The morning sky above the Leaf Village glowed softly, the sun peeking out from behind drifting clouds. Villagers stood gathered around the central plaza, murmuring with excitement. Banners of the Five Great Nations danced in the wind.
Kaelen stood among the crowd with Riku, Riyomi, and Haru. His heart thumped faster than usual.
This is it… the path to becoming stronger.
A sudden flare of chakra filled the air as the Hokage stepped onto the stage, flanked by the other four Kage — each radiating an overwhelming presence.
The Hokage raised his hand.
"Welcome, everyone. Today marks the opening of the Chūnin Exams. May your skill, wisdom, and courage shine."
Kaelen swallowed.
Riku grinned with forced confidence.
Riyomi adjusted her hair nervously.
Haru was shaking like a leaf.
Sensei Kiran stood behind them, arms crossed.
"Don't choke," he said calmly. "You're ready."
Kaelen breathed out slowly.
Ready or not… I can't back down now.
---
Phase One — The Written Test
Rows of desks filled a giant exam hall. Whispering stopped the moment the proctors entered, their eyes cold and sharp.
"This exam," the lead proctor announced, "will test your intelligence, perception, and teamwork. Cheating is allowed… if you don't get caught."
Riku gulped.
Riyomi's jaw clenched.
Haru looked pale.
Kaelen scanned the paper.
The questions made no sense.
What is this…? Even geniuses wouldn't know these answers. So that's how it is.
He leaned back, focusing. His wind affinity wasn't powerful, but he could manipulate tiny air currents.
A subtle breeze brushed Haru's sleeve — enough to signal "look right."
Riku tapped once on the desk — "got it."
Riyomi flicked her pencil rhythmically — "three answers secured."
A proctor suddenly slammed his hand on Kaelen's desk.
Kaelen froze.
But the proctor stared at him… then smirked and walked away.
Was he testing me? Damn… this exam is evil.
After an hour of stress, the proctor announced:
"Teams who wish to continue, raise your hand. Those who quit now will keep their rank. If you stay, failure means you'll remain genin forever."
The room panicked.
Kaelen's hand rose without hesitation.
Riku followed.
Riyomi followed.
Haru shakily lifted his.
The proctor grinned.
"Congratulations. You pass. The true test was your resolve."
Kaelen let out the deepest breath of his life.
---
Phase Two — Forest of Death
The gates to the massive forest opened, wind howling through the shadowed trees.
"Retrieve the opposite scroll," the proctor explained. "Survive. That's all."
Sensei Kiran gave their team one final nod.
"Stay alert. Trust each other."
Kaelen pocketed their Heaven scroll.
"Let's move."
Inside the dense forest, traps launched, animals screeched, and chakra signatures flared in every direction.
After an hour of navigating hostile terrain, Riku suddenly stopped.
"Someone's coming."
A chill ran down Kaelen's spine.
The air itself felt wrong.
From the treetops, a figure dropped down silently.
A tall man in a torn cloak, a black band around his arm, and sharp violet eyes that looked like they could cut through bone.
Kurota Gen.
His presence alone froze the air.
His grin was lazy… mocking.
"So… you're Kaelen."
Kaelen stepped forward, stick gripped tight.
"And you are?"
"A hunter. And a teacher… today."
Before Kaelen could blink, Kurota appeared right beside him, whispering in his ear:
"You're weak."
Kaelen stumbled back.
His heart hammered.
Riyomi and Haru drew weapons.
Riku stepped in front protectively.
Kurota flicked a finger.
A shockwave of killing intent blasted the entire team onto their knees.
Kaelen's breath caught in his chest.
What is this pressure… I can't move…
Kurota crouched in front of him.
"You have potential. But right now… you'd die in a real battle."
Kaelen's hands shook.
Anger mixed with fear.
Kurota stood, turning away.
"Grow stronger, Kaelen. I'll be waiting in the arena."
And with a swirl of black wind, he vanished.
The forest went silent.
Riku exhaled shakily. "Bro… WHAT was that thing?!"
Kaelen didn't answer.
His fingers dug into the dirt.
I need to catch up. I need to surpass him. I can't stay weak.
---