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Skreeeeeeeeee
"It's time." Hearing the hawk screaming in the sky, many jonin team leaders looked up and muttered, recognizing the signal as the start of a multi-village event.
"Team 7. Here are the forms for the chunnin exams. If you wish to participate, come along to Room 305 of the Central Building one week from now." Kakashi handed the three their forms as he explained the exam briefly.
Soon after he left them to their own devices while he went on to the Hokage building with the other jonin leaders for their briefing.
"This is awesome. We finally get to rank up and become chunnin officially." Naruto exclaimed in excitement, as Yakumo was a bit reserved while Sasuke grinned lightly.
"I wonder how many villages are going to participate this year. I heard many villages come together for the exams, and since this year it's hosted by Konoha, there must be many that are eager to join." Yakumo commented as she recalled the various titbits of information about the exams.
"I'm guessing mostly allies of the leaf will be coming. But we will find out soon enough, so there's no point in us racking our brains now." Naruto said as the team began to go to the training grounds to hone their skills further.
"Hey Sasuke, how's the progress on Indra and Ashura?" Naruto asked as they arrived at a training ground next to the lake.
"It's going well. Indra finally regained a bit of his sanity, but his memory is still very fuzzy. He only remembers Ashura and his father, but almost 90% of his memories are suppressed, at least that's what Ashura mentioned." Sasuke answered as he activated his Sharingan, the three tomoe rotating around the center, looking menacing.
"That's a relief. Now all Ashura has left to do is to bring back all the memories of the past thousand years for his soul to recover completely. Based on what you said, I believe it shouldn't take more than half a year. It may even take less time for him to regain all his memories completely." Naruto smiled as he cracked his neck, warming up his body and loosening his joints.
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to the day when I can talk with him normally for the first time. The last time I tried, he tried to attack me like a rabid dog, but that was almost half a year back." Sasuke took his fighting stance, his feet digging into the soft mud, his eyes locked with Naruto.
"Yeah. Now, let's give it our best today as well. Fight till one of us can't continue anymore. Also, everything goes. Hold back just enough so that we don't blow up the training grounds, alright?" Naruto took his own stance, locking eyes with Sasuke, who nodded understanding the rules.
Creek.
BAMMMMM.
At the sound of a small wave lapping against the shore sounded, both young genin rushed forward, entangling into a sequence of fists, palms, slices, kicks, and everything in between.
For the next four hours, the two went up against each other, blood flowing down their bruised mouths, their fair skin turning red, blue, and black, while the occasional flashes of lightning, wind, and fire mixed together, changing the landscape of the training grounds.
.
"Where did that Danzo go?" In a room secluded from the village, two oldies began a small meeting.
"I have no idea. From all of my sources, I haven't been able to find anyone even close to his description. It's like he vanished completely from the world." The old man replied.
"How is that possible? No one can just vanish without a trace. Also, if he meant to run away, he would have at least let someone from his organization know. He even left all his evidence of his crimes at the ROOT bases. For the past few months, more and more bases have been found, and a huge number of members have been captured and 'freed' from their seals.
Those freed from the sealing formulas are being rehabilitated by Tsunade and T&I's help. It won't be long before our names pop up in some report and we are captured and sentenced." The old lady continued with worry.
"We also don't have Danzo controlling the Hokage anymore. Which means we can't just be dealt with leniently. Knowing our teammate's personality, as well as Tsunade's grudge, I don't think we will be able to survive for long." The old man replied with cold sweat on his back.
"There must be a way. A way for us to survive in the village. A way for us to move forward." The lady thought out loud.
RUMBLE
Just as the two were talking, the boulder covering the entrance of the room ground against the walls, revealing a figure standing against the sunlight entering the dim room.
"Did you guys miss me? Homura? Koharu?" A slimy and slippery voice filled the ears of the two present, sending chills down their spines.
""Orochimaru"" The two gasped at the same time, fear and surprise oozing out as the pale-skinned man with snake eyes entered the secret chambers, strolling in like he was in a garden.
"I have a proposition for the two of you." He started, while the two oldies looked at him cautiously.
"We can have you arrested right where you stand for your crimes and defection, Orochimaru. Give me one reason why we shouldn't." Hamura stated fiercely, trying to hide the trembling in his voice.
"One reason. Hum? What could it be? Let's see. Ah, yes. I found out about this little thing that happened in the village. It seems Danzo's secrets have been found.
Now, what would happen if the names of two of his closest companions and partners in crime somehow came up? What do you think would happen to them?" Orochimaru asked as he licked his lips, his long tongue creeping everyone out.
"What do you want?" Koharu asked defensively.
"Oh, nothing much. All I desire is your cooperation for something in a while. In return, I can help you clear out those that can harm you, and let you lead Konoha to greater heights.
What do you say? Are you in or out?" Seeing the gears turning in their heads, Orochimaru chuckled as his plan was all coming together.
"Sigh. We're in. What do you want from us this time?" Hamura was the first one to concede, agreeing to the man's demands, as he tiredly sat down on the chair nearby.
"Reduce security and add loopholes in the village security during the Chunnin exams. I have a small surprise planned for sensei. You guys will be thrilled to see it unfold."
For the next hour, Orochimaru convinced the two fogies to change the security plans during the chunnin exams, all with the promise of them becoming the leaders of the village after he dealt with his former teammate and sensei.
In front of survival and the proposition of power, the two fell, as Orochimaru gloated at the pathetic oldies and their weak will for protecting their village.
.
"As you all know, it is once again time for our village to host the chunnin exams.
I have gathered you all here today to see what you think about your teams." Hiruzen spoke as Tsunade stood behind him, analyzing his actions and learning from him intently.
"Jonin Leader of Team 7, Kakashi Hatake, recommends Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Yakumo Kurama for the chunnin exams." Kakashi stood forward and went first.
"Jonin Leader of Team 8, Kurenai Yuhi, recommends Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame for the chunnin exams. Kurenai stated as her scarlet eyes were filled with pride for her students. After all, this was her first genin team ever.
"Jonin Leader of Team 9, Might Guy, recommends Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten for the chunnin exams." Guy proudly stated, the power of youth burning brightly in his eyes.
"Jonin Leader of Team 10, Asuma Sarutobi, recommends Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi, for the chunnin exams." Asuma stood forward, his eyes trained on his father, seeking approval and elated that his genin team was about to advance their ranks.
"So all the rookies from last year's end are participating and recommended. That is nice to hear that they have progressed so well." Hiruzen chuckled, blowing a smoke ring happily.
"Hokage-sama. Don't you think it is too hasty to have them advance just a year after they graduated from the academy? I know these children, but I think it is too early for them to take part in the exam." Iruka stood up from the corner, after seeing the Hokage approving the entries.
"With all due respect, Iruka, you have not seen them for more than a year. They have improved a lot since they were under your care. We have trained them to the best of our abilities." Asuma replied, taking slight offense at his statement.
"Asuma, you should know them well. They are just children and are not ready yet. They still need more experience." Iruka tried to argue.
"Iruka, you may think that they are weak and inexperienced, but you should know that they have improved tremendously in the past year.
Not only have I read their mission reports, but I have personally fought with a student of yours. And I believe a few of them are almost ready to become even jonin, much less chunnin." Tsunade added from the side, seeing that the tension in the room was rising.
"Well said Tsunade. She is right, you know. Iruka, I understand you want to protect your students, but remember, a bird that doesn't leave its nest doesn't learn how to fly. You wouldn't want to hold them back forever, do you?" Hiruzen said, his eyes glinting slightly.
"n-No, Hokage-sama. I will trust your wisdom." Seeing that he was losing one-sidedly, Iruka gave up.
"Very well then. It's decided, the rookie teams will start their first trial of the chunnin exam at the end of this week.
Dismissed."
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A short chapter that doesn't really have much substance to it, but don't worry, the next few chapters will have stuff that will drive the plot forward.
Enjoy.
