Please Enjoy and I only own Ami and her unique Justus. The chapters of the story will occasionally combined some episodes in to one
Chapter 4: - The Chūnin Exam Begins
I looked at the man who had called out to all of us, the silence permeated the air with tension. The man before me had a large, imposing figure, he also had a rugged face which held some old wounds and scars. His head was covered with his forehead protector, he wore simple grey ninja suit with a dark blue-black trench coat over it. He then pointed in our direction.
"First you candidates from the Village in the Sound. Knock it off! Who told you, you could fight?! You want to be failed before we've even begun?!" Ibiki yelled out at the three ninja, my eyes flitted between the proctor and the Sound ninja waiting for something to happen.
"Sorry. It's our first time, guess we're a little jumpy… sir," The man that swung at Kabuto responded.
The man had bandages covering most of his face, leaving only his left eye uncovered, he also wore a large poncho with long sleeves, a snake patterned scarf around his neck, a straw raincoat protruding from the back of his scarf. I remembered seeing that he had a large grey item attached to on his right arm it had multiple holes across its' surface. His back was hunched, which made him look smaller than he actually was.
"I'll say this once so listen up. There will be no combat between candidates, no attacking each other without permission from your proctor and even then the use of fatal force is strictly prohibited. Anyone even thinks of messing with me will be disqualified immediately. Got it?" Ibiki stated. No one dared respond to what he said, until the other male Sound ninja spoke up.
"No fatal force. That's no fun," He stated. I glanced at the large group behind Ibiki, they were all smirking, as if this was entertaining to them.
The Sound ninja that had just spoken had spiky, dark hair and dark eyes, he wore a beige shirt with two black stripes and three prints of the kanji for death down the front. His forehead protector had attached facial armour on his cheeks and mostly like his forehead that was under the cloth of his forehead protector rather than connected to the metal plate, he also wore a snake patterned scarf around his neck.
"Now if we're ready, we'll proceed to the first stage of the Chūnin Exam. Hand over your paper work in return you'll each be given a number, this number determines were you will sit. We'll start the written test once you're all seated," Ibiki instructed.
"The what? Did he say written?" Naruto asked, a slight note of panic rising in his voice. Also as if to confirm Naruto's fears, one of the people behind Ibiki pulled out a stack of papers. "No! Not a written test no way!" Naruto cried out. I could only guess that he wasn't any good at written exams.
We were all seated around the room, the people who stood behind Ibiki now occupied chairs scattered about the perimeter of the room. I looked around, spotting my teammates, Sakura and Naruto were in the middle column but on different rows, whilst Sasuke was in the column by the wall and I was in the column by the window. In front of each candidates was a sheet of paper, with the questions on the other side, two pencils, an eraser and their number.
"Everyone eyes front, there are a few rules you need to be aware of, and I won't answer any questions so you better pay attention, the first time around. Alright rule number one, the written part of the exam is conducted on a point reduction system, contrary to what some of you maybe use to you all begin the test with a perfect score of 10 points. One point will be deducted for each question you get wrong, so if you miss three your final score is seven," Ibiki explained.
'Interesting. But there's a catch, there's always a catch.' I thought, as I rested my chin on my interlocked hands.
"Rule number two, teams will pass or fail based on the total score of all three members." Ibiki said. Shock rushed through the room and Sakura called out in defiance but Ibiki yelled at her. "Rule number three, the sentinels you see positioned around the room, are there to watch you carefully for any signs of cheating and for every incident they spot, they will subtract two points from the culprit's score. Be warned they're eyes are extremely sharp and if they catch you fives times you'll be dismissed before the tests are even scored," Ibiki explained.
'Ah ha, so there are many ways to lose points but that is the catch I'm looking for, he's holding something back.' I thought, my lips were pressed into a thin line
"Anyone fool enough to get caught cheating by the sentinels doesn't deserve to be here. If you want to be considered shinobi then show us what exceptional shinobi you can be," Ibiki warned. I raised an eyebrow at the last part… it sounded like a challenge.
"One more thing, if any candidate should get zero and fail the test, then the entire team fails," Ibiki announced. My body tensed immediately as my eyes narrowed at the proctor.
'So that's the catch. But then why do I feel like there's still something…wrong.' I thought, glancing down at the paper and then up at the sentinels and finally at Ibiki. 'Something about this scenario does not fit.' I thought.
"The final question won't be given out until 15 minutes before the end of the testing period. You'll have one hour total," Ibiki informed us. A small time passed and the clock at the very front finally reach half past three. "BEGIN!" Ibiki called out.
I flipped the test paper, a pencil already gripped in my right hand and I began to read the first question, the sound of tapping lead echoed through the silent room. Some time passed as I read over the nine available question, I then realised something and I was forced to suppress a chuckle.
'I should have known. Ibiki is renowned for being a specialist in torture and interrogation because of his deep understanding of the human mind. These questions are too hard for a Genin to answer them, even I can't answer 7 of them. Meaning if we want to pass we need to cheat but because of those rules he's trying to put us off cheating. He's testing our intel gathering skills whilst also trying to screw with our heads.' I realised as I took a deep breath and looked at the sentinels and Ibiki.
'Alright Ibiki, a true shinobi must see through deception. Unfortunately for you my previous sensei honed my observation skills to a point 100 times sharper than your sentinels.' I thought.
I began to answering the two questions that I could as I glanced about the room, Sakura appeared to be able to handle the questions along with barely a hand full of other people, however everyone else was struggling to answer the questions.
I placed the pencil down on my answer sheet and linked my fingers together as I closed my eyes thinking on how to gather the answers without being spotted, it wouldn't be easy but luckily I was sandwiched between people and I knew how to disguise things.
I began my strategy, as I moulded my chakra together I removed my hair ribbon, I thread my hand through my hair and I began to retie it all the while discreetly, as I wove the ribbon, I formed the hand seals for Ram, Bird, Monkey and Snake.
"Lighting Style – Lighting Streak," I whispered, a feather light sound, as I finished tying the ribbon. Then to everyone it would appear that I flickered or remained still if they weren't looking however I rank faster that the naked eye could see and I was able to easily collect the answers without being spotted. I jotted them down on the paper before setting the pencil and I looked to the front, hoping the other two figured out the trick and soon.
I glanced about noticing how quite a few people were cheating, Gaara was using his sand if the moving bits around his hand was anything to go by, Kiba was using Akamaru, glancing upwards I saw mirrors attached to a land and Tenten controlling them by near invisible wires connected to her hand.
'These Leaf Genin are more impressive than I thought, they quickly and almost effortlessly used their skills to discreetly cheat and, if they can, pass on the information to their teammates.' I thought, a smirk resting on my face as I looked over to where Naruto was sat.
'Naruto, unfortunately, doesn't posses the mind-set to be discreet enough to cheat and not be caught. He's too energetic and loud, so long as he doesn't cheat he'll be fine.' I thought as I observed the blonde. Suddenly a kunai flew out and penetrated the desk right behind Naruto.
"What the- What was that all about?" A Genin asked as he stood up. A sentinel stood at the front of the room, a light cocky smirk resting on his face.
"Five strikes and you're out. You just failed the test," The sentinel replied. The Genin began to shake lightly his body twitching as he realised what had happened.
"What?! It can't be," The Genin protested. However both him and his teammates were forced to leave. I watched as they left and I let out a breath, that I didn't realise I had been holding.
'Thank goodness that wasn't Naruto. This test is really pushing the skills of these Genin, lets just pray and hope it all works out.' I thought as I went back to observing the room.
More people were caught cheating and there even ended up being a confrontation between a Sand ninja and a sentinel. I watched as more of the Rookie Nine were able to easily cheat and gain their answers, I saw Ino use her family's special jutsu on Sakura, who had easily breezed through the questions.
'13 teams dismissed.' I thought as the latest team was kicked out when another round were called 'Make that 14.' I mentally corrected. Sand then began to move through the room, I lightly dispersed some of my over abundant lighting chakra which scared off the sand.
Kankurō left the room with an expressionless and pupil less sentinel accompanying him, but his team didn't leave as he was going for a restroom break.
'5 minutes and the tenth question comes out. I wonder what trick will you try and pull on us Ibiki?' I wondered in my mind.
"Alright, listen up. Here's the tenth and final question," Ibiki called out. The tension in the room rose to immeasurable levels. "But before I give you the question, there are some more rules that you need to be aware of," Ibiki informed us. The tension rose even more however it was shattered to pieces by the creaking of a door, glancing back I saw that Kankurō had returned.
"Ah, made it just in time. I hope you found your trip to the bathroom enlightening. Well take your seat," Ibiki said. His tone suggested that he knew Kankurō had cheated, I froze wondering if he had seen me, but he couldn't my Lightening Speed was too fast but still I had to wonder.
"These rules are unique to question 10, listen carefully and try not to let them frighten you," Ibiki stated, an ominous tone in his voice. My body tense as the tension began to press down on the room like a gigantic boulder crashing down on us.
"Very well then. Rule number one, each of you is free to choose not to be given the question, it's your decision," Ibiki explained. Confusion washed over the room and mummers began to lightly erupt.
'Why? Why give us this option? What's the drawback to not taking the final question?' I wondered in my mind, knowing something was up.
"Wow! So what's the catch lets say we decide we don't want to do it, what happens then?" The girl who was with Kankurō and Gaara called out, obviously knowing that something was up as well.
"If you choose not to take the tenth question, then regardless of your answers to the other nine, you'll get a zero. In other words, you fail and that of course means both your teammates fail as well," Ibiki answered, this caused the mummers to grow louder in protest. I was extremely confused by this option.
'Why would he give us the option when not taking the question means we fail… unless taking the question has a greater risk!' I realised, it was a possibility and Ibiki knew the human mind better than anyone, he enjoyed messing with peoples heads, anyone who knew of him knew that fact.
"Not so fast. You didn't let me finish, if you do accept the question but answer it incorrectly… you will not only fail. You will be barred from taking the Chūnin Exam ever again!" Ibiki declared. Shock flooded the room like a monsoon, my eyes widened in shock at this declaration, I couldn't tell if Ibiki was serious or if it was another deception.
"Hey that bull man! That's ridiculous, what kind of bogus rule is that. There are lots of people here who've taken the test before," Kiba cried out as he stood up, Akamaru barked agreeing with his master. However their protests only caused Ibiki to laugh.
"I guess you're just unlucky. I wasn't making the rules before, but I am now. Of course if you don't want to take it, you don't have to," Iniki taunted. Kiba backed down after that. "If you're not feeling confident then by all means skip you can come back and try again next year," Ibiki added on and he began to laugh.
However something about Ibiki's last statement was lodged in my brain, these exams were to see whether or not an individual could think and act like a Chūnin who ranked as a squad leader.
'The exam is set to tests our abilities as a squad leader. In a mission no matter what risks there are unknown or not, you don't get a second chance, you have to take the risk.' I thought and decided to stay… now to see if my team had the guts to stay and take the risk.
"Now then if you're ready, the tenth and final question. Those who don't want to take it, raise your hand, your number will be recorded and then you're free to go," Ibiki informed. The tension hung in the air and I just watched and waited looking for who would crack under the pressure first.
"Oh, I'm out, that's it. I'm out, I just can't do it I'm sorry," A Genin next to Naruto called out. He apologised to his teammates as they left the room, however his declaration caused a lot more people to quit as well. However none were the Rookie nine, I could only wonder if any of them would break.
From my positon I was able to see Sakura begin to raise her hand, a sad expression on her face, however the one I least suspect of all to raise their hand beat her to it… Naruto lift his arm to the air. Silence hung in the air as I stared at him in shock wondering what caused him to turn tail and flee, he didn't see like the time to run from any battle, however his hand then flew down slamming onto the desk sending out an loud bang.
"Don't underestimate me, I don't quit and I don't run! You can act tough all you want, you guys aren't going to scare me off! No way, I don't care if I get stuck as a Genin the rest of my life, I'll still be Hokage some day!" Naruto cried out. I stare in shock that I had misread his action, no one had ever been able to trick my skills like that.
'Naruto you are one of a kind.' I though. Ibiki maintained a calm face, but his eyes seemed surprised and even a little impressed by Naruto's proclamation.
"This decision is one that could change your life. If for any reason you would rather quit, now's your last chance," Ibiki offered Naruto.
"No way, I never go back on my word. That's the way of the ninja," Naruto responded. I blinked confused by this 'way of the ninja' that Naruto said. But I decided to figure it out later.
Glancing about I saw that no one else had raised their hand it appeared that Naruto had given everyone else some backbone. However there were quite a number of teams still left, in this count was Lee's team, Gaara's team and all of the Rookie nine
'You could have waited a couple more second though before you gave your big speech, you hyperactive knuckle head.' I thought, suppressing a chuckle. I noticed that Ibiki and the sentinels had a little silent exchange and I prepared for the next event to begin.
"Well then I admire your determination, if nothing else. For those of you remaining there is only thing left to do. And that's for me to tell you… that you've all passed the first exam," Ibiki declared. Shock rushed through the room at the proclamation.
"H old on! What just happened? What do you mean we passed? Where's the tenth question?" Sakura called out as she stood up, confusion and shock laced her voice. Ibiki then began to laugh as if he found the situation hilarious.
"There never was one. Not a written one at least, actually your decision to stay was the answer to the tenth question," Ibiki answered, a smile etched onto his face as he spoke.
"Wait a second! So the other nine questions you gave us, were a waste of time! Is that what you're saying" The blonde girl yelled out.
"No, no, not at all. Quite the opposite, the first nine questions had an important overriding purpose. To test your ability to surreptitiously gather strategic Intel in the most adverse circumstances," Ibiki explained.
"Oh well that clears up everything," The blonde girl stated sarcastically.
"Let me explain, you see my objective was to test you not only as individuals but as a team and how well you function as a part of that team. That's why the test was scored on a team basis so you'd know that everything you did or failed to do would directly affect your teammates. I wanted to see how you'd handle the pressure," Ibiki explained. Naruto acted like he understood and knew what he was doing but I suspect he didn't have a single clue.
"The first nine questions on the test were difficult, in fact as you may have realised too difficult for any Genin to be expected to solve. I imagine most of you quickly came to this conclusion, that you'd have to cheat if you'd have any chance of passing. The fact is the test was designed to encourage cheating, it almost demanded it," Ibiki explained the purpose of the test. I smirked at the subtly of this exam.
"Of course it would have done you little good if you didn't have someone to cheat from, so I disguised two Chūnin who already knew the answers and had them sit in with you," Ibiki continued on. The Chūnin revealed themselves and I saw that Naruto had a small, yet silent, freak out moment. Before he recovered and began to brag to Hinata who was sat next to him, I could all the time he didn't have a clue about the whole thing.
"Those who were caught at it, failed. Better not to cheat than to cheat clumsily," Ibiki said, as he removed his forehead protector only to reveal a bald head that was covered in scars, burn marks and screw holes. Everyone reeled back in shock, even I was disturbed by the damage and torture that Ibiki must have gone through.
"Information. It can be the sot valuable weapon in battle, how well you gather intelligence can determine whether a mission's a failure or success. There'll be time when you'll have to risk your life for it, of course you must always consider the source of your information. Intelligence gather from an enemy is not necessarily accurate. Always bear this in mind, disinformation can be worse than no information at all. It can lead to the death of comrades or the loss of a village, that's why I put you in the position where you had to gather accurate intelligence, cheat in order to survive. That's why those who weren't good enough were weeded out, leaving the rest of you," Ibiki explained.
"Ok. But I'm still not getting what the tenth question thing was about," The blonde girl stated.
"You're not? The tenth question is the main point of the whole exam, surely you see that," Ibiki stated. However everyone else was still confused by this, although Sakura managed to get him to explain.
"As I said before, the goal was to test you not only as individuals but as part of a squad. The final question gave you two choices, both difficult. You could choose to play it safe and skip the question though it meant that both you and your teammates would be failed or you could try and answer it knowing if you got it wrong, you would lose your chance of ever being Chūnin. It was a no win situation, but just the sort Chūnin have to face every day," Ibiki explained.
He then proceeded to give mission situation and explained that those who thought of avoiding the risk – the ones who had dropped out – didn't deserve to be Chūnin. Because a Chūnin takes an sort of mission no matter the risk, a Chūnin is strong and always focused on the goal at hand. Ibiki congratulated us and we were passed, Naruto cheered but he was cut off when something flew in through the window.
Kunai went out and landed in the ceiling revealing the object to be a cloth that contained a woman. The woman has light brown, pupil-less eyes, and violet hair) which was styled in a short, spiky, fanned-ponytail. She wore a tan overcoat with a purple in-seam, which had a pocket on both sides, and complete with a fitted mesh body suit that stretches from her neck down to her thighs. She wore a dark orange mini-skirt, as well as a forehead protector, a small pendant that looks like a snake fang on a thick cord, a wrist watch, and pale grey shin guards. She also wears a dark blue belt around her waist that connects to her skirt that has an appendage-like sash.
The cloth behind the woman declared that she was the second proctor of the exam and her first name was Anko, the rest of her name was obscured by her body
"Heads up boys and girls. This is no time to be celebrating, I'll be your next proctor Anko Mitarashi. You ready for the second test? Good! Then let's go follow me," the woman exclaimed as she thrust her fist up into the air. Nobody moved an inch, too stunned by her surprise entrance to do anything.
"You're early… again," Ibiki informed the woman. She blushed in embarrassment.
"How many are there? Ibiki you let all these guys pass? Your test was too easy, you must be getting soft," Anko stated, however Ibiki held a smirk on his face.
"Or it could be a stronger crop of candidates this year," Ibiki fired back at the woman, who turned to face us.
"They sure don't look it. Trust me before I'm done with them, more than half will be eliminated," Anko retorted. Something about her sent a chill rushing down my spine. I wasn't the only one as Sakura seemed to be unnerved by this woman as well.
"This is going to be fun. Alright you maggots have had it easy so far but things are going to be different starting first thing in the morning. I'll let your squad leaders know where you're to meet me. Dismissed," Anko told us. We all filed out of the room, but I looked back at the woman and our eyes met for a split second but it was like something passed between us as I walked away.
*Naruto*
The next day we stared at the scene before us shocked by the location we had meet Anko at. A metal fence encircled a large forest area and any doors going in were locked, and there was a sign saying restricted area.
"Wow nice place what is it?" Naruto asked.
"This is the location for the second phase of the exam. It's the 44th battle training zone, but we called it… The Forest of Death," Anko replied, a smile on her face.