The third and final test of the Chunin Exams began. The participants were gathered in a vast outdoor training field, where an extensive, uniformly designed battle area stretched out before them.

  In front of everyone, a thin man stepped forward. He wore the typical military uniform of Kusa, adorned with the emblems of the Grass Vilge. With a serious look, he surveyed the young shinobi before speaking in a firm voice:

  —Greetings to all. It is likely that many of you do not recognize me, but my name is one you should remember. I am Aranami Sōgen, the Kusakage.

  He paused briefly, allowing his words to sink in before continuing in a solemn tone:

  —Congratutions on making it to the final test of the Chunin Exams. As many of you may have deduced, whether through your own insight or with the help of your teachers and comrades, this test will be a battle.

  Aranami smiled cruelly as he continued. —The final phase will be a team battle. Only the strong can reach the end, and the weak will fall along the way. Such is the life of a shinobi... only those who prove their true worth will move on. —He said before walking away and sitting down.

  An examiner stepped forward and spoke in a clear voice. —Each team must take a scroll. Each scroll has a number that matches that of another team. The teams with the same number will face each other in combat, and the winner will advance to the next round.

  At the examiner’s words, several scrolls were presented. The leaders of each team stepped forward and took one. Only when everyone had theirs were they allowed to open them.

  There were a total of twelve teams, and ours received the number eight.

  —Teams with number one, proceed to the battle field. —Said the examiner.

  Two teams composed of slightly older shinobi advanced and began their battle. The fight was brief and unimpressive, ending slower than Akihiro and his team had expected.

  —This is surprisingly easy —commented Hiroshi, clearly bored.

  —Don’t get cocky. Not all teams are as weak as this one —Aiko replied, her gaze fixed on a particur group.

  Akihiro had noticed them too, but something about them gave him an unsettling feeling. Somehow, they reminded him of Orochimaru from Konoha, though on a much smaller scale.

  The matches continued, and except for a few irregurities, everything went smoothly. The weaker teams were quickly eliminated from the tournament.

  —Although they have good infiltration and concealment skills, there's not much they can do in this kind of battle —Aiko commented. Many of the teams had talent in stealth, but in direct combat, they couldn't stand out.

  —That's what it means to be a Chunin: being a one-trick shinobi will get you killed sooner rather than ter —Akihiro remarked, remembering that idiot Hidan. That guy only had his stupid immortality and that instant death ritual. Aside from that, he was just a regur shinobi, only slightly stronger than the rest.

  Finally, their turn came shortly after.

  —Let's go. Let’s finish this quickly —Aiko said as she led the team. Akihiro and Hiroshi smiled and entered the field with confidence.

  In front of them was a team of slightly older men.

  —Don’t show any important jutsus, let’s stick to the basics —Aiko instructed.

  Akihiro and Hiroshi nodded; they didn’t want to reveal their cards too soon.

  The duel began with the examiner's voice.

  —The eighth team battle begins! —he shouted.

  Aiko moved immediately, using an earth escape jutsu, and traveled from her starting position to the group of shinobi in an instant.

  Akihiro and Hiroshi immediately activated their jutsus.

  —Fire Style, Fireball Jutsu.—Water Style, Great Water Bullet Jutsu.

  Akihiro's jutsu collided with Hiroshi's jutsu, creating a rge screen of steam that quickly filled the battlefield.

  The group of shinobi had prepared defensively, but they hadn’t expected the smoke screen, and the team was momentarily thrown into confusion.

  —Earth Style, Earth Destruction Jutsu.

  Aiko emerged from the ground and immediately unched the jutsu. The entire area, hundreds of meters in every direction, was destroyed instantly. The earth caved in on itself, and the terrain around them was thrown into chaos, not a single piece of earth left intact.

  —Do you think they’re dead? —Hiroshi asked Akihiro.

  Akihiro shook his head.

  —No, there are plenty of examiners who will stop this before things get out of hand. Though they’re weak, they’re still experienced personnel who are useful in certain circumstances —Akihiro replied.

  And he was right; shortly after Aiko used her jutsu and the unfortunate genins were trapped in the attack, a jounin intercepted them and removed them from the field before they could lose their lives.

  —What a wonderful show they’ve put on! —suddenly said the Kusakage.

  —It seems the talented youngsters have exceeded expectations. You’ve created a team of monsters, haven’t you, Miyuki? —he commented, looking at Miyuki.

  Miyuki shrugged.

  —Their talent is unmatched, whether under my command or another’s. There will be no difference.

  —You’re being modest. As always —he said, signaling to the examiner.

  —Team 8 has finished the battle, Team 9, enter the field! —he announced, and in an instant, the destroyed field was repaired by a group of jounins skilled in earth style.