..Chapter Fourteen..

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Leiko Izanami. Tall, brash, cocky, and yet every ounce the woman she called her mother was. Well, not her true mother, but that didn't matter. Her parents had always been kind to her. Kind enough to take her in and give her the opportunities she now had before her.

She had sharp violet eyes. They seemed electric, almost metallic with energy. Her hair was the rich shade of deep ebony with bright slashes the same color as her eyes. It was short and erratic, put up into two tight bands that spiked out on the top of her head to either side.

She was draped in a large poncho of deep deep royal type purple. The edges were sewn through with black thread that created a design of curling lines. The poncho had a high neck with a silver buckle. It covered her lips and part of her nose.It fell to her ankles, but one side of it was open and draped over her shoulder revealing a tight jumpsuit of black and metallic violet beneath. The outfitting had no sleeves and her arms were covered in black gloves to her upper arms like an ANBU. Silver forearm protectors like those Itachi wore covered them. You would only see one though, as it was on the side of the open part of her poncho and placed on her hip.

She stared out at her class. The room was full to the brim. Just as she expected for the first part of the exam. Would they be able to handle her? Ibiki had once done this part of the exam many years ago. His hard tactics and mind shattering techniques had left many of the students feeling defeat. He'd told her he imagined if it weren't for one Uzumaki Naruto, now the Hokage, his class would have been half the size it turned out to be.

She smirked.

She handed the stack of papers to the Chuunin next to her and asked that he pass them out.

"Candidates," she addressed the room, "today you will take the first part of the Chuunin exam. This is but one part of three levels to the large test. It is written and requires a lot of concentration. Be sure to follow the instructions. Not doing so will result in your failure. Getting caught cheating will result in your failure. Failing will not only cause you, but your team mates to fail." Her eyes narrowed. "Begin!"

Kei felt her heart drop to the bottom of her stomach. What was with this lady? If she failed her team failed too? How... what... this sucked! Maybe the answers weren't that hard? She looked down at the paper in front of her. Her heart dropped again as she started to read. The first line on the page said to read the entire test. Huh...? She looked at the large stack of paper. It was at least an inch thick. How much time did they have?

She looked up at the teacher and raised her hand.

"Yes?"

She gulped. "Um... sensei... how long do we have to finish this test?"

She smiled. "Attention class."

Everyone looked up.

Good. "There is no time limit. The first person to complete the test however..." She smiled under the neck of her poncho, "will be given an extra sixty points for the final part of the exam. Their team mates will be given the same points and they will pass because you have passed. Even if they fail. But..." she paused, "if you finish first and fail.. you and your team may never be allowed to take the exam again."

Everyone in the room gasped. What kind of fucked up rule was that?

Apparently Rei seemed to think so too because she stood up and slammed her hand on the desk. "What kind of bullshit rules are those?"

Leiko narrowed her eyes at the red head. "If you don't like it, you are more than welcome to leave and try again next year. Just remember... if you give up, your team gives up as well. Think wisely. After all, you have more than enough time to consider your actions."

The whole room seemed to go silent as Rei sat down with little more than a growl.

Kei stared down at her stack of papers. Her huge stack of papers. There were words all over them! She scanned the first couple of pages, not finding a single question in sight until seven pages into it. She thought she was going to cry. Oh! This was injustice!

She sighed. Pouting was doing her no good. She would just have to read the whole thing through carefully and go from there. And somehow, someway, she would avoid being the first person to the front of the desk.

Hours passed by. Many of them as the class went through the test. But, no one was getting up. No one was going to the front to turn in their test. And then, after much time late into the evening... some people were first removed for cheating. Some later were removed when they raised their hands to quit and try again next year.

When Kei finally looked up... only twenty-five percent of the class remained. She swallowed hard and glanced over at Rei and Ryu. The test questions didn't look that hard. She continued to read through. Every page. She'd been tempted a few times to write down answers. They were unbelievably easy. Just what was with that anyway? You'd think this exam would at least have Genin level questions. Not Academy student level.

She sighed as she flipped another page... and another... and another. Another forty-five minutes passed before she reached the final page. Ok, done. She was about to turn back to the first page of questions when she noticed something... something very small... very tiny at the bottom of the page in gray writing. It wasn't invisible. But, it wasn't easy to catch if you ran through the test too quickly. She almost jumped out of her seat when she read those words.

"Do not write on this test."

She looked up again around the class. No one had gone up to the front yet. No one. Had anyone else caught it? Or was she just the first? It all made sense to her right then. She grinned and picked up her papers. She raised her hand.

Leiko looked up at her. "Yes?"

"I'm finished, sensei."

Everyone in the room looked at her. Stared.

Leiko arched a brow. "Oh..? Are you sure? You know if you fail you ond your team can never try for the exam again."

She was still grinning. "I know, sensei. I'm confident."

"Very well, bring it here." She motioned with her two fingers.

Kei ran to the desk and placed the stack of papers in front of her as Leiko sat down. And then she started flipping through it. Everyone in the room held their breath. When she got to the final page she looked up at Kei. There was a long silence. "I'll give you one more opportunity. Are you sure you don't want to quit now?"

Kei blinked. Had she done it wrong? No, that was impossible... had she misread the last page? She felt her gut wretch. What should she do?

No, her mind shouted at her. No. She had not been wrong. She was sure of it. "I am determined, sensei. You cannot make me doubt what I have read. I am positive that I have passed."

She smiled. "Very well," she began, the room still holding their breath, "Hyuuga Kei... you have..." her tone was stern, "...passed. You and your team may leave the room. Sixty points will be added to your final score in the last part of the exam."

People started gasping and blinking in awe. Kei just jumped into the air and shouted, "Score!"

Rei smirked at her from her desk and Ryu just grinned. Both team mates got up and the rest of the room started finishing the exam. When they left the room Ryu looked at her.

"How did you pass that? I know the questions were a piece of cake... but, I still didn't want to be first. I was so worried I got one wrong."

Rei nodded. "I was not as confident either. I didn't want my failure to yours. How did you do it?"

Kei blinked. "You mean you didn't see it?"

Both team mates looked at one another and then back to her. "See what?" Ryu stated.

She chuckled and explained, "At the end of the last page. It says, 'do not write on this test.' and at the first part it said read the whole test first. So, I did."

"Dude! I totally missed that! Awe... I'm so happy you went up there first, Kei. You're amazing."

"Ditto," said Rei with a half smile. "I'm happy your the brains of this operation. Because it it was left up to Ryu here we'd be done for."

"Hey!" He frowned as they headed down the hall to the entrance. "You're not as smart either, Red."

"I never said I was. It's my job to just keep your asses in line." She smirked. "That test was dull. Wanna burger?"

Both team mates shouted in agreement and they made their way out with a smile. Talking ensued for a long while as they walked down the dirt path in the village. They all stopped though as they found Rin in front of them.

She flashed a smile. "Good afternoon, team!"

"Hello, Rin-sensei. But, it's night time."

Rei nodded in agreement to Kei's statement. "It's the middle of the night."

Ryu chuckled. "What are you on, sensei?"

Kei giggled. "You're definitely related to Kakashi-sensei."

She arched a brow and looked up as if she was only just realizing it. She looked back down at them. "So it is. And I should think so. He's my husband."

Kei's eyes widened. "Really?! He never said he was married."

She smiled. "I know. Anyway, I have some news for you three."

"What's that?" Ryu placed his hands on his hips.

Kei arched her brows expectantly.

"Get on with it, woman. I'm hungry," was Rei's response.

"Very well," she grinned, "Tomorrow, first thing in the morning will be the start of the second exam. Everyone finished the written very quickly after you two left."

"How many passed?" Kei was curious. How many had gotten the last question? She hoped Shin did well.

"Well, about half of the room. Only six other teams manages to pass. That's eighteen students."

"Shin's team?" She outright asked.

She nodded. "His team passed." She smiled at her excitement. "Just be sure to make to be at The Forest of Death by tomorrow at nine AM. Got it?"

"Forest of Death?" Rei asked. "Isn't that a forbidden area?"

She nodded. "Yes. Don't bring anything with you but your shinobi weapons and normal tools. No packs, no food, nothing. Doing so will get you disqualified. Ok?"

They all nodded.

She smiled. "Good. I'll be watching for you guys. A few days after this part of the exam will be the big match ups in the main stadium. Don't let me down, ok?"

"Yes, Rin-sensei," they all said.

"And that's it. Don't stay out too late. You wouldn't want to miss it tomorrow because you slept in. Bye!" With another grin she was gone in a flash.

The three shinobi began to walk off towards the normal place for a bite to eat, clearly contemplating the second part of the exam for tomorrow.

As Rei and Ryu spoke amongst themselves and bantered our young heroine pondered. The name of the place alone didn't inspire warm fuzzy feelings. It made her think of creepy scary monsters of death. She began to image terrible things curling around her in the middle of a dark second of woods. She wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow. Surely there wouldn't be monsters. Not unless you counted the shinobi who'd come from other villages to participate or watch.

There were so many of them around town. All of them were dressed up in the garb of their country or village. Leaf was banking in big on the paycheck from all the out of towners, that was for sure. Some were from Sand, others from Rock, still even more from Mist. The only one she wasn't seeing was Sound. And that she was happy for. Orochimaru wouldn't dare try to smuggle his ninja in again. Doing so would get them kill on spot. Even if there was a scent of them around.

"What do you think, Kei-chan?"

She blinked over at Ryu. She frowned. "I'm sorry. I wasn't listening. Can you repeat it?"

"It's alright," he smiled, "I was asking if you wanted to go some place else. The burger joint looks pretty packed." He pointed at it.

Indeed, there was a line out the door. "Huh... Well, we could always go get ramen. I'm sure it's not busy this time of night. It's not on the main strip. Only regulars go because they know how good it is."

Everyone seemed to agree with that. Rei seemed irritated about not getting her burger, but she seemed to get over it pretty quickly once they started eating at the open aired shop.

"So, how hard do you think this second part will be?" Ryu asked.

"Who knows," began Rei between bites, "my old man told me the first year they did it you had to nab a scroll from the other teams."

"What kind of scroll?" Kei asked through a food filled mouth.

Rei sighed at her friend's lack of table manners, but continued, "Well, each team was given one scroll. One scroll of earth and one of heaven. You didn't know who had which, but you had to have both to finish the test. Which means..."

"You were pitted against other teams to get their scroll." Ryu offered.

"Exactly," Rei nodded and went on, "so, inevitably only three teams can move onto the final part of the exams."

"Did he tell you anything else?" Kei asked, this time making sure she finished the food in her mouth.

She shook her head and picked some more noodles with her chopsticks. "No, he said he wasn't allowed to. But, at least we know that much, I suppose. Don't know how much help it really is." She took a bite.

"It's better than knowing nothing at all," Ryu smiled, "Thanks, Red."

She smirked, "Yeah, whatever..."

Kei chuckled. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad tomorrow. She had two amazing team mates who stood by her no matter the situation. Yes, they would pass. They would pass and move onto the final part. And maybe, just maybe, she'd make Chuunin. They all would.

ooo

Naruto gazed out at the many people before him in the room. They'd all shown up, hm? This was a good sign. It meant they were interested in what he had to say. All three great Kages had shown up, sitting at the lowest level of the auditorium in the center set of long wooden desk. All of them were looking at him with some intent.

The first in the row was a woman. He only knew she was female because he'd been told as much. Her entire face was covered in the white of her veil. The rest if her in her Kage robes and hat. Her name was Kito Kyoko (first name first this time). One of the few female Kages in the room today. And also one of the most deadliest. She came from Mist and her gaze was heatedly narrowing on him. He'd never met her before. He'd been told she was not the most agreeable or trusting Kage in the room. He'd have his work cut out for him.

The second was the Touchikage. Fugita Kamizuru from the hidden village of Rock in Earth country. He was fifty-two years old and a hard ass. Very set in the old ways. He had long graying hair and a receding hair line. It was tied back in a top knot and the lower half hung down his back past his shoulders. He had a mustache which was also long and fell to either side of his mouth like an old monk. He was a no BS kinda guy that took didn't take anyone's shit. He could feel the heat coming off of him just from sitting next to Kita. He was only agreeable if your offer made sense and was good for him. So, he wasn't too worried about him. He just had to be strait forward and to the point.

The third was the one good member he had in the group. Raidon Akiyama. He was fifty years old and had gray hair as well. It was shorter but you couldn't see that beneath his Kage hat. He had to little bits of hair under his nose for his mustache. He looked scary... but really Naruto had been told if you were on his good side he was just a big teddy bear. nd thank fully he was just as eager to hold this meeting as Naruto and Gaara.

Gaara was next to him and just above the other Kages in another row he could see Sumaru. Good old Sumaru. It'd been a long time but he'd been happy for him when he achieved his dream of Hoshikage. Star still wasn't one of the great nations, but, he was working towards that.

"Now that you're all here and ready we'll begin," he stood up and placed his hands behind his back, addressing the room. Gaara moved to stand next to him, giving him strength. He allowed a smile for the room to see.

"As you all know, this gathering is one of the utmost importance. Few people know we're even meeting here today. I appreciate your secrecy in this matter and your willingness to show up." He paused to see how they took that before continuing. "All of us have felt the weight of Orochimaru and the Akatsuki in many ways. They've all done wrongs to us. Stolen children from our villages, raped our women, killed countless numbers of our best shinobi. All the way from Academy level right up to ANBU special forces."

"I'll say," Raidon spoke up, "They took my brother. I've still got men who haven't returned from that mission."

Naruto nodded. "I understand and I want to help. But, I need your help to do that. All of you," he gazed around the room, "This is not a feat I can do on my own. Even with Sand's cooperation. Both groups have strong forces that have beaten us in the past. And in the past we have fought with each other. Many wars over senseless distrusting issues. We've spent countless years pecking at one another and loosing lives in the process." He once more took pause and looked around the room and he held open his hands in an open expression. "I'm not asking you all to unite infinitely. It would be nice. It is one of my many goals as the Hokage. To unite the five great nations, no, all of the shinobi world under one great force. But, I'm not asking for that much. I'm asking you today, to join me. All of you. And help destroy the threat both evils pose against us."

It was then Kita spoke up, the Mizukage. "I'm not sure how much of a threat this.. Akatsuki actually poses. The only thing they seem to be is ridding us of the beast holders, Hokage-sama. Like yourself and the Kazekage..." She seemed to smirk. "I can't see how that is a... bad thing. No insult intended, but you understand I'm sure."

He didn't miss her meaning, but it didn't cause his confidence to waver. "You are wrong, Mizukage-sama." He addressed the room again. "Many of you do not know this, but, the Akatsuki pose a great threat to us as they gather more and more keepers of the tailed beasts. They plan to use those great powers to wipe out villages out entirely."

There were urgent whispers around the room and someone shouted how he knew this.

He tried to quiet the room but it was Gaara who spoke up, coming forward. "We have people keeping tabs on this for us. We can say, with definite certainty that the Akatsuki plan to wipe us out. If we fail to form as one front and annihilate these forces we may see an end to the shinobi world we all have worked so hard to build. I for one, am not going to let that happen to my people. The choice is yours..." He looked over at Naruto, hope in his cool aqua pools.

Naruto smiled and nodded and thank you. He was more than happy his good friend was here.

Then suddenly the man who'd been quiet the entire meeting, the old man without his Kage hat on spoke, the Touchikage. "You are a very good speaker, Hokage-sama, Naruto, keeper of the nine tailed beast and son of the man known as the Yellow Flash of Konoha. The man who defeated the great demon fox and sealed him in his only son." He paused. "I met him once. He was a great and honorable man who loved his village. I respected him and still do even into his death."

Naruto blinked, in awe... "Thank you.."

He smirked. "I am old. I am set in my ways. When I was boy many wars broke out between the five great villages. Many people died. Many people I cared about like my dear wife and child. I understand your need. I once had it long ago." He sighed. "I'm not sure if I have the energy to do what you are asking..."

Naruto felt his inner strength begin to drop. He could not waver. He needed to get them to agree.

"But.."

Naruto waited with a bated breath and Gaara narrowed his eyes curiously.

"A new age is coming for all of us. That has been proven in your great alliance with Sand. You two..." He chuckled. "You both are so young and because you keep the beasts within you I can see wisdom beyond even my own years. And yet, it seems you both have retained the spirit of a child of twelve going on his first D ranked mission." He smiled then. "I will join your front Naruto Uzumaki, son of the Yellow Flash of Konoha. And if you still wish to unite the five great, no, all of the shinobi world after this fight, you will have my sword and my village at your side."

And then, even after the shock began to set in, the whole room began to agree. One by one they agreed they would unite against the Akatsuki and Orochimaru. After years of hoping all it took was two great enemies to bring them together. And even if it was for a small period of time, it was just but one step closer to achieving his dream of a united shinobi world.