Chapter 12: Entrance Exams


NAMIKAZE AIMISOUMA


I started to stir as the morning sun came in my window. I open my eyes and blink a few times. It's too early. I groan lightly and pull the burgundy comforter over my head.

After a few minutes of sulking from the sun, I reemerge from under the warm blankets. Glancing around the room, my eyes fall on my homemade wall calendar. Today was Saturday. Something small was written underneath the date. I knew what it said, even if I couldn't read it from bed.

ENTRANCE EXAMS

10 am

Training Ground #1

The analog clock resting on my small nightstand read 7:36. I slide out from underneath the bedding. I quickly change out of my pajamas and into a navy qipao. The sleeveless tunic, decorated with coral peony flowers, falls to a few inches above my knees. Slits along each side extend to my upper thighs. I slip a pair of coral colored leggings, berating myself for not putting them on BEFORE the dress.

When I finish changing, I make my way into the main room. Kushina is making something in the kitchen. Whatever it is, it smells really yummy. "Morning!" Kushina calls outs, her tone happy-go-lucky as always.

"G'morning!" I respond. You can't not being cheerful around her.

"You hungry?"

"Yes, Ma'am." I respond.

"You've already known me for a month. You can drop the 'Ma'am' anytime. It makes me feel like an old lady, ttebane. Will you set the table?"

I blink a few times, processing her rapid-fire sentences, then do as she asked. I peek at the stove and see tamagoyaki on a frying pan, reheating miso soup, and a steaming rice cooker. I grab some bowls and plates and set them on the table.

"Where is Niisan?"

"He got called to a quick meeting, but he should be back in time to take you to the entrance exams."

"Should I set him a place at the table?"

"Probably. He's usually done with these things super quick."

"Yeah! He is super-duper fast!"


NAMIKAZE MINATO


"Hokage-sama." I bow lightly as I enter the round office.

"Minato-san. Good morning, will you sit down?"

I silently do as the sandaime asks, sitting in the chair across from his desk.

"What can I do for you, sir?"

"How is Konoha's newest adoptive resident adapting?"

"Aimisouma is doing well. She wants to go to the Ninja Academy. She has the entrance exams later today. The doctors say that she is healing fine. She has therapy appointments every Friday. She plays at the park most days after lunch. She seems to like it here. I think she will be fine, given time."

"Indeed. Last time we met you mentioned her showing you her sealing jutsu. How is that progressing?"

"She showed me how she seals things into her scroll. It's a hybrid of fūinjutsu and space-time jutsu, that doesn't use written ink. I struggle to get a two inch toy in and out of the scroll. How she was able to seal away an entire person in suspended animation, I don't get. It just amazes me."

"The doctors mentioned in the hospital that they noticed several impacts on her chakra coils. They suspect that the jutsu has to do with that. They recommended that I limit her sealing of large objects until she has stopped growing."

"That jutsu could be invaluable to the village if you can learn how to use it. Being able to transport massive quantities of materials long distances would help the war effort. It even has potential for sealing away prisoners."

"Yes, sir, it could help our people a great deal."

"Tell me, why does she want to become a kunoichi? It seems to me like she would want to get as far away from war as possible."

"She wants war to stop, yes, but she also wants to protect people. She doesn't want to loose anyone else."

"She is quite mature, despite her young age. How is your team doing?"

"Obito is bored, Kakashi feels guilty, and Rin wants to yell at both. So… relatively normal… for them."

"Let me know if you or Misou need anything. I am almost always here."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

I leave the office and return home. When I open the door, the smell of Kushina's cooking washes over me. Kneeling at the low table are two of the most beautiful women in the world. I take in the sight.

I can imagine the future. Kushina and Misou several years older, a pair of toddlers in the fray, one with Kushina's vivid hair, and one with mine. Both toddlers inheriting Kushina's habit of saying: 'Dattebane.' Both bright and happy, like Misou. I would, eventually, teach them to fight with a Kunai, and Misou helping with their homework. Even though I only met my sister less than two months ago, I cannot imagine a future without her in it. I don't want to.

I smile, and join the girls for breakfast.

A few hours later, Misou and I stood outside training ground one. She was fidgeting; shifting her weight back and forth; and glancing around nervously. I patted her shoulder affectionately, but she about leapt out of her skin.

Every kid is reacting about the same. Except maybe that Nara over there. Most are nervous about the exam.

For the past five years there has been an obstacle course added to the entrance exam. With the war, and nationalism at an all time high, many people who were not determined enough to make it though shinobi training had been enrolling in the academy. Only to find, a year or two later, that it is not what they wanted.

The obstacle course was designed to test the applicant, not only physically, but mentally. To determine if they were willing to put forth the needed effort to become a ninja of the leaf.

I had supervised the first obstacle exams, so I knew what she was going to be going through. She played on the playground a lot. Especially the monkey bars and climbing wall. If she kept a level head, she was more than strong enough.

True this is more extreme than those, but shinobi are hidden everywhere, so if someone does fall, they are in no danger.

Falling doesn't equal failing either. It's more about the character traits that you show in the course.

But I wasn't allowed to tell her any of this though.

Just then, another group got in line behind us. My sister turned to look at them, and then started beaming. "Hi, Uchiha-san!" She remarked.

"Hello, Namikaze-chan." Fugaku replied emotionlessly.

"How is Obito-kun? Minato-niisan doesn't wanna take me to see him 'cause imma little kid, and he is all beaten up…and only has one eye…and it might not be good for my 'traumatizing past' … and-" She does are quotes around 'traumatizing past.'

"He is doing well. The doctors say that he can leave the Hospital soon." Fugaku interjects before she can ramble on too much.

"Yeah? Awesome! Who are you?" Aimisouma abruptly changes topic and looks at the boy next to Fugaku.

"I am Uchiha Itachi." The boy says. His eyes are analytical, but kind. He looks at Aimisouma for a minute, then turns to his father. "Dad, how do you know her?"

"Namikaze Aimisouma is the one who brought your cousin, Obito, back to Konoha safely."

"Is she the one with the scroll thing that you were telling Mama about?"

"She is." With that, Itachi began staring intensely at my sister. Aimisouma decided that it was an unspoken staring contest, and started glaring black. I tried not to laugh at my sister's antics, but could not suppress a lop-sided grin. Fugaku looks on the scene with raised eyebrows.

Before a victor can be determined, Misou is called to the table.

"We will have a rematch, ttebane!" She declares, before turning to the table.

Oh no! She has already started picking up THAT habit. Hopefully she doesn't start fighting in school. Otherwise, I'll never hear the end of it from Kushina. She'll think it's absolutely hilarious.

I hand over her enrollment application to the chūnin behind the table.

He gives the paperwork a once over, before having Aimisouma move into a small waiting area. She hugs me as I wish her good luck. She moves through a gate, and I head off to the observation platform that looks over the course.

I watch as the proctor explains the rules, which are mainly no skipping an obstacle, that you can quit anytime, and that everything you do is being watched.

Three boys and four girls choose to leave already. The young Nara seems to consider it, but probably thinks its better to stay then face the wrath of her parents.

When the crowd settles, a small bag is passed around. Every applicant withdraws a single numbered tile. They then line up in that order. Itachi is first in line, followed by Misou as second.

The proctor signals, and Itachi starts. After a minute, Misou follows.

"This equipment doesn't look very sturdy." Remarks Fugaku from beside me. I agree completely. I don't believe that the course has been updated since the second shinobi war. "There has been a small gap in age recently, so none of my clansman have had to complete this course." He remarks, while inspecting the faded, cracked, and well worn equipment.

The first obstacle is a path full of unevenly cut logs placed together. It is really easy to trip on the logs. The second is a series of balance beams that slope up and down. Itachi and Misou both seem to have no trouble with them.

I can see Misou focusing, wanting to catch up to Itachi. Oh dear, a rivalry already?

Next comes a climbing wall, steeply slanted, and fifty feet high. Itachi seems to slow down on this obstacle. Misou however, speeds up.

She scurries up the wall, seventy-five percent of the way up, they are neck-and-neck. I can see Itachi roll his eyes. She five feet from the top when it happens.


A/N:

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~~Aurelia Azyton~~