Chunin exam Preparation and Mania

The week before the first test, Einjeru and Naruto were enjoying a bowl of ramen before she had to go see her shrink. If she skipped an appointment, Kakashi was sure to have the ANBU after her. Einjeru shuddered at the thought when she was actually contemplating on skipping out on the first appointment.

Flashback:

It was a few days after squad 7 returned from the land of waves. The hokage requested that she saw someone to talk about the kill though made it not mandatory. Kakashi decided to make it her punishment for almost beating Sakura to a pulp. He threatened her saying "I will personally see to it that the ANBU drag you to the shrink by any means necessary if you try to skip out. I do know when you do something against my wishes regarding your health." Needless to say, no matter how much she considered it, she never acted on it.

The following day, Kakashi was in the hokage's office and it was Einjeru's first appointment at the shrink. She sensed the ANBU and didn't want to see if her fathers threat held true. She went to the psych ward of the hidden leaf hospital and was welcomed by her shrink.

Einjeru has been seeing the shrink weekly and she's been transitioning back into the innocence of village life without the flashes of bloody hands like the first couple of weeks. Kakashi accompanied her a couple of times to ask about the results first-hand. The shrink gives him a rundown and asks about the chunin exams and why he was pushing so soon. Kakashi looked at Einjeru and made it her choice as the exams got closer as to whether or not to partake in them.

The answer was obvious as Einjeru said "I think I'm ready, but I may not make it through the second round without a little bit of a relapse. I'll be relying on Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura more so than I'd usually like to." Kakashi smiled behind his mask and says "Just try your best. I still want you to see your shrink during the exam if possible." Einjeru nods.

Presently:

Kakashi appeared at the ramen shop and saw Einjeru not fidgeting with her ramen like she was when they first returned. He sat next to her and said "Your appointment is soon." She nods and Naruto says "Kakashi sensei? Why is she seeing a shrink? She seems fine." Einjeru shakes her head saying "Being a shinobi takes a toll on you physically and mentally. My mental stance took a heavy hit when I killed Haku. It will probably relapse during the exams. If I falter, you guys will need to get me out of range." Naruto nods and says "Don't you worry. I've got your back." Einjeru smiled and Kakashi said "You have to move."

At the shrinks office, Guy was waiting for them with a combination of pity and happiness. Einjeru tries to smile at Guy before he whisks her into a hug. Einjeru swore there was a sunset behind them and Kakashi tapped him on the shoulder saying "She's fine. Could you let her go now?" Einjeru shook her head and smiled for real knowing that she had friends in her corner to talk to if she was to relapse. The shrink came out and said "Right on time Hatake." Einjeru nods and says "See you guys in an hour for a spar." Kakashi nods and Guy gives a flashy smile.

Within the hour, Einjeru came out to a group of jonin and genin. Amongst the genin was Naruto and Sasuke from her squad; Lee from Guy's squad; and Shikamaru and Choji from Asuma's squad. The jonin consisted of Guy and Kakashi. Einjeru gave an inquisitive look as to find out why they were all at the shrinks office waiting for her. Kakashi said "Everyone decided to help you by having it out with you in a battle royale. They all feared for their friend/comrade." Guy then said "I know you wanted someone to test your skills that you acquired from me during your academy days, so before that day comes I wanted to introduce you to Rock Lee. He'll be observing this time around." Einjeru frowned and said "You're giving him a little bit of an advantage by doing this. I don't think it's fair Guy."

Rock Lee then says "I'm honored to meet you Einjeru. I hope we can face off during the exams." Einjeru nods hoping the same thing. Naruto then says "Let's get this battle royale started." Einjeru then faces Kakashi and Guy saying "Are you two involved in this?" Kakashi nods and Guy strikes his nice-guy pose. Einjeru cracks her neck knowing to expect Kakashi to be pushing the clan techniques on her during this. She then says "What are we waiting for? Let's get to the training ground."

At the training grounds everyone was ready for the battle against the Hatake heiress. She sighed and said "I'm fighting my best friends and my father. This will be fun." Kakashi reminded everyone that it was strictly taijutsu and no weapons or ninjutsu are to be used. It made things fair for everyone and not trigger a relapse attack in Einjeru. Everyone detached their kunai and shuriken pouches and set them on the ground. Einjeru's right hand started to twitch subtly, and Kakashi noticed it. He made a mental note to ask about that later.

With that he started it. Naruto charged in without a second thought and got flipped over. Einjeru smiled and thought "I don't feel so stiff right now. Normally after a visit to the shrink I'm stiff, but today, not a stiff muscle to be felt." After she came out of her thought, Guy came at with a Hidden Leaf Hurricane which was countered by one of her own in the opposite direction. Shikamaru and Choji came at her and got knocked on their behinds. The next thing she knew Kakashi jumped her from behind and she thought "Aw come on! I was going to learn that move next!" Kakashi laughed and said "You aren't to touch that book unsupervised. You know that." She grumbled and shoved him off.

Kakashi then said "You still have a long way to go before you can beat me, my pup." Einjeru laughed at the fact that he hadn't called her pup in years. Guy didn't know why she was laughing until she explained the nicknames. Guy smiled and Kakashi said "What's wrong with pup? Technically that's what a wolf's offspring is called." Einjeru smiled and said "I have no problem with it. It's just it's been so long since you've called me that."

After all that, Kakashi and Einjeru decided to go to Ichiraku for some ramen. Kakashi looked at Einjeru intently and she looked at him saying "Are you having second thoughts dad?" He looked at her shocked and nods saying "I'm just nervous for you. I never expected you to have your first kill so soon. I wanted you to stay innocent." Einjeru looked down and said "Well, it happened and... and I just wish that I didn't do it." Kakashi rubbed her back and said "It gets slightly easier as you get used to it. Just promise me that you won't kill without having some remorse." Einjeru nods.

The next day, Lord Third requested squad 7 to do some chores. Einjeru felt slightly better that she just wasn't sitting around after so long. Lord Third smiled at the young girl saying "You've recovered quite nicely from the incident. I want to ease you back into things before the chunin exams." Einjeru nods and goes to work. Kakashi appears next to Lord Third saying "Looks like seeing the shrink did wonders for her." Lord Third nodded and set the squad off on their assignment.

Afterwards, Kakashi requested that he and Einjeru do some one on one training so he can see if she was able to try and wield the weapons without a relapse. They met on the training field and Einjeru said "What's this for dad? I said I'm fine." Kakashi widened his eye and said "Then you won't mind this test then." Einjeru sighed at the annoyance that she was facing. Her eyes drifted across the various weapons until she came across a tanto and she zoomed in on it. Kakashi smiled as he walked up to her and picked it up.

He started off saying "Do you know what this is?" Einjeru shrugged and said "It looks like a tanto but it looks like it has special properties." Kakashi then said "It's the white light chakra saber." Einjeru looked at Kakashi wondering what he was getting at. Kakashi continued "This was destroyed during the third great shinobi war. However I managed to retrieve the pieces and had it re-forged. It was your grandfathers, and it was handed down to me. I was hesitant about seeing if you were ready to handle it. Looks like I was worried about nothing."

Einjeru then said "Why now?" Kakashi said "I wanted to see how your mindset was now that we're getting closer to the exam." Einjeru shook her head and said "It's as its always been. I'm going to do my best." Kakashi sighed and said "I don't even know why I get nervous about you." He comes behind her and grabs her arms and starts teaching her how to handle it properly.

A few days later, Kakashi decided to test her against the squad now that he knew that weapons or jutsu weren't going to cause her to go into shock or relapse. Einjeru walked into the training ground with the chakra saber proudly on her back and was wondering where her teammates were. She shrugged it off and practiced the stances and slashes that Kakashi taught her. Naruto came into the training ground saying "Wow you're early! I thought you had an appointment or something."

Einjeru hit Naruto for implying that she had a tardiness streak like her father. Naruto then said "I meant because of lately with all of your shrink appointments. I never hinted at what you hit me for. That hurts!" Einjeru growled angrily at him and revealed her canines which were longer than before. Naruto thinks to himself "Okay her wolf genes have taken over. I should not piss her off anymore." Sasuke appeared with a whiny Sakura.

Sasuke started off with a genuine looking smile and said "How are you today?" Einjeru grew wide eyed at that, and Naruto yelled out in shock. Einjeru thought to herself "So that's why Sakura's whining?" She laughs and says to Sasuke "Very good! You just made my day." Sakura looked at Einjeru and noticed that she was sporting a new weapon.

Naruto and Sasuke looked and noticed the handle sticking out from her back. Einjeru smiled and said "Family heirloom. Also a weapon I can use for protecting my friends and comrades." She unsheathed the tanto and channeled her chakra into it as taught. She then slashed the nearest thing which happened to be a log. They all looked in amazement as they saw the white chakra flow from the weapon in question. Einjeru grinned and said "It belonged to my grandfather." Naruto then said "Who was he? He had to have been awesome to wield a weapon like that."

Einjeru knew her father was near and wasn't sure if she should reveal who he was. Kakashi then said to her in thought "Go ahead." Einjeru smiled and said "I'm sure that in history class we went over famous heroes of the leaf. One of them was the White Fang." Sasuke and Sakura nodded and Einjeru said "This sword earned him that nickname. However there was one person that wielded it before me." Naruto yells out in excitement "Who is it?!" Said person appeared behind them and said "That would be me."

The four of them looked at him and all except Einjeru said "You?!" Kakashi chuckled and said "Yes me. The grandfather that she is referring to is my father." Sasuke nods and says "So, Einjeru. You're a third generation prodigy?" Einjeru shook her head and said "If I were, why would I have spent the past few weeks in counseling?" Kakashi then intervened saying "I didn't call you guys here to talk about history or who's a prodigy. I called you guys together to test your skills one more time before the exams."

Einjeru then said "This is more or less a test for me. I know that much, dad." Kakashi chuckled and said "Yes, it's the three of you versus Einjeru." Einjeru grumbled knowing that the tables were turned against her again, but the other time the tables were turned against her the results were a joke. Naruto then said "Weapons and ninjutsu are allowed this time?" Kakashi nods and Einjeru thinks to herself "Knocking out Naruto's shadow clones will be cake. I won't even have to use jutsu on him or Sakura. It's Sasuke I have to watch for."

Kakashi gets out of dodge and Einjeru readies herself with the white light chakra saber. All of them saw that and readied kunais. Einjeru thought to herself "They've wizened up since the last spar we had as a squad. Well then..." She disappeared and Sasuke turned on his sharingan and knew exactly where Einjeru would strike. Sasuke yelled over to Naruto and he narrowly got out of dodge. Einjeru thought to herself "Curse Sasuke and his sharingan."

Sakura tries to get a hit in but misses horribly. Einjeru wanted to taunt her, but with all the talks from her shrink, she thought it was better to not. Instead she turned around ready to slash. Sasuke got into the fray with a couple of kunai and Einjeru grinned. She called out the multi shadow clones and they each took a slash at Sasuke who dodged perfectly. Einjeru upped her speed using chakra and managed to rip his shirt. Naruto decided to fight fire with fire and used the multi shadow clones. All of the clones disappeared in less than thirty seconds. Einjeru decided to sheathe her tanto and went for the kunai approach.

Sasuke puts some distance between himself and Einjeru, and decided to give her a run for her money. Einjeru then noticed the signs for the fireball jutsu and thought "Dad was supposed to start teaching me how to use the elemental jutsu after I became a genin. With all the problems that I had and the missions... We haven't had time like we used to." She sighed after dodging and got a glum look in her eye. At first she was looking bored until her movements slowed, and Kakashi decided to stop the training before someone got injured due to their lack of awareness.

He dismissed the squad and looked at Einjeru saying "You're not relapsing are you?" She shook her head and said "I was just thinking of something you said to me before I graduated from the academy. Sasuke had reminded me of it when he used the fireball jutsu." Kakashi thought back a couple months and said "You mean about elemental techniques?" Einjeru nods and Kakashi said "I did make you that promise. With all that was going on, I was fearing for your mental stability. I guess we can figure out which element you're predisposed to and go from there."

Einjeru nods and Kakashi pulls out a slip of paper to hand to her. He starts the lecture by saying "These slips are created from a special tree that was raised on chakra. When the paper crinkles; you're lightning natured, if it burns; you're fire natured, if it splits; you're wind natured, if it crumbles; you're earth natured, and if it gets wet; you're water natured. Channel your chakra into the paper and we'll see what reaction you get."

Einjeru held the paper in her hand and closed her eyes. She had the chakra flow through her hand to her fingers. She exhaled and the paper crinkled. She opened her eyes and said "Looks like I have lightning." Kakashi looked at her beaming and saying "Looks like there's one more thing that I can pass on to you." Einjeru looked at him and said "I swear I'm becoming more like you everyday dad." Kakashi smirked and said "Hey you're a Hatake. I can't help that." She smiled and said "No you can't, but there are some habits that you can stand to break."

Kakashi shakes his head and weaves some lightning style signs and lightning chakra appeared in his right hand. Einjeru then said "This is not a jutsu that anyone knows." Kakashi nods and says "I developed this jutsu myself. It's called chidori. There's a more powerful variant, but I'll save that for later. I'm glad that I'll be able to pass this jutsu on."

Einjeru then said "I assume after the second test if I pass it is when I'll be learning this?" Kakashi nodded. Einjeru sighed and walked over to him. They proceeded back to the apartment to prepare for the exam the next day. Einjeru just remembered that she was supposed to write about the day in her thoughts journal. It was her homework from her shrink. Kakashi walked in to see her writing and asked about it. Einjeru shrugged it off and said "If this wasn't mandatory I wouldn't do this, but it's what my shrink has me do outside of our appointments." Kakashi nods and says "Hurry up. You want to be well rested for the first test tomorrow." Einjeru nodded and finished her scribbles.

The next day was the start of the chunin exams. Einjeru headed straight to the academy with all the snack bars that she could store in her bags and her weapons. "I will help my teammates" She thought to herself. Kakashi was waiting outside for her and as he saw her coming he dropped his calm facade. As she got near him he kneeled down and said "Genin die in these exams. I want you to be careful." Einjeru scoffed it off saying "Are you doubting your own training regiment dad?" He shakes his head and says "No I'd never doubt that."

Einjeru walks in to see her teammates waiting for her. She grinned and said "Guys, let's go raise some hell." They walked in to see the rookies from their class as well as Guy's squad and the other genin of their own village as well from the hidden sand, hidden grass and a new village that had never been heard of called the hidden sound. Shikamaru and Choji walked up to her and said "Good to see you're looking better Einjeru." She smiled and said "Thanks to you guys."

All of a sudden Rock Lee comes up in a boisterous manner and says "I really hope to battle you sometime in this exam after seeing you in action that day." Einjeru nods and says "I'd like that, and I wouldn't pull any unfair advantages." Rock Lee smiled and gave the same nice guy pose that Guy used. Another genin with silver hair came over and said to the rookies and Guy's squad that they were drawing unwanted attention.

Naruto blurted out "Oh yeah! Who are you four-eyes?" The silver haired kid said "My name is Kabuto and I will be taking this exam for a seventh time." All of the genin were surprised but Einjeru and Sasuke didn't show it. Einjeru was thinking "If anything he's a spy. There's no way that a genin would have failed the exam seven times unless he dropped out every time." Naruto shook Einjeru out of her thoughts asking her if she was okay. Einjeru smiled saying that she was in her own thoughts.

Kabuto pulled out a card saying "These ninja information cards show information about a specific ninja when infused with chakra. I'll just use Einjeru as an example." Einjeru popped in front of them and looked at hers. Kabuto said "Wow an A-ranked mission as rookies. You guys were lucky to make it back alive." Naruto grabbed Einjeru's shoulder before she did something she was going to regret. Her right hand shook and she bared her teeth.

Sakura thought to herself "Einjeru had been pretty out of it since that mission. So far her composure has been kept, but now that it has be brought up by someone else, she might snap." Einjeru looked at Sakura saying "It's fine. I just hate being underestimated by someone who just looks at files and information cards." Sasuke then says "Well what about Rock Lee here?" Kabuto pulls up Lee's information and says "He can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu. He strength lies in taijutsu. He's almost where Einjeru is in that category. Sad to say the least for the daughter of the copy ninja of the leaf/ granddaughter of the white fang."

Einjeru revealed her canines and said "You know, I'd be more than happy to show you what I'm made of. That A-ranked mission was something that traumatized me yes, but I'm not afraid to say my hands have been blood-stained already." Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke were shocked when they heard her say that. All of the genin look at her thinking the same thing. Kabuto then said "Is that why you've been seeing a shrink?" Naruto felt the Killing Intent coming off in waves. Sasuke and Sakura noticed that she was beyond trying to calm down. Einjeru brought back her fist and hit Kabuto so hard that when he fell, his glasses shattered.

She took a deep breath and a deep voice bellowed. Einjeru shot her look to the front of the room. A man appeared with a bandana style hidden leaf forehead protector. He starts off saying "My name is Ibiki Morino. I'm your proctor for this exam." Einjeru froze upon hearing the head of T&I department's name. She stood on edge knowing the more insane torture methods that he used. The psychological torture that he gave destroyed you forever. Einjeru had the misfortune of going against Kakashi who ended up cashing in a few favors with him. Needless to say she had more than her share of psychological torture.

Naruto saw how she stood on end. He goes to her and says "Why are you so scared of this guy?" Einjeru said "It was a miracle I survived my psychological training during our academy days. That guy is the master of torture, and my psychology tutor. My dad pulled no stops in training me. The only exception was coping with my first kill." Ibiki looked at Einjeru with a gleam in his eye knowing that she'll be able to see through his bluffs.

Flashback:

Kakashi dragged her to the Torture and Interrogation office when she refused to tell him where his Make-out Paradise book was. Ibiki was waiting for them. Einjeru's knees gave way when she saw the look in his eyes. Kakashi said "I'll give you one more chance Einjeru. Where's my book?" Einjeru retaliated saying "There's no way I'll tell you where that perverted book is! You'd think you'd have more respect for me by not reading it!"

Kakashi stuck Einjeru in front of Ibiki and said "Maybe you can get her to talk. Consider this one of the favors you owe me." Ibiki grinned in delight that he'd be breaking the young Hatake. Einjeru quivered and stood to her resolve of never revealing the location of that book. As soon as she was inside, Einjeru started her attitude.

Ibiki was delighted that Einjeru was going to be stubborn. He started off saying "This is good for you actually. You'll be able to resist a lot of the torture that you'll face on missions if you're ever captured." He started off with a little bit of using her favorite things on her, but Einjeru wasn't cracking.

A few hours later, Einjeru was covered in bruises, scratches, and the like. She spit a little blood out of her mouth and said "I'm not giving the satisfaction to my dad. You can forget it." She passed out and Ibiki thought to himself "Man, Kakashi has one tough stubborn daughter." Kakashi appeared and saw Einjeru bloodied. He turned to Ibiki who said "I've tried everything including truth serum. She's something else Kakashi." Kakashi's mouth dropped as he looked at her, surprised that Ibiki didn't break her.

For a few days after that, Einjeru slept in her bed not being bothered. She recovered at a remarkable pace, and Kakashi gave up on trying to find his favorite book. He smiled at the fact that she was able to resist even Ibiki's tactics. He decided to make Ibiki Einjeru's tutor in the art of torture.

Presently:

After all the rules were explained, Einjeru grumbled at the fact that Naruto was going to fail this test without any assistance. Sakura and Sasuke can handle themselves. Next thing she heard was a dog whistle. She shook it off knowing what Kakashi was trying to do. She finished her test and closed her eyes to focus. She had to figure out some way to help Naruto. The Ino Shika Cho trio had no problems in figuring out the answers. Shikamaru was a genius and knew how to solve the problems. Ino was able to use her clans techniques to her and Choji's advantage.

Sasuke was using his sharingan to mimic the movement of another genins pencil. Sakura had a sharp mind even if it was fixated on Sasuke. Einjeru knew her mind was keen because of Kakashi teaching her how to look for the obvious answers. The Hyuugas were using their byakugan to search for the answers. The objective of the test was to cheat, but the last question would nullify all of the work.

The tenth and final question was whether or not they wanted to continue. The catch was that if you failed you'd remain a genin forever. Naruto had to put on his tough guy act and that got squad 7 through. Einjeru smirked knowing the double bluff training that she got. Ibiki looked to see how she looked mentally. Hearing about the first kill she had shocked him. He never let on that he was looking after her.

The next proctor burst in with a banner that said Anko Mitarashi: The awesome proctor for the second exam. Everyone looked at her like she was crazy. She said "The next exam will start in half an hour at training ground 44. If you're late, you're disqualified." Anko thought to herself "There's too many this time." Anko left and just before squad 7 got ready to head out, Ibiki held up Einjeru and said to her "I'm pretty sure that the next test will be a kill or be killed scroll hunt.I know I've taught you every torture technique in the book and beat you cruelly, but you need to be careful. Not only are your own village comrades your enemy, but you have people from other villages as well." Einjeru said "I assume my dad told you about the first kill and how rattled I was?"

Ibiki nodded and said "You actually have a high tolerance for pain whether you realize it or not. There's no doubt you'll pass, but be careful. This part's a message that I was supposed to deliver in case you ignored the dog whistle during the test: If you're able to, avoid spilling blood." Einjeru sighed and said "My dad warned me that genin die during this exam. He thought that it would at least get me to think about it. However the rest of my squad decided to take it and I decided not to hold them back. I already know he's listening. The chunin exam also tests a squads teamwork. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get to the training ground aka the forest of death before my squad gets disqualified. It's bad enough that Naruto thinks I adopted my father's tardiness streak."

At the 44th training ground, Naruto was saying "Where's Einjeru? I know she was with us." Einjeru appeared behind them "Sorry I got lost." She smiled sheepishly, and Naruto and Sakura yelled out "That's something Kakashi sensei says!" Einjeru giggled and said "Your reactions are priceless." Kakashi watching from a distance chuckled thinking "So she picked up on my cheap excuses." Anko appeared behind Naruto still mildly annoyed with him for stealing her dumplings and said "So you guys are the four man squad. Einjeru eyed her intently thinking "I hate snakes."

Anko then came over to Einjeru curious of how someone as small as her was going to be able to survive. She then noticed a cold aura coming from Einjeru. Anko put her kunai away and said "What's eating you small fry?" Einjeru's ability to read people's thoughts had been making her upset lately. Einjeru then said "I may be small, but I can still put the hurt on people. I'm not your average rookie genin." Naruto gulped and said "Someone's getting hurt today and it ain't going to be me. I like my best friend, but underestimate her too much and she goes nuts on someone."

A Hidden Grass ninja with an unusual tongue and neck came over and Einjeru thought again much more angrily "I hate snakes!" Sasuke sensed something was off and thought "What has her so unlike herself?" The Hidden Grass ninja faced Einjeru saying "Your killing intent is smothering the other rookies. You should tone it back some." Einjeru thought "I wouldn't be like this if I didn't have a foreign ninja and the exam proctor in my face!"

The anger in Einjeru was close to boiling over. Einjeru then thought "What if I went on a killing spree? Would that stop everyone from underestimating me?" Kakashi heard those thoughts and decided to intervene before the second exam began. He appeared behind Einjeru and puts his hands on her shoulders. Einjeru grumbled and said "Hi dad." He looks at her and says "I'm concerned for the safety of your squad-mates."

He hands her her journal and a pen. He disappears without saying another word. Einjeru knew what she had to do, but knew she didn't have time. Anko explained the rules behind the second exam. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke looked at Einjeru putting her journal in her bag. Einjeru looked at them and said "There are many reasons for this, but the primary one is mood swings." She was lying, but she couldn't say that the shock was getting to her. She's been masking her emotions.

After the rules were explained and the the four genin of squad 7 signed their waivers, they went to grab their scroll. They had the heaven scroll which meant that they had to go for earth. They went to gate number 7 thinking about that being their lucky number. As soon as the gates were open the genin went rushing in.

Einjeru revealed her ears and changed her eyes. Naruto starts complaining that he had to use the bathroom. Everyone groans thinking "You wait until now to say something Naruto?" Naruto rushes off to take care of his business. Not even three seconds later he comes back. Einjeru grins and decides to test him. Sasuke and Sakura look at her and she asks "So Naruto, what's my favorite ramen flavor?" Her two remaining squad-mates go wide-eyed thinking "Why would she be asking that?" Naruto says "Uhhmm, Pork?"

Einjeru got behind him saying "Wrong! Also your transformation is off. Naruto is right handed, yet the kunai and shuriken holster is on the left side." Sasuke and Sakura surround him respectively and Einjeru says "I have a proposition for you. Knowing for a fact that you would strike one of the weakest members in our squad alone means that you must have the scroll. You give up the scroll, you can go, but if not..." Einjeru decides to put the psychological and physical torture Ibiki gave her to us by saying "If not then you'll be forced to see a really horrible side of me. I said this at the first test; I've already had my hands blood-stained." The fake Naruto undid his transformation and pulled out his scroll.

Sasuke and Sakura looked in amazement as Einjeru worked her psychological skills on the guy. As soon as they saw the earth scroll, Einjeru grabbed it and said "Thanks a bunch. Now you can go." Sakura then said "How did you do that?" Einjeru smiled saying "When the head of of Torture and Interrogation tortures you and teaches you how to use that to your advantage, can you afford not to put it into practice?"

After putting both of the scrolls away, Einjeru said "We have a knucklehead to find." Sasuke and Sakura nodded. Einjeru's ear twitched as she heard Naruto's voice. She forced chakra into her nose to enhance her sense of smell further and told Sakura and Sasuke to be prepared for a trap. They got over to Naruto to see him tied up. Naruto smiled seeing the rest of his squad. Einjeru turned her hand to a claw and sliced the ropes that were holding him.

All of a sudden, the squad-mates of the genin that Einjeru made submit a few minutes prior appeared grinning. Einjeru grew more sadistic looking, leaving Naruto thinking to himself "What's up with Einjeru?" Sakura grew more terrified of her squad-mate. Sasuke says "Haven't you noticed Sakura? Naruto? When someone threatens someone close to her, her mindset changes." Einjeru smiled knowing that one of her teammates notices her behavioral ticks. Sasuke continues saying "Seeing Naruto tied up triggered the mindset change."

Meanwhile, Kakashi and Anko are watching from the trees, and Anko said to Kakashi "I don't remember you doing half of the things Einjeru and the rest of her squad did. Not to mention she used the type of torture Ibiki uses." Kakashi leisurely sits there saying "I had Ibiki train her in that respect. I've been teaching her the ninjutsu and taijutsu associated with our clan and Guy taught her the other taijutsu that she knows." Anko says "That makes her about jonin level in that respect then." Kakashi shakes his head and says "She has yet to learn elemental jutsu. To be considered a jonin you commonly have at least two chakra natures under your belt. Just the other day I discovered that her natural affinity is lightning."

Back at the fight, the two genin asked squad 7 what happened to their squad-mate. Einjeru smiled saying "You guys are weaklings." They look at her saying "Look at who's talking." Her smile got bigger as she explained that she talked their teammate into submission. Naruto asks Sasuke if she had really done that and they nod. Naruto's mouth dropped and the two genin scream out like little girls. Einjeru just stands there as the genin pass out.

The rest of the squad came up to her and said "Now what?" Einjeru goes into her wolf form and says "Hop on." They hop on her back and Einjeru takes off into the forest. Kakashi said to Anko "Her real skills have yet to be revealed." Anko nods saying "If I had a say so, I'd recommend the promotion." However the two of them weren't the only ones watching the genin squad. The long-necked ninja from before the test began was watching and thought "Those two from Kakashi's squad are just perfect."

Squad 7 made it to the tower and Einjeru told them to get off so she could revert back. She was uneasy because of the fact that they faced no opposition considering that they were close to the tower and chose the direct route. It had been a few hours since the exam started and night had fallen. They went in the tower and saw a board with symbols missing.

Sakura and Naruto started arguing about whether or not to open the scrolls. Sasuke and Einjeru took the scrolls respectively and opened them on the floor. The scrolls started smoking and everyone noticed it was a summoning jutsu. All of a sudden Iruka appeared. Naruto blurted out "Iruka sensei! What are you doing here?" Iruka smiled saying "My job. As a chunin I am to greet the genin that make it with both scrolls and explain the meaning of the board as well as knock out the genin that open the scrolls before having both and coming to the tower."

Einjeru says "Okay, so what does the board mean?" Iruka says "In simple terms, to be a chunin is to have a sound mind and strong body." Sasuke and Einjeru somewhat get the idea, and Sakura makes fun of Naruto who gets made fun of in return after being scolded by Iruka. Iruka ruffles all of their hair saying "You guys have a few more days until the second exam is over. Feel free to explore the castle." Iruka disappears for Kakashi to appear smiling.

Kakashi looks at his four genin and says "Congratulations for making it through the second exam. You guys will have some time to rest and eat, but I want to ask how it went from your perspective." Naruto starts off saying "I got ambushed when I was doing my business." Sasuke said "It was relatively easy with Einjeru doing the work." Sakura said "I barely did anything." Einjeru said "It was fun torturing other genin. That'll teach people to underestimate me."

Kakashi smiled knowing Einjeru didn't spill any blood or get frightened by her own actions. Einjeru felt a blaze of Killing Intent that wasn't her own, but she didn't let on. Sasuke then said "What are you doing here sensei?" Kakashi rubs his head and said "Can't I meet my students?" Einjeru thought to herself "It's more or less to check on me. He was watching us in the forest." Kakashi gives Einjeru a stern look, and she says "Journal. I know."

Einjeru sits against the wall and pulls out her journal. She writes in it and closes it to hear her stomach growling. She pulls a snack bar out of her bag and chows down on it. Naruto goes to her saying "So we made it, huh?" Einjeru nods and says "That was too easy. I'm not complaining, but there's something that isn't right." Naruto smiles and says "That's okay. I was hoping for some action, but I'm glad I can save my energy for the battles ahead." She pulls out another snack bar and hands it to Naruto.

Kakashi was watching this and was glad that Einjeru isn't pushing away her teammates. Einjeru however was trying to figure out how to control that mental switch she developed after the land of waves mission. The only one that knew about it was her shrink. Now the squad was figuring it out. Einjeru let out a low sigh and Kakashi appeared next to her saying "How long have you known?"

She leaned against the wall saying "Since the first shrink appointment. I didn't think it was going to get to that. I never thought I would resort to Ibiki's torture methods. The shrink has been helping me to tap into it and control it. I lose grip when put under duress or when my friends are being harmed. That's part of the reason I keep the journal." Kakashi sat next to her and said "I never did half of the stuff you did during my chunin exam. The behavior you displayed was of ANBU level. You need to get your mental switch under control." Einjeru looked down and Kakashi said "It's okay. You forgot I was an ANBU when I met you. I admit my mental switch isn't always there either."

Einjeru then says "How much longer until the second test ends?" Kakashi then said "You guys finished within the span of a few hours and the test lasts for five days. You guys have four days to wait." Einjeru sighed and said "Might as well do the homework that my shrink gave me. I mean the other homework." She goes into a meditative state and smirks.

Sakura and Sasuke were looking at her and asked Kakashi why she was meditating. Kakashi shrugged even though he knew the answer. Naruto sat next to her thinking it would be more peaceful just to meditate with her instead of trying to distract her. After a few hours Einjeru opened her eyes feeling refreshed. Einjeru decided to run around the tower for the remainder of the test. Kakashi looks at her thinking "Guy really has rubbed off on her. Well now's a better time to spend with her."

Kakashi decides to catch up with Einjeru and join her. She was making her way around the tower for the fifth time and Kakashi was behind her saying "Is there a particular reason you're doing this?" Einjeru smiles and says "Helps deal with stress when I have nothing to hit. Also in the words of Guy: My youth is shining brightly."

Kakashi chuckles and says "I'm glad I had him teaching you taijutsu. This next month will be consisting of some combined training. If all of the squad passes, I'll be teaching all of you some basics for the elemental jutsu. When we're alone I'll be strictly teaching you the chidori. Shall we continue the laps?" Einjeru nods and continues her running around.

Meanwhile a hidden sand group was spying around the tower seeing who else was around. There's a puppet master who was intrigued by Einjeru's actions, a girl with a fan who is wondering about the squad as a whole and an unstable boy who wants to challenge the strong to prove his worth. Sasuke felt the wave of Killing Intent and tenses. Naruto notices Sasuke tensing and goes to calm his teammate. Before he can do that, Sakura shoves him on the ground.

Naruto then thinks "Maybe Einjeru would appreciate someone knocking sense into Sakura that isn't her for a change." Kakashi appeared grabbing Naruto's arm and saying "What were you going to do?" Naruto chuckles nervously and says "Nothing." Einjeru appears and says "We were reading your thoughts Naruto. You were going to knock the daylights out of Sakura, weren't you?" Einjeru on the inside was grinning hoping that he would do it. On the outside Einjeru was as serious as Kakashi. Naruto then said "I was going to see what was up with Sasuke and Sakura shoves me out of the way without a second thought." Einjeru then says "If my hunch is correct, then Sasuke felt the wave of Killing Intent that I felt when we first got here."

Einjeru went up to Sakura and dragged her by the ear to the side while Naruto talks to Sasuke. Sakura glares at Einjeru saying "Why did you drag me away from Sasuke?" Einjeru for all intents and purposes wanted to knock Sakura out until the exam was over, but she applied what she learned at the shrink and took a deep breath. She then said to Sakura "Why did you shove your teammate for no reason?"

Sakura says "Because Naruto was going to annoy Sasuke." Einjeru decided to be truthful and said "If that's your mentality, you won't make it through this exam. Also, you didn't know what Naruto was going to do, so instead of assuming, you should observe first." Einjeru walked over to the other two leaving Sakura bewildered. Einjeru felt better that she expressed herself to Sakura in a way that didn't involve fists. She had to make a mental note to write that in her journal.

The days passed and the other genin teams started flocking in. Guy's squad came in thinking that they had beaten squad 7. Einjeru came up to them saying "Took you guys long enough. I've been here for a few days." Rock Lee starts crying and yelling out "Guy sensei! I failed you!" Einjeru backs off thinking "Where's Guy when you need him?" All of a sudden the Green-clad ninja appears saying to Lee "You guys need to work harder." Neji looks at Einjeru thinking "How did a bunch of rookies complete that in less than a day?" Einjeru disappears and Guy looks at Kakashi.

On the roof of the tower, Einjeru looked at the sky thinking about the next test. Kakashi and Guy came up next to her. Guy starts off saying "I'm impressed. Rock Lee is really determined because of you." Einjeru sighs and says "All I did was help my team finish the second test. I don't know what the big fuss is about. Also it seems Neji has a little bit of disdain in his eyes. It was like he hates everyone for a reason that everyone thinks is petty even though they don't know what it is." Kakashi then says "You have a tendency to overthink things. However I do sense that Neji is trying to figure out the mechanics of the squad."

Einjeru sighs and says "I'm nervous about Neji. It's like he wants to hurt everyone because of something that one person did to him." Guy then says "His attacks are lethal. I'd advise against going against him." Einjeru shook her head and said "I hope I don't have to." Guy smiles and says "I'm looking forward to the next round though." Einjeru went back to cloud watching.

Downstairs, Sasuke and Naruto are walking around scoping out the competition. Sakura stood around moping because Sasuke wouldn't pay her any attention. Guy's squad was doing the same thing as Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto bumps into Lee and says "So? How is being a student under Guy?" Lee smiles and says "It is wonderful! I really want to face off against Einjeru though. She has trained under Guy sensei longer than I have." Naruto nods and says "So what do you think about the terms genius and failure?"

Lee starts off saying "Let me guess Naruto, you were called the failure while Sasuke and Einjeru are hailed as geniuses?" Naruto nods and says "Even though Einjeru helps me and I've trained with her on many occasions, I still got called a failure. Einjeru never sees me that way, but I feel like I'm dragging her down." Lee then says "You have the drive, but it seems that you lack the help you need. Einjeru is still learning herself as are the rest of us. In my case, I just want to put my skills to the test." Naruto nods and says "I wish you luck." Lee nods and goes to wander around.

Sasuke walks into Neji and remains quiet. Neji then says "The Uchiha remnant. Who would've guessed that you'd be put on the squad with some of the top ranking genin as well as the last place one." Sasuke already knew he was talking about Naruto and said "You shouldn't underestimate your opponents. It can lead to your defeat." Neji glares at him for saying something like that. He then proceeds to saying "What about Hatake?" Sasuke then says "She was the top ranking kunoichi in our class, yet everyone underestimates her for her size. You should've seen her in the forest. You'd have to see it to believe it." Neji then says "You guys made it without a scratch. May I ask how that's possible?"

Sasuke shrugs and says "It takes a prodigy to know how to make it through a forest with no scratches. Also we had a little bit of luck on our end." Neji looks and says "There's no way you guys made it through the forest in mere hours without a me!" Einjeru appeared saying "If I told you I'd have to kill you." Neji glares at Einjeru saying "There's no way you did that." Einjeru says "Being trained by elite jonin in my academy days helped me a lot." Neji then said "How did you get here so fast?" Einjeru shook her head saying "I can't tell you that Neji. It runs within my family, just like the secrets of the byakugan run in your clan."

Neji looks with disdain and Einjeru thought to herself "And I thought Sasuke was stuck up." Sasuke then says "Then why'd you tell us?" Einjeru says "As a squad we need to know each others strengths and weaknesses. You never reveal your aces to your enemy." Neji had already walked off and Kakashi appeared saying that the test was almost over and that they needed to regroup with the squad.

After the squad met up, Einjeru gave them each a snack bar so they'd be ready for anything. She then ate one herself. The sound for the end of the exam went off. All of the rookie genin from the hidden leaf made it. All of the jonin that had teams that made it stood with Lord Third corresponding to how the squads were lined up. There were seven squads for a total of 22 participants left.

Squad 7 stood proud with Einjeru in front, Naruto behind her, Sasuke behind him and Sakura behind Sasuke. Lord Third then said to the genin that were left that there were to be preliminaries to trim down the numbers even more. All of the genin except squad 7 and the Hidden Sand trio were like 'Give me a break!' Lord Third gave the genin a chance to drop out before the preliminaries were to begin. Kabuto and an unknown genin from the hidden leaf dropped out leaving 20 left.

Lord Third then started off saying "I congratulate those who have made it through the second exam. Unfortunately there are too many of you to go into the third rounds. In order to trim the numbers we'll be holding preliminary matches immediately." A sickly proctor appears and says "Please let me explain the rules sir." Lord Third nods and the proctor says "The rules for the preliminaries are just like the actual third rounds. You guys will fight until I declare the match to be over, or the opponent yields or dies. If you continue to fight after I declared the match over you'll be disqualified. The board over at the top will randomly pick two opponents and the rest will watch the match from the platforms."

The board started running through the names and the outcome was unexpected. Einjeru's mouth dropped and she thought "Just my luck. I have to go first." The names read Einjeru Hatake and Kiku Madoka. Kakashi pats Einjeru on the back saying "Good luck." He then whispers in her ear "Save your wolf style for the third rounds." Einjeru nods saying "Got you sensei." Kakashi went to join the rest of squad 7 and Einjeru faces her opponent.