Today was the day. Once he passed Kakashi's test he would officially become a genin. He readied himself and headed to the allotted meeting grounds. Sasuke and Sakura were already there.

"Good morning" Sakura waved but surprisingly Sasuke gave a single nod of his head. This was good. As long as he could prove his strength he might just earn Sasuke's respect and friendship. Doing some stretches to warm up Maruku then waited patiently for the rest of the team to show up. Naruto showed up about ten minutes later and then they all waited several hours for Kakashi to show up. It was only by knowing about the man's habit and the reasons for behind it that Maruku wasn't as irritated as his teammates.

However even if he understood, it didn't stop it from being annoying. He was on the verge of falling asleep when Kakashi finally showed up.

"You're late!" Cries of outrage came from both Naruto and Sakura.

"Sorry, I was pondering the meaning of the universe. But enough of that, this will be your test." He took out three bells. "If you get a bell you pass. Simple as that."

"Excuse me sensei, there's only three bells and four of us." Sakura spoke up.

"That's right. One of you will fail and will be sent back to the academy." Kakashi's smile seemed too joyful for Maruku's liking.

"Now if there are no more questions." He eyed them all " Then your test begins now!" In an instant three of four genin disappeared into various bushes and trees. Kakashi looked at Naruto who was standing by himself.

"You're not very smart are you?" Kakashi's voice was teasing, trying to get a response. As expected he got one in the form of a glare, then a yell, then having the boy charge at him. He couldn't help the sigh that escaped him. He knew the boy's track record but somehow he expected more. Oh well, now was a great time to catch up on his reading.

Maruku watched the pitiful sight of Naruto making clones over and over again as Kakashi destroyed them while reading. Of course he knew the true meaning of the test. He just needed an opening. He took out a kunai and charged it full of chakra, after that it was a simple waiting game.

"One Thousand Years Of Death!" That was his chance! Letting the projectile fly aiming for Kakashi's hip he managed to save Naruto from involuntary anal probing but missed his target. It was no use hiding, he just gave away his position and it was wasting time. Leaping into the fray Maruku landed next to the other boy.

"Wow Maruku, I didn't know you were also stupid. I really have my work cut out for me huh?" The boy in question ignored the insult thrown his way.

"Naruto we need to work together if we want to pass." Maruku prayed that the boy wasn't stupid enough to turn him down.

" No way! I can win all on my own you'll see!" Maruku's facepalm was pure reflex. Fine. If he wanted to suffer then Maruku wouldn't bend over backwards for him. Slipping his knuckle dusters on he let his chakra rush through his body, fueling him. Taking a step forward he zoomed across the field. He was pleased to see that Kakashi had put his book away and was paying some amount of attention to him.

Still attacking him directly was stupid and also not the goal. He needed the bells. His fist lashed out, aiming for the body where it could do the most damage. It was caught and with seemingly minimal effort Kakashi literally threw him away. Twisting so he landed on his feet, Maruku threw a handful of shuriken all of which were aimed at vital spots. All of them were dodged but that gave him enough time to close the distance and try again. Ducking under half hearted strikes the boy fell back on his hands and bucked his legs.

"High horsepower!" his feet made contact with Kakashi's guard and from his position he could see him wince just a little. He took it as a small victory. Backflipping he threw another kunai which was promptly returned. Snatching his knife back out of the air, Maruku knew it was time to bail. Leaping backwards he threw a smoke bomb and rushed back towards the trees. During his entire confrontation he failed to even come close to touching the bells. He would wait for his chance. Those were his last thoughts as he was chopped in the back of the neck and fell unconscious.

He was forcibly awoken by a kick to the ribs. Groaning, he sat up and saw Naruto and Sakura tied to logs. To his side he saw Sasuke looking rather angry and right in front of him was Kakashi looking completely stoic.

" Congratulations, almost all of you are completely worthless as ninja." Sasuke glared and rushed forward, kunai in hand. He was completely shut down with Kakashi pinning him down to the ground via foot to the neck. Kakashi looked at Maruku his sole eye rooting him to the spot.

"Maruku. Tell me, what was the purpose of this test." It wasn't a question It was a demand.

" To work together. To put all of our skill together to meet the objective." He received a single head nod.

"Thats right. Out of the four of you Maruku was the only one who tried to work together. However I'm in a good mood today, so I'm going to give you one last chance." Getting off of Sasuke he presented the two boys bento boxes.

"Eat. Recover some energy and we'll try again in an hour. But do not feed Naruto or Sakura." With his orders given the elite ninja disappeared. Both Maruku and Sasuke looked around for any trace of Kakashi's presence before holding their lunches to their tied up teammates.

" Eat. If we all have to work together than it would be best if you were at full strength." Sasuke held his lunch up to Sakura doing his absolute best to avoid looking her in the eye.

"Naruto! Stop squirming and eat" Maruku was doing his best to not get frustrated but the other boy was avoiding the vegetable like the plague. Kicking Naruto in the shin got him to open his mouth, Maruku then promptly shoved some shredded carrot in the boy's mouth. Then suddenly, there was a crack of thunder as storm clouds rolled in. Kakashi appeared furious .

"You all...pass."

"But sensei, Sasuke and Maruku fed us." Sakura sounded confused.

" That was the second test. To see whether or not your teammates would abandon you. In the shinobi world those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are even worse than scum. Always remember that. Now meet back here tomorrow morning for your first day as actual genin." With that said he took off leaving his students to their own devices. Sasuke wandered off after a wave leaving Maruku to cut down Naruto and Sakura. When that was done he too wandered off. Maruku still had his daily training to do.

However one thought still lingered in his mind. He was part of Team 7, meaning he was a genin. He could access the second floor of the library now! Smiling ear to ear he told himself that going to the library was not boring no matter what Kakashi-sensei said.