Rabbit Princess [Gaara] [1]

☾ 24 ☽

"First off, congratulations on passing the Second Exam," Anko called out. Tsukiko with standing among the Genins in a large arena. The Jonin teachers, Ibiki, and Anko had gathered in the tower with the Hokage for the next announcement.

Hiruzen was standing in the middle, right across the Genins who were lined in columns, on a slightly raised floor. Anko and Ibiki stood on either side with Chunins, including Iruka Sensei while the Jonin leaders to the teams, including Kakashi Sensei, stood behind the Hokage.

"I'm hungry," Choji muttered. Tsukiko glanced at the other Genins present there and was rather surprised the only two teams with four members passed: Team Seven and the Otogakure Team.

"There's still this many people left? How troublesome," Shikamaru grumbled. Ino looked toward Sasuke and giggled, muttering, "Sasuke-Kun's team passed, too,"

Tsukiko glanced at the Sunagakure Team, biting her lip when she saw Gaara in the very front of his team. She was not surprised that he passed but now she was scared that he will murder her in her sleep for absolutely nothing. Why must the heavens play her like this?

"Of course," Shikamaru said. "We went through a lot of trouble helping them. Our efforts would've gone to waste if they didn't pass," Tsukiko looked at Rock Lee and his team next. They had passed too. Neji looked cool but Tsukiko was still sour over the fact that she was called second-rate.

"Your team is pretty good," Guy said to Kakashi Sensei. "Perhaps they were lucky," Kakashi Sensei didn't reply. "But as long as my team is here, they can't go any further since in the next stage, personal abilities will be critical. Youth is sweet and sour, and sometimes strict, Kakashi,"

"Did you say something?" Kakashi Sensei asked causing Guy to yell out in disbelief. Tsukiko raised her eyebrows at them. What are their team leaders up to now?

"Just wait, Guy-Sensei, I will shine too!" Rock Lee said, holding up a fist.

"All of the rookies from Konoha are here," Sakura said to herself. Tsukiko noticed that as well, and she was very relieved.

"Hey, hey, old man Hokage, Iruka-Sensei and the super-brows are here, too," Naruto whispered to his teammates. "Feels like everyone important is here,"

"I don't have a good feeling about it, though," Sasuke said. Tsukiko agreed with that but her eyes were set on his hand that he had set over the left side of his neck. Was that thing still hurting him?

"We will now have an explanation of the Third Exam from Hokage-Sama," Anko called. "Everyone better listen well," She turned to the Hokage. "Hokage-Sama, please do the honours," Hiruzen nodded at her and stepped ahead. He cleared his throat slightly.

"The Third Exam will begin," Hiruzen informed. "But before the explanation, there's one thing I want to make clear to all of you. It's about the true purpose of this exam, why we do a joint exam with the allied nations. 'To maintain good relations with the allied nations' and 'Heighten the level of the ninja'... Do not let those reasons deceive you. This 'exam', so to speak, is..." The Genins were confused. After a while of silence, Hiruzen spoke up again. "The epitome of a war between the allied nations,"

"What do you mean?" Tenten asked.

"If we go back through history, the allied nations right now were..." Hiruzen started. "Neighbouring countries that have fought each other over and over again... To avoid wasting military power, those countries decided to choose a place to fight. That is the beginning of the Chunin Selection Exam,"

"Why do we have to do that?" Naruto asked. "We're not doing this to select Chunins?"

"Yes, this Exam does examine those who are worthy of the Chunin title," Hiruzen replied. "But, on the other hand, it's also a place where ninja fight and carry their country's dignity,"