A few months later...
The sun was shining brightly over the rocky cliffs surrounding Iwagakure. On one of the many open training fields that dotted the village outskirts, the air was filled with the sound of young shinobi training.
A trio of genin sparred under the warm sunlight, their kunai clashing and chakra flickering in the dry breeze.
"The weather's surprisingly nice today," said Zato, a confident young genin with a laid-back demeanor, wiping sweat from his brow.
"It's rare we get days like this. Anyway, did you ask Sensei about getting a tougher mission next time?" asked Iwame, frowning slightly. "Our last job was rescuing a runaway cat… again."
Zato blinked. "Ah… I might've forgotten."
"I knew it," Okura said with a sigh, crossing her arms as she looked over at him. "That's why I asked Sensei myself."
Zato laughed it off. "Oh? So, what did he say?"
Okura shrugged. "He said he doesn't get to decide which missions we're assigned. It's up to the mission desk."
"Tch… I'm so tired of these D-rank errands. Maybe we can ask Sensei to teach us a new jutsu instead," Iwame suggested, eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Now that's a plan I can get behind," said Zato, cracking his knuckles.
Just then, a figure dropped from a nearby tree, landing silently in front of them. It was their jonin-sensei, a tall man with narrow eyes and a serious face, his flak vest dusted from recent travel.
"I heard everything," he said, smirking slightly. "You three really are getting restless, huh?"
"Sensei!" the team said in unison, surprised.
"Well, I've got news. Good and bad. Which do you want first?"
"Good news!" all three genin chimed eagerly.
"The good news is: you've been selected to participate in the upcoming Chūnin Exams."
The three froze. Then—
"Seriously?!" Zato shouted.
"No way…" Okura gasped, eyes wide.
"The Chūnin Exams? That means tougher missions and better pay if we pass!" Iwame added excitedly.
"Now for the bad news," Sensei continued. "Actually, two bits. First, this year's exam will be... different. And second, you'll have far less free time starting today."
"Different? How?" asked Iwame, frowning.
"This year, the exams are being hosted in the Land of Fire. Four Hidden Villages will participate. That means increased competition, harder tests, and high risk."
"So… we'll be up against shinobi from the Hidden Leaf, Cloud, and Sand?" Okura whispered, her voice tinged with awe.
"Correct. Also," the sensei continued, "we've been summoned by the Tsuchikage himself. Most likely to prepare us for the exam."
"When?" Zato asked.
"In an hour. So finish training and go change out of those sweaty clothes. Meet me outside the Tsuchikage's residence in fifty minutes."
Without further delay, the genin packed up their gear and dispersed, heading home to prepare. Nearly an hour later, they reunited at the grand Tsuchikage Mansion, where their sensei was already waiting.
Inside the palace-like structure, an attendant guided them through quiet hallways to the Tsuchikage's office. They knocked three times.
"Enter," came a deep voice from within.
Their sensei opened the door, and the four stepped inside.
Behind a massive desk stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp features and a white cloak hanging from his shoulders—the Tsuchikage, Arano.
"You're earlier than expected," Arano said, his tone neutral but strong.
"It's only proper to be on time when meeting someone of your status," their sensei replied respectfully.
"Yes, yes... Let's move to the reason I summoned you. You already know you've been chosen for the Chūnin Exams, but I'll add this—this year will be more difficult than any of you are prepared for. Which is why I've decided to give each of you a technique scroll."
"Wait—really?" Okura gasped, her eyes lighting up.
"Yes," Arano nodded. "Follow me. You may each select one scroll. But heed my warning—choose something within your reach. You don't have time to master a jutsu that's beyond your level."
The group followed the Tsuchikage through a maze of hallways and down several flights of stairs. Finally, they stopped before a large metal door. Arano knocked twice.
A masked shinobi opened the door and wordlessly allowed them to enter. Inside was a dimly lit room with a large table in the center. Upon it rested a thick book containing the list of scrolls.
"You may choose from D-rank and C-rank techniques… and even B-rank, if you dare. But remember, the goal isn't to impress me—it's to win. Especially against the team from Kumogakure. I want you to crush them."
The genin silently examined the book, flipping through its worn pages. After some time, with brief advice from their sensei, they made their selections:
Okura chose a scroll for the Earth Clone Technique.
Zato picked a Water Technique.
Iwame selected a Stone Technique.
"Are you certain of your choices? There's no turning back," Arano said, eyeing them all.
"Yes!" the trio replied in unison.
Arano tapped the table once. Another masked shinobi appeared, was shown the selected scrolls, and vanished in a blur.
Moments later, he returned with the copies in hand.
"These are restricted scrolls. Do not share them. You'll return them after the exams—even though they're just duplicates."
Each genin was handed their scroll. Just as they exited the vault, an ANBU appeared at the hallway intersection.
"Lord Tsuchikage, there's an urgent matter regarding a classified mission. You're needed in your office."
"Tch… duty calls," Arano muttered. "The ANBU will escort you out. Oh, and one more thing—if you manage to humiliate the Genin from Kumogakure… I'll reward you with another scroll."
With that, Arano turned and disappeared back into the shadows of his office.
Later, in the Tsuchikage's Office
Arano entered his study where an ANBU was already kneeling by the desk.
"The report has arrived, Lord Tsuchikage," the ANBU said.
Arano nodded, picking up the scroll.
"Hmm… The project's taking longer than anticipated. More resources will be needed," he murmured. "Still, it's too important to delay. I'll send someone to ensure everything is proceeding as planned."
He sealed a scroll with chakra and handed it to the masked shinobi.
"Deliver this to the project overseer. No one else must see it."
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage."
Meanwhile, in Iwagakure's streets…
Team E walked together, discussing their meeting with the Tsuchikage.
"This Chūnin Exam is basically a high-risk mission," Okura said.
"Yeah," nodded Zato, "but we got a free jutsu scroll out of it. And maybe another if we impress him."
"We'll have to train like never before," said Iwame, trying to hide his nerves. "Kumogakure's genin are rumored to be monsters."
"And we have no intel on them," their sensei added grimly. "Which makes training even more critical. You'll need to be fast, adaptable… ruthless."
That night, back at the Tsuchikage's office…
"I've chosen the best genin team I could," Arano said, seated at his desk.
"But we need one more team," replied a familiar gravelly voice—Onoki, the retired Third Tsuchikage.
"I'll let you choose the second squad. I have too much to handle."
"Heh… You always dump the hard work on me. Fine—I'll pick them."
Arano smirked faintly, looking out the window at the rocky skyline of Iwagakure. Shadows loomed across the mountains… and soon, across the world of shinobi.
autor note :
Like always you can rate my fanfiction if you like it , it's always good to know that some people like what I write .
Important- what I'm writing is a fanfic so it's normal if some things are not cannon .