(The epic Chunin Exam Arc has started! In the fourth chapter of this arc the written exam for Stage 1 has concluded, but what kind of backlash will Team 3's actions have? I love feedback and constructive criticism, so please leave a review so I can improve my writing and storytelling skills. Enjoy!)
Later that day Chiaki walks down a long, dark hallway with a clipboard in her hands. She arrives at the end of the hallway where there is a single, solid oak door blocking the path. She raps her knuckle on the door and waits for a response.
"Who is it?" says a voice on the other side.
"Chiaki Enjoji, I have come to give my report on the first stage of the Chunin exams," she replies.
"Enter," orders the voice.
She opens the door and walks to the center of the room where a middle-aged man with long, dark-brown hair and light-brown robes sits at a large wooden desk. His large, white cone-shaped hat rests on the desk next to a pile of papers.
"Welcome, Chiaki," says Masato Ishimaru, setting aside a document he was reviewing.
"Thank you, Lord Tsuchikage," says Chiaki as she bows. Another person is standing in the shadows, but they do not say anything, and Chiaki ignores them.
"I trust everything went well?" inquires the Tsuchikage, leaning forward, eager to hear her report.
"For the most part," she replies, knowing her superior favors honesty.
"How many participants passed the first stage?" he asks, glancing at a piece of parchment with estimates that his intelligence division came up with.
"A total of 75 Genin remain. Our own Hidden Rock Village had about 70% of the people who entered move on," she explains.
"Very good, very good," he comments, nodding with satisfaction.
"There was something though," she admits, hesitantly.
"Something? What do you mean? My daughter's team did pass, didn't they?" he inquires, frowning at the prospect of his daughter failing.
"Yes, they did with ease. This matter concerns one of the Leaf Village teams," explains Chiaki.
"The Leaf Ninja? Explain," orders the Tsuchikage.
She briefly summarizes the incident with Kuroda and his squad. Masato first being impressed by the child's boldness, but then growing more concerned throughout the retelling of the event.
"They got every question right?" asks the Tsuchikage, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," confirms Chiaki, "They were perfect answers."
"The leader, what was his name?" asks Masato, leaning back in his chair and strumming his fingers together.
"His name is Kuroda Taishi," she replies, already having the boy's name and face memorized.
"Kuroda Taishi? I have never heard of him before. Regardless, it doesn't matter who he is," says the Tsuchikage, "Even though we are allies with the Leaf Ninja, we cannot allow such a promising candidate to make it to the next round."
A young man with well-groomed short black hair steps forward into the light. His eyes are a deep forest green and he wears his light brown headband in bandana form and dons a custom Rock village flak jacket with black clothes underneath. Most females would fall all over themselves just being so close to him, but Chiaki does not even glance at him.
"Why did the Tsuchikage have to pick Kenji Takimasu as one of the other proctors?" thinks Chiaki, instinctively wanting to get as far away from him as possible, but not daring to even flinch while in the village leader's presence.
"Is there something you wished to add, Kenji?" asks the Tsuchikage, shifting his eyes to look at the newcomer.
"No rules were actually violated," says Kenji in a respectful tone, "So we cannot expel this Leaf Ninja from the exam without angering the Hokage."
"I can deal with Michiyo Katonae," replies Masato, clasping his hands together on the desk, "However, there is a better way to get rid of this boy and his team."
"What did you have in mind?" asks Chiaki.
The Tsuchikage beckons forward a messenger with a wave. The man steps up next to his superior and listens intently as the village leader whispers instructions into his ear. The messenger quickly runs out of the room once he understands the orders. He returns a few short minutes later with 12 Genin in tow. They quickly arrange themselves into rows and take a knee out of respect.
"You wanted to see us?" says one of the Genin whose head is wrapped in bandages save for his left eye. Kneeling next to the boy is none other than the Tsuchikage's own daughter.
"Your four squads are the strongest squads from the rock village that are still participating in the exam," says Masato, "As the strongest I have decided to give you an additional requirement to pass the exam."
"Something other than the tests?" asks the other boy kneeling next to the Tsuchikage's daughter. The boy's hair is long, but shoots straight up into the air. His eyes hint that he is eager to prove his strength.
"Yes, you must accomplish an additional task in order to pass the second phase of the Chunin exams," explains Masato, scanning the faces of the young subordinates for signs of their reactions.
"What must we do?" asks Din kneeling next to his teammates, a row behind the two previous speakers.
"Do you all remember the Leaf Ninja team that finished the exam early and was allowed to pass without hearing the final question?" asks the Tsuchikage.
Yamashita Uzuki scratches the bandages over his eye, and then answers before anyone else does, "You are referring to the team that had the girl with long pink hair, the boy with the Byakugan, and…"
"You never said anything about Kuroda Taishi having the Byakugan," interrupts Masato, now suspecting this whole meeting was pointless.
Chiaki explains, "The leader of group and the one who spoke for all of them was Kuroda Taishi. His teammate with the Byakugan was called Jando Hyuga I believe."
"Even more intriguing," comments the Tsuchikage, "If he did have the Byakugan it might explain some things. It also might be possible that this Jando Hyuuga is really the one pulling the strings."
"I am fairly confident that Kuroda is the leader," states Chiaki, "I gathered reports that he finished his test first and then sat there until the other two were finished with theirs before making the disruption."
"Well, it doesn't matter either way," responds the Tsuchikage, "As the four strongest squads representing our village I am giving you the mission to eliminate the Leaf Ninja team during the second phase of the exam. By eliminate I do not just mean force them out of the exams, I mean kill them."
On the other side of the Tsuchikage's daughter Naga Takeuchi grows an evil grin and asks, "So whoever kills the Leaf Ninja team first gets to be Chunins?"
"No, that is incorrect," replies the Tsuchikage, "Your task is to work together, and I mean all of the squads, to eliminate this team. I do not care who gets the final kill, but rest assured if you do not complete this task none of you will become Chunin."
"That won't be an issue," says Yamashita, "I'm confident that the 12 of us can take care of the problem."
"Good, but don't get cocky. You never know what those Leaf Ninja have up their sleeves," warns the Tsuchikage, "You are all dismissed now."
The Genin teams shuffle out of the room and the higher levels resume talking about the exams. "Is that all you needed from me, my lord?" asks Chiaki.
"That's all for now," replies Masato, waving his hand to dismiss her, "Carry on with your follow up duties as proctor."
"Yes, my Lord," says Chiaki as she bows and starts to exit the room.
"So, Kenji, is everything prepared for the next stage?" inquires the Tsuchikage.
"Everything is in place my lord," he replies.
Chiaki closes the door and starts the long walk down the hallway. She gives a rare sigh of relief after coming out of a tense situation. As she turns the corner she brushes the black and red hair out of her eye.
"Hey, wait up!" calls a voice from behind her.
"Great, how did he get out of there so fast?" wonders Chiaki as she speeds up.
The footsteps behind her turn into a fast trot as the person yells, "Chiaki, wait up!"
"Just go away," thinks Chiaki slipping into another hallway.
She quickly turns another corner and nearly runs over the handsome figure that was chasing her.
"What's the rush?" smirks Kenji as he runs his hands over his hair.
"What do you want?" says Chiaki coldly, careful to avoid his deep green eyes.
He coolly replies "Is that any way to talk to an old…"
She shoots a spiteful glare at him, stopping him in mid sentence. "Unless you have some official business you need to speak to me about, get out of my way," she orders, venom lacing her voice.
"You know that doesn't work on me," says Kenji gently.
She groans and then pushes her way past him. "Stay away from me, Kenji Takimasu, this is your last warning," she says, anger and bitterness clearly present in the threat.
Kenji watches as her body covered in white bandages and black apparel walks away. "Sorry but, I'm just not ready to do that yet," thinks Kenji, "And I don't think you really are either."
(That is the end of the chapter, what did you think? Team 3 has a target on their back, but they aren't even aware of it. Will they be able to survive Stage 2 of the Chunin exams? Also, how will the other Hidden Leaf squads do? As usual, if you want more information on my characters you can see their bios on my profile page. Be warned, there may be some spoilers. Also I'm in the process of getting pictures drawn for the characters, but I have no idea how long that will take. If you're interested in drawing and have a DA account then send me a Message. Enjoy the next chapter, and please review.)