Chapter 27 – The Chunin Exams Begin

Haku and Kakashi stood away from the students. They were far enough not to be heard but not too far for Haku not to keep an eye on the students. Haku faced Kakashi and saw that he was not happy with him. He guessed what it might be about due to his talk with Naruto. The blond, who he lived near, warned him that Kakashi might not be happy to know that he was helping Sakura. Haku didn't understand why he would but it looked like that Naruto was right.

Haku was a little worried until he felt a warn session on his arm. It was the seal that was put on him, which let him know that his ANBU handler was close. It was placed on him after he worked out his deal with the Hokage. His guard was letting him know that he was close and assumed that he knew about Kakashi coming to confront him. Ignoring it for now, Haku turned his attention to Kakashi.

"So, what is it that you wish to talk about Kakashi sensei?" Haku asked.

"We can start by telling me who gave you permission to train my student? Did you not think that I should have been informed?" Kakashi asked with a tone.

"I truly did not believe that it would have been an issue as I have only help Sakura with her basics and with the scrolls that you gave her. As for permission, the Hokage gave it to me when I asked him. Due to my probation, I felt that it was the wise thing to do. He said it was alright for myself and Iruka to help her." Haku answered calmly. Kakashi's mood did not get better with that answer. It meant that the Hokage knew about the training and allowed Iruka to come at him. Kakashi turned away from Haku and vanished. Haku did not feel insulted and went back to the students.

XXX

Hiruzen stamped another document when he heard a small commotion outside. His door was thrown open and in entered Kakashi. His receptionist was right behind him.

"I'm sorry sir," she began but Hiruzen held up his hand.

"It's alright. I've been expecting him." He said. The woman bowed and closed the door as she left. The two were looking at each other, one calm, one angry. It was Hiruzen who spoke first. "I see you went to talk to Haku?"

"You gave him and Iruka permission to train Sakura without my consent." Kakashi stated.

"I didn't believe that you cared. When Haku came to me, he explained the discussion he had with Sakura. It seems that she finally had enough of you telling her no. I happen to agree with Iruka that you can learn only so much from reviewing. You do not improve just by sticking your head inside some text or scroll. I gave Haku permission to only to improve her basics and apply what she learned from your scrolls, something you refused to do." Hiruzen explained

"I was only looking out for her. She just started to take her training serious and," Kakashi began.

"I'm going to stop you right there." The Hokage cut him off. "She should not have gotten to this point. You should have dealt with her issues at the beginning. Perhaps, she would have contributed more during your mission."

"Sir, you know who I have, who I picked. You have read the evaluations." Kakashi argued.

"That is just another excuse. Yes, I have read the same evaluations but that does not mean we cater to Sasuke because he may betray the village one day. Should he betray the village in his quest for power and revenge, then he will be treated as anyone else who betrays the village." Hiruzen stated with a hard tone.

"So, you are just replacing me with others like Haku and Iruka?" Kakashi asked with an edge.

"No, you have done that yourself. You are making the same mistake I did with my own team." The old man commented.

"It would never come to that." Kakashi said quickly.

"It already has. You just refuse to see it as it is." Kakashi could not speak after those words. He did not believe that his team could end up like the Sannin, where only one was loyal to the village. Kakashi recomposed himself and looked at Hiruzen.

"They will prove you wrong in the exams." He said. Hiruzen just looked at him before sighing.

"Very well, we will see. However, after the exams, team seven will no longer be under your command."

"But sir,"

"No!" Hiruzen shouted, silencing Kakashi. "You have proven to be unable to lead the Hidden Leaf's future! I will not let it continue on!" Kakashi looked at Hiruzen with his narrowed eye. It did not worry the old kage.

"I will fight you on this. I am not a bad teacher and I will keep my team." Kakashi stated.

"Do what you must Hatake. We're done here." Hiruzen said with a dismissive tone. Kakashi turned to leave. As he was halfway out the door, Hiruzen spoke again. "Minato would have done the same thing and you know it. He nor your teammates would have accepted this." Kakashi paused for a moment before leaving. Hiruzen turned to his left and an ANBU appeared.

"Inform Naruto to be careful around both Kakashi and Sasuke. My guess, he will now help Sasuke gain his Sharingan." Hiruzen ordered.

"Yes sir." The female said and vanished. Hiruzen then called in his receptionist.

"Get me the files of every jonin who has requested a team." He ordered.

"Sir." She said and left to get it done. Hiruzen went back to his work.

XXX

Naruto was sitting at his favorite booth with a bowl of ramen in front of him. The only problem was that he was not devouring it. He ignored it and he seem to be in very deep thought. Tenchi and Ayame were very worried and a little frightened. An observer watched and noticed that Naruto was being weird. They decided to do something about it. It came fast, it came hard and it pissed the blond off.

"What the hell?! Why did you hit me she-hulk?!" Naruto exclaimed.

"You're scaring you friends stupid." She then hit him again. "And that is for the she-hulk comment." Naruto gave the stink eye to Sakura who just turned her nose up at him. Naruto turned around to his ramen and began eating. Ayame decided to ask a question.

"Is something the matter Naruto? You're not usually this deep in thought unless you're creating a jutsu or learning a new sealing jutsu." She said.

"I'm just thinking about that Gaara guy." Naruto said. This got Sakura's attention.

"Why are you thinking about him?" she asked.

"I saw his eyes. As some form of training, Ibiki had me stare into the eyes of people to read their thoughts. In a way, I learned how to do that but now, I wish I hadn't." He said somberly. Sakura was curious about that. She noticed the tone and remembered the explosion Naruto had in the Wave Country. Could this have something to do with his life here in Konoha?

"What did you see Naruto?"

"He's… lived a life similar to mine." Naruto said. Sakura watched the two ramen shop owners and saw that they shocked. It soon changed to recognition and sadness. Sakura started to wonder just how bad Naruto's life was. "I saw the malice but under it I saw the loneliness, the pain. I can't help but wonder if I could have turned out that way." Naruto explained. Sakura was floored by that. She always thought that Naruto was a happy-go-lucky guy but he was full of insecurities just like everyone else. However, she did not like it. A somber Naruto just didn't look right.

"Look Naruto, I don't know how bad things were for you and I'm sorry if I was insensitive to it but you're not that Gaara guy. Sure you were lonely in the beginning but then you found friends and you kind of found a family. That's the stuff you worked for, right?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right." Naruto said a little more confidently. I did find a family and I do have friends. Thanks Sakura for cheering me up." With that, Naruto began to inhale his ramen and asked for another bowl. The adults looked happy while Sakura looked disgusted at his eating habits. As the second bowl appeared, so did an ANBU ninja.

"Naruto Uzumaki," she started when she noticed Sakura. She thought for a while before making a decision. "Sakura Haruno, I have a message from the Hokage." The two looked at each other and was curious as to what it was.

XXX

Sasuke arrived at the training ground, very annoyed. He saw Kakashi who was staring at the memorial stone. The genin walked up to him.

"What's the deal? Why did you bring me out here in the middle of the night?" he demanded. Kakashi turned around to face him. As he looked at him, the Hokage's words rang in his head. He quickly banished them and focused on Sasuke.

"We are going to activate your Sharingan tonight. We are not leaving the training ground until we do." Kakashi said. Sasuke was shocked but it change into a smirk.

"When do we begin?" he asked. Kakashi revealed his Sharingan.

"Right now."

XXX

Kurenai looked at her team who was looking at the forms. She could see that Kiba was excited, Hinata was a little nervous and Shino was Shino. She caught their attention with a cough.

"Again, this is completely voluntary. You can chose to participate or not. I believe that you all are ready to take the next step." Kurenai said.

"D-Do you really think so s-sensei?" Hinata asked.

"Yes, I do. All of you have grown from what you were. You three have really become true ninja." Kurenai said with a smile. "I leave you three to discuss things." She vanished to leave them alone. Kiba looked to his teammates.

"So, what do you guys think? I'm excited about it." He said.

"I am also curious but I will step down if you are uncomfortable Hinata." Shino said.

"I-I don't want to hold you guys back." Hinata said.

"You don't hold us back Hinata. You help out a lot with your first-aid and taijutsu. If you don't think you're ready, then we can wait. We are a strong pack and the pack stays together." Kiba said. Shino nodded at that Hinata smiled at her friends and teammates.

"O-Okay, let's do it." Hinata said. Kiba cheered while Shino remain silent.

XXX

Asuma just sighed as he looked at the scene in front of him. He had given them the forms and explained the Chunin Exams. That when it all went south.

"Take the damn form Shikamaru!" Ino shouted.

"Why should I?" Shikamaru asked in a bored tone. "Asuma said that it was voluntary and I'm volunteering to pass on it. It sounds troublesome."

"I don't care! We taking these exams and becoming chunin!" Ino shouted.

"Guys, we need to calm down and talk about this." Choji said, trying to be a peacekeeper.

"What is there to talk about?! Don't you want to be chunin?!" Ino argued loudly.

"Yeah but not right now. I don't believe that I ready for that responsibility yet." Choji answered.

"God, can't you think for yourself Choji! Stop following Shikamaru's lead!" Ino shouted.

"Enough of your mouth!" Shikamaru roared, stunning everyone. He glared right at into Ino, making her flinch. "Enough of your put downs and insults!" Shikamaru took a breath and calmed down. "Choji and I are making are OWN choices. Just accept it and move on. You are not the leader of this team and we don't have to follow your lead." Ino's anger returned and she glared at the two boys in front of her.

"You think so Nara?! I'll show you!" With that, Ino stormed off. Asuma sighed at the scene. He was reconsidering he decision to nominate his team.

XXX

Naruto looked at the form, then at Kakashi and finally at the form. He then let out a long sigh.

"The old man must hate me. He either hates me or is getting back at me for a prank. No way does he saddle us with a jonin so stupid." Naruto stated.

"That's rude Naruto. I'm sure that sensei is just joking about this." Sakura said and looked at Kakashi. That man did not answer the question and gave no expression. She turned back to Naruto. "So, the Hokage is punishing us because of you. Thanks a lot Naruto."

"If we are done insulting me," Kakashi said.

"I still have a few words." Naruto muttered. Kakashi gave him a serious look, warning him to stop.

"As I was saying, you are to report to the academy." He said and began to leave.

"That's it? That's all you got to say?" asked Naruto.

"What do you want me to say Naruto? It doesn't matter what I say or explain, your opinion is not going to change. Like I said before, it is your choice if you want to participate." Kakashi explained. "If you all would act like the team that I know you could be, you wouldn't be questioning my decision."

"I question your decisions because you don't make any good ones. You are the sensei of this team. It is your responsibility to make sure that we are ready for the ninja world. You haven't done that. Why do you think I go to Ibiki or Iruka or even elder Homura? I wonder, was your sensei just as shitty as you or is this just how you are?" Naruto argued. Kakashi was very upset with those words and narrowed his lone eye at the blond. The blond saw that he hit a nerve but he wasn't going to apologize.

"Be at the academy or not. It makes no difference to me." Kakashi stated and vanished. Sasuke took his leave as well. Sakura turned to Naruto.

"I think that you really pissed him off." She said.

"Yeah, well I don't care anymore. You heard what that masked kunoichi told us last night. We can't trust him anymore. All that matters to him is helping Sasuke. He doesn't care about you or me." Naruto said. With a sigh, he walked off. Sakura also sighed and walked away to think about this decision.

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Authors' Notes: Sorry about the late updates. I have something really important to take care of and now that I have, I can focus on my stories. Anyway, I knew some of you was expecting Haku to tell Kakashi off but I got a better idea and had Hiruzen tell him off. The chapter actually feels right when I did that. So the exams are up next. Again, sorry for the late updates.