A/N: Triple Release (1/3)! Get the Story to 600 powerstones by Sunday, for a double release. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! New Goal: 600 Powerstones! Going on a flight, so these chapters will be uploaded early. I don't know if I'll be bale to upload number 3 of the triple release today, but we'll see.
As soon as Goro entered the room, Kinuta jumped onto a desk and pounced at him, throwing a kick aimed at his head. Easily perceiving the attack, Goro grabbed Kinuta's leg and swung him toward Dosu, who had also been planning to attack if Kinuta failed.
Having no regard for his teammate, Dosu dodged Kinuta's body, letting him crash into the desks, and then ran toward Goro, pulling up his sleeve to reveal his sound gauntlet.
Before Dosu could land the attack, however, someone landed a flush punch straight to Dosu's temple, causing him to lose balance and buckle onto his knees.
'Who?'
Turning around, Goro saw Ino grinning and holding a thumbs-up. "Even if we're on different teams, we're still your allies," Ino said, laughing.
Shikamaru and Choji, standing on either side of her, nodded in agreement.
Shifting his attention to Dosu, Shikamaru noticed that Dosu was struggling to get up. "Ino… When did your punches get so strong?" Shikamaru questioned, his gaze still on Dosu.
Holding up her fist, Ino replied cockily, "I've been training, Shikamaru. Ever heard of it?"
'That was an unnecessary remark. It seems she's starting to grow aware of her power.'
Staring at Dosu, Kabuto thought, "I'm glad he's a dispensable piece. I never understood why Orochimaru chose such a pathetic Genin. That girl, though... That punch was quite precise. She's fairly skilled…"
"That's not special! I bet I could do that too!" Sakura muttered, belittling Ino's abilities.
Making sure his glasses were on properly, Shino pondered, "Ino… She's improved a lot."
Kin helped Dosu up and led him to a seat so that he could regain his balance and clear his mind.
Appearing after all the chaos had ensued was the exam proctor, Ibiki. Looking around at the fallen tables and chairs, Ibiki thought, "It seems we've got a lively bunch this year."
Ibiki then began to explain the rules of the exam, and once he was done, everyone took their allocated seats.
"Your time starts now!" Ibiki exclaimed, commencing the exam.
Goro scanned through all the questions on the paper, and to his surprise, he knew the answer to some of them.
'Although I understand the answer to some of these, since I've been in similar situations in real life, I'm not going to bother exerting all that effort when I can just ask the System. System, are you able to answer these correctly?'
[Indeed. I have knowledge of all the answers.]
'Great, then let's begin. What's the answer to the first question?'
Only 15 minutes had passed, and Goro had reached the final question that could be answered.
'System, what's the answer to the 9th qu—'
"Five strikes! Kabuto Yakushi, you've failed the exam. Exit with your team!" one of the Chunin overseeing the exam announced.
'Huh?'
Unable to believe the Chunin had called out Kabuto's name, Goro turned to the Chunin and asked, "You didn't say Kabuto, did you?"
"Yes, I said Kabuto, which means you're also out. So don't make me repeat myself—leave," the proctor exclaimed.
'...'
As Kabuto walked by Goro toward the entrance, he tapped Goro on the shoulder, trying to console him, and said, "Sorry, it's all my fault."
Goro pulled away from Kabuto, enraged by the decision. Standing up from his seat, Goro followed Kabuto and Misumi out of the room.
"Goro…" Ino thought as she watched him walk out.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Goro said, glaring at Kabuto.
Trying to appease Goro, Kabuto raised his hand and said, "It really was an honest mist—"
Goro slammed his fist into Kabuto's nose, sending him hurtling to the ground. Misumi wasn't pleased with Goro's actions, so he pulled out a kunai, ready to attack, but with a speed Misumi couldn't perceive, Goro grabbed Misumi's head and rammed it into the hallway wall.
'Fast…!' Misumi thought, losing consciousness.
Kabuto stood up, bloodlust oozing from him as he wiped the blood dripping from his nose. "I'm going to murder you right here…" Kabuto scowled, rushing in to attack Goro.
As the two were about to clash, Asuma appeared, grabbing Goro and evading Kabuto's attack.
"What's all the commotion?" Asuma asked, looking back and forth between Kabuto and Goro with concern.
Ignoring Asuma's presence, Goro pushed him off and threatened, "You've ruined my plans, so now don't expect yours to go as planned. I'll destroy all of it—you've made a great error."
Goro's words disturbed Kabuto. 'Why is he speaking as if he knows something? What plans exactly is he referring to? He thinks we're up to something but probably can't put his finger on what it is. Oh, Goro, you are severely underestimating our plans. It's beyond what you could ever imagine,' Kabuto pondered.
Remembering his original goal, Kabuto bowed and apologized before leaving.
"Goro… is everything alright?" Asuma asked. Goro hadn't realized it yet, but he was leaking a tremendous amount of bloodlust.
Turning to face Asuma, Goro punched the wall in frustration and exhaled deeply. "That… that bastard! He failed on purpose!" Goro muttered, his tone aggressive.
Patting Goro on the head, Asuma replied, "The Third Hokage took precautions in case this happened. You see, Kabuto is a serial failure at this exam, so Lord Third advised me to stay in the vicinity to relay this message to you if you failed the first exam due to others. Lord Third wants you to meet him in his office."
Exhaling deeply again, Goro walked away. "Sorry about the push, Sensei," Goro apologized.
Asuma laughed and replied, "That weak push isn't anything to worry about. You showed restraint even though you were completely submerged in fury."
Smiling, Goro nodded and flickered away.
'I'm starting to feel bad for almost killing him a few months ago…'
Upon arriving at the Hokage Mansion, Goro went inside and knocked on the office door.
"Come in!" Hiruzen instructed, tapping his pen on the table as he waited for the person behind the door to enter.
Seeing Goro enter the room, Hiruzen put his hand to his head. "Kabuto?" he asked, looking expectantly at Goro for an answer.
Goro sighed, "Yeah, Kabuto."
The Third Hokage stood up from his seat and walked around the table to stand face-to-face with Goro. "I'm not going to pretend like I didn't want this outcome," Hiruzen said, grinning at Goro.
'What's this old man talking about? What does he have planned?'
"With all due respect, Lord Third, I don't know what you're trying to imply," Goro said, respectfully.
Stroking his beard, Hiruzen explained, "I have taken some measures in case you failed. The truth is, we cannot let talented ninja like yourself remain Genin longer than needed. That being said, I've organized for you to do your Chunin Exam with me personally."
'A personal exam? And with the Hokage no less?'
Bowing politely, Goro responded, "It would be an honor, Lord Third, but what will the exam consist of?"
Returning to his seat, Hiruzen answered, "You won't find out until the day of the exam. I've booked some free time tomorrow, so I'll host it then. For now, you are dismissed."
Nodding, Goro exited the room.
Spinning his chair to face the view of the village, Hiruzen mused, "It'll be fun."
Outside the office, Goro encountered a familiar man adorned with bandages. The man looked at Goro expectantly, prompting Goro to bow as a show of respect.
"Let's walk while we have a chat," Danzo said, walking down the hall of the Hokage's office toward the stairs. Goro followed.
The two walked silently together until they reached a good distance from the Hokage's office.
"I have a task for you, and it's up to you whether you accept it or not," Danzo spoke, analyzing Goro.
'What does he want? I'll play along and see where this goes…'
Pretending to contemplate Danzo's proposal, Goro asked, "What's the task, sir?"
Satisfied that he was already able to get one foot in, Danzo continued, "It's an espionage mission. Things have been getting extremely tense between our village and the Cloud. I need you to infiltrate the Cloud Village and gather as much intel as you can. You have a month to complete this mission."
'The Cloud Village? This could be beneficial. If I can pick off some ninja while I'm there, it may even yield better rewards than the Chunin Exams!'
"I'm willing to take on this mission," Goro disclosed.
A sinister smile spread across Danzo's face. "Good… The mission begins in a week's time, so be prepared," Danzo divulged, walking away.
'I didn't even need to convince him… I want him in the Foundation,' Danzo contemplated.
Reminder: Get the Story to 600 powerstones by Sunday, for a double release. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! New Goal: 600 Powerstones!