Chapter 19: Second exam complete

Iruka: "Hi! It's been a long time. Wow, it seems like you guys barely had any problems!"

Sakura: "What?! We went through hell!"

Iruka: "Then why don't you have any wounds?"

Naruto: "Because Hinoka healed all our wounds!"

Iruka: "You guys are going to work her to death, having her heal you !"

Hinoka: "Since I'm the only one who knows medical ninjutsu, even if my skills aren't the best, I'm the only one who can heal them. But don't worry, I'm fine."

Iruka: "You focus too much on others, Hinoka. Start thinking about yourself more!"

I scratched the back of my head, chuckling, before saying, "I will, sensei. But let's get to the more important stuff."

Naruto: "Yeah! Why are you appearing with a Summoning?"

Iruka: "At the end of this second exam, we Chunin are to welcome the test takers. I just happened to be given the important task of being the messenger for you guys."

Sakura: "Messenger…?"

Iruka: "Yep! Congratulations on surviving the second exam. To celebrate your passing, I'd like to treat you to some Ichiraku ramen, but…"

Naruto interrupted excitedly, jumping on Iruka sensei, "Oh… Cool!"

Iruka: "H-Hey, Naruto! Listen to the end…"

Naruto: "Cool! Cool! Ramen! Ramen! Believe it! I've done a great job! I'm the greatest! I so want to eat ramen! Believe it!"

Sasuke: "how's he got so much energy."

Iruka sighed, "Man, that scatterbrained part of you is the same as always, eh."

Sasuke: "I see. If we had looked at the scroll in the middle of the exam, what were you going to do, Iruka Sensei?"

Iruka: "Sasuke, you're a sharp one, as usual. You guessed right. The rule of this exam was to test your conclusive mission execution ability. To put it simply, in the case of the scrolls being opened contrary to the rules…"

Hinoka:  "And if we had opened it?"

Iruka: "I was ordered to knock unconscious the test takers in front of me until the end of the exam."

Sakura: "By the way, what're the letters on that wall? They're kind of vermiculated, and we don't understand their meaning at all."

Naruto: "Never mind, never mind! We passed!"

Iruka: "No… explaining that is one more of my duties."

Naruto: "What, really?"

Iruka: "Give it a read. There are Chunin instructions Master Hokage recorded."

Naruto exclaimed again, "Instructions?!"

Iruka: "That's right! Heaven in this text refers to the human head. Earth refers to the human body. If Heaven does not exist, enrich your knowledge, and prepare for the chance. In other words… If your weaknesses are inside your head, Naruto… learn various logics in preparing for your missions. If Earth does not exist, run through the fields in search of an advantage. If your weakness is in your physical strength, Sakura, it means you must not slack off on your daily training. And if you combine both Heaven and Earth… Any perilous mission is the right way… In other words… what can also be called a rule of might and become a safe mission."

Sasuke: "Then, what about the spot with the missing letter?"

Iruka: "The letter refers to Chunin. The one letter for "person" that was in the scroll from earlier goes there. These five days of survival were to test the test-takers fundamental abilities as Chunin. And you guys cleared it in fine style…"

Naruto: "Got it!"

Iruka: "But, as for the final third exam, don't push it too far. Especially you, Naruto. You're the biggest worry…"

Naruto: "Iruka Sensei. From when I received the Leaf headband, I was no longer an Academy student, you know?! There's nothing to worry! Believe it! Also, this is the proof you gave me that I'm full-fledged, right?! That I'm scatterbrained may not have changed, but I'm not a kid anymore! I'm now… A Ninja!"

Iruka: "I see. I'm sorry, Naruto."

We then gathered in a hall where all the ninjas who had passed were, plus Chunin's, the Hokage... Lord Third briefly spoke about the exams before leaving Hayate Gekkō in charge.

Hayate: "There's something… I'd like you all to do… before the third exam. And that is a preliminary to the third exam, with participation in the main battle on the line."

Shikamaru: "What do you mean… preliminary?!"

Sakura: "Sensei, I don't understand the point of that preliminary. Why aren't we doing the next exam with the remaining test takers?"

Hayate: "This time around, perhaps because the first and second exams were easy, there are a few too many people left, you see. In accordance with the rules of the Chunin Exams, a preliminary will be held in order to reduce the number advancing."

Sakura: "N No way!"

Hayate: "As Lord Hokage said before, many guests will be coming to the third exam. So we can't have long pointless matches and our time is limited as well. Therefore, those of you not in top physical condition…"

Hayate was interrupted by his own coughing before saying, "Excuse me. Those of you who wish to drop out, please speak up now. The preliminary will begin immediately, so…"

Kiba: "Immediately you say!"

Ino: "But we finally made it through the second exam."

Shikamaru: "This is a pain…"

Choji: "Huh? What about our meal?"

Hayate: "I forgot to mention this, but it will be individual battles from now on. It is your decision, so feel free to raise your hands and drop out."

Suddenly, Sasuke winced in pain, and we all turned to him concerned.

Sakura: "Sasuke, you should quit these preliminaries! L Look, you haven't been yourself ever since you got worked over by that Orochimaru guy! That bruise hurts even now, right…? At this rate… Please… Please quite… I'm scared. You're in no condition to fight properly, Sasuke…!"

Sasuke: "Shut up!"

Sakura: "I understand!"

Sasuke: "Be quiet!"

Sakura: "But you've been enduring the pain this whole time, right?! If I do that…"

Sasuke: "Please be quiet!"

Sakura: "No matter what you say, Sasuke… I'm going to tell the teachers about the bruise!"

Just then, Kabuto raised his hand, saying, "Excuse me… I'll quit."

Naruto: "But Kabuto…"

Hayate: "Let's see… Kabuto Yakushi of the Leaf Village, correct? Then, you may step back."

Kabuto: "Okay."

Naruto: "Kabuto! Why're you quitting?! Tell me! Why?!"

Kabuto: "I'm sorry, Naruto… But my body is worn out. Actually, before the first exam when I wrangled with the guys from the Sound Village, I've had no hearing at all in my left ear. To fight right away… and to be told that my life would also be on the line, I can't go on."

Kabuto then exchanged words with one of his teammates before leaving.

Hayate: "Now then, are there no others who will quit?"

Sakura was about to raise her hand when I intervened, karate chopping her on the head.

Sakura: "Hinoka…"

Hinoka: "Sakura, you once told me that you knew Sasuke better than anyone else, then if you really do then you should know that no matter what you try and say, Sasuke won't quit." Both of them looked at me surprised, but I just smiled and said, "So just forget about it and let's all do our best."