Mutual Wariness

"You have to understand: life won't give them much time to prepare. And they're young? I don't think anyone can say that to my face." Kakashi frowned slightly. Iruka looked ready to say more, but Kakashi continued.

"I became a Chunin at six. By the time I was their age, I'd become a Jonin. Do you really think they're too young?" Kakashi's words put an end to every objection. Iruka stood there, stunned, unsure how to respond.

"I understand how you feel. You're each looking at this from your own perspective, but you all have your students' best interests at heart. Why not let the students make their own choices? This Chunin Ninja Exam is voluntary, after all. If they don't agree to take part, there's nothing we can do." The Hokage smiled, dispelling the tense atmosphere.

"Now that the names have been confirmed, take the application forms to them and ask what they think. Make sure they know that people really do die in the Chunin Ninja Exams. I hope they'll protect themselves and take this exam—which could shape their futures—seriously." The Hokage pushed the applications across the desk.

The ninjas lined up to collect the applications, then quickly left the Hokage Office. Iruka, looking somewhat dazed, headed outside. As soon as he stepped through the office doors, he heard someone call his name.

He looked up and saw Kakashi waving to him from a short distance away. Iruka was puzzled, but walked over anyway.

"Is there something you need, Kakashi-sensei?" Iruka asked, slightly confused.

"I just wanted to explain. Everything I said earlier was true. Naruto and the others have made incredible progress lately. You should come watch their matches when the time comes. Their performance will absolutely amaze you, I promise!" Kakashi said, patting Iruka on the shoulder.

"I know. I'm just still getting used to it. The children I watched grow up have suddenly become ninjas who've fought Jonin head-on. I don't know whether I should feel proud, or what..." Iruka's smile was complicated, but most of all, he was happy to see his students grow.

"I understand. Please believe in them, too. I'll go let them know. Be sure to watch their exam later." With that, Kakashi vanished from the building in a flash. When he appeared again, he was at the place where Nanfeng and the others trained every day.

He hadn't seen them anywhere in Konoha, so this was the only place they could be. The three of them didn't have many hobbies—apart from Ichiraku Ramen.

"Did the sun rise in the west? What brings you here, Kakashi-sensei?" Nanfeng asked, surprised to see Kakashi had found his way there.

"Here are the applications for the Chunin Ninja Exams. Take them and fill them out. Tomorrow's the day you head to the Exam Hall, so get ready. Don't embarrass your teacher." Before the three could reply, Kakashi disappeared again.

Watching Kakashi vanish in such a hurry, Nanfeng figured Icha Icha Paradise must have released a new volume and Kakashi was rushing out to buy it. Seriously, couldn't he pay a little more attention to his students, as a teacher?

"Applications, huh? We just need to bring these tomorrow. Don't lose them. See that line of fine print at the bottom? All three of us have to participate for the application to count. I don't want your carelessness to waste this opportunity," Nanfeng said, pointing to the bottom of the form.

"Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong." Naruto and Sasuke glanced at each other, then decided to leave the forms with Nanfeng.

Their journey home was longer, and losing the forms would make it difficult to ask the Hokage for replacements. Naruto might have had thick skin, but even he knew when not to push his luck.

Nanfeng didn't object. They were only three sheets of paper; he could keep them in his Ninja Tool Pouch.

The next morning, the three of them set off for the exam site. Carrying their three applications, they passed the entrance inspection and entered the building.

It had originally been the old Konoha Ninja Academy, but after the village expanded, it had been repurposed. The first exam would be held there.

"What do you think the first exam will be?" Naruto asked curiously, looking around. But then he seemed to notice something, and a strange smile suddenly spread across his face.

Nanfeng and Sasuke were the same, though neither said anything. They simply continued up the stairs.

"Probably a written test. I've heard about Jonin evaluations. Even their exams included written tests, so the Chunin exam should be similar, right?" Sasuke said, frowning slightly.

"A written test? Then I'm screwed. Let me copy your answers, okay?" Naruto said with a grin, nudging Sasuke's shoulder with his elbow.

"Sasuke-kun, long time no see!" As they spoke, Sakura Haruno's voice came from behind them. Sasuke looked resigned. How did he keep running into her everywhere?

"Oh, right! Sakura's got perfect grades. Sasuke can copy her answers, then use a Secret Technique to tell us. I'm a genius!" Naruto quickly announced his plan through their Secret Technique.

Sasuke figured that wasn't a bad idea. He'd have to copy Sakura's answers anyway, so he let her fuss around beside him. Her current teammates, though, didn't look too pleased.

The two of them hadn't even appeared in the original story. They were probably just minor characters, and perhaps they'd be knocked out in the first round of the Chunin Ninja Exams.

"Excuse me, we're going to Room 302," Nanfeng said politely to the two Chunin standing at the entrance.

The two Chunin froze for a moment. It was only a simple Genjutsu, but it was rare to see young people spot it so quickly—and be so polite about it.

"You've already seen through it? Ah, it's Mr. Nanfeng. Are these your teammates? Go on up, then!" The two Chunin obviously knew Nanfeng. Medical Ninjas at the village hospital had some recognition, and they might even have received treatment from him before.

"Thanks for your hard work." Nanfeng nodded and led Naruto and Sasuke up the stairs to Room 302. As for how everyone behind them would pass the first test, that was their problem, and had little to do with Nanfeng.