Because I Met You

Chapter 36: The True Reason

The five days went by and we were all called to stand in organized lines the central area of the tower. Naruto's team got here at the last possible minute. I'm kind of happy they made it though. I'm interested in seeing more of what Naruto can do, since, until now, there hasn't been much of a chance. Mari's team made it back here half a day after me, Koji, and Maru. She's been giving me death glares any time she could. I've been hanging around with Gaara for most of our time here, so he'd almost always glare back at Mari before I even notice her. Yukari, Ikki, and Yuto also made it here on the fourth day. I was starting to get worried.

And now I'm here, standing alongside all those who made it through the second exam in front of the Hokage and the second exam's proctor. I think her name is Mitarashi Anko. I also see Otokaze-sensei along with all the other Sunagakure sensei. There are a lot of other people that I don't recognize.

"First off, for the second test..."

The exam proctor starts off, bringing our attention to the front.

"Congratulations on passing!"

A lot of teams dropped out. Just by looking around, the number of contestants seems to have considerably shrunk.

"Hokage-sama will now explain the third test. Listen carefully!"

After shouting out those words at us, the proctor turns to the Hokage and talks to him in a calmer and more respective tone.

"Now Hokage-sama, please."

"Yes."

The Hokage replies firmly. I never thought the Hokage would be so... old. He probably the same age as the Kazekage's father, if that man was actually still alive.

"Before explaining the third test, there's something I'd like you all to know."

Even though he isn't shouting like the proctor was, I can still clearly hear his voice.

"It concerns the true reason for the exam."

The true reason...? Isn't it so that Genin can become Chunin?

"Why do we have all the allied countries take the exam together?"

...Honestly, I haven't really thought about that.

"It is not to promote friendship among the countries or to raise the level of the shinobi. I don't want you to be confused about the true meaning. This is exam is a replacement for war among the allied countries."

War? Just the word sends chills down my spine.

"If you go back in time, the current allies were enemies who fought each other over who would rule. It was in order to prevent wasteful fighting, the Chunin exam... That was the stage that these countries chose for battle. Watching these battles will be leaders and influential individuals. They constitute the clientele of shinobi. Each village will have the chance to showcase how strong they are. If a village is considered weak by the spectators, they will lose clientele. It also works the other way around. If the shinobi of a certain village are judged stronger than other, they will gain more clients."

But then why...? Why are we sent on such a mission? Can't we just prove ourselves in the exams? I'm sure if we show that Sunagakure is strong by succeeding in the tests, we will get more clients back from Konohagakure. Do we really need to attack them? Something is not right here... Either that or Sunagakure really doesn't have much faith in its shinobi. The Hokage's speech goes on for a while.

"Before we begin the third test I will tell you one more thing. This is not just a test... This is a life-risking battle with your country's prestige on the line."

To be honest, at this point, I could care less about Sunagakure's prestige. The only path I will follow is the path to Gaara's safety, even if it means betraying my village.

"I'd like to now explain the third test, but actually..."

A cough sounds and someone appears in front of the Hokage, kneeling in respect.

"I apologize Hokage-sama. From here on, as the referee, will you please allow me Gekkou Hayate..."

"By all means..."

So is that Hayate the proctor for the third exam? His back is still facing us.

"Hello everyone, I'm Hayate..."

He then turns around. Oh dear, this guy looks really sickly.

"Umm, before the third test... There's something I'd like you to do..."

Shouldn't he be in a hospital instead of being the proctor? He keeps coughing, too...

"Umm... This is a preliminary for the third test to decide who gets to participate in the event."

Huh? Preliminary?! I never heard of that!

"Preliminary? What do you mean?"

A boy who I've seen hanging around Naruto's group before retorts. His hair is tied in a ponytail that resembles a pineapple.

"Sensei... I don't really get the whole preliminary thing. Why aren't all the people here allowed to participate in the next test?"

The girl on Naruto's team says. She's got a point. Everyone here deserves to be in the third exam.

"Umm... Because the first and second test might have been too easy this year... We have a bit too many people remaining. According to Chunin exam rules, we must have a preliminary and reduce the number of participants for the third test."

So another obstacle presents itself to us.

"As Hokage-sama said earlier, there will be spectators. The fights can't take too long; we are limited in time. Um... Anyway, those who are tired or feel like quitting after this explanation, feel free to come forward now, since we will be starting the preliminaries immediately."

Immediately? The people who just made it back today won't have any time to rest. Some of the contestants started to protest. The proctors and the Hokage, along with some of the other people at the front seem to have a discussion. I wonder what's going on. Sasuke also seems to be having an argument with the pink-haired girl. I personally just want to hurry up and start the preliminaries.

"Umm... Since nobody seems like they want to quit, we will begin the preliminary round. This preliminary will consist of one on one fighting, as if in a real life confrontation. Right now we have exactly thirty contestants, therefore we will conduct fifteen matches. The winners will advance to the third test. There are basically almost no rules. The match goes on until one of you is either knocked out or admits defeat. If you don't want to die, then quickly acknowledge defeat. However, when I decide that the winner is clearly established, I will jump in and stop things. We don't want to have any pointless deaths. The object that will control your destiny is..."

A big curtain goes up, revealing a big screen.

"...Is this electric board. It will show the match-ups for each battle. Now, this is sudden, but let's announce the two names of the first fight."

A moment goes by and finally the first two names show up. Uchiha Sasuke vs Akado Yoroi. I can't help but feel a little excited. Sasuke is a pretty handsome guy. He looks strong too. I wonder how this will go.