Disclaimer: I, the author of this story, do not own 'Naruto', in any of its forms, nor do I own it's characters, places, general plot or illustrations. Any character presented here not found in the original Manga or Anime of 'Naruto', was created by this writer and was in no way borrowed or stolen from another person's creation or work. Any similarities with both real people and/or existent fictional characters is purely coincidental, and unintentional.

Author's Note: We got our first review! This late night upload goes to you! As for the Chapter, it's a lenghty one, the longest by a lot. I just wanted to get everything ready right here and now before the exams started. Enjoy!

From Rain To Rust

Chapter Five

'A Shinobi's Purpose'

It took everyone a second to process the situation, it wasn't like any of them expected to see one of the most popular and most skilled Chūnin here, get into a literal fistfight with a random newcomer that had just appeared, or for a hurricane to form inside the hall and blow everyone away... but once they all did, everyone stood up.

Those who weren't taken aback by the blast of wind were angry… that meant that only two people were angry: Yoa and Kurotsuchi; and if it were for them, there'd be no gust of wind that'd stop them from beating the living shit out of each other then and there. But what stood between them wasn't a gust of wind, it was a figure that didn't seem to have the intention of letting that happen.

"And I'm Darui of Kumo. I'll be your proctor too… and sorry for that gust of wind." Darui's mellow voice spoke out, giving each Yoa and Kurotsuchi a glance. "No more fighting until the Test starts."

Yoa gritted his teeth, but he relented, he had to, and fortunately his temper was quicker to cool down than to heat up… almost always that is.

Darui seemed pleased enough, he watched Yoa walk back with his teammates and Kurotsuchi retreat as well. Staring kunai at someone's back wasn't fighting. "Omoi, Karui." He nodded at each of them. Mentally wishing them good luck before jumping to Temari's side.

"It seems we've already broken the ice there…" Temari spoke loudly so everyone could hear her, she said so while nodding to the general area the previous commotion happened. "GOOD, you all will be needing more of that!"

"We've spoken to our own and all Kages numerous times before we even began coming up with the concept for this test; the words said in the public ceremony were one thing, but the Shinobi Union has been planning these exams for a while now, a vote was placed for what we're about to tell you and there wasn't a single negative." Darui complemented Temari's words seamlessly, though he did so in his own style. "The fact that we're in a union now does not mean there will be any leniency when it comes to any Examinations."

"To put it clearly—" Temari snapped shut her fan. "—no matter who you are, what clan you're part of, your role on the war or in your homeplace; if you happen to die on these exams, or you kill someone else, there will be no repercussions on what that will mean to any Land involved or not."

Voices in and around the multiple Chūnin Teams started to murmur between themselves, the subject had been flying around since the participants were elected, but really almost no one expected the Union to take that route.

"That being said." Darui rose his voice up just enough to put an end to the chatter. "Loss of life will be—as always—actively avoided, the rest of your proctors and us will do our best to make sure of that. But there will be situations along the way in which we won't be able to respond in a manner that may save your lives… so, sorry about that."

"These are 'Shinobi Rank Exams' people! And as such are to be taken seriously. Your lives will be put in danger, and if any of you deem it necessary for the situation then you will be allowed to use lethal force. We are not here to play around, and for as much as we've told the common folk: WE ARE NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS." Temari stated firmly.

"Becoming a Jōnin isn't an easy task, nor a prize that will be freely given away. Your Kages and ours were in agreement that each of them need the very best Ninja available to become Jōnin, that in another event of the magnitude of the previous Shinobi World War every single Land will need it's best Shinobi and Kunoichi to defend them. That the war ruthlessly proved quality will always beat quantity. And if some lives have to be lost in order to find those very select few Jōnin then they're all willing to make the sacrifice." Said Darui. "We are Ninja and that has always been our purpose: to sacrifice. By now and if you're standing on this room you should all know it."

"That being said—" It was Temari's turn to utter the words. "—if any team, or individual wants to pull out of the event after having heard all of this they will be allowed to do so… That's the first step into avoiding any unnecessary deaths. If you aren't prepared to go through this, then accept so and leave before it's too late."

Both Temari and Darui scanned the room sharply, looking for any Nin showing giveaways of hopelessness, searching for any signs that might tell Darui and Temari that a particular team or Nin wasn't ready for this… And there were—minor ones—but there were some; after all, you don't tell a room of people full of elite killers (that actively knows there are others amongst them far superior than them), that there can be loss of lives, that there won't be any actual deterrent to take a life; and expect everyone to have perfect composure. War often made cowards out of bullies, hiders out of seekers, and prey out of predators; and this event was far too close to the war to shake its effects off.

Temari and Darui nodded at each other, both had noticed it all, both knew that the little fidgets of nervousness or excitement weren't enough to kick anyone out, and no one stepped forward or out on themselves either. If anything, she could see the looks on some of the participant's faces when she mentioned they could go all out… the pleasure it gave them to know soon they'd be in action again, doing what they knew best; they wanted to hunt and be hunted, and the worst part was that she knew perfectly well what they were going through, she almost envied them. The message was clear: Everyones was ready for this, everyone was willing. Kill or be killed.

Temari sighed softly, preparing to raise her voice once again. "Do we have any questions?"

A hand was raised amongst the select multitude.

"Yes, Hinata?" Temari replied, inwardly smiling at the sight of the ring the Hyūga was using… Even Temari's mind wandered whenever she saw the ring on the recently married woman.

"U-Um… Yes." Hinata started, stuttering somewhat awkwardly for the moment everyone's eyes fell on her. "Us, the Konoha Shinobi and Kunoichi were told we wouldn't be participating within our usual teams… I was just wondering what would happen with those of us who don't have an assigned team."

Shino smiled from besides her, it was very subtle and one would miss it even if he hadn't forgone the high neckline that usually covered his mouth. 'And to imagine that woman is the same girl that used to faint around people once a day… Naruto has done wonders for her.'

"Yes." Temari replied with a nod. "I imagine some of you have the same doubts as Hinata over there." Temari told the multitude, getting some nods and words of agreement in response.

"That's why all of you were called here today." Darui followed-up. "There are individuals and duos without a team, also as Hinata-San just told you, Konoha offered to separate their teams as the proctors found it needed in order to form new teams with other nations."

"Without further ado, we'll announce the teams that'll be participating in the Exams, once you hear your name called, come over to sign your sheet and follow the instructions we'll give you with it." Temari announced, she then took out a summon scroll and deployed it, waiting a second for the smoke to disperse and for the desk and papers now in front of Darui and her to become visible.

"Chūnin Team A, members: Chōjūrō, Ruka, and Kiri, come over." Chōjūrō and his teammates heard the call, being the first to be called and walked over to Temari, meanwhile Omoi was calling another team.

"We're here, Temari-Sama." Chōjūrō nodded respectfully at the royal blooded Kunoichi.

Temari half smiled at the swordsman manners. "No need for such formalities, but they're appreciated. Now, each of you sign here, assign your leader; and if you deem it needed choose a new name for your team."

Chōjūrō and the rest signed their names. He was about to say Kiri should be captain on the grounds that he was the eldest, most experienced out of them, but he was beaten to it.

Kiri didn't hesitate one second to write down Chōjūrō as the team leader, he saw the younger Shinobi's hesitation once he'd done it but left no room to argue. "What would be our name, Captain Chōjūrō?"

Chōjūrō smiled warmly at his teammate and nodded at Ruka before writing down their names.

"Okay, Team Mist." Temari read the sheet and made sure everything was correct. "Off you go, here's your envelope."

"Chūnin Team C, members: Ino Yamanaka, Shino Aburame, Omoi." Darui had already sent a team away by now and awaited for this one to come forward.

"Shino!" Ino greeted her old friend with an enthusiastic wave, she was glad to be in a team where she'd be familiar with at least one person's abilities and profile. But she didn't seem familiar with the other's name. "Who's this 'Omoi' guy anyway?"

"That'd be me." Omoi cut in, falling into formation with his two new teammates.

"Oh, I do know you!" Ino exclaimed, quickly nodding respectfully. "I mean I heard of you, Sai said you fought by his side back in the war." She forgave herself before offering her hand. "A pleasure."

"A pleasure." Omoi shook her hand.

"It's nice to know we have a formidable ally with us." Shino nodded at Omoi.

"Sorry, but I need the signatures." Darui deadpanned from his place, interrupting the 'meeting' in front of him.

"Oh right!" Ino exclaimed and went right down to sign herself, her two teammates following her shortly after.

"We'll need a team leader, and a new name if you want." Darui stated, reading the sheet.

"Oh-" Ino wasn't expecting that, and it didn't seem like they had a lot of time to decide. "I'm okay with one of you taking the lead."

"I believe our partner Omoi has the better experience out of the three of us…" Shino commented, offering the pen to Omoi, who half-cracked a smile and nodded, signing himself to be the leader.

"Now, I've always been used to being in teams named after a wordplay with our names…" Ino was quick to say, already deciding that 'Team C' was far too bland for them. She took the pen from her captain's hand and filled the rest of the sheet.

"Team...—" Darui took a second to read the words. "—Shinomoi." He read out loud, nodding a bit impressed at the wordplay. "Here are your instructions."

"We are not naming the team 'Team BBQ', Chōji!" An already-getting-enraged Tenten tried to reason with her newly appointed team leader.

"Why not? Yukata likes it." The burly man replied as he pointed to Yukata, their assigned teammate from Suna.

"Uh-" The girl in question was about to reply but got cut in by Tenten.

"No she doesn't!" Tenten exclaimed. "Plus, this are serious names! It's a public event!"

"Actually the names would only be visible to proctors and people involved in the tests." Temari was quick to interject. "It makes recognition easier than using bland letters or numbers as names."

"I-I…" Yukata stuttered for a second, finally being able to speak. "I like Barbeque…"

Tenten couldn't feel more betrayed.

"Come on, man! It's not that big of a deal!" Kiba tried to reason in a mixture between embarrassment and fear. The fact that a more-than-cute girl was assigned to their team didn't help matters much.

"I agree!" Matsuri eagerly tried to make things better. "We can chose a new leader! It's alright! Please stop crying, Lee-San!"

"NO!" Konoha's resident Green Wild Beast cried his eyes out… Though never out of sadness, NO! It was merely out of pride! Out of happiness that his old friend Kiba would even consider choosing him as his leader! Mighty Kiba and the beautifully young desert flower Matsuri!

"I'LL MAKE YOU PROUD TEAM YOUTH!"

"Team what-..." Kiba was barely able to ask before…

"WE WILL CONQUER THE Jōnin EXAMS WITH THE POWER OF YOUTH! I'LL PROTECT OUR DREAMS OF RECOGNITION AND SUCCESS WITH MY OWN LIFE!" Rock Lee cried out, snatching the manila envelope out of Darui's hands and literally carrying his teammates out the hall in a green flash.

"They only signed their names…" Darui commented to no one in particular.

"We'll fill it out for them later." Temari replied from next to him.

"Chūnin Team E, members: Runa Kashima, Kaori Akuryō, and Yoa Kanamono." Temari announced. Keeping a close eye on them as they neared the desk. Shikamaru hadn't been kidding when he said they were a troublesome bunch.

Much of the room stood silent as the newcomers made their way to the front, it was clear that they were gaining some fame as troublemakers around the teams… Well, them and Kurotsuchi anyway.

Kurotsuchi held Yoa's gaze for as long as their positions allowed, a clear circle had been cleared around Kurotsuchi right after her earlier 'disagreement' with the Ame Nin. She didn't mind it, it suited everyone to know what she was about; in her book she was already a step ahead of everyone just for that.

"Sign your names, appoint a leader, and a name for your team if you desire." Temari parroted the sentence once more to the team.

The Ame trio did as they were told, signing their names in silence, choosing Runa as their leader, and writing out their usual name.

"Anything else?" Runa asked Temari on behalf of her team.

Temari once again scanned the sheet, and found no mistakes. She handed them their envelope. "You're all set, 'Nin Team K'. Follow your instructions and try to not be late next time."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Yoa replied while flashing Kurotsuchi a serious taunting look.

"Hell's sake, come on Yoa!" Kaori pulled him away, starting to get riled up by her teammate's antics. They left the hall shortly after.

"Alright, alright. Don't get impatient. We still have some teams left." Temari called the attention of the remaining teams.

"Speaking of which; Chūnin Team F, members: Karui, Hinata Hyūga, and Kurotsuchi." Temari got a bit of a grin after she read the names. She'd have to tease Shikamaru about it later on.

Hinata was nervous ever since she'd heard that they wouldn't be competing with their usual teammates, then she relaxed after she saw some of the Konoha Eleven (somehow she'd grew fonder of the nickname given to their class) getting teamed up just beforehand… Then she really freaked out when she realized there wasn't anyone else from her group of friends available anymore. Now? Now she was trying really hard not to show her cold feet in front of such imposing teammates…

"Alright! Now I have a team!" Kurotsuchi near hooted, fist-bumping Karui as soon as the two of them met up front.

"Hinata!" Kurotsuchi stepped over once the Hyūga arrived in the front, punching the air so her fist was open for Hinata to bump.

The Hyūga was… surprised to say the least.

"Kurotsuchi!" Karui stepped over as well, whispering (though still accidentally loud enough for Hinata to hear). "Hinata's Royalty in Konoha! What are you doing 'fisting' the air around her?!"

As if realization was a ten tons boulder hitting Kurotsuchi, the Iwa Nin panicked for a second. "Sorry, Hinata-Sama!" Kurotsuchi's arms flailed wildly at her sides. She bowed numerous times while blabbering some kind of apology. "Second Division! We worked together on the Second Division!" She tried to explain. "Remember us?! This is Karui, I'm Kurotsuchi!"

Karui, now trapped in some kind of 'amicable' headlock growled at Kurotsuchi. "I think she gets it!"

Hinata wasn't offended by… the 'air-fisting' as Karui had put it; she was just bewildered two Kunoichi's of their stature even remembered her! Much less they be excited to have her on their team!

"What?! N-No, no, no…" Hinata tried to clear everything up, but the words just didn't come out of her mouth.

"Ladies… Composure please." Temari deadpanned from her spot, hiding her amusement for the situation. "I still need your registration."

"Right!" Kurotsuchi released Karui, turning over to the desk to sing her name.

Karui signed her name and noticed Hinata had done the same, then she caught Kurotsuchi's eyes when their pens reached the 'Captain' line. "Just go ahead already…!"

Kurotsuchi slowly turned to Hinata, still quite embarrassed of her earlier behavior.

"Don't worry! It's perfect for me, Captain." Hinata offered sincerely with a smile, easing a lot of their tension from before then and there.

The new team captain nodded while smiling and signed herself.

"Second Division F…" Temari read, smiling. "I like the name. Here are your instructions, good luck, Ladies."

And just like that, the newest trio flickered out the hall and towards their rendezvous point.

"Alright." Temari stood next to Darui. Now both had joined all the participants right at the location written in the envelopes. "Forty-Fourth Training Ground, or as some people like to call it: 'Forest of Death'."

"Some of you may already know it from when Konoha hosted it's Chūnin Exams." Darui commented to all the gathered teams. "But don't think we'd even consider using a space like this again if there weren't some… surprises hidden in there."

"Just to give you some examples…" Temari smirked wickedly as she talked. "Kirigakure and Konohagakure lended us a half a dozen of their finest ANBU Hunters… each. They all have one specific order… to take down as many individuals or teams as they possibly can." Temari could already see the looks on the faces of the participants, there were some clear lackers on her eyes. "AND, volunteer Jōnins of each village offered the participation of contract-bidden summon creatures to roam around freely in the Forest as well."

"But most importantly of all." Darui spoke up. "Last time you were given one scroll of two available types, and your success depended on your team reaching the tower on the center of the Forest while in possession of the two types of scrolls." Darui informed all of those who hadn't participated on the last Chūnin Exams. "This time we scrapped all of that away. This is a Survival Test, and as such we will test both your team and individual abilities to Survive in a hostile environment."

"This time around we don't only have multiple Shinobi Sensors to keep track of every single team and individual inside the Forest. Technology has allowed us to also install numerous hidden cameras in undisclosed areas of the Forest; we will be watching you all closely, every single minute of every day, and you will be judged every single minute of everyday. For all intents and purposes we advise you to treat this space as a battlefield. How you chose to survive and confront the situations that will arise inside is entirely up to you; but remember, every one less team in the run is one more chance you have at actually making Jōnin rank."

"And now, on the topic of minutes and days…" Darui coughed, already feeling his throat call for a rest from all the talking of the day. "The objective of this Test is to survive inside the forest for 10 days—" He stopped for a second to let the words sink in. "—I'll repeat myself: In order to successfully complete this test, the entire team has to survive and be in perfect shape after 10 days in the forest. If only one individual of each team fails this test then the whole team will be considered as 'failed', and will no longer be able to continue participating in the Jōnin Exams."

If anything tension grew amongst the crowd of Chūnin, it had been three years since any of them had true action, three years without having to actually fear for your life, without feeling your blood pressure go up just before a fight, without feeling as if your heart was gonna explode inside your chest. These were all things a Shinobi needed to remain alive, and they were finally getting them; they may not have said so, they may not have smiled or cheered for the opportunity to kill and be killed once again… but deep down they all knew they needed this.

"You all have 5 minutes to gather yourselves, then you'll be required to go to the gate assigned to you in your personalized instructions and the First Test will start at once." Temari said, then smirked cockily. "Good luck."

"Well, that was something." Karui blurted once the Suna Proctor and her partner flickered out of view.

"We so got this." Kurotsuchi said with a smirk before craning and cracking her neck. "Don't you think so, Hinata?"

"Hinata?" Kurotsuchi started to look around for the missing Kunoichi. 'She didn't run away in fear… did she?' Kurotsuchi's mind rang silently.

"She's with Naruto." Karui deadpanned, nodding over to the couple.

"Naruto-Kun!" The Hyūga Heiress called as she speed-walked over to her newly-wed husband. Her arms wound up around his body as soon as she reached him. "You came! I thought you'd be with Hokage-Sama all week…!"

Naruto instantly reddened at the cheeks… ever since their wedding (and even a bit before that), Hinata seemed to blossom out of her cocoon, long forgotten was the insecure little girl that hid herself whenever possible, that was too afraid to spoke-up, that fainted by mere everyday-interactions… Everyone assumed it was Naruto's doing, that the start of their romantic relationship was what had done the deed; but he knew better than anyone that the two events were simultaneous rather than cause-and-effect of one another. She had blossomed on her own, and Naruto had noticed her because he finally stopped being an idiot for long enough to notice the enormous growth she was going through, he fell for her much harder than anyone possibly realized.

Naruto's arms finally found themselves wrapping around Hinata, a warm but joyous smile lacing his lips. "Of course I came, dattebayo!" Naruto happily chirped. "You're gonna become a Jōnin, Hinata!" Naruto spoke as if the fact was a dead certainty instead of a possibility.

Hinata felt warmth envelope her body completely, it was just so Naruto… he could light-up a whole village with just his presence. And his words (something he had grown to be a lot better at), made her heart jump inside her chest.

"You really think so, Naruto?" She asked as she raised her lavender eyes to look at his.

"I do." Naruto didn't hesitate even a bit, speaking a bit more quietly, but much more lovingly. "You can do anything you set your mind to, Hinata. And by that I don't mean 'everyone can', I mean you, Hinata Hyūga."

"Hinata Uzumaki…" The Heiress stated softly with a smile… Having said 'no' to one of Konoha's most prestigious clan-names had been a controversial decision amongst everyone. But she did so knowingly, she didn't want to be a Hyūga, not even it's most important member. Not after everything she'd learned about her clan, not after her uncle, not after… after Neji…

Naruto's eyes almost teared down then and there, but he blinked so away and leaned down to softly kiss her lips. A gesture that was more than well received by his wife, who responded to the kiss sweetly and unabashedly.

The Proctor's speech was either really well-rehearsed or they were simply good orators. One could practically smell the adrenaline pumping amongst the hungry Chūnin. And Nin Team K wasn't the exception.

"You already got our gate, right?" Kaori asked their leader.

"No. I forgot about it because I was shoving my finger up my-"

"HELL! What was that all bout'?!" Kaori deliberately interrupted Runa. "I was just asking! I don't want to know what you do with your fingers on your 'alone time'!"

"I was gonna say 'nose', you idiot! And that's what you get for doubting me!" Runa replied automatically.

Yoa was pretty much about to cackle at his teammates, the only reason he didn't do so was because he didn't want to openly mock his friends and allies in front of every single team they were about to face. He knew they had a bit of a reputation going on, and it was better they kept it that way.

"Yo', how about we-" Yoa was about to advise Kaori and Runa to stop fighting and go to the gate already since they didn't have anything to take care off before the test. But a subtle 'ruckus' made him and his aforementioned teammates look the same way most of the people there were looking.

"Is that-" Runa asked with raised eyebrows.

"He is." Kaori replied while glaring at Konoha's Orange-Cladded Hero.

The tension looming over the trio was as heavy and thick as they remembered ever feeling. He was the one that had killed their leader after all—a tyrant to many (them included), a sanguinary tyrant that had inflicted as much terror and chaos into Amegakure as he did peace and prosperity—he (Naruto) had been the one that inadvertently sentenced their Village to suffer for the upcoming years without the guard of a 'Tyrant' to chase away opportunistic bandits and delinquents, to provide them with just enough to not waste away of illness and hunger… The Naruto indirectly killed thousands of people, thousands of their people.

And it was the first time they ever stood in front of a giant like that, in front of someone who had slayed 'Gods' and Demons alike…

And it showed, they weren't the only ones actively watching the man, albeit most were trying to do it discreetly, but they still did. He was nothing short of a hero of his own amongst heroes, and here he was surrounded by people his age or around it; and he'd done more by that point than most everyone would do on their whole lives combined.

He was surreal for most everyone there, even old-friends couldn't help but see Naruto on another light after the war, he was the literal saviour of everyone, friend or foe. He was someone to be respected and looked up to by everyone… Only a fool would do otherwise.

"Hey-" a figured moved and pushed its way out of the crowd. "Yes you."

Hinata and Naruto separated from their embrace when someone approached them, neither seemed to recognize the person.

"Uh, h-hi…!" Naruto stepped around Hinata and offered his hand to shake.

Kaori slapped Naruto's hand away, soon enough she found herself face to face with Konoha's Hero, having to look up just enough to make for the good 8 inches of height Naruto had on her.

Naruto's eyebrows scrunched in surprise, a small frown forming on his face. "Wha-"

"How goes it, big guy? How have these past few years been treating you?" Kaori asked with a straight phony smile on her face.

Now Naruto knew something was wrong with this woman. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"OH- But you do!" Kaori snarled. "You know how many of my friends died because of you?"

Now it was a full-on frown on Naruto's face, he didn't like being on the receiving end of a vague accusation like that. "What friends? What do you mean? I don't even know you!"

"But I know you!" Kaori pushed Naruto with one hand, as if possessed. "You're the hero! Slaying the false God Pain and saving your Village! Congratulations!" Kaori mockfully 'cheered' Naruto.

Yoa and Runa knew that this was far from the right place, time, or really ANYTHING! They quickly reached Kaori and forcefully tugged her back.

"Naruto! Are you alright?" Hinata quickly questioned Naruto after he'd regained his footing from the unexpected push.

"Yes, I just don't know what's going on…" He replied, as the loud Kaori started to struggle against her teammates. He had been far too distracted and taken by surprise to expect a hit from the other Kunoichi.

"Curse you, Naruto Uzumaki!" Kaori yelled at the top of her lungs. Runa and Yoa exchanged a confused and concerned look with each other, it wasn't like Kaori to explode like this. "You're a genocidal freak!"

Fighting was one thing, causing trouble before a test was a thing; but accusing and attacking the most beloved hero in the world was another, and Runa knew this could easily blow out of proportion quickly.

"Let me go!" Kaori struggled against Yoa's grip, he had never seen her like that. It scared him, and he didn't hide so; he used a hand to grab her face and look her in the eye.

"Kaori… Stop… Stop, please." He firmly and literally pleaded.

Runa felt Kaori begin to relax, but she didn't have enough time to do so herself before both Proctors appeared between them and Naruto in a flash. A katana and a fan at the ready.

"Your five minutes are up, Team K. Go to your gate." Darui ordered in a tone that left little room to argue.

That didn't sit well with either Runa or Yoa, but they also knew that this wasn't the time to try and prove a point. They took advantage of Kaori's lapse in strength and flickered out of view in less than a flash, dragging their teammate with them.

Temari was right at Naruto and Hinata's side. "That goes for all of you as well! Everyone to your gate now!" She shouted, and was rewarded with immediate movement from all teams but Hinata's.

"Hinata?" Kurotsuchi asked as she waved her over, half expecting her to reject their leave.

"Go…! Don't worry about me! I'm okay, dattebayo!" Naruto's mood made a 180 at the sight of Hinata's indecision. "If you don't hurry I will become a Jōnin before you!"

That last kind-of 'inside joke' made Hinata crack a smile, who nodded to Naruto and pecked his cheek before running away with her teammates, eliciting relieved reactions from both Kurotsuchi and Karui.

Now that Naruto's primary concern was dealt with and Hinata was well on her way his; distraught look and composure came back. He looked over at Temari, silently conveying his questions to her.

Temari shared a glance with Darui, who simply nodded to her and then flickered away to his position as Proctor.

"Let me take you to Shikamaru. He'll be able to answer whatever questions you have right now." Temari offered Naruto. "But we need to go fast, I have a Test to take care of."

And off they went.

"Stop jittering, Lee!" Kiba complained and nudged his leader away from him.

"I can't Kiba-Kun! I'm ready for all of us to become Jōnin as soon as the test starts!" Rock Lee hooted loudly, eliciting a chuckle out of Matsuri's mouth.

"Let's just worry about this test first…" The Suna Kunoichi muttered before the loud booming voice of Darui was heard through the whole forest and through their gate.

'Attention, Participants:—'

'—You've all been given your instructions by now,—'

"Hai!" Chōjūrō loudly replied to the speaker installed on the gate. "Ready, Team Mist?"

"Ready!" Both Ruka and Kiri asserted their leader.

Kurotsuchi clashed both her fists together, she rolled her shoulders idly and locked her eyes right ahead of her and her team. She wasn't looking at the wire gate, nor at the deep savage forest already roaring menacingly; she wasn't even thinking about a Shinobi Rank, she had bigger things in mind, she had her proud nation's future resting on her shoulders! It all had changed so suddenly with just a couple of words from her grandfather; she was the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage and a direct descendant of the First Tsuchikage, taking care of the people in Iwa was on her blood, she couldn't let all of them down. Failure wasn't an option for her. "Let's go show them how it's done!"

"Right on!" Karui nodded, already locked in.

"Hai, Captain!" Hinata turned on her Byakugan; she would no longer be the dainty defenseless Kunoichi falling short, this time she meant business.

'—You're all prepared,—'

Omoi knew better than anyone that lots of things could go wrong from here on out, that lives could be lost and that terrible disasters could befall any of them… But now wasn't the time for that. Now was the time for him to toughen-up and lead his team to victory. His days of being seen as a runt-of-the-mill Shinobi were now behind him.

"You know your positions, Team Shinomoi. Let's execute out there." Omoi called, slipping a pop in his mouth.

Ino and Shino exchanged a glance and smiled softly at each other, they were old friends, they had gone through numerous missions with each other as Konoha shinobi, and they survived a war on their own right. They wouldn't let the other down so far down the line.

'—So as soon as the gates buzz open—'

'Good luck, Ino; and Shikamaru, you better get ready, because before long you won't be the only Jōnin in the Ino-Shika-Cho formation!' Chōji gave himself that last moment of peace to wish his friend good luck and center himself. This Exams were no joke, they had told them so time and time again. And he wasn't about to make a joke of himself or his team. Even if his life depended on it.

Yukata took her own moment to steel herself, she was of a handful trusted by Lord Gaara to take part in the Exams. She had to prove him right! She could not let Lord Gaara down like this! For her it was Jōnin or nothing else!

Tenten noticed the focused faces of her teammates and smiled softly… she wasn't as stressed as them, she somehow didn't feel anxious or jittery like she used to do before missions or an upcoming battle… She just didn't feel so hard anymore, she didn't care as much, didn't think so loud… She had been incomplete ever since the war. And everyone knew why. She knew why…

'Hey… if everything else fails we'll catch-up, right?' Tenten thought as she looked upwards to the sky.

'—The Shinobi Union Jōnin Exams will commence.—'

Runa was still somewhat shaken up by Kaori's outburst, this wasn't the ideal time for any of them to have a mental breakdown. And she would lie if she said she didn't feel like having one right now, she had dragged her team this far, she had put her life and that of her friends on the line. She was responsible for them, whether they acknowledge it or not, she was a leader about to lead her friends into true danger, danger they had only faced a couple of times on their lives.

Kaori herself didn't know all too well what had happened back then… But she was unapologetic about it, she was just so angry! She's always so angry! She's tired of having to pretend any of them have a normal life anymore! She's beyond pretending their Village is not infected with a disease that won't ever be cured… No matter how hard they try...

Yoa felt tired; tired of having to take care of thousands of lives back home in a place where all they can do about it is get into fistfights, he's tired of pretending they are making a difference for people that forget their faces as quickly as they can because what they need is bread and pills, not fists and jutsu… Yes, he hates Naruto and his village for pulling the trigger of a gun that had been loading itself on bullets since its inception. He hates this Shinobi Union, and he hated Pain, and he couldn't give a damn about Hanzo, and he hates that Kurotsuchi girl and everything she stands for… He's so filled with hate and rage and aggression threatening to burst out; he's forgotten the last time he didn't feel like yelling his lungs out and punching his fists bare to the bone. It's been years since the last time he felt a sliver of hope in his heart; but there's one thing he does not hate: his friends, that Praying Girl, and that Female Hanzo that had accepted him into their little family without question… And as much as he tried he didn't hate the people of Amegakure, his people; Yoa tried to hide it every time, because it isn't for a Shinobi to show weakness, it isn't for a soldier to flinch at a corpse or to hesitate in front of death his teammates never showed it so neither should he; but every time a child died of hunger and they buried the body a string inside his heart snapped, everytime an old man died of fucking fever another string went out, every time he sees a dog bare to the bone and a pale lady sharing her one piece of bread with it two strings go out…

He hates that he has to do this, but if he has to walk on his knees and kiss the feet of every person of the 'Great Five Shinobi Nations' to save the doomed life of his people on Amegakure then he'll do so without a doubt. If this is the only way for them to feed and treat the victims back home, to keep other children from following their path… then he'll go right through Every-Single-Person standing in his way to do so…

'—Good Luck—.'

And with a loud buzz every Gate in Training Ground 44 burst open.

To be continued...