Chapter 32 : To The Chunin Exam

Training kept on going, and Shikamaru was doing his best to get stronger and make others strong as well. His team, Naruto and even Team 8, he help everyone to get stronger. 

Other members of Team 7 and Team 9 were excluded though. Team 9 is simple enough, they are already pretty strong, even Tenten although not that strong has the right attitude, not like Shikamaru can help her in anything.

Another Kunoichi whom he can't help is Sakura, that girl just doesn't have to mindset to get stronger right now. She will come back to her when she almost gets killed by Orochimaru and Gaara and maybe even lose her Sasuke Kun. He can only help those who want his help after all.

He swears that Shippuden Sakura is much better than the kid Sakura. So much so that if only her personality was removed then she might be a top candidate for waifu when in Shippuden right beside Hinata. Well, she is still lacking in some places, those who know, they know. Anyway, he doesn't care, he will handle that girl when the time comes. 

Lastly, there is the Emo Uchiha, Emo Hayuga and a Bruce Lee copycat. He didn't even bother to approach them. All three of them are strong enough. Naruto in future can take care of Neji if the story keeps on going just like the anime. Lee needs no help and lastly Sasuke. Well, it's just better not to talk about that Avenger any time soon.

So the time passed and soon the time that Shikamaru was waiting for came.

"THE CHUNIN EXAM," both Choji and Ino exclaim in surprise. 

"Yes, every 6 months Chunin exams are held for the purpose of promoting talented Genin to Chunin rank. And I believe that you three are ready," Asuma said with a smile.

"Are you sure about that," Ino and Choji asked with hesitation. In the cannon, they wouldn't have but with the changes he has brought, they are now more aware of their own strength. And to Shikamaru's happiness, they were also much stronger. 

"Oh you will do great, I am sure about it. Shikamaru is also there, it might not look like it after looking at his lazy face but he is pretty strong. I might even say that he is already chunin rank," Asuma said while reassuring both Choji and Ino while glaring daggers at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru stopped showing his real strength long ago. There are two reasons mainly, one being that he didn't want to show his powers around in the village. There have to be many spies in the village, like Kabuto. Earlier when he was using his technique in front of everyone he was only using some normal spirits like rabbit or toads which are easily mistaken like summon spirit like toads from Mt Myoboku. But now that he had powerful spirits, he didn't want to showcase them. 

Not to mention, he is sure that Kabuto should have started gathering information about other shinobi to prepare for the Konoha crush. So no, he better hide his true strength as much as possible.

The second reason is his own team, if they know that he is stronger than them then they will try hard to catch up to him, but if he is much stronger than them, they will just label him as a genius and stop improving. Not to mention the great amount of work that will come his way, he rather not have that.

"Anyways just rest for now. The exam will start in the next 2 days so there will be no more training or mission during this time," Asuma said and after explaining how the exam works was gone like the wind jutsu he uses.

"What do you think, Shikamaru? Are we ready," Choji asked, Ino too waited for Shikamaru's reaction. She too started to see Shikamaru's wisdom and ask him for help in time to time.

"Hmm, well if this was a normal chunin exam then yes we are ready. But remember that we will be competing against geniuses like Sasuke, Neji, Lee and more from other villages. So are we ready, I can't say but since when do the shinobi have the luxury to ask whether they are ready or not? 

Just a decade ago, leaf sent even 5 years old in the front lines. This is just a chunin exam. So yeah I believe we are ready. At least as much as we could be," Shikamaru said nonchalantly making both Choji and Ino irritated and at the same time a little scared. 

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2 days later

Team 10 found themself in front of the building where the first test was about to take place. Looking around he saw many familiar and unfamiliar faces. 'Such a drag, If I wasn't forced my by Mom then I would have already withdrawn from this test.'

Not paying any attention, he kept on moving with his team. he also kept an eye open for any recognizable character in the anime. Like anyone from the Konoha 12 the Suna Team or the Sound Team. There is also Karin. He planned to save Karin and bring her to the village. It's just a waste to let her be on her own and then get kidnapped by Orochimaru later on. 

Then they saw two chunin stopping others from entering the room where their exam is supposed to take place. But Ino being taught by Kurenai immediately saw through the genjutsu. Shikamaru too saw it but he kept his mouth shut. 

He doesn't care about others as long as his team and others from Konoha 12 is doing good then its fine. They were about to go up to the exam room, but at that time they heard some noises.

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"Yay, Sasuke Kun," Ino shouted the moment she saw Sasuke facing Lee. Shikamaru just sighed, if there was one thing which he couldn't solve about Ino then it was her fan girl mentality.

He too was interested in this fight between Sasuke and Lee. He was looking forward to this fight.

xxx

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