Second Chance

Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Chunin Exams Begin
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The days preceding the chunin exams were for the most part were calm and relaxing. Especially to the exhausted genin. They hadn't realized just how much they had been worked into the ground and how tense they were until they had been given the time to relax. Needless to say, they enjoyed it. The morning of the exam, the Konoha twelve met early in front of the academy. They had agreed to enter early so that they could get a better assessment on the other examinees. Last time they had gone in blind and some of them had almost lost their life as a result. This time they wanted to be as prepared as they could be. Entering the building they made their way to the classroom completely ignoring the genjutsu and the chunin underneath it. Earning a nod of approval from their jonin they entered and took places near but not next to each other. Then they played the waiting game.

By the time that the last of the competitor's trickled in Naruto had dozed off on his desk and Sasuke was trying in vain to wake him without drawing attention to themselves. Needless to say that it wasn't working. Sighing he sat back in his chair and waited. Absentmindedly rubbing the concealed seal on his arm. Naruto had finished it the night before and in all honesty it had hurt when it was applied. Not as much as the evil sealing method that Kakashi used the first time around but it still hurt. Spotting a flash of silver, Sasuke couldn't help but snicker. They had placed themselves in such a way that the spy for Orochimaru, Kabuto, couldn't get close and offer information without drawing attention to himself. Furthermore, as they weren't making a racket this time he had no reason to approach him.

Naruto and Sasuke had both agreed that they would most likely hit the boy if he approached them which is why they chose the placement that they did. He was thankful that they had thought of that before hand instead of trying to control themselves when it happened. Leaning back in his chair he closed his eyes and stretched his senses. He never liked to put them to far but he also didn't want to make himself vulnerable either. Picking up the examiners in the room next to theirs he smirked. They were waiting for some kind of ruckus to walk into. Unfortunately, unless another team started it then they would be waiting a while.

'Seems like they got tired of waiting.' Sasuke thought to himself several minutes later just as the examiners entered the room.

"Alright maggots listen up because I will not repeat myself. My name is Morino Ibiki and I will be your first examiner for these exams. I want everyone to line up and hand in your applications one at a time and receive your assigned seat while you are at it. No talking. If you haven't turned in your applications in the next ten minutes your are disqualified do I make myself clear?" The reaction was almost instantaneous as the genin jumped up and made their way to the front of the room to do as they were told. Sasuke turned to shake Naruto one last time only to seem him half way to the front of the room.

'How does he do that?!' He thought following the Rokudaime. It didn't take long for everyone to be seated and Sasuke found himself holding back a laugh as he noticed the whole team had received their original seats. Glancing back to the front he saw Ibiki smirking at the naive genin.

"Alright then pay attention. The test consists of ten questions. The last question will be asked fifteen minutes before time is up and you will only have one hour. We will not be answering any questions. Each genin will start with a perfect score. You will have points deducted for each wrong answer. If you are caught cheating you will have points deducted from your score and if you are caught three times you and your team will be disqualified from the exam. If you receive a zero you fail the exam. If anyone on your team receives a zero the entire team fails. Now then any questions?" As a hand raised in the back the examiner's sweat dropped at the stupidity. After removing the genin and his team Ibiki looked around and nodded.