Chapter 106

Sarutobi took a long puff on his pipe before continuing, "Now, I would like to hear from those who are watching over the new Genin first."

Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma stepped forward. Kakashi was on the right, with Kurenai in the middle and Asuma on the left.

"Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma well?" Sarutobi asked. "Are there any Genin you would like to enter into this year's Chunin selection exam? I don't believe I have to tell you, but after a Genin completes a total of at least thirty two missions, he or she is eligible for the Chunin exams. Of course normally a Genin needs more than four times that number of missions before being considered for selection but it is your choice. Now, starting with Kakashi."

Kakashi kept up his normal lazy composure as he began speaking, "The Kakashi-led Team Seven, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto under the name of Hatake Kakashi, I nominate them to take the Chunin selection exams."

This caused a load of mutters to spread out among the other ninja.

Being in the middle Kurenai went next, "The Kurenai-led Team Eight, Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino under the name Yuuhi Kurenai, I nominate my team for the Chunin selection exams."

Asuma sighed as he took a puff of his cigarette before speaking, "The Asuma-led Team Ten, Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Chouji under the name Sarutobi Asuma, I nominate my team for the Chunin selection exams."

The mutterings got even louder at hearing all three Jonin leaders for the new Genin had nominated their teams, something that had not happened in decades. However one person had something to say about this.

"Hold on just a second!" Iruka stepped forward.

Sarutobi looked at the scarred Chunin, "What is it Iruka?"

"Hokage-sama, please let me have a word. I may be speaking out of place but these nine Genin were all my students at the academy. Of course they are all very talented, but it's still far too early for them to take the exam. They need more experience; I just can't understand their reasoning. Especially with two Jinchuuriki coming to the exams."

"I became a Chunin when I was six years younger than Naruto," Kakashi said, knowing who Iruka was really worried about.

"Naruto is nothing like you!" Iruka shouted, making his true worry obvious. "Are you trying to crush these kids! The Chunin exam cou-"

"Are you saying you don't have faith in Naruto's talents?" asked Kakashi, interrupting the Chunin from his tangent.

Iruka's eyes widened, "That's…"

"While Naruto may not be quite like me, he is an extremely talented shinobi that has even impressed me at times," Kakashi continued. Several eyes widened and a smattering of mumbles accompanied this announcement. It was obvious no one believe this statement, whether because of Naruto's status as the dead last, or the Kyuubi, Kakashi did not know nor care.

"Actually it makes one wonder. He had always been considered the dead last, but ever since he had graduated his skills have skyrocketed thanks to getting one on one help. I have to question the competence of the academy staff for having neglected Naruto like they had, if he had received more help in the beginning, he may have already been a Chunin by now, possibly even a Jonin."

Iruka winced at hearing that Naruto had progressed far faster now that he was out of the academy. He felt guilty about not helping the blond until the day before he graduated, and if what Kakashi just said was true then the blond could already have been one of their most powerful ninja by now.

Kakashi continued after giving people a few minutes to digest this new information, "While I understand that you're worried, you have to understand that they are no longer under your control."

"That's enough Kakashi," Kurenai said in an annoyed tone.

"No it's not," Kakashi stated, and while his tone still sounded as lazy as always there was a harder edge to it, "they are no longer your students Iruka, they are my soldiers."

"Enough!" Sarutobi said, stemming any further argument from the pair. "Iruka, I understand where you're coming from but Kakashi is right. It is not your decision to decide whether or not they can compete."

Iruka looked down in frustration, but he knew that the Sandaime was right, "I apologize for stepping out of line Hokage-sama."

"Good. Now onto the next nominations…"

"You're going to use Karasu here!" asked a surprised Temari.

"These brats need to be taught a lesson Temari," Kankurou replied as he began to unravel the bandages.

Before he could get too far a rock hit him in the hand, making him drop the large object. Looking up Sasuke glaring down at him, tossing another rock up and down in his hand.

"Great another one of these brats shows up," Kankurou growled.

Oh wow, it looks like Konoha has quite a monopoly on cuties! Temari thought as she looked between Naruto and Sasuke with a light blush.

"Get lost creep," Sasuke crushed the rock in his hand.

Naruto rolled his eyes, "You're such a show-off teme."

Kankurou growled as he held his now injured hand. He looked like he was about to continue making an ass of himself, when a new voice spoke up behind Sasuke.

"Kankuro, stop it."

Everyone stiffened in surprise and turned their heads to see a boy with red hair and the kanji for love on his forehead. He was wearing a black short sleeve shirt with a fishnet undershirt underneath that, along with matching black pants and sandals. Across his waist was a white sash and a brown leather belt, and another sash going across his chest that held a large gourd to his back. However the thing that caught Naruto's attention the most were the large bags under his eyes, making him look something akin to a raccoon.

"G-Gaara," Kankurou stammered as he began to shake in fear. The blond-haired girl did not seem to be doing much better.

I didn't even notice him behind me! Sasuke's eyes widened a bit as he stared at the red head. That kind of skill is at the level of a Jonin like Kakashi.

Odd, this kid is leaking killer intent like some kind of homicidal maniac, yet I couldn't sense him until he spoke. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the familiar feel of the Suna ninja's killing intent, There's something familiar about this one. I sense a presence I have not felt since… He shook his head, Damn it, I need to stop watching Star Wars.

"Kankurou, you're an embarrassment to our village, have you forgotten why we came here?" Gaara's arms remained crossed as he stared the other Genin down.

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