(In Konoha with Naruto)
Naruto let out a sign of boredom as he led his three 'genin' through Konoha, currently he was escorting them to Konoha's Shinobi Academy where the first stage of the Chunin Exam was to take place.
Of course in Naruto's humble opinion the Chunin Exam was a complete waste of time, the first part of the exam was a classroom based exercise where tasks were given to the genin which tested the way they thought, and how they could use certain skills.
The second part of the test was a team based practical exercise, where they would be given a task pitted against other teams, it was based around teamwork, carrying out orders and physical ability.
The final part of the Chunin Exams was a tournament style competition where they fought one on one, like performing animals in front of a crowd.
Suffice to say Naruto thought it was total bullshit. He Clementine and Victor had never had to go through that crap, they had learned how to be Shinobi on the field.
They either gained the skills necessary to survive or they died, that was how true Shinobi were forged, on the field of battle where a single mistake can cost you both your own life and the lives of those around you.
They didn't need to go through this nonsense and the fact that Naruto was now S-Rank and both Clementine and Victor were A-Rank was in Naruto's mind proof of this.
In contrast the Chunin Exams were a joke and the caliber of Shinobi they produced were just fodder.
Supposedly the Exams were a wargame where the Villages could air their grievances against one another without resorting to war, as well as show off their skills for perspective clients, that much Naruto could understand and approve of.
War fought over trivial grudges was inefficient and stupid and drawing in prospective clients was necessary for a Shinobi Villages economy. But in terms of creating decent Shinobi, he was doubtful that the Chunin Exams was that useful.
This was why Naruto was glad he didn't have to take part in the Exam.
Making it to the finals was his teams duty, he had instead been sent to Konoha to gather information on the offensive and defensive capabilities of Konoha, Suna and Oto, whilst also finding out Oto's and Suna's full invasion plan and the forces they would be bringing to bear and the likelihood, in Naruto's opinion of their success.
He had been in Konoha for two days now and progress on that front had been quite slow so far, he had gone on a wander when he first arrived, checking out the new arrivals and the hidden ANBU teams as he did so.
He had not bothered trying to hide himself whilst he was doing that, as that would only draw attention, it was always better to hide in plain sight.
So far he had found out about the Kazekage's children being present along with Suna's Jinchruuriki, just as he had discovered that there was suspiciously only one team here from Oto.
It was not a huge amount, but with the Chunin Exams now beginning he was hoping to take advantage of the opportunity it gave him.
He had managed to secure himself a positon as a proctor in the second stage of the Chunin Exams alongside a Konoha Shinobi named Anko Mitarashi, this would allow him to spy on the Oto and Suna teams.
It would also give him the opportunity to abduct and interrogate a few enemy Shinobi during the chaos of the second stage if necessary.
That being said though, Oto only had one team of Shinobi taking part in the Chunin Exams and he was under orders to allow them to advance to the finals, as per the Otokage's plans.
Naruto very much doubted that that was the only force they had present in Konoha, even so that team would be Naruto's starting point, he just had to ensure they remained alive long enough to make it to the third stage.
Suna had a lot more genin teams in the Chunin Exams, but the only group Naruto suspected of having useful information was the genin team consisting of the Kazekage's three children; Temari, Kankuro and Gaara.
Like with the Oto team though he was under orders to make sure Suna made it to the finals as well. Since Mei had not decided whether she would assist Suna and Oto or help Konoha, he was not to disrupt or assist in any of Oto's and Suna's plans until Mei decided what she wanted to do.
Konoha naturally as the hosting Village had the most teams in the Exam, but like with Suna most of those teams would be full of useless fodder, not that Naruto was that concerned about digging up information on Konoha, as a former resident he knew the big names and knew the likely targets who might hold the information he was looking for.
"Hurry up you lot." Naruto said brusquely as he glanced over his shoulder, watching as Hodan, Suigetsu and Chojuro quickly followed after him, all three of them resigned to having to take part in the Chunin Exams.
All three of them were dressed in black and mottled grey coloured Shinobi pants, with black sandals. They all had mesh undershirts on and light blue coloured shirts over the top.
Both Chojuro and Suigetsu as trainee members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist had their respective swords strapped to their backs and their Shinobi Head bands wrapped around their arms.
Hodan or Cannonball as he liked to be called, had a set of Samurai-esque armour on over the top of his shirt and pants. With a layer of hardened armour on his chest, arms, legs and torso, this equipment whilst unusual for a Shinobi due to its weight and the effect it had on mobility was a useful tool for Hodan considering his unique abilities.
"This is going to be so shit!" Suigetsu complained loudly as he and the other two trailed behind Naruto, his arms behind his head as he watched Konoha's Shinobi Academy loom closer.
"Probably." Naruto said with a nod, not really caring about Suigetsu's lack of professionalism, in fact it was probably for the better as genin were expected to be whiny and overconfident. Plus he didn't particularly like the annoying swordsman, he was loud, petulant and overconfident in his abilities.
Under normal circumstance Naruto would have kicked his teeth in, hopefully knocking some sense into the boy, unfortunately though these were not normal circumstances so he had to just grit his teeth and bare Suigetsu's abrasive personality.
"So what will you be doing whilst we are doing the Exam?" Chojuro asked a bit more respectfully, Naruto like him far more than Suigetsu, he after all had the good sense not to deliberately antagonize a superior.
If he was honest Naruto was not surprised by Chojuro's question, after all he like Hodan and Suigetsu had been only given the vaguest details about what they were supposed to be doing here in Konoha.
The only thing they knew about their mission was that they were to make it into the finals, whilst also ensuring not to kill anyone from Konoha, Suna or Oto.
That was all Naruto had decided to share with them, after all, although he was confident in his own abilities he was not fully confident in theirs, which is why he would not be giving them any information which could come back to bite Kiri in the arse if Konoha, Suna or Oto found it out.
Understandably this was frustrating for the three of them, but he knew none of them wanted to push him, as he did after all have the reputation of being brutal, ruthless and borderline sadistic.
"Whilst you are doing the first part of the Exam I will be going to the Academy's teachers' lounge, keeping an eye on this portion of the exams, looking for any suspicious activity.
As for the second part, well I have been volunteered by the Mizukage to be one of the proctors for the second round of the Exams, so you will probably see me after you pass the first portion." Naruto said as he led the way into the Academy. "I take it you all remember you are to pass the Exam."
"Oh shit really… and there I was going to fail it." Suigetsu said sarcastically.
Hodan gave the other boy a dig in the side. "Watch Suigetsu, don't get too mouthy."
"Don't worry Pain we will make it to the finals." Chojuro said with a confident nod a she met Naruto's crimson eyed gaze.
"Good… now fuck off." Naruto said gruffly as he gestured for them to get a move on, sending Suigetsu a look of impending doom as he did so.
He was pleased to see that the white haired pay paled significantly as he caught Naruto's fiery eyed gaze, wilting slightly as he saw he had succeeded in pissed him off, probably having discovered that it was not the wisest thing he has ever done.
"The waiting room is up there somewhere, just make sure you don't do something stupid and get disqualified, I am talking to you Suigetsu. Also try not to be morons and fail this part of the Exam."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Pain." Hodan said dryly rolling his eyes as he saw the twinkle of amusement in Pain's crimson eyes. Giving his old friend a nod, Hodan then turned on his heel before he and his team headed off, following the signs which led to the first stage of the Chunin Exam.
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