Chapter 9 The Exams Begin
They concluded their 'mission' of babysitting Konohamaru and his friends.
"Well, I think that's good. Why don't we all have a Team dinner?" Kakashi said.
"I call Ichiraku!" Naruto said immediately.
"Ramen again?" Sakura looked at him.
"Hey I have had it in three days!" Naruto said. "That's a record for me!"
Sakura sighed. "Alright… well it is very good. I'll come."
She turned to their last teammate who had yet to say anything. Sasuke was silent but didn't say he was leaving and stayed where he was. That meant he was staying. They all headed to Ichiraku ramen where Naruto pigged out. Sakura sat next to him, with Sasuke and Kakashi on the other side. She then looked over at their sensei, eying his mask.
"Hey! Since we're eating together we can get a chance to see your face finally sensei!" she said.
"Hmm… oh I suppose so," Kakashi said. "You didn't see it before?"
"No. I'd remember if I did," Sakura said.
Why hadn't she snuck in a peak during one of their dinners in the Land of Waves? She must have been preoccupied with her own food and not thinking about it.
"What are you hiding under there anyway Sensei?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Oh nothing," Kakashi said casually. "Just been wearing a ninja mask since I was a kid actually."
"So you don't have any scars or anything you're hiding?" Naruto asked. "Like big lips? Or buck teeth?"
Sasuke looked in interest now, wondering what his sensei might be hiding under that mask. It would be good to be able to tease him if he ever got in the mood. Even the stoic Uchiha couldn't resist this temptation.
Kakashi, meanwhile, blushed. "No, nothing at all."
Their food soon arrived, but all the Genin waited, keep their eyes on Kakashi who took his bowl.
"Mmm. This looks good," the Jonin said as he pulled the food in slowly.
He reached up for his mask as the Genin watched silently but eagerly. Just when Kakashi was about to pull it down though-
"Sasuke what a coincidence!" Ino said as she, Choji, and Shikamaru all stumbled in to the ramen stand, sending Kakashi face first into his bowl.
"Aah! Get out of the way Ino pig!" Sakura screamed.
A scuffle erupted between the two squads of Genin as Team 7 tried to get the others off their Sensei to see his face, naturally the others fought back once the wrestling ensued… except for Shikamaru who was too lazy. Choji being so fat was strong enough to hold both Naruto and Sasuke back while Sakura and Ino began pushing each other.
"Hey what's the deal forehead I thought we were friends again!?" Ino asked as Sakura pushed her away.
"We're trying to see something and you got in the way!" Sakura said letting go and turning back.
Their scuffle had only lasted a few seconds but surprisingly…
"Ah! That was good!" Kakashi said as he put his mask back, an empty bowl in front of him.
"Wow! So fast!" Naruto and Sakura said.
He's fast even when's eating. Sasuke thought. Guess you can't waste time on a meal when there's a mission going on.
Teuchi the ramen chef and his daughter Ayame both looked at Kakashi. The young woman had hearts in her eyes as she did so and Teuchi smiled widely.
"What?" Kakashi asked noticing them eyeing him.
Naruto and Sakura looked at each other.
"Okay now I'm curious. We've got to see his real face sometime. From the look Ayame has he must be really good looking!" Sakura said.
Naruto looked from Kakashi to the waitress. "They might be kind of cute together."
Sakura giggled. "Maybe."
The Genin ate their food while Kakashi turned to Team 10.
"So, are you kids gonna be taking the Chunin Exams as well?"
"Yeah… its probably gonna be a drag though," Shikamaru said.
"Hey, at least we were training while you guys were away on that long mission!" Ino said. "We worked with Asuma and Kurenai Sensei and her squad! We're all getting stronger!"
Choji's mouth watered as he looked at Naruto and Sasuke eating their food.
"Ah come on! How long does it take?"
Soon Team 7 were done with their food and exited the stand as Team 10 got theirs.
"See you later Sasuke! Bye Sakura!" Ino called.
"Bye Ino!" Sakura said.
Sasuke looked at Ino for a moment, then flashed her a smile.
Never thought I'd be so happy to have a fangirl, Sasuke thought. Usually they're annoying.
He still felt slightly annoyed but at the same time happy… at least for him.
Ino's heart melted as Sasuke smiled at her. He looked away quickly and walked with his Team.
"Well, see you tomorrow. I'm going home," Sasuke said.
He began walking home.
"You all get a good amount of rest. Good job today," Kakashi said. "I'll be recommending you to take the exams tomorrow."
"Yeah!" Naruto yelled.
Sasuke stopped for a moment, smirking and giving a small "Hmph! in triumph before continuing on. Sakura meanwhile, wasn't so sure.
…
They met at the bridge in the village the next morning. Kakashi took his time of course.
"Well, good news. You're all submitted and ready to go," their sensei said. "Just head to the Academy's second floor."
"Do we all have to go?" Sakura asked.
"Its all up to you," Kakashi said.
Sakura hesitated while her two male teammates began to walk toward the academy.
Noticing her stall, Naruto turned and asked, "You coming Sakura?"
"Yeah, I guess," she said before following.
Realizing she must have been feeling uncertain, Sasuke decided to try and encourage her. "Sakura. You've come a long way in a short time. You were the smartest girl in the Academy, and you're getting stronger physically too. You helped us against Haku as well with your smarts. You may not be as good a fighter as me… or even Naruto… as much of a loser he is."
"Hey!" Naruto shouted.
"But you have the keenest affinity for Genjutsu and the most analytic mind in our squad," Sasuke continued, ignoring Naruto. "Even if we don't become Chunin this time there's always next time. And we'll get stronger."
Sakura looked at him for a moment then smiled. "Thanks Sasuke. I needed that. Alright. Lets do this!"
She walked up and took both of them by the hand. "Together!"
"We are one!" Sasuke said.
"Yeah!" Naruto agreed. "Look out whoever stands in our way! We're gonna be the number one team!"
They walked to the Academy with Sakura in the middle holding the hands of each boy.
They made their way to the classroom on the second floor where Kakashi was already there waiting for them.
"I'm glad you decided to come Sakura," their sensei said. "If you hadn't then I would have had to send the boys away."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Huh? But I thought you said it was up to each of us."
"True, but I wanted you to make the choice yourself," Kakashi said. "I didn't want to pressure you to give in just because of your teammates. Well, this is where we say goodbye… for now."
He left, clearing the path to the door behind him. Team 7 entered and found the room crowded with other Genin.
"Hey there's Team 7 too!" a familiar voice said.
"Rwoof!" a puppy barked.
Kiba came up to them, Akamaru the puppy riding on his head. Hinata and Shino walked just behind him followed by Team 10.
"Sasuke!" Ino immediately hugged him from behind.
Sasuke frowned. "Get off!"
While he liked the attention she gave him, he didn't care for the touch.
"All the Rookie 9 are together!" Kiba stated. "Ready to kick some ass Sasuke?"
"Careful you don't bite off more then you can chew Kiba. Remember we maybe from the same village but you are my opponent as well," Sasuke said.
"Yeah yeah you maybe rookie of the year but we'll see if you can hold onto that title. Me and Akamaru have been training like crazy!"
"Rwoof!"
"Hi… Naruto," Hinata said in her usual shyness.
"Hi Hinata," Naruto said politely.
Sakura gazed at Hinata who coiled her fingers, a bright blush on her face. Though she noticed someone looking at Hinata from behind. A boy a couple years older with long brown hair and white jacket. He had the same eyes as Hinata and the Leaf Village Headband on his head. Besides him was a girl with her hair in two buns with a sleeveless pink shirt and another boy with short black hair, extremely bushy eye brows, and a green jumpsuit. The white eyed boy seemed to be glaring at Hinata, but his gaze swiftly turned to Sasuke as he stepped forward.
"So you're the rookie of the year are you?" he asked. "What's your name?"
Sasuke glared at him, not liking his condescending tone. "Its common courtesy to give your name first when introducing yourself."
"I am cut from a higher cloth then common," the older boy said. "I'm sure you've heard of the Hyuga Clan? We are a clan of Dojutsu users like yours. Though ours is still very much intact."
Sasuke's glare deepened. "Is that so? Fine… I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
"Neji Hyuga, I'm the best Genin in the Leaf," the other boy stated proudly.
Sakura looked from Neji to Hinata, seeing the similarities in their bright white eyes and recognizing that as her clan name as well. "You two related?"
"He is my cousin," Hinata said, not meeting Neji's eyes.
"Hmph. A failure like you has no right to be called my kin," Neji said coldly.
"Huh? Hey!" Naruto snarled at him. "Why would you say something like to your own clan member?"
"None of your business pipsqueak!" Neji said turning away.
His teammates took a different course each, the girl following him while the boy in the green jumpsuit approached Sasuke. "My name is Rock Lee… you said its common courtesy to give your name first. I'm the second best after Neji but I think you would find me a worthy opponent! I challenge you to a sparring match!"
Sasuke looked at him. "Second best huh? Well I suppose that would mean I only have one more Genin to beat. Though I don't think now is the right time."
"You are right. In the exams then!" Rock Lee said.
"Hey, if you're second best I want to fight you!" Naruto said stepping forward.
"And your name is?"
"Naruto Uzumaki!"
"You were well known to be the dead last of your class. Hardly worth my time!" Lee said.
"Oh yeah? Well take this!" Naruto charged.
Lee vanished and then suddenly appeared from the side, kicking Naruto in that direction.
"Naruto!" Sakura and Hinata both exclaimed.
"Your skills are inferior! I have no interest in fighting someone who goes down in just one attack!" Lee said before turning to Sakura. "And you must be Sakura. A beautiful name befitting of a beautiful girl."
Sakura's cheeks turned red. Though at the same she felt weirded out by this boy's large eyebrows, still she'd judged Naruto prematurely and lived to regret it. This bushy browed boy was certainly skilled though.
"Um… thank you," she said trying to be polite while her inner self said. Eh, I'll be nice to him but Naruto is much better looking.
"Hello everyone!" a new voice said.
It was a man with long silver hair, he was older then all of the Rookies, older even then Neji and his teammates, appearing to be close to twenty.
"I'm Kabuto, and this is my seventh time taking this exam," the newcomer said. "As a sort of veteran, I'd be happy to lend you younger ninja a hand."
"Seven times?" Sakura exclaimed. "Wow how do you manage to fail so often?"
Kabuto chuckled. "Guess I'm just not lucky. So is there anything you want to know? We don't have much time but I can give you some info on anyone in this exam."
Sasuke thought of someone immediately. "Gaara of the Dessert."
"Oh so you know their name, that makes it too easy."
Kabuto took out a piece of paper that acted as a chakra card. Once he ran his chakra through it the information that was invisible appeared. Gaara's face appeared along with information.
"This guy seems bad news. I don't have anything on his abilities but he's completed many missions, including an A-rank without getting so much as a scratch."
"Not even a scratch?" Sakura exclaimed, thinking back to how both Sasuke and Naruto had been badly injured in their battle with Haku.
Before they could ponder further, another man with a pair of scars running across his face entered the room. His black eyes narrowed at them, and a dark hat covered his head.
"Everyone take your seats!" he called. "And you will not sit with your teammates!"
All the Genin did as they were told, taking seats away from their teammates. Naruto sat next to Hinata while Sakura and Sasuke were both with strangers.
"I'm Ibiki Morino, head of the Leaf Village torture and interrogation unit. And as of this moment… your worst enemy!"
He passed out a sheet of paper to everyone.
"You will now take the written test," Ibiki said.
Naruto's mouth dropped.
"Written test?"
Well I couldn't remember everything about these couple episodes. I don't remember the exact number of the classroom or whatever so had to just say classroom on the second floor. Also apologies for the slight delay. I got an old game back after years and spent last night playing it instead. Ah well, got this chapter done. Not enough time before work to do the test portion, and if I did it be rushed most likely and not have the willing crushing impact as shown in the anime. Well I do try to simplify my scenes that don't differ from the anime maybe that should be changed as a recent reviewer felt the first fight with Zabuza was lacking. Generally I prefer to simply skim over fights that are unchanged from the canon whenever I write fanfiction to save time to make my deadlines. But we'll see. I'll try and watch the test section in a couple weeks and do something a little more drawn out and maybe edit the first fight with Zabuza to expand it. But that's enough for now. See you again in a couple weeks and don't forget to check out my other Narusaku story that should be updated either Saturday or Sunday. Please review, favorite and follow or whatever you want to do. I'm always up for tips to improve the story.