Child of the Moon

Jonin Meeting

"I have summoned you for a very important purpose," the Third said, speaking to the Jonin gathered in the room.

Tsukiko drifted off, bored out of her mind since there was always a preamble before the Third ever got to the point.

It was boring as hell.

It also never ceased to amaze her how everyone seemed caught off guard with the fact that it was going to be happening soon.

Then she remembered that not everyone had the ability to read minds.

"Wait... seven days?" Kurai groaned. "I totally forgot it was coming, Katsu's gonna chew me out..."

"Alright, it's time to choose our candidates for the Chunin Exams," the Third said, after much talking. "To begin, will those in charge of the rookie genin step forward?"

Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma stepped forward as the Third addressed them.

"What do you say? Are there any in your squads who you'd recommend?" he asked. "Who are ready for the exams, despite their inexperience? As you know, any genin who has carried out eight or more missions is technically ready for the exams. Beyond that, only you can decide when they are ready."

"Ugh, he's talking so much...."

"You should probably be paying attention, Tsukiko," Kakashi responded.

"But I know all this, we all do... Basically, do you think they're ready, even though they've had less time than most to prepare? Yes, ok, move on. No? Also ok, move on."

"Hmmm."

"So Kakashi, you begin," the Third finally said.

"I lead Squad 7," he started.

"Oh no... not you too!"

"I'm trying to focus," Kakashi retorted as he continued to explain his team's make up.

"He knows who is on your team..."

"I recommend all three of these genin for the chunin exams," he said.

"See, was that so hard?"

"Good to see you're back to your usual self..."

"Bite me."

Kurenai and Asuma also followed in the same stead, recommending their whole teams. Iruka protested, but Tsukiko had stopped paying attention since that sensation of being watched had come over her again. This time, instead of just reaching out with her mind, she tried to look around at the same time.

"When I became a chunin I was six years younger than Naruto is now-"

"Naruto is nothing like you!" Iruka cut Kakashi off.

"True," Tsukiko said, drawing attention back to her as she gave up her search for her mysterious stalker. "Naruto is Naruto."

"Are the two of you trying to destroy him?"

"Well, they're always complaining about not being challenged enough...Maybe wiping out on the exams will teach them a lesson. A little pain is good."

"Iruka, I know Naruto better than anyone, even himself," Tsukiko said, cutting Iruka off from further comment. "He just came out of an S-Rank mission in better condition than I did. Besides, they're not your students anymore."

"She's right," Kakashi said. "They're mine."

"Didn't know you were the possessive type."

"You always find something to comment on, don't you?"

However, the Hokage seemed to be as unsure on the readiness of the genin as Iruka, or rather... he wanted to let Iruka see for himself that they were ready, and proposed a preliminary test for them.