Konoha's Maelstrom

16

Seven teams were left. They were lined up in three rows, the teams standing together, one behind the other.

A raised platform was in front. At the centre was Hiruzen. Behind him were the seven Jonin senseis of the teams left. Eight other jonin flanked the raised platform, four on each side. And, at the back of the room, there were two arms sculpted to show the ram seal.

The teams left were Team 8 (Kiba, Hinata, and Shino), Team 10 (Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji), Team Gai (Neji, Lee, and Tenten), Team Kabuto (Kabuto and his two teammates), the Sand team (Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro), that one Oto trio (Dosu, Zaku, and Kin), and Team 7 (Meiko, Sasuke, and Sakura).

Meiko had been a little surprised that Oto-nin had made it, but Dosu was strong and he had still had three days to get two scrolls, so it seemed fine.

On the left, the four Jonin lined up were Ibiki, Iruka, and an unidentified one with Nohara markings (purple lines on his cheeks), and Iyani was there. He sent Meiko a discreet grin, which Meiko wanted to return, but couldn't.

On the right, there was Anko and three other Konoha Jonin Meiko didn't recognise.

Meiko focused on the Jonin behind. Five Konoha Jonin—Kakashi, Maito Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, and Kabuto's Jonin leader—were lined up there as well one Suna Jonin—Gaara's team's leader—and an Oto Jonin.

Meiko nearly scoffed at the patheticness of his disguise. Pale skin that looked white and yellow eyes? Check. Malicious chakra? Check. Large reserves? Triple check.

Orochimaru? What an idiot, Meiko thought, staring at him.

"First off, congratulations on finishing the second exam." It was Anko who spoke and she seemed to have a microphone, those small ones that weren't handheld.

Meiko noticed Gai speaking to Kakashi and she watched as Kakashi gave Gai a bored glance and Gai went through the five stages of grief, or something. It was hilarious, but Meiko didn't laugh.

"Now then, we will now have the explanation of the third exam from Lord Hokage. Listen carefully, everybody!" Anko said. She turned to the Hokage. "Now then, if you will, Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen stepped forward, which didn't do much, but whatever. "Before the explanation of the third exam that we will start from now, I have just one thing I want to tell everyone flat out. About the true purpose of these exams.

"Why do allied nations conduct exams on a conjoined basis?"

To show off their strength, Meiko thought immediately.

"Raising the levels of the shinobi and friendship among allied nations. It won't do to have the wrong idea of the true meaning of that statement. These exams are so to speak..." He took his pipe out his mouth, which shouldn't have felt dramatic, but it did. "A microcosm of battle between allied nations."

And Meiko got bored. All Hiruzen was saying was that the Chunin exams are a show of strength from the hidden villages, and they were merely pieces of the whole game. It made perfect sense to her though; the village received more missions and commerce, and in turn put more money in Hiruzen's pockets.

Her attention was back at the front when Hiruzen cleared his throat. "Now, I will..." He trailed off when a jonin from the line Anko was in came in front and kneeled.

"With all due respect, Hokage-sama, please allow me, the proctor of this exam, to explain."

Meiko observed the ninja carefully. The man was decently tall, bandana with metal plate attached covering most of his brown hair save for the few in the front. The bags underneath his eyes indicated an exhausted and if the repeated coughs were anything to go by, a chronically sick nature. There was another thing she noticed.