School Life

Zeo had rested up and studied. Most of the time when he was home, he would study up anyway. It was part of his usual routine. While he lacked some physical categories of a shinobi, his mind made him a valued member in a squad. It was why he felt so calm over the exam.

It was that morning he was outside of the academy building. THough much older than the others there, he had breezed past most of the classes and tutorage for passing rights. There he was, as Kyle and Mari waited behind him.

"I remember when I had to take the exam," Kyle said, sighing a bit at the memory. "Almost wetted myself when I had to perform a jutsu in front of the proctor. Stupid clone jutsu..."

Zeo turned to Kyle and Mari, both looking to him with expecting expressions. "I"m sure you will be fine, Zeo," Mari urged him, "Just do you're best. If Kyle can pass, then its a breeze for you."

"WHAT?!" Kyle shouted, looking to Mari with an offended look.

Mari held up her hands with a nervous smile. "Um... Sorry, that didn't come out right..."

Zeo saw how they exchanged words, but still was pretty stalward in his expressions. He blinked then nodded. "Thank you. I shouldn't be long."

WIth that, he entered the academy and proceeded to his classroom.

Zeo was in Room 2-C along the school building that was a classic tier level seats. Zeo sat near the back of the rows near the window. Though he was distracted by the passing clouds and view of the leaf village, he knew the test would start soon. He rested with his chin resting on his fist, his mind wandering. He couldn't help to learn the truth-- and the path of the Shinobi was the best to understand it.

He wanted to become a Shinobi for a few reasons. One was to become stronger, to endure the hand life gave him. His Parents' death.

The other reasons...

The other students chatter soon stopped as the teacher soon came in and closed the door behind him. "Quiet! Quiet everyone, " he said as he approached the desk, a series of papers in his hand. "We will now begin the Genin exam. There will be 2 parts. The written exam, and the practical application exam." One by one, he round the room, and passed out the tests to each student. "You will have 30 minutes to fill this out. Once you are done, you will turn them in and proceed to the third floor in the main conference room. Once called upon, you will perform the jutsu asked of you. Once then you will be told if you pass or fail. You pass, you will be given your headband and further instructions. Fail, you repeat the exam next year."

The proctor acknowleged Zeo with a knowing glance, knowing he was older than most but knew his situation. "Good luck," he said to everyone, and soon returned to his desk to look over the test.

Once the test started, he looked to his paper and picked up his pen. There were only 10 questions and majority of them he understood. The first part was easy. Question 1--- how many hand signs are needed in a specific jutsu. He wrote that one down easily, then asked to identify each one.

Question 2, what was chakra. An essay response. Zeo breathed out as he took the time to write a detailed example. Chakra was a universal energy that existed in most things and that ninjutsu was only capable via utalizing this energy, either to transform that energy into something new or to perform further feats. It wasn't a perfect answer since chakra was ambiguous in nature but it was the text book answer more or less.

The following questions were a bit more tricky-- partly because they threw in trick questions. Questions where the implied question had no answer or where the answer was based on previous questions. Zeo twiddled his pen a bit as he thought of the right answer but that soon was settled.

Twenty minutes had passed and Zeo was on the last question. It was actually one he just went over with Yasha sensei-- what does Genjutsu use in order to affect a target. The five senses: Sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. Easy. Used to access an enemy's nervous system.

By the time he finished, he was done. He soon raised his hand and soon got the proctor's attention. "is there a problem, Zeo?" the teacher asked.

"No sir," Zeo replied, "I finished."

A few of the other students looked to him, partly annoyed but partly surprised. The proctor soon rose and went up to collect the test. Zeo handed to him and he looked it over. "OKay," he said neutrally. "You may go to the third floor and please wait to be called on for the final part of your exam. "

Zeo rose from his seat and left through the rear exit towards the hallway.

He walked with his hands in his short jacket pocket as he climbed the stairs and reached the attendance hall. He found the door and waited outside-- being the first one there. He didn't have to wait long as the door opened.

"Mr. Kamigawa, please come in."

The final exam was before none other than a few of the elders and the Hokage himself. He didn't know he would be there, but Zeo's composure was mostly unaffected. He stood before them, awaiting their instructions. "For your final task, we would like you to perform the clone jutsu. Would you show us?"

Zeo nodded as he took a breath and cleared his mind. He soon made the nessisary hand signs and focused his chakra. A puff of smoke appeared behind him. Not where he intended but as he moved-- there it was.

Another copy of him that stood exactly as Zeo did-- same expression and same features down to the last detail.

The group of elders and hokage looked at each other, then gave their final word...

***

Outside, Mari and Kyle waited patiently for their friend. Soon the doors opened, and they soon saw Zeo step out. Still the same with his coat and all, he approached them. Excited, Mari hopped up to her feet and approached him. "Did you do it? Did you pass?" she asked.

Kyle too stood up in interest. They didn't see him wearing his headband. At first, they thought he didn't pass, due to the expresionless face Zeo normally had...

... till he took his hand out of his pocket and revealed a leaf shinobi headband.

Their faces lit up with delight as they saw him have it.

"Aced it." Zeo commented.

"Don't get cocky," Kyle argued but with a smile. "The real hard work starts now. Trust me."

"Congratulations!" Mari cheered.

A light smile formed on his face as he raised the headband up and tied it around his head. The blue headband fit like a glove on him as he felt as if he made a big step towards moving on with the past...

The End.