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Chapter 17: Before the Exams Begin
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The streets of Konoha were alive with an unspoken tension. Shinobi from all over the Elemental Nations filled the village, each group representing a different style, philosophy, and strength. The upcoming Chunin Exams were on everyone's minds, and the village buzzed with excitement.
Team 7 walked together through the bustling streets. The five months since the Land of Waves had brought about visible growth in the trio. Naruto walked with a calm confidence, his once-clumsy movements now fluid and purposeful. Sasuka moved with the poise of a seasoned kunoichi, her red eyes scanning the crowd with calculated precision. Sakura, though quieter, exuded a quiet determination, her focus evident in the subtle way her eyes flitted to potential threats.
Naruto adjusted his headband as they turned a corner. "Man, there are so many shinobi here. It's like a festival or something!"
"Try not to make a fool of yourself," Sasuka said, her tone more teasing than harsh.
"Relax, Princess. I've got this under control," Naruto replied, smirking.
Before Sasuka could retort, a shrill voice called out from ahead.
"Hey, Boss!"
Naruto looked up just in time to see Konohamaru and his gang—Moegi and Udon—charging toward him.
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The Konohamaru Incident
Konohamaru skidded to a halt in front of Naruto, his oversized scarf flapping dramatically in the wind. "You've gotta teach me something cool for the exams! Something that'll make me look awesome!"
Naruto chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair. "You've got a long way to go before you're ready for the exams, squirt. But keep at it, and you'll get there."
"Aw, come on! At least show me a super-awesome jutsu!"
As Naruto was about to reply, Konohamaru bumped into a tall, dark-clad figure. The man's pale green eyes narrowed dangerously as he grabbed the boy by his scarf, lifting him effortlessly off the ground.
"Watch where you're going, brat," the man growled.
Naruto's grin vanished as he stepped forward. "Hey, put him down. Now."
The man sneered but didn't release Konohamaru. A blonde-haired girl with a large fan strapped to her back and a towering figure wrapped in bandages watched silently.
Sasuka moved beside Naruto, her Sharingan flashing to life. "You heard him."
The tension escalated until a soft, almost eerie voice cut through the air. "Kankuro, that's enough."
All eyes turned to a boy with crimson hair and an unusual tattoo above his left eye. A massive gourd was strapped to his back, and his gaze was as cold as ice.
"Kankuro, stop embarrassing us," the red-haired boy said, his tone calm but menacing.
Kankuro reluctantly dropped Konohamaru, muttering under his breath.
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the red-haired boy. "And who are you supposed to be?"
The boy met Naruto's gaze without flinching. "Gaara of the Sand. Remember that name."
The atmosphere was electric, but before anything more could happen, a puff of smoke appeared, and Kakashi materialized.
"Let's move along, kids. Save the fights for the exams," he said casually, but his sharp tone left no room for argument.
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Meeting the Rookies
The next morning, Team 7 arrived at the academy for the first phase of the exams. The hallways were crowded with Genin teams, many of whom eyed each other warily.
"Looks like everyone's here," Naruto said, scanning the room.
As they walked in, they spotted familiar faces—Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji stood together, chatting casually. Hinata, Kiba, and Shino were nearby, while Rock Lee, Neji, and Tenten stood with an air of confidence.
"Hey, Naruto!" Ino called out, waving enthusiastically.
Naruto grinned. "Hey, Ino-pig. Ready to lose?"
"Dream on!" she shot back.
Sasuka, meanwhile, exchanged a polite nod with Neji, who acknowledged her with a faint smirk. Sakura was deep in conversation with Hinata, who blushed furiously at Naruto's occasional glances.
Shikamaru sighed and approached Naruto. "Man, this whole thing is such a drag. But I guess we've gotta do it."
"Don't worry," Naruto replied. "You'll do fine. Just try not to sleep through it."
Kiba barked out a laugh from nearby. "You better worry about yourself, Naruto. Akamaru and I are gonna crush the competition!"
Naruto smirked. "Bring it on, dog boy."
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The Written Exam
The teams were eventually herded into a large exam room. Rows of desks stretched across the space, each equipped with a single sheet of paper. Proctors stood at the front, their presence alone enough to intimidate the Genin.
At the center was Ibiki Morino, his scarred face a testament to the dangers of the shinobi life.
"This is the first phase of the Chunin Exams," Ibiki announced, his voice commanding absolute silence. "You'll have one hour to complete the test. Cheating will not be tolerated. If you're caught, your entire team will be disqualified."
Naruto sat down, his heart steady despite the high stakes. The questions on the paper were complex, far beyond the level of a typical Genin.
"Focus," Kurama's voice growled in his mind. "This test isn't about answering the questions. It's about how you get the answers."
Naruto glanced around, observing as other teams employed subtle techniques. Sasuka's Sharingan was already active, copying answers with flawless precision. Sakura, as expected, relied on her sharp intellect to tackle the questions herself.
Naruto smirked. "Guess it's time to get creative."
He formed a tiny shadow clone beneath the desk, which slipped unnoticed toward Sasuka's paper to copy her answers.
When the final question was revealed—a choice between risking permanent failure or quitting—Naruto stood confidently.
"I'm not quitting," he said firmly. "I don't care what the risks are. I came here to win, and I'm not backing down now."
His declaration sparked a wave of determination among the other Genin, and when the proctors revealed that the test had been about their resolve, Team 7 passed with ease.
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Author's Note:
Here's the newest chapter, diving into the buildup before the exams and the first phase itself. I wanted to highlight the growing camaraderie among the Rookie 9 and the tension with the Sand Siblings. Let me know what you think, and stay tuned for the next part!