AN: Hey everyone hope you're enjoying the story so far! If you've taken the time to write a review then I just want to say my thanks! Unfortunately, for some odd reason I can't access or view any reviews, so for now if you have anything you'd like me to read over you can send me an email at: one3time3
I've also done scene switches throughout the story as you may have noticed where one moment it will be a scene where Izaya, Haku and and Kimimaro are doing something, but in the next it might transition to a scene with Yamato's and Kakashi. I hope those scene transitions felt intuitive for you guys. If you'd like me to insert some sort of symbol to alert you to the scene switch then shoot me an email. If you think the flow of it feels fine then you don't have to say anything. Or maybe shoot me an email saying it's fine.
Last thing, if any of you are into Wuxia novels, there's a novel I'm reading called "Rebirth of the Thief Who Roamed The World" so check it out if you haven't yet. It's a VRMMO/Reincarnation story. Also check out the Webtoon "Solo Leveling," that's also pretty good. Okay, that's it. Sorry for the long AN.
Chapter 13
Yawn. "Finally, we're back." I said as I followed Yamato-sensei and the others through Konoha's entrance.
"Oh? If it isn't Izaya, Kimimaro, and Haku!" Kotetsu said. Yamato then turned to look at Kotetsu and said, "What about me?" However, Kotetsu completely ignored Yamato and was already in the middle of conversing with us. Yamato just stared at us with an annoyed expression.
"So how did the hunting mission go this time?" Kotetsu asked. He had always enjoyed the story that these three kids told him after every successful C-rank hunting mission they completed. He listened intently as we told him about our mission.
It seemed like only yesterday that these three buggers were standing outside these exact gates seeking help like lost puppies. Now they've grown into such fine shinobi Kotetsu thought. Yamato walked over and was about to cut in when he heard a loud bird cry in the sky.
"Eh?" He questioned. He then looked up and saw a hawk soar through the sky with another cawing sound. Yamato and Kotetsu made eye contact at that moment as if coming to an understanding.
"Yamato-sensei, do we have anything else planned for today?" Haku asked.
Yamato shook his head and said, "Not today. I've got to report to Lord Third about our mission. I'll come find you guys later in the afternoon."
"Okay, see you later sensei." We all nodded and said.
"Mn." Yamato assented before disappearing in a puff of smoke. I looked up at that moment and saw a hawk circling in the air continuing to occasionally caw out. Oh, seems like it's already time for the Chunin exams to begin I thought to myself.
"So what're you kids going to be doing now?" Kotetsu asked.
I gave a momentary thoughtful look before answering, "Well, we haven't been in the village for about half a month so we'll go take a look around first. Then meet up with Yamato-sensei later."
Kotestu put a smile on his face and said, "Sounds like a plan. Don't cause any trouble."
"Have we ever caused trouble before?" Haku said rhetorically as we walked off waving goodbye.
Sigh. "Those kids are truly capable now huh." Kotetsu let out.
"Eh? Why do you sound like an old man right now?" Kotetsu's guard partner Izumo said.
"It's nothing. I was just listening to those kids tell me how their hunting trip went. Apparently they ran into a Tengu but managed to kill it." Kotetsu replied.
"What! They killed a Tengu!" Izumo stood up from his seat in surprise.
Puff. Hiruzen sat on his seat smoking his pipe as he patiently waited for all the Jonin to arrive. The last to enter was Yamato. "Oh, Yamato, finally decided to come eh?" Asuma jokingly said.
"Haha, my apologies. Team 11 just got back from our mission." Yamato replied apologetically.
"Mn. Everyone has now gathered." Hiruzen assented. "Now I'm sure you have all realized the reason why I have called you all here today, but I will still formally announce it. The start of the Chunin exam begins in one week. I ask the Jonin instructors of the newly promoted Genins. Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, Hatake Kakashi, and Yamato. Please step forward."
"Yes Lord Hokage." All four of them agreed and stepped forward.
"Now I must ask, are there any rookie Genin from your teams that you wish to recommend for the exam? Just so you know, any Genin who has completed at least 8 or more formal missions are eligible. Well then, let's hear from you first Kakashi-san." Hiruzen said.
Kakashi nodded and said, "Yes. I Kakashi led Team 7. Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura. I Hatake Kakashi recommend these three for the Chunin exams." Iruka standing in the back of the group immediately gave a doubtful and shocked expression. Next Kurenai stepped forward. "I Kurenai led Team 8. Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino. I Yuhi Kurenai recommend these three for the Chunin exams."
Asuma then stood forth and said, "I Asuma led team 10. Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji. I Sarutobi Asuma recommend these three for the Chunin exams." Yamato was the last to step forth. "I Yamato led Team 11. Kaguya Kimimaro, Karasuma Izaya, Yuki Haku. I Yamato recommend these three for the Chunin exams."
Iruka then stepped forth with doubt and anxiety and said, "Please forgive me Lord Hokage but please allow me to speak my mind. These were all students of mine at the academy. While I acknowledge that they each had extraordinary ability, isn't it too soon for them to take the Chunin exam? They can still take the exam at another time after they have gained more experience!" At this moment all four Jonin instructors turned to look at Iruka with indifference.
Kakashi then said, "I became a Chunin when I was six years younger than Naruto is now." Iruka immediately shouted back, "Naruto is different from you!" Yamato then chimed in, "Iruka. I understand that you feel that you are protecting them, but what you're actually doing is stunting their growth."
Iruka gritted his teeth and said, "These exams are dangerous. Do you intend to crush them." At this point Kakashi said, "Iruka-sensei. I understand what you're trying to say but...Stay out of this! They are not your students anymore! Now, they are under my care." Iruka at a loss for words stepped forward wanting to say something but couldn't.
Hiruzen sighed and said with a stern tone, "Iruka. I understand what you're trying to say, therefore I will prepare a preliminary exam for these rookie Genins."
"Eh? Preliminary exam?" Iruka said confused.
Soon after everyone was dismissed. Before Yamato left he turned to Hiruzen and said, "Eh...Lord Hokage, are you actually planning to give my three students a preliminary exam? I feel that for those three it's unnecessary."
"Heh." Hiruzen smirked thoughtfully. "Those three huh? Kaguya Kimimaro, Karasuma Izaya, and Yuki Haku. Mmm...I will conduct a preliminary exam for them personally."
"EHHHH? Lord Hokage? You personally? I-Is that going to be alright?" Yamato said with a face of disbelief.
"Hahahaha! Well, you've been saying such great things about them and bragging all the time that you have peaked my curiosity. I would like to see a bit of their skills up close." Hiruzen remarked amiably. Yamato sighed internally. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.
"Mmm. This meat skewer is pretty good, would you like some Maro?" Haku said as the three of us walked around town. Kimimaro shook his head, "No, it's alright. I know that meat skewers are your favorite thing to eat."
"Mn." Haku nodded and continued eating. I simply smiled and shook my head. Kimimaro had a curious look on his face as he watched Haku eat and decided to ask, "Haku. I was wondering, why do you like meat skewers so much?" Haku stopped walking at that moment forcing Kimimaro and myself to stop as well. Haku then stared at the meat skewer in his hand with a look of reminiscence before answering. "You remember what I told you before right Maro? About how big brother saved me."
Kimimaro nodded his head.
"Well, I guess I glossed over the details but that day, when big brother found me I was cold, tired, and starved. I fought wild dogs for any scraps of food I could get my hands on. Big brother saved me from two wild dogs trying to steal my scrap of food, but big brother wouldn't let me eat the spoiled food on the ground. Instead, he gave me his fresh meat skewer and took me in. To me, there's nothing that tastes better in the whole world because whenever I hold a meat skewer, I feel like it's big brother holding out his hand to me and saying that everything is going to be okay."
Kimimaro was startled at the story and gave me a meaningful look. I simply turned my head embarrassed and put my hand on Haku's shoulder to reassure him. Haku looked up at me and smiled before continuing to eat his meat skewer and said, "Anyways, that's why meat skewers are my favorite thing to eat."
"Mn." Kimimaro nodded and then said, "Now I feel like eating some too."
Before we could walk any further a puff of smoke appeared in front of us. "Eh? Yamato-sensei?" I said rhetorically.
"Yo." He replied.
"Is it time for us to meet already sensei?" Kimimaro asked.
"Mmm...Well I'm technically just stopping by to drop off some news. I know this is sudden but I recommended you three to take part in the Chunin exam." Yamato said.
"Oh! That should be interesting. When is it?" Haku inquired.
"It'll begin a week from today. Here are your registration cards." Yamato said and handed out. "Well, you don't have to take it if you don't want to. If you do, sign your name on your card and report to room 301 of the academy at 3pm. That's all I have to report. We won't be meeting for the next week so don't forget to keep up on your training. And Kimimaro, you keep up on your health." Then with a puff of smoke Yamato disappeared.
"Yes sensei." Kimimaro saluted to the spot where Yamato was.
"He was kind of in a hurry." Haku noted as he finally finished his meat skewer. "I'll say." I agreed with Haku. "Well, let's get these signed and then head to a training ground to get some practice in."
"Mn." Haku and Kimimaro nodded. It wasn't long after until we finished our walk around town and signed our names on our registration forms before we headed off in the direction of the training grounds. As we turned a corner we saw three unfamiliar faces walking towards us. Eh? Isn't that Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari? I silently thought to myself. When we walked within 3 meters of each other Gaara and his group stopped however we continued walking straight on not paying attention.
"Tsk." Kankuro sneered at us when he noticed we didn't bother to stop walking. Eh, they're pretty handsome Temari thought to herself. "Oi. You three are leaf genin?" Kankuro said mockingly.
The three of us paused 1 meter away and turned to look at Kankuro. "Oh? So you aren't blind." I said.
Haku let out a small laugh at my joke since I said that when I was the one with the blindfold on. Tch, this bastard Kankuro thought to himself. Gaara simply stared at us with curiosity but he soon met Kimimaro's gaze and became surprised. For some reason he felt like he was one in the same with these three leaf Genin. Almost like they might understand his pain. Kankuro was about to make a snarky remark but Gaara stepped forward and stopped him. He then looked at us and said, "I am Gaara. Gaara of the desert. May I know your names."
I looked Gaara in the eyes before speaking, "My name is Karasuma Izaya."
"I am Kaguya Kimimaro."
"My name is Yuki Haku." We all formally introduced ourselves.
Gaara nodded and then walked off with Kankuro and Temari following behind him. They both had a surprised expression on their faces shocked that Gaara stopped to introduce himself first. The three of us simply turned away and continue walking to the training grounds. As we continued our trek Kimimaro commented aloud, "Gaara of the desert. He has the same eyes."
Haku nodded and said solemnly, "The shroud of darkness still looms deep in his eyes." I suddenly felt that the atmosphere around us turned depressing so I let out a deep sigh and said, "You don't have to worry. In the end, it'll all work out somehow. Worry about yourselves for now. Especially you Kimimaro."
"Mn." They both nodded. We spent the next few days training until finally the day of the exam rolled around. "What should we do today big brother?" Haku asked.
"Mmm...Let's do some light exercise and training before heading off to the academy."
"Ok." Haku and Kimimaro nodded. The second we reached the training ground sparring area I stopped. "Eh? What's wrong big brother? Why'd you stop so suddenly?" Haku asked.
Instead of answering Haku directly I turned towards the forest nearby and bowed respectfully saying, "Greetings Lord Third."
"Eh?" Both Haku and Kimimaro exclaimed in surprise. They too turned towards the forest and bowed respectfully, even though they couldn't see or sense Lord Hokage they trusted Izaya.
"Hohoho, so you were able to detect my presence even from that far away. Impressive impressive." An aged old voice said. Hiruzen then walked out from the shadows of the forest and arrived before us.
"Lord Third, are we perhaps intruding on your training?" I asked.
"Hahaha, no it's nothing like that. Mmm...It's more like I am intruding on the three of yours training." He said.
"Eh?" The three of us looked at each other confused. "What do you mean Lord Hokage?" Haku asked.
Hiruzen gave the three of them a meaningful look for a moment before saying, "I'm sure Yamato has already told you that he recommended you three for the Chunin exams. I don't doubt his judgement and the fact that the three of you have already been carrying out high grade C-rank missions meant for Chunin level shinobi to take on I don't doubt your abilities either. Your sensei has been bragging constantly about how great his three students are so I decided that I wanted to see your skills personally."
"Err...Lord Third, does that mean you will watch us practice today?" I asked.
"Hahaha. Well no. Actually today I thought perhaps the four of us could do some light sparring." Hiruzen said amiably. The three of us just stared at Lord Hokage dumbfounded for a moment before we all mentally cursed Yamato-sensei for his big mouth.
Somewhere in the village, "Achoo!" "Achoo!" "Achoo!" Sniff. "Eh, was someone cursing me just now?" Yamato pondered.
Lord Third walked a fair distance away from us before standing bemused with his hands behind his back. He then looked at us and said, "You may begin your attack when you are ready. We will end our sparring when this incense stick runs out." He then threw a long joss of incense out with expert skill making it stick into a nearby tree. A little flame lit the stick signaling the start of our battle.
I focused on Lord Third as I gathered my thoughts quickly. I can sense Lord Third's chakra from here and even though he's old now he boasts an incredible amount of chakra. He can utilize all 5 elements and not just basic ones either. We don't have an elemental advantage nor do we have chakra advantage so we'll lose if we go with ninjutsu. Ninjutsu should only be used to support us in this fight. Our best bet is to rely on our stamina with our speed and agility. "Haku, Kimimaro, we'll use Taijutsu. Go with formation D." I said seriously.
"Mn." They nodded. Kimimaro stood in front and in the middle as Haku and I flanked his sides.
Oh, Taijutsu huh? An excellent plan. They realized that I am old and plan to wear down my physical stamina, but perhaps they'll be surprised by this old man's skill Hiruzen mused. However, he became serious a moment later. He was instantly surprised at our physical speed which caught him off guard. I didn't expect them all to be so physically quick he thought while preparing himself.
In less than 3 seconds we had arrived before Lord Third with all of us in the same Taijutsu stance as we simultaneously shouted, "Taijutsu Shaolin Style One Palm Strikes Three!" We all used the exact same movement like perfect mirror images of one person. We struck out with our right palm forcing Lord Third to block two palms with his own two palms and raise a knee up high to defend against the other.
Eh? What Taijutsu is this? He shockingly thought. We punched with our left hand as Hiruzen expertly defended two and dodged the other. He ducked and swept our feet forcing us to dodge in the air. Before he could follow up the three of us performed a powerful axe kick towards his head.
Even though they are perfectly in sync, Kimimaro's strikes are more powerful, he mentally noted as he quickly dodged backwards while we gave chase and continued to perform a series of advanced Taijutsu movement strikes. Right roundhouse, right palm, left kick, right kick, somersault kick, right punch, left knee, right knee, turned back kick, left elbow strike, extended arm strike, and right forward kick.
Hiruzen was extremely shocked as he expertly dodged, parried, defended, sidestepped, countered, swept, blocked, and struck meeting us strike for strike. The three of us were also extremely shocked. Even though Lord Third was old, he was after all the Hokage for a reason. Changing tactics I shouted, "Taijutsu Shaolin Style Six Kicks of Fury!" At that instant the three of us stopped performing the exact same movement and instead performed a series of powerful kicks that covered each others vulnerable points while forcing Lord Third into a passive state. I kicked at his head while Haku kicked at his back and Kimimaro swept at his feet.
"What!" Hiruzen exclaimed. He quickly jumped and evaded Kimimaro's leg sweep while at the same time forced his body into a horizontal position in the air right at the gap between my kick and Haku's kick. He used the back of his forearm to block Haku's kick and his left forearm to block my kick. He then utilized the force of my kick to give him momentum and push backwards away from our encirclement.
Right as he landed he took out a shuriken. He threw it and formed the signs of Ox, Dog, Dragon, Rat, Dog, Boar, Snake, and Tiger, however, noticing his movement with my Sharingan I also took out a shuriken at the same time and formed the exact same signs as Lord Third. At the same time we both shouted, "Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!" In less than a second later more than 20 shuriken collided giving off orange sparks from metal striking metal.
"Geh, Sharingan huh? Impressive." Hiruzen said. He quickly formed the Tiger hand sign and said, "Earth Style Great Mud River Jutsu!" A giant gushing river of mud rushed in our direction. Without time to activate any jutsu we were forced to dodge out of the way. Haku jumped in the air while Kimimaro and I jumped to the left. Hiruzen then started to form the signs of Rat, Tiger, Dog, Ox, Hare, Tiger while at the same time Haku formed the signs of Dragon, Snake, Bird, Ox, Hare, Snake. Hiruzen shouted, "Fire Style Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
Haku also shouted, "Water Style Turtle Water Jutsu!"
Dozens of small fireballs flew out from Hiruzen's mouth while dozens of small water balls flew out of Haku's. Every fireball collided with a water ball and cancelled each other out. "Eh? Impressive." Hiruzen remarked. Before Lord Third could make his next move I formed the hand signs of Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger and said, "Fire Style Flame Bullet Jutsu!" A fierce raging mix of fire and oil burst forth towards Lord Third.
He quickly formed the signs of Tiger, Hare, Boar, Dog and said, "Earth Style Earth Wall Jutsu!" A large earthen wall effectively blocked the incoming attack when Kimimaro said, "Earth Style Bottomless Swamp Jutsu!" Alarmed Hiruzen quickly jumped up and back to dodge the murky mud swamp beneath him when Haku took out two chakra infused senbon needles and threw them right at Lord Third. Hiruzen however formed the hand sign of confrontation causing mud shuriken to fly out at great speeds from the mud river he created earlier, which effectively deflected the senbon needles while at the same time flew towards Haku.
Without much time to act he quickly formed the Tiger hand sign and activated his Kekkei Genkai saying, "Ice Style Crystal Wall Jutsu!" Strong, cold, and icy crystals quickly emerged in front of Haku successfully blocking the barrage of mud shuriken. Hiruzen finally landed on the ground at this moment and stared at fascination at Haku's Kekkei Genkai technique. "Ho...Very impressive." He whispered aloud. At this point the incense stick burnt to ashes so we all lowered our guard and walked over to Lord Third.
We bowed respectfully at Lord Third and said, "Please excuse us for our behavior." Lord Third just laughed amiably and said with a smile, "There's no need for you to apologize. I was the one who asked for you all to attack me after all. Mn. I am most impressed at all three of your developments. Your chakra levels are at the Chunin level and you each have a wide arsenal of skills allowing for versatility in battle. The most important thing is your teamwork. You three know each other like the back of your hands and trust in each other's abilities allowing you to fight completely focused on your opponent without having to worry about your own back. I am very proud to see this. Not only that, Kimimaro has great aptitude in Taijutsu and I have never seen or heard of the style of Taijutsu you three performed. Where did you learn such an advanced technique?"
"Lord Third, it is all thanks to Izaya that I am able to improve and learn this much Taijutsu." Kimimaro said.
"Oh? Izaya-kun?" Hiruzen mused.
"Uh...Ahem. Well...I may have peaked at other Taijutsu users around the leaf village these past few years and attempted to draft my own unique skills of Taijutsu to help Kimimaro. After all, he has talent and great potential for Taijutsu! It would be a waste if he didn't develop a good foundation. I promise I didn't mean any harm by snooping around!" I said quickly and nervously.
Hiruzen just gave me a momentary stare before laughing again and said, "Hahahaha! I'm not going to scold you for being curious and wanting to learn more. Let me tell you about a disciple of mine named Jiraiya. He too liked to snoop around, although his "research" was a bit...unique." And like that we ended our day listening to some old stories of Lord Third...
Scratch that. Just as we were immersed in Lord Third's story telling all of a sudden I had a feeling like we were forgetting something. "Hey, is it me or are we forgetting something very important?"
"Hm? I don't think so...Are we?" Haku said confused.
"We came here to train so I guess sparring with Lord Third can count. Other than that I don't think we had anything else to do today." Kimimaro said.
"AH! Something else to do today? Weren't we supposed to meet in room 301 at the academy at 3pm if we wanted to participate in the Chunin exam?!" I exclaimed.
"AH!" Haku and Kimimaro suddenly exclaimed as they finally recalled what Yamato-sensei had said.
*Flash Back*
"...Here are your registration cards." Yamato said and handed out. "Well, you don't have to take it if you don't want to. If you do, sign your name on your card and report to room 301 of the academy at 3pm. That's all I have to report…"
*End Flashback*
Lord Third also let out a surprised exclamation, "AH! That's right. My old age must have worsened my memory. I've kept you three from something important for my own selfishness." He then checked the time. "Oh! You still have time. It's 2:55pm."
We quickly bowed once to Lord Third before the three of us disappeared in a puff of smoke with the Body Flicker Jutsu. Hiruzen just stared at the spot we were at with an embarrassed look on his face and said to himself, "Good grief. And I was the one who gave out the instructions."