Chapter 28 - ch. 28

Naru was panicking. The first question seemed impossible, so she skipped it, hoping the next would be easier. It wasn't. If fact, they got more and more difficult and complicated as they went along. The last question she couldn't even read. "Man, oh man! What do I do!?" She thought, staring at her paper, as though wishing for the answers to appear by themselves before just letting her head thump onto the desk.

Soul was having just as tough a time. He got the first two answered (probably wrong) but was completely stumped by the third, and stubbornly refused to skip it. He tapped his pencil in frustration as he unknowingly mimicked Naru by staring.

Maka was flying through, being the top of her class at the DWMA. She slowed by the time she reached the fith question, but was confident in her answers. She grinned as she reached the last question, relishing the challenge.

Sakura Was having a relatively easy time too, though she started getting challenge by question 4. She focused intently on the test, almost completely ignoring everything around her.

Hinata was getting frustrated. She managed the first question, but was stumped by every other one. She furiously drug her pencil back and forth on a blank spot on the page, leaving a deep dent of graphite in the paper before it ripped. She immediately stopped, even more annoyed.

Serah was, apparently, rather smart, as she finished the test within 20 minutes, while most were still on the 6th question...assuming they were smart enough to actually finish the test.

Kid never got past his name. He could have gotten the test done easily, but his severe OCD forced him to make his name perfect.

Liz was chewing on the eraser as she attempted to figure out the questions. She started losing focus, and soon her head hit the desk as she fell asleep.

Pattie was making various origami animals with her paper. She was surprisingly good, but...it was the test...

Blackstar was focusing too much on not yelling out to concentrate properly on the test. He was shaking with excitement for the more practical parts of the exams.

Tsubaki focused even on the test, occasionally managing to answer a question in a flash of inspiration.

Throughout the test, many people were disqualified. By the end, only 60 teams remained out of 150. "Right, only 10 minutes left! Time for the last question!" He paused dramatically. "However, if you get this question wrong, you will forever be a genin. If you drop out, you and your team can take the test again next year. Who is willing to risk their career?"

'Forever a genin...!?' This was along the lines many of them thought, nearly frozen in fear. Several people lost their will and left, making their team leave with them. 38 teams were left afterward.

"Right. All you are prepared for the final question?" Many were still scared, but held their ground. "Right. Question 10! What....is.....2+2!"

Everyone fell over in surprise (except for Liz, who was still sleeping). "What the hell!? Why all the buildup for the easiest question in the book!?" Yelled Soul.

"Well, since you're still here, I may as well tell you. The question was not for the answer, but your nerve. As a shinobi, you have to put your life on the line with each mission. If you couldn't stay for the question, you have no right to become a chunin. Now, five minutes left. Finish your test." Everyone instantly placed the answer under #9. Soon, the bell rang. "The written test is over. Pencils down." The Junin began taking the tests, and grading them. The few who were caught cheating a few times and scored too low were escorted out, leaving 32 teams. "Well, we dwindled you down well. next is the survival test."

Suddenly, a woman crashes through the window, tumbling onto the desk while hanging a banner attached to several kunai. She wore her hair in a spiky fan-like ponytail and had grey eyes. She wore little more under her tan trenchcoat than a mesh see-through shirt and a long strip of brown cloth wrapped around her waist that acted like a skirt. The banner read "Welcome to round two!" She posed cooly infront of it.

"You're a little early." The instructor poked his head out from behind the banner.

"Yeah, whatever. You've tortured these kids enough. Let me have a go!" This did not inspire confidence in anyone. "Everyone, to the forest of death!"

----------------------------------scene change------------------------------------------

Everyone was suddenly right outside a fenced forest. "What just happened?" Asked Naru.

"It's easier to not think about it, especially you. Now, everyone, head to the booth.." She motions to a nearby booth, covered by a black cloth. "One team at a time."

Naru's team was in first. They were handed papers. "Waivers. Signing this means you agree that any injury or death in in no way the fault of anyone but yourself." Said the lady behind the counter.

"Death!?" exclaimed Maka

"Well, it is the forest of death. It's kinda implied." She said bluntly.

"Live a little! It's not like this is the first time I've put my life on the line." Naru exclaimed as she signed without a second thought.

Maka looked unsure, but signed, followed by Sakura and Soul.

After they all signed, they were given a scroll with "Earth" written on it, along with a piece of paper with a number. "What's this?" Asked Naru just before she hid it in her sleeve.

"It will be explain in just a few moments. Please exit so the others can come in." She answered bruskly. They left, giving her a dirty look for her lack of niceties. They saw Hinata and her group enter. Naru sat and leaned against a tree, the others deciding to follow suit, waiting for everyone to finish.

Anko watched as the last team exited, and spoke up. "Alright! Now that everyone has their scrolls, time to explain the rules! You were each given a number! The corresponding door into the forest is your starting point! You need to make it through the forest to the tower in the center! However, you also need 4 scrolls: Wind, Water, Earth, and Fire! Each of you is carrying one of the four! Which means no more than 8 teams can pass." There was muted chatter at this.

"A few more things! The forest is crawling with beasts, carnivorous insects, and some mutants! Be wary of your surroundings. Also, while it is not encouraged, you are allowed to kill if you feel it necessary. Once you have the four scrolls, and enter the tower, you will have a moment to relax. Once all 8 teams enter, or your 3 day time limit has passed, we will start the preliminaries, and all others will be disqualified! Lastly, all weapons from the village of souls MUST stay in weapon form at all times! Any questions!?"

"Can I use them bathroom before we start!?"

"No! Either hold it or shit yourself for all I care! Any not stupid questions!?" silence. "Good! Head to your gate! You may enter as soon as the gate opens. I wish you all luck! Whether it's good or bad will depend on you..." Everyone gulped and rushed to their gate. They went to gate 69, which got a good chuckle out of Sakura, a smirk out of Naru, and a confused look from Maka as she watched them.

After a few seconds, the gate opened, and they rushed in.