A/N: There are lines taken directly from the anime in here, I don't think they should be too hard to spot. Beyond that, I hope you enjoy this latest addition to:
A/N2: Sorry for the delay in updating, my last computer died on me and my muse went on vacation for a few months so it took a bit to get into the habit of writing again. So barring a freak accident I think that I should be able to update more often.
The Iwa Shinobi Chapter 14: The Second Exam: The Change-up
After arriving at the tower, Akahana was taken to the infirmary by a stubborn Sasuke who refused to let her walk despite the fact that she had done so earlier without incident. Naruto was eying the Uchiha with suspicion as he went to the cafeteria, having been barred from going with them once it was seen he had no injuries.
Sakura, meanwhile was complaining about all the twigs in her hair and dirt on her clothes as she scrambled to the showers... only to run screaming out of them when she ran into the boy's on accident and saw a naked Choji.
It was the next day when Hinata Hyuuga's team arrived with both their scrolls, followed by Kabuto's and the Sound team although they seemed to be running on auto-pilot the the way they moved robotically, well, except for Dosu.
Mere hours after the Sound Team got there they were all called into an arena of sorts with platforms on either side.
On top of a statue of a handsign was the Fourth Hokage, who appeared to be trying to stay far away from his wife, although when he tried to slink away she would give him a look promising pain, he'd whimper, and he returned to his original position. Once she had her husband in line, Kushina's eyes scoured the ranks of Genin and locked on to the form of her henged daughter. It took all she had not to run down and pull her into her arms.
Anko, standing on the ground spoke into a headset that made her heard over the whispers, "Congratulations on completing the Second Exam. Alright, now pay attention, Hokage-sama is going to explain the Third Exam to you. You better listen carefully, maggots." She turned to face Minato, "Hokage-sama, they're all yours."
Minato leapt down, along with the sensei's for each team. and cleared his throat. For all that he tried to appear wise, the bandages and sling ruined the image, "I am going to tell you the true purpose of these exams. Why do you suppose we hold these exams in conjunction with our allies? To raise the ability levels of the Shinobi and increase friendships between allied nations, to be sure. But it's important that you understand its true meaning. The exams are, so-to-speak, they are a representation of the battles between allied nations. These exams also allow for a place where Shinobi can carry the pride of their nation on their backs and fight against other ninja for their very lives.
"Many leaders and peoples of prominence from various countries are invited to attend this exam as guests and also possibly to seek Shinobi to work for them. This exam will determine the course of your ninja work from here on out. And more importantly, those rulers will watch your battles and take note of the strengths that each ninja and each nation is developing. If there is a gap in power between the countries, the strong nations are inundated with job requests for their ninja and conversely, the requests to countries that are deemed weak decline. Therefore, the stronger our nation is, the better our position is when it comes to negotiating with neighboring countries. So it's important to show how much military strength our village has."
"Okay, but even so, why is it necessary for us to risk our lives?" Kiba asked, not understanding.
"The countries strength is the village's strength. The village's strength is the Shinobi's strength. And the true strength of the Shinobi is only achieved when it is pushed to its limits, such as in a life and death battle. This exam is a chance for each nation to display the strength of its Shinobi and hence, the strength of the nation itself. It is because this is an exam where your life is on the line that it has meaning. And it is for this very reason and for the strength of the nation that your forerunners fought in this exam. It's truly a dream worth striving for."
Temari looked skeptical, "But then why did you use the expression friendship before?"
Minato sighed, "But you've only remembered half of what I've said. You also mustn't have the wrong idea of the exam's meaning. This is a custom by which balance is preserved by fighting and dying in the world of the Shinobi that is friendship. The third exam is a fight for your life with the pride of your village and your own dreams at stake."
Before he could say anymore another ninja appeared kneeling before the Genin, fist to the ground. As he stood up, the ninja said, "Hokage-sama, let me take over from here."
Minato nodded, and returned to his place on the statue, albeit several feet further away from his wife.
The ninja looked at the Genin before him and coughed, at which point Akahana noted that he had several bags under his eyes. He doesn't look too good.
"My name is Hayate Gekko and I am the proctor for the Third Exam. But before we can continue there is something we must do," he began before coughing again. The Genin looked at him curiously, "Because we didn't expect so many of you to actually pass the Second Exam, we have to conduct a Preliminary Exam to reduce your number even further."
Kiba shouted, "WHAT?!" Needless to say the sentiment was shared among his fellows.
Hayate raised his free hand to forestall any more outbursts, as his other was occupied with his mouth and covering up the cough. "The Preliminary Exam will begin immediately, so anyone who feels that they are not in top physical condition can bow out now. You will still be allowed to participate in future Exams if you do so."
A silver-haired Genin raised his hand, and when Hayate looked at him he recoiled at the sight. The teen's face was covered in bruises and his right eye was blackened and his glasses were cracked to such a degree that it was a wonder he even made it into the room without injuring himself further. The rest of his body was just as messy, if not more so, as his body sported cuts and other wounds across his badly torn clothing. All-in-all, he was a mess.
"Kabuto Yakushi of the Leaf? You're free to go, and make sure to get to a Medic-nin."
Hypocrite, was the thought running through many of the youngsters minds as he said that.
When no one else stepped forward, he motioned to the board where names began to run, "The first pair to fight will be selected at random and your names will appear on this screen. When chosen, the rest will go up the stairs on the sides while the two stay below."
As he finished speaking the selection finished.
Sakura Haruno
vs.
Naruto Sakamoto
"Alright, everyone but them clear out."
The two girls stood across from each other, but only one had thoughts of worry at what would happen if she injured the Hokage's daughter. Nevermind what the man himself would do, oh no. It was his wife that had her terrified. Not to say anything about how skilled the henged girl in question was, which was completely discounted.
"Hajime!"
'Naruto' didn't move a muscle at the go-ahead, merely waiting for Sakura to make the first move, and much to her disbelief, she raised her hand and shouted, "I forfeit!"
Sasuke sweatdropped, he knew she was scared of Kushina, but did she have to chicken out of the fight completely?
The boy whose name really was Naruto face-palmed, before shouting, "Sakura Haruno, if you forfeit I will not so much as look in your direction ever again!" He ignored the disapproving look his mother gave him but it got the desired result as she reluctantly withdrew her withdrawal.
Hayate looked at the pinkette and asked, "Are you ready?" At her tentative nod he sighed, coughed, and shouted, "Hajime!"
This time it was Akahana who took point and with her hands blurring she called out as she leapt into the air, "Water Style: Water Trumpet!" as she held her hand to her mouth and shot a blast of water at her opponent who barely had a chance to blink before she was launched into the opposing wall, cracking it and falling to the ground, eyes a pair of swirls as she slipped down the wall to the floor.
Shaking her head and shakily getting to her feet, she just barely looked up when she caught sight of her opponent, who stood right in front of her and whacked Sakura on the back of the neck, knocking her out instantly.
Kakashi sighed at the rather pathetic display that was his student as Gai pranced around beside him and shouted about his YOUTHFUL! students were clearly the better ones.
As the disguised redhead walked up the stairs to join her team and Sakura was taken to the Infirmary, no one noticed Minato holding his wife's hand whispering in her ear, and shaking his head when she looked at him mournfully.
The pair set of names appeared on the screen.
Kankuro no Sabaku
vs.
Tenten Higarashi
I always wondered how a fight between Kankuro and Tenten, both masters of weapons, would go down. Guess we'll both find out next chapter, eh? :)
Another Author Note: I apologize for the many author notes. I just realized that I made a mistake when I said that Naruto (Akahana's name) was Sensui instead of Sakamoto.