A/N: Thank you for pointing out the change in the name of the Sharingan, the iriatation. With that prompting, it's probably a good idea to explain some of the changes I've made in this version of the Narutoverse.

Regarding the Sharingan, Byakugan, and Rinnegan, I decided to change the names of all three dōjutsu. The reason for changing them is not authorial ego, but a desire to have the eyes clearly related in title as well as in nature. As they are part of the San Daidōjutsu, I felt it would be a cool parallel to have each of the names start with 'San', or three. From there, then, I had to find names that referenced each eye's nature.

The Sharingan's name has been changed to the Sanzengan, or Radiant Eye. The name references the sun, Amaterasu, the primary fighting style (Amaterasu Mikoto) conferred by the advanced form of the eye. As an additional note, the Sanzengan covers only ninjutsu. It can determine the nature of an ability down to ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu, but it can copy only ninjutsu and the advanced forms of the eye can use only ninjutsu. I felt that this was somewhat necessary to combat Uchiha power creep in the later parts of the story, relative to other families within Hidden Leaf, and to deal with Hidden Leaf being overpowered in relation to every other land as well.

The Byakugan's name has been changed to Sanshigan, or Reflective Eye. The name references the moon, Tsukiyomi, the basis for many of the Sanshigan's abilities including its advanced form (to be revealed in a much, much later update). The Sanshigan, likewise, only covers genjutsu, which falls under the umbrella of the fighting style Tsukiyomi Mikoto.

While I'm on the topic, Susano'o Mikoto does not require Rinnegan. Usually Susano'o Mikoto wouldn't be used except by chakra sensors, but it's not associated with this universe's version of the Rinnegan. It was simply the taijutsu style developed in Hidden Leaf.

The Rinnegan's name has been changed to... something that will be revealed on Pein's appearance. Now, let's continue with the story.

The doors opened. Paper surrounded the white desk, the computer beeping at the side. Sunlight poured through the window beside the computer.

"Ah, good. You all came. Here we are… Team Seven entered into the interface. The exam won't start for another two hours…" The attendant set down the papers.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Wait. All… what would have happened if not all of us came?" she asked, her jaw tightening slightly.

"Well, you wouldn't have gotten in."

"Good thing everyone wanted to, right?" Naruto remarked.

Sasuke glanced at Kōju. "Did you know about this rule?" she asked in a surprisingly gentle voice. "If you decided to join us… because of it, you shouldn't let it influence your decision. There's always…" She gritted her teeth. After a moment, she continued, "There's always next year, right? I'm sure you could figure something… we could figure something out."

"No… I knew, but I already said it, didn't I?" Kōju bit her lip quietly. "I believe in succeeding or failing as a team! I realized that when the examiner said it… Let's make a promise here and now. If we enter, all of us become chūnin, or none of us do!"

Sasuke's eyes widened. "That's stupid! What if we both pass, but Naruto-san… fails?" she questioned after a moment.

"Then we get experience for the next year. I thought about it a while… We need to work as a team!"

Sasuke smirked after a moment. "That's true, isn't it…?" She paused. "I accept."

Naruto scowled. "No…"

"Naruto, take the damn deal. We're a team."

Naruto sighed after a moment. "Fine…"

"Can you put that requirement in there?"

The attendant smiled. "It's a nice sentiment… I suppose. You're only handicapping yourselves, though."

The room cleared of students rapidly.

"Oh—it's down by the docks, by the way."

Naruto nodded. Coughing, he sat down on the bench outside the large wooden room.

"You're not going to watch?" Kōju questioned, her eyebrow rising.

"Tch. That guy isn't worthy of fighting me. Kick his ass, Sasuke-san!"

Sasuke smirked. "Oh, he'll learn the futility of fighting a member of the Uchiha clan soon enough." She ran down the corridor.

The twin doors burst open. A massive wooden room shone in the light, empty of everything save the ceiling lamps and lights.

"You must be more punctual!" Lee berated Sasuke as he pointed a finger at Kōju. "You cannot keep such a beautiful young maiden waiting!"

Kōju raised an eyebrow. Ah—it seems he knows our abilities only from hearsay. Well, this ought to be interesting…

"She is hardly maidenly. If you spent five minutes alone with her in a room, you'd understand that fact, dumbass." Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You already know my last name… you should probably know better than to pick a fight with me. Summoning Technique!"

The scroll glistened.

Smoke puffed upward.

A wooden sword appeared on the surface of the scroll. Sasuke lifted the sword. "Remember the bruises I'm about to give you. Know them well. And realize! Know the folly of challenging the honor of the Uchiha!" Sasuke blurred forward.

Lee's eyes narrowed. He vanished.

Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. Above? Her arm lifted quickly. Block!

The foot twisted downward.

Sasuke tightened the position of the sword.

The foot blurred through the block.

What's going on…? Sasuke flew backward, her eyes wide as she slammed into the wall.

Kōju watched silently, her eyes calm.

Sasuke forced herself upright. "Fine… the way things are now, I get a chance to practice it. Sanzengan!" The eyes, ringed by crimson with two tomoe within, shone brightly in the light. I can see through it. Ninjutsu or genjutsu, I'll reveal his secret! Sasuke's eyes widened. She ran rapidly forward.

Lee ducked down. His foot slammed into Sasuke's face.

Kōju's eyes widened. I can see it. Just a little but…

Sasuke flew upward into the air, her body shooting upward.

Naruto walked into the room. His eyes widened. Huh?

"Shadow Leaf Dance!"

Sasuke's eyes widened silently as she stared up at the ceiling.

Lee smiled. "It seems you understand. The power of my techniques is purely taijutsu… you can comprehend that much at least. Well, the Sanzengan can only copy ninjutsu… even if you understand the nature of my taijutsu, you can't use it." He drew back his arm. "In this world, there are two types of people… geniuses and those who succeed using hard work. I am definitely the hard-working type. So for me, that Sanzengan of yours represents the epitome of genius… I'll prove that here, that hard work surpasses genius…" His arm reached downward, bandages falling to the ground.

A small blade stabbed downward through the bandages.

Lee's eyes widened. "Huh?"

Kōju looked upward. Her arm leaned against the sword stabbed into the ground. "You're wrong… in terms of talent; I have more than Sasuke-san." Her hands blurred together. A white flash crossed the field.

Sasuke's eyes widened. The tomoe whirled.

Kōju struck rapidly with the flat palm of her hand.

Lee flew backward.

"It seems your information on this year's graduates is incomplete. I am the top person in our class, per every test… I studied your moves earlier. You've trained well, but most of it seems to focus on stamina rather than speed or pure strength. In this respect, therefore, we would be about equal under most conditions." Kōju glanced toward the sword. "But I've curtailed your movements. You can now only move in the circumference of that circle. In addition, you are vulnerable to my speed; the addition makes you actually a little slower than I am. Truthfully, if it weren't for that I would be at a disadvantage with or without Flash Technique… As it is, you're going to lose. You understand, right? I don't take lightly to my teammates being threatened." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't try to hurt them."

Lee's eyes widened. Tears rushed down his face.

Kōju scowled. "What is it now?" she questioned, her face cold.

"To think that such an angel hid such a demon's face!" Lee's eyes widened as he clenched his fist. "Using tricks… and defending that man…"

"We are shinobi, in case you have forgotten… not allies of justice or some such." Kōju sighed. "Crybaby."

Sasuke's mouth opened, and then closed.

"I'll remember this!" Lee wailed, rushing out of the room. The bandages tore.

Kōju pulled out the tantō. "You okay?" she asked in a quieter voice, glancing at Sasuke.

Sasuke nodded after a moment. "Yeah… just need to catch my breath. If we fight again… I'll beat him next time."

"What happened?" Naruto questioned, his eyes wide.

"He trained for hours and hours. That guy has spent more time training in his entire life than either of us…" Kōju paused. "Instead of being worthless, he's grown strong. If it wasn't for my trick, it's possible he could have seriously injured Sasuke-san. To be honest… I'm not sure I could beat him in a fair fight."

Naruto's eyes widened.

"Right. Down to the docks."

Trial

The shore line shone, light reflecting off the docks. The scent of the sea blew into the port, winds and sand rising through the air. The wooden planks creaked beneath the trio's feet.

Naruto sat down, staring at the water. "Nothing's happening."

"Right… Let's start looking for clues."

Several minutes passed.

"Okay, if we assume this line here indicates a major domo—" Sasuke began.

"Ugh." Kōju's eyes narrowed. "We don't have time to figure out a cryptogram." Her eyes narrowed. "Okay. Naruto-kun, I want you to make shadow clones. Check all the buildings large enough to hold seventy-five or more people. When one of your clones finds the place, dismiss the technique."

Naruto blinked. "What good will that do?"

"Just do it!"

The clones spread outward.

After several minutes, puffs appeared across the village.

"Okay, there we go!" Naruto pointed to the large amphitheater.

"The old school, huh?" Sasuke smirked. "I can see how the learning would fit into things…"

Trial

The three ninja leapt into the amphitheater. Familiar stone chairs lined the ground in the semicircle, carrying with them the tables. The light struck against the grey stone in its fading angle.

Sasuke glanced around the amphitheater, swallowing.

Naruto blinked. "Wow. There sure are a bunch of people here."

Kōju glanced from side to side, warily loosening her shoulders. She stretched slowly, her eyes studying the teams within.

"Sasuke-kun!" a blonde-haired girl squealed, grinning broadly. "I've been waiting to meet you again!" She jumped on Sasuke's back, tightening her grip.

Sasuke's fist clenched tightly. Stay calm… stay calm…

Kōju glanced diffidently at the blonde-haired girl. "Ah… it's you, Ino-san."

"Jealous?" Ino questioned, drawing out the word and smirking as she pulled down her eye.

"On the contrary, I have already seen everything of Sasuke-san's." Grinning, Kōju stuck out her tongue at Ino. "I'm way ahead of you."

Sasuke gritted her teeth. Calm… Happy place…

"Eh?!" Ino gasped.

"You shouldn't waste so much time on arguing…" Shikamaru sighed. "What a drag."

"Ah! Shikamaru-kun!" Naruto grinned, bumping fists with Shikamaru.

Shikamaru smiled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Eh… It's been a while…"

A chubby, broad-bodied boy yawned, stuffing chips into his mouth.

Sasuke glared at Chōji silently. Akimichi Chōji… The most relaxed clan heir I've ever met.

"Ah, heh." Kiba smirked broadly. "Good—we're all here! It's great to see that level of involvement…"

"I still haven't forgiven you for that incident… dog-breath." Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Her fist clenched. Warm and happy place…

Kiba grinned. "Yeah, sure, whatever. So how far does everyone think they'll make it?"

Hinata pressed her fingers together, glancing occasionally at Naruto.

Shino glanced toward Sasuke.

"We're all three of us going to become chūnin, or none of us will." Kōju looked up quietly at Kiba. "For you, though, probably you won't get that far…"

Kiba smirked. "This isn't like graduation—all methods are go!"

"You're all rather high-spirited, aren't you?" a small-framed girl questioned. Her blue hair fell slightly around her face. Her voice came out modulated from the black mask across her face.

"What's it to you?" Naruto demanded.

The girl exhaled quietly. The sound reverberated. "To be honest, I'm a little jealous. Hidden Rain could only send two teams… This year we've been busy with our own troubles. But your high-spirited natures can only attract enemies to you. Look behind you."

Three figures glared at the group. Notes glimmered on the headbands of the group.

Shikamaru swallowed.

Kiba smirked.

Sasuke scowled.

"Since it's you… I suppose I can help…" The girl bowed her head. "My name is Shigaki Hisame. If you promise to help me out a little in this test, I promise that I will do the same for you."

Naruto frowned. "Well… I guess," he muttered after a moment. "Maybe you can help us out."

Hisame smiled. "Then… Take a good look. My sensei gave me a gift to help us out…" Hisame drew out a deck of cards rapidly. Kōju's eyes widened. Hisame spread her fingers over the cards. "These collect data on every participant in the tourney. The most information exists on the Great Nations' members—that is to say, Hidden Frost, Hidden Leaf, Hidden Rain, Hidden Stone, Hidden Cloud, Hidden Sand, and Hidden Mist. But there is a little on the smaller nations. What do you want to learn about?"

"The strongest," Kōju stated definitely after a moment. "Give us information on the strongest contenders in this year."

"These go by team, so it'll take a bit." Hisame drew the top three cards off the deck. "First, Hidden Leaf. Team Gai…"

No surprises there. Sasuke inclined her head.

Kiba's eyes widened. "What? This is stupid!"

"Shut up, Kiba. Go on, Hisame-san." Sasuke's eyes glinted.

"Rock Lee. One year older… His taijutsu is his only noteworthy skill. Everything else is second rate. Bunch of D-rank and C-rank missions." Hisame paused. "The exact number isn't very important at this rank… It's basically a standard of practice rather than an outright rule. Next…" She flipped over another card. "Hyūga Neji. Neji possesses the Sanshigan[2], the eye unique to the Hyūga bloodline. I don't know anything specific about the limitations of his power with Tsukiyomi Mikoto." Hisame paused. "Strong in all categories, but specializes in genjutsu. Then…" She flipped over the last card. Naruto tensed. "This one is Aburame Shiba. She's easily forgotten about, but of the three of them, she's also potentially the most dangerous. Her focus on clan techniques makes her vulnerable to attack in areas where she's weak." Hisame paused. "That good enough for you?"

"Continue with the other nations' strongest."

"Hidden Rain… naturally, that's my team. I've already introduced myself; my strongest point is ninjutsu. Then…" Hisame paused. "One of our people has a lot of raw talent but no practice, and the third guy is, well, the third guy. He's mostly a specialist in fuīnjutsu."

"That's your country's best…?" Sasuke questioned, one eyebrow raised.

Hisame laughed quietly, the sound muffled by the air filter. "Remember, we're the weakest of the Great Nations. We were more powerful, but when wars repeatedly targeted us, we lost a lot of power. As it is, the only thing keeping us a Great Nation is Hanzō-sama."

"Ah, yes. The Soldier of Shinobi, was it?"

A pause followed the statement.

Kōju nodded. "Continue, then."

"Hidden Stone… Team Deikōgi. Chinmoku… This guy, I don't have any information on at all." Hisame rubbed the back of her neck. "He doesn't like taking risks. 'Of the Furnace' is all I know about him… And he has two other teammates, also kept carefully guarded secrets. I don't even know their names. He's probably the strongest competitor right now."

"Eh?" Kiba scratched his head. "I don't get it. How is a guy like that any threat? Keeping his abilities secret just means he's a coward."

"No. It means he's an excellent ninja… Keeping everything about him a secret can't be easy." Sasuke nodded slowly. "All right. Go on."

"Hidden Cloud didn't send any teams this year, it seems. That leaves Hidden Sand, Hidden Mist and Hidden Frost." A cough followed the words. Hisame adjusted her air filter. "Excuse me. Team Baki is the strongest from Hidden Sand… I don't have much information on them in particular. That guy, Gaara of the Sand Waterfall, is the son of the current Kazekage. He has come back from all missions without a scratch. The painted-faced one uses puppets, and the girl Temari has strong wind powers. That's the sum total."

Naruto gasped in shock. "That guy is that strong? No way!"

Hisame smiled faintly. "That man also terrifies me… Moving on to Hidden Mist. By a long shot, the strongest team from Hidden Mist is Team Terumi. Led by one of the Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, it's going to be a strong competitor in actual combat. First, Terumi Asahi… The niece of the current Mizukage. Asahi is particularly strong in ninjutsu, given her access to the four bloodline limits of the Terumi clan, and taijutsu; she is the first 'Eighth Swordsman' since Hōzuki Mangetsu." Hisame paused. "She's the technical leader of the team despite not being a jōnin. It's an unusual team. In total, the team has completed something like fifty missions. Next… Hōzuki Suigetsu, the brother of Mangetsu. Suigetsu is strong in kenjutsu and has several clan techniques; again, I don't know very much about how they work. Then, lastly, there's the matter of Kiai. Another member of a clan within the Hidden Mist… She uses a sword, but she isn't one of the Swordsmen like the other two. I'd call her a weak link, but it's entirely possible that she could defeat a genin on her own. That team is the most dangerous in battle. Then…" Hisame coughed. Covering her mouth, she drew three last cards off the top of the deck. "Excuse me. One more to go. Hidden Frost, Team Kyakuzuki."

"What kind of a name is that?!" Kiba demanded loudly.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Uh-oh."

"Yes… Uh-oh. In terms of battle power, I'd say Team Kyakuzuki has the best chance of winning this tournament." Hisame coughed. "First, Seiðr Roha, the strongest genjutsu user in this competition. Her powers allow her to make her illusions physical reality for those caught within them; it isn't possible to break them. Her perception, intellect, and wisdom are all very high for her age, indicating that defeating her will be difficult. Second, Kuma-Kawajan Shinzō, the strongest taijutsu user… her bloodline power allows her to absorb and direct damage rapidly from her body. She gets stronger the more she is beaten. Third, Völur Shisō, the strongest ninjutsu user. She specializes in elemental magic, I think."

Naruto swallowed. "All those strong people are here?"

"Yeah… it's worrisome," Hisame admitted, staring out at the group of Hidden Frost ninja in the corner.

The trio trembled.

Naruto stared out into the crowd.

It's not like him to get so easily cowed… Sasuke glanced over, worried. I'll…

Naruto drew in a deep breath.

One of the tables collapsed.

Naruto blinked.

A pair of shattered glasses flew across the room.

Blood sprayed across the ground.

The body rolled along the tables rapidly. "Oh, dear." Falling downward, the white-haired boy threw up onto the ground.

Naruto scowled. "Ugh."

"Disgusting…" Temari muttered.

"Everyone quiet down," a loud, lazy voice barked across the room.

Blood trailed over the tables.

The boy righted himself. His eyes narrowed.

He dodged fine, so what kind of trick was used? Sasuke wondered, tapping her chin.

Kōju's eyes widened in shock. "Thanks for waiting on me… The name's Hatake Kakashi." The visible eye glinted as Kakashi leaned against the front desk. "I'm the chūnin examiner…" A loud yawn disrupted the silence.

Kōju gasped. "Dad?" She rubbed her eyes, staring at the man at the foreground of the room.

"Chūnin examiner for this part of…" Another yawn interrupted Kakashi's statement. "This part of the exam."

The group that had attacked the white-haired boy grinned broadly.

"Yo. Hidden Sound guys." Kakashi pointed offhandedly to the three-man team. "Quit messing around…" He yawned again.

"Oh, yeah? Or what?!" the black-haired one shouted, grinning. "Will you… I don't know, yawn at us some more or something?"

Kakashi sighed. A blur passed through the air. The Sound shinobi's eyes widened. Kakashi reappeared in front of the group. "Or you'll make me do something you'll regret," he whispered quietly. "No fighting without my say-so. No killing without my say-so. If I say jump, you jump. If I say, right now, kill your teammate, you do it. Or you all fail… Understood?"

Naruto gulped. "Is your dad really this cruel, Kōju-chan?"

"Nope. He's a lot worse." Kōju swallowed quietly. "But then, you'll see in a minute…"

"I asked you if I was understood."

"Yes, sir." The Sound ninja nodded after a moment.

Kakashi grinned beneath his mask, his eye closing. "Wonderful. Let's move along… We aren't doing that kind of a test, luckily. We're not barbarians or something."

The Sound ninja's brows filled with sweat.

"We're doing… Can anyone guess?"

A long sound of sliding wheels echoed through the area.

"I think I hear it now…"

Shikamaru's eyes widened. "No. No, no. Damn it, no."

Kakashi put his hand up to his ear. "There we go…" He closed his eyes again. "Heh…"

"He's a lot worse than that…"

The double doors at the base of the amphitheater opened. Bags on carts entered the room.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Are we going to be fighting each other? Like in the Hidden Mist?"

"I said we weren't barbarians, didn't I?" Kakashi remarked, turning his head toward Naruto.

Naruto swallowed firmly, a lump stuck in his throat. He didn't speak again.

"This is…"

The bags opened.

"A PAPER EXAM~!" Kakashi exclaimed, a glinting and terrifying look in his eye.

The papers appeared in the bags rapidly.

Naruto gulped. Uh-oh…

"I told you," Kōju remarked drearily.

Groans echoed through the amphitheater.

[2]: Reflection Eye. Alternatively, Three Aspirations or Historical Insights.