KiraSan here, sorry for the long absence, school life and whatnot. I really wanted to finish this chapter as soon as I can. So here you go.
Enjoy~ Remember reviews are always nice! They influence me to write for all you lovelies!
I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!
Chapter 13
When we entered Room 301, I almost gaped at how filled the room was. Lee saw the sudden surprise on my face, "Thought we were kidding when Tenten said
that all Hidden villages come for the exam?" I studied the room before I answered, "I just didn't think it would be this many, this room is so packed." Lee patted
my shoulder, "Come on, I see Neji and Tenten." We made our way through the maze of people, some I shuddered with the intensity they emitted when they
glared our way. 'Geez, if looks could kill...' I thought silently as I put a little more speed to my step. "About time you got here," said Tenten as I sat between her
and Neji while Lee sat onto the desk. "What kept you so long?" Neji asked as he looked at me, his voice held a hint of curiosity. I placed my chin on my hand,
thinking on the answer, "We got sidetracked, then Gai-sensei payed us a visit. He wishes us good luck" I said in a half grin, "Lucky we made it on time, Lee and
Gai-sensei were going to have a youthful moment" Neji rolled his eyes, clearly not interested anymore. Lee nodded at me his thanks, in response I grinned.
After a bit, I heard the loud commotion of a certain blonde genin, 'Naruto...' I sighed in thought as I turned to the direction I heard the noise. I viewed Naruto,
Sasuke and Sakura with 6 more other genin, "Are those the other rookies?" I asked Tenten. She nodded, "Yeah, the 9 rookies." I observed each one after I
notice something, "That girl..." I muttered, I turned to Neji, but he had turned away. I returned my attention to the rookies, clearly aware he didn't want to
discuss this topic. Tenten nudged me, quietly taking out a small vial of deep blue water. I see what she was going to do, I had made that vial, and given them
to my team members. I experimented with a lot of water jutsus that I created this for certain situations on missions, such as when walkies-talkies couldn't be
used, but we were still a long distance from each other. 'Water Writing' is what I called my creation, because it was pretty much what it does. I infuse a lot of
my chakra into these vials, which explains why the water turned a deep blue color, the process was a lengthy and tiring one. I had work out a lot of it's
structure, infusing a couple more other jutsus to make it unabsorbable and to change it's consistency. Once I finish that, I needed my team members to infuse
their own chakra as well, making it their own so that only they could use it. Lee was the most difficult to do since he couldn't do any jutsus really well. For his, I
infused my chakra while he ran his hands through the water, this took awhile since I wanted the water to memorized Lee's fingerprints and skin. And if
someone other than my teammates or myself were to use it, it would be ineffective and would warn me or vise versa. Also, it was color coded for my team to
know who was writing. I was the same blue when it was normal, Tenten was burgundy, Lee was green and Neji was silver. I watch Tenten pour the liquid out,
formed her hand sign and watch the water weaving out letters:
'Her name is Hinata Hyuuga. That's his cousin, and yes, she's part of his clan. But it's more complicated than I can explain it.'
I stared at her after I read that, "How?" I mouthed the word. She shrugged, as she formed another sign to draw the liquid into the vial. I turned back to Neji,
his back still turned, wondering what Tenten meant, I sighed, pushing the thought away from my head, 'I don't want to pester him about it, it's not my place to
nor none of my business. When he wants to tell me about it, that will be the time.' I thought. My thoughts suddenly diminished when I heard that blonde's
voice echoed in the room, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, I won't lose to any of you, ya hear me!" A couple of the rookies were trying to shut him up, but from what I
observed from the room, he pretty much was receiving glares from everyone. "Is he an idiot?" said Tenten, watching Naruto grin stupidly. "Apparently too
high-spirited" muttered Neji, I sighed again and shook my head, 'Geez..' I thought. Then some action started to happen, I noticed someone who was talking to
the rookies was about to be attack by this other ninja, but he managed to evade the attack. "What happened?" I said, observing the scene. The person's
glasses suddenly cracked and he doubled over, vomiting. "How?...he didn't even get hit" I started, confused by the events. "He's a sound ninja." said Neji, "As
the name states, that's what he uses as his weapon." My eyes widened, shocked, 'Seriously'.
"Silence. You degenerates!" came a loud voice. Everyone turned to the front of the room, a lot of ninja appeared, but the one in front was the most intimidating
person I seen in my life. "Sorry for the wait. I'm Ibiki Morino, proctor for the first test of the chunin exam." His attention went to the 3 sound ninja, "Combat
battles are not to take place for the first part of the exam." One of the sound ninja, his face wrapped except for his left eye, "Sorry, I'm a first timer, wasn't
aware." he drawled as he and his team return to their original positions. Ibiki looked to the entire classroom, "Any more outburst like that, then it shall be your
only time." he said, with a certain edge in his voice. The entire room fell silent. "Now let us begin the first part of the exam"
"BEGIN!" commanded Ibiki.
I opened my test and scanned the nine questions. I discreetly scanned the entire room again, the proctors were lined up on the left side of the room, watching
out for cheaters, Ibiki in the front room over viewing the entire room. My team was also spread out, Neji two rows behind me and Lee and Tenten a few rows
up front. I was a bit uneasy, I stared at the questions, 'These questions, not just anyone can solve them...' These mainly consist of probability of attacks and
other advanced topics. I wasn't uneasy because I couldn't solve them, I can actually do this no problem, years of studying has actually paid off. I was worried
for Lee and Neji, Tenten I had a feeling she could do this, since weaponry was her field, she most likely got the calculations down. But the others, I wasn't so
sure. I thought back on the rules that Ibiki had gave into the test, 'Any caught awkward cheating, that person and their team will fail. Conduct yourselves like
noble shinobi' I thought more when it finally hit me. The vial started to move in my pocket , someone in my team was messaging me. I brought the vial out of
my pocket, I poured the contents on my paper and brought my arm to shield my test, pretending I was covering my answers. The liquid weaved out words:
"You understand the situation and rules right" read the burgundy words. I formed my hand sign as I wrote out to Tenten "I just figure it out. The objective IS to
cheat. Just don't get caught." The words spelled out again, "Good, you caught on. I can do most of these questions, but if I get stuck on one, I'll managed. Look
above me" I looked in the front of the room above my teammate, I noticed some mirrors, one of them moving back and forth. "Pretty handy huh? I got Lee over
here covered. So you help Neji." the words said. "Hai." I sent as I switch the mode to send Neji a message. "How are you doing on your end?" I started on the
questions while I waited on Neji. At random times, Ibiki yelled out numbers of the people that got disqualify. I noticed the water turning silver and wrote out, "I
barely got 2 or 3 questions out, I'm trying to scope out some answers"
"How?" I wrote
"With Byakugan." the words wove out. Out of the corner of my eye, I scoped our distance then sent a message to Neji, "If you are able to see where I'm at,
just copy from me, I'm pretty sure I'm within your sights" I returned to the questions, finishing one until Neji replied back, "I'm able to read off your test, if I get
stuck, I'll rely on you." I felt my cheeks flush in heat, a small smile formed as I reread his message.
"Got it." I replied.
I returned to my test, I had five more questions to go, twenty-five minutes until the tenth question is revealed. I worked diligently, not only for my behalf, but
for Neji as well. Every so often, more and more students were called out for being caught cheating. My team was safe, along with the nine rookies as well. I
scanned the room, almost half the room disappeared, but there was still a large number of people in the room. I finally came to question nine around the last
time ten minutes. I paused for a moment, thinking about the tenth question. Pretty much this was a make or die question, I kept wondering what type of
question it would be, it was making me really nervous. I resumed to my last question quickly in case Neji was waiting on me. Once I finished, I put my pencil
down and waited a couple minutes before I cover my answers completely, waiting for the last question. I stared down at the blank paper that covered my
answers, this last question was so nerve-wreaking. I looked around at what was left from the crowd, some were finished and others were working furiously,
but the entire room was stifled with a heavy tense atmosphere.
A loud sound was heard in the front, which snapped me out of my thoughts, Ibiki's hand was on the chalkboard, "Alright, time to reveal the last question" I bite
my bottom lip and literally holding my breath, waiting. His eyes narrowed at everyone, "But before that, there's more rule that you'll need to know" My brow
furrowed at this, 'More rules? What is it this time?' the few seconds of silence was becoming unbearable until the door opened. I turned, it was a sand nin that
was in black, followed by a proctor. I remember that this one has asked for the restroom earlier, but seemed like awhile ago. He seemed surprise of the deathly
silence and stillness. "Ah, you arrived just in time" said Ibiki, his voice cloaked in false concern, "I hope you found your trip to the bathroom enlighten. Well,
hurry up and take you seat." As the sand nin made his way to his seat, Ibiki stepped forward, "These are some unique rules for question ten, so listen
carefully. And try no to let them scare you." I clench my hands together, 'Scare you?' I thought uneasily
"First rule, you are free to choose to be given the question. It is your decision." My eyes widened, 'Wai-...What?'
"So what's the catch?" asked a blonde, "What if we choose not to answer the tenth question?"
"If you don't answer the tenth question, even with the previous nine questions, you get a zero." he said as a smirk crept on his face, "That means you fail, and
of course that also means your teammates fail too." Small murmurs and whispers rushed around the room, "Hold on, you didn't let me finish, there's more."
said Ibiki.
My face fell, 'More?' I thought, I wasn't liking this very much.
"If you do accept the question, but answer it incorrectly, you would not only fail..." His eyes met everyone's in the room, "You'll be banned from taking the
chunin exam ever again!" he barked out.
I bit my lip so hard at this, I began to taste blood, 'ever again...'
"That's ridiculous! There's plenty of people here that's taking the test before!" yelled a male nin. Ibiki's shoulder shook as he began to laugh loudly, 'I guess
that means you're unlucky then. I wasn't making the rules before, but now I am." he said in a deadly tone.
The room fell again to an uneasy silence. "Of course if you don't want take it, you don't have to. If you aren't confident on the question, just skip it and try
again next year." he said in a dark tone.
I sighed into my hands, 'This is a very tight situation, if I fail this, it's not only for myself, but for Lee, Tenten and Neji. Even if I go ahead on the question, I have
only one shot at this. The chance could be slim.'
"Now if you are ready, the tenth and final question. Those who don't want to take it, raise your hand." stated Ibiki, "your number will be record and you are
free to leave."
The heavy silence filled the room, I stared ahead, tightly gripping my hands, 'I have to, I have no choice.' My nervousness was skyrocketing inside me, I was
trying with all my might to stay as calm and collected, but I felt it surfacing. I dug my nails into my palm, 'I must stay strong for my team'
Someone raised there hand, "I'm out, I can't do this!" he said, defeated.
"Number 50, failed." announced a proctor, "Number 23 and 67, that means you're out too"
"I'm sorry you guys, I really am." he said. The guy and his team got up and started leaving. Then another hand then another, "Me too," "Yeah, same here" they
called.
I watched as they all left, but I stood my ground, I heaved a large sigh, 'I must do it, I'm terrified of this kind of situation, even taking the question on, I could
fail, and ruin our chances' My spirit sunk lower, 'and my chance for my dream and for my clan...'
I looked ahead again, but surprised at the person who was raising their hand, 'Naruto?' he looked like he was trembling. I gave a heartfelt half smile, 'I don't
blame you. if I could, I would, but that's not an option for me'
Suddenly he slammed his hand on the desk, staring Ibiki head on, "Don't underestimate me! I don't quit and I don't run! You can act tough all you want, but
you aren't gonna scare me! No way! Even if I get stuck being genin for the rest of my life, I will still be Hokage someday!"
"This decision can change your life, if for any reason you want to quit, now's your chance."
"No way I'll go back on my word. That's my way of the ninja." declared Naruto
I grinned at this, 'If Naruto can face this head on, I can too. Thanks for the confidence boost'
The heavy presence in the room seemed now to lift at this, and become more relaxed and confident.
"I admire your determination, but now for those of you remaining there's only one thing left to do." said Ibiki, "And that's for me to tell you.."
I held my pencil tightly, ready and bracing myself for the last question, Ibiki grinned at everyone, "...that everyone passed the first exam."
I blinked, pencil fallen from my hand, "passed...?"
"Wait a minute, hold on!" yelled Sakura, "What about the tenth question?" Ibiki chuckled loudly, "There was never no tenth question. Not a written one at
least. Actually your decision to stay was the answer for the tenth question" Sakura stared, dumbfounded, "What?"
"Wait a second!" yelled the blonde from earlier, "So the other nine questions from before, were they just a waste of time?!"
Ibiki grinned again, "No, quite the opposite in fact. It was to test your ability to gather information at such a circumstance.
"Let me explain, my objective was not to only test you individually, but also as a team, and how well you function as part as that team. That's why you were
graded as a team basis, so you know everything you did and what you did wrong would directly affect your teammates. I wanted to see how you acted under that pressure.
"As you may have also figured out, these questions were more advanced than any genin could figure out. So you may have came to the conclusion that the
only way to pass was to cheat. But that was pretty much the objective, you had to cheat. But it would have done you little good unless you had someone to
cheat from, so two chunin were disguised that had all the answers"
Naruto risen fro his seat almost shock at this information, but then regain his composure, "Of course I knew, you had to be a complete idiot to not know this,
right Hinata?" he said lightly, turning to the female Hyuuga
"Those who were caught failed, better not to cheat, then cheat clumsily." he said as he removed his bandana-headband, I gasped loudly. "Information can be
the most valuable weapon in battle, how well you gather it can be a success or a failure." he said lastly, "there will be times you have to risk your life to get it"
I stared at Ibiki's head, full of scars, dents and burns, it was really frightening.
He put on his headband, "Of course you must consider the source of the information, even gather from an enemy is might not be accurate. Always bear this in
mind. This information can be worse than none at all. It can lead to death of comrades or even a whole village. That's why I had to put you in this situation.
Cheat to survive. And that's why the one that weren't good at it were weeded out, leaving the rest of you"
"I still don't get the purpose of the tenth question" asked the blonde.
"Really?" asked Ibiki, "The tenth question was the whole reason for this exam. Like I said before, I was not only testing you individually, but as a squad. The
final question gave you two choices that were both difficult. You can play it safe and skip the question, but it meant that you and your teammates fail. Or you
can go ahead on the question, but knowing you got it wrong meant you lost your chance to ever being a chunin. It was a no-win situation.
"For example, let me give you a hypothetical mission to steal a document from an enemy stronghold. You have no idea how many of the enemy ninja has or
how heavily armed they are, furthermore you have reason to believe that the enemy expects you might be walking blindly into a trap. Now you have the option
of taking a pass on this insane mission saying my comrades and I would rather live to fight another day, then you choose to avoid danger."
Ibiki stared intensely at everyone, "No, there will be many missions that would almost seem suicidal if you think about it, but don't think about it. Think about
the goal and achieving it though courage and discipline. These are the qualities of a chunin squad leader. Those who can't put their destinies on the line… who
cling to the uncertain future of 'there's always next year'… and walk away from their chance… those pieces of trash who can only make such cowardly choices
do not deserve to become chunin!
"As for the rest of you, you have successfully answered the ten question I put to you. You have earned the right to proceed to the next step. You passed
though the first part and I hereby declare this part of the chunin selection exam completed. I wish you all good luck."
Naruto shot up, "Yeah! Alright! Woo-hoo!" he cheered.
I smiled, 'Such a energetic ninja, heh.'
One of the window suddenly shattered, I heard a couple of kunai hitting the walls and a banner fell forward in front of Ibiki.
"Heads up, this is time to be celebrating. I'm your second proctor, Anko Mitarashi. Ready for the second test?" announced a woman in front of the banner,
"Come on, let's go!"
The room stood speechless, processing what was happening. Ibiki came from behind the banner, "You're early. Again." he said. Anko slumped sheepishly,
collecting herself after her entrance. She looked around the room, "How many are there?" She looked at Ibiki, "You let all these people passed? Your test was
too easy, you must be getting soft." Ibiki grinned, "Or it could be a stronger crop of candidates this year."
"Hmmm..." mused Anko as she scanned the room, "They sure don't look it. But trust me, by the time I'm done with them, more than half will be eliminated" she
said that last line with a grin.
I swallow hard, 'More than half..'
"Alright you guys had it easy, but things will be different first thing tomorrow morning. I let your squad leaders know where to meet me. Dismissed." said Anko
as she disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Everyone began getting up and leaving with their teammates, I stayed in my seat a little longer, 'The weight of the first exam disappeared for such a brief
moment, but now it feels like it was doubled.' I stared aimlessly at the space in front of me, 'More than half..'
"Hey, what's the hold up?" I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to see Tenten with Lee and Neji behind her. I stared at my team for a moment, then smile
'there's no way we could be that half that leaves. I believe in my team.' I thought.