Inferno (A Naruto Fanfic Book 4)

Chapter 22

I waited outside the Academy for Hinata and the team she had been paired with.. Per usual, she was early. "Sensei, did you get enough rest?"

I smiled at her and handed her the file about her teammates. "I did, and you?"

She smiled back and read. "Of course... this team... search and rescue, scouting, and information gathering."

I nodded. "Based on that, yes."

She sighed. "So if we have to gather intel, no problems, but how are they in combat."

I scratched my cheek. "Hopefully, we'll find that out after this."

Ibiki approached and raised an eyebrow. "Your student is participating?" I nodded. "And you're helping proctor?"

I nodded. "Requested by the Hokage."

He gave a grim smile. "Let's go in so I can tell you what to do."

I shook my head. "Need to meet this Kurenai and her two genin."

He chuckled. "Making sure they're worthy?"

I shook my head. "I have nothing to do with that. Just seeing their faces." He nodded and went in. A woman with red eyes approached with a boy who had a dog on his head and another whose face was covered by his collar. "Must be them."

Kurenai smiled. "You're Kunoichi, right?" I nodded. "Well, these are Kiba and Shino."

I looked them over and gestured to my student. "Hinata."

The wolfish looking boy squinted and got closer. "You were there the first day of the academy... you never came back."

She gave him a blank look. "Yes."

He laughed. "You expect us to work with a dropout?"

Hinata never looked away from him, and Shino spoke. "If she can take the exams, then we can work with her, Kiba. Otherwise... we can't take them as well."

Kiba stopped laughing and scowled at him. Hinata bowed slightly. "Thank you." I patted her shoulder and went in. Don't be too hard on them.

I joined the proctors and Ibiki, choosing to stand against the wall. As Ibiki went over our roles, I looked out of the window, only halfway listening. Basically, the genin would have to cheat and not get caught, but if the cheating was impressive enough, let it slide.

Considering I rarely missed anything, I connected with Ibiki's mind. So, I'm just gonna show you what I see, and you make the call, or no one will pass. He looked up at me and gave a slight nod. I chose a seat that gave me a good view of the entire room.

Soon, the genin started filing in, most looked up at me and waved or nodded in acknowledgment. I nodded back until Naruto had an outburst, to which I shook my head. Way to make yourself a target fool... Then someone approached, and I frowned. That boy... is no genin.

I watched as the grey haired imposter pulled out a deck and started showing stats on other genin. Failed seven times... on purpose... I relayed the information to Ibiki, who had left the room. After which, he came in, and the exams began.

I lazily sent images to Ibiki. Hinata using her Byuakugan, Gaara using his Sand eye, the mirrors on the ceiling, an insect helping Shino, and Kiba using his puppy, among other things. I struck at the ones who Ibiki said and left others alone. Naruto...

He was visibly nervous, and I noted he had written nothing on his paper. What is he doing? I inwardly sighed and continued to take out the most obvious of cheaters. The first part of the exam ended, and there was a final question. I watched as a few more teams filed out until Naruto had another outburst. Is this what Minato is teaching him?

After that, no one else left, and they all passed. Idiots...

As they filed out, I helped Ibiki collect the papers. "Kunoichi." I looked at him as he held up Naruto's paper. "There's nothing written here."

I nodded and smirked. "No knowledge and too scared to cheat."

He chuckled. "Number One Knuckle Head Ninja, indeed. You didn't even bother to help."

I smiled. "I'm not here to help, I'm here to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible. Anko's entrance was..."

He shook his head. "That's Anko for you."

I chuckled. "This next part sounds fun... even if I'm not allowed in."

He frowned. "That boy..."

I got serious. "Definitely not a genin. I don't know his goal or who he works for, but he claims to be a Leaf nin. That isn't the case."

Ibiki nodded. "We'll have to be careful then."

I looked out the window. "I agree."

I met up with Hinata's temporary team on the training grounds. I stopped beside Kurenai as she watched them. "She's impressive..."

I shrugged. "Her training's different than the genin here."

She looked at me. "I remember her... before she left the village. She's grown."

I nodded. "She didn't really have a choice when she chose to come." I watched as she easily held off her teammates, her Byuakugan not even activated. "She doesn't need this exam at this point."

Kurenai nodded. "Why have her take it?"

I smirked. "To become a Leaf nin, she needs the headband, right? Well, this is the way they want her to get it."

Kurenai watched her carefully. "I can't tell if she really wants it or not."

I sighed. "We'll find out soon enough. Let them rest. The Forest of Death will not be the end of them if she has any say in it." Kurenai looked at me curiously but called them off.

Hinata smiled as she approached. "Will you be eating with us, Sensei?"

I shook my head. "I have other matters to attend to. Good job in the test today."

She shrugged. "Too easy, should have been for this team, at least." I smiled and shook my head. "See you tomorrow, then." I nodded and left her to her team. Something's going to happen in that forest... I need to be there to know what.