Return to The Past : Naruto Fic

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Chapter 22 – Chunin Exams Part I

Many prospective Chunin hopefuls were entering the Academy to take their exams. Amongst them were a all Kunoichi Team from Uzu and an all Shinobi Team from Konoha. The six met at the entrance of the Academy and greeted each other with nods.

"Sasuke, you and Konohamaru are the only ones who know the Academy, so lead the way and we will follow." Karin said causing Sasuke to nod and walk in with his team and the all Kunoichi following behind him. They handed over their forms to the Chunin Instructors sitting at a table beside the doors and were directed to head to Class Room 303.

They went up a pair of stairs and saw a large group of Genin crowding around a door with the sign 303. The door was being guarded by two Genin, but Karin sensed that something wasn't right. Focusing her Kagura Shigan, she whispered to her teammates and Team Kakashi before heading towards the stairs to the next floor. As they were walking up the stairs, they heard a girl whine, "Come on, let us through. We need to take the exam!"

"Tenten is laying it on thick, isn't she?" Konohamaru commented with a grin causing the rest of his team and the Uzu Kunoichi to nod in agreement.

"I wonder when they will come up. The exam is going to start soon."

"I am sure that they will be here soon Haku. After all, do you see the uptight Hyūga teme missing such an opportunity?" Karin said with a scowl. Let it be known that Uzumaki Karin hated Hyūga Neji with a passion, especially since he insulted her by calling her a loser for studying the Fūinjutsu arts.

"You just wish to be the one to face him so that you can show him up Karin. You really need to keep your temper under control. You really don't want to get the moniker of Red Hot-Blooded Habanero like Kushina-sama, do you?" Suiren said with a teasing grin.

Karin pouted as they reached the door to the exam room only to be met by Zabuza and Kakashi leaning on the wall beside the door discussing something. Kakashi with the first to respond, "Ah, there you six are. Go in and make sure to keep alert. There may be some teams with ulterior motives."

"Hatake is right you lot, and keep an eye out for suspicious genin. Other than that, have fun and make sure that everyone learns that Uzu is the best!"

"Ha… my students will show that Konoha is the best, Eiba!"

"We will see Hatake, girls make sure that you reach the finals. We Jōnin have a bet and I believe that you lot are the only ones who have a chance to reach the finals with the whole team intact!" With that said, Zabuza vanished in a shunshin, leaving behind a thin mist.

"Boys, I expect you all to make it to the finals. I have quite a lot of Ryō banking on you! Good luck!" As with Zabuza, Kakashi also vanished in a shunshin, though his was a crackle of lighting sparks.

The six genin blinked in shock before shrugging and entering the room. As soon as they entered, they were accosted by the collective killing intent of the participants. While impressive, none of them even felt uncomfortable as they were used to being subjected to Elite Jōnin level killing intents.

"Hey guys! You lot got entered as well?" Ino asked approaching the six genin.

"Wahoo, it seems that everyone is here!" Kiba called out entering the room with his team and Team Gai.

"Troublesome, why did you monsters have to be entered? Now I don't have any chance to succeed. My mom is going to be so insufferable." Shikamaru groaned causing Hinata to smile and say, "Just try your best Shikamaru-kun. I am sure that your mother will be pleased with your performance, granted, you have to put in your all."

Shikamaru nodded and was about to comment when a grey haired elder Konoha Genin walked up to them and said, "You lot should keep it down. Everyone here is quite anxious and the wrong behavior could trigger someone. You lot are rookies, right? If I am not mistaken, you lot were taught personally by Naruto-sama in the art of Ninshu."