To Become a Chuunin or Not
To become a Chuunin or not, that was the question. Team Eleven have been a team for several months now and after all that time, they even had already surpassed the needed amount of low-rank missions in order to qualify. It left them wondering: Was this year their chance?
Kushina-sensei thought it was.
"The other senseis and I have agreed to sign up all of you to participate in this year's Chuunin exams," In her hand, she held three papers which she promptly extended to her students. "All you three need to do is fill this out."
Each of the three Genin took one of the papers, inspecting it carefully. The thought of already applying to participate in the Chuunin exams felt like a fever dream, something they had made up during their many conversations.
"None of you are forced to participate, this is at your own will."
Izumi felt excitement rush through her as she skimmed over the application several times. Chuunin exams, I did it!
"Before the exams, we need to get some training done. I don't want to send you there unprepared." said Kushina, her hands placed on her hips as a doting mother would.
Chihiro was confused at that. "How, sensei?"
Kushina had a grin growing on her features. "I'll find us another team to bother, don't worry."
━━━━
As it turned out, applying for the Chuunin exams was not as easy as merely filling out the forms to hand them in. They stood in the academy they had attended months prior, attempting to find the room where the applications were to be handed in. Each had filled out the application and had it ready in their pocket.
At the reception they had been told to go to room 303 to hand in their application but, as it turned out, there was no room 303 on the third floor. A few times already they passed rooms 301, 302, and 304 with no room 303 in sight. They had even gone as far to feel along the walls for some hidden door. To say the least, they felt stupid.
"What if there is no room 303?" theorized Sen, throwing her head back in annoyance.
Her Yamanaka teammate was having none of that. "I refuse to give up!"
Chihiro nodded. "The day is not over yet, let's search for a while longer." He looked at the Nara gently, asking for her agreement.
"Fine," Sen sighed. "Let's search."
From what information they have gathered so far, room 303 was not hidden among the walls. Neither was it hidden behind a wall, as when they knocked along the long hallway, there was no sound indicating a hidden room.
Slowly, they began to run out of ideas of where and how to search. Every possibility that appeared even remotely intelligent was knocked out by failing. Their motivation began to run low.
Sen suddenly stopped in her step, holding her hand up in concentration. "What about a genjutsu? We are Genin, we wouldn't know when someone has cast it on us."
Izumi frowned. "I don't know how to dispel a genjutsu." She hadn't paid proper attention once the topic had been taught, more entranced with the way the flowers bloomed outside the classroom.
"Me neither." Sen had most likely slept through the lesson.
The strawberry-blond of the team was hesitant, but spoke up regardless. "I know how ... I think."
Sen raised an eyebrow at him, curious. "You think?"
He cleared his throat nervously. "I know." His answer came firmer, more determined.
"Then teach us."
Chihiro positioned himself so that both of his teammates could see his hand movements clearly before he pressed his hands against each other, intertwining all except for the middle fingers. They pointed upwards and were pressed against each other. With a quick glance of his green eyes, he confirmed that his teammates had properly copied his moves.
"Izumi, you need to press your palms closer together." instructed Chihiro gently.
The girl startled for a moment before doing as he said.
"Now we need to disrupt our chakra flow for a moment. By doing this," He paused for a moment, allowing for the information to settle in. "Kai."
"Kai!"
The genjutsu which had been placed on the three Genin upon entering was dispelled immediately, revealing completely different room numbers than when they had been under the illusion.
Sen's dark eyes were quick to scan their new surroundings. "Fuck, no," She exclaimed in annoyance.
In front of them was the door to room 303, previously room 302. What confused Izumi was that they had opened the door already during their search, only to reveal a classroom.
"Do you think the inside changed too?"
"I think so, Izumi."
"There is only one way to know." Chihiro looked nervous to enter, leaving the task to his teammates instead.
Instead of opening the door carefully as Sen was about to suggest to her, Izumi yanked it open forcefully, almost slamming it into the wall. As suspected, the inside had also been covered in an illusion, emptying out for the unsuspecting eyes. There stood two Jounin, a woman and a man, wearing perplexed expressions.
"Genins, eh?" The man sweatdropped, inspecting the door carefully.
Sen pushed past Izumi with her application in hand, slamming it down onto the table before attempting to make her way out of the door again.
"Hey!" This time the woman spoke up, catching Team Eleven's attention. "All three of you have to hand in your applications together, otherwise it doesn't count."
"It is a rule. If someone in the team doesn't want to participate, everyone is excluded. So I hope all three of you have your applications."
The man's words baffled the team. They all had to apply together? That information was news to them, as they had presumed it was an application of free will. Apparently, their sensei either had forgotten to tell them or decided not to. They presumed the latter.
Next, Izumi placed her application down on the table, completely filled out. "I filled mine out." She announced and made her way to stand by Sen's side.
The only one of the team to hesitate was Chihiro. His gaze and head were both turned downward, avoiding eye contact with his waiting teammates. "I, uh-" From what Izumi could see, his cheeks were tinted pink.
Izumi took a step towards her friend. "Do you not want to participate?"
Chihiro backed away, gaze still turned downward.
"It's okay if you don't want to." She spoke gently, taking his sign to not approach further.
Sen gave him a pointed look. "Be honest."
"I'm unsure. I-I don't want to let you down." Despite having spoken up, his voice came out timid. Just as timidly, he looked up at his teammates, taking in the expressions they wore.
"You could never let us down." Izumi gave him a soft smile.
Chihiro smiled back faintly.
"If you don't try it, you can't know." The sentence was ironic coming from Sen, but without a doubt, it was needed. On her face, she mustered up an encouraging smile.
"Remember what sensei said? We work best as a team. As a team, we can do this, together." said Izumi to support what Sen had said.
He took a deep breath. Chihiro made quick and determined strides forward, towards the table where the applications were to be handed in. Softly, he placed his filled out application down to then join his teammates.
The Jounin in charge rolled his eyes. "How dramatic."
Sen's head snapped into his direction, eyes ablaze with annoyance. "What did you say?"
Izumi was quick to point a finger at the man. "Just because some of us aren't able to immediately commit to the exams, doesn't mean that they are dramatic."
The female Jounin chuckled. "You kids are a team for sure."
And for as long as they could help it, they would always be a team.