More Than A Name (Naruto Fanfiction)

Treck to the Springs

Inside the Hokage tower, Jonin stood before the Hokage and his advisors as they registered their teams for the upcoming Chunin exams. They went from the oldest teams to the youngest. The vast majority of the senseis with older teams registered their team. As the process continued, it came down to the final four teams.

"Will Team 3 participate in the upcoming exams?" questioned the aide.

Gai, with no theatrics, put his thumb up and said proudly,

"I fully believe that my team is ready for these upcoming exams."

Asuma knew he was next and stepped forward and said

"Team Ten has shown significant progress and is ready for the Chunin Exams."

Before Kurneai stepped forward, she mouthed a light thank you to Anko and Kakashi before she stepped up.

" I hereby register Team 8 for the upcoming exams."

Kakashi and Anko stepped forward. Anko gave a slight nod to Kakashi, indicating that he should speak.

"Anko and I firmly believe that Team 7 is ready for these exams."

Hiruzen had a slight smile on his lips, and he nodded,

"Okay, if that is all, then we are all dismissed for today; if anything changes, you can come to register your teams up to a week before the exams, and you may drop out at any time before we head out to the Land of Hot Water."

"Wait!"

The room turned to see Iruka sitting at a desk in the corner, documenting the participants. He had been holding his tongue, but the thoughts of his freshly graduated students not just participating in the Chunin exams just a year out, but in a different nation altogether, if any of them got hurt. If he didn't speak up, he couldn't live with himself.

"I am concerned about the recently formed teams participating in these exams. It's only been a year since they graduated from the academy; I can understand maybe one team going, but everyone from the graduating class feels like we are rushing them along."

Anko looked at Iruka with her arms crossed.

"Iruka, I can tell you care about the kids, but you know that a year of ninja training can change a lot. Most of these kids have changed in ways you do not know."

" I taught them almost daily for five years; I know these kids," Iruka argued.

"How often have you talked to them in the past year?" questioned Anko

Iruka clammed up at that as he felt guilt rise within him. He had only had passing encounters with some of his students. The number of times he talked to Naruto this past year could be counted on one hand.

Hiruzen gave Iruka a sympathetic look.

"I understand your concern, Iruka; if it brings you some comfort, this exam will be the safest in years; one of the requirements we had to meet was to make the exams less deadly; if there is a time for young genin to participate in the exams, it is this one. "

Danzo huffed, showing his displeasure at the concept.

Iruka nodded

"I understand, sir."

Hiruzen addressed the room.

"The exams are only a little over a month away. Make sure your teams are prepared to represent the leaf to the best of their abilities,"

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Team 7 gathered at the heart of the village, their excitement palpable. Today, the leaf ninjas were embarking on a journey to the Land of Hot Water for the much-anticipated Chunin Exams. Anko and Kakashi meticulously reviewed the final preparations with their team.