⏪ Back in Time! (HELP!) [Sakura Timetravel AU]

16: First Exam | Conclusion!

Sakura's breathing came to a still, and Sasuke tensed, almost sitting up to stop Naruto. Time seemed to freeze as their teammate slowly raised his hand higher and higher into the air. The exam proctor turned his head slightly in Naruto's direction. With a growl, Naruto slammed his hand onto the desk. Hinata squealed in surprise and lightly jumped in her seat, prompting Naruto to give her an apologetic look before standing up. The classroom's attention was on him, including the proctor whose lips were pulled back into a frown.

"You... Did you really think I was gonna GIVE UP? No! I will not give in to something like this!" Naruto exclaimed, looking around and watching everyone's expression closely. "Hey, to those who are still here- Do you think you would give up so easily, when you've gotten so far? .. All because of some measly test?" He then turned around to see his teammates, Sasuke and Sakura.

"N-Naruto..." Sakura looked at him with a slight grin. Although this may have happened in her past life, it didn't make her any less amazed to see his brave outburst. Naruto truly was a wonder to her. Always somehow finding his way back up again after facing so much trouble, he was a lot stronger than many would think. Naruto was a crucial part of Team 7 and even in Sakura's life. Seeing it all happen again wasn't so bad now. In the back of her mind, she knew that he wasn't the same Naruto from where she came from, but she could always count on him because he was Naruto.

A chuckle came from the front of the classroom amidst the confusion, the proctor had finally responded after the surprising turn of events.

"You know, if you don't answer the last question... you along with all of your teammates fail the Chunin Exams. And if you get the last question wrong... you are doomed to remain a genin forever. Play your cards right, kid. It's either do or die." The tension in the room became so thick you could cut it with a knife. You could tell from some of the people's expressions that they had already given up inside their heads. Naruto's hand curled into a fist, then relaxed.

"You know what? I don't care if I'm stuck as a genin forever! So be it if I'm wrong! I'm no quitter! My teammates believed in me the moment we signed up for this, there's no way I'm backing down!" Naruto leaned forward and then slammed both of his hands on his desk, his eyes gleamed with the solemn determination and will to survive this exam. To him, it was merely an obstacle. A trial that he must pass to go from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high. Becoming the Hokage was no easy feat, but Naruto was willing and ready to take on the challenge. The first of many big challenges in his life in this dangerous ninja world.

The exam proctor's deadly glare and Naruto's fierce stare battled against each other for a heated moment, then Naruto piped up once again, "I never go back on my word! THAT'S MY NINJA WAY!" He finished his speech, shouting at the top of his lungs.

One by one, Genin began cheering for Naruto. The kid next to Sakura pumped their fists in the air and yelled, "I'm not backing down either!" Most of the classroom joined in with their faces ridden with determination. They were fixed on passing this test! It was as if Naruto just had the most motivating and inspiring speech at a big conference or something.

Scratching the back of his head, he chuckled nervously at the class's reaction. Naruto turned around and looked back at Sakura with a big goofy smile on his face, giving her a thumbs up. Sakura sighed and crossed her arms, but then returned the gesture with a reassuring smile.

"Nice one, Naruto." She said with a quick wink. Naruto blushed and looked away. Cutting through the chatter and cheers with a sharp command, the proctor silences everyone. Naruto remained standing, being the one person singled out in the room. The one troublemaker all of the people's eyes were on, including the seemingly enraged exam proctor. Step by step, the man walked closer over to Naruto. Until they were staring each other down, face to face.