Preliminaries

Feeling my body getting tired from so much running, I waited until we found a river before stopping.

"Let's stop for a minute and replenish our energy. If we encounter anyone later, it will be disadvantageous to be tired."

As Kiyo replenished our water bottles, I retrieved a scroll from my pouch and slid it open. Inside was a seal, which I infused chakra in, creating a puff of smoke.

Once the smoke dissipated, three perfect-condition rice balls appeared. Looking up, I saw shirt start to drool.

"Here, eat up."

Taking one each, we sat down and enjoyed our meal. Of course, I was constantly on alert for any enemies close by.

As we ate, Shira retrieved both the heaven and earth scrolls from his pouch. He looked at them with tentative curiosity.

"What do you think these scrolls contain? Do you think it's some kind of weapon?"

"Don't even think about it, Shira! Anko-san told us to keep them sealed."

Kiyo immediately reminded Shira of the rules, making him back down immediately. He then turned to me, as if he was looking for some kid of confirmation.

Sighing, I swallowed the last bit of my rice ball.

"It's probably just another part of the test. Sometimes, shinobi will take on mission that require them to deliver an important object or document to someone."

"They're probably testing our loyalty, to see if we would open the scroll or not."

Hearing my explanation, Shira and Kiyo looked like they had finally understood.

"That would make sense... Good thinking as always, Gaara."

"Yeah! I get it now!"

...

After ten minutes, our bodies we felt more energized, so we took off once again.

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(AN: I'll now introduce a new concept. The scene changes. If I switch to third person like this, it's like an intermission but the difference is that it's happening real-time.)

As Gaara's team got closer and closer to the tower, Temari and Kankuro were trailing behind.

They had already eliminated three teams in the first half-hour, but suffered extreme bad luck.

All of the teams they had defeated so far had the same scroll as them, rendering their efforts useless.

Visibly angered, Kankuro clicked his tongue.

"I can't believe not a single one of these f*ckers had an earth scroll. What fare we going to do with four heaven scrolls?"

"Hand them to me."

Suddenly, the usually quiet Hayaki spoke, surprising the two siblings.

"Look who decided to talk. This is like the fourth time I've heard you speak."

"What do you need the scrolls for, Hayaki?"

Temari didn't think much of it and handed him the extra scrolls.

To their surprise, Hayaki performed a hand seal and burned two of the extra scrolls to ashes.

"What the hell are you doing man?!"

Furious, Kankuro walked up to` Hayaki and held him by the collar.

Still confused, Temari tried to calm things down.

"Kankuro, stop. He surely has a reason for this, right?"

Seeing Temari's doubtful expression, Hayaki let out a sigh.

"Well, if I do this we literally eliminate two teams. Let's keep the last one in case we lose the original to somebody. They don't have to know we have on extra."

"Eliminating teams huh... Nice thinking."

Temari was convinced, and Kankuro had to reluctantly admit that he was right.

"Tch. Let's just move on."

After their little argument, team Temari started heading towards the tower, in hopes of finding an enemy team on the way.

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After three long days, a total of eight teams made it to the tower with both scrolls:

Team Baki (A): (Gaara, Shira, Kiyo)——Seventy minutes.

Team Baki (B): (Temari, Kankurō, Hayaki)——Two hours.

Team Kurenai: (Kiba, Shino, Hinata)——Two hours and thirty minutes.

Team Guy: (Neji, Lee, Tenten)—— One day.

Team Asuma: (Shikamaru, Choji, Ino)—— Two days.

Team Dosu: (Dosu, Zaku, Kin)——Two days.

Team Kabuto: (Kabuto, Yoroi, Misumi)——Three days.

Team Kakashi: (Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura)——Three days.

The past three days were extremely boring for me. Since we broke the previous record by a mile, we just spent our time getting ready for the preliminaries.

Then again, I was pretty confident in my chances to pass. Shira wouldn't have too much of a problem either. As for Kiyo, she's stronger than she looks.

As long as I pass it's all good. Wether or not they do is up to them, I can only offer pointers every now and then.

Looking at the time, I couldn't help but let out a sigh. The test was finally over.

After getting ready, the three of us made our way down to the main hall. On the way, we cam across Kiba's team. Unknowingly, they were looking at us warily. Akamaru was even hiding inside Kiba's jacket.

Thinking about it, they did see Gaara kill Shigure in the original series, but it also happened here? What a coincidence.

Then again, they might just be scared of my chakra reserves, since they're sensors and all.

Anyways, once we reached The hall, everyone else was there already.

Looking around, it seemed like the plot hadn't changed all that much. Sasuke looked completely knackered, and Zaku had both of his arms wrapped in bandages.

On the podium, Sarutobi was observing us, accompanied by all the Jōnin. Anko had a microphone, and her voice resounded throughout the room.

"First off, congratulations on passing!"

"Hokage-Sama will now explain the test, so listen carefully!"

Taking the lead, Sarutobi walked closer tot he front and spoke in a calm voice.

"Before I explain, there's something I'd want you to know. It concerns the true reason for this exam."

"Why do we have all of the allied countries taking the exam together? To promote friendship? To raise the lávelo of shinobi? I don't want you to confuse it's true meaning..."

"This exam is... A replacement for war amongst the allied countries."

As everyone tried to make sense of his words, Sarutobi continued.

"If you go back in time, the current allies were once enemies who fought each other for power. In order to prevent such wasteful fighting, the stage in which these countries chose to battle... That is the Chūnin exam."

Hearing his words, Naruto had confusion written all over his face as he clapped back.

"Why the hell do we have to do that crap?! Isn't this whole exam to decide who becomes Chūnin?"

Allowing Naruto to speak, Sarutobi calmly answered his question.

"It is a fact that this exam decides which Shinobis have what it takes to become Chūnin... But this exam has more to it. Each country's shinobi risks their own life to protect or boost their lands prestige."

"Influential individuals from many different countries will be watching the third exam. The leaders of these countries will also be there to watch each of your battles."

"If the strength of a country is clear, then that country will receive more clients. Conversely, if seen as weak, they'll receive less clients."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but smile. The lineup Rasa had sent to these exams could be said to be the cream of the crop, me included.

His plan was probably to dominate these exams, in order to attract more clients towards the village. A good plan indeed.

"Before we begin the third test I will tell you one more thing. This is not just a test..."

"This is a life-risking battle, with your dreams and country's prestige on the line."

Cutting off the Hokage's words, a Jonin appeared out of nowhere with a knee on the ground. I immediately recognized him as Gekkō Hayate.

"I apologize, Hokage-sama. From here on, as the referee... Will you please allow me to continue the explanation myself?"

After receiving a nod from the Hokage, Hayate got up and took a good look at all of us.

"Cough... Before the third test, there's something I'd like you to do. In fact, this is merely a preliminary for the third test, to decide who gets to participate in the main event."

After saying this, questions were asked. Basically, Hayate explained that there were too many people, so they had to cut down the participants by half.

Also, the fights would take place now, regardless of the participant's conditions.

Of course, this wasn't received very well by the others, but to me it didn't really matter.

Ever since I took the decision to enter the Chūnin exams, I have made up my mind. If pit against Naruto or Sasuke, I will show no mercy. I'll defeat whoever comes in my way.

Suddenly, Kabuto raised his hand up in the air.

"Umm... I'm going to quit."

"Huh?!"

Hearing this, Naruto looked shocked.

"Cough... Kabuto Yakushi fro the leaf, right? You may leave. Does anyone else- cough- want to leave? If so, now is the time."

"I'll quit."

Hearing this unknown voice, I turned around and found Hayaki with his hand up. Temari was looking at him confusedly.

After a few conversations, the mysterious Hayaki left just like Kabuto, silently. It was anti-climactic to say the least.

Did Rasa have something to do with this? Or was he just tired... Who knows. Interrupting my thoughts, Hayate continued speaking.

"Alright then, let's begin the preliminary. It will consist of one-on-one battles, you will fight as if though this was a real life confrontation."

"Since we now have exactly 22 participants, we'll conduct eleven matches and the winners will advance to the third test."

"There are basically no rules. The fight goes on until one of you dies, is knocked out or admits defeat. If you don't want to die then quickly admit defeat."

"When I decide that the winner has been established, to not pointlessly increase the amount of corpses, I'll jump in and stop things. Now, for the object that will control your destiny from now on..."

As his words trailed off, the massive wooden board on the wall was raised, revealing a massive screen.

"This electric scoreboard will show the matchups for each battle. Now I know this is sudden, but lets announce the first two names."

Suddenly, as everyone watched, the board started randomizing names. When it stopped, everyone focused on the two names displayed.

Haruno Sakura vs Yudoku Kiyo