Chunin Exams 2 -The beginning

Room 301 buzzed with anticipation and nerves. Genins from various villages filled the room, but the Sound ninjas stood out for their sheer size. I couldn't help but wonder about their diet—probably something like "raw strength and a side of brute force."

As we mingled with the Konoha teams, chaos erupted. Ino's high-pitched voice cut through the noise. "Sasuke-kun!"

Sasuke, ever the master of subtlety, performed a swift substitution jutsu, leaving Ino hugging a cloud of smoke.

Naruto, oblivious to the turmoil, pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. "Naruto!!! Get off me, you idiot!" I protested, gasping for air.

Shikamaru, barely lifting his eyes from his book, muttered, "Troublesome woman..." His apathy was almost an art form.

A silver-haired Genin with glasses approached us, introducing himself as Kabuto Yakushi. He seemed calm and collected, but something about his demeanor set off alarm bells in my mind. I was certain he had secrets to hide.

***

The written test began with a wave of silence as proctors distributed the papers. The questions were tricky and required not just knowledge but a strategic mindset. I glanced at the paper, a grin forming on my face.

**Q: Calculate the trajectory of a shuriken when the enemy is at a distance of 10m away from you.**

A: Second row, fourth seat. Silver hair, four eyes. Might be plotting world domination in his spare time.

**Q: Line B in the diagram indicates the trajectory of a shuriken thrown at enemy C by ninja A seated on top of a tree 7m tall. Describe and formulate the trajectory required if C were positioned at point D, E, and F. Also, predict the furthest possible range of the shuriken and explain how you arrived at your answer.**

A: Are genin expected to know about missions taken by other genin from higher ranks and other villages? Seems a bit excessive, don't you think?

**Q: The parabola depicted in B shows the maximum range of the shuriken of Ninja A at the top of the 7m tall tree. Please estimate the characteristics and maximum distance on a plain battlefield of the ninja that appears within the range of the shuriken.**

A: Sound village. Definitely suspicious. I can practically smell the deception.

Alongside these answers, I doodled a caricature of Kabuto in ridiculous scenarios, like battling an army of oversized cucumbers. I even used the hand signs for "Sensitive Information" at the top of my answer sheet, a technique Itachi had taught me. I hoped Ibiki would notice and find it amusing.

To safeguard my answers from prying eyes, I employed my Yin energy to create a mental barrier, preventing Ino from seeing my work. I had no intention of letting her get a glimpse of my artistic genius.

***

As the exam continued, tension filled the room. The proctors revealed the last, and most critical, part of the test. There was no actual 10th question—just a straightforward choice.

"You have one hour left," the proctor announced. "At this point, you have the option to withdraw from the exam. "

The room fell silent as examinees weighed their options. I could see some teams whispering among themselves, debating whether to stay or leave. Naruto's eyes were filled with determination, while Sasuke remained stoic. I felt a sense of resolve and confidence—I wasn't going anywhere.

Those who chose to stay passed the test, while others, unable to handle the pressure or unwilling to risk their comfort, exited the room. The proctors nodded approvingly at those who remained.

In the end, five teams from Konoha, three from Sound, two from Grass, one from Rain, and three from Sand were selected to advance to the next round. The first hurdle was behind us, but the real challenges of the Chunin Exams were only just beginning.