Chapter -24

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura finally arrived at the door of the room where the exam was going to be held. Kakashi was waiting for them.

"I thought you guys backed out. There's only like 5 minutes left till the start."

"Like hell I'll back out! I'm gonna become the Hokage. I'm not scared."

Sakura giggled at Naruto's boasting. Sasuke watched her as she laughed and just frowned. Tch. Like I care.

"Alright, good luck you guys. Do your best"

"Thank you sensei." Said Sakura.

They moved towards the door when Kakashi spoke

"Sakura, a word. "

She nodded and went to him.

"What kind of ninja are you? Genjutsu? "

"I am a medic ninja. But I also have brute strength. I can break anything. And I can heal people."

"Hm. Well since I havent seen you doing all this, I will advise you not to draw too much attention towards yourself. But if Naruto or Sasuke are in trouble, you can heal them. That would be an advantage for you. Other than that, you're on your own. Good luck. "

"Thank You sensei! I'll make sure we will be okay."

She turned and walked into the room.

When she saw everybody, she felt a chill run down her spine. Naruto was screaming and drawing attention. All the members of the Rookie 9 were here. She stood in a corner and just watched them. It feels so great to see everybody again. She had a gentle smile on her face.

Sasuke was getting tired of Ino launching herself at him. He just side stepped and avoided her. His eyes roamed around the room until he saw pink. Why is she sitting in the corner? Sasuke walked over to her.

"Why are you here?"

"huh? What are you talking about? I'm here for the exam."

" No. I meant why are you hiding in the corner?"

"No reason. I was just observing. You can go."

Sasuke just sighed and stood beside her. He watched as Sakura was watching the members of Rookie 9 fighting and just kept smiling. But suddenly she got alert. She was tense.

"Sakura?"

Sasuke followed Sakura's eyes and they landed on a grey haired ninja who had a Konoha headband. I have never seen this guy. Who is he? And why is Sakura tense around him?

Sakura just glared at him with her fists clenched at her sides. She wanted to kill the bastard. But she couldn't do anything. I cant act suspiciously. Sasuke saw her and then he narrowed his eyes on the grey hair guy who was showing Rookie 9 members his cards which had data of almost everybody. That is so weird. How can he have so much info? This really is suspicious.

Finally the proctor came and started giving instructions.

"My name is Morino Ibiki. I am your proctor for today. Everybody form a line and come to the table to get your allotted seat number. After that, I will explain the test."

Everyone hastily formed a line and the proctors started giving seat numbers. Naruto got a front row seat and Sakura and Sasuke were just 3 seats away. Once everyone was seated, Ibiki told them rules.

"All right. This is a written test. In front of you, there is your paper. There will be 10 questions. But only 9 are printed. You have to answer atleast one question otherwise you will be disqualified with your team. When only 15 minutes will be left in this one hour long test, I will reveal the 10th question. Cheating is not allowed. By the side of every row, there are invigilators who will be checking if you are cheating or not. If you are caught cheating 5 times, you and the rest of your team will be disqualified. Got it?"

Naruto was nervous. Damn it! Why a written test?! I wont be able to pass at all. Sasuke will kill me. Naruto groaned and rest his hands on his head in frustration. Meanwhile, Sasuke was trying to understand the rules.

"All right it 3 o'clock. BEGIN"

Everybody flipped their papers and started reading the questions. Everyone had a face filled with worry and panic. Sasuke was also at a loss. What the hell! These aren't genin level questions. How can I answer them? He secretly peaked at Sakura and saw that she was already solving the questions in speed. No way! She knows this stuff? Sasuke sat idle for a few minutes to understand what he should do in this kind of situation. Then it clicked him. These guys are urging us to cheat. They made the questions difficult on purpose to force the students to cheat. But they want us to do it with stealth. Why else would you give someone 5 chances of being caught? Sasuke looked at Naruto's back and saw him panicking. You better answer atleast one question.

Sasuke activated his Sharingan and started searching for somebody from whom he could copy. Ultimately, his eyes landed on Sakura. He focused his sharingan on Sakura's pencil and started moving it in the same way to make the characters and hence the whole answer.

Sakura already knew all this stuff so it wasn't even a big deal. Many people were disqualified. All of them were shouting about how they weren't cheating. But that was the point. You had to show your stealth. Meanwhile Naruto was just panicking. He didn't notice Hinata sitting beside him. She saw how troubled he was so she decided to help him.

"Naruto-kun. Here, copy from my sheet." She whispered

Naruto was shocked and then he said 'thank you' in a low voice. But as soon as he was about to take a peak, a kunai came and stuck in the paper of the guy sitting next to Naruto. They had them taken away. Naruto was scared to death. I can't risk it. Sakura and Sasuke will suffer too.

"I'm sorry, Hinata. I want to pass the test on my own. I cant risk it." I'll just have to wait for the 10th question.

She just looked down and nodded. When there were only 15 minutes left, Ibiki spoke up.

"All right. It's time to reveal the 10th question. Before I tell you that, does anybody want to go?"

Some students started getting up and started leaving.

"okay. For the 10th question there are some rules. You have to answer the 10th question correctly. If you give incorrect answer you will be disqualified and barred from taking the Chuunin Exams ever again. But if you forfeit, you will be allowed to sit in the next exam."

All of them were gaping at Ibiki. What am I supposed to do now?! I can't fail like this. Thought Naruto.

"Those who want to forfeit, raise your hand and then leave with your team."

Many of them rose their hands and looked at their teammates apologetically. Now the room was much less crowded. Naruto also shakingly started raising his hand.

Sasuke saw him. No, you idiot. Don't forfeit! He knew Naruto didn't answer any question.

Suddenly Naruto slammed his hand on the table

"No way am I giving up! I'm gonna become the Hokage. Nothing can stop me. Not even your questions. Come on, bring it." Finished Naruto boldly. His statement gave everybody some backbone and they looked at Ibiki determinedly. Sasuke just smirked and looked at Sakura. She had a soft smile on her face and was looking at Naruto. This irked Sasuke. Why always Naruto? Sasuke formed a scowl and looked at Naruto. Bastard.

Sakura knew what Naruto would say but still when she heard it, she felt pride in her friend who was brave enough to stay because he had faith in his team. Thank you, Naruto.

"Okay. Those who have stayed, I have something to tell you. You all have passed this exam. There is no 10th question. It was just to check the faith you have in each other. Congratulations on passing."

At first Sasuke was shocked and then he just smirked. Everyone else cheered and Naruto was the loudest of them all. Suddenly, somebody crashed through the window and stood in front of Ibiki.

"Hey you brats. I am Mitarashi Anko and I will be your proctor for the second level of the Chuunin exams. You better be ready. Tomorrow may be hell for you. You will receive the location from your Jonin incharge."

At that everyone started leaving. Sakura was first to stand up and she started walking towards the door. She saw Sasuke walking up to her. They both stood at the door as Naruto chatted away with Hinata.

"How did you know all those questions. They were really hard."

"I like to study. So I had already read up on that stuff. It was easy for me."

It wasn't the truth but it wasn't a lie either. Then Naruto came running and started jumping up and down.

"We did it! We did it! We passed."

Sakura smiled at him and again Sasuke was pissed. Why do I always get pissed when she smiles?

"Yeah Naruto. You did great. Thank you for not giving up."

"Hell yeah. I never go back on my word. That's my nindo!" he finished with a cheeky grin.

Sakura wanted to read up some more on chakra so she decided to go to the library again.

"Sorry you guys. I gotta go. Sew you tomorrow!" and then she ran off.