Darkness Falls

Chapter 31

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Hokage's Office

"Each team has been submitted their permission slips, Hokage-sama." Iruka informed the Hokage with a slight frown. The scarred Chunin wasn't exactly pleased to hear that all of the jounin sensei's had endorsed their teams for the exams. Honestly, he felt that only Gai's team was ready for the test, the others were still too green. Having only been genin for less then a year.

"You don't approve that each of the teams have been endorsed, do you Iruka?" Hiruzen inquired with a knowing look. The elder village leader knew all to well how the academy instructor felt about his former students, namely Naruto. It was clear the scarred man viewed the young blonde as a little brother figure.

"To be honest sir, I just don't think most of the teams are ready for the exams." Iruka openly stated. "With the exception of Team 9, everyone hasn't even been genin for a full year."

"Be that as it may." The Hokage began with a slight grin. "But, as you may recall, Team 7 themselves have had quite the start for their Shinobi careers. Their first C-rank mission turned into an A-rank, yet they were still able to complete it with no fatalities or lasting injuries."

"But...."

"Then there was their most recent mission in Haru no Kuni." Hiruzen interrupted the instructor. "Which, according to Princess Koyuki herself, both Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan were key figures for not only the missions success, but also keeping the rebels alive."

"But Naruto....."

"Is quite capable." The elder man interrupted once more. "Most, if not all of Team 7's success, has been due to Naruto-kun. He has proven to have a sharp intellect, enough to rival, if not surpass, any Nara clan member. He also has a drive in him to protect those who can not protect themselves, regardless of the consequences to himself. In Nami no Kuni, at the risk of being charged with insubordination, he ignored Kakashi's orders and remained with the family on a hunch that the family would be targeted. A hunch that proved to be correct."

"In Haru no Kuni, Naruto-kun had warned Kakashi countless times of an impeding ambush." The elder man continued. "When Hatake ignored his warnings, Naruto-kun had taken it upon himself to plan out every detail to protect not only the client, but everyone else. Which was complicated even further when he learned of the rebels attempting a counter ambush. In the end, Naruto saved everyone. Even taking four kunai in the back to protect Koyuki-hime from harm."

Iruka could only gawk at the aged village leader. While he had known of the teams numerous successes, he had never read the actual reports as they were generally reserved for the Hokage's eyes only, and thus, he had given credit to Kakashi for the teams success. But to learn that from the teams inception, Naruto was the one responsible for each victory.

"Still, if you are unconvinced." Hiruzen spoke once more. "Feel free to test them yourself."

With a silent nod, the scarred Chunin left the office, pondering what course of action he should take.