The student. (A Naruto fanfiction)

Chapter #9 The Chunin Selection Exams

Naruto sat in an open clearing, one where once upon a time, two Uchiha Cousins sparred, and the winner took a young outcast boy under his wing. The clearing may have been picked as a good spot for the cousins to spar, but it has since then turned into Naruto's designated personal training spot. Naruto liked to come here even if it was just to think. He wondered how Shisui truly thought of him. Before his thoughts could catch up with themselves, Naruto shook his head and made his way out of the forest, he was going to be late for his team meeting.

When Naruto flickered his way to Training Ground 7, Sasuke and Sakura was there waiting on their absent Sensei. Naruto used the Body Flicker Technique to reappear on a tree branch and sat down as he waited for the Jounin to appear. After twenty minutes of waiting Naruto closed his eyes, allowing his drowsiness to take over as he took a short nap while waiting.

Naruto awoke from the sound of a poof. Opening his eyes, he saw Kakashi crouching on top of the fence, giving a halfhearted wave and an closed-eye smile.

"Sorry I'm late, I was helping an old lady carry groceries home. I hope you understand." Naruto rolled his eyes as he hopped down. Kakashi's antics amused him. It's probably why he can tolerate the Jounin.

"LIAR!" Sakura accused with an accusers finger pointed at her sensei. Kakashi hopped down from the fence and raised his hands in a surrender motion. "You got me. I may not have been doing that today, but that doesn't mean that I don't usually do it. Besides I have a good reason to be late today." Kakashi's three Genin students looked at him expectingly as he pulled out three pieces of paper. "I nominated the three of you for the Chunin Selection Exams."

"Really, Sensei?" Sakura asked excitedly. This was the perfect chance to prove herself to Sasuke.

"I only nominated you, whether you three take the exams or not is up to the three of you." Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly but shook his head, deciding to worry about Kakashi's riddle later. "We appreciate your vote of confidence in us, Sensei. We hope to do you proud." Naruto said with a fond smile behind his scarf as he accepted the Nomination paper from Kakashi.

"W-What do we do if we decide to take it?" Sakura asked nervously, worried that she might not live up to Kakashi or Sasuke's standard, oblivious to Sasuke's annoyance of her infatuation with him.

"If you decide that you want to try your luck for the Chunin Exams, then go to the academy at 3:00 on Monday, room 301."

"So what are you going to teach us today? Or is there no training today?" Naruto asked the gray-haired Jounin. Kakashi gave the Uzumaki a closed-eye smile as he pulled out white slips of paper. "I got a special treat for the three of you today."

"Chakra paper? You're testing our elemental affinities?" Naruto questioned with a chuckle, knowing that he already mastered two elements and is working on mastering a third.

"I trust the three of you to know about the five basic Chakra Natures and their relationship with each other?" Receiving three nods the Jounin continued. "Each of you take one of these special Litmus papers that are made from a unique tree that absorbs and grows from Chakra. Just run your Chakra through the slip and the paper will react according to the nature you're predisposed to. Fire will burn, Wind will tear, Lightning will crinkle, Earth will crumble, and with Water the paper will get wet and soggy."

Kakashi handed the three Genin's a paper. Sasuke's slip crinkled, signifying his affinity to Lightning. Kakashi nodded. "We share an affinity for Lightning, I'll be able to help you master it." Sakura's slip crumbled into dust. "I've copied and mastered plenty of Earth style Jutsu's in the past." Sakura felt more relieved that her sensei would be able to help her. Kakashi turned to Naruto who stared at the slip of paper wistfully, in remembrance.