"Really?" Katawara stared down into those dark green eyes that shared the same colour as riped avocadoes -has it always been that shade, he remembered her having jade for eyes-, she's all grown up now, hands all healed, knowledge filled. It's almost time for them to go home, back to Konoha. But under orders of Hokage-sama, Katawara is forced to allow his precious student to compete in the exam, Chunin Exam. The council back home made a fuss, claiming Hokage-sama was hindering a prodigy's advancement, particularly a certain Warhawk. "Yes."
Shiori looked at her teacher in disbelief, "Are you really sure?"
"Yes., I'm really sure."
"Really really sure?" She just had to make sure, she has been pestering him for ages, begging. Why now?"Really, really sure."
"Really, really, really sur—" Shiori pressed, her question was cut off by an annoyed tone, "Shiori, one more word and the yes will be a no."
"Yes, sir." She knew when to stop and sealed her mouth shut, but of course, those lips curved into a small smile. "Where's the exam being held? And would I be taking the winter examination or summer examination?"
"You'll be taking Summer examination, gives you more time to prepare," Katawara-sensei informed. He paused for a second, seemingly hesitant before continuing, "It is held in Kirigakure. Hokage-sama is seeing this as a chance to improve our relation, however, Kirigakure is in a civil war, so it would be dangerous. However, tradition is tradition, thus the exam would still be on."
Shiori nodded.
"You have six months. Get ready."
Shiori stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. She was the only Konoha member it seemed and many were staring at her like she was a piece of meat. The young genin breathed and opened her eyes to reveal sharp green colour. This made a few weaker willed ninjas wilt and fidget but some of the more stubborn ones held their gaze and judgement. Shiori had a feeling she was the youngest in the room and that thought amused her, no doubt most would underestimate her or write her off as a threat. She scanned her eyes over the crowd, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Getsugakure, Iwagakure and of course, Kirigakure. From the looks, she estimated there should be around 120 ninjas in the room.
A loud crash resounded and all eyes flickered over to the source of the commotion, a man with glasses and black hair stood, one eye is gone and the other a dull blue. In his mouth were a senbon and hand and kunai twirling. His posture relaxed but Shiori could vaguely identify the familiar tenseness in muscle her teacher always posses in the man. And he spoke, voice barely above a whisper and so deep it was as if the man ate sandpaper on a daily basis, "My name is Uyeno. And I'm your proctor for the first exam."
Shiori divided her attention immediately, half was on guard noting as many movements as possible around her, the other listening to the words Uyeno would utter. Everyone was ushered into a room where there were tables and chairs all lined up. She took the seat nearest to the window, they were on the first floor, escape would be easy. She sat down and eyes flickered around her. A girl with black sword sat beside her, a man with blue hair behind hair and a pair of twins in front of her.
"Your first exam is a written exam, those caught incompetent, would be immediately," The proctor paused and the kunai in his hands slammed on the table, "executed."
Killed. Shiori's mind supplied. She wasn't surprised, this was, after all, the village known to have one of the most ruthless genin graduation tests. "You have a hundred questions to complete within an hour. Begin."
Shiori stared at the stack of paper in front of her and flipped through the pages.
1. Who was the founder of Kirigakure? Byakuren
