Hello everyone, I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday weekend, if you happen to be in the states and celebrating them that is. I was thankful this year to have so many of you willing to read my stuff and I was bitter than Kishimoto-sensei still owns the rights, but not really because I am also thankful that he spent a big portion of his life giving us Naruto to begin with. So, I would like to say something to reviewer Deniswanheda; Yes, the Naruto from the beginning of the story could easily handle the current Naruto in the previous chapter, and the reason for that is because Naruto is holding back. Remember, the Naruto from chapters one and two was a cold-blooded killer. Current Naruto is trying his best to keep to not be that person anymore. Essentially, he is holding back. I apologize if I didn't make that as obvious as I thought I did. At the same time, thank you for pointing it out. Sometimes while writing I forget that I had something in the story and I won't revisit it until I reread what I wrote or someone points it out. So, thank you.

I've rambled enough, now it's time for...

Chapter 9: I want to know more

The sun slowly began to rise, giving birth to bright blue sky with clouds loitering around. To the inhabitants of the leaf village, it was just another day of work, school, and training. However, this was no ordinary day. Today would be the day that would set in motion a series of events that no one saw coming. Naruto would make sure of it. The whiskered boy was carefully eyeing a new set of clothing he couldn't help but be drawn to. For one reason or another, looking at this particular outfit made him feel a sense of pride and warmth in him that he just couldn't put his finger on. He decided after the land of waves fiasco that he would only wear his jumpsuit for training, this way out in the field on missions, he couldn't be held accountable for giving himself and his team away. Not like it would matter, his ability to conceal himself to others was far greater than his teammates and it was no wonder to him why. Sasuke was too arrogant to understand that he wasn't that powerful, and Sakura was too love sick to realize she was too powerless. If Naruto wanted to stay alive, keep them alive and avoid from breaking his new ninja way, then he was going to have to take this ninja team thing a little more seriously. Unfortunately.

"Y'know, you've been staring at it for some time now. I think that means you really want it" Naruto turned to see a boy a bit older than him. He wasn't wearing a headband anywhere so Naruto could see that he wasn't a ninja.

"Do you work here?" Naruto asked, looking around the shop to see if anyone older was around. The boy nodded, his half-smile fading quickly.

"Only until my mom gets better. She makes all of these things by hand. Lately, she's been real ill though, can't get out of bed, won't eat, and I have no idea why I'm telling you all this" he chuckled in embarrassment. Naruto shrugged before he took the sleeve of what he was looking at in his hands.

"I like the material. It's really light weight" he admired. The boy examined what Naruto was talking about before he smiled wide.

"My mother had this idea for this outfit not too long ago actually. She modeled it after the outfit of the fourth Hokage" the boy boasted. Clearly, this was one of his favorites too.

"The fourth Hokage wore something like this?" Naruto asked, looking over the outfit more critically.

"Well, not exactly like this one. This one here was designed for the everyday ninja. The fourth was anything but everyday if you ask me" the boy explained.

"I can't afford it" Naruto sighed, letting the sleeve slide out his hand. "Maybe I'll come back and get it if it's still here" he added. Turning away from the outfit.

"I'm sure my mom won't mind if I put it to the side for you. She's not at all against little secrets like that" the boy's enthusiasm made Naruto take a step back. What was with this kid?

"Uh…sure. Okay, if you really think she won't mind. Then why not?" Naruto agreed. He watched as the boy started to move the outfit off the display and stopped him. "Are the pieces different prices?" he asked, taking hold of the pant leg.

"Yeah, the whole thing is the price you were looking at. Individually though, the prices are different" the boy confirmed. He smiled when he saw Naruto grab for the rest of the gear.

"I'll take these pieces now then. I'll come back for that—" Naruto pointed to what was in the boy's hands; "Later. For now, this will do" Naruto examined his new outfit one more time.

"This will definitely do."

"Did you hear? Team seven apparently defeated some super dangerous rogue ninja in the land of waves"

"I heard that Sasuke did it all alone. He's so amazing."

"I heard that the people of that town were so grateful, they're gonna name the bridge after someone on the team. It'll probably be Sasuke."

Kiba sighed, annoyed at hearing the whisperings of others while his team and him sat around a table waiting for their sensei.

"Sasuke this, Sasuke that" he scoffed; "You'd think that we weren't on that mission with those guys" he complained, turning on his teammates with bitterness. "Aren't you guys annoyed?"

"No. Why? Because even though we were on the mission, we did not participate in the battle" Shino's cold analysis of the facts irked Kiba, but he relented that his bug using teammate was right.

"It doesn't bother me Kiba-Kun. You should have seen the mess at the bridge when I arrived there with the townspeople. It had l-looked like a b-bloodbath" Hinata said, causing Kiba's ears to perk up.

"What do you mean?" he pressed, leaning forward in his seat. Even the stoic Shino seemed interested.

"W-well, when Inari and I finished rounding everyone up and w-were heading to the b-bridge, I used my Byakugan to scout ahead" her voice was starting to grow softer with each word.

"Yeah, yeah?" Kiba insisted, looking positively excited at what it was his teammate saw.

"I s-saw this…f-foul and malevolent chakra, l-like p-pure evil. By the t-time w-we got there…" her words trailed off. She was doing her best to hide the pain in her heart.

"What happened when you got there?" Kiba asked, not picking up on the down trodden look on the Hyuga princess's face.

"Oh…um…t-the b-battle was o-over. I d-didn't get t-to see whose c-chakra I s-saw" she quickly lied. She averted eyes, not wanting to give away that she knew very well who gave off that murderous signature. She just couldn't bring herself to believe it or accept it. There had to be a reason. Some logical explanation why the exuberant boy she admired had such a foul and oppressive chakra nature on that bridge. Especially since it wasn't like that when she was around him.

"Ah, well that's too bad. Maybe it was just that Zabuza guy or his masked friend" Kiba shrugged. He folded his arms and leaned back in his seat. "Man, I would have really liked to have fought that masked kid. I can't believe that cyclops Jonin managed to kill them both. He must be really strong" Kiba grit his teeth in annoyance but it quickly passed when Kurenai placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Kakashi Hatake is extremely strong. One of Konoha's best defenders" she praised. Her smile wide as she looked at her team.

"Well, bully for him" Kiba sighed. "What did you want with us this early sensei? Do we have another mission?"

"No, actually" Kiba's dejected frown made Hinata giggle. Shino too seemed to be less quiet, but that might have just been Hinata's imagination.

"I came to tell you three that I was thinking about entering you into the Chunin exams."

"What are the Chunin exams?" Naruto asked, looking up at Kakashi. His two teammates also seemed to be fully interested.

"The Chunin exams is how each hidden village will determine whether or not you Genin are ready to be promoted. Right now, Kurenai is telling her team the same thing, and I'm sure Asuma is doing the same" Kakashi explained.

"No thanks, it sounds like a drag" Shikamaru complained. Ino hit him over the head, a resounding slap echoing.

"Everything is a drag to you, you lazy good for nothing" she yelled, but it was no use. Shikamaru didn't care to listen.

"Mm, is, mm, the Chunin exam, mm, for just us?" Choji asked, he was busy munching on a bag of chips and every other time he opened his mouth was just an excuse to shove more in.

"Uh, no" Asuma sighed, as he looked at his team. One lazy, unmotivated, always sleeping kid. One always eating, and one who was more interested in her appearance and reputation than anything else.

"The Chunin exams is for all Genin teams across every hidden village. You three are going to be competing against not only the Genin from here, but wherever else they decide to come from" Asuma explained. Looking over his team one more time.

"And you mean that whatever team comes out on top will be promoted to Chunin?" Kiba asked excitedly. "That's awesome."

"Not exactly Kiba." Kurenai quickly stopped whatever he was about to say.

"So, only one of us has the chance to actually be promoted?" Sakura looked at her teammates. "And we have to take part in this exam?"

"Nope, not at all. If you don't think you're ready for it. Then I won't make you take part. But, if even one of you decides you don't want to take part, then the whole team will be unable to" Asuma gauged the reaction of his team. Here was where they would show their true natures.

"Of course, we want to take part. Right?" Kiba looked at his teammates.

"Y-yeah, sure" Sakura looked away from Naruto's gaze. Unsure of whether or not the blond could tell she was hesitant.

"You have until three o'clock to decide." Asuma handed a registration form to his underlings.

"You bet, sensei. We'll be there" Kiba shouted, looking between Hinata and Shino. Neither of which seemed as keen as him.

"The choice is yours. Either way, three o'clock is the deadline" Kakashi waved before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

"I want to enter" Sasuke stated, turning to look at Sakura.

"Me too" Naruto agreed, also looking at Sakura.

"I-I…" Hinata couldn't bring herself to tell her teammates she didn't think she was ready. Kiba was busy excitedly talking about being promoted to Chunin.

"You lazy bastard, if you say no I will kill you myself" Ino shouted. Choji didn't seem to care either way so long as he could keep eating.

"Okay" three different voices, in three different places in the hidden leaf village agreed. It was definitely not a normal day in Konoha.

"Let's begin, shall we?" Hiruzen called out, getting everyone's attention.

"There's nothing to begin, I do not believe any of the rookie Genin are ready to be part of the exams and this meeting is pointless" Homura argued, much to the agreement of others.

"And what about my team? They may be rookies, but they're the best rookie team there is" Kakashi sighed as he turned to look at his self-proclaimed rival, Might Gai.

"Gai, while it is true your team have been Genin now for a whole year and have completed plenty of missions, the Chunin exams are very different than that. They could be hurt best case scenario" Koharu explained, but Gai laughed in response.

"I promise you that my team is ready. They are full of youth. They won't lose" he smiled. Kurenai groaned, at this display, but it made her resolve stronger. If Gai was going to fight for his team, then so was she.

"My team may be new, but they have what it takes, I absolutely believe that. I endorse them being able to take the exam" she said, a steely look in her eyes.

"My team is also ready for the exams" Asuma chimed in, taking a stand next to Kurenai. They turned to Kakashi expectantly.

"I have no doubt my team will show up for the exam" he agreed. Taking the spot on the other side of Kurenai.

"That's not the same thing as believing they are ready, Kakashi Hatake" Homura pointed out. Everyone turned to look at him, and he smiled under his mask.

"I think they'll manage just fine together" he replied, but Homura huffed at this.

"That is still not the same thing" she complained. Before Koharu or her could continue to press the issue, Hiruzen stood from his seat.

"If the team leaders believe their teams are ready, then they are well within in their power to nominate their teams. Should their teams show up for the exams, together, then they will partake like every other team" the third walked towards the door without another word.

"Least Lord third is on our side" Gai said to the other three.

"That might be a bad thing" Kakashi sighed. Before they could ask why, he walked off too. Not wanting to explain that he didn't think any of their teams was ready, or why, he chose to remove himself from the possibility of being asked all together.

"You guys are entering too?"

"Y-yeah."

"You don't seem all that into it."

"I-I'm…I j-just d-don't w-want to d-disappoint my t-team."

"You'll be great Hinata, believe it."

The Hyuga blushed deeply at the encouraging words coming from Naruto. He hadn't noticed it, and even if he did, he probably wouldn't understand why. The two of them were sitting at the pier with their feet grazing the water's surface. Hinata was busy gathering up various paper wrappings from their lunch together when Naruto caught her attention with a hand on her shoulder.

"Hinata…be careful…in the exams" it surprised him to hear his own voice sound so worried. Something that he wasn't used to in the slightest. Hinata couldn't bring herself to turn around. If she did, Naruto would be able to see the big smile on her face at him being worried over her. Even her own voice betrayed her, and she opted instead just to nod.

When Hinata finally did turn around she was surprised to see Naruto holding the goggles she had given him. He was running a finger along one of the frames before returning it to his pouch. He saw her looking and chuckled.

"They're my good luck charm" he admitted. He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and her heart swooned. She loved when he was so carefree like that. She realized she was staring and quickly looked away. Naruto stood from his spot and grabbed hold of all their garbage from her.

"Hey, Hinata?" he said, she looked up to see him staring off into the distance.

"Y-yeah?" she asked, her heart racing a million miles.

"Did I thank you?" Naruto asked, turning to look at her. Hinata's face grew red, remembering the last time he asked her that. She shook her head.

"Don't worry, I will" he smirked. She turned and watched him walk away, and she couldn't help but wonder yet again, how would he thank her. Why would he thank her for something so small as a pair of goggles?

She rose from her spot and stretched, it was almost time for her to meet her team and head to the exam site. Something that she was not looking forward to in the slightest.

"Seems like you two are pretty close."

"S-Sakura-San?" Hinata stopped in her tracks at the bottom of the steps. Sakura was standing at the top of the hill, and Hinata had to wonder if Naruto had seen her up there or not.

"You and Naruto. You two seem to be pretty close" Sakura repeated, turning in the direction that her teammate walked off in. Naruto hadn't seen her, but she saw him.

"W-well, w-we're friends" Hinata damned herself for not being able to say those words normally.

"Right. Friends" Sakura looked as if she didn't believe the Hyuga, but also like she wasn't about to interrogate her either.

"Say Hinata, are you guys entering this Chunin exam thing too?" Hinata nodded, making Sakura's head drop a bit.

"You don't want to either, do you?" she asked, again Hinata nodded.

"Then why are you entering?"

"Because it means a lot to Kiba-Kun and Shino-Kun. Even if Shino-Kun won't admit it" Hinata answered. Sakura was taken aback by the selflessness in Hinata's words.

"Thanks, Hinata. I wasn't sure I wanted to take part in the exams. But hearing you say you'll endure it for the sake of your team, made me realize that so long as I have those two with me, I'll be okay" Sakura was trying to put on a brave face, and despite the fact that she was lying through her teeth, she believed those words more than anything. She could rely on Sasuke…even Naruto too.

"N-Naruto-Kun won't l-let anything bad h-happen t-to y-you" Hinata said with finality. The stammering did nothing to take away from the look in her eyes. Sakura was impressed by the faith the Hyuga had the blond.

"I can see why he likes you" Sakura sighed, thinking about her own unreturned love. "Even if he himself doesn't know it."

"I-I-I d-don't k-know w-w-what y-you m-mean" Hinata lied, but it was no use. She knew that if anyone would understand, it would be Sakura.

"Relax, I'm not gonna tell him. He wouldn't get it anyway. He's a bit dense" Sakura laughed, which made the Hyuga laugh as well. "He'll get it one day" Sakura reassured, making Hinata feel a little as if she was right.

"I hope so" Hinata admitted. Quickly realizing she said that out loud, she buried her face in her hands while Sakura laughed. Before long, Hinata was able to laugh at it as well, before the two of them made their way towards the exam site where both of their teams would be.

"Naruto, Sasuke-Kun"

Naruto turned to see Sakura running towards him, Sasuke stopped a little ahead of him, so when Sakura ran by him to stop near Sasuke, it didn't surprise the blond.

"I think Kakashi-sensei is rubbing off on you. You're late" Naruto pointed out, and before Sakura could argue, Sasuke started walking again.

"I wasn't sure I wanted to take part in the exams" she admitted, chasing after Sasuke. "But something someone said made me realize that as a team, we got this" she fell in step with the silent Uchiha who didn't seem at all interested in what she was saying.

"What was that about back there anyway?" Sakura gestured over her shoulder towards three little kids, a blonde girl with four pig tails, a boy in all black with something wrapped up on his back and another boy with red hair. Something about this boy was familiar, almost like she'd known him for a while.

"Oh, that…nothing really" Sasuke brushed her off, but Naruto snickered.

"That boy in black was bullying my student and his friends so me and Sasuke were about to put them in their place before that red headed boy showed up…he snuck up on both of us" Naruto admitted, his carefree attitude replaced by concentration.

"Maybe, he's just really quiet" Sakura suggested, but the two boys didn't answer her. Realizing that she wasn't about to get any more information from them, she took to just walking in tandem with them until they reached their destination.

"Wait, what do you mean your student?" Sakura asked, turning to Naruto.

"Well, after I became a Genin I went to see the old man and his grandson was there. Must have taken a liking to me or something because whenever I'm around he harasses me a bit for training" Naruto shrugged, dismissing it as if it happens to everyone. He purposefully left out his run in with the kid's instructor and how he had to put him in his place.

"Oh, well okay then" Sakura couldn't believe anyone would want to be trained by Naruto, but she wouldn't be the one to say that out loud.

Finally, they arrived where they needed and entered the building that was to be the testing site for the Chunin exams and made their way upstairs before being forced to stop due to a crowd up ahead. They pushed through it, to many protests, and came to a stop at the sight of two boys barring anyone from entering the doors behind them.

"Delicate little girls don't belong here" team seven arrived at what seemed to be the tail end of a speech, but that didn't stop Sasuke, or Naruto, from stepping forward.

"Real nice speech, now both of you step aside and let me through" he said with a quiet authority. "And while you're at it, release the Genjutsu, we can see through your illusion anyway. We're going to the third floor."

"What does he mean, we're on the third floor."

"I know…" some of the other Genin were whispering, which made Naruto want to turn around and tell them they were being stupid.

"Well, well. So, you noticed the Genjutsu?" the boy with bandages crossing over his face smirked.

"Go ahead and tell them Sakura, I'm sure you noticed before anyone else did" Sasuke turned to look back at his teammate. She felt her face flush at the praising tone in Sasuke's voice.

"Of course, I spotted it. This is only the second floor" Sakura's smug smile was matched by Sasuke's.

"Gonna have to try harder than that to fool us" Naruto shrugged, giving Sakura a thumbs up.

"Aren't you the smart ones, so you noticed an illusion" the bandaged boy scoffed. "Now let's see you deal with this!" he shouted. People gasped as some of them missed what happened entirely. Sasuke and the other boy had both thrown a kick. That wasn't the shocking part. What surprised everyone was that another boy in a green jumpsuit had caught both of their kicks by the ankle. His bowl haircut swaying as he turned to look at each of them.

"Hey, what happened to the plan?" another boy with long brown hair stepped forward. A girl with two buns right new to him. Naruto was quick to notice the pale eyes of the long-haired boy. 'He's a Hyuga…No way he didn't notice the Genjutsu' Naruto thought. Eyeing the three of them suspiciously. 'And this bushy eyebrowed guy was fast enough to stop Sasuke's kick, he has to be just as fast. Not to mention strong' Naruto was beginning to wonder just what these three were playing at, but chose to remain silent.

"I thought you were the one who said to keep a low profile and not to let anyone see our skill level?" the Hyuga scolded, much to the green clad boy's dismay.

"I know, but—" "Just forget it. It's done now" the girl said, shrugging her shoulders. The boy in green didn't seem all to broken up about the plan they apparently had falling apart as he walked past the others and stopped in front of Sakura.

"My name is Rock Lee, you are Sakura, correct?" he asked, when Sakura nodded in confusion. Rock lee smiled, offering her a thumbs-up very different from the congratulatory one Naruto offered her earlier. Rock Lee's smile was meant to be charming, but it came off kind of dorky with his hair being the way it was. "Please, be my girlfriend. I vow to protect you with my life." He said confidently, his smile getting even wider.

"Uh…definitely not."

"What-why?" Rock Lee asked, dejected.

"Because you're a weirdo" Sakura stated coldly. Rock Lee's head dropped so fast Naruto couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey you, over here" Naruto turned his attention to the Hyuga and girl approaching Sasuke. "What's your name?" he demanded, the tone in his voice screaming arrogance.

Sasuke shoved his hands in his pocket; "It's common courtesy to give your own name before asking someone else's" he coolly replied.

"You're a rookie aren't you, how old are you anyway?" the Hyuga ignored Sasuke's comment.

"I'm not obliged to answer" Sasuke replied, making Naruto want to laugh again. They were both so arrogant it made Naruto want to just go home and avoid the whole thing. There wasn't enough room in the hall for both their egos. The Hyuga looked upset that Sasuke wasn't cooperating with him and even more upset when his own teammate giggled behind him.

Sasuke turned away from them and started to walk away. "Let's go you guys" Sakura said before he had the chance to.

Yet again, team seven set off making their way to the third floor. Naruto couldn't help but wonder why they even stopped on the second floor, and how no one else even realized they only went up one flight of stairs. He thought back to the Hyuga boy and how his eyes were colder and crueler than those of Hinata's. It reminded him of Ko's hard demeanor and the thought annoyed him.

"You there" team seven stopped and turned, looking up to see Rock Lee standing on a balcony above them.

"What do you want?" Sasuke asked, as the three of them watched Lee jump down to their level.

"I wish to fight you" Lee announced, leveling his gaze with Sasuke. "I wish to test my skills against this year's number one rookie."

"Okay, I'll fight you. But first, who was your teammate?" Sasuke asked, and even Naruto had to agree he was interested in who the Hyuga was.

"My teammate?" there was a disappointed look on Lee's face. "As strong as he is, it doesn't matter. I am the strongest one on my team" Lee declared, though Sasuke didn't look as if he believed him.

"Come at me whenever you are ready" Sasuke grit his teeth at the way Lee was looking down his nose at him. He charged towards Lee, but Lee didn't move from his spot. Once Sasuke had finally closed the distance between the two them he threw a roundhouse that Lee easily ducked under and countered with a kick of his own. Sasuke slid to a stop next to Naruto and it then that Naruto noticed Sasuke's eyes were red. A black tome in the upper right of his eye made it look like he had two pupils and Naruto remembered seeing Kakashi having the same eye when they fought against Zabuza. Though Kakashi's had three black tomes compared to Sasuke's one.

"I see that's how it is" Lee said. He began to unravel the bandages on his hands, where Naruto noticed the state of his knuckles-well-worn no doubt from training.

Lee crouched low to the ground before he vanished from sight, Sasuke's surprise was mirrored by Naruto and Sakura, as Lee kicked Sasuke into the air. It looked like they were hovering for a moment before Lee's bandages seemed to take on a life of their own. They were beginning to move to wrap Sasuke up before, out of nowhere, a pinwheel on a metal rod went soaring towards the two and pinned one of the bandages to the wall. Lee pushed Sasuke away from him as they both hit the ground at roughly the same time. Albeit, Lee landed on his feet, while Sasuke just landed—hard.

Naruto and Sakura rushed to Sasuke side to check on him. His eyes were back to their onyx black and couldn't contain his curiosity.

"Hey, Sasuke, what's with the eyes?" Naruto asked, more forcefully than he intended.

"What's it to you?" Sasuke demanded, just as forcefully.

"I want to know more about them" Naruto admitted. Not really caring if it fed Sasuke's ego. Before the Uchiha could answer however, their attention was drawn to Lee's voice.

"Gai-sensei, forgive me. I got caught up in the heat of battle" Naruto heard Lee shout. When he actually took in and comprehended who Lee was talking to, Naruto leaned over to Sakura.

"Is he talking to a giant tortoise?" he asked, Sakura and Sasuke both nodded. "Okay, I thought I was imagining it" Naruto said. Lee and the tortoise turned towards them, and with a puff of smoke a man dressed just like Lee, with the same haircut appeared upon the tortoise's shell. He looked like an older Lee. Though his features were a bit sharper than that of his apparent clone.

"This is master, Gai-Sensei. Through hard work and determination Gai-sensei has become the greatest ninja in the leaf. An example I wish to follow" Lee proudly said, but Gai didn't look like he approved of such praise.

"Lee, I have a long way to go before I am the greatest ninja in the leaf, and you further still. But with the power of youth, we can both reach our dreams" Gai kneeled in front of Lee before they hugged one another.

"Should we be treating Kakashi-sensei this way?" Sakura asked her team, and they shook their heads violently. "I didn't think so."

"How is my eternal rival?" Gai asked, looking at Sakura.

"Eternal…"

"Rival?" Naruto finished Sakura's question for her.

Gai gave them a thumbs up; "Kakashi and I have been rivals since we've been kids. More importantly he and I are friends too" Gai smiled. Sakura cringed at the similarities of Gai and Lee and couldn't imagine having either of them as an eternal rival.

"Sasuke, I want you to know that I want to fight you seriously. Though, I lied when I said I was the strongest on my team. The one you want to know about is Neji Hyuga, he is last year's rookie of the year. As strong as I am, he is even stronger" Lee admitted. He turned away from team seven with Gai right behind him. "If you choose to fight Neji, be warned it will not be an easy task" with that, the two of them, along with the tortoise left team seven alone.

"This exam is starting to sound like nothing more than people trying to one up each other" Naruto said. He folded his hands behind his head and started to walk towards the door on the opposite end.

"Not getting scared, are you?" Naruto was surprised to hear the playful tone in Sasuke's voice, even more shocked when he turned to see Sasuke smirking.

"You wish. I'm not worried one bit" Naruto tilted his chin up. "Besides, who could even come close to beating someone like me?" he asked, Sakura sighed in defeat.

"Boys" she mumbled before pushing past Sasuke and then Naruto. Sasuke looked like he was about to say something but walked past Naruto as well.

Naruto followed after his team, only catching up once they were nearing a classroom. When Sasuke slid the door open, they were equally surprised to see not only their former classmates, as well as Lee and his team, but dozens of ninjas as well. All wearing different headbands. Naruto spotted the red headed boy from earlier. They locked eyes with one another and for a moment Naruto felt a pull in his gut. Something about him seemed familiar. Almost like Naruto was looking into a mirror.

"That guy gives me the creeps" Sakura whispered to Naruto, breaking him from his staring contest.

"I know what you mean" Naruto lied, not wanting to give away what he was thinking about. Sakura eyed him suspiciously, then turned back to the red headed boy and back to Naruto. Whatever she was looking at must not have been important as she turned to Ino and the two of them started to argue over Sasuke.

"H-hi, N-Naruto-Kun"

"Hey, Hinata" Naruto smiled at the Hyuga. He was about to ask what was going on when Kiba and Shino joined them, as well as Shikamaru and Choji.

"I can't believe you actually decided to join" Kiba teased, elbowing Naruto as he did.

"You're one to talk. Didn't you sleep through the land of waves mission?" Naruto shot back. Choji almost choked on his food as he burst out laughing.

"You know were sick" Kiba said in defeat.

"This is going to be so troublesome" Shikamaru mumbled.

"When isn't something troublesome to you?" Kiba asked, turning to poke fun at the Nara.

"You guys, we're being watched" Sakura and Ino both joined them. Now that she said it, Naruto turned to see everyone else in the class watching them closely.

"W-what are you doing?" Sakura asked as Naruto took a step towards the other ninja.

"What are you bastards looking at? Do you have a problem with us?" Naruto demanded, annoyed that some of them were looking at him with the same judgmental stare that the villagers would when he was a kid.

"Naruto, shut up" Sakura said through grit teeth. "You're causing a scene" she pulled at his sleeve. When no one else said anything, Naruto turned away from the others.

"That was quite a bold move to make" the rookies of Konoha turned to see a boy with a leaf headband walking towards them, the overhead lights shining off his round glasses. He stopped in front of them with a smile. His long white hair a shade or two darker than Kakashi's.

"I'm Kabuto" he said, offering a friendly wave to them. "I know who you all are, so you don't have to worry about introductions" he added. Naruto found his smile unnerving, like he was hiding something.

"How do you know us?" Sasuke asked, also just as wary. Kabuto pulled out a stack of cards from his pouch.

"With these. They're info cards" he said, lifting one and showing it to them. After a small glow from his fingertips, Sasuke's face appeared on the card. Along with what looked like stats of his.

"That's cool" Kiba's awe was more vocal than the others, but they more or less agreed that it was a nifty trick.

"Do you have info on everyone here?" Sasuke pressed, Naruto also was beginning to wonder if this Kabuto had any info on everyone in the room. Mostly himself since the last thing he needed was for people to find out about the dark room and him.

"Who do you want to know about?" Kabuto asked, shuffling the cards as he did.

"Neji Hyuga, and Gaara of the sand"

"Who's Gaara?" Sakura whispered to Naruto.

"He's that red headed kid from before" he quickly answered, his interest piqued he joined Sasuke and Kabuto on the floor as Kabuto placed two cards face up.

"Neji Hyuga is pretty impressive. So is Ga…wait, that can't be right" Kabuto looked like he couldn't believe what he was reading.

"What is it?" Sakura asked, leaning over Sasuke's shoulder.

"It says that Gaara of the sand has completed several high difficulty missions without a single scratch" Kabuto turned to look at team seven in disbelief. Sasuke as well couldn't believe what he just heard. They barely made it out of the land of waves with Kakashi on their side, and this Gaara was just waltzing out of mission unscathed.

Naruto turned to look at Gaara again, and what he just heard all but confirmed what he already knew. Gaara of the sand was possibly the most dangerous person in the entire room. There was massive puff of smoke that silenced all chatter. When it cleared, there were a dozen or so Leaf ninja standing at the front of the class.

"My name is Ibiki Morino, I am the first exam proctor, and from this moment…your worst enemy" Ibiki announced once he had everyone's attention. "Hand over your paperwork. In return you will be given a number. This number will determine where you sit. We're gonna start with a little written exam" he turned to write on the board behind him.

"Oh man, I hate written tests" Naruto groaned. He approached one of the older ninjas before taking a number and an exam from him. "This is crap" he sat down and realized that he couldn't even see Sasuke or Sakura.

"Um, Naruto-Kun" Naruto turned to see Hinata on his right.

"Hey Hinata, I guess we're stuck together huh" he smiled at her.

"I wanted to say good luck" Hinata managed to get out.

"Uh, thanks…you too" Naruto replied, Ibiki stopped writing, drawing Naruto's attention.

"Alright, rule number one is this, the written part of the exam is conducted on a point reduction system. Contrary to what some of you are used to, you will all begin with a perfect score of ten points and lose points for every question you get wrong. So, if you get three wrong your score will be seven. Rule number two, teams will pass or fail based on the total scores of all three members" there was an eerie silence that washed over the collective classroom.

"Wait a minute, are you saying we get scored as a team?!" Sakura yelled from somewhere behind Naruto.

"Silence, I have my reasons. So, shut up and listen. Rule number three, the sentinels you see positioned around the room are there to watch you carefully for any signs of cheating. For every incident that they spot, they will subtract two points from any culprit that is caught. Be warned, their eyes are extremely sharp. If they catch you five times you'll fail. Anyone fool enough to be caught cheating, doesn't deserve to be here. If you want to be considered shinobi, then show us what exceptional shinobi you can be" Ibiki was definitely taking pleasure in seeing their faces of fear.

All the worries that Naruto had were slowly fading away. If he didn't get caught cheating then there was no problem. He just had to figure out a way to cheat and not get caught.

"One more thing, if any candidate should get a zero and fail the test, the whole team will fail. With that said, the final question will be given out when there are fifteen minutes left for the testing period. You will have one hour total" Ibiki looked around the room. "Begin" he ordered with a wave of his hand.

Naruto looked over each question, each on growing harder and harder than the one before. It wasn't until he got to the last question that he realized he wouldn't be able to answer any of them. Or more like, he didn't want to answer any of them. 'It doesn't make sense. If we start with a perfect score and fail when we get zero, why would I answer anything? If anything, I shouldn't answer them and I keep my score at ten points. That doesn't make sense either, why give us the questions then? This is such a pain in the ass' Naruto thought looking over the test again. Little did he know that Sasuke and Sakura were thinking something similar. However, they arrived at the conclusion that they proctors were inviting them to cheat. They just couldn't get caught doing so. Sasuke was the first one to notice that someone in the class was already writing answers on their exam. He smirked to himself before activating his Sharingan to copy the hand movements of this apparent genius.

Sakura on the other hand didn't need to resort to such tactics since she was more than capable of answering each question, she was just worried that Naruto might not be able to. Even if she tried to deny it, she was also worried Sasuke might not be able to either. Naruto hadn't moved a muscle since the exam started and twenty minutes had already passed. Sakura was beginning to think that it was a mistake coming to take these exams, but she couldn't spend too much time thinking about that. She needed to ensure she got the highest possible score for her test alone. This way it could possibly make up for Naruto's low score.

As time whined down, Naruto grew more aware of the sounds of pencils tapping away, even of the various shady things going on. He noted the mirrors overhead, and the subtle barking of a dog somewhere behind him. Just as he was about to say something to Hinata, a kunai flew between them and landed on the desk behind them.

"What was that for?" the kid behind them asked.

"That was strike number five, you fail. You and your teammates will leave the room immediately" one of the sentinels said.

"Number 23, failed."

"27, and 43, failed" more and more people were being called out and forced to leave the room, and when one headstrong Genin thought to challenge the call, he was pinned to a wall by one of the sentinels. Naruto couldn't hear what the sentinel was saying, but it sounded as if he was telling the Genin that even amongst the Chunin, these sentinels were chosen specifically for this exam.

"Number fifty-nine, you fail"

"Number thirty-three and number nine, you fail."

"Number forty-one fails."

"Numbers thirty-five and sixty-two, fail."

"Alright, listen up, here's the tenth and final question" Ibiki announced. Everyone looked up from their exams. The door opened behind everyone and the kid who was with Gaara earlier walked in.

"Oh, you made it just in time" Ibiki smirked; "I hope your bathroom trip was enlightening. Take your seat." Naruto turned to see the boy walking back to his seat, what surprised him was that he looked flustered to have been called out the way he was. What was it that he did when he left the room? Did the proctor help him cheat? Why would he?

"Right, before I give you the question, there are more rules that you need to be aware of. These rules are unique to question ten. Listen closely, and try not to let them frighten you" Ibiki looked around the room again. "Very well then, rule number one: each of you can choose not to be given the final question. It's your decision"

"Whoa, so what's the catch? Say we decide we don't want to do it, what happens then?" the blonde girl who was with Gaara earlier demanded.

"If you choose not to take the final question, regardless of your answers of the other nine, you get a zero. Which means you fail, as well as your teammates" Ibiki hung his head as there was a bunch of murmuring. People question why they wouldn't choose to take it, why would anyone choose to fail?

"Not so fast, you didn't let me finish. If you do accept the question and answer it incorrectly, not only do you fail but you will be barred from ever taking the Chunin exam ever again!" Ibiki announced. The tension that built throughout the room made the hairs on Sakura's neck stand on end. Even Naruto and Sasuke thought they heard wrong.

"Hey, that's bull, that's ridiculous. What kind of rule is that? There are plenty of people here who've taken the Chunin exams before" Kiba argued, but Ibiki just laughed, silencing him with that deep and sadistic sound.

"I guess you're just unlucky, see, I wasn't making the rules before. Of course, if you don't want to take it, you don't have to. If you're not feeling confident you can skip it and try again next year" Ibiki shrugged, laughing yet again. "Now then, if you're ready, the tenth and final question. If you don't want to take it, raise your hand. Your number will be recorded and you will be free to go" Ibiki waited silently as he looked around.

"I'm out, I just can't do it. I'm out."

"Number one-fifty, fail"

"Number one-thirty, number one-ten that means you're out too."

"Gennai, Inaho, I'm sorry."

"That's it, I quit."

"Me too, I'm out."

One right after the other, people were beginning to give up. Naruto couldn't help but think about the fact that he couldn't answer a single question. He should raise his hand. He should give up. If only for Sasuke and Sakura's sakes. Before he thought anymore about it, he raised his hand into the air and brought it flying down to the desk in front of him with a resounding slap.

"Don't underestimate me. I don't quit and I don't run. You can act tough all you want, you guys aren't going to scare me off, no way. I don't care if I do get stuck as a Genin for the rest of my life, I'll still become the Hokage someday" Naruto stood from his seat; "Bring it on." 'What am I doing?' he thought, fully aware that as smart as he was, there was no way he was going to be able to answer this last question.

"This decision will determine the rest of your life. I will say it again, if for any reason you want to quit, now is your final chance" Ibiki spoke to the remainder of the Genin.

"No way, I never go back on my word. That's my way of the ninja!" Naruto exclaimed, inspiring others to also hold on. Ibiki noted that if not for Naruto, more people would have given up.

"Well then, I admire your determination. There's only one thing left for me to tell you…and that is…that you all pass" Ibiki announced, a smile spreading across his face.

"Wait a minute, what's the tenth question?" Sakura asked, but Ibiki just laughed.

"There wasn't one. Not a written one at least. Your decision to stay was the answer for the tenth question" he answered.

"So, you're saying the other nine questions were just a waste of time?" the blonde in the back demanded, but Ibiki again just smiled.

"No, no, not at all. Quite the opposite. The first nine questions had an important over righting purpose. To test your ability to surreptitiously gather strategic intelligence under the most adverse circumstances" Ibiki replied, confusing more than a few people.

"Oh, well that explains everything" the kunoichi sarcastically said.

"Let me explain, you see my objective was to not only test you as an individual but as a team. That's why you were scored as a team. That way you would understand that everything you did, or failed to do, would directly impact your teammates. I wanted to see how you handled being put under pressure" Ibiki explained, looking at the remaining seventy-eight Genin.

"The first nine questions were difficult; in fact, they were impossible for Genin to solve. I'm certain that many of you came to the conclusion on your own. It was designed to encourage cheating. Though it would have been pointless unless you have someone to cheat from, so I disguised two Chunin who had all answers to sit in with you from the beginning."

'I was right. He wanted us to cheat. Damn, I should have just cheated then' Naruto thought, turning to look at Hinata. She smiled at him. "Guess we knew better, huh Hinata?" he smiled back at her.

"Those who were caught, failed. Better not to cheat, than cheat clumsily" Ibiki reached up and pulled off his bandana, revealing a multitude of scars on his head. "Information, it can be the most valuable weapon in battle. How well you gather intelligence can determine whether your mission is a failure or success. Of course, you must always consider the source of your information. Intelligence gathered from an enemy is not necessarily accurate. Always bear this in mind. Disinformation can be worse than no information at all. It can lead to death of a comrade or the loss of a village. That's why I put you in the position where you had to gather accurate intelligence. Cheat in order to survive, and that's why those who weren't good at it were weeded out. Leaving the rest of you"

"Okay, but I still don't get what the whole tenth question was about" the same blonde from before chimed in.

"The tenth question was the whole point of the exam. Surely, you see that." Ibiki said in annoyance.

"Sure, but explain it anyway" Sakura called out.

"As I've said before, the goal was to not only test you as individuals, but as a squad. The final question gave you two options, both difficult. You could choose to play it safe and skip the question, though it would mean you and your teammates fail. Or you could try to answer the question knowing if you got it wrong you would lose your chance of ever becoming a Chunin. It was a no-win situation. But just the sort Chunin have to face every day. For example, let me give you a hypothetical, to steal a document from an enemy stronghold, you have no idea how many ninja the enemy has or how heavily armed they are. Furthermore, you have reason to believe that the enemy expects you. You could very well be blindly walking into a trap."

"Now do you have the option of taking a pass on this insane mission, of saying my comrades and I would rather live to fight another day? Can you choose to avoid danger? No. There will be many missions that will seem suicidal if you think about it, but you do not think about it. You think only of the goal. Of achieving it through courage and discipline. These are the qualities required of a Chunin squad leader. Those who choose the safer of two paths, those whose determination falters in the face of adversity, those who would put their comrades lives in jeopardy by worrying about their own, those who would save their own necks at the price of sacred honor will never be able to call themselves Chunin, at least while I am here."

"As for the rest of you, you have successfully answered the ten questions I put to you. You have earned the right to continue on to the next step. You have passed through the first gate. I hereby declare this part of the Chunin selection exam completed. There's nothing left but to wish you good luck."

No sooner did Ibiki finish speaking did a blur come bursting through the window. Two kunai shot up into the ceiling pinning a banner up behind a purple-haired woman.

"Heads up boys and girls, this is no time to be celebrating. I'll be your next proctor; Anko Mitarashi. Ready for the second test?" Anko asked, and before anyone could answer she thrust her hand into the air. "Good, let's go, follow me!" she exclaimed.

"You're early…again" Ibiki walked out from behind the banner.

"How many are there? It looks like you're losing your touch, Ibiki, you must be getting soft" Anko teased after a quick scan of the remaining faces.

"Or it could be a stronger crop of candidates this year" Ibiki smirked; "You'll see."

"They sure don't look it. Trust me, by the time I'm done, more than half will be eliminated" Anko boasted, sending a shiver down Sakura's spine.

"You maggots had it easy so far, but things are going to be different first thing in the morning. I'll let your squad leaders know where you're to meet me" Anko chuckled. She seemed to be just as much into the idea of torturing them as Ibiki was. She left without another word, allowing the remaining Genin to also leave.

Ibiki was busy collecting the exams left behind, being the only one in the room, he took his time. When he came to a blank exam, he couldn't help but laugh.

"I passed someone with a blank exam…Naruto Uzumaki…" he read off the name and remembered the loud mouth blond in orange at the end of the exam.

"What a funny guy."

AN: Sorry, this took so long to get out. Holidays at my house are hectic. I didn't have much time to write at all. Now that this chapter of the rookies taking a written test is over with, we'll get to some fun stuff in the forest of death with Auntie Anko. How will things be different? Will Orochimaru even be able to seal our knuckleheaded ninja? What could possibly go wrong in the forest this time around? Stay tuned to find out.

Until next time.