"They'll be posting your results shortly. If your name's not on the board, you failed."
This test had been focused on intel-gathering abilities, but some people chickened out and didn't even open the scrolls. Combine that with poor scores, and they were getting cut. Anyone who didn't pass basic knowledge requirements was out.
Without intel-gathering skills or the foundational knowledge, these people would be dead weight on the battlefield. Better they stay genin and get a few more years of polishing.
Hearing that, Kiyosuke clicked his tongue. As expected, this reminded him of the Chūnin Exams that the "Crown Prince" had gone through—Ibiki, that sadistic interrogation officer, had played a psychological game with the final question, daring the candidates to gamble their futures. A ton of people bailed because they didn't have the guts.
This year's test focused on intel-gathering and basic knowledge. You needed at least one of the two. If you couldn't manage either, then go home and hatch eggs or something.
The proctors left, and the group gathered together. Asuma and Kurenai handed the snake back to Kiyosuke.
"It was useful, no doubt," Asuma said, rubbing his arm, "but damn, that thing hurts."
"I didn't even use it," Kurenai added. "The questions were a bit tough, but still manageable."
"It was a total blind spot for us knowledge-wise," Kiyosuke sighed, dismissing the snakes back to Ryūchi. He stretched and said, "Ahh, finally done with the one thing I hate the most."
Exams. His eternal nemesis!
"Alright, alright! Now it's time for Obito to shine!" Obito chimed in, full of enthusiasm.
The other two gave him skeptical looks.
"You really think you're gonna pass?"
"Of course! Rin helped me!"
Rin smiled awkwardly. "Obito's... not exactly great at this stuff."
"Mmhmm. We get it. Obito's a dummy."
"You're the dummy, jerk! You looking for a fight, Asuma?!"
"Bring it on!"
The two started bickering and grappling while the others just looked on, helpless to intervene.
Soon after, the results were posted.
Rin placed first. Kakashi came in second.
Kiyosuke and the others were somewhere in the middle. It didn't matter. As long as they passed, who cared about the ranking?
"Where am I, where am I?" Obito anxiously scanned the list.
"Found it! I'm next to Kiyosuke!"
Kiyosuke glanced over and said, deadpan, "That's Uchiha Runto, not Uchiha Obito, you idiot. You're all the way at the bottom."
"Huh?"
Obito looked again—and sure enough, at the very bottom, in tiny letters, was the note:
"The following candidates have passed as alternates: Uchiha Obito."
He had barely scraped through.
"Awesome! I passed!" Obito jumped with joy.
"I just don't get it. Rin placed first, and you almost didn't pass? What kind of copying were you even doing?"
"Uh… well…"
"Alternate pass, huh?" Kakashi leaned against the wall. "Classic Obito."
"What did you say?!" Obito bristled. "So what if you're a genius?! You think you're better than everyone else?!"
"Alright, alright, enough already," Rin said, stepping in as the peacemaker.
A Konoha ninja walked up to them.
"Now's not the time to celebrate. All passing candidates, report to the classroom. The explanation for the second round is about to begin."
They entered and sat in teams of three. A ninja stood at the front and announced,
"The second exam will test your practical skills. You'll need to use what you've learned—ninjutsu included—to prove your abilities."
"This is a team-vs-team group battle. If your team is missing any members, you're disqualified. The exam will take place in the Konoha training grounds three days from now. Don't be late!"
"That's all. Dismissed!"
...
Outside, Kiyosuke asked,
"So… grilled meat or ramen tonight?"
"Hmmm, grilled meat," Asuma said after a moment's thought.
Kurenai looked at them, astonished.
"Aren't you two even a little nervous?"
"Nah," Kiyosuke replied. "Nerves won't change anything. If you're strong enough, there's nothing to worry about. If you're not, worrying won't help. There's no way to go from average genin to unstoppable in just three days."
"True," Kurenai nodded. "Fair point. Count me in for dinner."
They stuffed themselves, patted their full bellies, and went home for a good night's sleep.
...
The next morning, Kiyosuke headed to Orochimaru's place but found it empty.
Guess he'd gone out.
Kiyosuke had hoped to use the Chūnin Exam as an excuse to scam a jutsu out of Orochimaru. No luck there.
"Oh well. Might as well find somewhere quiet to relax," he muttered, heading to the waterfall.
Not that he had any ulterior motives. Nope. It was just that, you know, in the height of summer, the waterfall had plenty of pretty girls around. And he was just a ten-year-old kid—what kind of bad thoughts could he possibly have?
Obviously, he came here to train.
But still...
Why was there a white-haired old man hiding in the bushes?
"Oh, oh, this angle… nice!" Jiraiya muttered from his spot, eyes gleaming as he drooled over his hidden view.
"Hey, Jiraiya-sama, what are you doing?"
Without even turning around, Jiraiya snapped,
"Shoo, shoo! Don't interrupt a sage's refined aesthetic pursuits! Ohohoho! Are they really that bouncy?"
Kiyosuke: (._.)
Staring at the man, Kiyosuke suddenly got an idea. He pinched his throat and mimicked Tsunade's tone and voice.
"Jiraiya! What the hell are you doing?!"
At the sound of her voice, Jiraiya's hair stood on end. He stiffly turned his head... only to see Kiyosuke struggling to suppress laughter.
(▼皿▼#)
"You little brat… can you see the star of your death twinkling right above your head?"
"Really? In broad daylight? Where exactly are you seeing a star?"
Rolling up his sleeves to reveal his well-trained arms, Jiraiya grinned, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Looks like Orochimaru's been slacking as a teacher. I'll have to help discipline you properly!"
"H-Hey, I was just kidding, Jiraiya-sama. No need to take it so seriously."
"Oh? I was just kidding too."
Yeah, that smile was totally not a joke.
"How about this—I've got a jutsu that might serve as compensation, Jiraiya-sama."
"Hmph! What kind of jutsu could a brat like you possibly have that I'd be interested in?"
Kiyosuke was full of confidence.
"This one can take down most shinobi—make them completely lose the will to fight. Even you, Jiraiya-sama, wouldn't stand a chance!"
"Pfft! Kid, don't be ridiculous! I've seen it all—storms, wars, and even bathhouses! There's no way some jutsu from a punk like you could make me, the mighty sage, lose the will to fight. Don't make me laugh!"
Jiraiya scoffed dismissively.
"In that case, don't say I didn't warn you! Forgive the humble display—Sexy Jutsu!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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