The proctor, Ibiki, oozed confidence and power. He definitely knows how to bring the pain.

The air about him kind of reminds me of my brothers and the urge to spar only increased.

"First. You candidates from the Village of the Sound. Knock it off! Who told you, you could fight?! You want to fail before we've even begun?" He demanded.

I expected them to get flustered or something, but they didn't. Not even a little.

"Sorry. It's our first time. Guess we're a little jumpy, sir." The one wrapped in bandages apologized.

Well it was a half assed one at least.

Who do these Sound Shinobi think they are? They're not even on the map! The Raikage doesn't even see them worthy of any potential jutsu's to gather!

"I'll say this once, so listen up. There will be no combat between candidates. No attacking each other without the permission of your proctor. And even then, the use of fatal force is strictly prohibited."

What? Really? No fatal force? That's just . . . weird.

Death is a natural course for us. In the Cloud, dying while in battle is a great honor. I know our Chunin Exams we had a few deaths.

But that Grass Shinobi is bothering me. I'd rather neither boys from my team to die. She's the only threat I sense. Well, her and that kid from the Sand.

There's just something odd about his aura. His bloodlust is there, but that's not what confuses me. He has this stronger aura within his own.

Kind of like his.

I cast a glance back at the kid in orange. He said his name's Naruto, right? What a strange kid. Both of them.

"Now if we're ready, we'll proceed to the first phase of the Chunin Exam. Hand over your paperwork. In return you'll each be given a number. This number determines where you will sit. We'll start the written test once you're all seated."

Ah yes.

The written test.

Well, it should be fine. "NOOO! NOT A WRITTEN TEST NO WAY!!!" Naruto shouted aloud, making me wince.

Damn that kids got a pair of lungs on him.

I shook my head and looked at my teammates and grinned. "Let's get started." They matched my grin and we went up, handing over our paperwork.

Of course we weren't able to sit next to each other, which I figured would happen.

I'm currently sitting next to one of the Leaf ninja. The tired looking boy with his hair up. I saw him yesterday too at that amazing BBQ place.

Ibiki began to explain the rules of the test and I listened carefully. As he explained my mind swarmed with questions. There's definitely something fishy about this.

The point deduction makes sense, so do the team based scores. But the cheating rule doesn't make any sense. If we get caught cheating, it makes sense to disqualify us. But we're going to be deducted two points every time we get caught cheating. If we're caught five times we're disqualified.

It just doesn't sit right with me. And this final question rule . . . it's weird. But since it's a Chunin Exam it must all have a deeper meaning.

Well whatever it is, a written exam isn't going to best me. Not when I finally made it this far. Convincing the Raikage was a pain in the ass. If I lose he's definitely going to clothesline me!

Oh no. I'm not going to lose.

"Begin!" I flipped over my paper and set to work. As I scanned over the questions my determination began to dwindle.

The fuck is this shit?!

These are far more advanced problems then the Academy back at home! And what I do recognise from classes are ones I struggled in. This can't be right. The first problem should be the easiest, even for me. But each one gets increasingly difficult. And all of them are based on different probabilities and variables that need to be taken into consideration for the calculations. Very uncertain.

Although the questions are difficult, the problems themselves don't seem relevant. Shuriken projection? I mean that's all instinct by now. No, this isn't the test itself. It can't be.

So if it's not a written test, what is it? Ah to hell with it. Imma just cheat.

I stared at my paper while also paying close attention to the person in front of me. I'm guessing he's on question two. Alright. I began to mimic his movements.

That in itself isn't a very effective way of copying him, but pair it with the sound of his pencil on the paper, the movements, and the way his elbow and head moves slightly. I can copy the words that way.

It's not easy, but because I don't have any sneaky jutsu or kekkei genkai, and I didn't have any time to prep for much espionage I'm going to have to make it work.

Sure, this is very difficult and if you make the slightest mistake everything can be incorrect. But I've honed this ability to the best I can do.

Also, I'm hella lucky. No way I'll fail the first step.

After I finished I looked over my answers. Meh. They sound right. Besides, this test isn't even the test. It's probably something to do with our nerves under pressure or something like that. Or maybe our ability to gather information.

Either way, I'm not concerned. I leaned back in my chair, knee against the edge of my desk and pushed so I was only on the back legs of my chair so I could rock myself gently. Confidence oozing off me which made those near me become even more anxious than they already where.

Except for the Leaf Genin.

I glanced at him briefly from my peripheral vision. He's not worried at all. He's not even breaking a sweat. He just looks bored and tired.

I can't tell if he's just that good or he really doesn't care. But he's taking the test so it can't be the later.

A small grin made its way onto my face. This kid must be a great shinobi in the works. I can't wait to see him in action.

I turned my attention back to the front and stared absent mindlessly, waiting for the tenth question. Of course what Ren-Sensei had warned me earlier echoed in my mind.

~Flashback~

"Yume. Wait." Hm? Kazuki and Shou glanced at us curiously before walking outside our room. The whole morning we'd been scolded so they didn't hesitate to leave in fear of another.

Traitors.

I looked up at Ren-Sensei guiltily. Ah man. Why do I get an individual scolding? They were just as guilty!

"About the exam, I don't want you to use Lightning Release Chakra Mode unless you absolutely have to." I frowned a bit at that. "Why not? I can preserve my chakra and I won't overdo it." I tried, confused as to why I can't.

He shook his head at me. "It's not that. We don't want our enemies to know that other then the Raikage and Killer B that there is someone else who can wield it as great as you can. It would put us at a disadvantage and show that you're . . . favored. Which they will use against us."

Oh. Because I'm the 'Princess'. The Raikage's weakness.

It's no secret in our village, so I never thought it'd be a problem anywhere else. Afterall I can take care of myself.

"It's not that we don't think you can't handle them. But Lord Raikage doesn't see the need to reveal your greatest weapon to the other villages." It still doesn't seem right.

They're always telling me to give it my all and never hold back. It goes against everything I've been taught. "Do you understand?" He asked. His voice is hard but there's an underlying soft tone. He knows how I feel about this.

"Yes."

~Present~

Don't use my Lightning Release, huh? That's no fun. But he said unless I absolutely have to. Maybe someone will actually make me use it. Then it's not a problem.

Soon the sentinels were dropping squads out. I guess they're all getting desperate. To be caught cheating so easily. Rookies.

My gaze wandered over to my teammates, spotting them working away. Knowing Kazuki, he's probably got his little partner around here somewhere giving him the answers. As for Shou, he must be using that.

Neither of them are nervous or concerned. Perfect. I'd expect no less from them. I'd check on the rest of the Cloud but I couldn't care less about them. Especially Team Hikari

"Alright. Listen up. Here's the tenth and final question!" Ibiki's voice cut through the silence like a knife.

It's about time. I don't like being so cramped here. "But, before I give you the question there are some more rules that you need to be aware of." Ugh. More rules?

That's so boring~!

He stepped up a bit, hands in pockets. "These rules are unique to question ten. Listen carefully and try not to let them frighten you."

Hmph. No rules are gonna scare me off. He waited a bit, drawing out the suspense. This guy. He sure likes to psyche us out. That must also be apart of the test. To test our mentality. See if we're easily rattled.

"Very well, rule number one. Each of you is free to choose not to be given the final question. It's your decision." My eyes narrowed slightly.

What's the catch? "If you chose not to take the tenth question, regardless of your answers to the other nine, you'll get a zero. In other words you fail. And that of course means both your teammates fail as well."

Oh? He's definitely trying to psyche us out. Look at everyone's reaction. They're freaking out.

Oh yeah, this test is about the mind all right, just not in the way everyone thinks it is.

"If you do accept the question but also answer it incorrectly, you will not only fail . . . you will be barred from taking the Chunin Exam ever again!!"

I blinked. Oh? That sounds excessive. The other examiners were in an uproar, but I remained in my seat, rocking a bit back and forth.

I'm not afraid. I'm passing this Exam. Prove the Raikage that this was a great idea.

Everyone hates that I brought us here. But I'll show them it was the right call.

A few people began to raise their hands and they left along with their teams. Weeding out the weakest links.

Well it's fine by me. I don't want to battle against weaklings. And I'm not going to lose. I'm a Cloud Ninja. And a Naruse. There's no way I'm backing out.

Someone slammed their hand on the desk and my chair hit the ground in surprise by the outburst.

That's . . . Naruto? "Don't underestimate me, I don't quit and I don't run! You can act tough all you want, you guys aren't gonna scare me off! No way! I don't care if I do get stuck as a Genin for the rest of my life! I'll still be Hokage someday!" My eyes widened ever so slightly.

Naruto's blue eyes are filled with determination and his voice is unwavering.

Something about him is . . . just so different. A smirk made its way onto my face and I tilted my head to the side.

He's an idiot, that's true, but he's got guts. And I like that. He's definitely an interesting one.

"This decision is one that could change your life. If for any reason you'd rather quit, now's your last chance." Ibiki warned him.

It's true, it could change something. But you'll never know unless you try. "No way, I never go back on my word. That's the way of the ninja."

Yeah. He's an interesting one alright. I glanced at the room. It seems his words have given the others backbone. Any anxiety, fear, and doubt they had are gone.

Way to go kid.

"Well then, I admire your determination if nothing else. For those of you remaining there's only one thing left to do. And that's for me to tell you . . ."

This is it. Bring it on.

"That you have all passed the first exam."

Wait. What?

A pink haired girl demanded to know what happened. And you know what Ibiki did? He fucking laughed! It's hella creepy!

"There never was one. Not a written one at least. Actually your decision to stay was the answer to the tenth question."

What the hell is this shit? Are all Leaf Ninja like this? Well at least we passed. That's all I care about.

Ibiki began to explain the point of the first nine questions and I kinda zoned out, catching words here and there. Then he took off his cap to reveal scars.

Lots of scars littered across his bald head. Some burns, slashes, and puncture wounds. From the age of them and style I say he was kept prisoner and was tortured for information.

And yet here he is.

He's strong. That much is clear. Some of these genin were shocked by his words. And his wounds. I don't see what they're all so shocked about. This is what it's like to be a ninja.

Espionage, protection, assassination; death. At some point we'll all go through some form of interrogation. What he showed us is common in this world. Hell, we were interrogated in our academy exam.

I was chained up for eighty four hours and 'interrogated'. I hold the record in our class of longest lasting without cracking. And even then I gave up false information which they failed to check up on.

Didn't they all have to as well?

Naruto began to cheer loudly, joyous of his accomplishment. I chuckled lightly. He's a funny kid.

Hm? My head snapped over to the window and I threw my arm up, blocking my face as someone crashed through the windows into the room.

A short woman stood, confidence oozing off of her. "Heads up boys and girls! This is no time to be celebrating. I'll be your next proctor, Anko Mitarashi! Ready for the second test? Good! Then let's go, follow me!"

What the hell? What's with this woman? She's a screaming nutcase. But . . . it's kinda fun!

"This is gonna be fun. Alright you maggots have had it easy so far. But things are gonna be different starting first thing in the morning. I'll let your squad leader know where your to meet me. Dismissed."

Okay then. Weird but okay.

Everyone began to leave with their teammates at the strange womans declaration. I waited outside for the boys since they were in the front rows. As I was waiting, I saw a few of the Leaf Genin walk out. Naruto amongst them. Hm.

I walked over to them, making them tense. I see that there are three teams here. All of which strange in their own way.

Naruto's team is closer to me then the others, but they watched carefully. I stopped in front of them, tilting my head to the side.

"You're Naruto Uzumaki, right?" I asked. His blue eyes widened at my words. As if he couldn't believe someone remembered or came up to him. "Yeah. Who are you?"

The corner of my lip twitched up as I analyzed him. He himself doesn't seem particularly strong, but there is something about him.

"Yume!" Shou's voice called. I glanced behind me to see my teammates waiting for me on the path to the village. They looked between me and the Leaf questioningly. Their eyes reading; 'what the fuck?'.

I turned back to the boy and other genin. "I'm Yume. And I look forward to seeing how you and your friends fare in the exam. You're and interesting group, I'll give you that. Let me guess, fresh out of the academy?"

The pinkette nodded slowly, the dark haired boys eyes narrowed slightly on me. "Problem with that?" He demanded.

Ah now there's a confident one.

I chuckled, taking a step back. "No. Just can't help but to see how promising you all seem. Afterall, your Sensei's seemed to think you're ready. I'm just interested."

My gaze flicked between Naruto, the tired boy, and the overconfident one.

"It's my first time meeting Genin from a foreign village. Well, see you tomorrow in the next part." I turned and waved back, eyes on my teammate before I flickered over to them in an instant.

"What was that about?" Kazuki asked quizzically. My mind thought of Naruto and the other two.

A grin broke across my face. "Just seeing them up close and personal. Afterall, we're going to kick their asses, right?"

To this the two boys on my sides grinned, mischief in their eyes. They're interesting, that's for sure.

But that's not gonna stop me from acing this exam.