TigrezzTail - You know it occurred to me that I could respond to reviews by PMing you, but I've started this way, so I might as well see it through. I'm glad you liked Kakashi's interaction with Toru! Toru, while smart, is also so, so hopeless with people that he's really closed to. But, he also kinda manages in life. So, of course, Kakashi sees him as the pinnacle of human interaction. As to Toru figuring out Asuma nd Kurenai... Who knows? I mean, Toru is also like 16 and they're much older so they might just view Kakashi and Toru's friendship as strange.
"The chūnin exams are coming up," Kurenai says, cutting the conversation in half and putting it on hold, (a meaningless conversation that isn't, exactly, meaningless). Toru glances at her, (they're rookies, but they're also ninjas), and already has an idea of what she is going to say. "Are you going to recommend your teams? They've got the necessary qualifications."
"I will," Kakashi says, flicking a page over in his book. This one has a title, although Toru is in the wrong position to see it, (maybe he should swap reading recommendations with Kakashi, even though he hasn't had much time to read much in the past few years). Still, like all of Kakashi's books that Toru's seen thus far, this one also has a plain cover. "They can do well and possibly have a chance of making it to chūnin – or, at least, to the finals, and then getting a good reputation through that and so forth."
"It'd be a good learning experience for them, nothing bad is going to happen," Asuma says slowly, (but slowly as in thoughtfully, carefully, the words measured and sounded out before spoken aloud). "I'm more than likely going to place my team in. It's happening in Konoha as well, to there'll be a home advantage for them and it'll be safer than if it was happening elsewhere. Do you know where the next chūnin exams are meant to be held?"
Kurenai hums. "In Kirigakure, I believe."
Nodding, Asuma responds, "What about the ones after that?"
Where Kurenai pauses in thought, Toru answers, (there is knowledge hidden in the shadows where small hands or small insects can easily get at it; Toru does not just have an information organisation in only Konoha, after all), "In Iwagakure," he says. "At least, I'm pretty certain it is."
"Correct," Asuma says, (and doesn't question it). "Both places where Konoha won't send genins to, regardless of peace. That means it'll be another year until they can become chūnin unless there's an in-field promotion of some kind. Either way, this chūnin exam will be a good learning experience."
"Kiba-kun and Ino-chan do have a chance of becoming chūnin," Toru adds. "Kiba-kun has finally gotten the hang of fighting with and without Akamaru, and can think his way around the problems as long as he remembers too. Ino-chan has started doing really well in terms of her fighting and actual specialisations."
"What about the others?" Kurenai asks, (she is not asking him to prove himself, but for his opinion; he doesn't need to prove himself here, they're all equals regardless of rank). "Surely you can think of more than just those two who would become chūnins."
"Shikamaru-kun has a really good chance of becoming chūnin, and I expect he will. Hinata-chan may become a chūnin, as it really depends on her mentality because she has the fighting capability, but some may view her mindset as weak. Chōji-kun needs to expand his repertoire a bit more; he also wants to learn more first as well, I think, and Shino-kun wants to get stronger first, as he still feels like he depends too much on his insects."
"Gai is putting his team in," Kakashi says. Glancing at Toru before looking down at his book once again. Toru rolls his eyes. The jōnin fails at asking questions blatantly, preferring to insinuate something and let everyone else figure out what he actually said, (others have to make the effort, others have to show that Kakashi's thoughts and words are important in a conversation, that he matters here with them).
"Gai-san has had his team for a year, and they're probably ready to be promoted. Neji-kun has the possibility of being promoted, as long as he makes a good showing of his stealth capabilities and tactile thinking. Lee-kun may be promoted, I'm not entirely sure since he's primarily focussed on his taijutsu, and I don't know how that carries into considerations for promotions rather than ninjutsu or genjutsu. Tenten-chan, I believe, needs to work more on her other skills and have a primary weapon. She's good at all of them, which is helpful, but she's not spectacular. In a one-on-one fight, she does well enough with her planning and thinking. However, I don't believe she's up to leading a team," Toru explains.
"What about my team?" Kakashi finally asks, book closing softly, (almost gently; and Toru knows this is a book that clearly the jōnin enjoys and possibly loves, but more to the point, he knows that Kakashi's question is significant). He's interested in Toru's thoughts, even if he's already made up his own mind about whether or not they'll manage to become chūnins.
"Honestly, there's a high chance all three will become chūnins," Toru begins. "They've all come quite far and showcase the characteristics necessary to become a chūnin, and have the power to back it up. However, I am aware that I'm far too close to them to give an accurate portrayal of their skills and will likely be biased in considering their capability to be a chūnin. In full, it'll really depend how all of the genins perform."
Kurenai gifts the others a smile and lifts her cup into the air. "To the genins." It is easy, Toru finds, to smile and lift his own cup into the air, an echo of the jōnin, (and a half-thought on his mind).
"What do you want to get out of these exams?" Toru asks the trio of genins, Kakashi a silent figure beside him, (but not an uncaring one, and that distinction is an important one). "What reason do you have to try and gain a chūnin promotion?"
"I want to be Hokage!" Naruto immediately responds, (he has been saying this for years; he has been meaning this for years). "I want to be seen. I want the reputation of being chūnin and therefore having some power to back up my words if I say something important. I want people to see me."
(The silent words are heard – he doesn't want people to look at him and just see the silhouette of a nine-tailed kitsune.)
"A good aim," Kakashi says, words measured but concise, (such a thing is a sign of a ninja who knows that words can hurt and so thinks them over every time). For all that he seems to stand lazily, posture slumped and eye half-lidded, it's clear he's paying attention to everyone and everything around him. "It will take time, though. Don't rush these things, promotions don't necessarily mean you're a step closer to your goal."
Naruto nods, focussed and paying attention, (it's only one difference, one sign of how far they've come). "I don't want to be seen as the kid Uchiha," Sasuke spits out, venomous all of a sudden, anger clear in his voice, in his posture. "I'm not just- just-"
"We know, Sasuke," Sakura immediately says, leaning into Sasuke, offering comfort, (his team has noted his struggles with being viewed as the younger Uchiha, and even his hitai-ate means nothing to these people). "You're not. Everyone's going to know that once these exams are over." Inhaling, Sasuke offers them a nod, and Sakura continues, "I want to access more material and learn more so I can help everyone achieve their dreams and achieve my own."
Toru laughs, shaking his head, but it's Kakashi who responds, posture adjusting slightly, subtly revealing his happiness or – at least – his contentment, (and his team read the silent words easily as they have come to know him and he has come to know them). "You've done well the three of you. So, go on in and get those promotions."
"Hai, Kakashi-sensei!" The three say loudly, spinning on their heels and entering the building where the first test will be held, (they are ninjas now, and no matter how much their hearts yearn to look back, they do not).
They're stumbling into one another, bumping shoulders and elbows, laughing and chattering nervously, (comfort offered and given in equal measure); Takuma, a silent and sleek shadow, keeps pace with Sasuke's leg. Entering the building, they're quickly surrounded by other ninjas – genins and those acting as supervisors, foreign and Konoha-born. "Back stairs?" Sasuke murmurs to the others, tilting his head towards the back of the building – the opposite direction to everyone else. Sakura and Naruto nod in agreement, trailing behind Sasuke like bodyguards as they fight their way against the crowd, (but they are not bodyguards, rather they are teammates – all of them).
They pass the bathrooms and make it to the back staircase, finally not needing to fight their way past anyone, (ninjas shouldn't take the path that lies ahead of them, but the one that twists and twirls its way around everything). "Do you reckon there'll be a pre-test?" Sakura asks.
Naruto, rushing ahead of the others by taking two steps at a time, pauses on a landing, (waiting for his teammates to catch up because they are in this together). "I'd say so. It'll be something really basic, probably to do with the second floor? The front staircase has a landing on the second and first floor, this one just goes straight to the third to bypass all that."
Sasuke grins, sharp, a baring of teeth more than anything else, (it's easy to see Toru in the gesture). "Good thing we scouted out this place last week," he remarks.
"If you know the battleground, you already have an advantage against those that don't," Sakura replies, voice dropping in pitch as she attempts to imitate Kakashi's voice. The trio giggle, nerves making themselves apparent once again, (how could they not be nervous?). Waving her hand, Sakura adds, "Or something along those lines."
"I thought you were spot on!" Naruto announces, as they reach the third floor, stepping out into a wooden hallway. Instinctively, they cluster together, shifting themselves until they're in a defensive position – Sasuke in the middle, strong with his taijutsu, Naruto on his left and weaker side, ready with ninjutsu, and Sakura on Sasuke's right, prepared to do whatever needs to be done, (instinctively, they come together as a team).
(Konoha celebrates teamwork, says it lifts people up, laud its advantages, tell everyone to use it, and it's because it works and helps in missions, but it also helps keeps ninjas sane when missions take and take and take.)
They enter, but not alone. They enter with one another, but also with a genin team in front of them and a genin team behind them, (slipping in like everyone else, not standing out because they are ninjas). It's easy, to take that step forward, to cross from outside in the hallway to into the room. The change in atmosphere is obvious and stifling. It grows tense, uncomfortably so. The jarring and abrupt nature of it makes Sasuke's shoulders lift, makes Sakura twist her fingers over and over, makes Naruto smile bigger, hand resting on his weapons pouch, (it makes them all tense and nervous; they all have their ticks and tells).
Team Kakashi are unbalanced for barely second, before Naruto spots others they know and tugs his teammates forward. Konoha-nins work together, group together, because there is safety in numbers and the notion of a team has been drilled into their heads for years. Thus, Naruto pulls his teammates over to Ino, Chōji, and Shikamaru who wait by the window.
Sasuke finds it easy, to follow Naruto through the crowd, slipping around other genins without a word, (he finds it easy to follow). They go largely unnoticed, just another team of genins amongst many others, (here, they are not special). It's crowded, people clustering together, teams having low conversations that are easy to overhear – but despite the tension, there's an undercurrent of excitement. It's why, when Ino launches into a rapid conversation, Sasuke finds himself drawn in, responding and adding his own input, (it also has to do with the fact that they are friends and acquaintances and peers). Surprisingly, it feels easy to let Team Asuma watch their backs, trusting them to do so, (it is easy for them to trust).
"Here comes Team Kurenai," Shikamaru says softly. "Looks like there's Team Gai with them as well." The other two rookie teams don't know Team Gai as well as Team Kakashi, but there is some familiarity due to Hinata and Neji's familial relationship, (family, they all know and respect, is important).
"Note anything interesting so far, Shika?" Ino asks, just as the two other Konoha teams join them.
"Some," Shikamaru relays. "One Sunagakure team has two members scared of the third, younger member. The redhead. They're definitely ones to watch. Everyone else is just… normal levels of caution, I suppose. That's the only interesting thing I've seen. Anyone else got anything?"
"Aside from that?" Ino shakes her head, (information is shared because they are not working against one another here, not yet at least). "Nothing. Seems like everyone's rather normal and we can't accurately judge their abilities until we see them."
There's a pause, a moment where they all have their own individual thoughts twirling in their heads and don't voice them, and then Sakura is half-turning, attention breaking away from those around her and instead to the ninja standing tall and menacing in front of the room, who had only just appeared. "Anyone know who he is?" She asks, eyes flicking from the ninja to her friends.
"Ibiki Morino, jōnin of some kind, head of Torture and Interrogation," Shikamaru reports with squinted eyes.
"Well-known, dangerous, won't hesitate in anything, loyal," Ino adds, forcing Shikamaru to high-five her. "That's all the intelligence Team Asuma has."
"Don't cross him, basically," Chōji aptly summarises. "Also, danger as in dangerous shinobi, not dangerous to us. Ino-chan forgot that."
Rubbing the back of her head, Ino says, "Sor–"
"Alright, listen up genins!" Ibiki Morino booms, voice sudden and effectively silencing the murmured and muffled conversations of various genins. It's a quick change, and the genins are carefully watching Ibiki, all with different reactions and intents. "Welcome to the first test of the Konoha Chūnin Exams! Approach your nearest supervisor as a team and they will present you with a number. Upon receiving a number, you will find your seat number and sit down." The man pauses, eyes roving over all of them. "Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation? GET TO IT!"
After the roar, there's a scramble as everyone charges towards their closest supervisor. Thankfully, twelve genins automatically working together, (Konoha teaches of teamwork and makes sure everyone learns it; it's not so much a word in their mind as it is a word scrawled on their hearts and scratched deep in their bones), and have a much easier time approaching the closest chūnin to them as a result, rather than fighting every other team as a group of three. They come together, once more after receiving their numbers, and then separate just as rapidly, a gesture and a quiet word, muffled 'good lucks' whispered to teammates and friends.
They know they are to put a show on for Konoha, proving Konoha's strength, but they are also here to get themselves promoted, to work as a team when needed and show their own personal abilities when not. Here, they cannot just rely on their teams – after all, upon being promoted, they won't always have their team members around.
"Different placements," Sakura comments, as Team Kakashi show one another their seat numbers. "Good luck, guys."
"You too, Sakura-chan!" Naruto replies, bright and loud, but somehow fitting in with the atmosphere so that his voice doesn't rise above anything and bring them irritated glances. For a moment, they're caught in one another's gazes, moments shared between their lives forever different but concurrently the same, (a liminal moment some would say).
For each genin, it feels like time stretches out in front of them as they wait for the rules that will dictate the first of many tests tbat they must face in order to receive a chūnin promotion. Realistically, they only wait a few minutes for everyone to settle, and even as the last genins hurry towards the remaining seats, Ibiki speaks, loud and demanding attention. "The chūnins around you will place a test paper face-down in front of you. It will contain nine questions. You must answer all questions correctly with a 60% success rate. If you, or anyone of your teammates, falls below the required success rate – you all fail. There will be a ten–"
"But that's not fair! You can't fail us all!" Some genin calls out, and receives numerous looks from everyone. No one knows whether it's bravery or idiocy that motivates them, but the murmured agreement from nearby genins is hard to ignore.
"DO NOT INTERUPT YOUR SUPERIOR WHEN THEY ARE TALKING!" Ibiki roars, stalking forward and halting in front of the genin's desk, looming over them. "Life isn't fair. Get used to it! This isn't some little game. Any who think that can leave the room this very instant!" No one moves, and it seems like no one even dares to breathe. The jōnin strides back to his position in the front of the room to resume speaking.
"The tenth question will be asked after the test has been completed, and I will provide more information then. If you are caught cheating, you will be given two warnings. The third time you are caught, you will be thrown out of this room and fail the chūnin exams. Your hour begins… NOW!"
In response, there's the sound of rustling paper as the genins turn their test papers over. Like the other genins in the room, Shikamaru quickly flicks over the test paper, writing his name when prompted, before reading the first question, (read a question twice, write an answer, reread everything; if you do something, try to do it only once perfectly).
Even before he'd turned the test paper over, Shikamaru had known it would be difficult. Konoha is home to his clan, and any test paper often reflects that. Moreover, the chūnin exam nominees had to be entered before the tests were created, meaning that the test papers were created knowing that Shikamaru would be partaking, (it might not be difficult because of him, but they won't give him a free pass).
However, even ignoring all that, Ibiki has been presenting an intimidating persona, which is at odds to his willingness to let cheating go twice and only kick someone out the third time they're caught. Based on all that, Shikamaru comes to the – probably – correct assumption that the test is conducted to analyse a person's ability to listen to instructions hidden within other sentences and to cheat without being caught. It's sneaky, but they are ninjas after all, (they may be genins and may be young, but they are ninjas first and foremost).
The first question has to do with a cryptogram, but staring at it for half a minute already provides Shikamaru with the answer. However, Shikamaru doubts that others would be able to figure such a thing out so quickly. He glances up.
Ahead of him sits Chōji, and behind him – he knows – sits Ino. They've purposefully been set up in such a position, with their team in one single file, the sun at their backs, stretching their shadows forward. Hands forming a seal under the desk, words whispered, and Shikamaru connects his shadow with Chōji. They both start writing answers at the same time, characters the exact same with no difference between them. In this moment, they appear to be the same person. Later, when they're both done, Ino will project herself into Shikamaru's mind and get the answers herself. They will work as a team, because this is a team test despite its initial appearance.
(And teammates don't leave someone stranded.)
Sakura quickly fills in an answer for the seventh question. She's skipped about four so far, aware that they expect her to cheat, and wants to try her best first. It would be easier to cheat, and get all the answers, but this is partially a test of intelligence as well. As long as she makes sure at least five of her answers are correct. Like any ninja worth their chakra, she'd checked her surroundings before sitting down, identifying where people sat – and where their test papers laid.
Thus, it's simply to reach down, as if scratching her leg, and carefully bump a kunai out of her weapons pouch. She immediately softly mumbles an apology, bending over and scrambling to pick it up with her right arm, left hand pressed against the underneath of the table hiding a second kunai. It takes her a moment to get the kunai in a good position, and then she picks up the one she had pretended to drop, (sneakiness is a trait that all ninjas learn and know well).
Thankfully, she's managed to get the kunai in the right spot – giving a warped reflection of someone else's paper. It's not the best picture, and it takes a fair amount of Sakura's concentration to understand what she's reading – but it works, and that's all that she really needs. She wonders how the others are going. Shikamaru probably can answer the questions without cheating, and work with both Chōji and Ino so that they have answers. Hinata – only a few desks away – is obviously using her kekkei genkai, and the soft barking that can be heard above warnings to various genins and rustling of paper must be Akamaru and Kiba working together. It's likely that Shino is simply using his insects to aid him, even if Sakura doesn't quite understand how it all works. That means only her team have to work harder.
(That's also okay, because hard work pays off. Always.)
Meanwhile, like the other Konoha ninjas, Naruto and Sasuke are doing their best, scribbling down answers to the occasional question they can understand. Sakura's stuck at one of the front desks, Naruto on the desk situated behind her, and Sasuke behind him. From Sasuke's position, he can clearly see the kunai she's using as a mirror. And although he can't copy her, he can copy her method of cheating – just altered slightly.
Taking off his hitai-ate, Sasuke pretends to polish it, before placing it on his desk, angling it so that he can see the test papers around him, (any ninja is proud of their hitai-ate, but only a genin would be expected to be so vain about it; by pandering to the low expectations and meeting stereotypes, he is underestimated). He answers the questions he can see, and then guesses the remaining few, adding bits of his own thoughts and changing the word.
Finally, he's done and he sits back, looking in front of him, eyes on Naruto's back, (the question on his mind is whether his teammate needs some help). The blonde taps his pencil against the desk and then stomps his foot, scratching his head as he does so. Beneath the table, Takuma raises his head, understanding Naruto's gesture and checking with Sasuke. Smiling, Sasuke nudges the wolf-dog with his foot, which is all the ninken needs to dart out of the table, jumping onto someone's desk with a loud bark and jumping for Akamaru, who instantly joins the chaos, starting a playfight, (they may be separate teams but they are all Konoha ninjas). The moment Sasuke sees Naruto complete two answers, he whistles, and Takuma subsides shortly afterwards, cowering under Sasuke's desk at the shouting he receives from two nearby chūnins, (it's a show, once again).
The moment they're gone, Sasuke pets the ninken on his head. Takuma had done well, adhering to his instructions perfectly, especially considering the fact he'd been unable to voice them, making things more difficult. Just in time too, as Ibiki shouts, "Time!"
"You will hear the tenth question shortly," Ibiki begins explaining. "Right now, you can make a decision over whether to leave this room or whether to answer this final question. If you leave this room, you fail the chūnin exam, and will have to take the next chūnin exam if you wish to be promoted. However, if you try to answer the question, only to fail, then you will lose the privilege of ever being able to take the chūnin exam and will remain a genin for the rest of your career!"
"You can't do that!" Someone shouts, and Sasuke looks over at the Takigakure ninja. "There have clearly been times when genins have failed parts of the chūnin exam and been able to take it at another time!"
Ibiki stares at the genin, silent, until the Takigakure ninja drops Ibiki's gaze, swallowing. "Are you in a habit of questioning your superiors, candidate fourteen? However, since I am in a charitable mood – for once, I will answer your question. The answer is… I am the one making the rules this time. So, what I say goes. GOT IT, CANDIDATE FOURTEEN?"
The Takigakure ninja nods, eyes wide. "Yes, sir!"
Grinning, Ibiki lets his gaze pass over all the genins sitting nervously at their desk. "Those not taking the tenth question, leave the room; now!"
Instantly, the Takigakure genin jumps out of their chair, quickly fleeing the room. "Candidate sixteen and twelve, due to your teammate withdrawing from the exam, you now fail." Two Takigakure ninjas get up, shooting venomous glares at Ibiki but they don't say anything. "Did I forget to mention," Ibiki drawls, "this is a pass or fail as a team, once again."
As a steady stream of genins start leaving the room, Sasuke catches Hinata's gaze, two desks away. The kunoichi winks at him, and Sasuke grins back. Ibiki, even if he does have some control over the rules for the chūnin exam, cannot keep people from retaking the chūnin exam as he doesn't have jurisdiction over other villages. More to the point, there are various Clan Heirs in the room, and they could easily raise hell if they are kept from having a chance to be chūnin. Sasuke's certain that Toru would, (and it's so strange, to easily trust that Toru would have his back and do whatever he asks as long as it's something Toru would agree with).
In front of Sasuke, Naruto appears to be judging everyone who's leaving. He taps his foot against one of his chair's legs. Sasuke sighs, even as Naruto points at Ibiki. "Oi! This has gone on long enough. Hurry up and get on with the next question! We're either going to pass or we won't! Get on with it!"
"Do you always shout at your superiors?" Ibiki asks, danger clear in his voice, a warning – a false one, Sasuke bets. "I'm getting very tired of genins thinking they can shout at me and get away with it."
"You're not our superior though, not in this scenario," Sakura chirps, and Sasuke sees how this is going. "You're the supervising examiner and we are to listen to you, but you cannot give us orders, even as a Konoha jōnin. As genins, we are under the jurisdiction of our jōnin sensei, the Genin Corps Leader, and the Hokage, and only have to comply with orders directed from them. In this situation, of course. That's also only for Konoha genins."
"Hmmph," Ibiki grunts. "Well reasoned, pinkie. I will only ask all of you one more time, does anyone want to quit? This is your last chance."
No one moves, and it seems like no one even breathes. Even though he knows that he'll be able to take the chūnin exams again, Sasuke can't help but be anxious, adrenaline rushing through his veins and completely useless.
"Very well then. Everyone here…" Ibiki casts his eyes over the room, "passes!"
Sasuke forces himself not to slump back against his chair with a sigh, but spots Sakura doing it up in front. Meanwhile, Naruto laughs, loud and proud.
"I can't believe I was just tricked," one Kusagakure genin moans. "I can't believe everyone else left!"
Ibiki chuckles. "Indeed, it was a trick. There was no tenth question. In fact, whether you answered the nine questions correctly or not – that doesn't matter either." He pauses, clearly waiting for someone to ask the obvious question. Sasuke refuses to be that person.
"Whata was the point of it then?" A blonde Sunagakure genin asks – one of the Sunagakure ninjas on the team that Shikamaru had warned everyone about. She appears rather slow; Sasuke reckons the powerhouse on their team must be the younger redhead. Otherwise, they really shouldn't be partaking in the exam. Or maybe they were putting on a show, trying to have people underestimate them.
"Gathering intelligence is a vital part of your career as a ninja. Information can have a greater value than life at times. In fact, many ninjas in the past have undergone torture in order to spill information to their enemies." He unwraps his bandana, and reveals a scarred scalp. Sasuke knows scars, knows torture, knows that Toru has a mess of scarred tissue on his chest that hasn't faded, knows that Toru is missing the tops of his ears after being caught on a mission. He knows all of this… but he still finds himself horrified and staring at Ibiki's scalp.
Finally, Ibiki ties the bandana once again, hiding the scars and torture marks from sight. "The final decision given to you, whether to stay or leave, was designed to test how strong your belief was in your teammates and in yourself. Danger on missions is often unavoidable and missions with heavy risks do occur. In order to get through such a mission, you have to trust those you are completing the mission with. We gave you this question becau–"
The window shatters behind him, glass splintering and thrown forwards by momentum. Unable to see what or who's behind him, Sasuke pushes his weight into his hands, which are laid flat on the desk. He kicks out with his legs, knocking his chair backwards so it falls, and flips over his desk, landing next to Naruto. Around him, various other genins are in disarray, (they may be safe here, may be protected as per agreements based on the Chūnin Exam Agreement), responding to the perceived danger. However, some haven't moved, remaining seating and only twisting to look at what's happening.
(They're the weak ones, the ones to target, who aren't experienced enough in danger.)
A fabric banner is pinned to the front of the classroom with two kunais. "I'm the examiner of the second trial for Konoha's chūnin exam this year! I am Anko Mitarashi! The second exam begins soon. Follow me!" She leaps out of the window, without a single glance at anyone.
"C'mon," Naruto immediately says, a hand encircling Sasuke's wrist and tugging on it. "Let's go!" Shooting a glance at Ibiki, Sasuke realises that the jōnin is simply waiting for everyone to leave.
"Alright," he agrees as Sakura joins them, whilst the majority of the other teams fight to leave through the doors first. "Let's go," he adds as he leaps out of the window. His team follows him, ready for whatever Konoha dares throw at them.
And so, the chūnin exams begin. The first trial has been completed, but the true tests have only just begun. The dangers that await the participants are known to only a few, and everyone else must wait to see the outcome.
Trying to get back into writing this is hard, especially when there's occasionally a script I need to actually follow and I have no idea where the hell to find it. I doubt I'll have much to say right now for this chapter, but I'm honestly just eager to get to some interesting bits and pieces.
Honestly, the conversation with the jonins and Toru was just to show some of the character development for Kakashi and Toru's assimilation with the other senseis of the genin teams. We haven't seen Gai and his team yet, but they've been buzzing around.
The chunin exam is pretty straight forward to be honest. There's a lot of mentions of ninjas being sneaky, because that's what has been hammered into their heads. Naturally, the exam is slightly different with not everything being the same, because of Toru's interferences and my own decision that I didn't want it to be simply repeating canon script. Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I'm going to try and write the next one soon!