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Chapter 6: Calm before the Exams.
(Hidden Leaf Village- Hokage's Office)
Hiruzen Sarutobi was in his office with Chunin and Jonin ranked shinobi. The famed Professor had a pile of letters that needed to be sent to various villages. The Chunin Exams were starting next week, and Konoha was going to the host.
"We're going to send these cordial invitations to the other shinobi villages for the upcoming Chunin Exams," said the Sandaime (Third) Hokage.
"Are you sure about this? We can understand Hidden Sand since they're our allies, but there are still tensions with the other villages especially with the Cloud," asked a Leaf jonin. "I think it's time to try for diplomacy, and that despite the past we should let know there should be no more hard feelings." Sarutobi stated to his subordinates and then adds, "Besides inviting certain could make this year's Chunin Exams a greater challenge."
Sarutobi hears a knock on his door and says, "Come in." Three Jonin ninjas and they are Kakashi leader of Team 7, Kurenai leader of Team 8, and Asuma leader of Team 10. The elder Hokage cordially greets them, "Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai I'm sure that you're here to nominate for this year's Chunin Exams."
The silver hair Jonin lazily says, "I Kakashi Hatake leader of Team 7 nominate Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Kitsune for the Chunin Exams."
The genjutsu specialist says, "I Kurenai Yuuhi nominate Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuuga, and Shino Aburame for the Chunin Exams."
The son of the Third and Ninja Guardian says, "I Asuma Sarutobi nominate Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi for the Chunin Exams."
"Lord Hokage, I would like to disagree with their decisions. With the exception of Kitsune, those students are fresh graduates of the academy," said Chunin rank Iruka.
"Oh it's you Iruka," says Kakashi.
"Kakashi, don't you think that you're pressuring them too much? I believe that you should at least wait a year before entering them on the Chunin Exams. They could die," says a worried Iruka.
"You worry about your students too much. Entering them this year will be great experience for them even if they don't get promoted. You know the saying 'No pain, No gain', says Kakashi.
Kurenai knows how Kakashi is and intervenes, "Okay Kakashi I think that he has understood," but Kakashi retorts, "No. It's time for him to understand that in the moment after graduation they stopped being his students. They are now our subordinates."
Iruka says, "They maybe under your custody now, but most of them were my students. I trained them. What are you trying to proof with this?" The door open and enters a Jonin with bowl hair and big, hairy eyebrows wearing green spandex outfit with a Jonin flak jacket. His name was Might Guy leader of last year's team 9.
Guy says, "I agree with Iruka, Kakashi."
"You're putting on them a lot of pressure. Why so impatient? I held back my squad one year, so they could hone their skills and mature. Let them enjoy their youth a bit longer."
Kakashi says, "Guy, your concern is touching. Are you sure that this is because maybe your students have no chance in beating mine?" Guy takes it a bit of offense.
"That's enough the discussion about the genins' participation has ended. I'll accept the recommendations," said a sagely Third Hokage.
Kakashi says, "I know what I'm doing, you'll see." The silver haired jonin on the other hand, "I hope that I'm not making them participate too soon."
(Hidden Cloud Village)
In the shinobi village of Kumo, there was an imposing man known for his feared nintaijutsu and his vast chakra reserves on par with Jinchuriki. He was dark skinned and a muscular figure of a prowrestler and wears the Kage hat designated for his village. His name was A the 4th Raikage.
"To think that the Hokage would truly decide to give us an open invitation to his village," says A.
"I got to say bro. This could be a chance for my students to be at the top of hill as long as they chill," says a Kumo Jonin although in a bad rhyme.
"B, this is not the time for your rhymes."
"Yeah bro," says the famed Killer B.
Those two are the famous A and B combo of Kumogakure. B is also known as the adopted brother of the current Raikage. One of their most memorable battles was against the famed Leaf's Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze. Though they were defeated, Minato spared both Kumo ninja out of his respect.
"But yes B, if your team feels ready to participate I want you send them into my office."
"Right on bro"
(Outside the Raikage's office)
There were three people consisting of a dark skinned boy with white hair. He was wearing an overlong shirt with a hood, black pants, with his forehead protector with a cautious personality. His name is Omoi. Next was a dark skinned girl with long, spiky red hair and ember eyes. Her outfit was a long dress with short sleeves, high heeled boots. Her personality was more hotheaded than of Omoi's. Her name was Karui. The final was another young woman with fair skin short blonde hair and icy blue eyes. For her young age she was already well developed. She wears a low cut out with short skirt and red handguards.
"So Lord Raikage summoned us to his office? Perhaps to tell that potato chips with mayonnaise dip is not a good idea. Or could it be that we could go on a mission that could be a life or death situation."
"Shut it Omoi, no one told anything about mayonnaise dip on potato chips. You're exaggerating as always."
"Well Karui you tend to be the more hotheaded and irrational in our squad."
"Say what?"
Then the cool Cloud kunoichi Samui says, "Quiet you two. Hearing you two argue can be tiresome. Ahh I'm having neck pains." Omoi then says, "Perhaps the reason you have neck pains is due your well-endowed chest, but it is of course." Karui says, "What does neck pain with Samui?" Omoi responds, "Well Karui you are lucky on being flat chested because you won't suffer from stiff shoulders and neck pains." Karui gets angry at her teammate's words and the two start bickering.
Omoi says, "Say what? Can you tell us again B-sensei?"
Killer B says, "Well my homies. This year's Chunin exams will be in the Leaf Village. The Leaf has invited us to participate on their turf. If you perform well you could ascend to Chunin rank. The decision is up to you."
Omoi says, "It could be a great opportunity to show our skills, but I heard that it's also possible that one could end up dying in the Chunin exams." Karui on the other hand says, "What are you worrying about Omoi? We are ready for the next step. Stop being such a worry wart."
Samui says, "I believe that our skills are high enough to participate. You two need to cool your emotions in situations like these." Omoi and Karui both say yes.
(Hidden Mist)
In the isolated village of the mist located in the Land of Water, more in the Mizukage tower. The newly promoted 5th Mizukage, a strong and beautiful kunoichi named Mei Terumi has received a message. The Mizukage wore a denim blue dress with fishnet stocking. She had auburn hair with her bangs covering her right eye.
The Mizukage says, "So an invitation to participate in the next Chunin Exams in the Hidden Leaf, this sounds a great challenge."
A young boy with glasses sharp teeth and tuffy blue hair and wearing a traditional Mist shinobi outfit says, "But Lady Mizukage, I don't know if this is the year. Maybe my team should wait next year for more experience to compete."
A middle aged shinobi says, "We have to repair the state of the village after Lord Yagura's death and can't participate in an event like the Chunin exams." He had an eye patch on his right eye also was wearing striped grey outfit with a green haori underneath.
The Mizukage on the other hand heard other words, that she felt was directed towards her, "Don't have time for marriage interviews?"
The younger shinobi says, "You're right Lord Ao."
Ao then says, "One more thing. You need to put a stop your self-confidence issues of yours or you won't be able to grow as a shinobi, Choujuro."
Mei once again felt words towards her and her anger grew even more, "I need to stop scaring men. That I have anger issues."
Ao says, "Why that young generation of his? Why back in my days?" Mei Terumi gets in front of Ao and smiles widely, "Ao, shut up or I'll kill you." Ao was confused and says, "What did I say?"
(Hidden Stone)
A short elderly man is in his office. This man is known as the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, or also Onoki the Fence Sitter.
"This is clearly a trap so those tree hugging shinobi can gauge and take advantage of us," says the Tsuchikage.
A young kunoichi with short black hair, brown pupil less eyes, and wearing red and brown gear actually had something to say to him. "Maybe so jiji, but it seems like a great chance to put those Leaf punks in their places."
A tall, burly young ninja wearing the Stone ninja gear asks, "You are quite confident that youcan be Chunin in no time Kurotsuchi." The girl named Kurotsuchi responds, "Of course I am Akatsuchi."
Onoki was thinking about this until he reached decision, "All right. You will participate with your other teammate will participate this time to demonstrate the Stone produces the strongest shinobi."
(Hidden Sand)
In the Hidden Sand village located in the Land of Wind, the message was relayed to a Sand Jonin named Baki. Baki is known to be an Elite Jonin for the Sand Village and also right hand to the Fourth Kazekage.
Baki was with his own genin. A kunoichi with dirty, blond hair arranged in four pigtails was wearing a white dress and carrying a fan on her back. She was accompanied by two boys: one wearing war paint and black outfit with hood and the other was a red hair boy with light blue eyes and bags under his eyes.
"This is the opportunity to show the Sand Village's strength," says Baki.
The three nod at this, although the red hair had a psychotic grin on his face.
(A week later)
Back in the Leaf Village, the young Shirai Ryu was walking through the streets to go to a ramen stand for a lunch until he was followed by a squared rock. He knew that the kid was following him.
"Konohamaru, I know that's you."
It was Konohamaru indeed and was with two kids around his age as well. They appeared in a curtain of smoke, with some smoke bombs.
"That's expected from my number one rival and boss," says Konohamaru while coughing.
"I think you put on too much powder," says a girl with orange hair with pigtails.
"Sorry guys," this time was a boy with glasses.
Kitsune asks, "So are the ones with you your friends?"
The girl introduces herself as Moegi, the boy with glasses as Udon, finally Konohamaru.
Konohamaru then asks, "Hey boss I was wondering if you could play 'Ninja' with us?" Kitsune says, "Sorry kid. Today I was told to reunite with my team for something important."
Sakura was walking around the streets and says, "Why would anyone play 'Ninja'?
Konohamaru asks, "Who's the girl with the forehead," and the smirks "I get it boss she must be your girlfriend." Sakura blushes due to embarrassment and anger. Kitsune beats to it and says, "Nah, she just happens to be one of my teammates." Konohamaru then says, "Of course. You have better taste in women and besides look at the huge forehead she has." Sakura snaps completely at someone referencing at her forehead. Kitsune knowing where this would go simply says, "Konohamaru, run." Konohamaru seeing the angered pink haired genin didn't need to be told twice.
Sakura was really angry and chased the little boy on the village. The boy in question was running for his life until he collided with a teenage boy with black coat and war paint.
"Oww that hurt you punk, I'm going to teach you a lesson of respecting your superiors," says the Sand shinobi.
Konohamaru is grabbed by the collar by the teenager struggling. "Let me go you bully."
"Kankuro, you need to stop this. What if he comes back?"
"Don't worry Temari. He's not around here. I can have some fun by roughing up this little twerp." Just then the young Shirai Ryun nin and Sakura got in time before things could get out of hand.
"Listen this whole thing is actually my fault please release him," says Sakura.
"No way; I'm going to teach this punk a lesson in respecting his superiors," says Kankuro.
Kitsune then speaks, "I'm sure that Konohamaru didn't mean any ill will. I'm sure that if you put him down he'll apologize nicely." Konohamaru says, "Yes. I'm just an Academy student."
Kankuro then hears a familiar voice, "Kankuro stop being such a child."
From the trees appears the red haired Sand shinobi with the gourd. Kankuro fearfully says, "Gaara, I wasn't being serious about beating up the kid. It was just a joke." Also Sasuke appears to watch on what was going on.
Gaara then says, "Your actions disgrace our village Kankuro." He then turns to the male members of team 7, "I apologize for my brother's foolish actions. Temari, Kankuro let' go they're waiting for us."
Just as the Sand trio was leaving Sakura stops them, "Hold on. I know that the Leaf and Sand villages are allies, but entering a foreign village without proper documentation is illegal." The Sand Siblings shows them their passports and tell them about the upcoming Chunin Exams.
Sasuke says, "Hey introduce yourself." He asks to the red haired boy with the gourd.
"I'm Gaara. Mother finds you two interesting that I am asking your names as well."
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
"Call me Kitsune."
Gaara then says in a monotone tone, "Very well, Sasuke Uchiha and Kitsune. We shall face each other at the Chunin Exams. The Sand team leaves to the hotel they were staying.
Kakashi arrives then to greet his time, "Yo."
Sakura angrily says, "You're late."
Kakashi says, "I got lost in the road of life." Sakura mumbles 'Yeah right.' Sasuke grunts, and the Shirai Ryu just thinks 'Being part of this team is kind of fun.' Kakashi then says, "The reason is that I have nominated you for this year's Chunin Exams. The decision of whether to compete is up to you."
Sasuke says, "I'm in. This will be a test on how strong I am." Sakura was a bit more hesitant, "I don't know if we're ready for this." Kitsune says, "It would be interesting form to test our strength and skill. But if you're not prepared we could wait for next year." Sakura tries to say something back but Kitsune says, "But still what you lack in strength you make it up for smarts and keen observation." Kakashi asks them once again if they feel ready, Sasuke and Kitsune nod while Sakura finally nods.
They all say their goodbyes. Kitsune on the other hand senses that his master was nearby by sensing his kunai and deflects with his own.
"Well done my student."
"Thanks shishou."
Kitsune talks to his master about the upcoming 'Chunin Exams' and Scorpion (known as Hanzo Hasashi) gets interested with this. 'This exam is in a way a replacement of war just like when the Elder Gods founded the Mortal Kombat tournament.'
"I think you're ready to show more of your skills."
"I am shishou."
That's all for this chapter.
It's been months since I had a chapter for Scorpion's Apprentice. You know the saying 'Better late than never'.
MK Encyclopedia
Welcome to a first edition of MK Encyclopedia. Today's topic will be of the rivalry between the Shirai Ryu and Lin Kuei. The Lin Kuei was of the first clan of assassins. Their base of operations was in China, until a member of the Lin Kuei abandoned the clan and returned to Japan establishing his own clan. The defected member taught everything he learned from the Lin Kuei and from there was formed the Shirai Ryu. There has been strong resentment since then. Hope you liked this lesson, until next time.