Chapter 22 - A Lot to Consider: Chunin Exams on Deck!

Ekyt was stunned by Naruto’s grand entrance, but could have laughed with relief. He didn’t fear death, but he sure as hell didn’t want his to come now! Not by these three idiots! Though they outranked him, Ekyt couldn’t help but look down on them. They hadn’t followed the Shinobi way. Attacking like that was ridiculous.

Hibiki, Haito, and Hikaro exchanged amused glances, before laughing out right.
“Ha! Lookit this kid!”
“Yeah!”
“He looks reaallll scary!”

Ekyt smiled, closing his eyes for a few seconds.
“You guys…are idiots. Don’t you know better than to underestimate someone like that? I’ve watched him beat tougher opponents than you three jokers! If I’m a rank genin and I held my own…what do you think he’s gonna do to you?” Go for it Naruto…they’re not paying any attention…just buy me a little time, I’m not gonna leave you drowning here!

Naruto must have understood, because he used a silent “Shadow Clone” jutsu. A total of three Naruto’s were inhabiting the formerly-peaceful little clearing. It was strange that such an intense battle could take place near a peacefully-flowing brook, dotted with moss-covered rocks and trees. The path wasn’t a formal one, it was paved only with the sandals and boots of various Shinobi walking through the dirt and roots.

“Hee-yaaah!”
Hibiki turned around, finding a blue sandal kicking his teeth in! He fell, followed closely by Hiato and Hikaro. Hibiki got up and wiped the blood from his mouth.
“Little blister!” He sent a kunai sailing at Naruto.
Another kunai flew in and knocked that one down. It’s owner leapt out from the bushes.
“Naruto, this is NOT behaving! Wait for me next time,” a flustered Iruka called.
“Iruka-Sensei, if I had been any later, Ekyt would’ve been dead!”
From the ground, Ekyt called “He makes a good point Iruka-Sensei!”

My chakra…it’s back! That makes it three on three now! I don’t make it a habit to attack like this, but I REALLY don’t appreciate the threat… Ekyt’s thoughts put a gleam in his eye as he leapt to his feet to join Iruka-Sensei and Naruto.
“Thanks for the save Naruto! You too Iruka-Sensei!” Ekyt’s normally moderate-pitched, low-as-a-whisper voice had taken on some emotion.

Looking at the enemies, Ekyt took a page out of Kakashi-Sensei’s book. (No, Not “Make-out Paradise!” I don’t mean THAT book!)
“Look, I’m busy…you’re busy…since you started this whole thing, after all…how about we end this? Right now. I’ve got things to do.” Ekyt leapt backward out of their range and made a rapid series of hand signs, giving Iruka-Sensei time to make his move.
“Hey, that’s not a hand sign!” Hibiki yelled when Ekyt covered his head.

BLAMMM!!!!

Iruka’s exploding-tag shuriken went off, burying their opponents under broken tree branches. They lay moaning, complaining about their pain, before they fell silent, their injuries knocking them out.

“Wait a second…” Iruka reached for their Hitai-Ate’s and gave a firm tug. The “Mist Village” headbands came off…replaced with Sound Village Headbands. Iruka gulped and reached into their vest pockets. With a sound of surprise, he read the contents of a small black scroll, with only the Sound Village’s logo on the outside.
“It’s an arrest warrant…Uchiha Sasuke…and this is a death warrant! Haruno Sakura, Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto…and Ekyt.” Iruka looked at Naruto and Ekyt, who both were shocked at this point. Naruto narrowed his eyes, his mouth slightly open in surprise. He heard Ekyt walk by him.
Ekyt walked over to the unconscious forms of his attackers. He bent down and took their kunai pouches off them. “They won’t be needing these…I’ll feel better if they’re not armed.”


CHA! What a day! I made time with Sasuke, learned a jutsu, and didn’t get attacked! …I wonder though…Sasuke, what are you thinking…about me? About Orochimaru? The pretty pink-haired Sakura felt the breeze pick up, tossing her hair around. With a small smile still playing on her lips from thinking about Sasuke, she spared a thought for Naruto and Kakashi. And even for another boy who had his work cut out for him.

Naruto and Ekyt sat quietly while Iruka gave his report to Lord Hokage.
Iruka had managed to keep the shakiness out of his voice, amazingly. It was no secret he thought of Naruto as a brother, or maybe a son…certainly a friend. It worried him that his former student was hunted by the single most dangerous villain alive.

Lord Hokage’s thoughts were different. I knew this would happen…Orochimaru needs to eliminate all those close to Sasuke…and Ekyt got on his bad side. But what to do about it…Naruto…I don’t worry about him so much. If anyone’s a match for Orochimaru, it’s Kakashi. Ekyt…he has no one but himself. He might be good for a Genin, but Orochimaru and his henchmen are always high-quality… “Iruka…please inform Kakashi and the usual contacts. Naruto, you stay out of trouble…Ekyt…come with me…”


Lord Hokage and Ekyt looked at the stone momument. The sunlight bounced happily off the dark stone; it did not know the dark history the stone served as tribute to.
“Ekyt, this is a tribute to some of the greatest Shinobi the Leaf Village has ever seen. They all died in combat, most against the nine-tailed fox…”
Ekyt knew about the nine-tailed fox. Various people had warned him against his friendship with Naruto. Ekyt had paid no attention to it. Naruto was a citizen. And besides, we all have demons in us. Even if they weren’t all physical beings at one point. But why is Lord Hokage bringing this up…
Hokage continued after his moment’s pause, becoming the kindly, grandfatherly figure the village knew and loved.
“I don’t know if you’ve been asked this yet…but what is your goal? And your Shinobi way?”
Ekyt looked at the stone, putting a bandaged hand on it.
“My goal…I want to be a Tokubetsu Jonin, but a jack of all trades. I want to be an instructor, and a warrior. This village…it’s the first place to accept me. The first people to accept me…I would give every breath in my body…every drop of my blood…to protect them. Even the ones that shun me, and don’t want me to succeed…I need them too…”
Lord Hokage didn’t answer, he simply smiled kindly at the words. He folded his hands behind his back and looked up to the sky. “You are an interesting case…I’ve never seen someone work so hard…well, maybe there was one other. But that was out of necessity. You and Lee, You and Naruto, You and Sasuke, You and Kakashi, You and Asuma, You and Guy…you’re making a good group of friends. And Iruka, Hayate, and even Hayate have said nothing but good things about you. You’ve done all that’s been asked of you, and more.”
At this point, Lord Hokage’s smile vanished. He turned to face Ekyt.
“But I warn you now…you are embarking on a dangerous path. Orochimaru will not be an easy foe…and you may still dodge his wrath.”
“No Sir.”
Ekyt had put a hand on the stone again, his good eye more alive than it had been in a long time.
“I meant what I said. I would die for this village, and the people in it. If Orochimaru wants my friends, he’ll have to kill me to get to this village.”
Despite the severe nature of Ekyt’s words, Hokage managed a smile. This boy as well…it seems the crop of genin is very sturdy…but how long can I let him go like this…such an attentive student would benefit from an instructor and a group of his own.


“That’s good Sakura. Enough for today. Good job.”
Sasuke muttered this to Sakura and turned to leave. Sakura had learned some restraint with Sasuke. She wanted to ask him out in the worst way, but knew that rapid fan-girl-ism wouldn’t be the way to do it. So she was going to bide her time, wait for just the perfect moment. She had matured a lot since the last chunin exams. She wasn’t a scared little girl, she was a solid kunoichi with a knack for healing and genjutsu.

“Alright Lee, one more time,” Guy called. It was clear Lee was near exhaustion, but he wasn’t one to quit.
“Konoha Hurricane!” Lee’s spinning heel kick was devastating. Neji only barely managed to get out of the way as Lee’s foot cut the air dangerously close to his head. As he backed up, Ekyt happened to be walking by. You! I will show you what fate has in store for you! It is your destiny to be bested by me in combat. Someday… Lee’s foot suddenly connected with Neji’s face, knocking Neji backward. Neji was nearly shaking with anger now, but swore to reserve it for the correct target.

Linda saw Ekyt walk by afterward, as she was out with Lee. She didn’t say anything; his words last time had hit home somewhat. She and Lee had grown close, despite the fact that he and Ekyt were friends at the same time.

Sakura asked Sasuke a few questions on the way back to their respective homes. Ekyt shuffled by at one point, so lost in a scroll he didn’t notice them until Sasuke muttered a greeting. Sakura called out a hello afterward; she hadn’t noticed Ekyt either. Ekyt gave them a general, if distracted, greeting.

“How’s it going? I mean, the chunin exam thing.” Ekyt wasn’t sure why he asked that particular question.
“Hm. Just fine,” came Sasuke’s reply.
“It’s going great! We’ll make it this time!” Sakura’s reply was so radically different from Sasuke’s that it put a smile on Ekyt’s face. No one could see it under his mask, but it was there.
“I have no doubt you will. By any chance, are genin not testing allowed to watch?”
Sasuke piped up. “Not normally.”

At that point, Hayate Gekko landed next to them.
“(koff) Lord Hokage wants to see you.” Hayate pointed to Ekyt, who looked over at Sasuke and Sakura.
“See you later then. Good luck, if I miss you before the exams.”
“Thanks! See you later!” Sakura called happily.
Inner-Sakura: “Cha! I’ve got Sasuke at my side, and a supporter behind the scenes! I’m gonna do it this time! Bring it on chunin exams!!!”

Ekyt ran through a mental rolodex of problems. Attitude? Broken rules? What had he done? Lord Hokage had taken an interest in Ekyt’s case, to be sure, but still…
“Relax,” came Hayate’s hoarse whisper. At Ekyt’s questioning look, Hayate finished his thought. “You’re not in trouble.”

(I’m gonna do the dialogue this way for now, because quotation marks are driving me crazy tonight! Lol, not sure why, but they are!)

Hokage: As you know, the chunin exams take place in a week’s time…

Ekyt: …Yes

Hokage: If it’s to your liking, I have given the okay for you to observe. By all rights, you should be allowed to participate. But, the circumstances being what they are…

Ekyt: I understand, and I appreciate the offer. I’d be honored to watch.

Hokage: Glad to hear it. That being said, a friend of mine is in town, and I think he might be of some help to you. I’ve got to warn you, he’s an excellent ninja, but a little…unorthodox. You might ask Naruto about him.

Ekyt: I will Lord Hokage. (leaves the room)

Hokage (To Hayate): He wanted to ask me about getting his own cell…I know he held back. He’s disappointed, and as well he should be. (sigh) I’ll have to work this out for him, it’s just not right to hold someone like that back.

Hayate: I could sense he was holding something in (koff). Um, also sir, ANBU has spotted Kabuto Yakushi. He’s negotiating with them right now.


“So you know this guy?” Ekyt couldn’t help but be worried at Naruto’s expression.
“Yeah, I know him! He Pervy Sage!”
Ekyt narrowed his eyes. “What?”
“NARUTO! DIDN’T I SAY NOT TO CALL ME THAT?!” a voice bellowed.
“Don’t deny it, you’re a pervert!” Naruto answered indignantly.
“I’m not just a pervert…I’m a MEGA-PERVERT!”
“That’s not something to be proud of! You’re sick!”

Ekyt (accompanied by an enormous sweat drop) stepped between the two. “Pardon me. Before you fight him, would you mind introducing me Naruto?”
“This is the Pervy Sage.” Naruto said, by way of explanation.
Ekyt turned to the white-haired man, hoping to get a name, at least.
“I am Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, and the author of the most popular series of books in the world!”
“What books are those?” Ekyt asked, trying to make conversation.
“The Make out Paradise series.”

THIS OUGHTA BE GOOD! STRAIGHT-AS-AN-ARROW EKYT IS GOING TO LEARN FROM THE “PERVY SAGE” JIRAIYA! NOT TO MENTION HE GETS TO WATCH THE CHUNIN EXAMS! SAKURA IS SCORING POINTS WITH SASUKE!

TO COME: THE CHUNIN EXAMS! KURENAI, ASUMA, KAKASHI, AND GUY ALL COMPARE NOTES ON THEIR GROUPS, AND EKYT IS TO SIT IN WITH THEM- TO OFFER ADVICE? WHAT DOES LORD HOKAGE KNOW ABOUT EKYT THAT EVEN EKYT DOESN’T KNOW? PLUS, SOME UNORTHODOX TRAINING METHODS!

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