In Bloom and in Battle

by Privation

After an untimely death, a woman awakens in a world she knows only from manga and anime—Naruto. Reborn as Kimiko Yuhi, the younger sister of Kurenai, she must navigate her new life in the Hidden Leaf Village, grappling with the disorientation of infancy and the reality of a ninja's world.

17. Chapter 17: Wildflower Chuunin Exam II

Chapter 17: Wildflower (Chuunin Exam, Part II, First Test)

The moment Kimiko stepped into the room, she felt it.

The weight of their gazes.

Sharp, scrutinizing eyes bore down on them from every direction, sizing them up. The entire room was packed with shinobi. Dozens upon dozens of ninjas from different villages, each wearing distinct headbands and colors. They lined the walls, loitered in corners, and filled every available space, talking quietly or glaring at new arrivals.

Kimiko stood at the center of it all, holding both Sasuke's and Naruto's hands. Their presence didn't go unnoticed. Whispers and quiet remarks rippled through the crowd like a pebble dropped in still water.

But none of them flinched. Not Kimiko. Not Naruto. Not Sasuke.

They stared right back, matching every gaze with unwavering calm, still as statues. One by one, the challengers looked away, feigning disinterest or admitting defeat. Their whispers grew softer.

Kimiko smirked, tossing her hair lightly. Looks like the staring contest is ours.

"I knew there'd be a lot of them," Kimiko remarked, scanning the crowd with a slow, lazy glance. "But I didn't think it'd be this crowded."

"Yeah, and some of 'em look pretty tough," Naruto muttered, his eyes darting from one shinobi to the next.

"Hmph," grunted Sasuke. "No Mist-nin. Wonder if Kirigakure decided to sit this one out."

Kimiko glanced at him. He noticed that? She'd been wondering the same thing, though she had a personal reason. She still hadn't forgotten about Haku and Zabuza. Wonder if they made it back to the Mist... or if they're even alive.

"Anyway," she said, brushing those thoughts aside, "let's grab some seats—"

"Sasuke, where have you been?!"

The familiar, excitable voice of Ino Yamanaka cut through the hum of the crowded room like a thrown kunai. Kimiko glanced to the side just in time to see a blonde blur racing toward them.

Before Sasuke could react, Ino latched onto him from behind, her arms snaking around his neck as she clung to him like a vine. Her cheek pressed against his, far too close for comfort, and she tilted her head just enough to look at him with a playful, wide grin.

"You have no idea how much I hoped you'd show up here," Ino purred, her voice sugary sweet. "I missed those brooding, good looks of yours, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke's shoulders went stiff, his hands twitching at his sides. His jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed like he was fighting every urge in his body not to throw her off. Beside him, Kimiko giggled, squeezing his hand still firmly held in her own. Sasuke glanced at her, his scowl deepening.

"Boy, oh boy," Kimiko teased. "They just flock to you, huh?"

Ino's eyes flicked to Kimiko's hand intertwined with Sasuke's, her bright smile dimming for half a second. But as soon as she noticed Kimiko was also holding Naruto's hand on her other side, her grin returned, sharp and wide.

"Kimiko-chan!" she chirped, slipping off Sasuke like she hadn't just been all over him. "Back on your feet already? Not even poison could keep you down, huh?" She eyed Kimiko up and down, taking note of her loose ponytail and the soft, curly strands framing her face. Her grin grew wider. "I love what you did with your hair. It looks gorgeous on you!"

Kimiko flipped her hair with a playful flick of her fingers, smiling warmly. "Of course, Ino. It takes more than a little poison to stop me. And thanks—you're looking just as pretty as ever."

Ino preened under the compliment, brushing her bangs behind her ear. "Heh, well, of course I am."

Sasuke sighed heavily, letting his head drop forward like he'd given up on life entirely.

"Oh, it's you guys," drawled a familiar, sluggish voice.

Shikamaru Nara strolled toward them, hands buried deep in his pockets, his expression halfway between bored and irritated. Beside him, Choji Akimichi walked at a slower pace, focused entirely on the bag of potato chips in his hand. Shikamaru glanced at Kimiko, Sasuke, and Naruto, letting out a long, suffering sigh.

"Ugh, I knew this whole thing would be a drag, but I didn't think it'd be this lame," he muttered, looking away as if he were already exhausted just by being in the room.

"Oh, look," Naruto grinned, leaning forward with his hands on his hips. "It's the Three Stooges."

Shikamaru's eyes rolled to Naruto with the lethargy of a man forced to get up too early. "Oi, you wanna say that again, pipsqueak?" He didn't even sound mad. Just done. "Actually, nevermind. Not worth it."

"Thought so," Naruto snickered, crossing his arms.

Meanwhile, Choji finally noticed Kimiko and waved at her, his face brightening like the sun breaking through clouds.

"Kimiko-chan! Nice to see you again!" he called out, his voice as warm as a campfire.

"It's very nice to see you too, Choji," Kimiko said pleasantly, giving him a small, gentle wave. Her smile was genuine—Choji always had a way of bringing it out of her. "You never did return the bento box after I cooked for you, you know."

Choji froze mid-bite, eyes going wide with guilt. "O-Oh! Sorry! I swear I'll bring it back after the exams!" he promised, clutching his chip bag like it was a lifeline.

Kimiko chuckled, her eyes crinkling with amusement. He's just too sweet for his own good. Out of all of Team 10, Choji was the one she had the easiest time liking. Back when she only knew them from the anime, Shikamaru had been her favorite—but in real life? Dealing with him up close, his laziness was somehow even more unbearable. How could someone this smart be so unwilling to apply himself?

Shikamaru, noticing her gaze, scratched the back of his head with a half-hearted grunt. "What?" he muttered, not even looking at her.

"Nothing," she replied, still smiling.

"Well, well, well," came a familiar, cocky voice from behind them. "What do we have here?"

The sound of soft, rhythmic paw-steps accompanied the voice. Kiba Inuzuka strolled toward them, his usual wild grin in place, while Akamaru sat perched on top of his head, his little tongue hanging out. Shino Aburame followed behind them, his face hidden behind his high collar and dark glasses, silent as ever.

"Kimiko-chan!" came a soft, more familiar voice. Kimiko turned just in time to catch Hinata Hyuga making a beeline straight for her. Her hands were held in front of her as she moved quickly, her face bright with relief and joy.

The moment Hinata reached her, she wrapped her arms around Kimiko in a tight hug. Kimiko returned it just as tightly, even planting a soft kiss on her cheek, something she always did for Hinata to embarrass her just a little.

"Kimiko-chan," Hinata whispered, her head resting on Kimiko's shoulder. "It's so good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Hina-chan," Kimiko replied warmly.

Hinata pulled back, glancing shyly at Naruto. The moment her eyes landed on him, her whole face turned pink. She tucked her hands behind her back, fidgeting as she glanced at the ground.

"H-Hi, Naruto-kun," Whispered Hinata after, glancing at Naruto.

"Hrm?" Naruto glanced toward Hinata, his brow raised in mild confusion.

Hinata tensed like a startled rabbit, her hands fidgeting nervously in front of her. Her white, opal-like eyes darted away from him, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. She looked ready to vanish on the spot.

"I-I s-said… hi, Naruto," she stammered, barely audible.

"Oh," Naruto said, tilting his head before giving her a wide grin. "Hi, Hinata-chan!"

Kimiko's eyes flicked to Hinata, and with a subtle squeeze of her shoulder, she silently urged her to stay calm. Breathe, Hinata. You're doing fine.

Hinata glanced back up, her blush somehow growing even deeper. Her eyes darted away again, her gaze suddenly very interested in a crack in the wall. Poor girl. Kimiko thought, hiding a small smile behind her hand.

"You guys too, huh?" drawled Shikamaru from behind them like he was assessing the weather, hands buried in his pockets. "Man, this is such a drag. Everybody's here for this stupid thing."

"Yup," Kiba chimed in with his usual cocky grin. Akamaru barked once from atop Kiba's head as if agreeing. "Look at that, all of us are here. The Nine Rookies, together again." He leaned back on his heels, arms crossed, a sharp grin tugging at his face. "This is gonna be fun… at least for those of us good enough to make the cut, right, Sasuke?"

Sasuke shot him a side glance, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, his lips pulled into a lopsided smirk. "Kiba, careful you don't get overconfident. It'd be embarrassing."

Kimiko's eyes flicked between them, catching the subtle edge of Kiba's grin sharpening. She felt Naruto tense up on her other side. Oh, boy.

"Just wait," Kiba said, his grin never faltering. "We're gonna blow you guys away. We've been training like crazy."

Naruto snorted, pulling his hands behind his head. "Tch, what do you think we've been doing?" He leaned forward, his grin wide with pride. "We literally finished an A-rank mission. Youngest to do it in, like, forever, you know!"

Kiba's grin cracked, his eyes narrowing. "Tch. I heard all about that mission," he muttered, his tone less playful now. "A-rank missions might not be all that hard if someone like you managed to finish it."

There it was. The bite.

Naruto's eyes flashed with irritation, his smile vanishing like a puff of smoke. Kimiko felt the subtle shift in him as his shoulders tensed.

Maybe it also irked her.

"Oh?" she asked sweetly, tilting her head with curiosity. "How many A-rank missions have you completed, Kiba?"

Her eyes met his dead-on, unflinching and serene like still water. Kiba's cocky grin faltered again, his eyes darting to the side. His mouth opened as if to reply, but no words came out. Exactly.

"D-D-Don't mind Kiba!" Hinata stepped forward, her hands raised as if to defuse a bomb. Her voice was soft but urgent. "I'm sure he d-didn't mean anything by it. Right, K-Kiba?" She turned to him, her gaze pleading.

Kiba clicked his tongue, eyes narrowing at the ground. "Whatever," he muttered.

Naruto's eyes shifted toward Hinata, his brows raising slightly. He looked at her—not just glanced at her, but looked at her. His face shifted from annoyance to something more thoughtful, almost curious. He blinked slowly, his gaze softer than usual.

Kimiko's eyes darted between them, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She knew that look. Oh, she knew that look too well.

Oh no.

It's happening.

It wasn't supposed to happen this early. Naruto was noticing Hinata. And Hinata, bless her heart, didn't know what to do with herself. Her gaze flicked away like she was afraid it would burn her if she looked at him for too long, her cheeks now scarlet red. Naruto kept looking at her, like something about her was just now clicking in his head. His eyes lingered for a second longer than they needed to, and then he scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Naruto mumbled, looking away with his usual grin, but his eyes didn't have the same wild spark they usually did.

Oh, boy, Kimiko thought, watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and concern. Did I just accidentally speed up the timeline on Naruto realizing he likes Hinata?

She glanced at Hinata, who was still blushing so hard it looked like she might pass out. ...Yeah. I think I did.

"Shino," Kimiko called, her gaze flicking to the quiet boy crouched near the floor, his eyes following a small beetle crawling along the edge of the room. "You okay?"

"I am okay," Shino replied calmly, his voice as steady as ever. "Why? Because I've just saved a bug from being crushed." He stood, adjusting his coat with a subtle shift of his shoulders. His opaque glasses caught the dim light. "I am glad to see you've recovered from your poisoning ordeal. Your sister told us all about that."

Kimiko's lips curled into a soft smile. "Thank you for your concern, Shino."

Before Shino could reply, a new voice cut through the air.

"Hey, you guys." It was casual but distinct enough to catch attention. Kimiko didn't react at first, assuming it was meant for someone else in the crowded, tense room.

"You might want to keep it down a little," the unfamiliar voice continued, louder now, closer. "You're the nine rookies, right? Fresh out of the Academy—What?"

Her gaze shifted like a knife finding its mark. Her heart stopped for a fraction of a second. She locked eyes with the speaker, his face coming into sharp, immediate clarity.

Him.

Kabuto Yakushi.

Her breath was still. Her muscles tightened under her sleeves, and a rush of ice-cold focus flooded her senses. Traitor. Liar. Orochimaru's spy. Resurrectionist of the dead. Desecrator of heroes. The man who would play God with the corpses of legends. Responsible for the death of tens and thousands of Shinobi because of his delusions.

Her fingers twitched as if itching for the familiar grip of her tanto.

Her gaze didn't waver for even a moment, and she noticed the way Naruto, Sasuke, and the others glanced at her, each of them catching on to her unusually hard stare.

"What do you want?" Kimiko's voice was quiet but firm, like the pressure of water just before it broke a dam. Her eyes locked on his face with sharp, cutting focus.

Kabuto blinked, feigning surprise. "Oh, sorry," he said with an apologetic smile, his hands raised disarmingly. "Didn't mean to startle you. It's just that… you rookies are kinda making a spectacle of yourselves." His eyes flicked across the room, gesturing toward the subtle, watchful gazes of other ninja groups. "Look around. Everyone's watching you. See the group behind you? They're from Amegakure, and trust me, you do not want them to—"

"It's polite to introduce yourself first," Kimiko interrupted, her eyes narrowing. "Before forcing your presence on a group of friends."

Her tone made Naruto and Sasuke exchange a look. Ino's brows lifted. Kiba tilted his head, curious. Even Shikamaru, usually half-asleep, raised his head to glance her way.

Kabuto's smile twitched, a brief flicker of something darker before he corrected it. "Ah, you're right. My mistake." He gave a small bow, his hands on his knees like he was being polite to a child. "The name's Kabuto Yakushi. Sorry if I came off too strong." His gaze slid to Kimiko like oil on water. "You're pretty on edge, huh? I get it. First-timers usually are. That's why I wanted to offer some advice—"

"And who exactly are you to be giving us advice?" Kimiko cut him off coldly. Her eyes didn't blink, didn't flinch. Her voice didn't rise, but her words landed like falling stones.

The shift was palpable. The others glanced between her and Kabuto, confusion flickering across their faces. Naruto frowned, glancing at Kimiko like she'd grown a second head, one hand on the small of her back. Sasuke's eyes darted toward her, his grip returning on her hand and firming ever so slightly.

"If you'd let me finish," Kabuto said, his polite mask beginning to crack. "This is my seventh time taking the Chuunin Exams. I've been through it all before, and I figured I'd help you guys out. No harm in sharing some insight, right?"

"Seven times, huh?" Kimiko's eyes narrowed, tilting her head just a bit. "So you're saying you failed it six times already?" She raised her eyebrows, her voice filled with polite, mock confusion. "You expect us to trust advice from someone who can't even pass the test they're teaching us about?"

Kiba coughed, covering a snicker with his hand. Ino let out a little giggle.

Kabuto's smile grew tight, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. "Well, it's not that simple." His words came slower now, more calculated. "The Chuunin Exams are unpredictable. It's not just skill, but luck, strategy, teamwork—"

"And you've failed at all three of those things, huh?" Kimiko tilted her head, her gaze cool and even. "Doesn't sound like someone worth listening to."

The air grew heavier. Everyone was looking at them now.

"Alright, fine," Kabuto said, raising his hands like he was calling for peace. "I get it, you're skeptical. I get it. But I've got something I bet you will want." He reached into his pouch, pulling out a deck of oddly marked cards. "These are my Ninja Info Cards. They're filled with intelligence on everyone taking the Chuunin Exams. Stats, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and more. You name it, I've got it." His eyes flickered back to Kimiko. "Want to see?"

Kimiko didn't move. Her eyes lingered on him for a heartbeat too long.

"How much?" she asked calmly.

Kabuto's grin returned. "Oh, they're not for sale. They're locked with my chakra signature. No one but me can access them."

"Convenient," Kimiko muttered. "So no one can verify the accuracy of your 'intelligence,' huh? How convenient for you." Her eyes met his again, and she could see the subtle flicker of his patience fraying.

"No, no, I assure you, these aren't forgeries." Kabuto's voice was smooth like silk, but the sharp edges of it were starting to show. "This is all real, firsthand knowledge."

Kimiko's gaze didn't move. "If you're saying they're locked to your chakra signature, and you're offering them for free, then that means one of two things." She took a slow step forward, her tone as steady as a slow-moving river.

"Either the information is garbage..." Her eyes narrowed. "...or you're looking for something else. Maybe baiting us to get our information? Peddle them off to the next group?"

Sasuke's head slowly turned toward Kabuto, eyes narrowing like a hawk tracking prey. Naruto's grin faded.

Kimiko leaned in ever so slightly, just enough for her voice to lower. "Tell me, Yakushi-senpai. Which one is it?"

The moment stretched like pulled wire, taut and brittle.

Kabuto's lips thinned. His mask didn't break, but for a split second, Kimiko caught it — the sharp glint of irritation in his gaze.

He didn't like that. Good.

Naruto and Sasuke shifted, stepping closer to Kimiko's sides, like guards flanking a queen. Hinata tucked in closer to her, her gaze flicking nervously between Kimiko and Kabuto. Ino glanced between them, previous amusement gone, her brows knit in confusion, and Shikamaru straightened up from his slouch, his eyes narrowing as he watched Kimiko in quiet thought.

"Kimiko…" Naruto whispered, eyes flicking between her and Kabuto. "Do you… know this guy or something?"

Kimiko didn't answer. Her eyes stayed locked on Kabuto. She didn't flinch. She didn't blink.

"Tell you what," Kabuto said suddenly, "I'll let you guys pick three of these cards, free of charge. Then I'll head back to my team. Once you see they're legit, you're free to come talk to me if you want more." His smile stretched a little too wide. "Sound fair?"

Kimiko's eyes narrowed, red-ringed irises scrutinizing him like a blade testing armor for weak points. "Three, huh? How generous."

He's banking on us not knowing what to ask for. Kimiko tilted her head, her mind running through every bit of knowledge she had about this moment in time. Unlucky for you, Yakushi, I know exactly what to ask for.

"Four," Kimiko said, her tone light but unwavering.

Kabuto blinked, his smile thinning. "Two," he countered.

"Four," Kimiko repeated, her voice as steady,

There was a pause. Kabuto tilted his head, gazing at her as if reassessing. His eyes crinkled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Three." His tone had a finality to it. "That's my final offer."

Kimiko tilted her head, pretending to consider it for a heartbeat longer than necessary. Then, with a small, victorious smile, she replied, "Alright. The first thing I want is information on which villages sent genin and how many they sent."

The smile on Kabuto's face didn't waver, but his hands stalled.

"Why that one?" he asked, his tone still casual, but there was a flicker of something sharp beneath it.

Kimiko's eyes met his with chilling calm. "Isn't it obvious?" she said plainly, "The Chuunin Exams aren't just a test of skill. They're a measure of power. Each village tracks how many genin are being fielded and from which nations. Knowing who sent the most genin tells us where alliances might form, which teams are likely to cooperate with each other, and which teams might already be planning something." She let that sink in. "I'm sure someone as 'experienced' as you would know that."

For the first time, there was no clever retort from Kabuto. His lips pressed together briefly before he chuckled, eyes closed like he was amused. "Of course." He reached into his pouch, pulling a blank card and pressing his fingers on it. Glowing symbols scrawled across its surface, then solidified into text. He handed it to her. "Here you go."

Kimiko accepted it with a nod, her eyes flicking down to the card, but she didn't look at it just yet. No point in letting him know she valued it.

"Next," said Sasuke, stepping forward with a quiet authority. "Do you have information regarding specific people?"

Kabuto smirked, "Yes, if you can give me a description or a n-

His eyes never left Kabuto's face. "Gaara of the Sand."

Kabuto raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. He pressed his palm to another blank card, the same glow of chakra flowing into it. "Here." He handed it off to Sasuke, "Careful, that one's bad news according to what little we know."

"I'll be the judge of that," said Sasuke, he eyed the card briefly before tucking it away.

"Last one," Kabuto said, holding up a final blank card. "What'll it be, princess?"

Kimiko didn't hesitate. "Neji Hyuga."

The grin on Kabuto's face stretched so wide it could have cracked. "So you're scouting your competition, huh?" His voice had an edge to it now, a teasing lilt that sounded just a little forced.

"Just being thorough," Kimiko said, her voice carrying the edge of a command.

Kabuto placed his fingers on the card, eyes flicking up to her as he pressed in his chakra. "You're sharp. I like that." He handed it to her, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment too long. "Hope it helps."

Kimiko gave him a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It will. Thanks for your generosity, Yakushi." She turned on her heel, her hands now gripping the cards. "Come on, guys. His team's probably waiting for him, and I doubt he wants to keep them waiting."

Her words weren't loud, but they rang out clearly in the crowded room. Shikamaru glanced at her, his eyes sharper than they'd been all day. Kiba raised an eyebrow, his grin flickering into something more thoughtful.

The entire group — Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Shino — followed her without question.

Shikamaru caught up to her side. "You're playing hardball today, huh?" he muttered, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "Not your usual play."

"She's got more steel than you think," Naruto chimed in, his voice proud. He glanced over at Kimiko, his grin wide and his eyes full of open admiration. "But you're never mean to people unless they deserve it, Kimiko-chan. Why were you so sharp with him?"

Kimiko felt his hand squeeze hers, and she squeezed back, moving her other hand to grip his arm.

"I don't like him," she said simply, her eyes flicking toward Sasuke, who had his hands in his pockets, gaze forward. "It's a feeling I trust."

"That's it?" Kiba muttered from behind, his hands shoved into his hoodie pockets. "A feeling?"

Kimiko glanced back over her shoulder, "Sometimes that's all you need."

Sasuke hummed softly in agreement, but his eyes were still on Kabuto's retreating figure.

"Suspicious guy like that shows up out of nowhere offering free intel?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his jaw tense. "Yeah, I don't like him either. You're sharp as always."

Kimiko's gaze softened as she glanced over at him. Her fingers brushed against his cheek before gently pinching it. "Good instincts, Sasuke-kun. You're learning."

Sasuke jerked his head away, frowning, but blushing all the same. "Knock it off."

Ino, who had been watching the whole thing, rolled her eyes and huffed. "You're so touchy, Kimiko-chan. Seriously, it's like you're raising them."

"Raising them into champions," Kimiko shot back with a grin. "You're welcome."

The group chuckled, and Kiba scoffed, but the tension wasn't gone. Even as they walked, even as the air around them grew lighter, that cold thread of unease remained.

Kimiko glanced back, and though she didn't see him, she felt it.

Kabuto was still watching them.

Her gaze flickered back to her teammates. She could feel the warmth of Naruto on her right, Hinata walking close on her left, and Sasuke matching her pace without a word.

She tilted her head back just slightly, eyes half-lidded, her mind already working.

"He's a snake," she muttered to herself. "I know it."

Shikamaru's eyes cut to her, narrowing like he'd heard it. He didn't say anything, but his gaze lingered for a moment before he tilted his head back up to the ceiling.

The group continued walking, their footsteps light but steady, their hands never far from their weapons.

Behind them, Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his eyes flicking to their retreating backs. His smile was gone.

As they found their seats, Kimiko laid the cards out in front of them, fingers tapping against the surface of one. Her eyes scanned each card with methodical precision, sorting through the information like a strategist preparing for battle.

"Alright... let's start with the general overview," she muttered, flipping over the first card. Her chakra pulsed faintly through her fingertips, activating the stored information. Text shimmered into view, neat and orderly, listing the breakdown of teams from the various villages.

"Eighty-seven genin from Konoha, thirty from Sunagakure, twenty-one from Amegakure..." Her voice slowed on that last number, her brows knitting together. She leaned in closer. Twenty-one from Amegakure?

Her eyes darkened just a fraction. That's a lot of genin for a village like the Rain. Why would Pain send so many? The realization gnawed at her mind. Could this be part of Akatsuki's plan?

Her fingers drummed on the table softly, mind running through possibilities. If I can just find a way to disrupt their plan... maybe if I expose one of them, Konoha might detain them. That could delay their plans by months or even years. But...no, I have enough to focus on.

Her voice returned to normal as she continued. "Six from Kusagakure, six from Takigakure, and three from Otogakure."

"Otogakure?" Naruto leaned forward, his head tilted in confusion. "What's that? First time I'm hearing of it."

"They're a new village, I think," Kimiko replied smoothly, not even glancing up from the card. Her voice was casual, unbothered. "I read about it somewhere. They're a bit small."

She didn't, of course. No textbook mentioned Otogakure, because it wasn't a real village — it was a front. Orochimaru's front. But there was no point in telling them that yet. No need to stir up suspicions when she had no evidence.

"Hm. New village, huh?" Naruto rubbed his chin, eyes squinting like he was trying to solve a difficult puzzle. "So they're probably scrubs, right?"

"Probably. Or they're complete unknowns," Sasuke said, eyes sharp as ever. "Which makes them dangerous." She remembered her encounter with Kin, Zaku and Dosu, who were spying on them on the day they met the Sand Siblings.

Naruto blinked, visibly rethinking his stance. "…Yeah, I guess that makes sense."

"Either way, we'll be ready," Kimiko added, finally glancing up from the card. "They'll probably try to surprise people, but if we stay sharp, they won't catch us off guard."

Shikamaru, sitting nearby with his head propped on one hand, let out a slow, dramatic sigh. "What a drag... There's way too many teams. Eighty-seven just from Konoha? And then you've got the other villages throwing in their best people too? Ugh." He shook his head, like he could physically remove the headache forming from all the competition. "This is gonna be a mess."

Kimiko tilted her head toward him. "Most of them will be weeded out after the first test or two," she reassured him. "But you're right about one thing." Her eyes flicked back to the number of foreign teams. "They've all brought their aces. Their best and brightest."

Shikamaru sighed again, louder this time, sinking even deeper into his seat. "That just makes it worse."

Kimiko smirked but didn't comment. She flipped to the next card. "Alright, speaking of aces, let's see Neji's profile." The card flickered to life with a faint glow, displaying an infographic. The portrait of Neji Hyuga sat on the left, his sharp, angular face framed by his long brown hair. Below his photo, smaller details like his age, team, mission history, and skills were listed.

Kimiko tilted the card, sharing a brief glance with Shikamaru. They both knew what they were thinking.

How did someone get this much information?

It wasn't normal. Mission data was private. Performance scores were private. Hell, even some of these stats were the kind of info only Jōnin senseis would have. Yet it was all here on a single card, handed to them like candy.

Shikamaru raised a brow but didn't say anything, leaning forward slightly to read over her shoulder.

"Alright," Kimiko said, eyes scanning the card as she read aloud. "Completed twenty D-rank missions, eleven C-ranks, and he's teammates with Rock Lee and Tenten." She flipped the card to get a closer look at the stats. "First time participating in the exams, and he's got great Taijutsu, decent Ninjutsu, and stats that look more like a chunin than a genin."

Her eyes lingered on the Taijutsu stat. "Seven out of ten," she muttered, tapping the card lightly with her finger. "And nothing below a five in any category." She raised a brow, glancing at Sasuke. "Not bad, huh?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, leaning in to see for himself. "Seven for Taijutsu? That's high, even for a Hyuga." His eyes flicked to Kimiko, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "You worried, Kimiko?"

Kimiko's gaze remained on the card, her expression unbothered. "Not at all. If anything, I'm excited." Her eyes flicked toward Sasuke with a glint of challenge. "I'd love to see what makes a prodigy like him so special."

Sasuke grinned back at her. "He'll have to show us first."

Their exchange earned them a few glances from the others. Shikamaru rolled his eyes, letting his head hit the table again. "Great. Two competitive prodigies hyping each other up. We're all doomed."

"That makes three of us, actually," Naruto added, crossing his arms with an exaggerated huff. "You two better not forget about me. I'm gonna show all of them what a future Hokage can do!"

Kiba snickered from across the room, tossing his arms behind his head. "Sure, sure, Naruto. I'm sure they're all terrified."

"They will be!" Naruto barked back, pointing a finger at him like it was a kunai. "Just you watch, Kiba! I'm gonna blow you away in this exam too!"

Kiba's smirk widened, baring his canines like a wolf showing off its teeth. "You can try, Uzumaki."

Meanwhile, Hinata had been quiet, her gaze locked on Neji's portrait on the card. Her eyes softened, her fingers curling nervously into the fabric of her sleeves.

"Neji-nii-san is a genius," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Everyone turned toward her, and Hinata flinched slightly under the weight of their gazes. "He's... very talented."

Kimiko glanced at her, noting the shift in her posture. "He is. That's why I want to face him," Kimiko said lightly, but her words carried weight. "After all, what's the point of all this if we don't test ourselves against the best?"

Hinata blinked, her eyes flicking to Kimiko. She hesitated for a moment before a small smile tugged at her lips. "That sounds… like something Naruto-kun would say."

Kimiko tilted her head, blinking in surprise. Then, she glanced at Naruto, and sure enough, his chest was puffed out, arms crossed, looking like he'd just been given the highest compliment in the world.

"HAH! YOU HEARD THAT?! I'M RUBBING OFF ON HER!" Naruto declared, flashing them all a cocky grin. "I'M THE INSPIRATION FOR THE STRONGEST KUNOICHI HERE!"

Her eyes crinkled at the corners, and she shook her head fondly. "You are," she said, and her voice was warm, kind — honest. Her gaze met his, full of sincerity. "You're the future Hokage, after all."

Naruto's eyes widened slightly. It seems he still wasn't used to her saying that. He scratched the back of his head, his cheeks tinting just a shade of pink. "Y-Yeah, I am, aren't I?" His grin came back, smaller but more real. "Darn right I am."

Shikamaru's head hit the table with an audible thud, his groan dragging out like a slow exhale. "Can someone fail us now? Please? This energy is too much." His words came muffled through the wood, and he didn't even lift his head to look at them.

Choji chuckled, casually tossing another chip into his mouth, crunching it with ease. "I dunno, Shikamaru. I'm kinda into it." He waved a chip in the air like it was a pointer. "It's nice to see a kunoichi who actually supports her teammates for once. It's refreshing, y'know?"

Ino whipped around, glaring daggers at Choji. Her hands went to her hips, her eyes blazing with fire. "Yeah, what's that supposed to mean, huh?! Care to repeat it, Choji Akimichi?!"

Choji raised his hands like he'd just been accused of treason. "Woah, woah, I wasn't talking about you, Ino! Chill out!"

"You better not have been talking about me, or else!" Ino hissed, her eyes narrowing like a predator about to pounce.

"I wasn't, I wasn't!" Choji insisted, shaking his hands rapidly in front of him. "It's just... I mean, look at Kimiko, she's all 'Naruto's gonna be Hokage,' and 'let's face the best'— like, c'mon, that's some solid team energy!"

Ino huffed, crossing her arms. "I'm supportive too! I support Shikamaru and you all the time!"

"Do you, though?" Shikamaru drawled, tilting his head with a knowing glance.

Ino's face flushed with annoyance. "I'm not hearing this from you, lazybones."

Kimiko laughed, as most did the other genin, including even Sasuke, to her surprise.

"Alright… Time for this one,"

Her gaze flicked to the last card in her hand — the card on Gaara of the Sand.

Her fingers slid it into view. The glow of the text spread slowly as the image of Gaara formed — his sunken eyes, his messy red hair, and that hollow, almost lifeless gaze.

Naruto leaned in, eyes squinting at the image. "...Is he sick or something?"

No. He's just like you in a way.

"No," Kimiko muttered, her voice quieter than before. Her eyes lingered on the image of Gaara, that thousand-yard stare. "He's not sick." Her voice lowered even more, almost to a whisper. "He's haunted."

"...No info on skills," Kimiko muttered, her eyes narrowing. It wasn't surprising. They were from another village, after all. But as her gaze shifted to his mission stats, her eyes flickered with interest.

"Seriously? Eight C-Rank and one B-Rank mission?" Ino blurted out, leaning closer to get a better look. "Not every rookie gets a B-Rank assigned, and… it says he came out of every mission unscathed. Not a single scratch."

"You're right," Sasuke said, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the card. "But Naruto, Kimiko, and I completed an A-Rank mission — even if it was re-ranked only after the client lied."

"Mm," Kimiko hummed, her gaze lingering on the card. "In any case, as I said before, the best and brightest are here. Sand, Sound, Rain..."

Her voice trailed off as she glanced at Naruto, noticing something strange. His shoulders were trembling. Is he... shaking? "Naruto? What's up?"

Then she saw it — that wide, wild grin.

Without warning, Naruto spun on his heel, pointing a finger straight at the gathered crowd of genin, his voice booming.

"MY NAME IS UZUMAKI NARUTO, AND I'M GOING TO BEAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, BELIEVE IT!" he roared.

"HEY! Is Naruto trying to get us killed?!" Ino shrieked, eyes darting around at the suddenly hostile stares directed their way.

Kimiko only smirked. "I totally believe he can do it," she said honestly, folding her arms with a serene expression. "...Well, maybe not beat me."

Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught movement — gazes locking onto them from across the room. She didn't miss the sharp stares from several groups.

The Sound Trio, Dosu, Zaku, and Kin — standing off to the side, eyes like hawks.

The Sand Siblings, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara — Gaara's gaze, in particular, lingered on Sasukelike a predator sizing up prey.

Their seniors, Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji — Lee's eyes burned with determination, while Neji's gaze flicked from Naruto to Sasuke, his eyes narrowed in cool disinterest.

Kimiko's smile lingered as she walked beside Naruto, who still had his finger pointed at the crowd. Her heart pulsed steadily, calm as a still pond.

But then— Her senses flared.

Multiple chakra signatures closing in from all sides. Fast. Coordinated. Intent to harm.

Her eyes darted left. She felt Sasuke's presence shift beside her, his steps falling into rhythm with hers, and the subtle stir of air told her he'd picked up on it too. She didn't need to look to know he was already next to Naruto, his posture relaxed but ready, his gaze sharp. Their silent coordination was perfect. Born out of countless of hours of sparring and training group dynamics.

A sharp displacement of air came from her left. Her head snapped toward it. Zaku. He lunged into the air, three kunai clutched in his hand, ready to throw.

Too slow.

Kimiko's hands blurred as three senbon appeared between her fingers. With a flick of her wrist, they shot out like bullets.

The senbon hit him precisely — one in the axillary nerve, two in the shoulder joints. Zaku's eyes widened in shock as his arms locked up, fingers going numb. The kunai slipped from his grasp mid-air, clattering uselessly to the ground as he twisted to land.

But his landing was sloppy. His knees buckled, his weight uneven as his numbed arms dangled at his sides.

I could've run water chakra through the senbon and shredded his arm from the inside. Or I could've aimed for his neck and killed him. He doesn't know how lucky he got.

Her gaze stayed on him, watching his every move. Before he could recover, Kimiko blurred and flickered. The next moment, she was directly in front of him. His eyes shot wide as her shadow swallowed him whole.

Her fist pulled back. Her well-manicured, sharp nails gleamed like tiny blades as her fingers curled into a tight, precise punch.

Her fist drove into his stomach with ruthless force.

The air left his lungs in an audible "GAAH—!" His body folded inward like a snapped hinge, knees hitting the ground as he knelt before her, wheezing for air.

Kimiko stepped back, flicking her wrist, eyes darting to her side.

Another one.

Dosu was coming at her from behind. His chakra spiked in a familiar, pulsing rhythm. His echo speaker glowed ominously on his arm, and she felt it — the shift in the air, the thrum of soundwaves sharpening into a weapon. His target was her head.

Her body tensed, ready to counter.

But then —

A flash of orange.

Naruto appeared between her and Dosu, kunai in hand. Dosu didn't hesitate, swinging his echo-enhanced arm, sending a shockwave of sound.

Naruto ducked back, dodging the swing, but his body jerked suddenly as if struck by an invisible force.

Oh, right. Sound.

Naruto hit the ground, clutching his head like he'd been hit by a flashbang. Kimiko's eyes locked onto Dosu, ready to leap in—

Poof.

The Naruto on the ground vanished in a burst of white smoke. A shadow clone. Dosu's eye went wide in realization. A blur of orange zipped behind him.

The real Naruto.

Kunai pressed against the side of Dosu's neck, Naruto's grin wide and wild. "Almost got me there, you know?" he said, tilting his head just enough for Dosu to see the sharp glint of his eyes.

Kimiko's lips curled into a smile, her eyes flicking toward where Sasuke was supposed to be.

Thud.

Kimiko turned her gaze just in time to see Kin pinned to the ground, face-first. Her right arm twisted behind her back, and three senbon clattered beside her body, with Sasuke's knee on her back, applying painful pressure.

"Too easy," Sasuke muttered, his other hand holding a kunai just inches from her neck.

Kimiko's eyes flicked from Sasuke to Naruto, and finally to the three Sound nin, all subdued in under a minute. We really are stronger than most people here.

"Let me go," growled Kin, her voice strained with frustration. She wriggled under Sasuke's grip, but he pressed the kunai against her neck just a bit harder, his gaze flat and unimpressed.

"So, I'm guessing you three didn't like what we said about your village," Sasuke said, his tone dry but cutting. "But if this is the best you've got to offer, maybe Naruto was right — you're a bunch of scrubs."

Kin's glare intensified, her eyes like daggers aimed at Sasuke's face. Her jaw clenched, but she didn't move.

"Attacking someone over a harmless comment about your village?" Kimiko's voice took on an imperiously disdainful tone. Her eyes shifted toward Zaku, who was still on his knees, clutching his stomach, eyes filled with pain and hate. "Not even a truly negative comment. If this is how you react to every small slight, I'm starting to see why your village is so desperate."

She tilted her head slightly, eyes flickering across the room, taking in the stares from the other genin. Dozens of eyes fixed on them now — some curious, others calculating. She saw flickers of fear, admiration, and something deeper. Recognition.

Her heart thrummed in her chest, a quiet, steady beat. They're watching us. Good.

"Man, if these are the best you guys have to offer," Naruto said, loud enough for the entire room to hear, grinning wide, "then you're all about two years too early to be picking a fight with us." He yawned, dragging it out like he was bored. "We've already taken down tougher guys than you."

"S-So cool…" Hinata whispered, gazing at Naruto with wide, starry eyes.

Kimiko froze for a second, eyes flicking toward Hinata. Oh? She's definitely falling for him harder now… But she didn't linger on it. Her senses picked up on another presence.

Her gaze locked on him like a predator spotting prey. Kabuto Yakushi. He was standing at a distance, watching them closely, arms folded. His eyes weren't angry or annoyed. No, they were clinical. Calculating. He was measuring them.

Her fingers twitched, and she fought the urge to grab a senbon and hurl it at him.

But before anything could be said, a booming voice exploded like a thunderclap across the room.

"ALRIGHT, YOU FRESH-FACED MAGGOTS, PIPE DOWN AND LISTEN UP!"

The entire room went still. Even Dosu, Zaku, and Kin froze, their eyes darting toward the source of the voice.

A dense, white cloud of smoke exploded at the far end of the room. The thick fog clung to the air before it was swept away, revealing a line of Chuunin standing side by side, their faces stone-cold and unreadable.

At the center of them stood a man larger than life, his presence oppressive. His head was completely covered by a black headwrap, leaving only his eyes and his face exposed — a face carved with scars deep as ravines. His Konoha forehead protector gleamed in the dim light, sitting prominently on his headwrap. His eyes were hard, calculating, and as cold as steel.

The room's atmosphere shifted instantly. The air grew heavy, suffocating.

"My name," the man growled, his voice like grinding stone, "is Ibiki Morino. I am your proctor for the first part of the exam."

Kimiko felt it immediately — the shift in pressure. Killing intent. Or so she thought it was. It wasn't directed at any one person, but it was there, seeping into the air like poison. She released Zaku immediately, flicking her gaze toward Naruto and Sasuke.

They didn't need to be told. Sasuke released Kin, rising slowly as if nothing had happened, his eyes on Ibiki. Naruto let Dosu go with a little push, taking a step back, his eyes narrowed but alert. The three of them shifted together like clockwork, standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

Ibiki's eyes swept across the room slowly, deliberately. His gaze passed over every single genin like a lion scanning its prey.

"From this moment on," Ibiki said, his smile spreading slowly, stretching over his scarred face like a cruel crescent moon.

"I am your worst enemy."

The silence was absolute. Not even a cough. No one moved.

Ibiki's sharp gaze swept over the room like a scythe through tall grass. Then, his finger shot forward, aimed directly at them. His voice boomed.

"Candidates from the Village Hidden in the Sound and the Leaf, KNOCK IT OFF! Or I'll fail you before the exams even begin!"

The command cracked through the room like a whip. The Sound genin, still bristling from their earlier scuffle, turned to glare daggers at Kimiko, Naruto, and Sasuke. Kimiko met Zaku's hateful stare with an imperious, ice-cold look of her own, chin raised just a touch higher. Her eyes locked onto his, firm and unmoving, until Zaku clicked his tongue and glanced away first.

Victory.

Kimiko lowered her gaze and gave Ibiki a respectful bow. "Sumimasen," she said calmly. "We were defending ourselves." Her tone was perfectly balanced — polite, but firm enough to make it clear she wasn't apologizing for their strength.

Ibiki's eyes narrowed slightly, and he let out a low, grumbling noise that could have been annoyance or amusement. Hard to tell with that face. His eyes swept the room with the precision of a predator sizing up every weak link in its surroundings.

"High time someone laid down the ground rules," Ibiki rumbled, his voice commanding complete attention. It was the kind of voice that made you straighten your spine before you realized you'd done it. "From this point forward, there will be no more fighting unless explicitly permitted by the proctor — that's me. And even then, the use of lethal force is strictly prohibited. Anyone who breaks this rule will be disqualified. No questions. No second chances. Is that clear?"

The tension in the room shifted like the first clap of thunder before a storm. Every genin was on edge now. Kimiko could feel it. The subtle stiffening of muscles. The tight, shallow breathing of some of the less experienced ninja. She had to give it to him — Ibiki knew how to control a room. His mere presence was enough to turn uncertainty into fear. And fear was a tool. A very sharp, very effective tool in his hand.

When he saw the room had stilled, he continued.

"Now, if we're ready, we'll proceed to the first stage of the Chuunin Exams," he declared, his eyes like iron as he reached into his vest. He pulled out a small slip of paper and held it up for everyone to see. "Hand in your application forms, and in return, you will be given a number. This number will determine where you will sit."

He glanced around, his gaze pausing briefly on Kimiko, Sasuke, and Naruto.

"Once everyone is seated, the written portion of the exam will begin."

"The what?!"

All eyes turned to Naruto, who was standing rigid as if he'd just been hit with a lightning bolt. His face went pale, his pupils shrinking to dots. His legs buckled, and before anyone could stop him, he dropped to his knees, arms hanging limply as if he'd just been drained of all his chakra.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO! NOT A WRITTEN TEST!" he howled, his scream echoing around the room. A few of the other genin snickered, while others raised brows, looking at him like he'd just declared himself a pacifist at a shinobi convention.

Kimiko blinked down at him, tilting her head in mild surprise. She glanced at Sasuke, who shrugged, unimpressed, before turning back to Naruto. His face was pressed to the ground in total defeat, as if he'd been betrayed by fate itself.

Kimiko's lips twitched, barely holding back a laugh. She crouched down and gave him a light pat on the back, her voice soft but teasing.

"Cheer up," she said as she helped him back to his feet. "I'm sure it'll all turn out better than you think."

Naruto shot her a look of pure despair, like a man facing certain doom.

If only he knew, Kimiko thought, fighting down a grin. He's about to make history as the first person to pass an exam without writing a single answer.

–

Kimiko sat in the middle of the classroom, her fingers lightly tapping against the desk's surface. She glanced around, taking stock of her surroundings. Sasuke was seated behind her, a row back and slightly to her left. Naruto was ahead of her, sitting next to Hinata, who was nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

They really did separate us all. It made sense. Splitting up teams was an obvious move to prevent easy cooperation. It also made it harder to copy each other's work.

Her gaze shifted toward the front of the room as Ibiki stepped forward, facing all of them.

"There are a few big rules that pertain to the first test," rumbled Ibiki, his sharp eyes scanning the room. His gaze lingered on a few students, sizing them up one by one. "I'll write them on the blackboard and explain them all, but I'm not taking questions, so listen carefully. I'll only say this once."

Kimiko straightened her posture, her nails still drumming a quiet rhythm on the table. Her eyes stayed locked on Ibiki as he reached for the chalk. She knew what was coming. She had a general idea of how this test worked. A test of reconnaissance, not knowledge. A pressure test. Designed to push them to their mental limits and weed out those who crumbled under stress.

But… it lost its impact when someone knew exactly what was going to happen because you watched the anime.

Which meant that she and her team practically passed the first test. She doubted Sasuke would be caught cheating even if she did change a few things in this timeline, and Naruto was still as stubborn and implacable as ever. She could practically do nothing and pass.

But Kimiko would be lying if she said she wasn't curious as to whether she could copy off tests without being caught. Kimiko's eyes flicked back to the front as Ibiki began scrawling on the blackboard.

1. Each of you starts with 10 points.

"Rule one," Ibiki announced, "You all start with ten points. The test has ten questions, each worth one point. For each question you get wrong, we subtract one point. Get all ten right, and you keep all ten points."

His words hung in the air for a moment, like fog creeping through a field.

"But for example," Ibiki continued, his knuckles tapping the blackboard like a judge banging a gavel, "if you get three questions wrong, we subtract three points from your total, bringing it down to seven."

Kimiko watched some of the genin furrow their brows, mentally calculating their odds. Some glanced toward their teammates, silently doing the math. Simple concept. Easy to understand. But it's not the real challenge.

Ibiki didn't wait for them to catch up.

2. This is a team exam. Your team's total score determines if you pass or fail.

"Rule two," he said, turning to face them, "This is still a team event. Passing or failing will be determined by the combined total of all points held by your three team members."

There it is. Kimiko felt it coming before he even said it, but hearing it aloud still carried weight. She glanced at the other genin, watching as confusion twisted into panic.

"WHAT?!"

"Why should my points count for theirs?!"

"That's not fair!"

The complaints erupted like wildfire, filling the room with rising voices. The pressure was already working. Some of the louder genin were yelling at their teammates, as if blaming them in advance.

Kimiko didn't move. Her eyes remained on Ibiki, her face calm, distant. No reaction. No weakness.

Ibiki's eyes swept the crowd. They lingered on her for just a moment — barely a second — but it was enough for Kimiko to know that he noticed how nonchalant she was being.

"SILENCE!" Ibiki roared, and it was like a lightning strike. The air went still. Every voice cut off instantly.

"I have my reasons for that rule," Ibiki snarled, his tone filled with finality. "So shut up and listen."

3. If you're caught cheating, 2 points are deducted from all 3 team members.

"Rule three," Ibiki continued, picking up the chalk. This time, his writing was sharp, fast, and deliberate, like slashes of a blade. "If you are caught cheating, two points will be deducted from all three members of your team."

The reaction was immediate. Tension hit the air like the clang of a hammer. People straightened in their seats. Some glanced at the chuunin proctors scattered throughout the room's four walls, who stood as still as stone statues. Watching. Listening.

"The chuunin you see around the room?" Ibiki gestured toward them with a tilt of his head. "They're my eyes and ears. If you're caught doing anything suspicious — and I mean anything — they'll report it to me."

He grinned, and it wasn't friendly. It was the grin of a man who'd already broken hundreds of shinobi in interrogation chambers.

"Two points, deducted. Each time." His words were sharp, clear, and absolute. "Five strikes, and you're out. Anyone foolish enough to get caught cheating doesn't deserve to be here."

Kimiko caught sight of Kiba scoffing, leaning back in his chair like none of this mattered. He was doing a terrible job hiding his nerves. His eyes darted toward the proctors.

"I got my eyes on you, rookies!" sing-songed Kotetsu, grinning like a cat ready to pounce.

Kimiko smiled to herself. They're trying to make the room sweat. Stress tactics. Classic interrogation techniques.

"If you want to be considered chuunin," Ibiki said slowly, dragging out each syllable, "then start acting like it. Show us what exceptional shinobi you can be."

But of course he wasn't done.

"One more thing," Said Ibiki, "If one individual loses all ten of his or her points, that person's entire team, regardless of how the other two members do…" He smirked. "Will be disqualified."

That made a lot of people tense up, and Ibiki looked at her again, only for her to scrunch her nose up and smile at him. It was so funny seeing him perplexed with how calm she was.

Kimiko also glanced at Naruto from behind. She saw his hands gripping his hair like he wanted to pull it out. He was rocking slightly, probably mentally spiraling, trying to figure out how to avoid dragging her and Sasuke down with him. With Hinata looking at him wistfully from beside him.

It'll be fine, Naruto. Just be your usual self.

"The final question won't be given out til fifteen minutes before the end of the testing period, you have one hour total."

The faintest click echoed from a stopwatch.

"Begin!"

Kimiko finally reached forward, turned over her paper, and—

Oh, this is ridiculous.

Question 1: "Decrypt the following code using the key provided."

Simple on the surface, but Kimiko could tell by the cipher patterns that it was far from basic. It wasn't impossible, but it would definitely drain time and patience.

Her eyes shifted down.

Question 2: "Line B in the diagram shows the trajectory of a shuriken thrown at enemy C by ninja A, seated atop a tree seven meters tall. Describe and formulate the trajectory required if C were positioned at points D, E, and F. Also, predict the furthest possible range of the shuriken and explain how you arrived at your answer."

Kimiko blinked. Then she sighed.

What was this, a physics exam?

Technically, she could figure it out if she put her mind to it, but the sheer absurdity of it made her eyes roll. Nobody in the middle of battle was calculating the angle of a shuriken's arc mid-throw. You aimed, you threw, and if it missed, you threw again. Sure, for longer-range throws, the concept of angle and momentum came into play, but not with this level of exactitude.

This is a trap question, she thought. A good way to make people panic and burn their time. Meant to daunt them.

She glanced at the third question.

Question 3: "If three shinobi split their rations unequally at a rate of 5:3:2, but one consumes an additional portion, how much...?"

Her eyes narrowed at it, feeling a familiar sense of annoyance.

Economics? Seriously?

She scanned the rest. History. Trigonometry. Advanced mathematics. Tactical scenario breakdowns. The questions only got more ridiculous as she went on. She didn't even bother reading Question 8 in full after seeing the phrase "derivative of chakra energy over time."

Her eyes darted toward the front of the room. She could already see some of the other genin beginning to sweat. People gripped their pencils like they were lifelines. A few glanced around anxiously, eyes flicking like they were looking for help but too afraid to ask.

Kimiko leaned back in her chair, arms crossed as she glanced toward the ceiling.

The first thing anyone with a brain would notice? If cheating really was a problem, then why did they only deduct points for it instead of outright disqualifying them? Because cheating was the whole point.

Her eyes flicked toward Naruto. He was staring down at his test, wide-eyed, shoulders slumped. She didn't need to see his face to know he was freaking out.

If this version of Naruto was anything like the one from the original timeline, this would be his first step toward greatness. He wouldn't solve a single question, and yet he'd pass. He'd get through it on sheer grit and refusal to give up. The thought made her smile.

I'll let you have your moment, Naruto, she thought fondly. But me? I want to play the game.

Her fingers flexed at her sides, and she dropped her gaze back to the test.

Technically, she didn't have to cheat. She could sit there, do nothing, and ride on Naruto's indomitable will to pass the test. But that felt too easy. She had tools at her disposal, and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't just a little curious to see if she could pull it off.

Her fingers twitched once under the desk. A hand sign too small to notice unless you were looking for it. The moment her chakra flared, her senses expanded. She felt the sharp presence of chakra signatures all around her, but some of them were peculiar compared to the rest.

The plants.

No genin had perfectly controlled, steady chakra. Not even Sasuke. But two of these people had chakra that felt too stable. Too calm. They weren't nervous. They weren't anxious. They had no stakes in this game.

One of them was right next to her.

Bingo.

Kimiko glanced toward him from the corner of her eye. Tall. Ordinary-looking. He'd done a good job blending in. If she hadn't been searching for chakra, she would have missed it.

Her lips curled into a small grin. Time to work.

She reached into her pocket slowly, pulling out her wooden water flask. She twisted it open, took a casual sip, and "accidentally" let a drop spill from the side of her mouth. It fell onto the floor, completely unnoticed, especially with how quiet the room had become.

The chuunin proctors didn't blink. They wouldn't care about something as small as a water spill.

Heh. Mistake number one.

Kimiko pressed her index finger to the desk, forming a single hand sign hidden beneath it. Her chakra pulsed once, flowing through the drop of water on the floor, feeding it like it was soil. The drop shimmered, expanded into a small puddle no bigger than a coin, barely visible against the classroom's wooden floor.

Then she made it rise.

The water lifted from the floor in microscopic droplets, almost invisible. It hovered just over the edge of the chuunin's desk. Slowly, carefully, the water gathered into a tiny, clear sphere the size of a pea. No bigger than a drop of dew.

Kimiko's fingers twitched again, feeding it chakra, shaping it, twisting it into what seemed to be a spy lens.

The curvature of the water bent light, reflecting it back toward her. The spyglass hovered at the edge of the chuunin's desk, tilting at just the right angle to give her a crystal-clear view of his answer sheet.

Got you.

She leaned on her hand like she was bored, her gaze set forward, but her peripheral vision was more than enough.

"Hmm…" Kimiko tapped her pencil lightly, shifting her weight. She glanced up and saw one of the proctors staring at her. A tall, bald man with a face like a hawk.

His eyes met hers.

She tilted her head and stared right back.

The man's eyes lingered on her for a second longer, then turned away.

She smirked, writing down the answers off of the spy glass.

And once she finished, she tilted her flask, letting another bead of water "accidentally" fall off the edge. The small drop reconnected with the floating sphere, reabsorbing into it.

Her fingers twitched, and she dropped the spyglass back down into a simple water droplet on the floor. It shimmered once, then melted into the wood, vanishing without a trace.

Perfect.

"Number one-zero-two, number twenty-three, number forty-three, and twenty-seven — you're all out. Start walking," Kotetsu's voice rang out with sharp authority. Kimiko's eyes flicked to the commotion just in time to see one of the accused rise from his seat, his face twisted in frustration.

"What?! You have no proof I cheated five times!" the boy snarled, his voice cracking under pressure. He jabbed a finger toward Kotetsu, but before he could take another breath, one of the stationed Chuunin blurred into motion.

The next moment, the boy was slammed against the wall, a forearm pressing firmly against his neck. His protests turned into panicked sputtering, feet just barely touching the ground. The Chuunin leaned in close, eyes sharp as daggers, his voice a low, dangerous growl.

"We don't make mistakes," the Chuunin hissed, his words deliberate and cutting. "You're lucky disqualification is all you're getting. Now, move."

The boy went silent. His eyes darted around the room, searching for anyone to back him up, but not a soul met his gaze. Shoulders slumped, he nodded stiffly, his lips pressed into a thin line as he was shoved toward the exit. He didn't look back.

Kimiko clicked her tongue softly. Thirteenth team to be dismissed. The room was thinning out, and not by coincidence. She wasn't entirely convinced that every person being thrown out was an actual cheater. No, if she had to guess, at least one or two of them were probably plants. A scare tactic. Another piece of Ibiki's mental warfare.

Her gaze shifted toward the man himself. Ibiki stood at the front of the room, his hands behind his back, his eyes scanning every inch of the classroom with the casual ease of a predator watching prey. His gaze lingered on her for a moment — sharp, calculating, like he was trying to dissect her without a scalpel.

You see me, huh? Kimiko thought, flashing him a fleeting, knowing smile. Her fingers drummed lightly against the desk. She wasn't about to crack.

Ibiki's eyes lingered on her for a beat longer, then slowly turned toward the clock on the wall.

Kimiko's eyes narrowed.

It's time, isn't it?

She didn't have to wait long.

"Alright!" Ibiki barked, his voice cutting through the room like a kunai through silk. The air shifted as every head snapped toward him, even the ones who had been sweating bullets over their exam papers. Kimiko noticed Naruto's shoulders tense, his hands gripping the sides of his desk. The poor boy looked ready to jump out of his seat.

"It's time for the tenth question," Ibiki announced, his words hanging in the air like the strike of a bell.

Kimiko glanced at Naruto. He was frozen, his breathing uneven, his gaze locked on Ibiki like the man had just pulled a sword on him. She could tell exactly what he was thinking. He hadn't copied off of Hinata. He hadn't cheated. He thought everything was riding on this one last question.

Technically, he's right, Kimiko thought with a small smile. Her gaze flicked to Sasuke a few rows back, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.

"But," Ibiki continued, his voice slower this time, more deliberate, "Before I give you the tenth question…" He scanned the room, letting the pause stretch out long enough for nerves to fray. "There are some more rules you need to be aware of."

Kimiko's nails tapped once more against her desk.

Here it comes.

"These rules are unique to question ten, so listen carefully and try not to let them frighten you," Ibiki smirked, his eyes scanning the room.

The silence that followed was so sharp it could've carved stone. Kimiko leaned back, resting her hands calmly on her lap, watching Ibiki carefully. The man knew exactly what he was doing. Prolonged silence was another classic interrogation tactic — a way to force anxiety to fester in the minds of his targets. He was playing them like a finely tuned instrument.

"First…" Ibiki began slowly, drawing out the word to further stoke the room's anxiety. "Rule number one — each of you is free to choose whether or not to take the final question. It's entirely up to you."

Confusion swept through the room like wildfire. Kimiko could hear the growing murmurs from the genin around her. Some tilted their heads in disbelief, while others whispered to their teammates in low, frantic voices.

Until a voice, sharp as a whistle, cut through it all.

"So what's the catch if we decide not to answer it? What happens then?" Temari's voice was clear and assertive, drawing all eyes to her.

Ibiki turned his gaze toward her, his eyes narrowing with twisted delight. "If you choose not to answer the tenth question, you and your entire team will fail on the spot. All points, gone. No second chances."

More murmurs. Tension climbed. Some genin glanced at their teammates with wide eyes, uncertainty creeping into their postures.

"Then why would any of us refuse to answer that question, then?!" Demanded a random genin.

"Because that's not all," Ibiki continued, his grin stretching just a bit wider. His tone grew heavier, deliberate. "The second rule is even more important."

The room went still. Not a single cough, not a shuffle of paper. Kimiko felt the weight of the silence pressing on her chest like an iron weight.

Ibiki's eyes sharpened as he delivered the final blow. "If you choose to answer the question and get it wrong, you won't just fail this year…" His eyes swept the room slowly, soaking in their growing panic. "YOU WILL BE BARRED FROM TAKING THE CHUUNIN EXAMS EVER AGAIN."

The room exploded.

"That's bull, man!" Kiba shot up from his seat, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. He jabbed a finger in Ibiki's direction, his face twisted in fury. "What kind of bogus rule is that?! There's people here who've taken the exams before!" Akamaru barked in agreement, standing on Kiba's head with his ears pointed upward.

Ibiki's eyes snapped to Kiba. He didn't even blink.

"Guess you're just unlucky," Ibiki replied coldly, his lips curling into a humorless grin. "I wasn't in charge those previous years. I'm in charge now."

Kiba froze, his outburst slowly deflating as his legs wobbled slightly. Akamaru gave a low whimper and ducked his head.

Ibiki pressed on, his gaze falling upon each of them like a weight. "If you're not feeling confident, by all means, skip it. Save yourself the humiliation. You'll have another chance next year... if you're lucky enough to still be a ninja by then."

The threat lingered like a bad stench. Several genin glanced at one another, their eyes darting nervously. Sweat dripped from foreheads.

Kimiko's gaze stayed on Ibiki, unwavering. After all, she knew exactly what this was. Just a way to torment them, to weed out the unprepared and weak-willed

And because she knew what was coming, it lost its power. Honestly? She was bored.

Kimiko smiled at Ibiki, and his eyes briefly passed over her, and she noticed his expression shift ever so slightly. It was a flicker of confusion — like noticing something out of place.

You're really stumped about why these aren't working on me, huh?

"Alright… Let's begin," Ibiki announced, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. His eyes scanned every face with practiced precision. "Those who choose not to accept the challenge should raise their hands. Once your number is confirmed, you can leave the room."

Silence reigned. No one moved at first, every eye darting around, searching for someone—anyone—to be the first to break. Tension crackled like static in the air, but it didn't last long.

"I'm quitting. I'm sorry, Gennai, Inaho!" a voice rang out from the other side of the room. One of the genin to Naruto's right raised his hand, his face taut with shame and regret.

"Number fifty, failed!" barked Izumo from the side. His voice was sharp, unforgiving. "Number one-thirty and number one-eleven, you fail with him!" The sound of footsteps followed as three genin slowly made their way to the exit, heads down, eyes averted from the crowd.

More hands went up. Slowly at first, but like a chain reaction, genin all across the room began surrendering to their doubts. One by one, they filtered out of the room, muttering apologies to their teammates or bowing their heads in quiet defeat.

Kimiko's gaze remained steady, her face a mask of calm detachment, she didn't even glance at the exits. Her focus was on Naruto, watching him closely as his whole body trembled. His hands shook on the desk, fingers tapping the wood in an anxious, uneven rhythm.

Her chest tightened. She knew what this moment was. She knew he was at war with himself. She knew how badly Naruto hated being seen as a failure. And knowing that she could just tell him the point of the exam….but no.

This wasn't her fight to win for him.

This was his.

His eyes flicked toward the ceiling, toward his teammates, and then to his own hands. It pained her to see him like this, struggling to choose between fear and faith. But she didn't flinch. Not once. Her belief in him had never faltered—not even when his hand began to rise.

Naruto…

Her heart didn't waver. She trusted him. She believed in him. Even as his hand twitched higher and higher—

BAM!

His hand slammed down on the desk like a thunderclap, rattling it so hard the sound echoed through the room. Every head whipped toward him.

"DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!" he roared, his voice raw and fierce. His blue eyes burned like twin suns, unwavering, unyielding. "I DON'T QUIT, AND I DON'T RUN!"

Everyone watched him now. Everyone. Even the ones who had been on their way out stopped to stare.

"I'll accept your stupid question!" he continued, his gaze locked on Ibiki with a defiance so fierce it could crush stone. "Even if it means I stay a genin for the rest of my life, I'll still be Hokage someday! And I know Kimiko and Sasuke will back me up, no matter what happens!"

Kimiko's breath caught in her chest. Her heart fluttered, warmth spreading through her like a ripple in still water. Before she even realized it, her lips moved on their own.

"That's right," she said firmly, her voice carrying through the room like a bell. Her eyes gleamed with pride as she glanced toward him. "I'll support you no matter what."

Then, something surprising happened.

Sasuke, still calm, still cool, still Sasuke, leaned forward, his eyes locked on Ibiki's with a fire that matched Naruto's. "I'm not quitting either," he said, his voice quiet but firm, each word carrying the weight of steel. "I'm not letting any of my teammates down."

Kimiko's eyes widened just a little. She turned toward him, and for a brief moment, Sasuke's gaze flicked toward her, a subtle confirmation of everything she knew about him but rarely saw him say outright.

The whispers started. Murmurs and glances passed between genin from every village. Faces turned toward them — curious, surprised, some impressed, others skeptical. But they were all watching them.

Good, she thought. Let them watch. Let them see what a real team looks like.

Ibiki's eyes narrowed as he took them all in—Naruto, Sasuke, Kimiko. He leaned forward, his scarred face twisted into something sharp and dangerous. He stepped forward, his eyes on Naruto.

"I'll ask you one last time," Ibiki said slowly, letting the silence stretch long enough to crush anyone with doubts still lingering in their hearts. "This is a decision that will affect you for the rest of your life. It's better to quit while you still have the chance."

Naruto didn't flinch. His hands gripped the sides of his desk, knuckles white with tension, but his eyes never left Ibiki's.

"No way," Naruto growled, his grin returning, sharper than ever. "I never go back on my word. That's my ninja way."

Kimiko's grin matched his, a slow, satisfied curl of her lips as her eyes flicked to Ibiki. And that, she thought, is why you'll never break him.

Naruto's outburst spread through the room like wildfire, snuffing out any lingering thoughts of quitting. It was infectious — his love, his confidence, and his unshakable determination. His words alone managed to inspire an entire room of shinobi, even if he didn't fully realize it himself.

Kimiko could feel it. The tension in the air shifted. Doubt was replaced with resolve. The energy was palpable. She glanced around, catching glimpses of the other genin straightening their backs and gripping their pencils a little tighter. The fear had left their eyes, replaced by something far more dangerous — belief.

Even Ibiki noticed it. His sharp eyes scanned the room, his scarred face impassive, but Kimiko caught the brief flicker of realization behind his eyes. He knew, as well as anyone, that no one was quitting now. Not after that.

"Alright," said Ibiki, his gruff voice commanding the room's attention once more. "I admire your determination, if nothing else." His eyes swept over the remaining participants, weighing each of them as if he could see their resolve laid bare. "To the seventy-eight of you still here, there's only one thing left to do."

He paused, drawing the moment out. Kimiko knew exactly what was coming, but her heart still pounded with anticipation.

"And that's for me to tell you…" He let the silence linger, soaking in every drop of tension the room had to offer. His grin slowly widened.

"You've all passed the first exam!"

The room exploded.

"HUH?!" one genin blurted out, his chair scraping against the floor as he shot up to his feet. His wide eyes darted around, searching for an explanation. "W-Wait, what do you mean we all passed? Where's the tenth question?!"

Ibiki chuckled, his grin turning into a full smile. Somehow, the shift in his demeanor was even more jarring than his earlier threats. The hardened interrogator, the man who had made them all sweat with fear, now looked like someone's doting uncle after a long-winded prank.

"There never was a tenth question," he said with a shrug. "Not a written one, at least."

Gasps rippled through the room like the aftershock of an earthquake.

"What?!"

"Are you serious right now?!"

"Then what were we even doing this whole time?!"

Ibiki waved his hand to calm them down, his grin never faltering. "Actually, you deciding to stay was the answer to the tenth question. The final test was your choice to stay and face the unknown consequences."

A blonde kunoichi from Suna, Temari, raised her hand, eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Wait a minute," she said slowly, her tone sharp. "So you're telling me all those questions we were breaking our heads over... they were just a waste of time?"

Ibiki barked a short, sharp laugh. "No, no, not at all!" He shook his head like a teacher correcting a particularly clueless student. "Quite the opposite, in fact. The first nine questions served a very important purpose."

He folded his arms, his scarred face taking on a commanding edge once more. "They were there to test your ability to gather information under extreme duress. To see if you could obtain vital intel in high-pressure situations without getting caught. That's why we set the rules the way we did." He motioned to the proctors standing at the edges of the room.

A murmur of realization spread through the room. Heads nodded in understanding, some reluctantly, some begrudgingly.

"Like I said," Ibiki continued, "I wasn't just testing you as individuals. I was testing how well you function as part of a team. That's why you all shared points. Because every mistake you made, every wrong move, would affect your whole team. Just like in the real world. There are no solo shinobi in a mission."

Kimiko glanced around the room, noting how the realization started to sink in for the others. The Sound Trio were scowling, arms crossed and visibly irritated. Kiba muttered something under his breath, clearly upset that he'd fallen for the deception. Temari had her arms crossed, her lips pressed into a firm line, as she tapped her index finger against her arm. Lee just sat there, arms folded, nodding like he'd known the whole time — which he absolutely had not.

"Mmhm," muttered Naruto, arms crossed as he nodded like a sage on a mountaintop. "Yeah, I figured it was something like that. That's why I stayed calm the whole time."

Kimiko pressed her hand against her lips to stifle a laugh. Liar. She could still remember the panic in his face when Ibiki mentioned the tenth question would be the final test. Still, she couldn't help but feel proud of him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hinata covering her mouth, her eyes darting toward Naruto. She giggled softly, her shoulders shaking as she peeked at him from the side, like she was afraid of being caught watching him.

Naruto must have noticed, because he tilted his head toward her, flashing that boyish grin of his. "Huh? You laughing at me, Hinata-chan?" he asked, his grin playful but his voice gentle.

Hinata's face lit up like a firecracker, her blush creeping all the way to the tips of her ears. She shook her head so fast she nearly knocked her head against the desk. "N-No, Naruto-kun! I-I wasn't laughing at you!" she stammered, her hands waving in front of her face.

"Aw, don't worry about it," Naruto said with a wide grin, scratching the back of his head. "If I'm making you smile, then I'm doing something right, huh?"

Hinata practically melted, her eyes wide, her entire face red as she lowered her head to the table to hide her expression.

Smooth, I taught him how to treat a woman early.

"That said, the first nine questions were intentionally beyond the level of what a genin could reasonably solve. Most of you likely realized that early on," Ibiki's voice boomed through the room. His eyes scanned the sea of genin, lingering on those who looked the most uncomfortable. "And so, there was no doubt in our minds that you only had one viable option to retain your points—cheating."

A ripple of murmurs spread throughout the room. Kimiko glanced around, catching glimpses of panic and realization dawning on some of the genin's faces.

"Of course, to ensure there were suitable targets for you to cheat from, we planted two chuunin operatives among you," Ibiki continued, a wicked grin forming on his face. "They were given the correct answers in advance and scattered throughout the room as bait."

"Y-Yeah!" Naruto laughed, hands behind his head like he'd been in on the whole thing. "Only a total doofus would fall for that, huh, Hinata?" His grin was as wide as ever, brimming with self-assurance.

Hinata's eyes darted toward him, her cheeks turning pink. "R-Right, Naruto-kun," she stammered, her fingers poking together nervously.

Kimiko let out a short snort, one mirrored by Sasuke.

Ibiki's gaze lingered on them before his hands reached up toward his head. "Of course," he said, slowly unclasping the headwrap covering his scalp, "anyone caught cheating failed. But those of you who cheated without getting caught? Congratulations." He pulled the cloth away, revealing a scalp crisscrossed with scars, burns, and puncture marks, each one a grim reminder of the life he'd lived. The silence was palpable. "Cheating without being caught? That's called reconnaissance. And reconnaissance is an essential skill for any shinobi worth their headband."

The room was dead silent as every genin stared at Ibiki's exposed head. No one dared to make a sound, not even Naruto.

"Make no mistake," Ibiki continued, his voice low "If you're ever caught during a mission, it won't be as simple as being 'disqualified.'" He turned his head slowly, letting each genin get a full view of the horror etched into his flesh. "No, being caught can cost you far more than your life. You'll pay in pain, in your will, and in your mind. Piece by piece. Over days. Weeks. Years. They will carve you apart until there's nothing left to take."

Kimiko's eyes sharpened at that. It was one thing to know the scene ahead of time, but hearing it spoken aloud from the man himself hit different.

"Your mistakes don't just end with you," Ibiki continued, turning his head back toward the crowd. "If you bring back flawed intelligence or fail to properly analyze information on a mission, you aren't just failing yourself—you're jeopardizing your entire team. Your village. Everyone who's depending on you."

He finished re-wrapping his head, tugging it tightly into place. "That is why we forced you to cheat. We maneuvered you into using your espionage skills, baited you into deception, and set the stage to expose those of you too unskilled to manage it."

"Okaaay?" Temari drawled, arms crossed, her sharp eyes narrowing. "But I'm still not getting what the tenth question thing is all about."

Ibiki raised an eyebrow, his smirk curling. "You're not?" His gaze swept the room. "The tenth question was the main purpose of the whole exam. Surely, you see that?"

Temari's eyes rolled. "Explain it anyway," she muttered, though the curiosity in her tone betrayed her.

Ibiki chuckled, "As I said before, the goal was to test you not only as individuals but as part of a team. The final question gave you two choices, both difficult. You could choose to play it safe and skip the question, though it meant both you and your teammates would fail, or you could try to answer it, knowing that if you got it wrong, you'd be banned from ever taking the Chuunin Exams again." He let the words hang in the air, letting their weight sink into the minds of the genin. "It was a no-win situation."

He scanned the room, pausing just long enough to meet the eyes of a few tense-looking genin. "But that sort of situation is exactly what Chuunin face every day."

The words hit like a slap to the face, and the murmuring resumed among the gathered ninja. Kimiko could feel the weight of his words sinking into the room, filling the air with an almost oppressive gravity. But she remained still, arms folded, eyes forward. This was expected. It was all too familiar.

"For example," Ibiki began, stepping forward, his heavy boots thudding against the wooden floor. "Let me give you a hypothetical mission. Your objective: steal a critical document from an enemy stronghold. You have no idea how many enemy shinobi are inside, nor how heavily armed or prepared they are. Furthermore, you have good reason to believe they expect you, and you might very well be walking blindly into a trap." His eyes narrowed like the edge of a blade. "Now, tell me—do you have the option of saying no to that mission? Can you refuse it? Can you turn back because it's too dangerous?"

His silence was sharp and cutting, like the pause before the strike of a blade.

"No," he answered for them, his voice a grating growl. "You can't. You move forward. There will be many missions that seem almost suicidal if you think about it too much, but you do not think. You act. You push forward with unwavering resolve. That's what it means to be a Chuunin. A squad leader. A commander."

Kimiko's eyes flicked over to Naruto, watching the realization dawn on his face. She could see it in his eyes—the shift from confusion to understanding. His face hardened with newfound determination, lips pressed into a thin line. Good. He understood.

"Those who hesitate, those whose resolve falters, those who prioritize their own survival over their comrades' lives," Ibiki's voice became razor-sharp, cutting deeper with every word. "They have no right to call themselves Chuunin. Not now, not ever—not as long as I'm here."

The room was dead silent. No more whispers. No more side glances. Every genin sat at full attention, watching Ibiki like he was the executioner about to pass judgment.

"But," he continued, his tone shifting just slightly, softer but no less commanding. "As for the rest of you…" He let the silence hang for just a moment longer. "You have successfully answered the ten questions I put before you."

Ibiki scanned them all one more time, his gaze falling on Kimiko, Sasuke, and Naruto for a moment longer than the others. "You have earned the right to continue on to the next step. You've passed through the First Gate." His grin widened. "I hereby declare this portion of the Chuunin Exams… completed. There's nothing left, but to wish you all good luck!"

"YEAH! WE DID IT! THAT'S ONE DOWN! YEAH YEAH!" Naruto hollered, leaping onto his chair and punching the air. His triumphant roar echoed through the room, filling every corner with his boundless energy. Kimiko couldn't hold back her grin, the warmth of it spreading to her cheeks. Even Ibiki's normally grim face twitched with the faintest hint of a smile.

But just as quickly as it came, the warmth faded. Kimiko's smile dropped, her eyes narrowing as a shift in the atmosphere sent a shiver down her spine. It was subtle at first — like a slithering presence that slipped into the room unnoticed. A slow, encroaching tension, as if a predator had just entered its hunting ground.

Her fingers flexed on the desk.

Crash!

The windows at the front of the room exploded inward, glass shards scattering like falling snow. A rush of air swept through the room as the sound of two kunai piercing wood followed a heartbeat later.

Thunk-thunk.

Both kunai embedded themselves in the ceiling with precision, carrying a large, fluttering banner between them. As it unfurled, Kimiko barely noticed the words on it because her attention had already been drawn to the figure that had entered through the window.

She didn't need the words. She knew exactly who it was.

A tall, curvy woman landed with perfect grace, her purple hair tied up in a spiky ponytail, her beige overcoat swishing behind her as she rose to her full height. The way she stood radiated control — like a storm ready to snap at any moment. Her fishnet top and battle gear were bold choices, but somehow, it worked for her. She didn't just wear the uniform. She owned it.

The woman's sharp eyes scanned the room, locking in on each and every person as if she were assessing how long it would take to break them.

"None of you are in any position to celebrate," her voice was crisp and cutting, every syllable clear as a kunai's edge. "I am the second chief examination officer, Mitarashi Anko!" she boomed, letting her words wash over the room like a gust of cold air. Her eyes narrowed with predatory intent. "You ready for the second test?!"

The suddenness of it all left most of the students frozen in place.

Before anyone could react, a heavy sigh echoed from behind the large banner. From the side, Ibiki Morino stepped out, his scarred face twisted in exasperation. He pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed as if he'd seen this play out a thousand times before.

"You're early," he said flatly, staring at Anko with deadpan exhaustion. "Again."

Anko blinked, her gaze flicking to Ibiki. For a moment, she resembled a child caught sneaking sweets before dinner. Her cheeks flushed red, and she scratched the back of her head, letting out an awkward, breathy laugh.

Her eyes settled on the crowd. "How many did you pass, Ibiki?" she asked, tilting her head like a curious cat. She slowly began counting heads, eyes flicking from group to group with casual precision. "Seventy-eight, huh?" She side-eyed Ibiki, giving him a lopsided grin. "Twenty-six teams passed?"

She clicked her tongue, tilting her head toward him. "You went soft this year."

Ibiki's eyes narrowed just a fraction. "This year's applicants are exceptional," he said plainly, his arms crossed.

Anko's eyes sparkled with mischief as she scanned the group once more. "Exceptional, huh?" She slowly turned, one hand on her hip as she tapped a finger against her waist. Her gaze lingered on Team 7 for just a second too long, and Kimiko felt it like a spark of static against her skin. "I'm not impressed. Trust me, by the time I'm done with them…" Her grin widened to something feral. "I'll cut this group in half."

Murmurs rippled through the room, anxiety hanging in the air like a low-rolling fog. The jubilant mood was crushed just as quickly. A few glanced at each other, some with nervous chuckles, others with thinly veiled concern. No one was sure if she was bluffing. And that was the point.

"Alright," Anko declared, her voice snapping. She clapped her hands together, "I'll explain everything in detail once we're at the next location. So get up, follow me, and keep up." No one moved still, as if they were unsure.

"MOVE IT!" she barked, and the room immediately erupted into a scramble of movement. Chairs scraped back. People grabbed their belongings in a rush. The wave of panic was instant, and the clattering of chairs echoed through the room like a sudden downpour.

"See ya, Ibiki," Anko called over her shoulder with a quick wave, her grin still intact. "Try not to get too bored without me."

Ibiki huffed, shoving his hands in his coat pockets. "Don't kill them all," he muttered, watching her lead the crowd out of the room.

Kimiko stood up slowly, stretching her arms as she glanced over at Sasuke and Naruto, who immediately walked towards her, taking her hands with their own automatically

Heh, they're really liking that holding hands thing.

"She's intense," muttered Sasuke, his gaze following Anko with mild interest. His eyes narrowed like he was analyzing her every movement. "Bit much, though."

"Yeah, but she's cool," grinned Naruto, hopping down from his seat. "Kinda reminds me of Kimiko, actually."

Kimiko snorted, unable to hold in a laugh. "She's a little more 'blunt force trauma' than me, don't you think? She's more like you, now that I think about it." she teased. "But thanks, Naruto. I'll take it as a compliment."

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto waved it off, adjusting his headband. "I just mean she's got the same 'I'm not here to play around' kinda vibe."

"Come on," said Sasuke, walking toward the door. His eyes shifted toward Anko as she led the group ahead. "We should move."

Kimiko glanced around one last time, her eyes catching sight of a few familiar faces. Her gaze lingered on Neji for a moment, the stoic Hyuga's eyes flicking toward hers like he'd noticed her watching. They exchanged brief, unreadable glances before Neji turned away.

Before they could leave, Ibiki's voice echoed through the room.

"Miss," he rumbled, his eyes narrowing as he focused on her. "You have exceptional mental fortitude. None of my tactics worked on you. Cool as a cucumber."

Kimiko turned her head, arching a delicate brow before offering him a small smile. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you, Ibiki-san," she replied, bowing her head slightly, her dark curls swaying with the motion.

"Mm…" Ibiki hummed, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. "Do well on the next exam. What's your name again?"

"Kimiko, Yuhi Kimiko," she answered clearly, her voice calm but firm.

"Ah," he nodded, his rough features easing into something akin to acknowledgment. "Well, you're free to go."

With a final glance at him, Kimiko turned to leave, her movements fluid and steady. Sasuke and Naruto followed close behind, their gazes darting to her briefly before locking onto the path ahead. The three of them walked together, step by step, hands linked like an unbreakable chain.

Their figures followed the back of Anko's group, her wild energy palpable even from this distance, but Kimiko's mind lingered on Ibiki's words. "Cool as a cucumber," huh?

She glanced down at her hands, feeling the warmth of Naruto and Sasuke's grips. Her lips quirked into a small grin. Her two boys looked down at her, smiling.

Yeah. Cool as a cucumber.