Son of the Sannin(Back)

The Chunin Exams Begin!

                                            Are we really excited to do an exam!?

It was just two days before the beginning of the Chunin Exams, and most of the Konoha Genin that wanted to participate had increased their training regime during these past two weeks in order to be in top form for the exams. While far from the norm, people sometimes died in these kind of exams.

None of the Genin who participated took missions anymore so they could spend their time preparing the exams. And given that what most Genin teams did were D-Rank missions, it was something pretty much everybody, included their Jonin-sensei, were grateful for getting rid of (at least temporarily).

After an intense training session that morning, Team Kurenai was at Icharaku's, having lunch. And after lunch, they'll go back to training once again. While they waited for their orders, Naruto spoke up.

"So, Kurenai-sensei, be honest.. do you think we're ready for the exam?" the blond Jinchuriki asked.

"Like I said before, if I didn't think you are, I wouldn't have recommended you for the exams. You three seem to progress at a very good pace. What's with the sudden self-doubt, Naruto? Are you having second thoughts?" Kurenai teased, knowing full well the answer.

Naruto took immediate offense. "Of course not! It's that, well, I'm a bit nervous. Mom and Dad explained the exams to me and it's kind of a big deal."

"Speaking of which, how was your Chunin Exams in your day, Kurenai-sensei?" Haku asked. "Did you pass on your first try?"

"Second," Kurenai answered. "And I don't mean to sound defeatist or anything, but don't be disheartened if you don't become Chunin the first time you take the exams. Very few people do."

"How old were you?" Hinata asked.

"When I participated the first time, or when I got promoted?" Kurenai asked back, before deciding to answer those two questions at once. "Twelve and thirteen, respectively."

"So, our age more or less" Naruto said, a bit more encouraged now. "And what about Jonin? Is there a Jonin Exam?"

"You're going too fast, aren't you, Naruto?" Kurenai asked. "First get promoted to Chunin, and then we'll talk about becoming a Jonin."

"Aw, come on, why don't you tell us?"

After pondering it for a few seconds, Kurenai decided that there was no harm in letting them know.

"Usually, Jonin are required to master at least two kind of elemental ninjutsu, have above average taijutsu, and some skill in genjutsu. But like I told you, there are exceptions to that," Kurenai explained.

Hinata knew that most Hyuga Jonin fell under those exceptions, since she never saw her mother nor her late father using elemental ninjutsu. But then again, their taijutsu and overall power was simply spectacular.

"That seems like a lot of things" Hinata observed.

"Well of course. It's not a matter of just being strong. Jonin are the best a village can offer, so the standards are pretty high," Kurenai said. "There's also the Special Jonin rank, which is given to Chunin who excel at one or two fields, but they haven't mastered enough skills to be considered a full Jonin. More than likely, you will have to go through that rank before becoming a Jonin, just like I had to."

"And your specialty was genjutsu, am I right?" Haku ventured to guess.

Kurenai smiled at him. "It wasn't very hard to guess, right?"

"Your orders are ready!" Ayame, Teuchi's daughter announced, as she placed all the bowls in front of her customers, much to the delight of a certain blond.