"What a pathetic group of kids." Ibiki yelled, as he put both hands into his trench coat.
Stomping his foot against the floor, Ibiki glanced at Naruto and Dosu, The commanding officer for Konoha's Interrogation Unit, Ibiki was a veteran shinobi who many took serious.
"No fighting unless I say so." As Ibiki spoke, he focused his glare on Naruto.
Give me a break! How did he do that?! Kiba panicked, staring at Naruto with disbelief.
When did you learn that? Sakura asked herself, peering over Sasuke's shoulder.
"What a drag." Shikamaru muttered, dampened by Choji's loud chewing.
"Naruto's...cool now...?" Ino muttered to herself.
"If we're ready, we will proceed to the 1st stage of the Chunin exam." Ibiki interrupted.
"Hand over your ID, in return, you'll be given a number." Explaining the stages of his exam, Ibiki kicked opened a nearby door.
"This number determines where you will sit for the written test." As Ibiki spoke, he was stopped by the abrupt howl of Kiba.
"A written test?! No!" Kiba shrieked with alarm.
Subduing his teammate with a swarm of beetles, Shino and Hinata quietly shuffled past Ibiki. Walking into a table-filled room, hundreds of Genin soon followed, lining up for the next exam.
Fifteen minutes later.
Sitting in his chair with an aura of boredom, Naruto released a dramatic sigh, rustling his whiskers. Seated by the sadistic outline of Gaara.
Startled by a pain-filled groan from Gaara, this red-haired foreigner dragged his nails across the table. Forcing Naruto to nervously scratch his nose, this whiskered shinobi sat in silence.
"Soon mother... Soon..." Gaara grunted.
"Make sure you pay attention, I won't be repeating myself." Ibiki snarled, tapping a stick of chalk against his green board.
"Rule number 1 is this." Slurring, he scribble on his board.
"The written part of the Chunin exam is conducted on a point reduction system." Muffled by striking chalk, he continued.
"You all begin with a perfect score of 10 points, 1 point will be deducted for each question you get wrong." Finishing his sentence, he turned around.
"Rule number 2, teams will pass or fail based off the total score of all 3 members." Without pausing, Ibiki shocked dozens of students.
As several Genin gasped and stirred, mumbled complaints polluted the frigid air. At the same time, Sakura anxiously bit her nails with a downcast face, slamming her forehead against a wooden desk.
"You're saying we all get graded as a team?" Sakura cut in.
Met by the grinding sound of chalk against a green board, Sakura received a stern glare. Ignoring and dismissing this outspoken kunoichi, the proctor continued his explanation.
"Rule number 3, the sentinels you see are watching you for any signs of cheating." Ibiki nodded at twelve Chunin, spread across the room.
"For every incident of cheating, the culprit will have a 2 point deduction." Answered by muffled groans, Ibiki fed off fear.
"One more thing - if any candidate gets a 0, than their entire team fails." Ibiki asserted, sending the entire class into panic.
"In front of you is a page with nines questions, the 10th and final question won't be given until 15 minutes before the end of the test." Ibiki continued explaining.
Signaled by the ring of a clock, Ibiki ordered the class into silence. With only one hour to fulfill their test, Ibiki snapped his fingers, trailed by the sound of pencils falling.
Five minutes later.
Each of these questions are just as hard as the last. Sakura concluded, glancing around the room.
Oblivious to Sakura's meltdown, Naruto just finished his Chibi depiction of Team 7. Drawing these pieces of art inside the boxes of his test, Naruto treated these depictions as his answer.
As Naruto continued to draw, Gaara was partially veiled by drifting grains of sand. With his left eye close, Gaara confidently zoomed through each question, cheating off a nearby shinobi.
Naruto didn't know if Gaara was answering the questions correctly, and he didn't care. The past six years with Iruka made it very difficult for Naruto to take any exam seriously, he just didn't care.
Line B on the diagram indicates the trajectory of a shuriken thrown at enemy C by Shinobi A, seated atop a tree 7 meters tall... Sasuke recited the first question.
Describe and formulate the trajectory required if C were positioned at points D, E and F... And explain how you arrived at your answer. Sasuke was stunned.
This is hopeless... What am I gonna do... What am I gonna do? Sakura panicked, grabbing both sides of her scalp.
Ten minutes later.
That does it, I got no choice, I have to cheat! Sakura didn't know what to do.
Glancing over her shoulder, Sakura gazed upon her whiskered teammate, scribbling on his page. Fast at work, Naruto's pencil hadn't left his test for over 20 minutes, surging through each answer.
However, instead of formatting a real response, Naruto doodled a vast collection of Chibi figures. Team 7, Team 3, Team 10 and Team 8 were all drawn as tiny and petite characters.
Fast at work on the fifth question, a Chibi Kankuro and Temari were used at Naruto's answer. Occasionally glancing at Gaara, this red-haired shinobi was his next piece of artwork.
How do they expect us to answer these questions? Even I can't. Neji sat in front of a blank test.
Glaring at Naruto's back, this blond jinchūriki was seated two rows in front of Neji, working hard. Using his Byakugan to study Naruto, Neji scoffed after examining the page, lined with Chibi depictions.
Gasping aloud, Neji and Sakura both came to the same conclusion, Ibiki wanted them to cheat. He wanted the students to discreetly spy on their classmates, to prove their stealth skill.
Anyone foolish enough to be caught cheating... Sakura and Neji thought in unison.
With his fabled Byakugan, Neji easily found the correct answers to the test, writing them down. But, Sakura didn't have that advantage, she was left alone to her own devices.
"Number 59 failed, number 33 and 9 failed" Mozuku spat, a Chunin proctor with rectangular glasses.
"Number 23 failed, number 27 and 43 failed." Izumo interrupted, throwing a kunai at Number 23.
Known as Komaza, this Genin from the Land of Rain was caught cheating for the fifth time. Standing up to argue, he was kneed in the stomach by Tonbo Tobitake, another Chunin proctor.
"No! Let me go! I didn't do anything! That was just my teammate!" Number 27 begged, dragged into the hallway.
Ten minutes later.
"Number 12 failed, number 56 and 39 failed." Tonbo spat, wrapped with linen bandages over his eyes.
"How can you keep track of all of us! You got the wrong guy!" Number 56 screamed, a kunoichi from Ame.
Stunned by a hostile grip on her hair, Number 56 was yanked across the floor. Laughing with a carefree tone, Tonbo ignored these protests, throwing her and her teammates out the room.
"Number 41 - failed! Numbers 35 and 62 - failed." Izumo spoke out, scribbling on his clipboard.
Thats the 13th team they've dismissed so far... Kabuto noticed, sitting in front of a completed test.
This needs to end already, Lord Orochimaru is waiting... Concluding theres thoughts, Kabuto glared at Naruto's back.
As everyone around her began to finish their tests, Sakura's page was barren and blank. Unable to answer any question, she was forced to wait for the tenth and final answer, risking everything.
Five minutes later.
"Listen up, this is the tenth question!" Ibiki barked.
Glancing around the room, dozens of Genin fell completely silent, waiting for his words. But, Naruto didn't even react, he was too busy doodling and drawing, the final piece of his artwork.
"But... there's one more rule you must be aware of." Met by muffled groans, Ibiki snarled.
As Sakura devolved into a mental breakdown, her teammates were oblivious to her plight. Sighing with boredom, Sasuke held his chin with one hand, glaring out an opened window.
"The tenth question is optional." Annoyed and aggravated, the room fell silent.
With frantic students and a foaming class, Ino spoke out, speaking what everyone was thinking. Slurring in complaint, several students followed her lead, ignored and dismissed by their proctor.
"If you choose not to take the question, you automatically fail the test." Brighten by the sun, Ibiki approached a window.
Another deterrent, if one ninja decided not to take the question, their entire team would fail. However, there's more, if they decided to take the question, and fail, they would be stuck as Genin, forever.
"That's a lie! You're village is trying to scam us!" A kunoichi from Taki declared.
A shared exam, several shinobi from various nations were all brought together in one room. Well informed and knowledgeable, Ibiki pinched the bridge of his nose, testing his patience.
"What's the big deal? Tons of people have taken this test before!" Kiba cut in.
Instead of words, these shinobi received a deep and dark cackle, emanating from Ibiki's scarred mouth. With both hands hidden by his attire, a twisted grin stretched across his face.
"If you're not feeling confident, skip it... And come back next year" Ibiki chuckled.
Stuck in his own world, Naruto didn't hear a single word, unaffected by the stark tone in the air. The only sound that could be heard, Naruto's pencil was dragged and dressed across the page.
If I get it wrong, I'll be a Genin the rest of my life. Gripping her scalp, Sakura grinded her teeth.
I'll be fine, and Naruto isn't even paying attention... But what about Sakura? Glancing at his teammate, Sasuke counted his options.
Triggered by Ibiki's tone, dozens of shinobi and kunoichi stood up, forsaking the test. Disappointing their team and their village, these ninja marched out the room, dampened by Naruto's pencil.
What I have isn't a dream...because I will make it a reality. Sasuke's voice rippled through Sakura's mind.
My dream is to protect everyone, no matter what. Accompanied by Naruto, Sakura gnawed her nails.
I couldn't even tell them my dream, because I'm just a loser... Faceplanting her desk, Sakura's hand inched towards the ceiling.
Mesmerized by this revelation, Sasuke dropped his pencil, trailed by his gasping mouth. At the same time, Naruto didn't even notice, he was too distracted by his pristine artwork.
-Flashback-
"You're showing a lot of improvement." Haku spoke with a feminine tone.
Seated beside a bruised and bleeding Sakura, these ninja were positioned outside Tazuna's house. Basked by rays of sunlight, a trickling stream surged through the landscape, sparkling.
"I wanted to ask you something... About your dream." Sakura panted.
As the setting sun pierced a cloudy horizon, Sakura's chest became flustered. Rising and falling with each breath, her emerald gaze was embolden by dazzling and vibrant light.
"Yes, a dream... It's a goal that someone strives to reach." Haku explained.
"What if someone doesn't have a dream?" Sakura stuttered.
Humming in reply, Haku stroked his petite chin, veiled by a grassy knoll and discarded senbon. Training with his new student, these ninja were hard at work, spending hours to train.
"Not having a dream, is the same as not being needed... It's a painful existence." Haku exclaimed.
Speaking with experience, Haku found purpose through serving others, by helping them. The same help that Zabuza once gave him, Haku was always a kind child, with a gentle heart.
"Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing, and If i'm doing it right or wrong." Sakura sat up, pressing both knees against her chest.
Muffled by a soaring flock of seagulls, these birds squawked in unison, flapping white wings. As crashing waves bombarded Tazuna's house, Sakura's face was gloomy and downcast.
"Well, you see, Zabuza is my dream." Haku groaned with a smile..
"That sounds really gay though..." Sinking to the ground, Sakura flopped like a fish.
Moaning in defeat, Sakura gasped as Haku washed the dirt from her face, giggling. Afterwards, he stood up, allowing beams of sunlight to highlight his petite figure and black hair.
"Well, I don't mind such things..." Haku glared towards the sky.
"Because, when I was young... I realized something... I realized that no one needed me." Striking a cord with his student, Haku yearned for purpose.
The same train of thought that haunted Sakura's waking dreams, she felt useless. She felt like no one needed her, like no one wanted her, and she hated it, she hated herself and her life.
-Flashback ends-
Jumping up from her chair, Sakura sundered the wooden desk under her palm. Sakura glared at Ibiki with unblinking eyes, as green as green.
Startled by this abrupt change, Naruto twitched, finally brought back to the real world. Losing the grip on his pencil, this utensil was tossed through the air, hurled towards Gaara.
Caught, grabbed and snapped by streams of sand, these shifting grains moved without command. Hiding his whiskers behind the raised collar of his tunic, Naruto sunk from Gaara's gaze.
"Listen up! You big eared freak!" Sakura spat.
"I'M NOT AFRAID OF SOME CUT-UP OLD MAN!" Kicking her chair to the ground, she huffed and puffed.
"YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE GREATEST KUNOICHI WHO EVER LIVED, SAKURA HARUNO, REMEMBER THAT!" Snorting in triumphant, she crossed both arms.
Being a brute, as usual. Ino internally sighed.
Hmph, not bad. Sasuke told himself.
Where did everyone go? Naruto pondered, oblivious to recent events.
"This decision is one that could change your life, this is your last chance." Ibiki replied.
"A Kunoichi never backs down and she never gives up." Spitting the words that Iruka taught her, Sakura was adamant.
Ibiki then stared around the room, observing and studying the teams that still remained. Taking a mental note of how many teams remained, he pulled both hands from his coat, slowly clapping.
That little outburst has given the others some backbone. 78 left - that's more than I expected. Ibiki analyzed the room.
"There's only one thing left for me to say..." Freezing, Ibiki's veteran face formed a genuine smile.
"You all pass." Shocking everyone in the room, silence polluted the air.
"Woah hold on!" Temari interjected.
"What just happened? Where's the 10th question?" Standing up from her chair, Temari sat at an isolated table.
"Actually your decision to stay was the 10th question." Ibiki explained.
"So the other questions were just a waste of time?" Ino snapped.
Laughing in response, Ibiki tilted his head to the side, gazing out the adjacent window. Examining the sunbaked silhouette of Konoha, a ball of black fabric zoomed towards him.
Smashing through glass, shattered crystals decorated the tile floor, and Ibiki's shinobi sandals. Annoyed by this revelation, he sighed and groaned, rubbing the black eyes he possessed.
Jumped the gun, as usual. Ibiki declared.
"Heads up! This is no time to be sitting down." Anko cut in.
Staring at this purple-haired kunoichi, dozens of teenager boys were filled with lust. Peeking at Anko's fishnet outfit, her coat barely concealed anything, leaving very little to the imagination.
"Cause I'm your next proctor, Anko Mitarashi." Flinging her arms to the side, she pointed at a green banner.
Freshly sewn and painted, this fabric was lined with 'Your Pain is our Gain - Anko and Kakashi'. An encouraging flag that she regularly used, Anko was well known for her dramatic entrance.
"Are you ready for the second test?" Speaking rhetorically, she pointed out the window.
"GOOD! let's go!" Met by silence, Shino's cricket could be heard.
"You're early, again." Ibiki muttered
Slurring in protest, Anko bit her lip before counting heads, surprised by the large number of graduates. Chastizing Ibiki for his soft nature, Anko wrapped one arm around her childhood friend. as his left handed gripped the edge of the black banner and he poked his half-way concealed head out from behind it.
"Your test was too easy, you must be slipping." Anko scoffed.
"Or, a stronger crop of candidates." Ibiki spoke with a smile.
Mocking her fellow shinobi, Anko snipped and snapped her fingers, treating them like a puppet. However, this comedic outlook was quickly robbed by Naruto's appearance, the favored student of Kakashi.
"Oh... Hey!" Anko was stunned, leaping in front of Naruto's desk.
Ignoring the hostile glare of Gaara, Anko casually violated Naruto's space, sitting in his lap. Filling other boys with envy, Naruto's face turned blood red, unable to reply or respond.
"Besides you, I'm sure they're all failures." Insulting the entire class, Anko played with Naruto's whiskers.
"What does that mean!?" Sakura screamed, clenching her nonexistent chest.
"Well if it isn't my boy toys slowest student... Pinky!" Anko jumped through the air, grabbing Sakura with both arms.
Squeezing the air from this kunoichi, Anko giggled with a distinct snort, reeking of dango. Dropping the panting outline of Sakura, this elite Jonin quickly scanned the crowded room.
"Where's the emo bitch?" Holding one hand over her eyes, Anko stumbled upon a sighing Sasuke.
"Good to see you too, hag." Sasuke struggled to hide his blush.
"Why are you blushing? Do you want another peak?'" Anko teased, partially exposing her bulging chest.
"Totally, I think it will help with the next stage." Kiba grinned from ear-to-ear.
Grabbing her petite waist with one hand, Anko unleashed a billowing laugh, filling the room. This persona then took an abrupt shift, becoming rigid and stern, the expression of a kunoichi.
"You've had it easy so far, but that all ends right now! Anyone who doesn't follow me is disqualified!" Anko screamed, flipping out a broken window.
"I'd listen to her, she only gets worse if you don't." Ibiki mumbled.
Suddenly, Gaara, Kankuro and Temari all stood in unison, racing after their strange new proctor. Following these Suna shinobi, Team 3, 8 and 10 all trailed behind them, with Team 7 in pursuit.
"How did ya'll do on the test? I enjoyed it." Naruto spoke.
"I had a nightmare!" Sakura shrieked
"I only answered 2 questions, before I started cheating." Sasuke slurred, unafraid of punishment.
The genin all went down the alleyway, with many different emotions surrounding all of them, but a unique bond pulling them all together in that moment.