(The epic Chunin Exam Arc is underway! In the Fourteenth Chapter Team 3 and Team 10 set out for the central tower. Will they receive a friendly welcome? The Second Round of the Chunin Exams continue! What will be the outcome? I love feedback and constructive criticism, so please leave a review so I can improve my writing and storytelling skills. Enjoy!)
When the sun rises for the fourth time since the start of the second exam, Team 3 and Team 10 are slow to wake from slumber after the lengthy traveling they did the previous day. Kuroda is keeping watch outside the trunk of the large tree that they took shelter in over the night. Ichimaru walks out from the shelter and stretches his arms up high as a big yawn escapes his mouth.
"Is everyone ready to head out yet?" asks Kuroda.
"Almost," replies Ichimaru, "But before we go I wanted to ask you something."
"What's on your mind?" inquires Kuroda.
"Tell me," says the childhood friend, "Why are you really helping us out?"
"You saw through my deception," comments Kuroda, "I was wondering when you were going to ask."
"So are you going to tell me the truth?" asks Ichimaru.
"Of course I am," replies Kuroda, "We are old friends after all."
"Sometimes I wonder," jokes Ichimaru.
"The real reason that I decided to give you guys our extra scroll is because I know what the next stage of the exam will be," reveals Kuroda.
"I thought you might," smirks Ichimaru, "Considering that you knew what the first exam was."
"I didn't know precisely what this test or the other ones would be, but I had the general idea," explains Kuroda, "It really is not that hard to find out. All you have to do is go and look at the historical records in the library."
"How would those help?" says Ichimaru skeptically, "I am sure the elders would be smart enough to exclude information about something like the Chunin exams."
"Specific details, yes those are probably stored in more secure areas," admits Kuroda, "However records of people that participated in the past are there. Based on these records I was able to figure out a few things. The Chunin exams have been conducted in the same format since the very first one ever. There are always three sections to the exams, and the sections are the same style. The first part is always a written exam and the second is always a faux mission."
"And what about the third?" inquires Ichimaru.
"Well, just think about it," says Kuroda, "The first two are both team-based tests. However you cannot pass the exams as a Team. Only individuals can become Chunin."
"Then it has to be one-on-one fights," comments Ichimaru.
"Correct," confirms Kuroda.
"I figured as much after I learned that this part was also team-based," admits Ichimaru.
"Based on the records the test is always one-on-one fights, and it is tournament style. You fight opponent after opponent until there is only one person left."
"Now I understand," says Ichimaru, suddenly enlightened as the final piece of the puzzle is locked into place.
"Figured it out, have you?" asks Kuroda.
"You didn't necessarily want my team; you just want more people in general to pass the exam. The more people there are, the more the fights there are and people you have to go through. You are betting that others will get tired and you won't," says Ichimaru.
"Exactly, but that's not all. If there are more fights, people fight more to get to the end. Every time that someone fights I will be watching and analyzing their moves. Then when I face them it will be that much easier for me to defeat them," explains Kuroda.
"Good plan," compliments Ichimaru, "But what about your fights? If the other ninja are any good they will be watching you closely."
"Sorry, but that information is secret," says Kuroda, "I can't let you in on all my plans."
Just then Sakura and Jando emerge from the hiding place. "Are we ready to get going?" asks Ichimaru.
"Yeah," says Sakura, "Kenta is just getting Yui ready to go."
"Why don't I carry Yui today," suggests Kuroda, "I want to get there before the end of the day. We will be able to travel faster if I carry her instead of Kenta."
"Sounds like a plan," says Ichimaru.
They head towards the tower. Sakura gives Yui a sedative so that she is not pained by all the bumps and jerks of the trip. Ichimaru and Jando take the lead followed by Kenta, Kuroda, and finally Sakura. During the trip Kuroda secretly heals Yui's broken leg, in part to help out Yui but also for the purpose of testing the extent of his abilities.
"Nurse Emi explained to me the basics of healing broken bones, but so far I have only practiced on animals," thinks Kuroda to himself as the group travels, "I am already at a disadvantage because my chakra isn't really suited for healing Jutsu, but now I have to deal with healing while moving at the same time. If I can accomplish this then I will have nearly everything I need to truly start working on my plan."
By the time they arrive at the tower near the end of the fourth day he manages to heal her wound completely. Yui wakes up and is feeling a lot better and notices that her leg doesn't hurt anymore. She starts walking on her own. Everyone is amazed that her leg healed so fast. Team 3 and Team 10 enter separate doors and go inside the tower.
They step into a room and see a large banner on the wall. "Umm…so what are we supposed to do now?" asks Jando, scratching his head and looking around the empty room.
"I am not sure," replies Sakura, "Kuroda, do you know?"
"I believe we are supposed to open our scrolls now," deduces Kuroda.
"Are you serious?" questions Jando, "But that Kenji Takimasu said we weren't supposed to open the scrolls."
"No, that's not right," remarks Sakura, "The proctor specifically said that we are not allowed to open the scrolls until we get to the tower."
"That is correct," confirms Kuroda, "I believe that if we opened a scroll on its own or we opened the scrolls without reaching the tower that some sort of trap would be set off. However, now that we are inside and have both the heaven scroll and the earth scroll we should be okay."
"All right, let me do it then," says Jando.
"Fine with me," shrugs Kuroda as he tosses over the scrolls.
Jando takes both scrolls and unravels them on top of each other. Smoke comes out from the scrolls and beautiful woman with long flowing black hair and scarlet eyes is appears before them.
"Kayo-sensei, what are you doing here?" asks Jando.
"Congratulations, you have passed the second part of the Chunin exams," she announces.
"We passed?" exclaims Sakura.
"Yes, you did," explains Kayo, "If you had opened the scrolls individually or outside of the tower, a bunch of Rock Chunins would be summoned instead and would have knocked you out. The objective of the test was to see if you follow the rules and not be tempted to cheat. This mission was an example of a real mission where a client might hire you to transport an item, but they don't want you to know what it is. This phase is designed to test both your physical and mental resolve. I knew you were smart enough to not open the scrolls, but I am surprised you took so long to complete the test," she says looking in Kuroda's direction.
Jando complains, "Kuroda wanted to help other leaf squads. We meet up with Team 10 and wasted a whole two extra days getting here."
Kayo replies, "That was a good idea to help another leaf team, but from now on you need to only focus on yourselves, because the third part of the exam is individual and not in teams."
"I had a feeling it would be," comments Sakura.
Jando questions, "What's the next test then, Sensei?"
She replies, "It will all be explained the tomorrow after the time limit is up."
Everyone gets a healthy meal and a good night sleep while waiting to see if any other teams show up. When the time limit is up all teams are called to a large room in the middle of the tower. Kuroda sees that a Grass team, a Rain team, Hoshi's team, Team 10, and Team 15 are the only ones to pass. All of the Jonin level team-leaders, the first and second proctors, a bunch of Rock Chunin, and the Tsuchikage are present in the room.
Jando nudges Kuroda and whispers, "Look over there, that Grass Jonin is Mazuma Shiranui is here. We ran into him in our last mission."
"Just ignore him for now," replies Kuroda, showing no reaction to the appearance of Mazuma at the exams.
"What is it? You seem agitated," says a female Grass Genin with short light green hair.
"Something is wrong," replies Hara, the fearsome top-ranked ninja from the Hidden Grass.
"What do you mean?" asks the third member of the squad, a tall black male wearing a green, tan, and brown camouflage pair of slacks and a tan t-shirt.
"Look around us, Kuro, and tell me what you see," Hara responds.
"Just the other Genin teams that made it to the tower," replies Kuro.
"Isn't there something strange about them?" inquires Hara.
"Just spell it out for us, Hara," sighs the green-haired girl.
"Okay, Mari, don't you find it strange that only one team from the Hidden Rock Village was able to make it here?" asks Hara as his eyes dart around and examine the other teams.
"Hey, you're right," exclaims Kuro.
"Yeah, I noticed that," confirms Mari, "But I didn't find anything strange about it."
"I find it very strange," reveals Hara, "Because there should be more."
"What do you mean?" asks Kuro.
"First of all they are the Hidden Rock, one of the five great shinobi nations. As one of the five nations they have more resources, more ninja, and more training than ninja from our village. Based on that alone, they should have at least two teams that made it here," explains Hara, "However there is also the fact that they are the village hosting this competition. As host, they have the highest number of teams that were participating. It is simple math that they would have a higher probability of getting more squads to pass. Yet there is only one team here, and they look like they have been through hell."
"I see what you mean," comments Mari, "And besides their physical appearance, look at their faces. The one guy with the long hair has that goofy smile on his face, but the other two look haunted. Something crazy must have happened to them in the forest. I am glad we were able to get here so quickly."
"There is one other thing that is bothering me," comments Hara.
"Is it the Leaf Ninja?" asks Mari. Hara nods to confirm her suspicion.
"What do you mean, Mari?" asks Kuro.
"Well, that squad that arrived on day 2 were the ones who were making the commotion before the exam started," explains Mari, "They got here pretty quick, but they looked like they were in a few fights. Then there is the other two who both arrived on the same day. The team with the hefty guy looks like they barely made it here."
"I'm still not seeing a point," comments Kuro.
"It is the other squad," interjects Hara, "The one with the pink-haired girl, the robed guy, and the tall guy with black hair."
"I remember them," says Kuro, "They are the ones that finished the first exam 40 minutes ahead of everyone else. What about them?"
"Look at them closely, I mean really closely," says Mari.
"There clothes are torn and ripped in some places, but that is just wear and tear from being in the forest," explains Hara, "Even we have that. However if you look at their skin, there is barely even a scratch. It is just not feasible after spending 4 days in that forest. Even I got a small cut on my leg."
"There is something fishy about that team," adds Mari.
"Did you hear what those Grass Ninja were saying, Brother?" asks the small Rain Ninja called No.
"Who cares, I already knew all that. It doesn't make a difference to me," replies his elder brother Rino.
"Just keep your mouth shut, little brother," orders Ino.
The handsome green-eyed Rock Jonin known as Kenji Takimasu steps forward and begins speaking, "Congratulations, you have all officially passed the second part of the Chunin exams. Thankfully that means my job is over. This is the Tsuchikage; he will explain the next part of the Chunin exams."
The Tsuchikage steps forward and declares, "We will now start the Third Exam, but before that I will explain the true purpose of these exams. The Chunin exam is completed with participation from allied nations to maintain good relations with those allied nations and to heighten the level of the ninja within them. This exam is the epitome of a war between the allied nations. In history, these allied nations were neighboring countries that have fought each other over and over. To avoid wasting military power, those countries decided to choose a place to fight. That was the beginning of the Chunin Selection exams."
"So that is how it all started," murmurs Kenta.
"The exam does choose who is of Chunin level, but it is also a place where ninjas fight and carry their country's dignity. In the Third Exam, feudal lords and famous people from various countries who may be potential clients are invited as guests to watch the battles. If there's a significant difference in power, the strongest country will be flooded with jobs. If a country is seen as weak, their jobs will decrease," explains the Tsuchikage, "The countries are also able to show how their village has grown and who possess excellent military power to the adjacent countries so they can put foreign pressure on them. A country's power depends on the power of its ninja village. A village's power depends on the strength of the ninja who reside there. And a ninja's true power is only born in a life or death battle. This Exam is a place to show off the ninja power of one's country. Because the participants fight with their lives on the line the Exam has meaning. That is the reason our predecessors have fought and dreamed of being in the Chunin Exam. The custom of saving one's life and fighting to maintain balance. This is a life or death battle for your dream and your village's dignity."
(That is the end of the chapter, what did you think? The Second Exam is officially concluded. How will everyone fair in the next stage of the exam? 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.)