---
The Hokage's office was a chamber of held breaths and quiet authority. The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air and casting long shadows from the towering shelves of scrolls.
It was just after lunch, and the room was filled with the elite of Konoha's shinobi forces… jōnin and chūnin stood in silent, orderly ranks, their presence lending a heavy, professional weight to the atmosphere.
"I have summoned you for a very important purpose," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his voice a calm, steady rumble. He sat behind his massive desk, the iconic Hokage hat resting before him, a pipe held loosely in his mouth. "Seeing your fellow Jōnin here, I'm sure you realize what this is about."
A tall man with a neatly trimmed beard and a cigarette dangling from his lips stepped forward slightly. "I take it all the other lands have been notified about the coming event," Sarutobi Asuma, Hiruzen's son, remarked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "I noticed some of their Genin have already arrived here in the village."
Yūhi Kurenai, a striking woman with piercing red eyes, nodded in agreement. "And... when do we start?"
"We will begin in one week," was Hiruzen's simple reply.
"That's pretty short notice," Kakashi Hatake's lazy voice cut through the murmurs of assent. He stood near the back, his posture relaxed, but his single visible eye held a flicker of surprise. 'I thought there was still more time for my team to prepare before the Chunin Exams were to happen.'
Hiruzen took one last drag from his pipe before setting it down on a small ceramic rest. "Take heed," he said, his gaze sweeping over every face in the room. "Exactly seven days from today... on the first day of July, the Genin will be gathered and tested. Only the very best will be selected as Chunin."
"..." "..."
Everyone was silent, absorbing the Third Hokage's words. Some jōnin sighed, a quiet sound of concern for their less-prepared teams. Most just nodded, their expressions grim and determined.
"Alright, it is time we chose our candidates for the Chunin examinations," Hiruzen began. "To begin, will those in charge of the rookie Genin step forward."
Three figures detached themselves from the ranks and walked to the center of the room: Asuma, Kurenai, and Kakashi.
"Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma," Hiruzen called, picking up his pipe again. "What do you say? Are there any in your squads you'd recommend who are ready for the exams despite their inexperience?" He paused, letting the weight of the question settle. "As you know, any Genin who has carried out eight or more missions is technically eligible. Beyond that, only you can decide when they are ready. Of course, most Genin require a much longer training period... at least twice that many missions."
Standing near the back, Iruka Umino nodded in agreement with the Hokage's last statement. A knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. 'There's no need to say all this. It's way too soon for their squads.'
"So, Kakashi, you begin," Hiruzen said.
Kakashi, his expression still bored, performed a single, swift hand sign. "I lead team seven. Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura. I, Hatake Kakashi, recommend all three of these Genin for the Chunin Selection Exams."
Iruka gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief. Before he could protest, Kurenai stepped forward, her own hands forming a seal. "And my team is number eight. Hyūga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino. And now I, Yūhi Kurenai, recommend all three."
Asuma smirked, a fresh cigarette already lit between his lips as he followed suit with his own sign. "And my team is number ten. Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji. And now I, Sarutobi Asuma, recommend all three."
A wave of shocked murmurs rippled through the assembled shinobi. Iruka's face had gone pale. He couldn't stay silent any longer. "Hold on, just a minute!"
"Yes? What is it, Iruka?" Hiruzen asked, his gaze patient.
"Hokage-sama, with all respect," Iruka began, his voice trembling with a mixture of deference and raw concern. Sweat beaded on his cheek. "The nine names that were just given were all my students at the academy. I know their skills and abilities. Every one of them has great promise, but it's too soon! They need more experience before they are tested. If they try now, they're sure to fail the exam."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, his bored expression unchanging as he fully turned to face Iruka. "When I became a Chunin, I was six years younger than Naruto is now."
"Naruto is nothing like you!" Iruka finally exploded, his professionalism forgotten in a surge of protective fury. He took a step forward, his glare fixed on Kakashi. "Are you trying to destroy him!?"
"Well, they're always complaining about not being challenged enough," Kakashi replied nonchalantly, a statement that only fueled Iruka's anger. "Maybe wiping out in the exams will teach them a lesson... a little pain is good."
"Wha... What did you say!?" Iruka gritted his teeth.
"Ah, nothing. 'Fail,' of course," Kakashi sighed, as if explaining something to a slow child. "But seriously, Iruka, relax." He saw the stubborn fire in the academy instructor's eyes and pressed on. "Listen, I understand how you feel. It's very personal for you, and it upsets you-"
"-alright Kakashi... back off, you said enough," Kurenai interjected, a warning tone in her voice.
"On the contrary, Kurenai, Iruka needs to hear this," Kakashi continued, his gaze unwavering. "He needs to realize that they're not his students anymore. They're mine."
The air in the office was thick with tension. Asuma sighed, looking profoundly tired of the whole exchange. 'Ugh, enough already...'
"..." "..."
"That's it? I was expecting more drama..."
The voice, calm and laced with a profound, almost insulting amusement, came from nowhere. It alerted everyone, their heads snapping up, their hands flying to their weapons. They scanned the room, but saw nothing. Nothing except the Hokage, who simply let out a long, weary sigh.
"Alaric," Hiruzen said, his voice carrying a tone of complaint. "I thought I told you to knock next time."
As he spoke, a figure shimmered into existence near the Hokage's desk, as if stepping out of thin air. It was a towering man with platinum-blonde hair and a fine crimson coat.
"Sorry," Alaric said, a cheeky smile on his face. "Bad habits die hard."
"Who-" A collective gasp went through the room.
Kakashi's visible eye widened, a flicker of recognition in its depths. "You... aren't you..."
"Yep," Alaric nodded, turning to the Hokage and gesturing towards the three stunned jōnin. "Like the three Jōnin here... I recommend my student, Genin Yuki Haku, for the Chunin Selection Exams."
"..." "..."
"Huh?" Kakashi's single brow rose in confusion. "Wait, what are you talking about? You're a civilian, aren't you?"
"...Nope," Alaric shook his head, his smile widening into a full, confident grin.
"Jōnin Alaric Jonathan Kenway, at your service."
"..." "..."
"HUUUHHHH!?"
.
Consider buying me a coffee!
patreon.com/kulark
I'm uploading dozens of chapters ahead there!