The Path A Ninja Walks...

Chapter Twenty-Four

Prepare Yourself! The Chunin Exam Begins!

A/N: WARNING-The character known as Sage Amesawa uses a lot of profanity and colorful language as part of his "colorful" personality. Be prepared if you are sensitive to that. Please note it is not because I condone such manner of speech, and also the character does not mean to use it as a way to be harmful, it is just his personality.

A hush fell across the room as a man decked out in a long trench coat demanded the attention of the crows.

"I am Ibiki Morino, your proctor." he stated, "And from this moment on...your worst enemy."

The nervous murmer of frightened Genin filled the room as this man called Ibiki stepped forward, instantly putting an end to the who dispute.

"First! you candidates from the Village Hidden in the Sound..." he said, pointing them out, "Knock it off! Who told you, you could fight!?" he blinked,"You want to fail beofre we even begin!?"

"Sorry...it's our first time." said one of the sound Ninja. He looked hunched over uncomfortably, decked out in fur and covered in tape, like a mummy,"...Guess we're a little jumpy...sir."

"Hmph." Ibiki smirked, "I'm only going to say this once, so listen carefully!" he commanded, "There will be no combat between candidates." he stated, "No attacking each other without the permission of your proctor! And even then..." he continued, "The use of fatal force is strictly prohibited!" he leered, "Anyone who even thinks of messing with me will be disqualified immediately!"

Sage and Hana gulped. Even Saseme got a few disturbing chills from his intense glare. A hush fell among the crowd again and Ibiki continued with his demand, "Now...if we're ready, we'll proceed to the first stage of the Chunin Exam." he blinked, "Hand over your paper work, and in return, you will each be given a number." he stated, "The number determine where you will sit...and then, we will start the written test once you are all seated.

Written Test!?

Saseme thought to herself.

"Heh...well there's an unforeseen turn of events..." she muttered.

"And number seating?" Hana blinked.

"Looks like they plan to separate us..." said Sage.

And right he was.

Once all the Genin were seated, waiting patiently, no team mate was anywhere near another.

Divide and conquer, huh?

Saseme thought to herself as she glanced around the room, having no sign of where her team mates were seated.

An effective strategy to get us nervous and worked up.

She blinked.

They must be hell bent on not allowing team members to help each other...

Ibiki stood at the front of the room and began tapping a piece of chalk against a black board as he went on to discuss the rest of the situation.

"Everyone, eye's front." he stated, demanding all eyes on him once again, "There are a few rules you need to be aware of." he said, "I refuse to answer questions so pay attention the first time around!" he huffed, "All right then...Rule number one." he said as he began writing on the board, "The written exam is conducted on a point reduction system." he said, "Contrary to tradition..." Ibiki explained, "Everyone begins the exam with a perfect score of 10 points." he said, "One point is deducted for each one you get wrong." he stated, "Rule number two." he began," Teams pass or fail depending on the total score of each member!"

Saseme twitched.

The total score!?

She blinked and gritted her teeth.

I see...at least no one on my team is a complete moron...that I know of...

"And rule number three." said Ibiki,"The sentinals you see positioned around the room are there to watch you carefully for any signs of cheating." he stated, "For every incident spotted, two points will be deducted from that culprit's score."

Oh shit...

Sage thought to himself, seated in the far left corner area of the room.

With such a low starting score to begin with...that's a big loss even if all answers are correct with or without cheating...

"Be warned." said Ibiki,"Their eyes are extremely sharp..." he blinked, "And if they catch you 5 times you will be dismissed before the tests are even scored at all." he stated.

Damn...they sure aren't making this easy for us, are they?

Hana blinked, as she fidgeted around nervously on the far right side.

Saseme was a few rows seated down in the middle.

"Anyone foolish enough to be caught cheating by the sentinals, doesn't deserve to be here." said Ibiki with a smirk, "If you wanna be considered Shinobi..." he said with a grin, "Then show us what exceptional Shinobi you can be."

Saseme twitched.

Show...?

She thought to herself.

I see...so it's that kind of test...

"And one more thing!" said Ibiki, "If any candidate should get a zero and fail the test...then the entire team fails."

This time a gasp spread among all candidates in the room.

Are they fucking serious with this bullshit!?"

Sage gasped. And Hana wasn't doing too well either.

This can't be real!

Hana gulped. She closed her eyes and folded her hands, as she rested her forehead against them, taking in slow and deep breaths.

Okay...okay...this is no big deal...

She thought to herself.

Saseme is a pain but even I have gall enough to admit that she's no moron...

And Sage, despite being an idiot himelf, is far from stupid.

She sighed as she opened her eyes in her thought process.

And I know I can handle myself well enough on a written test...

She blinked.

So as long as neither gets too many wrong answers or gets caught cheating then-

Hana gasped.

Gets CAUGHT cheating...

She blinked.

...So that's it...

"As for the final question." said Ibiki,"It won't be given out until 15 minutes before the end of the testing period." he said, "You'll have one hour total...now...BEGIN!"

To Be Continued