Author's Note: Hey, everyone! First of all, thank you for those who reviewed and red my story. Well, not my story since I don not own Naruto. Disclaimer! I'm always afraid checking the reviews because I don't know what you guys are going to say and please remember that I haven't finished watching Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. My memory with Naruto is a little bit rusty and I do remember about certain things. I also wanted to mix canon and non canon plots into this fic. Thanks again and enjoy! (Sorry if Ibiki seemed a bit out of character...I tried..)
Let the Exams Begin!
After what happened that morning, the Third Hokage told all Jounin and Chuunin ninjas to stay alert of their surroundings as well as watching over the villagers. Mugen knew what was in everyone's minds, they are accusing the other village ninjas were the ones behind the murder and their mind is stained with hatred. But they were frustrated as they couldn't do anything until they knew exactly who commit such horrible event and gather evidence or they'll start a war with other villages. "Remember, don't do something that you will regret and that will get the village in trouble. Now, dismiss!" The Third Hokage ordered and watched his ninjas disappeared in the room except Mugen.
"Especially you, Mugen. I hope you can control your anger." Said Sarutobi and smoked on his pipe. "I was this morning…but…I'm sure Hayate would want us to be clear minded and not to cause trouble to the village because of him." He said and the Hokage gave an agreeing nod. Mugen left the office and decided to train by himself to get over Hayate's death. After a few hours of training, the man rested his back against a tree, panting and covered in sweat. His body slid down against the tree trunk until he sat down on the soft grass. He looked at the training field and watched images of him, Hayate and Yugao. The three were sharpening their swordsmanship and tested out their skills, as well as their techniques towards each other. Most of the training was just Hayate and his girlfriend, making her frustrated as he always won in their personal spar.
"Agh! Damn it! You're just out of my league, Hayate…" Said Yugao, bent over as she catch her breath. Hayate gave a sympathy smile and sheathed his sword. "Don't say that, Yugao. You can pass me and besides, you are getting better." He said, comforting her and put his hands on her shoulders. Yugao pouted out her cheek and turned her head away from her lover. "You're just saying that to cheer me up, aren't you?!" She said and crossed her arms. His hands were on her forearm while his eyes didn't left from the most important person before him. "You know I wouldn't do that, right? You really are getting good, Yugao. You just need more practice and training." He said, still smiling at her. Yugao blushed as she was lost for a moment into his gaze and their moment was ruined when they heard a twig snapped, making them turn their attention to the cause.
"Mugen, what are you doing?" Yugao asked, a little bit angry that he ruined the mood but also felt relieved as she was a bit nervous. "Leaving you two lovebirds. What else? I'm sure as hell don't want to be the third wheel." Said Mugen and continued walking away. Both Hayate and Yugao blushed, flustered when their eyes met. "Damn, I could feel the love tonight~!" Mugen said loudly at the distance. Yugao made her vein visible on her head and she gripped tightly on her sword. "Mugen…YOU IDIOT!" She yelled and chased after him while swinging her sword. "W-whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey! Are you crazy?! AHHHH! You almost cut my head off!" Mugen yelled back while running away from the enraged woman. "Good! Now be a good boy and ACCEPT YOUR DEATH!" The two ran around in the training field while Hayate chuckled at the funny scene before him.
Mugen smiled at first but frowned as the images started to fade away, leaving just him in the training field. He shook his head and punched his left palm. "Idiot! He will always be alive as long as you remember him! Gotta stay focus for the Exams…for everyone's sake!" Mugen thought, making himself resolved and fired up.
As a couple of days has passed, the first Exam has started and it was a written exam. Mugen hid his presence and watch the Gennin in the classroom that was under Ibiki's supervision. Mugen remembered his experience of the first exam. Despite not knowing some of the questions and know the consequences of not answering them, he passed. Apparently, the exam was not just about the methods you used but also to come up your own answer, your goal.
Hours went by and the only one left in the classroom was Naruto. Ibiki was standing in front of him, looking down on the boy. "Time's up. What's this? Not even one answer…ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME, BOY?!" Ibiki yelled at the young blonde. His yell made the Tiger tensed up. "That's the leader of the Interrogation Unit for you…" Said Mugen, with beads of sweat rolled down on the side of his face. "You're wasting my time, kid. Go home, you failed." He said and walked away from Naruto. "Alright, listen up…I don't care about this stupid written exam! This test won't change me about my goal or my ninja way! I'm going to be the Hokage, one way or the other! Believe it, sensei!" Naruto said with words that was filled with confidence and his feelings. Ibiki grinned but didn't want to show it. "Hmph, you got guts, kid. Very well, show me what you can do! Fulfill your dreams! Reach your goal no matter how impossible it is!" He said, turned back to Naruto. The blonde was surprised at first and he gave the man his usual grin, "You have my word, Ibiki-Sensei!" He said and Ibiki finally said that he has passed the exam, congratulating the boy.
"That was some guts, huh?" Mugen asked as he climbed into the classroom through the window. "You bet your ass it was. It has been a long time since I saw such passion and courage. By the way, saw anything suspicious during the exam?" Ibiki said while he walked to the stand in front of the classroom, putting Naruto's test sheet along with the others. "Nothing. Not yet at least but I will go report to the Old Man. Take care of yourself, Ibiki." Said Mugen and he rest his back against the opened window frame, made himself fall from the window. "Yeah, yeah… This proctor thing is not my thing at all…I hope they don't pick me again for next year." Ibiki said to himself and sighed. He chuckled when he remembered Naruto's words and left the classroom.
While Mugen was making his way meeting up with a group of ANBU, one of the Gennin from the exam caught his eye. A young man with spectacles and he was a Leaf ninja. "Something about that guy seems familiar to me…I never see him before, better let the ANBU know to keep an eye on him." He thought and landed on one of the buildings in front of where the Genin from the Hidden Rain stayed in. "Anything?" Mugen asked and an ANBU emerged himself from the shadows, walking up to the man. "It's quiet, Senpai. And the others told me the same answer. Sand, Grass and Sound haven't done anything that would threaten the village and the villagers." The Anbu reported and several more walked up to him.
"Well, I guess that's good but don't let your guard down. By the way, tell the others to watch over a guy for me. Four eyes, young male and a Leaf ninja." Said Mugen, with his eyes locked onto the inn in front of him. "What makes you suspicious about him, Senpai?" The other Anbu asked while the others flipped over a file that contained every candidates, including their teachers, pictures and information. They stopped when they found the Genin with Mugen's description. "It's four eyes." "Yup, four eyes." "Eyes of four." "It that four eyes!" They said and a bead of sweat just rolled down on Mugen's face. "What's his back story?" Mugen asked, after he turned around and rested his back against the railing.
"His name is Kabuto Yakushi. Nineteen years-old, quite average in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. Skilled in healing. The file says he, along with his teammates, are orphans from the orphanage at the outskirts of the village. That's all of the information, Senpai." One of the male Anbu said and gave the folder to Mugen. Mugen red through the file and Kabutos teammates' profiles. "Alright, I'm gonna go and let Kakashi know-" Mugen was interrupted when one of the Anbu whispered to his ear. "Senpai…that rhymed." He said and got a smack at the back of the head. Mugen said good luck to them before he jumped the other buildings and jumped down into the busy street.
"And that's that. Can you help with that? You don't have to do much, just interfere when he starts something." Mugen said as he stopped in front of an alley. "Alright, but on one condition." A voice replied to the man in the shadows from the alley. "What?" Mugen asked and silence was in between them. "Can you take over with Sasuke's training before the final Exam? I will train him in the first two days but I got an errand to do. So, what do you say?" Kakashi asked after he walked out of the alley and rubbed the back of his head. Mugen gave it a thought before he said, "Alright, just tell me what kind of training you wanted me to teach him later. Thanks!" He said and ran off while Kakashi waved at him.
Mugen was about to head towards the Hokage mansion before someone called him out, it was none other than, Anko Mitarashi. "Hey, what's up?" Mugen asked after he stopped running. Anko walked up to him, "Just wanted to remind you to help me getting the Forest of Death ready on the day after tomorrow." She said and Mugen gave it a nod. "I thought we're already prepared enough?" He asked and the woman chuckled. "Alright, I lied. When they arrived and gathered at the entrance of the forest, can you watch over them for a bit? Just do a roll call and see if everyone's there. You can do that right?" Said Anko, smiling and put her hands together, begging him. Mugen groaned and sighed, "Fine…but you owe me, you know? Can I ask why you can't do it?" He said and asked. "Hehe, well the old lady at the dango shop is going to make her secret recipe sauce. And I'm worried that it would get sold out by the time we finished the second exam." She said, acting innocent so that Mugen won't yell at her but he did anyway.
"Now, now, no need to have your balls in a twist. Come on, please~?" Said Anko, as she got close to him with her hands grasped into one another and looking up at her. Mugen looked at her and sighed, "Fine, fine…I'll do it." Said Mugen, annoyed and looking away from her. Anko yelled 'yes' and put her arm around his neck, cheering him up before taking him to a bar. Meanwhile, in the Hokage Mansion. The Third Hokage was smoking on his pipe as usual while taping his desk. "Hmmm, where the hell is that boy?" He asked and breathed out a puff of smoke.