Academy Exam

Two months had now passed since Kentsuru's entrance into the Shinobi Academy and his father's now busier than ever thanks to the contract with the Konoha Police Division. This day in particular, the semester's quarterly exam was about to be underway. Both 'Class A' and 'Class B' would be combined for the exam. The highest ten grades among both Class A and Class B would be allowed to watch the Chunin Exams final stage in just one week away.

Not only would the group take notes on the Chunin Exam's final stage but they would also be given a great opportunity to witness battle as done by shinobi to mold into their own training to prepare. And so, Kentsuru having finished dressing and eating, left home in a hurry. He noticed he was one of the first to arrive and utilized this advantage to secure seating for Utsukushi-Chan and Emiko-Chan. Eventually, both arrived and took seats on the sides of him.

Ms. Atsume finally entered the testing hall, carrying a large stack of papers in one arm as she moved to the podium before the students and spoke loudly. "Today's examination will be split into two parts as part of experimental curriculum. The first exam will be carried out as a written test, while the second exam will be carried out as a practical test. I will now pass out the written test sheets, you may begin once everyone had received their test docket."

The tests were then passed out and everyone began work on the written test at once. Kentsuru looked down to examine the first page of the test, noticing most of the questions were questions about the basis of chakra. These were easily answered, and he passed to morality questions on the basis that he was a genin on a team during a mission. The final question was an essay-form question describing a mission gone wrong.

Afterwards, everyone filed out of the building for lunch. Kentsuru headed to a secluded spot outdoors with his Bento, joined quickly by Utsukushi-Chan and Emiko-Chan and initiated light banter with the two. "So, that last question was quite the conundrum, I can't believe they would have a question like that for an exam that isn't even the midterm but a term quarterly exam. What do you think Emiko-Chan?"

"In my opinion, they are trying to separate the loyal and rebellious students to determine which students are likely to become loyal assets to the village in the future. Those loyal to the village will then receive preferential treatment." Emiko assessed, coming to much the same conclusions as Kentsuru that they were being more or less brainwashed. Utsukushi nodded her head somberly in agreement.

"This seems like the plan of Konoha's Elder Shimura Danzo and his Root Organization; though I'm certainly sure that Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen is complacent in such a plan. Otherwise the Hokage would have likely already dealt with Elder Shimura." Kentsuru surmised. In truth he knew the true reason that Hiruzen allowed it all to continue was some misplaced loyalty.

Eventually, the lunch period ends and the students are brought to the field used for Shurikenjutsu classes regularly. Standing before the class now, is Morino Ibiku who explains that the students are to take turns activating the Bunshin no Jutsu which all students have learned. "Greetings, students. You will all step forward and display Bunshin no Jutsu when you are called."

And like that, each student was eventually called forth and would perform the Bunshin no Jutsu to the best of their abilities. Eventually, the students were allowed to leave the academy at just 1:30 PM. As everyone is dismissed, Kentsuru sees both Utsukushi and Emiko off before heading off down the road towards his home. He had already known someone was following him, though not able to sense Chakra directly.

What Kentsuru hadn't known that both Danzo's Root and Hiruzen's Special Ops were following behind and tracking the young male, both for their own agenda. Danzo's agent intended to bring the young man into the fold of the Root Division whereas Hiruzen's agent was dispatched by the old man to keep an eye on the child to ensure he was not abducted by Danzo. Though, the agent had a second objective of examining the young boy.

"I know you're out there, I can sense your Māi - your warrior spirit." boasted Kentsuru, placing a single hand on the scabbard of Oyami as his eyes glance around and eventually capture the bear mask of a man leaping down onto the road. He slowly moved towards the child, relinquishing a three-section staff and sliding the metal sections into place before giving it a spin. Hoping to scare the child but only earning a stiff frown.

"You're not the one," Kentsuru began as the shinobi stepped closer. Before the agent could reach the child, however, the body of Kentsuru vanished in a puff of smoke. The agent then searched the road, and finding that he had lost his target jumped back into the shadows. All the while, the Root agent, showing an emotionless face, left the scene to report this development to master. Meanwhile, the real Kentsuru had just returned home.