Chapter 26

Akiko handed Reiki the earth scroll.

"It's time to open it." Akiko opened the earth scroll and so did team 7. They gasped at what was inside the scroll.

"W-what's this?" Naruto asks. 

Summoning Formula! Akiko thought.

"Everyone, place your scrolls down!" Akiko yelled as smoke start to puff out of the scroll. A figure stood in the smoke. The smoke cleared to reveal Iruka-Sensei.

"Hey, It's been a long time. And this time, and seems there are some other people than my students." Iruka said, looking at Reiki and Shota. He then looked back at team 7.

"W-what's the meaning of this?" Sakura asked.

"It appears you guys have had a rough time." Iruka said. Though Akiko didn't have any minor or major injuries, she was a bit dirty so I guess she did have a rough time.

"W-what?! Why are you appearing out of a summoning?!" Naruto asked.

"At the end of this second exam, we Chunins are to welcome the test takers. I just happen to be the messenger for you guys."

"Messenger....?" Iruka took out a watch.

"Just in time. Everyone.....

Congratulations on passing the second Chunin exam!" The 6 of us widened our eyes.

"To celebrate your passing, I'd like to treat you to some Ichiraku ramen but.." 

"Yea! Ramen! Ramen! Yaaaaaay!" Naruto said and hugged Iruka.

"Man, that scatterbrain part of you is the same as always huh." Iruka said.

"I see. If we had looked at the scroll in the middle of the exam, what were you going to do, Iruka Sensei?" Akiko said. Iruka went to pick up the scrolls.

"Akiko, you're as sharp as always I see. You guessed right. The ruled of this exam were to test your conclusive mission execution ability. To put it simply, In case if a scroll was being opened........I was ordered to knock the test takers until the end of the exam." Iruka Sensei said.

"Heh, good thing you didn't open the scroll." Sasuke said as Naruto froze.

"K-Kabuto-san, A-arigato N-ne" Naruto said, praying. 

"And so, everyone, the third exam starts here. And Akiko, You're back in team 7!" 

"Yahooo!" Akiko yelled and smiled. The third exam is about to start. 

-----------------------

The passing teams stood together at the battle field as the Jonins and the Hokage stood.

"First off, congratulations on the finishing the second exam." Anko said. 

"Now then, we will have the explanation of the third exam from Lord Hokage, listen carefully!" She turned towards the third.

"Now then, if you will, Hokage-sama." The Hokage walked forward and cleared his throat.

"Before the explanation of the third exam that we will start from now, I have one thing I want to tell everyone. About the true purpose of this exam. Why do allied nations conduct the exams on a conjoint basis? Raising the levels of the Shinobi and friendship among allied nations. It won't do to have the wrong idea of the true meaning of that statement. These exams are so to speak... A microcosm of battle between allied nations."

"What does that mean?"

"If we take a look back at history, the allied nations of today were once neighboring nations that continue to vie with each other and battle for power." The Hokage spoke. Akiko stood there. Author-sama knows that you guys don't wanna read so much so it's time to skip to important parts. :D

"It is true that the Chunin exams are to select a few teams to become chunins. But the reason we invite others is to test our pride. That's right, pride. This exam is to display your power of wanting to risk your life for the village. That's why we are fighting. The third exam, is a fight for life challenge." Then, a ninja jumped in front of the Hokage.

"I'll leave it to you then." The Hokage said, leaving Hayate, the proctor of the Third exam explain. He was in a awful state of being sick, coughing every time he said a word.

"Now then everyone, there is something I'd all of you to do, before the third exam." The poor guy coughed.

"And that is a preliminary to the third exam, with participation in the main battle on the line." Hayate said.

"Preliminary..?" (Preliminary means to prepare for something but in this case, elimination.)

"Sensei, I don't understand the point of that preliminary. Why aren't we doing the next exam with the remaining test takers?" Sakura asked.

"This time around, perhaps the first and second exams were easy, there are a few too many people left, you see. In accordance to the chunin exams rules, a preliminary will be held to reduce the number advancing. As lord Hokage said earlier, many guests will be coming to the third exam. So we can't have a long pointless matched and our time is limited as well. Therefore, those of you not in top physical condition, please step out." He said and began coughing.

You don't even look in good condition! Akiko thought. It was true though. Sasuke suddenly held on to where his mark was.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura whispered.

"Sasuke-kun, you should quit these preliminaries! L-look, you haven't been yourself ever since you got worked over by that Orochimaru guy...Ne, does that bruise hurts, right......? At this rate....Please..." Sakura said, recalling what happened.

"Please....quit.." Sakura began crying.

"I'm.......scared...You not in a condition to fight-"

"Shut up." Sasuke finally spoke.

"Be quiet." Sakura tried to convince him. Akiko walked over.

"Sakura-Chan." She said, looking at Sakura. She wiped her tears and looked at her. 

"If Sasuke wants to do so, then let it be." Akiko looked at Sasuke.

"But remember, whatever you chose, you can't go back. There is no such thing as right or wrong." team 7's eyes widened at the girl. Then, Kabuto raised his hands.

"Excuse me....I'll quit!" Kabuto said. And walked out. 

"Now then, any others?" Hayate said. Sakura tried to raise her hand but was stopped by Akiko.

"Sakura, don't worry. Remember? Sasuke's the number one rookie!" Akiko whispered to Sakura and looked at Sasuke and nodded.

"Sakura, this is non of your business. And I've said this already. I am an avenger." Sasuke said at Sakura.

"'Am I strong?' is the only question I want to answer. I will fight." Sasuke said. 

"I will not allow you, Sakura, nor Naruto to take my path away." He said and thought about Akiko. What was she to him. She was always something special to him. 

"Now then, we will begin the preliminaries. Winners will move on to the third exam. You will fight until your opponent dies, collapses... or admit defeat. Now please look at the board to see who you will be fighting. I will announce the first two to battle." The board chose randomly as it landed on Sasuke and Kabuto's partner, Yoroi.

"Now then, would the two please step forward." Hayate asked. The two walked forward. 

"Now...... let the match begin..."