The next morning a Suna Anbu agent came and escorted them to the first trial. Senseis were not allowed to instruct or give advice once the trial began, so Akio had stayed behind at the inn. All applicants met at the village gate, and then they were led out into the desert.

They traveled for some time before coming up to a large mountain. In front of the mountain was a raised platform with an exam announcer and coordinators standing in wait. The platform was under a tent canopy, blocking the hot sun overhead. There were also many other empty tent canopies spread around the clearing with empty benches and tables inside.

Kioshi wondered at their purpose. Was this going to be some sort of written test like the TV show? If so, why not do it back in the village? And why were the tents small and spread apart? Looking closer, Kioshi could see there was also water and food stacked inside.

"Welcome to the first trial of the Chunin Exams!" A beautifully formed woman announced once they had stopped, her beige-colored robes flowing gracefully in the soft wind. The group of 36 genin looked up at her attentively.

12 teams were participating. 7 teams were from Suna, 3 were from Konoha, and 2 were from Iwa. The woman gazed down at them, smirking at their apprehension and excitement. "This first exam is going to be a test of detection and defense," she said, gesturing to the mountain. As if on cue, the mountain rubbled, and rocks fell away, revealing a dark tunnel opening.

"To pass this test your team must enter through this opening and make it through the Labyrinth. The Labrinth is full of traps and dangers. Each team will enter one at a time and will carry a green idol with them." The woman gestured to a row of emerald tiki statues that were lined up to the side. "These idols are fragile and have a signal seal inside. If your idol breaks, the seal will inform the proctors of the trial you have failed, and attacks will stop.

"This trail will be filmed and recorded. The footage will ensure gamblers and your Kage of fair treatment and will be a source for clients to observe your actions. The idol represents a client's life and property. You must protect it. If not, then you have failed in your duty.

"Most of the attacks and traps in the Labyrinth are deadly. Before you enter, you must sign a waiver affirming that you understand this. Suna is not responsible for anyone's death. You are also not allowed to attack cameras or exterior walls during the trial. Are there any questions?"

The woman looked over the 36 faces. Everyone seemed to understand, so she nodded. "Then let's begin."

000000000

Kioshi spent the next two hours sitting and waiting under one of the shade canopies. The Suna exam coordinators allowed them to drink as much food and water as they wished. They also provided card games to those who were bored.

Most teams used the time to plan or meditate. Kioshi, Itachi, and Emi, laid out a few roles and hypothetical situations, but it was impossible to know exactly what they would face.

The teams that entered, never returned. When one genin asked the announcer about it, the woman said that finished applicants were housed on the other side of the mountain. Their status and condition were to remain unknown. Otherwise, it would give unfair information.

When the time came for team 2 to enter, it was almost afternoon. The sun was high and Kioshi was sweating. It was more from the environment than a worried state. One thing that made him confident, was the idol they held. At any time, they could smash it, and it would be over. If they got in over their heads, they wouldn't be trapped.

The team decided that it was best for Emi to be the idol's carrier. She had recently learned a powerful barrier ninjutsu that could shield things from attacks. Kioshi suspected that the shield technique was learned specifically to protect Koru. The small puppy was fragile. On dangerous missions, he was in the most danger.

Ninken's were not like most dogs. They had a human lifespan and took many years to reach adulthood. Koru had grown in the past two years, but he was still too small to fight and run around freely in hostile environments. The grey and white puppy was now strapped to Emi's back, a paw on each shoulder, head bent to the side to see what was going on. He was here to learn and observe.

The team walked up to the Labyrinth entrance and stepped inside. Cool air rushed over them and blue chakra lights flared to life. Inside was perfect imagery of what you would see at the start of an adventure game. A large snake mouth opened before them, glowing eyes beckoning them inside.

The dark room they were currently standing in seemed to be an intermediate place to make the glowing entrance more awe-inspiring. Still, Kioshi didn't let his guard down. This could be a clever trick to catch applicants unaware.

Video cameras with red blinking lights were seen in the corners of the room, recording their movements. Kioshi looked at the cameras, and then back to the beautifully designed snakehead. Suna had really gone full out on this one.

The fancy design was obviously there for entertainment purposes. It was more extravagant than practical. The host got to film or expose any part of the exam they wished. People loved to see ninjas in action. Money made from this compensated the host for preparing the trials and providing security.

Kioshi didn't like being recorded, but he had to admit that Suna's art was impressive. It almost distracted him from their goal.

"I sense four auras ahead," Itachi said.

Kioshi nodded, focusing back on the task at hand. "I feel the same. Emi should provide cover when signaled."

Itachi and Emi didn't argue. They had already discussed that Emi's barrier ninjutsu would be their main defense. Kioshi's portals could be used as shields as well, but they took up a lot more energy. Emi's barrier ninjutsu also encompassed everything in a dome. Unlike multiple flat disk shields, her barrier left no cracks. It was only against A-ranked attacks that Kioshi's portals became superior. Seeing as this was a test to become B-rank, this was unlikely.

Using Emi's technique also granted Kioshi some anonymity. Kioshi had been ordered to show his portals publicly in the exam, but he'd rather wait until the finals. If he did, then there would be less time for people to ask questions.

It had taken the Hokage a while to convince Kioshi to show the ability in the first place. It was too profitable to hide. International traders, especially ones with perishable goods, would pay high prices for his service. This would bring great wealth to both him and Konoha.

The pros outweighed the risks. He just had to make sure that his ability was seen as an internal bloodline, not a Dojutsu. Dojutsus could be transplanted, but other bloodline limits required more research and time to harness. If people believed that they couldn't get instant assured power, it would make him less of a target.

Kioshi shuddered, making sure his sunglasses were stuck firmly to his face. There were still side effects and chances of failure for transplanted Dojutsus, but many would rip out his eyes if they had the chance.

Wouldn't it be better to wait? The ability would draw attention, even if people didn't make the connection. And missions in other countries were also dangerous. He needed to get stronger.

But it was best not to live in fear. He'd always see his skills as inadequate. He had friends and a village backing him. That had to be enough.

Both Itachi and Kioshi had unsheathed their swords upon entering the mountain. They now held them ready. Walking into the snake's mouth, Emi led them through a narrow twisting tunnel.

Nothing happened as they traveled. There were also no visible cameras. Due to this, the winding path was probably there simply to obscure their view. Emi formed her barrier ninjutsu at Itachi's signal. Going around the next bend, they entered a large open room. It was a good thing the precaution was made, as various techniques immediately began to pelt the golden energy.

A tunnel opening was seen at the other end. "Let's make a run for it!" Kioshi yelled over the sizzling, pounding cracks. Emi couldn't keep up the barrier forever. If Kioshi was reading the situation right, all they needed to do was get to the other side. Once they were around the bend of the next tunnel, the attacks wouldn't be able to cause harm. Suna proctors were using long-range attacks and were only attacking from latched openings in the walls and ceiling. Being followed was unlikely.

Emi nodded and dashed forward, holding her arms out to strengthen the technique, their green statue strapped tight to her chest. They had made the harness while waiting. It allowed free movement and seals to be formed. Itachi and Kioshi followed close behind, staying within the barriers radius. The C-rank and B-rank jutsus couldn't penetrate the energy. They reached the other side without injury and slipped into the tunnel. It was like Kioshi had expected. The attacks ceased, and there was no pursuit.

"That was easy," he stated.

"Yes, but don't get cocky," Emi said, looking around. "There could be traps in this tunnel. Focus your senses."

Both Kioshi and Itachi nodded.

"I also don't think we should use that tactic again," Emi said. "This is a demonstration, just as much as a trial. You guys need to show your skills too."

They nodded. Kioshi and Itachi could have most likely dodged all those attacks. The speed and density made it possible. Emi's shield, however, was the simplest and safest route. It was good teamwork, but bad for personal reputation and growth.

Coming up to the next bend, both boys stopped. They felt something different in the next room. Along with natural human auras, spiritual chakra surrounded small areas in pockets of energy.

"Emi, do you hear anything?" Itachi signed. Kioshi and Itachi were highly skilled at sensing chakra, but physical senses were Emi's strong point.

"No." Emi signed back. "But I smell explosives. What do you guys feel?"

"There are charged seals and linked seals ahead." Itachi silently gestured.

Kioshi nodded. "Auras in the walls. Seals everywhere." Charged seals would activate when they were disturbed. Linked seals would activate at a person's mental command.

Emi frowned, motioning. "How do we proceed?"

"Tread carefully," Itachi said, stating the obvious. "Kioshi and I will point out the seals, you point out the mechanics." Air frequencies and electricity could be felt, but powder or gas explosives were a spiritual sensor's weakness. Itachi and Kioshi needed Emi, and Emi needed them in turn. Close ground attacks were Emi's weakness. Her shield energy couldn't go through the dirt, so she could only create a dome down to the ground. Everyone would need to be careful.

This time Itachi and Kioshi lead the way. The cavern was large, white beams of light shining down through cracks in the rocks above. Kioshi knew the lights were artificial due to the stale damp air, but visually it looked like an open sunlit cavern. Light-colored sand was also spread across the floor, making deep rippling waves. The protector ninjas must have used some sort of wind technique to blow the sand around. There were no signs that anyone had passed before.

As they traveled forward, they kept most of their attention on the ground. There were no auras in the ceiling, and the size of the room made it unlikely that any attacks would come from the walls. They were a good distance away.

Written traps were numerous. It was impossible to stay away from all of them. As they traveled, catapults would spring up out of the sand, throwing knives and techniques in their direction. Kioshi and Itachi flared reflecting chakra into their swords, diverting the attacks with their swings. Kioshi felt like a Jedi, something he often imagined, holding a glowing blade, defending himself with flurries of flips and fast movements.

Emi followed behind, shielding herself and throwing projectiles at mechanical landmines from a distance. They were all pressure sensitive. Being activated at a distance, the most one did was blow sand in Kioshi's eyes.

It wasn't long till they reached the entrance of the next tunnel. "Another room complete," Kioshi narrated with a grin. "I wonder what we will face next."

They traveled through another twisting tunnel until they came into another large cavern. This cavern's floor was also covered with sand. The only difference was that instead of looking bright and sunlit, the room was dark and shown with ominous red light. The tunnel they were standing in was actually brighter than the room they were moving into.

"Seals?" Emi asked

Both Kioshi and Itachi shook their heads.

"Just human auras in the walls." Kioshi signed back.

"I don't see the next tunnel," Itachi stated. The tunnels had all been lit with glowing blue chakra torches. There was nothing but dark red light beyond.

"Koru and I don't see anything either," Emi replied.

Kioshi nodded. "Itachi and I can go ahead. Emi, you can stay here and keep the statue safe until we know what we are dealing with."

Kioshi's two teammates agreed to the suggestion.

Itachi and Kioshi moved forward cautiously. Both of them glowed in the dark due to the chakra flaring around their bodies. Defense was more valuable than stealth at the moment.

Once they reached the center of the room the ground began to shake. Chakra could be felt from ninjas in the walls, connecting to something below them. Both Kioshi and Itachi jump back to avoid the danger.

I giant monster rose up from the sand. It had the head of a snake, legs of a centipede, and tail of a scorpion. All of its joints were mechanical, and its body was made of wood and metal. Glowing chakra veins lit up each section of its body with blue light. Its glowing eyes looked down at them from 20 feet above, its head being the same size as the Labyrinth's entrance.

So this was the boss. Dungeon and Labyrinth games often had entrances that depicted what a person would face inside. After seeing the snakehead entrance, there had been a suspicion that something like this would happen.

This puppet must have cost a fortune to make. Were they supposed to destroy it?

The creation opened its wide glowing snake mouth and sent out a blue blast of energy. Kioshi and Itachi each jumped in opposite directions, avoiding the attack. Kioshi then darted towards it and slashed at one of its legs. The leg was strong but cracked with the force. So it could be damaged. That was good at least. Kioshi's quick reflexes saved him from being struck by another leg. He struck at this leg as well, but it dodged.

Puppets didn't have blind spots, at least not in the traditional sense. Their actions came from the ones controlling them. While puppet eyes could be used to feed images to a puppet master, puppet masters didn't them in order to see.

Four ninjas were in control. He could feel the invisible chakra threads going to four different locations in the room. That meant that there were eyes at many angles.

The best thing to do in this situation would be to attack the masters. Puppets didn't feel pain, and couldn't be killed. They would keep moving and fighting as long as their master had the chakra and ability to move their body parts.

Sadly, Kioshi and Itachi were not allowed this course of action. The Suna ninjas were behind exterior walls, which according to the rules, were to be left alone.

Itachi began to blast the mechanical being with fireballs. In response, the monster circled the Uchiha and tried to sting him with its tail. Itachi dodged.

"This is either a time trial or we are going to have to disintegrate the thing!" Kioshi shouted to Itachi over the distance and noise of the creature, looking around and still finding no exit.

Itachi nodded. As if in response, the light from the scorpion snake dimmed.

Kioshi and Itachi continued to dodge and slash at the monster's legs, but it did little good as the legs just picked themselves back up and stitched themselves back to the main body. Another minute passed and the monster dimmed even more. Kioshi's theory of this being a time trial seemed to be correct.

Taking this into account, Itachi and Kioshi decide to focus just on dodging to save energy. They also did not go back to the tunnel. If they retreated, it was possible that their time might pause or restart. Emi seemed to think this as well as she didn't seek cover in the tunnel either. She stayed by the opening and blocked any attacks that came her way.

After five minutes, the monster became completely dark. It then burrowed back down into the ground, the sandy field becoming quiet. A sealed door then opened and bright light shined through, beckoning them forward, stairs leading up into sunlight.

000000000

"So how did it go?" Akio asked that evening. The students of team 2 had just entered back into their hotel room. They were covered in sand and sweat, but other than that they were fine.

"We passed," Itachi stated flatly, sitting down on his bed with a sigh. The rest of the team did the same. They were all tired after the long day.

"Come on! You got to give me more than that! Details!" Akio pressed.

Kioshi smiled and relayed the story. Akio seemed pleased once he had finished. They had done well. They were one of the only teams who had gotten out without a single injury. When they had exited the Labyrinth, the medical team had looked surprised at this. They had been given food and water and waited under a shade canopy until the rest of the following teams finished.

The next trial would happen in two days.