Chapter 6, Genin Exam

Four years had gone by incredibly fast! Since that day, Hikaru had been training in preparation for opening the first gate. His body had grown taller, stronger and more flexible. The training routine he had endured for four years would send shivers down the necks of most people.

During all this time he never hesitated. Not even when he had to stop training with his friends, as the new training had to be a secret. Today, however, was a completely different story. Today, Hikaru was shaking. Everything came down to this day, the day of the exam.

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That day four years ago had opened Mirai's eyes to a problem. Ever since then she tried treating the commoners just like anyone else. She didn't want to patronize them so she didn't treat them unnaturally well either.

She had kept track of the growth of the special ones. There were four in her eyes which had potential as ninjas. First we have Sansho, a mischievous boy with a focus on chakra control. You never really knew where you had him, always looked so innocent.

Secondly there's Mibuna, a confident girl with a tendency to keep the other commoners in check. She doesn't have a special high point but is very well rounded and is by the top in all subjects.

Thirdly, Tsukune, an aloof boy who tries desperately to show himself. His major good point is that he won't give up until someone has to carry him away.

And finally, Hikaru. Excellent at taijutsu but doesn't really have anything else going for him. Rather smart but tends to just let things happen instead of leading.

These four are the only commoners who have a chance of passing the exam today. Sadly the rest either didn't have the potential or the passion for it. Of course, had the clanpeeps not had personal trainers at home then that would probably apply to almost all of them as well. They wouldn't stand a chance.

Mirai was not at all concerned for herself today. Even though the standard has been raised quite a lot due to the wars being long gone, she was at the top of her class!

There was only one thing she was concerned about, Hikaru. She had seen how much he had struggled these last few years, sometimes from behind a tree and sometimes his screams of pain could be heard from far away.

She knew it had paid off. His taijutsu was incomparable to the rest, but was it good enough? She had heard how insanely high the standard had gotten for students taking the taijutsu exam instead of the ninjutsu one.

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It was now time. There was a theory test, a strength, speed and endurance test and a nin- and taijutsu test. The theory test first, was easy. No problems at all. Mirai had a lot of time over after answering all of the questions. When she handed her answers in and got outside of the classroom she realized that she wasn't first. Three people already sat on the bench outside chatting with large smiles. Not all that surprisingly, it was Mibuna, Sansho and Hikaru.

She decided to wait with them and wanted to join their conversation but realized it was about their intense study and train sessions. She was stunned at how hard these three, and she was guessing the fourth as well, had worked for this. She didn't dare ask Hikaru how he was feeling about his test even though that was all she could think about.

Then came the second part. Strength was a fairly even deal with five notables, Mirai and the four. Speed and endurance was a tight competition between Mirai and Hikaru until Hikaru smiled at her and, according to Mirai, doubled his speed!

But it was all coming down to the last test. Everyone lined up outside of the classroom awaiting their turn for the ninjutsu test. Hikaru was last due to him having a different test altogether.

One by one they entered the room only to be judged by Iruka-sensei, who was now the vice-principal, Sadoru-sensei and today Guy-sensei had joined them because of a certain someone. The result of all parts were combined at the end to give a verdict.

Mirai was towards the end of the line and saw how surprisingly many came out without their headband. One by one she saw how people she had never expected to fail, did just that. They must be stricter than she thought this year!

When she came to the front there had only been 7 successful exams. Yamanaka Inosuke, Inari Yua, Inuzuka Himari, Hoshine Natsuhi and of course the trio of commoners. Mirai entered and found out it was just a simple transformation technique, so she performed it without a doubt.

After a close inspection by Iruka he smiled and handed over her headband "Congratulations Mirai, you truly make your clan proud" She bowed to her sensei, accepted it and exited the room only for the final student, Hikaru, to enter.

Mirai stood outside the room waiting in silence with Hikaru's three best friends. They were not on bad terms but she never really got to know them either. After a while she wanted to try and start a conversation "Soo..How di-" But she was interrupted by loud screams of utmost pain coming from inside the exam-room.

Completely horrified thinking of what might have happened, the four of them burst through the door and were shocked by the sight they were met by.