Shikamaru was still as Naruto weaved her way through her Kata's. Her blond hair flying, tossing with every move she made. Every strike had the power of a predator behind her. Her crystal eyes clear with diamond determination. 

Naruto was selfless. No matter what she did it always had a meaning besides it. But those meanings were never for her. She was gorgeous. 

" Shikamaru can you stop drooling," Ino said amusement tinting her voice, and Shikamaru glared at her.  

" Really Ino now" He seethed heat rushing up his face. 

" I mean its obvious Shikamaru but remember this now, you chose the girl that despite the act she puts on in school has the most guys after her" Ino said and Shikamaru lifted his head slightly. 

" What...." He said and Ino snorted. 

" Yeah, Kiba, a good half of the civilian boys, the guy with the bowl cut in the year above ours, hell even Sasuke looks at her different than the other girls," Ino said as if she didn't rock the younger boys foundation of everyone he knew. 

" Sasuke..." He asked and Ino looked at him weirdly. 

" Yeah, it's the reason he always partners with her in sparring practice and why most of the other girls hate her" Ino snorted and  Shikamaru shook his head. 

Why is he even thinking about this?  He's ten. Girls are troublesome, 

Ino's smug look told him everything. 

" Alright guys, the mid genin exam starts in 30 minutes we should switch with our clones now," Naruto said wiping her brow. 

" Do we have to?" Ino asked and Naruto gave her a look.

" Yes, Ino. This exam is worth half our grade, and despite the acts, we pull all of us are in the top ten. Shikamaru is in 5th, you're in 6th  and I am in 4th. The only thing dragging us down are academics and that's because shifting memories during tests take too long for a shadow clone!" Naruto scolded. 

Both Ino and Shikamaru shared looks because both their families are proud of their rankings, Ino's father is happy that she doesn't stare at Sasuke all day like he thought that she did and Shikamaru's father is glad he can just wake up. 

Both families are completely clueless about the acts that both of them pull. 

" Won't that put too much attention on us" Shikamaru said and Naruto sighed. 

" It will for a few days but this will determine everything! Plus I have an idea." Naruto said a smirk playing on her lips. 

Both friends immediately gave the blond their attention after all her plans are always worth looking at. 

" If all of us get in the top 4 I will give you guys a gift," Naruto said slightly smug. 

" What gift" Ino said and Naruto grinned. 

"For now, that's a secret, All of our clones are currently in the bathroom we have to switch now," Naruto said and with a grin switch with her clone, the others sharing a look switched as well. 

They all entered the classroom that seemed slightly foreign but natural to them. The last time they entered this classroom themselves was at the beginning of the year. 

" Alright, everyone! I have to read the script now!" Iruka said and smiled. 

" Hello students, This is your mid genin exams! You will be tested both academically and physically. The academic test will be over the course of 60 minutes. It may range from the knowledge of chakra and the theory of Jutsu to the past Hokage and landscape of the fire country. It may not contain theories of the chakra nature or the government of other villages. You will be tested in the above during the final genin exam." Iruka explained and Shikamaru already felt himself falling asleep. 

" The test will have 50 questions, 40 being multiple-choice, 6 being true or false, and 4 being written answer. This test will take up to 40 percent of your final grade" Iruka read and Shikamaru suddenly understood why Naruto wanted them to take these exams in person. The time is close. There is no way a clone would be able to finish, especially since they barely finish a normal test when given double the time. 

" Next is taijutsu and weapons control, these will count for 30 percent of your grade, you are expected to last 1 minute against your examiner, which in this case will be either Mizuki or I. With weapons control, you are expected to land 4 or more kunai and Shuriken onto the target." Iruka read pointing to himself and Mizuki. 

" Finally you have jutsu practice. You are expected to be able to make one clone, change your more prominent features using a henge, and substitution with something with equal mass to you" Iruka finished and Shikamaru deadpanned. 

That's it. This is the big test. Shikamaru could do this 2 years ago! Taking a glance at Ino seeing the same amount of disbelief on her face he knew she felt the same. 

Others however looked nervous. Some were shaking and others pale as Iruka handed out the booklets. Even Uchiha Sasuke looked slightly nervous!

Taking the test in his hands he flipped to the first page and began to fill out the answers instantly. A good part about Shadow clones is that they help organize your mind after prolonged use. So shifting through his memories took little to no time. 

Still, it cut close he finished the test as soon as Iruka announced the final 5 minutes. Quickly taking a glance around it seemed like both Naruto and Ino were done along with Sasuke, Sakura, and Shino. 

He fell asleep for the time it took for everyone else to finish and for Iruka to take all the finished booklets. 

" Alright next we will be taking you outside for target practice! Taijutsu will also take place in this area." 

The ranks fell in this list for the kunai throwing.

Naruto

Sasuke

Shikamaru

Ino

Hinata

Shino

Kiba

Choji

Sakura

For the Shuriken practice.

Naruto

Shikamaru

Ino

Sasuke

Hinata

Kiba

Shino

Sakura

Choji

The taijutsu matches started. Sasuke went first and ended up lasting for 2 minutes which gave Ino, himself, and Naruto a good point to stop at. 

Naruto went up next flowing through her kata's and landing solid hits of the chunin before disappearing and showing up somewhere else completely. Aerial leaps and speed past her opponents make up a good portion of her fighting style even when put down. 

Then as soon as 3 minutes past she allowed herself to get hit down. 

Ino went next She fell at exactly 2 minutes. Unlike Naruto, she looked a bit winded and took hits but still beat Sasuke by the look the examiners were giving her. 

The Shikamaru stood up and went to the mini rink. He instantly set himself into the classic Nara style and started to count down. 

Holding back is harder than it looks especially when going against someone that everyone expects you to fail. 

His mind countdown and the sound of everyone's gasp made everything that much harder. As soon as his timer hit 2 minutes he planned his fall. Faking a stumble he tripped. The chunin took this chance as hit Shikamaru out of the rink. 

" Time 2 minutes 15 seconds." was called and he went back to the group. Choji was the only other person that truly interested him and as soon as Choji fell at 1 minute and 12 seconds he walked towards Naruto who was sitting against the wall and fell asleep on her shoulder. 

Naruto woke him up after everyone finished. Then the final exam went. Sasuke went first and Naruto sent a clone to spy on his exam. 

Sasuke entered the room and Naruto quickly went to the other two. 

"Sasuke was able to make 2 perfect clones and one that was a bit off. Not by a lot just a bit pale and slumped. He was able to do the replacement easily and he managed to turn into a black-haired Iruka with no scar. We should aim to do something like that. "

So that's exactly what Shikamaru did. 3 clones one is a bit worse than the others. Replacement aced. Finally, he henged into what a believed Iruka would look like a bit paler and with spiker hair and no chunin vest.