Man, this mission was so boring, intel gathering was one of the worst job assignments you could get. But at the end of the day, it was an A-rank mission and he was running low on money.

"So how long do you think it will take them," Aoba asked from beside him. He and Aoba were tasked with guarding Iwashi and Bekko while they gathered information about a possible threat.

"Who knows, but there shouldn't be any problems we just gotta follow them around for a while," Genma said as he looked over at the two Chunin Iwashi was writing in a scroll while Bekko was telling him something.

"Yeah, I guess, but it would be nice if a couple of bandits came by to put a little excitement into this," Aoba was looking more excited just by the thought. Genma sometimes wondered how he got promoted to Jonin so fast he acted like a kid so much.

"We're done in this section let's move to the next," Iwashi called out. Both Aoba and Genma nodded and followed the others to the next section.

This didn't need to be an A-rank mission they were tracking a rouge leaf ninja but he wasn't much of a threat he was only a chunin and a pretty weak one at that he had barely passed the exam on like his ninth try. But he had a possible connection to Orochimaru so it was immediately A or S-rank.

The next section looked like it had something. there was a campsite but it looked old it had been two to three days since it was used. There were papers scattered everywhere and food still over a burnt-out fire.

"Someone must have left pretty fast," Aoba commented.

"Yeah but why," Genma then noticed a slight stain on the tent it looked to be coming from the inside, it was red and splattered across the side blood it had to be.

"You could ask him," Genma said walking over to the tent. The others gave him a confused look. He reached down and pulled the tent door back and was immediately assaulted with the smell of rotting flesh. His nose burned when he looked down and saw the man they were chasing lying lifeless with a kunai in his hand and blood dried around his wrist.

"But I don't think he's going to be answering," The others looked in the tent with disgust. Genma let go of the flap and let it fall back into place he walked back over to Aoba's side the other two would be writing every detail of this and he didn't feel like getting a whiff of the corpse every time they took a peek.

"Why would he betray the village just to kill himself on the run," Aoba asked him.

"Maybe he just couldn't handle it,"

"How so,"

"Well he was going to be caught eventually so he musta thought it was better to go out on his own terms rather than ours,"

"Yeah I get that, but still why even run in the first place what could he possibly have to gain from going rouge,"

"Some people just don't think right, look at Orochimaru he's willing to experiment on his students for whatever fucked up shit he's trying to do," Genma looked down at some of the papers. "Wait is this a... lab report?"

"Why would he have the," Aoba asked picking one up they quickly scanned them and came to a chilling realization, he was working for Orochimaru. He was helping with experiments and even providing test subjects.

"Hey, we have to leave now," He called out to the others but before anyone could move a chilling wave washed over them. His legs turned to pudding, his knees were shaking trying to hold him up and his head was spinning. No why now why was he here?

"My, my I seem to have a few pests that I have to deal with," A snakelike voice hissed out from nearby. Genma tried to look around and find him but he couldn't see anything the forest seemed to devore everything he was trapped in the forest's cage void of sunlight by overgrown branches would he ever see the sun again? What was he doing was it a genjutsu, it had to be. He gathered chakra throughout his body and expelled it. His legs straightened his mind cleared and it felt as if a weight was lifted from his chest.

He looked over at Aoba and saw that he had done the same the others however were still struggling trapped in their minds. He moved to approach them but the voice hissed out again.

"Ah, ah, ah I wouldn't do that if I were you,"

Orochimaru appeared from the forest standing right behind Bekko who seemed to have recovered slightly.

"We need to rep-" Orochimaru silenced him with a kuni to his head.

"Take this," Iwashi shouted tossing the scroll he had been writing. Genma caught the scroll and both he and Aoba sprinted away before Orochimaru could reach them. He felt guilty for leaving Iwashi behind but if they saved they would have died as well.

Orochimaru didn't seem to be chasing them but they didn't stop they couldn't stop they needed to reach the village as fast as they could.

It had been six months since his dad had begun his extra training and he had improved drastically his strength speed and stamina were much better than they used to be his chakra reserves were much larger and his taijutsu was drastically better. He had even learned the next step in the Nara clan's jutsu the Shadow strangle jutsu.

Now it was the morning of the exams. Today he would finally be free from the academy he was on his way walking through the streets when he heard a familiar voice calling his name.

"Shikamaru wait up," He slowed his pace a little and Naruto came running up beside him

"I can't believe that the exams are here already," Naruto started rambling on about how excited he was. They had become pretty good friends in the past few months. He, Naruto, and Choji had started hanging out almost every weekend. Naruto was pretty cool if you could get over all the shouting and pranking.

"I'm just glad that we're going to be out of the academy soon I can't take another lecture about the history of Konoha," Naruto laughed at his comment and kept rambling about random things until they reached the school.

They were the last two from their class to get there, just like every other day, they walked over and took seats next to Choji.

"Late even on the last day, how are you two going to be shinobi," Choji joked pulling out a new bag of chips.

"I'm going to be the strongest shinobu ever believe it and being late isn't going to change that," Naruto exclaimed jumping up. Why did he always have to yell everything?

"All right everyone quiet down we will begin the final exams momentarily," Iruka Sensai announced taking his position behind his podium.

"I have already gone over the requirements but I will tell you again just to make sure you understand. First, we will have a written portion," That was met with many groans Naruto's being the loudest.

"After that, we will have a taijutsu test and finally you will be required to perform the transformation jutsu, the substitution jutsu, and the clone jutsu if you are unable to perform any of the three you automatically fail," This test really was easy those jutsu were the easiest one's he knew and almost anyone could pass the written and taijutsu sections they were designed that way for some reason.

"If there are no questions we will begin the written portion immediately, please remain calm and do your best," Iruka sensei walked over to his desk picked up a stack of papers, and started to pass them out.

When Shikamaru got his he scanned through it wow this was going to be easy. The questions were so simple a first-year student could answer them.

Once he was done passing them out Iruka Sensai walked back to his podium. "You will have an hour to complete your test, your time begins now," He turned an hourglass upside down and the timer began.

Shikamaru breezed through the questions and was done before he knew it there wasn't a single challenging question in the entire packet and looking around Shikamaru could tell no one was struggling well except for Naruto the kid was not a good test taker it wasn't that he was dumb, well he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he had always struggled with reading and writing and siting still and concentrating and thinking hard pretty much everything involved with taking a test.

Shikamaru didn't bother checking his work and just turned it in he was the second one done only finishing after Sasuke not that he cared. He walked back over to his seat put his head down and was asleep in seconds.

Man, this test was tough. He couldn't focus he kept getting distracted by everything. How do people even do good on tests he could barely read the questions and it didn't help that Sakura was sitting in front of him all he could smell was her cherry-scented shampoo. But of course, she was staring at the great Sasuke, and he was the first to finish.

All right no more distractions, focus. Just forty-five more questions to go, why was it so long? The chair next to him slid back he turned and saw Shikamaru standing up with his paper in his hand. Was he done already how he was supposed to be at the bottom with Naruto, not that proved their skill they just weren't good at class stuff. Shikamaru turned in his test walked back and was immediately asleep.

More and more chairs squicked across the floor and each one made Naruto's heart beat faster and faster he was only halfway done when almost everyone else was finished. Choji, Sakura, Hinata, Shino, Ino, and even Kiba all of them had finished with plenty of time to spare and Naruto was struggling to beat the timer.

"You all have ten more minutes," Iruka Sensai called out. Only ten minutes there was no way he was going to finish in time. He had at least fifteen questions left. Well, it looks like it's time to pull out the only strategy he had left, guess. He picked random choices for the next ten and attempted on the final five.

Finally, he was finished he triumphantly pushed his chair back and walked up to the teacher's desk placing his test on top of the pile with a grin on his face. He looked over at the timer just as the last bit of sand fell.

"Times up and it looks like everyone finished so these will be graded and if you passed you will move on to the next portion of the exam," Iruka Sensi announced.

Everyone began to shuffle out of the classroom and into the yard where they would wait for the next test to begin. Naruto went up to Choji and Shikamaru to walk with them. "It took you long enough, you barely finished," Choji said.

"Yeah well, I did," He stuck his tongue out at Choji.

"Are you sure you passed," Shikamaru asked.

"Of course I passed I'm going to be the greatest shinobi ever," He said.

"Whatever you say," Shikamaru replied.

"Congratulations, everyone passed the first test," Iruka Sensai announced and a few people sighed in relief.

"We will now begin the next stage, we will begin with a weapons test and then move on to sparring," He explained.

"Alright we will now begin the weapons portion," Iruka shouted over the little conversations.

"You will throw kunai at a series of targets if you miss more than three you will fail, first Sasuke Uchiha," Sasuke walked forward and grabbed a handful of kunai it seemed we got ten shots and had to hit at least seven.

"Are you ready," Iruka asked Sasuke nodded and the targets began to move. Though it didn't seem to be a problem he hit every target dead center in a matter of seconds. Even Shikamaru was impressed by the speed and accuracy of the Uchiha.

After that, the teacher called out names based on class rank Shikamaru was near the bottom so he was one of the last called but almost everyone passed one kid missed four and automatically failed. But now it was Shikamaru's turn he walked up and grabbed his kunai.

"Are you ready," Iuka asked him and Shikamaru nodded. The targets started moving and Shikamaru tossed the kunai hitting every target but one dead center he missed one slightly to the side but still hit the target. "Well done Shikamaru, and the final student Naruto your up next,"

Shikamaru went over and collected the kunai and handed them to Naruto. "Good luck," he whispered.

Naruto let out a little chuckle "Like I'll need it,"

He walked back and stood next to Choji. Naruto missed the first one and the second but then hit the next six he only needed one more. He threw the next kunai and it hit the target right in the middle and slid out clatering to the ground.

"What that's not fair there's something wrong with the kunai there has to be," Naruto yelled looking at Iruka Sensai.

"Naruto the kunai has to remain in the target for it to be counted and yours didn't now you still have one last chance," Iruka said. Naruto huffed and turned back to the target. He raised his final kunai and let it fly it sailed through the air and slammed into one of the empty targets.

"There happy now," Naruto looked at Iruka Sensai and stuck his tongue out. It was a good thing that the teacher had a soft spot for Naruto or he would have probably kicked him out of the academy by now for how he acted.

"Alright next we will have sparing matches, losing doesn't mean you fail we are just judging your skills and if they are up to par with the requirements,"

Great sparring was such a drag it always reminded him of his extra training with his dad he was practically a punching bag at the start.

"First up we have Shikamaru Nara versus Kiba Inuzuka, will you two please enter the ring,"

Shikamaru stepped up and faced Kiba. The boy was wearing a full fur-lined coat and had his dog on his head Shikamaru had always wondered how he didn't get hot during the summer but he had never seen him take the coat off.

"Ready to lose lazy ass," Kiba had the same smirk glued to his face as always. He was cocky but he was one of the best in our class at taijutsu this was going to be so troublesome.

"No weapons other than kunai allowed no ninjutsu or genjutsu allowed and no outside help, that includes Akamaru,"

"What but I never fight without him,"

"That doesn't matter,"

"Whatever," He took Akamaru off his head and placed him outside the circle. "I can still kick your ass without him,"

"Kick dog boys ass Shikamaru," Naruto and Choji were cheering him on from the side while Akamaru barked at Kiba trying to cheer.

"Ready," Iruka Sensai looked at both of them and upon receiving a nod from both.

"Begin,"

Kiba immediately charged and tried to punch him. Shikamaru dodged and sent a kick at Kiba's stomach. He grabbed the kick and swept down at Shikamaru's other leg. He jumped in the air to avoid the sweep and pulled his leg back freeing it from Kiba's grasp while also pulling him forward in range for a punch aimed at his face.

Kiba blocked and tried to counterstrike but Shikamaru sidestepped and punched Kiba in the gut hard. The punch knocked him to the ground and Shikamaru tried to take advantage with a downward kick but Kiba rolled away.

Kiba pulled out a kunai and glared at him. He lunged and tried to cut Shikamaru's leg but he jumped over him. He landed behind the Inuzuka and pulled out a kunai of his own. He attempted to land a strike on Kiba's back but the boy spun around aiming a slash at his chest. Shikamaru blocked the blow but Kiba kept pushing and he was stronger than Shikamaru.

His grip was weakening he had to do something. Kiba was focused on overpowering Shikamaru so his guard was down. Shikamaru sent a knee to his chest knocking the air out of his lungs and pushing him back.

But that didn't stop Kiba before Shikamaru could make a move he was back on top of him sending wild strikes trying to break his guard. Shikamaru saw an opening and tried to punch his face but Kiba ducked. Now low to the ground Shikamaru tried to kick his head but he ducked again. How was he doing that he was fighting like a wild animal. However, that wasn't surprising considering his clan's obsession with animals.

Kiba lunged forward and grabbed Shikamaru's leg pulling him to the ground. This would be hard to get out of. Kiba jumped on top of Shikamaru and tried to punch him in the face. Shikamaru dodged the first punch and grabbed the hand before Kiba could raise it again. He reached up and grabbed the back of Kiba's head with his free hand getting punched in the face a couple of times in the process.

Once he had hold of Kiba's head he pulled it down smashing it into the ground. Kiba was momentarily stunned so Shikamaru kicked him in the chest sending him rolling backward and his kunai flying away from him. He jumped up and began charging at Kiba but didn't make it in time.

Kiba got back up and jumped over Shikamaru who tried to turn around but was met with a punch to the face. Kiba started to assault Shikamaru with a garage of punches and kicks. Shikamaru blocked as many as he could and looked for an opening.

Kiba's strikes were wild and Shikamaru soon saw a flaw in his technique he jumped back to get some range and Kiba chased him just as he thought he would. Once he got enough distance between the two he stopped and waited for Kiba to approach.

Once Kiba met him he tried to strike low Shikamaru jumped over Kiba and kicked down hard hitting Kiba square in the back. he then landed and kicked again hitting Kiba in the gut knocking the air from his lungs and before he could recover Shikamaru pointed his kunai at his throat.

Kiba let out a growl. "I surrender,"

Shikamaru reached out his hand to help Kiba get up.

"Good match," Kiba reluctantly reached up and grabbed his hand.

"I guess you're not as much of a lazy ass as I thought, good job," Kiba then walked off to the side and picked up his dog. This match wasn't as troublesome as he thought it would be, it was actually somewhat fun he thought as he began to exit the ring.

"Good job Shikamaru, now for the next match Sasuke Uchiha vs Choji Akamichi," Iruka said after Shikamaru walked out of the ring. He passed Choji as he was walking back to his spot.

"Good luck," he smiled at Choji

"Thanks, can you hold these," he asked handing his half-eaten bag of chips to Shikamaru. Shikamaru took the bag with a nod.

"Wouldn't want to waste them," He smiled before entering the ring and facing Sasuke.

Shikamaru walked over and stood next to Naruto.

It was great seeing his best friend win his match against Kiba. Shikamaru's dad must have been training him hard for him to improve that much. But now Choji was up against Sasuke the prodigy of their class.

He doubted he could win he just needed to last long enough not to embarrass himself. He stepped up and faced the Uchiha who had his hands in his pockets and a smug grin on his face.

"Are you both ready," Iruka sensei asked and after receiving nods from both of them he signaled for them to start.

They both stood still for a moment studying each other. Choji was waiting for Sasuke to make the first move and he didn't have to wait long Sasuke charged in with a simple punch to the face Choji blocked it and was preparing for a counterpunch but was hit in the gut by Sasuke's other fist.

Before Choji could catch his breath Sasuke kicked him sending him flying back and sliding near the edge of the ring. Choji pushed himself to his feet and instead of waiting he charged this time punching low.

Sasuke tried to block the blow but Choji's strength was far superior and his punch sent Sasuke sliding back and caused a little pain.

Sasuke tried to remain emotionless and charged back in and began to deliver precise blows easily breaking through Choji's guard though he was relying more on kicks now his arms were definitely in pain.

Choji pulled his arm back and swung forward full force connecting with Sasuke's arms causing significant damage. Sasuke grunted in pain and was knocked off his feet.

Sasuke pushed himself up trying to not use his arms much did he hit him too hard maybe he should have held back. There was no point in injuring his classmate in a stupid spar. No, he had to fight he needed to graduate and become a Genin.

Sasuke had a scowl on his face and charged back in without missing a beat. He was persistent as Sasuke approached him Choji raised his guard ready to defend waiting for a blow to come but it never did. Instead, Sasuke had changed direction and was now behind him.

He felt his back erupt in pain, his feet left the ground and suddenly Sasuke was in front of him again. He saw his foot preparing for another kick and he tried to raise his arms to defend himself but he was too slow.

Sasuke's kick landed square in Choji's gut sending all the air from his lungs and turning his legs to jelly. He fell to the ground clutching his stomach. Even if he wanted to get up he didn't think he could.

"Well the winner is Sasuke," Iruka announced after a few moments of Choji barely moving.

He looked up and saw Sasuke turn his back and walk off without a word. Smug prick, he tried to stand but he was still barely catching his breath.

He felt two sets of hands pick him up by his arms and looked over. Shikamaru and Naruto had come over to help him up. Even if he lost he would always have his friends.

"Thanks, guys," He said the defeat evident in his voice.

"No problem," Said Shikamaru with a small smile as he handed Choji his bag of chips back causing a smile to grace Choji's lips as well.

"You were amazing out there," Naruto exclaimed with his normal bright smile.

"Well I lost so I wasn't that good," Choji drawled.

"What even if you didn't win you fought great those punches were so strong, believe it" He cheered.

"It looks like the next match is starting," Shikamaru commented looking back.

Choji turned and took a seat soon followed by the other two to watch the next match. Now he didn't mind that he lost he was just happy he did his best.

Her fight was next, and she was a little nervous. But it was against Hinata, sure she was from a prestigious clan but that didn't matter she was a shy quiet girl. Sakura wasn't the best at taijutsu but Hinata was too shy and quiet to hurt anyone so she just had to beat Hinata and impress Sasuke and finally get noticed.

She stepped up and faced Hinata who was playing with her fingers avoiding eye contact. Sakura almost felt bad for the girl but this was an exam and she didn't want to fail so she had to fight.

"Are you both ready," Iruka Sensai asked.

Sakura looked over and gave him a nod and Hinata must have as well. Iruka raised his hand and then brought it down in a straight line signalling the start of the match.

Sakura wasn't just going to wait around for Hinata to make the first move so she rushed forward and punched at Hinata.

Hinata however blocked it with lightning-fast reflexes catching Sakura off guard and as she was trying to recover Hinata hit her in the stomach pushing her back.

Sakura looked up just in time to see Hinata swinging at her again and she managed to slip out of the way just in time. She tried to hit Hinata but every strike was blocked or avoided with ease.

It didn't take long before Sakura realized she was far outclassed she could not land a single strike but for some reason, Hinata was barely attacking and when she did she hesitated before each strike giving it away. Maybe Sakura could win if she took advantage of that.

There might be an opening when she's hesitating. Sakura tried a few more punches but none of them landed but she didn't really expect them to. She backed off and waited for Hinata to strike and she did.

Hinata pulled her hand back giving away her punch and Sakura took advantage and slid around and aimed a kick at Hinata's side. She was on the ground what happened she was just about to hit Hinata but now she was on her back looking at the sky.

Hinata stepped over her and shakily pulled out a kunai and pointed it at her.

"Winner Hinata, good job," Hinata quickly jumped off of her and scurried off to the side blushing furiously.

It suddenly hit her she lost without even hitting her opponent once and to make it worse it was in front of the entire class and mainly Sasuke, he would never love her if she was weak.

She slowly got to her feet and walked out of the ring stood by some of her friends and sneaked a glance at Sasuke. He wasn't even looking at her! Instead, he was looking at Naruto why would he be interested in that loser?

She sighed how could she get his attention she wondered not paying attention to the next match.

Finally, it was his turn now he could show everyone how strong he was he was going to kick Shino's ass and make everyone respect him.

He looked at Sakura to see if she was watching him but to his dismay, she was staring at Sasuke. What was her obsession with that gloomy depressed guy he wasn't that good sure he had the best score but that didn't mean anything he was just good at tests.

Sasuke was lucky that he didn't have to fight Naruto he would have beaten him so badly that none of the girls would take a second look at him. But Shino would have to do he would just win this and pass this test easily.

He stepped up and stared across at Shino who was just standing there. He was so creepy with his face hidden.

"Are you ready," Iruka asked him.

"believe it," He exclaimed.

Iruka then turned to Shino who just nodded.

"Alright, begin," Naruto charged at Shino just as the words left his mouth.

Naruto tried to land a few wild strikes but none of them landed. Shino seemed to have a pretty good defense.

Naruto kept throwing wild punches trying to catch him off guard but none of them seemed to land.

He tried a few kicks but nothing seemed to work Shino's guard was just too strong. Naruto tried to kick him in the face but Shino caught his leg. Naruto tried to pull away but Shino wouldn't let go.

He tried to punch Shino but he just blocked with his other hand while still holding Naruto's leg.

Shino still hadn't tried to hit Naruto once and had taken almost no damage during the match.

"Danmit, let go," Naruto shouted trying to pull his leg back.

"Sure," Shino mumbled pulling his arm back full force and yanking Naruto off his other foot. Shino let go of Naruto's leg sending him flying through the air and crashing to the ground sliding a few feet.

Naruto popped back up getting more annoyed by the second.

"Winner Shino," Iruka announced.

"What, I can still fight," Naruto screamed shocked.

"You're out of the ring," He said pointing at Naruto's feet.

He was standing a couple of feet outside the white-painted circle meaning he had lost. How did he lose to Shino of all people and in front of everyone? He walked over to Shikamaru and Choji and sat down. He was about to say something when he noticed Shikamaru was already fast asleep snoring against the wall. Well, at least Shikamaru hadn't seen that.

The next few matches were boring and Naruto barely paid attention to them waiting eagerly for the next test to begin so he could amaze the instructors with his amazing Ninjutsu skills.

"All right that's all the matches, we will now move on to the Ninjutsu section," Finally he was going to have the best score on this one for sure and he could totally surprise Iruka Sensai with his awesome sexy Jutsu.

"You will take the test one at a time, please follow me to the testing room," He said as he walked back towards the academy building.

"Is this thing finally ending its been such a drag," Shikamaru said from beside him.

"Everything's a drag to you," Choji replied.

"Alright let's pass this thing and then I can be the Hokage in no time," Naruto announced pulling Shikamaru off the ground.

They started to follow Iruka Sensai back into the building and stopped in the hallway in front of a door.

"You will enter one by one after we call you, and as you are already aware you must perform three jutsu you will be examined by myself and Mizuki,"

The three of them took a seat on a bench and waited for their names to be called.