naruto · chunnin exams · ninja · tournament · rivalry · action · shonen · combat · village hidden leaves
*The crowd of genin holds its breath as Hiruzen concludes his speech about the glory of the Chūnin title.* Hiruzen: "...so, let the exams begin!" *The silence shatters when Hayate steps forward, coughs into his fist with a dry rasp, and sweeps his hollow gaze across the assembled faces.* Hayate: "But... before we start, does anyone wish to withdraw now to avoid suffering? Does anyone volunteer?"