Chapter 50 : The Chunnin Exams!

Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 50 : The Chunnin Exams!

"Good Morning!" Kakashi jumped down from a tree.

"Don't give us that! You were later than usual today!" Sakura said with exasperation.

"But I did have a proper reason today." Their Sensei pulled some papers from his pocket. "I was in a very long meeting today, and I have nominated you all for the Chunnin Exam!"

"So you normally don't have a proper reason to be late," Naruto commented.

"The Chunnin Exam? But… we just became Genins," Sakura said.

Kakashi handed them the papers. "It's just a nomination. Whether you take the exam or not is up to you."

Sasuke was staring at the paper with great interest.

"If you decide to attend, just fill out that form and present it at room 301 of the academy, at four P.M. tomorrow. Don't be late."

"Wait, I have questi-!"

"That is all." Kakashi disappeared before Sakura could finish her sentence.

"Argg, he is so infuriating!" She huffed.

Naruto read the paper with attention. It looked like a simple form to fill out with their personal data. But there was nothing in the paper that gave them information about the contents of the exam.

Sasuke stored the paper and began to walk away without saying a word.

"Wait, Sasuke!" Sakura called. "Are you really going to attend?"

Sasuke just stared at her for a second before turning away. "Of course." He did not stop again. 'If I stop moving forward… I will never catch up to him.'

Sakura turned to Naruto. "Naruto, what about you? Don't you think it's too early? We have just become genins! This is crazy!"

"It does seem a bit rushed." Naruto agreed on that.

"Then…"

"But I will still join in."

Sakura looked at him with shock. "Why? This exam could be very dangerous. You have heard it too, there are going to be ninjas from other Hidden Villages."

"Challenges are the best way to grow stronger!" Naruto exclaimed.

This surprised Sakura, as he rarely showed that much emotion anymore.

"Those who always avoid dangerous situations will never amount to anything. Besides, a life without risks is a boring one." If he didn't believe in those words, he would have remained at the Blue Jade Sect. His life would have been very different then.

Sakura sighed. "Why are all boys like that?..."

Naruto looked at Sakura. "The decision to take this exam is yours. If you feel like you need more time… then wait."

He had the feeling that without her, they would not be able to take the exam. But he would not pressure her into doing something that could get her killed.

There are many roads to the peak. If this one closes, he will find another one.

"Anyways… I'll take my leave." Naruto began to walk away.

Sakura stared at his back. She wanted to say something… but in the end, she remained quiet. 'I also want to be strong…'

<><><><><><><><>

When Naruto arrived at the entrance of the academy, he found it packed with people.

But what surprised him the most was seeing Sakura standing next to Sasuke.

"So you have decided to come…"

Sakura had dark circles around her eyes, like she hadn't slept one bit last night. "Yep! Of course…"

"Hmph…" Sasuke made some noises that Naruto took as a 'nice to see you,' or something like that.

"Well… shall we go inside? There are only thirty minutes left before four P.M." said Sakura.

Team 7 entered the academy, and they soon stumbled upon a commotion.

"It looks like someone got hit." Sakura spotted a guy wearing a green suit on the floor, holding his cheeks.

"You should quit now, kid… this is no place for weaklings!"

Two young men stood in front of a door with the number 301 over it.

Around them, were a lot more people, waiting for a chance to enter.

"Please, let us pass."

Naruto recognized the girl. This was Tenten, the daughter of the shop owner where he bought most of his things.

The moment she got too close, one of them slapped her across the face and sent her tumbling down.

"How cruel!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Hey, that's too much!" "Yes, just let us pass!"

The people around them began to complain.

"You think we are the bad ones here?" One of them said with a smug face. "We are doing you all a favor! This exam is not a joke. Those who are not prepared will likely suffer grievous injuries. Some of you may even die… it would not be the first time."

Those words managed to quiet the crowd.

"Should we do something?" Sakura asked.

"Hmph!" Sasuke began to walk forward with a confident stride. "You will let me pass through. And you will also remove the genjutsu you put on that door."

The two men smiled. "So you noticed…"

"Of course, and I'm sure my teammates have too." Sasuke turned to look at Sakura. "Isn't that right?"

"Eh?..." Sakura was startled by the sudden attention but quickly composed herself. "I mean, yes! Also, this is just the second floor after all. The 301 should be on the next one."

They removed the genjutsu and the number over the door changed to 201.

"Fascinating…" Naruto stared at the sign. 'This Genjutsu uses a very different principle than techniques like my Illusionary Palm. It works more like hypnosis.'

He had been busy with other things and hadn't had time to learn anything about this branch of techniques.

"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed when she saw it.

One of the two young men who had been blocking the door had turned his attention to Naruto while the other focused on Sasuke.

Noticing that Naruto seemed distracted, looking at the jutsu, he decided to teach him a lesson.

"Losing your focus…" He rushed at Naruto and sent a powerful kick at his face. "Will get you killed!"

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