Once again I'm sorry about the long wait but with the school year started and a full time job I'm too tired to write most of the time. I swear Akina is ready to beat me into the next millennium for getting such a slow author. Enjoy!

P.S I am still accepting any OC requests. I've only had one person inbox me so far and I would love to hear about your own characters if you have any. In the previous 'chapter' there is an oc application that you can either send to me in a PM or I have a yahoo email, which is also mentioned. Even if they're not used in this arc I could possibly use them later on, maybe even in Shippuden.

(No One's POV)

"It's time to begin. My name is Ibiki Morino, your proctor, and from this moment on your worst enemy."

The room felt like it dropped a few degrees due to the fear radiating from the crowd of genin. Fear for what exactly this proctor was going to have them do.

"First, you candidates from the Village Hidden in the Sound! Knock it off who said you could fight? Do you want to fail before we've even begun." The proctor shouted as he pointed towards the mentioned squad in the back.

"Sorry, it's our first time. Guess we're a little jumpy. Sir." Replied the mummy ninja.

"I will say this once so listen up. There will be no combat between candidates, no attacking each other without the permission of your proctor. And even then the use of fatal force is strictly prohibited. Anyone who even thinks about messing with me will be disqualified immediately. Got it." He warned. After a moment of silence the cocky Sound genin replied back in an amused tone.

"Hmph. No fatal force, that's no fun." Slight laughing could be heard from the chunin who stood behind Ibiki.

"Now if we're ready we will proceed to the next stage of the Chunin Exam. Hand over your paperwork and in return you each will be given a number. The number you get will determine where you will sit. We'll start the written test once you're all seated." Ibiki explained as the crowd of genin got out of their seats to get their numbers.

"D-Did he s-say written t-test?" Naruto stuttered, sweat appearing on his forehead. A couple of the chunin held stacks of paper ready to pass them out.

"NO! Not a written test, no way!" He screamed in terror. Akina sighed knowing in her gut that this could be bad. She walked over to Naruto, who had tears rolling down his face, and got him off of the floor.

"Please don't make me do it Akina! You know how bad I am at tests, especially written ones!" Naruto pleaded but Akina wasn't listening to a word he was saying instead she simply made sure their paperwork was in order as they waited for their numbers.

"She doesn't say much does she?" Kabuto asked Sakura as he got up off the floor while still keeping an eye on Naruto and Akina.

"She does but she usually is a quiet person in general." Sakura explained, but she didn't want to say too much about her teammate.

"What's her last name?" Kabuto persisted.

"What's it to you?" Sasuke demanded, not liking Kabuto's sudden interest in his teammate. The ninja info cards still in the back of his mind.

"Sorry just curious." Kabuto quickly apologized and decided to walk away from the situation before it could get more tense. The rest of Team 7 joined Akina and Naruto in the long line of genin. Naruto received number 30, Sasuke had 73, Sakura was 58, and Akina was 103. Naruto was seated in the second row from the front right next to Hinata, Sasuke and Sasuke seated a few rows back in the middle of the room while Akina was the farthest in the back on the right side of the room. Unfortunately though that placed her at the same table as a certain red head, only two chairs sat between them. This definitely set her nerves and tension in a constant state of alert but he seemed to either ignore her or he hasn't even noticed her position from him. He simply sat there staring ahead with that same cold look in his eyes.

'He wouldn't dare try anything here, not when he's surrounded by top-level chunin. So I should be alright, as long as I don't get his attention.' Akina tried to ease her mind while the other genin filled their seats. Once everyone was settled Ibiki began the first part of the exam.

"Everyone, eyes front. There are a few rules you need to be aware of before we begin. I won't be answering any questions so you better pay attention the first time around."

'No questions? What kind of rules are these?' Sakura thought.

"Rule number one is this; the written part of the exam is conducted on a point-reduction system. Contrary to what some of you may be used to you will all begin the test with a perfect score of ten points. One point will get deducted for each answer you get wrong. So if you miss three questions your final score will be seven."

'And if I miss ten my final score will be zero!' Naruto sulked.

"Rule number two, teams will pass or fail based on the total score of all members."

'Shit.' Akina thought as she felt a headache coming on.

"Wait a second! You're saying we all get scored as a team?!" Sakura yelled in exasperation, standing out of her seat.

"Silence! I have my reasons so shut up and listen." Ibiki shouted back. Sakura had no choice but to do as he said and wait for the next rule.

"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 reduce the culprit's score by two. So be warned, their eyes are extremely sharp and if they catch you five times you will be dismissed before the tests are even scored."

'Sheesh they make it so there are all sorts of ways to lose points.' Sakura thought in annoyance.

"Anyone fool enough to be caught cheating by the sentinels doesn't deserve to be in this room."

"I've got my eye on you guys." One of the chunin warned, frightening some of the genin in front of him. Naruto included.

"If you wish to be called shinobi then show us what excellent shinobi you can be."

'Sakura and Sasuke should have this test in the bag and I do pretty well so it shouldn't be too bad. But I'm not so sure about Naruto, he's horrible at tests. Hopefully my score may help the team pass.' Akina pondered.

"There's one last rule. If a member of a team were to get a zero then the entire team fails." Ibiki mentioned.

'Oh no they're all going to kill me!' Naruto panicked to himself. He could feel the heated glares pounding at the back of his skull. He tuned around and saw that even Akina was looking at him with doubt.

"I'm so dead. I'm so dead." Naruto mumbled to himself as h turned around and laid his head on the desk. Hinata watched him with a look of concern and confusion.

"The final question won't be given out until 15 minutes before the test is over. You will have one hour for the test. You may now begin." Everyone immediately dropped their heads to begin their tests. As Akina read through all of the questions she shocked at the level of difficulty, these were questions that no ordinary genin could even begin to comprehend.

'They can't expect us to know how to answer these questions. Sakura may be able to with some difficulty but Naruto doesn't stand a chance of answering any of them.' Akina thought with a growing sense of panic that increased when she could see Naruto just sitting there staring at the test.

'You're right these questions are far beyond the capabilities of any genin.' Naoki noted out of nowhere.

'Do you understand any of this?' She asked with slight hope.

'I do but me telling you the answers will defeat the purpose of the test.' He retorted with an amused tone.

'Which is what exactly? Aren't they trying to test us on our knowledge?' Akina asked slightly frustrated.

'Take a moment and think Akina. Why are there so many rules against cheating when the usual case of cheating is an automatic dismissal from any test?' He noted. Akina did as he said and took a moment to read over the test and think over the test rules again.

'You're right, they make a bigger fuss over cheating than they do over the actual test. They're daring us to cheat, to see how well we can gleam information under their strict supervision without getting caught!' Akina realized.

'Good job princess. And it seems like you're not the only who has figured it out.' Akina did a quick scan around the room and noticed that the other genin were using their own techniques to get their answers.

Tenten and Rock Lee had a glass and wire system that allowed them both to see multiple tests. Each mirror was controlled by a piece of wire that attached to Tenten's hand and pencil.

Kiba had Akamaru perched on his head to so he had a higher view of other genin's test.

Shino had his bugs flying around the room looking at each test for the right answer.

While scanning the room she was also looking for her own target to get the answers from. In the row in front of her, and a there was a boy who seemed to be moving through the questions at a steady pace. His paper was angled just so that if she stared hard enough she could make out the words.

'Now how to get the answers without getting caught? I can't just sit here and stare at him they're obviously going to see me and I would get my team kicked out.'

'You're eyesight is better than you think Akina. When you awakened you're kekkei genkai it enhanced more than your quality of vision but your field of view is increased as well. Normally if someone was staring straight ahead they only have a 180-degrees of vision. But a wolf has a larger view so even if you're staring straight ahead and someone was coming from behind on your right side you would be able to see them coming. All you have to do is meditate for a moment, like you did when you first entered the forest, and only call upon your eyes instead of the wolf body.'

'Alright I'll give it a shot.' Akina thought as she took a deep breathe and closed her eyes. She imagined her wolf figure as she evened out her breathing, she could imagine her spirit was standing right in front of her; waiting.

'I just need to use my eyes.' Akina whispered. To whom she didn't even know. As she opened her eyes again, she could see what Naoki was talking about. The room felt like it had expanded; where before she could only see as far as what was to her left and right, now she could even see the other genin sitting in the row behind her. Some were nervous ash they stare at the test while others were trying to keep their cool as they tried to gather information.

'This is amazing.'

'It does come in handy for times like this. Now just stare down at your test and see how well can you see the kid's paper know.' Naoki suggested.

Akina did as he said and looked down at the first problem while out of the corner of her eye she could see the other genin's answers perfectly clear; like it was sitting right in front if her. Immediately she began writing down the answer without looking up once.

As Akina began the next problem Naruto felt like he was about to lose his mind. He still had no idea that he was supposed to be cheating so instead he was thinking about how his teammates were going to kill him for this. His hands were clammy, sweat was rolling down his face and he was about to get a headache from all the times he was hitting it. Hinata watched him out of the corner of her eye the entire time. Even though Hinata was very shy, mostly around Naruto, she was just as intelligent as Sakura and was answering all of the questions without having to cheat. Hinata loved and admired Naruto for his outgoing-nature, his stubborn attitude, and his ability to inspire people to take action.

'Maybe I should help him. Even though we may get caught I don't want to watch him get disqualified. Maybe this could be my chance for him to notice me for real this time, and not as just 'the Shy Girl'.'

"Hey Naruto." She whispered as low as she could. But it caught Naruto's attention as he pulled himself out of his funk.

"I-if you want I could-um. Show you my test."

'Say what? She would really let me look at her test. Why would she do that? I'm not her teammate or anything. Unless it's some kind of trick that Kiba put her up to! But this is Hinata I'm talking about. She's too nice to do something like that.'

"Can I ask you something Hinata?" Naruto whispered back.

"Hm?"

"Why would you want to show me your answers?" Hinata's face immediately erupted in a blush and she had difficulty saying her response.

"It's j-just that I d-don't want you to leave. You k-know it would be n-nice if we could all s-stick together."

"Oh well that makes sense. Sorry I thought you were trying to pull a fast one on me there."

'This is my lucky day! What are the odds of sitting next to someone who wants you to cheat off of them.' Naruto was so excited; he was still smiling as Hinata moved her test under her left arm so Naruto could see. As he leaned a little bit closer a kunai passed his face, nearly cutting him on the nose, and pierced the test of the genin behind him. Both Naruto and the genin behind him cried out in shock and began to tremble in fear.

'H-How did they k-know? I hadn't even done anything.' Naruto gulped as the other genin stood up.

"Wh-What was that all about?" The guy asked.

"Five strikes and you're out. You just failed the test kid." The sentinel informed him.

"What! No way!" The genin shouted, no trace of fear left in him only anger.

"You and your teammates will leave the room immediately." Both of the genin's teammates silently stood and walked out of the room, not even glancing at their stunned teammate. He silently followed behind them with a look of disbelief on his face. But the sentinels weren't done as they called out more numbers.

"Candidate number 23 fail! Numbers 27 and 43 fail!"

"No it's not fair! I didn't do anything! I didn't do anything!" The genin shouted as two sentinels dragged him out of the room.

"No way who said I cheated 5 times! Where's your proof? How can you keep track of us you've got the wrong guy! How do you know I wasn't-Ach!" A sentinel threw the genin up against the nearby wall, smashing his elbow onto the kid's windpipe. This sentinel was different from the others; he had bandages wrapped around his whole head up to his eyes. His headband was also lowered over where his eyes should be.

"Sorry kid we were chosen for this duty for the sole reason that we don't make mistakes like that. You don't even blink without us seeing it so you my friend are history. Now get out and take your teammates with you." As the genin and his teammates left Naruto still watched on, his body unable to stop trembling.

"Psst Naruto. Go ahead look." Hinata whispered, regaining Naruto's attention. Except that now he was too paranoid to even take a glance. It especially didn't help that he could the sentinel of his row writing down something. Naruto looked over and, as if the sentinel sensed his gaze, their eyes met. Naruto gulped and turned to face the front of the room.

"I appreciate the offer Hinata but no." Hinata couldn't hide her shocked look at him. Why was he saying no?

"Don't worry I'm an ace ninja, I don't need to cheat to pass this." He said with all of the determination and conviction he could muster.

"A-Are you sure?" She asked as she looked down at his empty answer sheet.

"Yeah and I got caught or something I wouldn't want you to get in trouble for me." Heat rushed back into Hinata's face and her heart began to beat faster.

'He cares!'

"Oh right. Silly idea, I-I'm sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it." But on the inside he was beating himself up for his stupidity.

'Yeah right, I need to get my head examined. When did I get to be so noble?!'

The other genin had no problem using whatever they had to cheat off of other people. Sasuke had activated his Sharingan to imitate pencil movement. Neji used his Byakugan, which allowed him to see through a person's body to look at their test.

Ino was getting ready to use her family's signature jutsu, she just needed to find the right person. A few rows in front of her was Sakura, who was still working through the problems on her own without having to cheat.

'Alright Sakura I can see that you have a brain behind that oversized forehead of yours. I think I'll put it to work for me. You ought to be flattered girl I don't hit just anyone with my mind transfer jutsu.'

As Ino performed the necessary handsign she felt her soul leave her body to transfer into Sakura's body. Ino's own body slumped onto the desk, alerting Shikamaru and Choji that she was using her jutsu.

Ibiki still stood in front of the room, taking note of each of the genin's tricks to getting information. One in particular caught Ibiki's eye.

'Look at him, cool as a cucumber. Like there was nothing going on around him at all. Not bad for a novice.'

He watched as Gaara was activating his Third Eye technique; an eye made out of sand that was invisiblly linked to his optic nerve. He used his sand to get into a genin's eye as a distraction; while the genin was trying to get it out the rest of the sand formed into the Third Eye giving Gaara the ability to see the test paper.

"Uhm excuse me." Kankuro raised his hand.

"What is it." A sentinel answered.

"I gotta use the can." The sentinel stood up and took out handcuffs that had a piece of rope tied to it.

"We go with you just to make sure you're not up to something."

"That's perfectly reasonable." Kankuro replied as he followed him out.

The clock continued to tick, showing only 20 minutes left until the exam was over, leaving only 10 minutes until the final question was given.

'Oh man there's only 20 minutes left and I haven't answered a single of these questions. I guess I have no choice then. The tenth question is the only way I can pass, our future is riding on that. Believe it!'

Back at the Academy

Break Area (No One's POV)

"It's quiet without the genin here. I almost miss them." Kakashi noted as he reclined in his chair. All three rookie-genin jounin were lounging in a small break area that was meant for higher-ranked ninja to relax or wait around. In this case they were all waiting to see how well their students did.

"Don't worry chances are that they'll be back sooner than you think." Asuma told him.

"What do you mean?"

"I heard that their first examiner this year is Ibiki."

'So already their chances of passing looks iffy.' Kakashi thought.

"Great. Sticking them with that sadist right off the bat." Kakashi remarked with sarcasm.

"What sadist?" Kurenai asked.

"Hmph, I forgot you're a new jounin Kurenai. Otherwise you wouldn't ask that question." Asuma replied amused.

"So I'm ignorant. Who is he?"

"He's what you might call… a specialist." Kakashi answered for her.

"Oh yeah. In what?" It was silent for a few moments. Asuma finally answered her after taking a drag from his cigarette.

"Interrogation. Torture. But don't worry he won't be using physical torture during the test. Simply because he doesn't have to, that's not really his style. He prefers to work on people's minds instead of their bodies. He's famous for it. Everyone knows of the head of the ANBU Interrogation and Torture Unit of the Leaf Village. Ibiki Morino.

Room 301

"Pay attention all of you! You have now entered the last 15 minutes of the written exam. We will get started on the tenth question but I have a few more rules that are specifically designed for this final question. So listen carefully and try to not let them frighten you."

'How many rules does this guy need?' Akina asked herself. Suddenly the entrance door opened as Kankuro and his sentinel escort walked in to the room.

"Ah made it just in time. I hope you found your trip to the bathroom enlightening."

'He's seen through the Crow's disguise! He's onto us.' Kankuro panicked.

"Well take your seat." Ibiki ordered. Once Kankuro was settled in his seat Ibiki continued his explanation.

"Very well then rule number one, each one you are free to choose not to be given the final question. It's your decision."

'Say what we're free to choose?' Sasuke thought, wondering what was the deception behind it.

"Whoa, hold on what's the catch? Let's say we decide not to take it what happens then?" Temari shouted.

"If you decide not to take the tenth question, regardless of your answers to the other nine, you'll get a zero. In other words you fail, which means that both your teammates fail as well." More confusion rose from the crowd of genin.

"Why would we choose not to take it?"

"Of course we'll take it then."

"Not so fast, you didn't let me finish. If you do decide to answer the tenth question and you answer incorrectly, you will not only fail. You will be barred from taking the Chunin Exam ever again!" There was a moment of silence as shock and anger settled in the genin. Kiba was the first to explode as he rose up out of his chair and pointed at Ibiki with rage in his eyes.

"Hey man that's bull! What kind of stupid rule is that! There's lots of people here who've taken the test before." Akamaru barked in agreement. But his outburst only had Ibiki chuckling in an eerie fashion, like he was almost amused by the genins' distress.

"I guess you're just unlucky. I wasn't making the rules before but I am now. But of course of you don't want to take it you don't have to. If you don't feel confident enough then by all means skip it. You can come back and try again next year.

'Thanks a lot. So if any one of us chooses to skip it then all of will fail. No way, that's not going to happen. But on the other hand we only have one shot at it and if we mess up we'll never get another chance. Either way it stinks, this is so unfair. Why couldn't they just give us a normal test.' Sakura thought.

The pressure was causing Naruto to practically vibrate in his seat. Teeth clenched hard, he couldn't decide what he wanted to do since he didn't want his teammates to suffer from his actions. Hinata watched as Naruto was going to his breakdown, hoping he would become his usual stubborn self to face this challenge head on.

"Now then if you're ready, the tenth and final question. For those of you who don't want to take it raise your hands. Your number will be recorded and then you will be free to go."

'What could the question be? What if it's easy? Or what if it's not? If I get it wrong then I'll be a genin for the rest of my life. But I cant just skip it or else we all fail and I can't do that to the others!' Naruto cried out in his head.

'Well I'm okay. There's no way he's going to get me to raise my hand, that's for sure. But what about Naruto, he doesn't stand a chance. Go on Naruto raise your hand up, it's alright, there's always next year.' Sakura hoped, not wanting to watch Naruto tear himself apart. Suddenly the guy sitting to Naruto's left raised his hand and stood up.

"I'm sorry but I'm out. I just can't do it."

"Number 50 fail! Numbers 130 and 140 you're out too!"

"Ginai. Inaho. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry." The guy mumbled as he left with his teammates. Just like that more and more genin raised their hands with defeated tones. The once crowded room quickly depleted to less than 100 candidates.

'Why won't he raise his hand? Go on Naruto it'll be okay, we won't be mad at you.' Sakura thought as memories flashed through her mind. Each one was of Naruto saying how he would prove everyone wrong by becoming Hokage.

'He really does have a one track mind, that dream is all he has. It would kill him to have it taken away from him forever. But he's too stubborn to raise his hand. I won't let you do this to yourself Naruto.' Sakura resigned to herself as she slowly raised her hand. But her arm froze when Naruto's hand beat her to it. Surprising not only his teammates but all of the other genin who knew him as well.

Academy Break Room

"You see this guy Ibiki, he's the master of interrogation because he understands how the human mind works. He knows where to probe to uncover your weaknesses. The thing is he's so good at his job that he doesn't have to use physical torture, simply because he doesn't need to. He just messes with your head so bad you torture yourself." Asuma finished.

"And the Hokage is okay with that?" Kurenai asked intrigued.

"For whatever his reasons are I'm sure it's just to weed out the weaker ones quicker. I just hope our teams are strong enough to brave through it." Kakashi hoped.

Room 301

The room was still silent as Naruto held his hand in the air with his head hanging low. But Ibiki wasn't surprised by this. He had watched this kid earlier when he threatened all of the other genin and knew that with barely any pressure he would fall apart.

'The loud ones usually are the first to go.' He thought.

Then Naruto lifted his head to meet his eyes and slammed his hand down on his desk.

"Don't underestimate me! I don't quit and I don't run. You can act tough all you want, you guys aren't gonna scare me off! No way! I don't care if I get stuck as a genin for the rest of my life. I'm still gonna become Hokage someday!" Naruto declared as he stood up at the end. Akina couldn't help but smile at Naruto's determination and bravery.

'Hn, he's completely clueless but he's still going for it. He's got guts I'll give him that.' Sasuke thought as he felt the slightest of respect for Naruto.

'Way to go Naruto. You crazy little fool.' Sakura thought with a smile.

"This decision is one that can change your life forever. If for any reason you wish to quit now is your chance to do so." Ibiki warned but it was futile.

"No way I never go back on my word. That's the way of the ninja." Naruto answered right back. A quick scan around the room showed Ibiki that the remaining genin were no longer filled with fear and doubt. They all had the same look of determination and resolve in their eyes as well.

'Remarkable. That little outburst seems to have given the others some backbone. They've been inspired to stay. And by him of all people. 79 left, more than I expected but I don't see anyone wavering. I think that's it.' Ibiki looked at his sentinels. Each one gave him a slight nod, acknowledging that these genin were ready for the final question. With a nod back to them he looked at the remaining genin in the room.

"I admire your determination, if nothing else. For those of you who remain there's only one thing left to do. And that's for me to tell you that…You've all passed the first exam."

YAY they all passed! Hoped you guys enjoyed! Please keep reading and reviewing they help kick my lazy ass in Also I apologize for any spelling and/or grammer mistakes I made.