Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Today was the day of the start of the Chunin Exams. And it seemed that Kaen's students understood that, too, from the looks of their faces. They weren't nervous, but worry was all over the place. Hinata was panicking, Kiba was louder than usual, and Shino didn't show any emotion, even if only a tiny portion of his face was visible.

"You don't need to worry too much," Kaen told his team. "Do your best, and if you fail, it was only because I failed to train you right. If you make mistakes, don't worry, it only means that I will have to train you harder for the next exam."

"We will be fine!" Kiba yelled out. "We will pass, and there won't be any mistakes, right guys?"

"We will win," Hinata muttered, and her eyes had determination Kaen hadn't seen before.

"I will ensure we pass the exams," Shino nodded to Kaen.

"Good," Kaen said before taking a sealing scroll. "I have gifts for you all."

"Gifts?" Kiba asked with suspicion.

"Yes," Kaen replied. "For Hinata, I made a bow. You have been practicing for some time now and have shown remarkable progress. I have made it myself of yew wood. This longbow should serve you well, and there are arrows you can use."

"Thank you, sensei," Hinata grasped the bow tightly with her hands.

"For Kiba," Kaen unsealed another weapon and gave it to Kiba.

"Claws?" Kiba asked.

"It will enhance your prowess in taijutsu," Kaen said. "Don't be afraid to give in to your instincts when fighting. You might be among the few most physically gifted genin in this exam. Fight like a beast, and few will give you trouble."

"Thanks, sensei," Kiba replied.

"You welcome," Kaen said, then turned to Shino. "Well, do your best. And in doubt, ask Shino."

Kaen left his students and snickered at a frown displayed on Shino's forehead. He didn't intend to give him nothing while he presented gifts to his other teammates. But Kaen didn't know what to give him. So, he decided not to give anything. Still, he had to think of something to provide Shino with, as he didn't like when Shino held a grudge. Last time it lasted for some time.

…

This was it, a time to prove myself. Naruto was excited for today. He will take the exam, beat everyone up, and become a chunin before Sasuke. The plan was set, now was time to execute it. Naruto couldn't show any hesitation or weakness. Holding his head up, he and his team walked to room three hundred-one, where the first test would begin.

"Why are there so many people on the second floor?" Naruto asked, looking at the hallway filled with people.

"Because they are idiots," Sasuke replied, and Sakura nodded in agreement.

"Hah!" Naruto heard a loud laugh. "You plan to take on the chunin exam with that? You should quit. Someone like you won't make it."

Those words brought back many bad memories. Even if these words weren't directed at him this time, he couldn't ignore them. Every word that was spoken stabbed into his heart like millions of daggers. His enthusiasm was over. They continued to talk like they were doing it for everyone's well-being, but each word insulted him more and more.

"A weakling like you wouldn't be able to stop us if they wanted," Sasuke came forward. "And this isn't even the third floor."

"What is he talking about?" Few murmured around them.

"Hmm?" One of the two people looked at us and smiled. "So, you noticed."

"But it means nothing," The second continued. "You will not pass by us anyway. Kids like you should stay back."

It was a fast attack. A low kick, Sasuke didn't even move as it hit his leg. Naruto would have laughed if he didn't know how much beating Sasuke can take an attack like that wouldn't even make Sasuke flinch. He just looked at the guy and walked away. Naruto and Sakura quickly followed him before another team stopped before us.

"What's your name?" A boy with pale eyes asked Sasuke.

"If you were preparing for the chunin exam, you should have known it," Sasuke replied. "Neji Hyuga."

"Yes, I know you, Sasuke Uchiha," Neji said before turning to his team. "We are leaving."

"Well, that was weird," Naruto commented.

"It should be expected. Sasuke could be said to be a prodigy, one of the last loyal Uchiha," Sakura added, then quickly looked at Sasuke and bowed her head. "Sorry, Sasuke-kun, I didn't mean anything by it."

"There is nothing to apologize for," Sasuke replied. "But many a keeping an eye on me. There will be challengers that will want to fight me to prove themselves. There might be genin who will team up to stop us from progressing because of me."

"If these idiots show up, we just have to beat them up," Naruto said, smiling without worry.

"Thanks," Sasuke smiled back.

"What would you do without us?" Naruto laughed.

In the end, all was good. They shoved those bastards' words back into their asses, and his team was good. With Sasuke's and Naruto's prowess and Sakura's support, there wasn't anything that they should be afraid of. They only have to do their best and kick everyone else ass. Then Naruto will be a chunin and one step closer to becoming the Hokage.

"Sasuke Uchiha," A boy with bushy eyebrows jumped before them. "I, Rock Lee, challenge you to a duel."

"You want to fight me?" Sasuke was surprised as the rest of his teammates. "Right here? Right now?"

"That right," Rock Lee nodded his head. "I want to test my skills and strength against a genius of the Uchiha clan."

"I refuse," Sasuke said.

"Hah, are you afraid?" Rock Lee asked, smirking.

"Are you a child?" Sasuke asked. "If you are good enough, we will fight in the exams. If not, then you weren't worthy to begin with."

"Yeah!" Naruto pointed at Rock Lee. "Scram it, bushy eyebrows. And even if Sasuke agreed to fight you, he would beat you in five seconds."

"Oh really?" Bushy eyebrows looked at Sasuke as he asked.

"And I could kill you for ambushing a team," A new, familiar voice said. "I can accept for the young to ask for a duel, but when your opponent refuses, you should back off. Not doing so would mean you are pestering or forcing them to fight you, which is illegal and could be considered a personal attack. As a jonin, I must eliminate the culprit to protect the victim."

"There won't be any need for that, Kaen-san," Another man appeared, and he looked like an older bushy eyebrow. "They are just kids; rivalry would only make them stronger."

"Gai-san," Kaen turned to the new guy. "You should teach your students proper manners. His actions now could even be considered an attack against the Uchiha clan. As the de-facto head of the Uchiha clan, I will not stand for such behavior. But I will overlook it this time."

"Then I will thank you," Gai replied, looking back at the genin. "Now, you all better keep going. It would be regretful if you were late for your first test."

Naruto nodded and left with Sasuke and Sakura. He had to admit, he was scared for a moment there when Kaen showed up, and then the big bushy eyebrows did the same. Naruto knew well enough to understand how strong Jonin were. In their eyes, Naruto's team was nothing but a bunch of kids. From his expression, Sasuke agreed that it would be best to leave for the exam.

…

Naruto would rather face Kaen or Gai in a death match than do this stupid test. How did he explain how to extract a VIP from a dangerous and life-threatening situation? He would kick the enemy's asses. Why did he write the whole essay about it, explaining his plan? What was there to plan for? It was a stupid question, to begin with, and it was only the first one.

The rest questions were even more complex. Each was more complicated than the last, and he didn't have a clear answer for the first one. This was nonsense. He came here to prove himself but was stuck on dumb questions. How could he calculate the thrown kunai's speed, trajectory, and force? You don't. You throw the kunai. You don't calculate it. It was stupid.

Naruto was losing faith. He kept calm when he entered the room and found it filled with genin like himself, even though some of his classmates were inside. He wasn't afraid but excited about the prospect of fighting them. Naruto didn't care who it was. Then came the weird glasses guy with grey hair. Kabuto Yakushi, he called himself, even when nobody asked him.

He had information about everyone in his stupid cards. Sakura said he only wanted to intimidate them by showing off the information of others, like how the Gaara guy hasn't failed any mission and always came out unscathed. It was a stupid tactic to scare him and others. Too bad it didn't matter to Naruto, but now he had to take this silly test. He couldn't fail and let down Sakura and Sasuke.

"Ok, now we will start with the tenth question," Ibiki's words made Naruto refocus.

But it was fine. Naruto was waiting for this question. He had to answer it no matter what. Naruto wasn't stupid. He knew the previous questions were above him and most of the genin. It was clear that he had to cheat to answer him, but he was far away from his teammates, and they couldn't help him. Naruto himself knew he couldn't do so without the proctors noticing him.

"But first, let me explain the rules of the tenth question," Ibiki continued once he got the genin's attention. "First, you must decide if you want to take it."

"Decide?" The girl from the Sand village asked. "What happens if we decide not to take it."

"If you decide not to, you will fail," Ibuki replied. "Your points will be reduced to zero, and you with your teammates will fail."

"What?" A good portion of Genin asked the same question. "Then, of course, we will take the question."

"The next rule," Ibiki ignored everyone and continued. "If you decide to take the tenth question and fail to answer it, you will forever lose the right to take the Chunin Selection Exam."

"What kind of rule is that?" Naruto recognized Kiba's voice. "There were guys here who took the exam before!"

"Hehehehe," The creepy laugh silenced everyone. "You are unlucky this year because this year's rules are mine. But I give you a fair opportunity not to take it. Those who are not confident can leave now and try their luck next year."

So, if one of his teammates or he decides not to take it, they fail this year. If they take it but fail to answer it, they will forever stay a genin. There isn't a good decision. Both are bad for them. The previous nine questions meant nothing in the end. The silence in the room didn't help Naruto. He was nervous and worried.

"Those who do not wish to take it, raise your hands," Ibiki said. "Once your number is confirmed, leave."

Naruto felt desperation for a moment, but he refused to give up. He will not let his teammates fail because of him, and he knows Sakura and Sasuke won't do the same. Naruto couldn't give up even as some hands started to rise and pressure was put on him. Even though he was shaking from the pressure to decide, he chose one path he believed in.

"Hahahaha," Naruto suddenly started to laugh aloud, to everyone's surprise. "What kind of coward would leave now? It isn't like our lives are on the line. It is our dream. And I, for one, will face anything thrown at me to achieve them."

"Yeah!" Kiba shouted. "Just give us the question, I will not fail, and I will not endure the training from my sensei. No matter the question, the torture he will inflict on us if we fail will be more terrifying."

"Very well," Ibiki said. "To those remaining, congratulations, you have passed the test."