Flashback: Three weeks ago
All the Jōnin had been called into the Hokage's office.
"As I am sure you are all aware, the Chūnin Exams are in three weeks," Hiruzen stated.
The Jōnin nodded in affirmation.
"And due to this, you will all have the chance to recommend your various teams to partake in the exams."
Each of the Jōnin raised their hands one by one—announcing that their teams would be engaged in the exams.
"I, Asuma Sarutobi, recommend Team 10 for the Chūnin Exams."
"I, Maito Guy, recommend Team 9 for the Chūnin Exams."
"I, Kurenai Yūhi, recommend Team 8 for the Chūnin Exams."
"Oh, right," said Kakashi with a yawn. "I, Kakashi Hatake, recommend Team 7 for the Chūnin Exams."
A collection of gasps followed.
"This is the first team Kakashi has ever passed. Doesn't he think it's too early to send them into the exams?" said one quietly.
"All of the sensei are recommending their students after at least a year," muttered another. "Don't they think it's too soon?"
Hiruzen tried to quench the growing whispers, but it was too late—another Jōnin voiced their thoughts.
"Kakashi, I admit that the Uchiha prodigy is very impressive," said Kurenai. "But your other students, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno, are rather disappointing, aren't they?"
Kakashi looked up from his book but didn't respond immediately, making Kurenai think she had won—she smirked in satisfaction.
Kakashi sighed dramatically and addressed her.
"Kurenai, I appreciate your concern but…" He paused, eye narrowing slightly.
"You're a Jōnin with one trick—genjutsu. Half the people here can break it in their sleep. Outside of that, you're dead weight"
Kakashi's tone was calm. He didn't shout, didn't raise his voice—just spoke his thoughts in a rational, adult like manner
The same however could not be said for the other Jonin
Asuma was frowning. Although he liked Kurenai, he knew she was in the wrong but still thought that Kakashi was too hard on her
Guy was feeling a bit uncomfortable and would rather not engage in this conversation at all
Kurenai was furious. She was a Jonin, albeit a newly promoted one but she was still a Jonin none the less
Kakashi however, was a nonchalant as ever and just kept reading his Make-Out paradise like nothing had happened
Hiruzen tried to quench the flames of the discussion before it got too heated
"We only have one sensei le—"
The doors creaked open without warning, and Chandler's cane tapped against the floor as he entered uninvited. His smile was calm, but the sharp glint in his eyes silenced the room faster than a jutsu.
"That was quite the show you put on back there, Kakashi, Kurenai"
Said Chandler, walking forward, cane in hand
By this point, Kurenai had calmed down mostly and decided to just keep quiet—though she nodded approvingly to Chandler
Kakashi finally put his book away for the time being, something told him that the next few minutes would be interesting
Hiruzen turned to Chandler who smirked in response
"I, Chandler will be recommending my line student Benimaru Ryota for the Chuunin exams"
This time no one spoke a word, Chandler had garnered a reputation for himself, as kind as he seemed—people knew he wouldn't take shit from anyone
Hiruzen understood Chandler's decision but made a mental note to question him later
…..
Benimaru arrived at the door of the Chuunin exams building—he didn't see any leaf shinobi so he assumed they had gone inside
Once inside, he saw a large number of genin trying to force their way through a door
Easily identifying the genjutsu, he climbed the stairs and was greeted by a rather interesting sight
Sasuke was engaged in intense combat with a kid who looked about a year younger than him, with a bowl cut hairstyle and adorned in a green spandex suit
What surprised him even more was that the kid was managing to keep up with Sasuke, even though the latter was using his two tomoe Sharingan
The battle was reaching its climax as the boy seemed about to end the battle with a single move
The fight was cut short however as a tortoise appeared and a man stood on top of it—adorned in the same green spandex as the other boy
He introduced himself as Maito Guy and the kid was Rock Lee
Team 7, guy and Lee exchanged pleasantries while Benimaru was still hidden—observing
Guy eventually left but not without punching Lee in the face
Lee revealed seemingly important information to team 7—the strongest genin in Konoha was taking the exams, Neji Hyuga
Hearing this, Benimaru wanted to meet the Hyuga—would be a good chance to test out his skills
"I know you are there. Come out"
Said Sasuke, impatiently
He had noticed a presence watching him fight but had been too invested in the battle to do anything
Not that the battle was over however…..
Benimaru walked out from his hiding place. Wearing his signature white shirt and black jeans
His hands in his pockets. He spoke in a cocky, almost arrogant tone
"Took you long enough"
He said, appearing in front of the group—to Naruto and Sakura it looked like he teleported
Only Sasuke could barely keep track of his movements
"Benimaru"
Said Sasuke softly
Naruto was not so subtle. He leapt at Benimaru and grabbed onto him like a leach
He hugged him tightly, a huge grin plastered on his lips
"Benimaru, your alive. I thought—"
He paused not knowing how to complete it so Benimaru just ruffled his hair affectionately—the way a big brother would to his siblings
Sakura was more composed. He waved at her from afar and she waved back with a hesitant smile—like she was forcing it
And Benimaru didn't blame her. What happened in wave, he could tell she was the most shaken by it all and didn't think she'd get over it that quickly
Naruto eventually let go of Benimaru
Sasuke took advantage of that opportunity. His two tomoe Sharingan spinning intensely.
He aimed a kick to Benimaru cheek. Benimaru grabbed his leg. He spun him around then slammed him foot into his back
He sent him flying into the air then appeared above him and smashed him downward and straight into the ground
Sasuke coughed up a bit of spit but got up. He was injured but not so much that he couldn't continue the fight. He was about to weave hand signs for a jutsu
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING"
shouted Naruto, running towards them
"We are supposed to be on the same team so why are you fighting against each other"
Benimaru shrugged his shoulders
"He wanted a beating so I gave him one"
Sasuke glared at him
"Stop acting like I wouldn't have beaten you"
Benimaru stared at Sasuke. He had a malicious glint in his eyes
He blitz past Sasuke at full speed. Sasuke had his Sharingan on overdrive but still couldn't see where he went
Before he knew it he was on the floor. Pinned down by Benimaru, who sat on his back
"Now do you see the difference between us?"
Naruto couldn't hold it in anymore and just burst out laughing. This was comedy gold to him
"See that Sasuke. You just got humbled"
Even Sakura couldn't help stifling a laugh. She bit her lip to stop herself but a giggle slipped out anyway
Sasuke glared at Benimaru who just smiled warmly at him—like he had for no wrong
Sasuke begrudgingly accepted his position. Although he would never say it out loud, Benimaru was stronger than him—that didn't mean he would be training any less hard though
Benimaru got off of Sasuke back. He placed his hands in his pockets and began walking inside
"I'll be heading on in"
He said casually with a wave
Naruto smiled and waved back
Sakura nodded her head slightly
"It was good to se you"
She muttered under her voice—and thankfully no one heard her
Sasuke glared at Benimaru's retreating form—his pride a but hurt from the embarrassment he just suffered
…..
(The kabuto and sound ninja interaction will go the exact same since neither Sasuke nor Benimaru will attempt to change anything)
Ibiki Morino, the exam Procter walked through the door. He slammed books on the desk
"Alright you maggots. I'm the Procter for the written exams so you all better sit down or get out"
His voice was loud, dominating and agressive
All the other genin immediately stopped what they were doing and took a seat
"The written test is simple"
Said Ibiki, smiling a bit too wide for comfort
"We give you a test with ten questions. Your team cumulative will decide whether you pass or not. For each infraction we deduct a single mark, lose ten marks and you fail. Do you understand Maggots?"
He ran a finger along his scar and began releasing his chakra. The mere force caused the room to shake and the lights to flicker
Weak willed genin were already on their knees panting. They couldn't handle the weight of his chakra
"A little word of advise kids. Don't cheat"
Some genin actually fainted and collapsed to the floor. Medics were immediately called to take them in—they had failed the exams before it even started
Benimaru however was just smirking. Chakra on this level couldn't faze him—not since he fought him
Benimaru shuddered inwardly, he almost died that day—he'd be sure to repay the favour when he saw him again
The test papers were handed to everyone. Benimaru was about to begin when he heard a voice in his head
"Why don't you let me help you"
His other self said from the mindscape
Benimaru shook his head
"What's in it for you"
He asked hesitantly
"Nothing"
He said
"I just feel like helping you"
Benimaru's eyes narrowed
"You don't really think I'll believe that do you"
"You are an idiot so it is possible"
His other self replied with a straight face
"I will tell you what I thought of...."
Benimaru's eyes widened—this idea was brilliant
"Why are you helping me"
Other Benimaru smiled darkly
"Because It amuses me to watch you struggle"
He cut the connection between them
Benimaru stared at the test paper in front of him. Ibiki signaled for the exam to begin—other examiners began answering their questions quickly, wary of the one hour time limit
Benimaru wasn't worried, he simply sat back and slept for exactly forty minutes—meaning there was only twenty minutes left in the actual exam
Other students stared at the snoring form of Benimaru—wondering if he came here to goof off or was giving up
Other Konoha shinobi were wondering what exactly Benimaru was thinking since they knew he wouldn't just give up
Benimaru, like his internal twin had noticed the hidden Procters disguised as students
Once he woke up, he stood up, walked up to one of the fake procters. He decked him straight in the face to knock him out
Benimaru then grabbed his test paper, wrote his name on it then sat back down
"I lost a single point for infractions meaning I still score nine right?"
He asked lazily, preparing to go back to sleep
Ibiki simply stared at Benimaru liked he had grown a second head—the audacity of this kid
In all his years of running this exam, no one had ever tried something that bold—or stupid
Benimaru just placed his head on the desk and went back to sleep
(I'm skipping the tenth question but cause I don't think anyone actually believes Benimaru will leave and Naruto would just do the same speech anyway. I'm doing this not because I'm lazy but because this chapter is already very long)
The sound of glass breaking filled the room. A silhouette appeared and stood on top the broken shards of glass
She was a young woman adorned in a brown coat and a fish net jacket with brown stocking
She scanned around the room and looked genuinely surprised
"Ibiki are you getting soft"
Ask Anko
"You left quite a lot of applicants this year"
Ibiki shrugged his shoulders
"This set of genin were promising—especially that one"
Ibiki gestured towards Benimaru. Anko raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything
"Hello kiddos. My name is Anko Mitorashi and I'll be your Procter for the second stage of the chuunin exams"
She struck a pose
"Meet me at training ground 69"
Her voice lowered to a dangerous whisper
"Also known as the forest of death"