"These are your entry forms. Sign them if you're ready to risk your lives." Kakashi handed each of them a folded form with the Hokage's stamp on it.
"Wha-wait, what kind of form is this?!" Naruto blinked.
"The kind that separates the weak from the shinobi." Anko snorted from the side.
"This isn't a test like in the Academy. There are real dangers." Kurenai crossed her arms.
"They could be hurt… even killed."Ranmaru nodded quietly.
"You don't have to do this. It's your choice." Kakashi added calmly,
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"Tch! I'm not scared of some stupid exam! Believe it!" He said as he scribbled his name across the page in bold strokes.
"The stronger the opponent, the better." Sasuke signed next, staying cool and calm.
Sakura hesitated, but the looks of confidence from her teammates pushed her forward. She signed, determination firming in her eyes.
"Good," Kakashi said, tucking the papers into the seal under his wrist. "Now that it's official…"
"Let's do some more training!" Kakashi said as he watched his students.
Sasuke and Sakura stood opposite each other, stretching.
"I'm ready," Sasuke said, eyeing her. "Don't hold back."
"I won't," Sakura replied, fire in her eyes.
Sasuke launched forward first, fast and low, but Sakura was ready. She hopped back and formed a quick hand sign, sending a small jet of water straight toward his feet. Sasuke jumped, twisting midair and landing behind her.
Sakura spun and threw two kunai, but Sasuke blocked them easily, his Sharingan already active and spinning. He charged in with a feint jab, forcing her to defend. As she blocked, he swept her leg. She fell, but she smiled.
A wave of chakra pulsed from her. "Genjutsu: Blurred Reality!"
Sasuke blinked. For a second, Sakura vanished. He dropped into a defensive stance, eyes scanning, until he realized she hadn't moved His Sharingan saw through the illusion. He smirked. "You're getting better."
"You didn't go easy on me." She huffed, brushing dirt from her sleeve.
"I wasn't supposed to," he replied, stepping back to give her space.
Kakashi, watching from a nearby tree branch, nodded to himself. "Sakura's control has gotten sharper… and Sasuke's instincts are nearly flawless."
"Hey! What about me?" Naruto shouted, clearly annoyed.
"You'll get your turn," Anko called out with a grin. "Don't strain your one brain cell."
"I'll show you all!" Naruto pouted.
"Alright, Naruto. You're up." Kakashi chuckled.
Naruto jogged into the center of the field as Sakura stepped aside, still catching her breath.
"Ranmaru," Kakashi said, "Pair with Naruto."
Ranmaru blinked in surprise but gave a calm nod. He stepped forward quietly, hands tucked into his sleeves. The smaller boy's posture looked relaxed, almost disinterested.
"You better be ready, shorty." Naruto gave him a playful grin.
"I am." Ranmaru stared for a moment.
Before Naruto could even blink, a pulse of chakra burst from Ranmaru's eyes. Naruto's vision shifted, Suddenly, the whole field looked warped and hazy.
"W-what the heck?!" Naruto stumbled, looking around. "Kakashi-sensei! The ground's melting!"
"That's his kekkei genkai. Break it if you can." Kakashi smirked.
Naruto closed his eyes and tried to focus.
"Alright, Kurama! Gimme a boost!"Naruto called him by name as he had learned it from Kakashi.
Nothing.
"…Kurama?"
{You walked into that trap like an idiot.}Kurama's annoyed voice echoed in his head. {Figure it out yourself.}
Naruto groaned. "Ugh! Everyone's against me!"
He flared his chakra wildly and the illusion shattered. Ranmaru flinched, eyes wide as the feedback hit him. "He brute-forced it…"
"Of course he did," Sakura muttered.
Sasuke crossed his arms. "He's unpredictable. That's his only good trait."
"HEY!"
Everyone laughed, even Ranmaru cracked a small smile.
"That's enough for now," Kakashi said as he dropped from the tree.
As the students sat in a circle to rest, Kurenai handed out small water flasks. Anko leaned back with her arms behind her head.
"They've grown a lot," Kurenai said quietly.
Kakashi nodded. "They'll be ready."
"You really think they can handle the Forest of Death?" Anko asked, smirking. "Even the veterans get wrecked there."
"They won't be alone. Not entirely," Kakashi said with a small smile.
Naruto, still panting, looked up. "What does that mean?"
Kakashi looked at each of them. "You're a team now. You'll need each other more than ever in that forest. Trust is what will carry you through."
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a glance and then looked away quickly.
"We'll stick together." Sakura nodded.
Kakashi clapped his hands once. "Good. Now go eat. Big day tomorrow."
They all stood, heading back toward the house. The sun was setting now, casting long shadows across the training field. As Kakashi lingered behind, watching them laugh and walk ahead, Anko glanced at him.
"You're thinking too hard again," she teased.
"I always think," he replied, but only he knew what would happen in these chunin exams.
He had to be ready to take advantage of the chaos and send some people on their way. With them around he and Tsunade cannot do what they want and will be heavily restricted by them.
So during the chaos that Orochimaru would make, he would kill the two elders and only Danzo would remain.
"What's up? Kakashi?" Kurenai asked as she noticed a frown on his face.
"Don't worry too much They will be fine. The kids have grown stronger under your guidance." She said
"I know." Kakashi chuckled and pulled her into his embrace. Anko on the other side quickly joined as they walked toward the house.