Now What Have I Gotten Myself Into? ~Enter Konoha's number one knuckle head

24

Chapter 24

After having handed over my application and received a number I glare at the proctor as if he had arranged the seating purposefully. I am seated next to one of the ones that was under my skin. Glancing to my side I see none other then the black clothed Kankuro. My hands try to close over the top of my test into fists but I proudly prevent them.

"You don't seem to like me very much." He chuckles with his comment as I fight to keep my face void of expression. "Hey, I said something to ya cutie. You should just go home."

"Could be said the same of such a bullying weakling like yourself." I mutter causing him to officially glare at me. "Or have you forgotten the difference in our strength already?" Looking ahead as I hear chalk tap against the blackboard I turn my attention back to the proctor.

"Everyone eyes front. There are a few rules that you need to be aware of. And I won't answer any questions." He taps the chalk again to make his point clear. "So you better pay attention the first time around." Turning he begins writing causing the chalk to scrape against the chalkboard subtly. "Alright rule number one is this. The written part of the exam is conducted on a point reduction system. Contrary to what some of you may be used to, you all begin the test with a perfect score of ten points. One point will be deducted for each answer you get wrong." Sighing as he turns to face us again I close my eyes. Another one who likes to hear himself talk. "So if you miss three, your final score will be seven. Rule number two, teams will pass or fail based on the total scores of all members. Rule number three, the sentinels you see positioned around the room are there to watch you carefully for any signs of cheating. And for every incident they spot they will subtract two points from the culprits score. Be warned their eyes are extremely sharp and if they catch you five times you will be dismissed before the tests are even scored. Anyone fool enough to be caught cheating by the sentinels doesn't deserve to be here. If you want to be considered Shinobi then show us what exceptional Shinobi you can be.... One more thing. If any candidate should get a zero and fail the test then the entire team fails. The final question won't be given out until fifteen minutes until the end of the testing period. You'll have one hour total... Begin!"

Flipping my paper I sigh openly as I look over first the question layout then the questions. The sounds of tapping from people already writing echoes in the now quiet classroom as I take my time to read through the test. These questions are far beyond what normal Genin can answer, that much is certain. The rules on the test shows they want people to cheat since the Shinobi way is through lies and deceit. Top it off there are plenty of missions that require information gathering. In fact, most missions require this. So the reasoning for this test and their wild questions is to see who is the best at information gathering. Yet, they probably didn't expect for people like Sakura to be taking this test who will be able to answer these questions with ease. One thing is certain.. I can't answer a single one of these. If they were normal questions like you would find on a test then yeah I would be able to whiz through these but the problems lay with and around uncertainty. Even I know that my rational deductive skills would cause me to fail this test. Sighing I close my eyes. Naruto on the other hand not only can't answer these questions but knowing his personality he won't cheat. He's doomed from the beginning. So should I even bother answering these questions?

"Giving up already?" I hear Kankuro's nearly inaudible voice come from beside me.

"Not at all." I tell him before finally picking up my pencil. Oh well, incase I am wrong anyway maybe I should. Setting my pencil led down on the paper I push my energy outwards using the trick Aphrodite has been pushing me to refine. Especially these last five days. Feeling the pencils moving on the papers around me. I find the ones moving rapidly as I begin to match the feel of their strokes answering my questions. As a short time passes I finally finish the ninth question before I skim through my test checking my answers. Smiling at my work, I turn my test upside down and lay forward with my head on my arms upon my test with a yawn. Closing my eyes again waiting for the end of the testing time.