Here's the third entry. I've gotten a few e-mails asking how far I plan to go with this fic. Right now, only up to the end of the exams, maybe a bit longer than that. Well enough from me, enjoy.

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Chapter 3: The Tenth Question

"This is it…I'm risking everything on one question." Naruto thought. Ibiki shot his almost demonic glare at the students once again.

"Before we get to the question itself…I'm adding one more new rule." Noticing their scared faces, he laughed to himself. "This rule is absolute. First you must choose whether to accept or reject this question."

"Ch-choose? What happenes if someone doesn't accept the question!" One of the ninja from Gaara's team shouted out. Ibiki's glare deepened.

"If you reject the question, and don't try to answer it. You'll lose all your points and fail! And both of your teammates will fail right along with you!"

"WHAT! THEN WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO REJECT IT!" the other ninja from the other villages blurted out.

"Because of the other rule…" Sakura wondered what else he could add. "If you try to answer the question and get it wrong…You will NEVER be permitted to apply for the journeyman ninja exams again. NOT EVER!" Shock spread through the room like wildfire, many of the students shouted in protest.

"You can't be serious! There are ninja who's sat for the Chunin Exams more than once already! We know there are!" Kiba blurted out, Akamaru barked right along with his master in protest. Ibiki's laugh grew more sinister.

"Just your rotten luck I wasn't making the rules the past years. I am now. I've been upfront with you. Take a failing grade now and try again later. Anyone who has doubts would be smart to reject the tenth question right now. Come back and reapply next year, and the year after that."

"Heads he wins, tails we lose! No sane person could make such a choice!" Sakura thought to herself.

"Ready…then let's begin. Those who choose not to accept the question should raise their hands. Once their number has been confirmed they will leave the room." Silence filled the room. Naruto struggled with what to do.

"What kind of stupid question could it be! If I get it wrong I'll be a junoir-grade rookies for life.. Not Acceptable! But if I just reject the question…Sasuke and Sakura both have to suffer for my lack of guts"

"I don't intend to raise my hand. I'm sure I can answer the question, whatever it may be! But even if Naruto decides to play it safe and reject the question and we all fail…All I'll lose is time. I won;'t have failed forever, and can apply again for the next exam. But…Naruto…you're different. It'd be foolish for you to sacrifice yourself for our sakes. Reject the question." Sakura thought. She kept her eyes glued to Naruto. Around the room, teams were dropping like flies. And all the time, Sakura keep wondering why Naruto didn't raise his hand. "He's always been going on about "Lord Hokage" this and "Lord Hokage" that…like a broken recorder. I'm sorry Naruto…I…your dream may be crazy…but I don't wait it taken away from you forever." Sakura slowly began to raise her hand, then suddenly stopped. Naruto was raised his shaking hand into the air. Sakura, Sasuke and Hinata suddenly looked shocked.

Naruto thrust his hand back down onto the table. "NEVER UNDERESITAME ME! I DON'T QUIT, AND I WON'T RUN! I'LL ACCEPT YOUR STUPID QUESTION! EVEN IF I RISK ENDING UP A ROOKIES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE…I'LL STILL BECOME Lord Hokage. EVEN IF I CAN ONLY MAKE IT BY PURE STUBBORNNESS. I DON'T CARE! I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU!"

"He…never even gave us a thought. But he does have guts. Good thing too, because an idiot like him needs them." Sasuke thought, resting his head on his hands.

"I'll ask you one last time. This is a decision that would affect the rest of your life. Quit now while you still have the chance." Ibiki told him.

"I never go back on my word. Cussedness is part of my Shinobi skill set!" Naruto replied.

"Hmm seventy-eight of them are still here. An entertaining kid. And interesting, he dispelled everyone else's doubts along with his own! There's no point in dragging it out. Thanks to him no one else will quit." Ibiki looked at the proctors sitting by the wall. "Good call. So, everyone who is still here………..You've just passed the first exam!"

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Two more chapters until the good stuff starts. I'll leave it at that.