Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I own none of it.
Summary: A wife's plea answered, Their son would not be raised alone. Raised by the Toads Naruto is bound to become a fearsome Toad Warrior
Chapter 9 - The Chunin Exams Begin
Author's Note: Welcome Back
The Village Hidden in the Leaves was quiet. Genin trained and did D-Rank missions. Chunin officials and those with permanent stations went about their day to day lives. The Jonin? Well who knows what the Jonin do in their spare time. A calm day to day routine that most people were comfortable with.
A routine that would be broken by the cry of a hawk.
On the ground below the avian messenger Anko and Team 8 were doing a Team sparring practice. Anko glanced skyward from the action for only a moment before his eyes settled back on her Genin,
Naruto deftly dodged the precise jabs of Shino while Kiba was nowhere to be found. Sweat glistened down from his headband as he strained to avoid the bugs that were constantly trying to gain hold of him while fighting anywhere near Shino. Eventually he was able to knock the boy back and race through the seals for a toad oil bullet, conjuring some of Kichi's ultra-flammable oil which Kichi instinctively ignited with a small fire jutsu.
Shino leaped back from the huge plumb of fire even as he kicked at the ground, summoning a wall of stone to defend himself. Only the moment the flames eased up, they revealed Naruto crouching on top of the wall in his iaijutsu stance.
He wouldn't connect though, as the moment he closed to strike Kiba appeared on either side of him, the fang over fang already initiated.
Naruto improvised, seallessly generating a small amount of toad oil under his feet so he could smoothly transition into a slide under Kiba's lethal pincer and behind Shino. Naruto had immediately compensated with chakra to regain his grip as he turned and lashed out with his sword, a basic training jutsu covering the edge to avoid lethal damage as he struck Kiba and Akamaru (Transformed into Kiba) knocking them out of the fang over fang before Shino deftly caught the blade, having lost too much momentum from hitting the Inuzuka's.
Before he could launch into the spinning kick that would pivot off Shino holding his sword, Anko whistled sharply to stop the match, everyone freezing in place as she did so. "Good match bug-boy, but you were nowhere near a guard for that last kick and that would have messed up your noggin." She tapped her head while nodding wisely. "Besides, it turns out I've got a thing I've gotta get to. Super short notice, probably an awesome mission or something." She smirked at them. "Later brats! Also Naruto won." She finished as she body flickered away.
The three Genin in question quickly fell into a heap, before quickly realising they were much too hot for that in the summer air and laid out flat to look at the sky, each breathing heavily from their nearly half hour long high intensity sparring match.
"Man." Kiba panted out. "How the fuck did you slide like that from a lunge. We had you dead to rights."
Naruto just held out his first for a bump as he chuckled. "Yeah dude. I was almost too focused on Shino to noticed, Kichi gave me the heads up." He threw the toad on the ground above him a cookie as Kichi croaked in appreciation. "Sorry for hitting you and Akamaru so hard, I was really trying to knock Akamaru out of his transformation before Shino could round on me again." He elbowed the reclusive genin good naturedly.
"I caught your sword and nobody said anything." Shino deadpanned, forlorn.
Gamakichi croaked in a chuckle along with Naruto. "Yeah that was pretty cool too. Not gonna lie I was a little worried I was about to kick into a bug clone and get just covered in the things. Even I don't have enough chakra to last forever."
"True." Shino muttered. "But they do think you taste delicious.."
Naruto shivered slightly as he shimmied farther from Shino, rubbing shoulders with Kiba as the wild youth burst out laughing. "Ah that's right, come here bud I won't let the bugs eat you." He ruffled Naruto's hair. "Don't you have the food chain a little backwards toad-boy?
Naruto smiled at him. "I mean yeah but, we agreed on not eating the bugs so not much I can do."
"You shouldn't need to resort to eating things to solve your problems, Naruto." Shino continued in his perfect monotone.
Kiba just laughed harder as Naruto rubbed his head.
In the hall of Jonin the mighty Hokage sat as his greatest warriors assembled. His hat hung low as he smoked his pipe, murmurs of anticipation travelling through the room. Most people already suspect the cause of the meeting. Anko made small talk with Kurenai and Asuma as they waited for the last of the Jonin to arrive, until Kakashi's signature plumb of smoke announced his arrival.
"Yo." He gave a finger salute to the room. "Sorry I'm late, the ghosts of my past paralysed me and I was incapable of being here until I dissociated completely."
Most of the room stared at the troubled Jonin with concern before Gai clapped him on the back. "Oh my Youthful rival! This is not a hip thing for you to joke about." He clapped repeatedly as he forced a laugh.
Kakashi just sighed. "Can we get this over with?" He beseeches the Hokage.
The Lord Third simply nodded. "Very well, we're all here now we can begin." He tapped out his pipe before continuing. "As many of you already know or suspect. The chunin exam is upon us." Some murmuring and eager fist bumping took place. "Now, to begin first, this year's rookie squadrons have completed enough missions to compete. Would any of their sensei like to nominate them for the Chunin Selection Exams?"
Anko was the first to strike a pose. "I, Anko Mitarashi of Genin Team 8, do hereby nominate them for the Chunin selection exams."
The crowd broke out in chatter at a rookie team entering the exam, this being the first time in five years for one to enter. On the other hand, trust her or not many shinobi acknowledged Anko as the student of a Sannin and a potent Jonin in her own right.
Only for the crowd to be silenced as Asuma raised his hands to the same pose. "I, Asuma Sarutobi of Team 10, do hereby nominate Team 10 for the Chunin Selection Exams."
More murmurs, but this time about the legacy of kami no shinobi, and the will of fire that must surely have been passed onto Team 10.
No one was surprised when Kakashi Hatake raised his hands and spoke. "I, Kakashi Hatake, do nominate Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, and Sakura Haruno for the Chunin Selection Exams."
The whispers about Kakashi were mixed. Talk of the Lord Fourth mixed in with comments of "friend killer" Kakashi sending Genin to their deaths. Still other voices lauded the last Uchiha as surely being up to the test.
But while most people were of mixed opinions, Iruka who was acting as the Hokage's assistant for the meeting slammed his papers onto the desk. "That's ENOUGH!" He proclaimed, drawing the attention of a room of Jonin to the Chunin instructor that wilted under their glare. "It's just that, those rookies were my students just six months ago. And there's just no way they could be ready for the Chunin exams, they're just kids."
Kakashi's icy aura swept across the room. "I was a Chunin six years younger than any of them. The moment they left your academy they became my soldiers, and my soldiers are ready for battle." He cast his single eye across the room. "Or does someone else here have experience training Anbu I wasn't aware of?" His eyebrow raised as the room remained silent. "I thought not."
Crickets could be heard as Gai rounded on the legendary Jonin. "My youthful rival, even I waited a full year for my beautiful Genin to flower into their springtime of youth. It is too soon, friend."
Only before Kakashi could even respond Anko had given the man a playful push back. "Oh give off ya big softie, it's not our fault you babied your brats. Ours are ready to run this show." She gave a venomous smirk to the green-clad man.
Sarutobi coughed, drawing the attention of the room. "Iruka's logic is sound, even if they have met the requirements for entry. I propose a preliminary exam be held, Iruka see to it." The Hokage left no time for argument as he continued. "Now, for the non-rookie teams, who would like to enter?"
The various Jonin began sounding off as the meeting went on.
After team 8 finished their spar for the day, and without Anko they did the only logical thing.
They went out for Ramen.
In these days Ichiraku Ramen had grown significantly, what was once a three stool stand in Naruto's youth was now a five stool stand with two side tables. The ramen, though, was just as magnificent as always. Teuchi, the standowner now mostly stayed in the kitchen, though he did still talk to people through the service pass while his daughter Ayame tended the bar and tables. It was always busy at Ichiraku now, people coming and going grabbing to go bowls, cycling through the tables, there was never a dull moment.
But there were always seats at the bar for Naruto Uzumaki and his friends. Living just around the corner Naruto had been a regular since his first day in Konoha, and dragging various clan children around the stand he'd inadvertently hooked a good chunk of the shinobi population on the stuff as family members brought family members.
That is to say, the food was truly excellent. Each member of team 8 consumed multiple bowls, including Gamakichi. Making idle conversation as they ate until they were joined by a child at the bar. The child had short spiky brown hair sticking out of a grey helmet, an oversized blue scarf around his neck.
"Hey Boss! Finally, gonna introduce me to your team?" He chirped from his stool.
Naruto nodded around his noodles as he swallowed. "Sure thing bro. Team this is Konohamaru, he's in the academy. I guess I like mentor him or something." Naruto chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "Konohamaru, these are my teammates Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino. They're all super awesome shinobi dattebayo!"
Konohamaru beamed at them giving them a thumbs up at his introduction. "Yeah guys! I'm gonna be a super awesome Shinobi and Hokage one day! And Boss is gonna help me the whole way."
Naruto just chuckled again. "Oh come on, I don't know how much help I am, I'm just a Genin. You just like me 'cause I dropped a toad on Ebisu."
"That was great!" Konahamaru giggled. "Well I want you to meet my friends too!" Suddenly everyone took notice of the two children hiding behind Konohamaru's stool. One a bespectacled snivelling boy and the other a girl with two large orange pigtails and a blushing face. "These are Udon, and Moegi! Udon's the best at math, and Moegi's top kunoichi!"
Naruto's face lit up. "Oh well then I should introduce Gamakichi too!" He lifted up the toad for inspection. The Toad waved as the children oogled it. "He's a bit lazy right now since he just ate two bowls of ramen but he's pretty fun when he wants to be."
"Wow!" "So cool!" "We should all get summon animals!" Were just some of the excited chatter amongst the children as Naruto put Kichi back on the counter.
Suddenly Anko was on the stool on the end next to Konohamaru. Impossibly already eating a bowl of ramen she couldn't possibly have ordered never mind received. "Yeah kiddos, the summoning arts are pretty rad. But it's complicated ninjutsu so you need lots of chakra and control to be good at it, and getting a contract can be an ordeal." The kids stared up at her.
"Oh, guys this is Anko-sensei. She summons snakes." Udon shivered at the thought before Konohamaru spoke up.
"Wait. Snakes?" He squinted at Anko. "One of grandpa's old students was a snake summoner."
"Yeah well neither me or Sarutobi are terribly happy with that association." She poked at her ramen in distaste at the thought of her old sensei, only for Ayame to slide her a mug of tea.
"Hey, no taking out hard feelings on ramen, Tea is for tears Ramen is for Rejoicing." Ayame pointed at an illustrative sign that reflected her point.
"How often can that possibly come up?" Shino pondered, having never questioned the sign before.
Teuchi chimed in from the back. "People see a bar top and they just want to start crying, never understood that. Ramen is joy, ramen is love, ramen is life." A faint wind blew a haunting tune over some ceramic bowls that sounded suspiciously like "Ra-men"
He smiled pleasantly as another wave of ramen appeared in front of everyone. They all simply nodded and ate their ramen with gusto.
The cult of Ichiraku would be strong, and would conquer nations.
As the group left the ramen stand Anko handed out the Chunin Exam applications. "Now brats, I'm not saying you have to enter or anything." She kinda nobbed her head back and forth. "Buuuuuut. I did kinda snag Naruto from Kakashi at team selection, and Team 7 is probably gonna enter, so-" she shrugged. "I guess it would look pretty bad if you didn't kick ass in the exams. On me that is." She poked Naruto in the chest. "So no pressure or whatever."
Naruto blushed a little and tried to splutter something out only for Kiba to clap him on the back. "Ah-ah Sensei, nothing to worry about here. The other teams don't stand a chance."
Naruto smirked at the reassurance. "Sure thing Sensei! We're gonna kick this exam's ass dattebayo!"
With that Anko headed off, as Team 8 started walking the kids home. They started playing tag as they ran through the streets. Only for eventually a corner to get turned, and Naruto's dangersense went haywire as he heard a bump followed by Konohamaru call out. "Hey! Get off me!"
Naruto and Kiba were around the corner in an instant, Shino not far behind as a boy wearing purple war paint and a Suna Puppeteers outfit was holding Konohamaru up by the scruff. "Pathetic leaf brat, that hurt." His fist raised even as the blond girl behind him raised her hand.
"Wait Kankuro, we'll get in trouble." She tried to interject.
Only Kankuro didn't get much of a chance as he was suddenly struck in the side by a passing fang, Konohamaru being caught out of the air by Gamakichi's tongues and brought back to where Shino was encircling the other kids in bugs for protection.
It took a moment to see where Naruto had wound up, in a stance for a kill blow with his sword resting delicately on the blond girl's throat.
"Too late-" Naruto all but snarled. "You're already in trouble, suna-shinobi. My little bro there? That's Konahamaru. Konohamaru Sarutobi."
Temari's eyes went wide as suddenly Naruto was doing a backflip away as sand burst around Temari before Gaara appeared in between Naruto and his sister. Deep red hair, and the Kanji for love on his forehead made him easily recognizable, as did his large sand gourd.
"Enough!" He snapped at the assembled Genin. "Temari, Kankuro. You're an embarrassment to the hidden sand." Animated sand drifted through the air in menacing swooshing patterns.
"Gaara, we're sorry-" They started in unison as he gestured for them to be silent. Locking gazes with Naruto he addressed the boy. "I am sorry for my siblings lack of restraint, and competence clearly. The Chunin Exams must cause jitters."
Naruto narrowed his eyes even as he chuckled, Gaara's presence setting off secret alarm bells. "Hey, yeah man. Happens. Keep 'em under a tighter leash going forward or I'll bring this up to the Hokage."
Gaara nodded. "This is acceptable. I assume you'll be competing. What is your name?"
Naruto good naturedly offered a hand. "Naruto Uzumaki, it'll be good to face you in the exams."
Gaara stared at the offered hand without moving. "I am called Gaara. And I look forward to my sand feasting on your blood."
With that alarming statement the sand trio body flickered away.
Kiba moved to pursue but Shino put out a hand. "I have them bugged, there's no need."
The team nodded to Shino as Naruto gathered up the kids. "Alright, let's get these guys home then start getting our preparations for the exam together. Looks like there's some serious competition."
The worst thing about having an animal companion you shared your life with was when they got snatched. A fact Kiba was currently well aware of as they chased down a shinobi wearing gear from the Hidden Rain, a slash through his headband indicating his rogue status. They had just finished getting the Konohamaru trio home and were about to go their separate ways when the puppy was snatched off Kiba's head;
It was a short chase before the unknown assailant suddenly stopped, chaining Akamaru to a tree in one motion as he moved to hold a kunai to Akamaru's exposed belly, the dog barking furiously as he did so.
Little did he know Akamaru had been barking directions to Kiba the whole time. So while Naruto and Shino landed in the clearing before him, he started to deliver his ultimatum. "Stop! Give me the Toad contract or your friend loses his little puppy-" He tried to get out, but was interrupted.
Interrupted by Kiba, that is, having already circled around to flank him. His passing fang drilled into the back of the mysterious shinobi, barring him into the ground. Kiba was on his back straddling him now, hand on the back of his head as he smashed the offending ninja's skull into the hard packed forest floor.
"YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" Kiba roared. "Do you have any idea what the Inuzuka will do to you for this?" His head hit the ground again as Shino started to raise his hand in protest, only to be caught by Naruto who shook his head.
Only it shortly didn't matter as when the rain-nin's head hit the dirt again he poofed into smoke, revealing a beat up Iruka calling out for mercy. "Stop! It was a test! A test!"
The assembled Genin stopped short. Taking a moment to be sure of Iruka's statement before letting him down, a large lump formed on his forehead. Eventually the battered teacher made his way to his feat as the assembled Genin retrieved Akamaru before rounding on the teacher.
"Iruka-sensei. Pardon my language but what the actual fuck man?" Naruto gestured at the man incredulously. "You're smarter than this. Plus you can't go around getting pumped by Genin, it's a bad image for you." His smirk was evident as he took digs at the teacher he'd had a long and turbulent relationship with.
Iruka rubbed the back of his head, oddly mimicking Naruto's usual behaviour. "Sorry guys, I knew it'd get the reaction but I didn't anticipate how strong and fast you guys have gotten." He winced from his injuries. "It was supposed to be a preliminary test for the Chunin exams, but it looks like we shouldn't have bothered. You guys are more than ready." He patted the deeply offended Inuzuka on the head. "And I'll not get too upset about you manhandling a superior if maybe we don't make this super public?"
Kiba just pushed his hand away. "Whatever man. Stay the fuck away from the Inuzuka, dognapper." He all but spat as team 8 made to leave. Naruto shot Iruka a somewhat apologetic look as they left but didn't say anything.
Iruka just hung his head, he'd really messed up here.
"Now, what's a shinobi's most valuable resource?" Anko quizzed her students as they met up the following afternoon, having done their morning training separately as planned. Now that the Chunin Exams had been officially commenced D-Ranks were off the table after all.
Naruto, who spent his morning on Mt. Myoboku was the first to answer. "It's information right sensei?"
Anko nodded as Naruto and Kiba did a casual low first bump. "Very much so! While I do work mostly for T , T reports to the information department. With everything I've taught you you should be able to gather information with ease, just don't actually torture anyone. You'll be doing this every afternoon and evening until the exams. No babysitting from me, just learn everything you can about the competition" She gestured them away. "Go, go. My little baby infiltrators. The better you do the more awesome I am!"
Naruto giggled at his eccentric sensei as Team 8 shot off to land on the rooftops and make a plan. Shino adjusted his glasses before he spoke. "I believe the best course of action will be to check the gate logs to learn what hotels the foreign shinobi will be staying in. We can commence individual surveillance from there."
His team nodded to him before heading off. They got the visitor log easily enough from the gate guards Izumo and Kotetsu, who complimented them as being only the second genin to do so, the other being many years their senior.
So they spent the rest of the week until the Chunin First Exam took place learning about their competitors. Many of them mysteriously being visited by puppy, who would approach and scratch at a leg seeking pets. Only the whole time the dog was acting as a carrier for Shino's kikaichu to distribute them amongst the foreigners.
All told there were 10 teams from Sand, 7 teams from Rain, 5 Teams from Grass, 4 from Waterfall and a single team from sound. Of course the Leaf was hosting so it would likely have the most participants, but monitoring training grounds was frowned upon amongst comrades so they weren't really sure how to go about gathering info on the other Konoha Teams.
That said, bets were off for foreign teams so there were certainly toads watching the grounds while they trained.
The morning sun cast long shadows across the grounds of the Ninja Academy, where the air buzzed with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. Team 8, composed of Naruto, Kiba, and Shino, stood at the academy's entrance, each wearing expressions of determination. Naruto, with Gamakichi perched confidently on his head as always, turned to his teammates with a grin that was both mischievous and reassuring.
"Alright, guys! This is it, the big day. We've trained hard for this," Naruto exclaimed, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's show them what we're made of!"
Kiba, with Akamaru nestled in his jacket, punched his fist into his palm. "Yeah! We're gonna ace this exam and show everyone that Team 8 isn't just strong, we're unbeatable!"
Shino, ever the calm and collected one, adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Our teamwork will be our greatest asset. Remember, stay alert and trust in each other's abilities."
As they entered the academy, Shino's keen awareness immediately came into play. He subtly guided his teammates past a section of the hallway on the second floor. "Be wary here," he murmured. "There's a genjutsu trap set up around the corner."
They navigated carefully, skillfully avoiding the hidden trap, a testament to their teamwork and Shino's guidance.
Upon reaching the third floor, they were greeted by their sensei, Anko, who leaned casually against the wall outside Room 301. Her usual playful yet sinister smile was on her face as she eyed them.
"Ready to have some fun, kids?" Anko said with a chuckle, her eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and pride. "Inside that room, it's more than just a test. It's a life or death challenge that'll set the course for your entire career as ninjas. No pressure though."
Naruto stepped forward, his expression turning serious, yet his eyes remained ablaze with determination. "We're ready, Anko-sensei. Team 8 won't back down, no matter what's thrown at us!"
Anko's smile broadened, and she stepped aside, gesturing grandly to the door. "Then go on and show them the spirit of Team 8. Remember, have fun with it!"
With a collective nod, Naruto, Kiba, and Shino entered Room 301, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united as a team and bolstered by the encouragement they had exchanged. The door closed behind them, marking the beginning of a crucial chapter in their journey.
The atmosphere in the exam room was dense with tension, the air almost tangible with the weight of anticipation. However, the nine rookie genin from Konoha seemed to exist in a bubble of their own, their spirits undampened by the somber mood around them.
With a collective nod, Naruto, Kiba, and Shino entered Room 301, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united as a team and bolstered by the encouragement they had exchanged. The door closed behind them, marking the beginning of a crucial chapter in their journey.
Sasuke, smirking, retorted, "Please, your toad tricks are nothing compared to my Sharingan."
Nearby, Sakura and Ino exchanged playful barbs about who would perform better, while Hinata offered quiet words of encouragement. Shikamaru, lounging against a wall, muttered about the troublesome nature of the exam, and Choji was more concerned about when they would break for lunch.
Their banter was interrupted as a figure approached them – Kabuto Yakushi. His glasses caught the light, giving him a scholarly appearance. He had a calm, almost benign demeanor, but something about him set Shino's insects stirring uneasily and caused Akamaru to growl softly.
Kabuto, seemingly unbothered, offered information from his ninja info cards. "I've gathered data on many of the participants here," he said, fanning out a set of cards. "Might give you an edge."
Naruto, curious, asked, "What about that Gaara guy from the Sand? He seems... off."
Kabuto handed Naruto a card detailing Gaara's mission record, which caused Naruto's eyebrows to shoot up. "This... how did you get this? No genin should have access to foreign intel like this," he muttered, suspicion creeping into his voice.
Before he could press Kabuto further, a commotion broke out. The Sound ninjas, Dosu Kinuta, Zaku Abumi, and Kin Tsuchi, had targeted Kabuto. Dosu, his head wrapped in bandages and a unique melody arm weapon on his right arm, led the assault. Zaku, with his air-controlling devices fitted in his arms, and Kin, her long black hair almost as sharp as her senbon needles, flanked him.
The room erupted into chaos just as Ibiki Morino, the proctor of the exam, made his entrance. A towering figure with a scarred, intimidating visage and a headband covering his eyes, Ibiki's presence commanded immediate attention.
"Enough!" Ibiki's voice boomed, instantly quelling the disturbance. "The exam starts now. Any further disruptions, and you will be disqualified."
As Ibiki laid out the rules, Naruto glanced from the retreating figures of the Sound ninjas to the stoic face of Kabito, his mind swirling with questions and suspicions. The exam had just begun, yet the games and intrigue were already in full swing.
In the vast, dimly lit hall, a palpable sense of anticipation and anxiety hung heavy in the air. Genin teams from various villages, a mosaic of the future of the ninja world, were gathered, each with their own strategies and fears. At the front, the proctor, a stern figure with an enigmatic aura, surveyed the room with a hawk's gaze.
The test was a daunting one: a series of complex and seemingly insurmountable written questions lay before each participant. But the true challenge, as the proctor had made clear, was the art of discreet information gathering. Success in this test meant demonstrating the subtlety and cunning befitting a Chunin.
Naruto, with a small toad peeking out from his pocket, whispered, "Alright Gamakichi, time for some recon." The toad nodded and hopped away silently.
Shino, adjusting his glasses, remarked in a low voice, "My insects will monitor the perimeter. We'll have all the information we need."
Kiba grinned, patting Akamaru. "And we'll keep an eye out for any trouble. Right, buddy?"
The Rookie 9, each with their distinct personalities and skills, tackled the exam in their ways. Sasuke, his eyes flickering with the red of the Sharingan, muttered, "This is child's play."
Sakura, furrowing her brows in concentration, whispered to herself, "Focus, Sakura. You can do this."
Shikamaru, idly twirling a pencil, sighed, "What a drag, but I suppose it's time to put this brain to work."
The tension reached its zenith with the announcement of the tenth question. The hall fell into a heavy silence as the proctor outlined the stakes. Naruto stood up, his voice steady, "We didn't come this far to back down now. Team 8 is going for it!"
His determination sparked a flame in the others. Ino, steel in her eyes, said, "If Naruto's in, so am I."
Choji, looking unsure, finally nodded, "Well, I guess it can't be worse than skipping lunch."
Hinata, gathering courage, added softly but firmly, "I... I will also try."
The proctor's subsequent revelation that there was no tenth question left the room in stunned silence, then a slow understanding. Naruto's eyes gleamed with realization. "It was about our courage all along," he said, a smile spreading across his face.
In this moment, the genin realized the true nature of the ninja world – a place where strength was not just physical, but also lay in the heart and mind.
As the genin teams waited in the large hall, still buzzing with the tension of the first phase of the Chunin Exams, an eerie stillness began to descend. The edges of the room, once clearly defined, started to blur and fade into an impenetrable blackness. The participants, wide-eyed and alert, looked around in confusion as their surroundings seemed to dissolve into shadows.
Slowly, like tendrils of some ancient and malevolent plant, vines began to creep over the floor. They slithered and twisted, growing from the base of each participant's chair, winding their way up, binding them in place. The genin struggled against these restraints, their initial surprise turning into concern.
Then, a whisper, chilling and ethereal, seemed to float through the air, circling around them. "Congratulations on passing the first exam," the voice of Kurenai Yuhi echoed, as if she were right behind each of them, her tone soft yet carrying an undeniable edge of authority. "Next, you'll be following me into the Forest of Death."
As the last word hung in the air, the illusion shattered like glass. The vines receded as quickly as they had appeared, and the room snapped back to its original form. In place of the creeping darkness stood Kurenai Yuhi, her presence as commanding as the jutsu she had just employed.
Kurenai, with her striking crimson eyes and hair as dark as the night, stood before the genin. She was the epitome of a Jonin – confident, powerful, and enigmatic. Her attire, practical yet elegant, consisted of a standard Jonin outfit complemented by a long, flowing coat that billowed slightly as she moved. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the reactions of the young shinobi before her, her expression unreadable yet imposing.
Most of the genin shivered, not just from the remnants of the illusion, but also from the realization of what lay ahead. The Forest of Death was notorious, a place where the true mettle of a shinobi was tested.
"Come with me if you want to pass," Kurenai stated, her voice clear and resolute. It was not just an invitation, but a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down before these young warriors.
With those final words, she turned on her heel and strode towards the exit, her coat trailing behind her like a shadow. The genin, now freed from their illusory bonds, hurriedly gathered themselves, following her lead. Each carried a mix of apprehension and determination, aware that the true test of the Chunin Exams was about to begin.