it was a huge leap of faith. He could be so very wrong. Naruto could be up to something. Who am I kidding? This is Naruto we're talking about! He's too simple to be so underhanded. Cautiously, she traded numbers with him. Shortly after the rest of the room followed suit. Before he knew it everyone in the room had successfully activated their tests. All they had to do was wait for the proctor to return. Which didn't take long at all!
Karin Uzumaki reappeared in a dramatic way. There was a loud bang then smoke filled the room. It was so thick that one could not see an inch in front of their face! It didn't last long but it sure was irritating for the genin. Now they were trapped inside a room with the red head from hell. If they didn't hate their proctor before they sure did now. Being stuck in a room with Karin Uzumaki was sure to get on anyones nerves. Even her 'nephew' seemed annoyed. Naruto wanted to kill his aunt. This was embarrassing! She had to stop now before anyone else realized that they were related.
She cheerfully called out, "Congratulations! You have all successfully activated your tests!" In response the room grumbled. They didn't like listening to Karin very much. Her cheerful nature was quickly grating on them. "You have all proven that you can see beyond your preconceptions. I am truly awed by your willingness to help each other." She began to swoon in front of them. It was nauseating. Naruto wanted this to end - soon.
Karin, on other hand, was enjoying herself thoroughly. She had no intention of stopping. It was time to scare the pants off of them. I love my job! She thought as she took a more serious tone. "Since you are so much closer now: Why don't we get to the main event, Shall we?" She smiled again. A shiver went up Naruto's spine. He had seen that look before. It was never good when you saw it. She had something terrible up her sleeve. "Good! This is going to be fun!" She laughed a little as she performed a few hand signs. In an instant, the messages on the page disappeared. They were blank again.
"Your fate is on the side of the other side of the paper. On it will be one of the three symbols." She walked over to the board then drew three symbols. "The first is a square. This means that you safe. That appears on - oh - 30 percent of the tests. Those who get it are lucky dogs. This test is over for them. You can move on."
Karin pointed to the X on the board. "Another forty percent will receive this helpful X. This means that you have failed. That is unless someone with this symbol saves you" She pointed to the circle. "Otherwise, you're screwed." Karin really relished telling them that. It made this job all the better. It wasn't as much fun as interrogating but it was close. Watching the poor little genin's emotions go on a roller coaster ride was delicious. It made all the preparation for the exam worth while.
"The rest of you have received a Circle." Karin's voice got low again as she leaned forward. "These are the wild cards." A slight chuckle escaped her lips. "These poor souls are screwed. Not only do they fail but they can never take this test again. They will be forever genin." She said that way too chipper for the tastes of the people in the room. She made sure they understood that part. It made being a circle so unappealing. "They can, however, choose to save one team with an Xs from failing. They are the lifeline of those who failed. That is, assuming that they choose to use that power. It must be of their free will. Any coercion will not be tolerated. They must want to help you."
"Why would they? They are still screwed! Just like their team. For if one fails then the entire team fails. That hasn't changed. You can only save another team from destruction." It was almost as if she realized the punchline of joke. "Your career as shinobi may be dead but at least another will be saved. That's enough, isn't it?" Laughter escaped from her lips. Of course it wasn't. It never was. Who would want to save another at the cost of their own career? Very few would ever even offer. Meaning that the ones with an X were pretty much screwed right along with the circles.
You could hear a pin drop in the room. No one moved. No one spoke. They were far too absorbed with what was on their paper. Their fate was in this crazy woman's hands and it wasn't fair. It was far too random and absurd to believe. Their career hung in the balance. Just a flip of a coin and this all could be over. It was horrifying! How could their Kages let this happen? They didn't have a chance!
"Now, don't worry. There is a another option." She gestured towards the door. It silently opened at her command. "You can choose to end the exam now and leave." Karin kept her tone even as she spoke. She was completely serious about this. "Of course, if you leave - you fail. But, you can return next year to try again."
She took a breath then asked, "So, what is your choice: Will you stay and risk everything? Or will you save yourselves? The choice is yours."
All right, that's it for now. I'll see you all next time!
