62 Chapter no.60 Kids or Soldiers

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"Thank you all for coming here so quickly." The Third Hokage began, looking out on the crowd of shinobi gathered before him in the meeting hall consisting of the sensei of the various genin squads, the teachers from the academy and the proctors for the upcoming Chunin Exams, including Anko Mitarashi. At the head of the group were the three jonin who led the rookie squads. "I'm sure some of you are wondering why you've all been called here. It should already be obvious to some of you here."

"It's already been reported to the other nations. Some of them have already begun gathering in the village." said Genma, a special jonin with shoulder length brown hair, wearing his forehead protector like a bandana and held a senbon in his mouth.

"So, it's already that time again." Kakashi commented in a nonchalant tone.

"When is it?" Kurenai asked.

The aging shinobi took a puff from his pipe before his eyes, not the eyes of the grandfatherly side of himself he showed when off duty or around those close to him, but the firm gaze of the Hokage, returned to the group. "I'll formally announce it one week from now. On the first day of the seventh moon, the Chunin Examinations will begin."

He paused for a moment to let his words sink in. "Now, it is time to choose our candidates. To begin, will those in charge of the rookie genin step forward. Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma."

The three specified individuals walked towards their leader, whose black orbs focused on them. Kakashi stood to the right of the trio, Asuma the left, and Kurenai stood at the center.

"What do you say you? Are there any among your squads that that you would recommend for the exams despite their inexperience? As you know, any genin who has completed eight or more missions may is eligible for the exams with the nomination from their sensei. Of course, most genin require at least twice that many missions, but it is up to you to decide if they are ready."

Iruka watched the proceedings. 'There's no need to say all this. It's too soon for them.'

"So Kakashi, you begin." Hiruzen said to the copy ninja.

Kakashi, in a more serious manner than his usual indifference, responded, "The Kakashi-led Team 7: Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno… I hereby nominate them to take the Chunin Selection Exams."

That statement surprised many of the spectators, and none more so than Iruka. "What?" The Chunin whispered, unwilling to believe he'd just heard right.

Kurenai was next. "The Kurenai-led Team 8: Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame. I hereby nominate them to take the Chunin Selection Exams."

Finally, it was Asuma's turn. "The Asuma-led Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akamichi. I hereby nominate them to take the Chunin Selection Exams."

Once all three had given their recommendations, the assembled crowd broke out in loud mutterings about the turn of events. Not in five years had even a single rookie team been recommended to take the exams and it had been decades since all three rookie squads had been put forward.

"Now wait just a second!" Iruka stepped forward.

The Hokage's gaze shifted to the academy instructor. "What is it, Iruka?"

"Lord Hokage, please let me have a word! I may be speaking out of turn… but all nine of these genin were my students at the academy. Of course they're talented and have great promise, but it's too soon for them to take the exam." Iruka objected heatedly. "They need more experience. I can't understand their reasoning."

Kakashi turned to the scarred chunin, knowing what, or specifically who, he was really concerned about. "I became a chunin when I was six years younger than Naruto."

"Naruto is nothing like you!" Iruka shouted back. "Are you trying to destroy these kids!?"

Kakashi gave the instructor with his usual impassive stare and said, with his usual air of indifference, "Well, they're always complaining about not being challenged enough, maybe getting crushed in the exams would be good for them. A little pain might help them grow."

"Wha- what did you say!?"

"Well, joking aside…" The masked jonin continued. "I understand how you feel and how personal this is for you, but-"

"Kakashi, back off. You've said enough." Kurenai cut him off, seeing and understanding Iruka's aggravation.

"No, he needs to hear this." The copy ninja stated with a slightly harsher tone than usual. "He needs to understand that they're not his students anymore; they're my soldiers."

Iruka growled lightly from worry and irritation at what he perceived as Kakashi's stubbornness.

Kurenai sighed and Asuma mentally groaned. "Man, what troublesome people." The laid back jonin thought.

Kakashi decided to offer the scarred chunin a little reassurance. "You may have taught them in the academy, but you haven't seen how they improved since they graduated. Since that time, their skills have greatly improved, and Naruto's has skyrocketed. Their light-years beyond where they were when they graduated. Trust me, I wouldn't have nominated them if I didn't have every faith they could succeed."

Iruka took a step back. He knew that Kakashi spoke the truth, but at the same time, couldn't help but worry. "But these exams could destroy them, you know that!"

"Iruka!" The Hokage cut in, feeling the argument had gone on long enough. "You have made your point and I understand where you're coming from, but Kakashi is right. It is no longer your place to decide whether or not they are ready."

Iruka finally relented, knowing their leader's word was final and it was out of his hands. "Yes. I apologize, Lord Hokage."

"Good, then let us return to the matter at hand."