Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Mikoto nodded in agreement.
"Did you know about his armguards?" Sasuke asked her suddenly. She grinned.
"I made them," she said. "When he passed the Chuunin exam." She couldn't help laughing at her father's expression.
Chapter 19 – New Jounin
Two days later, the eighteen Chuunin were all assembled in the arena, facing the Hokage and Kazekage. Various Jounin were standing nearby, including Sasuke, Suigetsu and Mikoto.
"Your examiners, the Kazekage and I have been debating about who to promote to Jounin level. We have now decided," Naruto said.
"We will now announce who has, and hasn't, been promoted," Gaara continued. "Starting with the candidates from Amegakure."
"Koushi no Amegakure," Naruto said. "You fought bravely in all of your matches, but for a Jounin, bravery is not enough. You remain a Chuunin." The big ninja looked down.
"Tadashi no Amegakure," Gaara said. "You used no jutsu that wasn't required and carefully assessed your opponent's abilities. From now on, you are a Jounin." There was no expression on the green haired boy's face.
"Megumi no Amegakure," Naruto said. "Your skill in genjutsu is impressive. However, while you were casting it, you fell into the trap that was laid and so you remain a Chuunin." The kunoichi sighed.
"Taro no Sunagakure," Gaara said. "You fought well, but took some unnecessary risks which a Jounin never does so you remain a Chuunin." Taro looked at his uncle emotionlessly.
"Mamoru no Sunagakure," Naruto said. "You used all the space available to you in a well planned way. From now on, you are a Jounin." The redhead didn't respond.
"Usagi no Sunagakure," said Gaara. "You, too, fought well, but not at the skill required of a Jounin. Therefore, you will remain a Chuunin." Like Taro, she gazed at her uncle with no expression on her face.
"Nara Hiroshi no Konohagakure," Naruto said. "You fought well and successfully analysed your opponent's jutsu. Therefore, you are now a Jounin." Hiroshi nodded in recognition of his new status.
"Shirasei Genzō no Konohagakure," said Gaara. "Despite fighting bravely, it was not at Jounin standard and so you remain a Chuunin." The blind teen didn't react.
"Hyuuga Hidé no Konohagakure," said Naruto. "You were easily succumbed and so are not yet at Jounin standard. You remain a Chuunin." The Hyuuga girl shrugged.
"Tsukiko Yorusuke no Konohagakure," said Gaara. "Again, you fought well, but not at Jounin standard. You remain a Chuunin." The tall boy didn't react.
"Kai Jun no Konohagakure," Naruto said. "You analysed all your opponents and fought accordingly. You are now a Jounin." The animal lover looked up, startled.
"Uzumaki Aiko no Konohagakure," said Gaara. "You fought bravely, but not at the level of skill expected of a Jounin. You remain a Chuunin." Aiko didn't react.
"Ryu Isas no Konohagakure," said Naruto. "You fought according to your opponent's rules, and didn't make him follow yours. You remain a Chuunin." The blonde boy had an 'I-don't-care' look on his face.
"Uzumaki Kaname no Konohagakure," said Gaara. "Despite your kekkei genkai, you underestimated your opponent, which a Jounin never does, therefore you remain a Chuunin." She shrugged.
"Nara Kei no Konohagakure," said Naruto. "You fought intelligently, but not at the level required. You remain a Chuunin." Kei look rather miffed that her brother had passed but she hadn't.
"Tsukiko Hisuke no Konohagakure," said Gaara. "You fought, not by your rules, but by your opponent's, therefore you remain a Chuunin." Hisuke looked like he couldn't care less.
"Uchiha Itachi no Konohagakure," Naruto said. There was total silence. "Not once in any of your fights did you do anything unnecessary. You are now a Jounin." Itachi could see the pride on his father's face.
"Hōzuki Hotaru no Konohagakure," said Gaara. "Your style is unusual, but purely defensive. A Jounin fights offensively as well as defensively, so you remain a Chuunin." Hotaru didn't seem to care.
"New Jounin step forward," Naruto commanded. Tadashi, Mamoru, Hiroshi, Jun and Itachi obeyed.
"Congratulations on making it to Jounin level," Gaara said. "We are all proud of you." Then the formalities were over.
"You made it, Ita-kun!" Hotaru said, seizing her teammate in a tight hug. One by one, all the Konoha candidates congratulated him and the other new Jounin.
"Well done," Sasuke said, walking over to him. Itachi nodded in acknowledgement of his father's words. Mikoto hugged him tightly.
"I knew you'd make it!" she said. "Don't worry, Isas," she said to her boyfriend. "There's always next time."
"Good one!" Arisu said, thumping him on the back. "One more step and you'll be on a par with me!" Itachi shrugged.
Tani yanked her brother's hair, making him wince.
"You show off!" she said. Itachi laughed and ruffled her hair, earning himself a glare. Sakura came over to congratulate him.
"I'm proud of you," she said.
After about ten minutes of congratulations, Itachi looked around for his uncle, realising that he hadn't seen him since the announcements. As the crowd around him ebbed he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking around, he saw his elusive uncle.
"Itachi, Mikoto, Tani," the older Uchiha said, gaining his nieces' attention. "Come with me." He walked off and they followed him into a dark area of the surrounding forest.
Thanks for reading!
Tsari