How he became the person he is
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 9:
The 2 weeks of night training passed by, and Kakashi became used to fighting at night. He had some injuries because of the increasing intensity of the trainings by the day, but Arashi was pleased with Kakashi's improvement. They were already done with the night trainings, and started their regular days. They were resting after having lunch.
"I'm pretty sure you'll pass. There aren't many genins who can fight like you. Besides, you have the confidence. That's something that can save you from the border of death, you know. But remember: a chuunin has to be responsible for a team. They are leaders. That's what makes them different from genins." Arashi warned his student, who was lying down on the grass with his arms behind his head.
"Hai. Do you have any idea of how long the test takes, sensei?" asked Kakashi as he was contemplating the leaves that were falling from the trees.
"It might take like 2 or 3 days. I'm not sure." Arashi guessed that the first test would last for a day, and they would call up the ones that passed it, the next day. It depended on how many genins passed the first test.
"I see. Will you be there?"
"If I don't have a mission, I will." Arashi wondered whether his student knew anything about the tasks of chuunin. Hokage-sama told him that there will be a written test, but he never went through any of those things with Kakashi. He just helped him training.
"Kakashi, do you know the basic tasks of a chuunin?" asked Arashi, trying to look not as interested.
"Yes, dad told me some things. And I always read some stuff at home."
"That's good. I..." Arashi saw a small bird flying in the sky, and realized that the Hokage wanted to see him. "Well, Kakashi, that's it for today. See you tomorrow at 7." He disappeared in a puff. Kakashi wondered why his sensei had to leave so suddenly, but decided to go home and rest.
Arashi arrived in front of the Hokage's office, and entered.
"You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, Arashi. Have a seat." the Hokage had his pipe on his mouth, and a few minutes passed by. "I forgot to tell you something regarding Kakashi taking the chuunin exam. He didn't complete any missions." He removed his pipe from his mouth and half-exhaled and half-sighed.
"Ah!" Arashi felt like he was being laid next to a sounding gong. "Genins have to complete 8 missions before..."
"Yes. I wanted to inform you about that. I know you've been trying to keep him out of missions, but we can't let Kakashi break all the rules, you know. Come to receive your missions starting tomorrow. For at least the next 8 days, you'll have to take him on missions."
"Yes, sir. Thank you for reminding me on time." Arashi was relieved, and smiled to the old man.
"That's that. Do you know where Jiraiya is?" asked the Hokage.
"Um... I think he's in the hot springs..." Arashi didn't think that he needed to mention what he was doing. He was sure Hokage-sama knew about that from a long time ago.
"Boy, he won't ever change that habit of his." He let out a sigh. Arashi just smiled.
"I better go now, sir." he bowed, and left.
'How could I have forgotten? It's good that we still have time to go on missions. Whew... I better go and tell him to be ready.' thought Arashi on his way to Kakashi's house.
He knocked on the door, and Tomoko answered.
"Good afternoon, Arashi-kun." Tomoko smiled.
"Good afternoon, Tomoko-san. I wanted to talk with Kakashi." said Arashi after bowing.
"Oh, he's in his room. Come on in, please."
"Thank you. Is Sakumo-san home?"
"Yes. Jiraiya-san is here, too."
"Ah, no wonder I couldn't find him. Well, I'll be talking with Kakashi, ma'am." Arashi smiled and went to Kakashi's room. He had been there a few times since he started teaching Kakashi, so he knew where his room was. He called him from the other side of the screen slide, and entered when his student responded with a "Yes".
Kakashi was on his desk writing down some things.
"What's that, Kakashi?" asked the jounin.
"Ah, some strategy problems and that kind of things. What brings you here, sensei?" asked Kakashi closing his book.
"We have to go on missions starting tomorrow. I forgot that to take the chuunin exam you need to complete at least 8 missions." said Arashi and gave an apologizing smile.
"Well, that's good. It's been forever since I asked you to take me on missions." said Kakashi indifferently.
"Ne, it was for your own sake, kid. Let me see that book?" He wanted to see what kind problems his student solved. Also, he wanted to know if he would need to help Kakashi for the chuunin exam. Once he saw the cover of the book closely, he found out that it was the book he used when he was a chuunin.
"Um... Kakashi, do you understand all this...?" asked Arashi skeptically.
"Yeah, it's easy if you follow the steps from the beginning. I found the entire collection at my dad's library. I have three more to go."
Arashi knew that there were ten books total. Well, he used that book when he was a chuunin, but it was usually for jounins. Him being a jounin at his age wasn't a coincidence. Those books had some strategy problems that gave you a certain kind of situation, and you had to figure out a way to complete the mission. Of course, the real thing would be different, but it helped in a way to give them an idea of what it would be like and decreased their chances of misjudging. It also helped them to maintain their calmness when in battle.
"And, did you read all the previous volumes?"
"Yeah. Otherwise I wouldn't understand this one." Arashi was relieved that his student was smart. Afterall, he didn't need to worry about the first part of the exam.
"That's good, Kakashi. Just be prepared for tomorrow's mission, alright? I'll meet you at 9 on the bridge. We don't need to meet that early if we are going on missions." Arashi slid the screen slide, and Kakashi followed him. Arashi wanted to at least say hi to Sakumo before leaving.
On their way they saw Tomoko bringing some tea.
"Are you leaving already? Have some tea before doing so, Arashi-kun." she said, smiling.
"Thank you, Tomoko-san. Where's Sakumo-san?"
"In the dojo. They're having some tea, as well." Tomoko lead the way, and Arashi and Kakashi followed.
"Oi! Arashi! What are you doing here?" asked Jiraiya when he saw them entering.
"Visiting my student, sensei. Good afternoon, Sakumo-san." Arashi bowed.
"It's good to see you, Arashi. Have a seat. We were talking about the old times." Sakumo and Jiraiya were in the same class of graduates from the academy. They kept talking about old times, and the two younger boys listened, drinking their tea.
"Haha. Jiraiya, remember that time you were caught in the hot springs? That was worth seeing." said Sakumo as brought those images back to his memory.
"Don't even mention that, buddy. Sarutobi-sensei gave me a whole month of solo D rank missions after that. That wasn't funny. I was too focused to notice a kid throwing a waterbasin full of hot water to where I was standing." said Jiraiya, in a tone that said it was the worst nightmare someone could have. He still remembered the beating he got from the people in the hot springs that day, and he shuddered at the sudden sensation.
"Well, I don't think you learned your lesson that day, though." Sakumo started laughing. Arashi nodded, agreeing to Sakumo's comment.
"Anyway, I'm not the only one who got in trouble. Am I wrong?" Jiraiya said, eyeing his old friend.
"Ehem... Arashi, how's Kakashi doing these days?" asked Sakumo, trying to change the subject and stop his past from being revealed.
"He's doing okay, Sakumo-san. We're going on missions starting tomorrow. I wasn't going to take him on missions until he became a chuunin, but I totally forgot that the prerequisite to take the exam is the completion of 8 missions." Arashi smiled.
"Oh, I forgot about that requirement, too. Haha. Well, good luck on your first mission, Kakashi." Sakumo ruffled Kakashi's hair.
They stayed talking like that for at least an hour, and Jiraiya left with Arashi.
The next day, Arashi and Kakashi went to the Hokage tower to receive their first mission. It was a D rank mission. It was to help find an old lady's cat that got lost in the forest. It wasn't hard at all, and Kakashi wondered if their next missions would be like that. And yes. They were. He didn't really have any difficulties completing them, although Arashi left everything in his student's hands. Arashi was satisfied, and glad that he didn't need to help. Come on, D rank missions for jounins are more like punishments than missions.
The day of the chuunin exam came, and Kakashi went to the place in which his sensei told him the thing would take place. They were supposed to meet at 3 in the afternoon, and Kakashi arrived a little early. There were a lot of people, but none of them were of his age. He stood there, looking up at all the gigantic ninjas that walked in front of him. He decided that he would go inside the room, and not be discouraged just by their sizes. He was a ninja as well. He didn't need to feel inferior or something like that. He reached one of the desks, and just sank in his arms.
"So, you're the 6 year-old kid taking the test?" Someone tapped him in the shoulder. He looked up, and saw a guy in his teens looking down at him. He had black hair, and looked like he wanted to pick on the little kid. "You know, the chuunin exam is not a game. You should go home and have your nap, kid."
"None of your business, whether I take the exam or not." snapped Kakashi, and glared at the older boy. He even looked older than his sensei.
"Wow. Hey, look at this kid here." said the guy, calling his teammate. "He thinks that he's capable of taking the exam. Hahaha. Can you believe it? I could take on him in less than..." Kakashi stood up and got ready to attack, but the sudden call of his name stopped him.
"Hatake! Sit down! Otherwise you will fail the test before even knowing what it is like!" It was a grown man. He entered with other ninjas who looked very serious. He knew Kakashi's last name because it wasn't usual for kids his age totake the exam, and because he was the White Fang's son as well."I'm not giving you the privilege just because you are a kid." 'Great.' thought Kakashi, sarcastically. The man turned to the others and continued speaking. "I'm the examiner of the chuunin exam, which will begin in a few minutes. My name is Nomiya Kaito. The first part of the chuunin test will consist on your knowledge of chuunin tasks and strategies. Cheating will not be tolerated. If you're caught doing so, you fail. The ones that pass the written test today, will be called up for the second test tomorrow. With that said, does anyone have any questions?" No one raised their hands. "Good. Pass them out." He ordered to the ninjas that came in with him.
A/N:
I decided to write about the chuunin exam. Hehe. I must admit that I'm having a lot of fun writing this.Thanks to the reviewers! I was motivated to write more!