Hey guys. Here's the new chapter. A number of characters will be introduced in these exams, and they will basically represent a significant portion of the recurring cast.


She didn't know what was more surprising, the fact that her mother could be so stubborn about something or the fact that Kakashi could act like a mature and sincere adult instead of the sadistic troll of a sensei her team knew him as.

She supposed she understood why her mom opposed her attending the chunin exam. After her father had died during the kyuubi attack, her mom had cut herself off from the shinobi world. And while it had been her mother who regaled her with stories of the Yellow Flash when she was sad and lonely; the same stories her father used to tell her mother while they were dating; she had always tried to dissuade her from becoming a ninja. But her mother had still given in after some persuasion. So, she assumed it would be the same this time.

Kakashi said, "This is the best thing for Sakura's ninja career, Mebuki san" in the most soothing voice he could muster.

Her mother asked, "Why can't she just get promoted the normal way", with some anger in her voice.

The 'normal' way that her mother was referring to involved submitting a request for promotion directly to the higher ups, that showed the missions completed, evaluations from the jonin sensei, a recommendation from one other jonin, and summary of performance in past chunin exams, if any. There were multiple reasons why this method wasn't good for Sakura. It tended to favor older genin who had completed more missions and taken more chunin exams, and since there were hundreds of genin applying every year, it could take a very long time for her application to be processed. Most importantly, this process could not grant her the fame and prestige given by the chunin exams, as multiple feudal lords and high-ranking ninja watched the final round. A good performance there could even get her noticed by the Hokage, who was responsible for all promotions to jonin. So, these exams could send her straight to the rank she wanted.

Kakashi tried explained this to her mother, saying, "This is the best way for her to achieve her goal." Then, to her surprise, he added, "If you'd like, I can personally ensure her safety."

"Oh? And how would you do that?" her mother asked, with some interest seeping into her voice.

"Oh, that's easy. I'll give her a summoning scroll for myself. She can use it anytime she feels like she's in danger. Then I'll make sure my entire team gets out safely. I'll even sign a blood oath if you want to make sure of it."

She turned her head at him in surprise and said "What! Have you lost your mind sensei!?"in a harsh tone.

What he was suggesting was practically treason. Since the Chunin exams served as a replacement for war, the 5 Kage had arranged for an agreement that no village would interfere in any stage of the exams and would allow them to proceed according to rules with no improper assistance towards the genin. If sensei did what he said he would, any of the other villages could ask for his head and Konoha would be forced to comply. And signing a blood oath would mean that he had to obey the oath, or else he would die.

"Maa, what's the problem Sakura chan?" he cheerfully said, as though what he'd just said was totally normal. "Don't you think that you'll be fine? Well, if you're that unconfident, I guess I'll just tell Hokage sama that you 3 aren't ready for the test after all." he said, in his usual teasing voice.

Just as she was about to drag her sensei to the side and yell at him, her mother sighed and said, "All right."

As she turned in surprise, her mother continued, saying "If you're willing to do that much, it would be heartless of me to refuse any more. All I want is for her to be safe and happy." with a sad smile on her face.

She hugged her mom tightly, and repeatedly said, "Thank you mommy." Yes, she was a mommy's girl, and she did not care.

She still felt conflicted about what her sensei had suggested. Why was he willing to give his life for his team so readily?


He couldn't wait for the Chunin exams. He was stronger than ever and was just starting to get the hang of the new jutsu Asuma sensei had taught him.

The only thing that was bothering him was that weird mark on his neck. What was that guy's deal anyway? He'd popped up all of a sudden during a mission, fought him for a bit, taunted him for being weak, offered him the power to beat itachi, bit him on the neck, and left. The encounter had awakened his sharingan, so it wasn't totally terrible.

When his sensei had found him, he immediately rushed him over to the hokage to get it sealed.

'Orochimaru'. That's what that man had killed himself. From the little research he'd done, he'd learnt that Orochimaru was one of the Sannin, who had run away from the village, escaping punishment for his crimes.

Well, no matter who that guy was, he certainly didn't need help from a criminal to kill another one.


As they were travelling to the Land of Iron, Kiba suddenly asked "What exactly are samurai anyway?"

Kakashi smiled and said, "That's an excellent question. Sakura, why don't you take this one?"

She rolled her eyes. Sensei always had her do the explanations whenever a question came up. At this point she was starting to wonder if he knew some of this stuff himself.

She started her explanation, saying "The difference is that Samurai view chakra. They have a more spiritualistic view of chakra, believing that it should only be used my humans when in its purest form, and that humans should focus on improving themselves. So, they only use shape manipulation of chakra, channeling chakra into their swords and fight solely with kenjutsu. They hold the belief that human beings are swords, and that the strength of a samurai is reflected in his/her sword."

"Wouldn't that make them weaker than ninja?" inquired Choji.

"No." she said. "Their speed and strength are incredible, with some of them being fast enough to attack before a single hand sign is made. Moreover, their armor and swords are incredibly high in quality, with their technology in general being excellent."

"Don't forget the strength of their convictions," Kakashi added. "There is a reason they're more stable and peaceful than many of the shinobi villages."


A/N

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I tried to add some worldbuilding elements this chapter, while fleshing out some characters and setting up plot points.

Sakura Haruno

Ninjutsu: 3

Taijutsu: 1.5

Genjutsu: 2.5

Intelligence: 3

Strength: 1

Speed: 2

Stamina: 1.5

Hand Seals: 4

Total: 18.5

Notes: Good chakra control, great memory, excellent skill with academy 3, and has some sensory skill. Can also use the shuriken clone technique.

Kakashi Hatake

Ninjutsu: 5

Taijutsu: 4

Genjutsu: 4

Intelligence: 4.5

Strength: 3.5

Speed: 4

Stamina: 3.5

Hand Seals: 5

Total: 33.5

Notes: Wields the sharingan, with incredible skill, even better than many of the uchihas themselves used to. Chidori/Raikiri is regarded as one of the most powerful lightning-style jutsu ever. Still has room for growth. Widely considered as best hokage candidate after the sannin.

Kiba Inuzuka

Ninjutsu: 2

Taijutsu: 3

Genjutsu: 1

Intelligence: 1.5

Strength: 2.5

Speed: 3.5

Stamina: 2

Hand Seals: 1.5

Total: 16

Notes: High ability with clan jutsu, needs to be less hotheaded, but is getting better.

Choji Akimichi

Ninjutsu: 2.5

Taijutsu: 2.5

Genjutsu: 1

Intelligence: 1

Strength: 4

Speed: 1.5

Stamina: 2

Hand Seals: 1.5

Total: 16

Notes: High strength, needs to work on thinking and speed but is getting better.

Sasuke Uchiha

Ninjutsu: 3

Taijutsu: 3

Genjutsu: 2.5

Intelligence: 2

Strength: 2

Speed: 3

Stamina: 2.5

Hand Seals: 3

Total: 21

Notes: Excellent all-rounder who can excel in most fields. Has the sharingan, so rate of improvement is expected to increase.