Glaciers

Chapter 13

The ball unfurled and kunais flew to the ceiling and floor. A banner was held up.

'Sexy and Single Mitarashi Anko, Second Proctor!'

Was written in a colorful and... Artistic way.

"Alright you maggots! I am your next proctor, Mitarashi Anko!" Anko fist pump into the air.

".... Anko... You're early....again" Ibiki step out from behind the banner that covered him, intentionally or unintentionally, only Anko knew.

"Hm...... 75? Ibiki you have gone soft!" Anko laughed and pointed at Ibiki's face

"Well, some are talented this year" Ibiki shrugged, not minding the rude pointing.

"Well, when I am done with them, their numbers will be cut in half" Anko chuckled darkly, making many genins shivers.

"Well then, follow me to the Exam Site! Let's go!" Anko jump out of the window.

The genins piled out of the door. Sotaru still sat on his seat. Yuki stood up and walked over.

"Menma, stay, there is something I want to ask" Sotaru said as he still had his eyes closed and her bowed.

Rookie Nine was curious so they stayed as well, Team Gai was by the door. The Ibiki and some Chuunin stayed as well.

Menma stood with his team. Sotaru chuckled.

"You want to be a Hokage it seems" Sotaru began, catching everyone's attention.

"You got your wish, you are walking to its path perfectly yet recklessly too" Sataru said as he chuckled

"What does that mean?" Menma frowned

"You're doing a job that every Kage are pained to do, wonderfully and naively might I add" Sotaru chuckled in amusement

"And that is?" Menma was getting inpatient

"You seemed to be quite skilled sending people to their deaths" Sotaru smiled knowingly as he stood up

"What!?! You're slandering me!" Menma glared angrily

"I am not, it's the truth" Naruto said as he stood up and tilted his head to Menma's direction.

"Ibiki san knows what he was doing. Pressuring them to weed out the weak. Yuki and I just pushed them to give up. Ever wondered why?" Naruto smiled and turned to Shikamaru

"They are not ready" Shikamaru answered the inquering gaze Naruto sent to him

"Binggo. Use your damn head. Why would your village sent their Top Most Interrogator in T&I Department just for a simple Written Exams? Those Genins gave up, they felt that the risk is not worth it, they felt they would really die if they continue. Those with really courage stayed, those whom are faltering feels something is not right and wanted to forfeit. People die in the Exams, mostly on the Second Round, why is that? Because it's typical to use it as the Survival Type Exams. Where bloodthirsty Genins feasted upon weak ones." Naruto said before he turned his back on Menma

"You sent those Genins to their deaths because of your little speech of courage. Call them cowards to leave but they choose their life and the life of their teammates than risk it all" Naruto said and begin to walk away with Yuki.

"This year's exam is dangerous. Didn't you see what those Sound could do? Did you not pay attention to what Kabuto was telling you about Subaku no Gaara? Such impressive records of Missions, no D Ranks, all high level and returned without a scratch? Can you not feel his blood lust? If not, then you should go home because apparently, you need more training" Yuki mocked as they neared the door.

"Don't you think it's shameful? A non Shinobi giving advise to a Shinobi. A non Shinobi is more sharp than the 'Best Genins'. Who are you trying to fool? If you want to play ninja, this is not the place for it" Yuki added

"I do hope you would think deeply. Those Genins that are bound to die have families too. Families that waited for their return, victorious or not, but they want them to be alive and one piece. Can you shoulder the heavy burden you placed on them by encouraging them to go on?" Naruto asked before he tilted his head back and looked at Menma straight in the eye

"This is a Job of a Kage. Sacrificing his Shinobi. You will know how it feels soon, that or you can ask your father what I mean. He will get it before you can even finish your whole sentence" Naruto said before the two began walking out of the door.

"Think about it and use your head. Not giving up is good because your determination is strong, but not everyone can afford the cost. Not every are powerhouses or have something in them to asset them in battle. Think about it and grown up, child" Naruto said before slamming the door shut.

"Sotaru.... I am looking forward to battle you" Neji said, Sotaru gave a nod of acknowledgement

"Such... Youthful speech!" Lee's eyes sparkled, Tenten giggled

"It's time they know what really obstacle are" She said.

"Hm" Naruto nodded and he and Yuki speed walked towards the training ground 44. Team Gai joined them.

How did they know that? Because Ibiki wrote it on the blackboard.

The people left in the room was stunned on silence. Menma contemplated for a while before he smiled grimly in realization.

So it seems.

The others began to walk to the Exam Site. Ibiki chuckled.

"Interesting" He said

Minato whom was watching in the screen, folded his fingers, resting his elbows on the table, his bangs shadowed his eyes.

'He's sharp and understands more than normal kids his age. His eyes held coldness in them, wisdom, and disdain' Kakashi thought then glanced at his Sensei.

"Sotaru is not a simple character" Minato said, Kushina smiled grimly next to him

"Yeah. His sharpness sometimes scares me, ttebane" Kushina answered

"He reminds me too much of Naruto San" Kimiko commented from her seat

Iruka nodded in agreement. He had taught one Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto once upon a time for only two year. He was brilliant, excellent, and precise student. Just like the Prodigy Genius Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi, as well as the Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato.

Genes really are scary thing.