'How are you supposed to react when you meet fictional characters for real? Treat them as celebrities? Cosplayers? Old friends? Or just like any regular person? And what was I to do about the events that were about to unfold? Can I even do anything about it?

The danger level of this world just multiplied by a hundred fold. But this also presents me with many opportunities. I've seen this story before. I just need to get out of here safely and find a bit of time to think and recall what little I can remember and then come up with a plan.'

If you knew what the winning lottery numbers were going to be, you would have to be crazy not to buy that ticket.

'But it's been years since I last saw the show...I don't have the strength to fight against what is coming and I might be mistaken as an enemy if I start talking or even worst, taken in for interrogation. Then all I can do is go with the flow and take advantage of what little I remember when I have the chance.' I thought as I looked down at the blonde ninja on the field. 'He will save the day anyways.'

"Let's go, our seats is this way." Kuro said, breaking me out of my trance.

I took a glance at the seven young teenagers lined up on the field facing the man I had met earlier as he explained the rules of the finals.

'So this was the proctor work he had to do.' I thought as I followed Kuro down the arena steps.

Passing by all the important looking people in the VIP section we were in, I felt underdressed. Almost everyone was wearing expensive and formal looking robes and tall hats including Kuro. There had to be at least a hundred of them and this was not including people of their retinue and the those like me who were invited.

"Ah, you're back, Young Master Sakamoto." A man with a Fu Manchu moustache said when we arrived at our large and comfy looking seats.

"Yes, Lord Fukuyama. This is my friend I was telling you about, Umezaki Zai." Kuro said as he sat down next to the man with me taking the seat beside Kuro.

"Zai, this is Lord Fukukawa, he is an envoy from the Land of Rivers." He introduced me the man with the Fu Manchu.

"Since the Sakamoto Clan is right across the border from us, you can call us neighbours." Lord Fukukawa added.

"And next to him is Sir Wagarashi, he owns a very influential merchant house in the Land of Tea." Kuro introduced another man next to Lord Fukukawa with a small wart over the left eye and a less wild looking mustache.

"You're much younger than I had anticipated." Sir Wagarashi said. "How old are you?"

"I'm 10 years old."

"You're even younger than the contestants down there. It's amazing that you survived an ambush like that at such a young age." Sir Wagarashi said.

"Yes, the next generation is truly full of young dragons. Especially since we've heard that young Umezaki comes from a humble background." Lord Fukukawa nodded.

"Uh, thanks." I said, feeling awkward from all the praise.

"Speaking of young dragons, do you think the Uchiha boy will show up?" Sir Wagarashi asked.

"I haven't the slightlest clue. This chunin exam has been administered extremely poorly in my opinion." Lord Fukukawa said and Sir Wagarashi nodded in agreement.

"What do you mean?" Kuro asked.

"Excluding the tardiness of the last Uchiha, there was that incident just now with the Land of Hot Waters Daimyo's oxen. Konoha should have assigned someone to watch over them to prevent anyone from trespassing and putting their hands on the Daimyo's oxen." He said as he glanced down at a certain ninja on the field. "The security also seems a bit lighter than usual."

"I guess the years of peace has affected even Konoha for them to be slacking off." Sir Wagarashi said. "Some of the lords were also complaining about how they had some problems during the second stage of the exam."

"What happened?"

'I think I know what they're referring to.'

"Why don't you explain, Lord Fukukawa. I understand that you have some close contacts with the Land of Grass."

Lord Fukukawa shook his head as he stroked the whiskers of his Fu Manchu.

"The Land of Grasses' Daimyo is very upset because Kusagakure lost an entire team of genin during the second stage. I've also heard that one of Amegakure's team have also been killed."

"What?! Really?" Kuro exclaimed.

"It's true. Apparently, Konoha was supposed to have supervisors watching over the examinees to prevent any deaths from occurring."

"Suppose to?"

"Those supervisors were probably slacking off too." Sir Wagarashi added.

"I'm not sure what exactly happened. Other than a terse explanation that deaths could happen, Konoha is currently keeping quiet about the details of what occurred, even with some of the lords and Daimyos putting pressure on them. All of those who passed the second stage are also keeping quiet. Sunagakure and Otogakure won't say a word and the other examinees who passed all belong to Konoha. Now tensions are running high with some of the lords."

"I thought deaths were common at these things." I said.

"That's just something they tell the contestants to simulate real world circumstances." Lord Fukukawa waved his hand. "Can you imagine the fallout if countries had their assets, that they put years of effort into training, dying on foreign soil all the time?"

"That makes sense."

"Though it may be a different case in other villages when they run their own internal exams."

"You're referring to Kirigakure's infamous graduation exam?" Sir Wagarashi mentioned.

"Yes, but as barbaric as they are, I imagine that even they cannot afford to wantonly discard their future manpower. Lest they fall behind the other countries."

"You don't think this could lead to war do you, Lord Fukukawa?" Sir Wagarashi asked.

"Don't be so dramatic, it's only a couple of genins. The Land of Fire's Daimyo will surely have to accede to a few of concessions. He will be very displeased with the Hokage I'm sure."

"Ah, it looks like it's starting." Sir Wagarashi said as he looked down at the field.

Five of the contestants were exiting the field, leaving a ninja with long black hair and a blonde ninja in orange tracksuit on the field.

A few drunken lords behind us were talking loudly.

"I'll wager my priceless calligraphy scroll composed by Master Kurama on the Hyuuga ninja, how about it?"

"Hoho, I know what you're after. Very well, I shall take you up on it. I'll wager my vacation estate in the Land of Hot Water on the ostentatious one."

Our group exchanged looks as we smiled at their antics.

"Some of us do not have such expensive hobbies but perhaps we could pass the time with a more modest wager." Lord Fukukawa chuckled.

"Haha, it wouldn't hurt to have a little fun but I'm not one for making losing bets. How about Lord Fukukawa be gracious and allow me to bet on the Hyuuga boy?" Sir Wagarashi said as he read through a small book with information on the contestants.

"Hmmm." Lord Fukukawa rubbed his whiskers before he raised his hand.

A attendant soon arrived and bowed next to him. "Yes, Lord Fukukawa?"

"Who is that blonde ninja?"

"He is Uzumaki Naruto, a rookie genin in a team under the Copy Ninja and teammate of Uchiha Sasuke." The attendant said.

"If I recall, Konoha usually pair their best ninjas with their worst when creating teams. And Uchiha Sasuke is supposedly their best this year..." Lord Fukukawa said. "I'll give Sir Wagarashi 2 to 1 odds if you let me bet on the Hyuuga."

"I'm sorry, Lord Fukukawa, but even if it's for fun I'd rather not lose on purpose."

"3 to 1!" He held out 3 fingers.

Sir Wagarashi shook his head.

"How about you, Young Master Sakamoto?" Lord Fukukawa asked him.

"Uhh..." Kuro looked uncomfortable.

"I'll take that bet." I said.

"Truly?!"

"You're taking the bet, Zai!?"

"Sure, what are the rules though?"

"What do you mean by rules?" Lord Fukukawa asked. "It is simply who wins and who loses. Since I promised 3 to 1 odds, if you wager 1 ryo I'll have to match it with 3 ryos."

"But what happens if there is a draw or disqualification? Or someone forfeits before or during the match? Or if a third party interferes with the match?"

"You're getting into a bit too much detail aren't you, young friend?" Sir Wagarashi questioned.

"Uchiha Sasuke hasn't shown up yet, so I believe it makes sense that young Umezaki is worried if he may be disqualified or forced to forfeit."

"Sorry, I'm a co-owner of a casino so you can call it a professional habit."

"So young Umezaki had a background like that? I'm impressed." Sir Wagarashi said as he nodded.

"We've recently partnered with a many other businesses in town, so if you gentlemen ever decide to pay a visit to Yamainu, just give them my name and they will prepare the best VIP services we have."

"Oh, then I'll have to take you up on your offer. I'll be in Yamainu Town for a little to pay my respects to the late Lord Kamitani. It's unfortunate what happened."

"Yes..."

"Why don't we have some fun with it then?" Lord Fukukawa said. "In the case of a disqualification or forfeiture—either before or during the match, It will count as a loss. For a draw, we can add a third option to bet on a draw rather than either of the two contestants. As for third party interference, the wager will be voided."

'So that means I won't be able to bet on the final round. I guess this is good enough.' I thought. 'I only brought 10 obans and a few ryos though, I should have brought more money.'

"What are the betting limits?" I asked.

"Why don't we keep it to 100 ryos." Lord Fukukawa said. "How about it?"

"That sounds perfect." I couldn't keep away the large grin that had worked it's way on my face. "Since Lord Fukukawa wanted Hyuuga, I'll bet the limit on the underdog."

"Don't forget me, I don't want to be left out of the fun." Sir Wagarashi grin from the side. "You can wager with me as well."

"Look's like I'm going to have to borrow some money from you, Kuro." I whispered to Kuro as my grin only grew wider.

I looked down at the field where Naruto was holding out his fist to Neji.

"I'll win, no matter what!"

Here we are.

Most of the fics I've read always did the exam from the contestants pov. I always wondered wondered what it would be like on the other side while reading those fics. The idea grew from there and that was how this story was born.

Merry Xmas, happy holidays, etc.