Kanae's Genin Exam

Kanae Iku was standing in the snow outside of the genin exam building. She set her face, and breathed deeply. It was time to attempt the exam, and she had studied hard and well. She had learned much from the people she had met, and from what she had observed from them, as well as her own natural knowledge. "Remember", she thought to herself, "Like a snake. Cold, and intelligent." She entered the room.... whatever came next, who knew?

None other than Maku Jemuzu leader of Yukigakure No Sato, entered the room to give the genin exam today.  He was taking a personal interest in his ninja, and as such upon seeing the list, decided he should personally perform the exam.  It was highly irregular, but as leader he had certain privileges.

"Hello again Kanae, well I need you to perform the basic academy jutsu and you will pass, and I will give you a Yuki headband, along with the rank of genin."

Maku would sit on the desk, and watch her closely.


(perform basic academy jutsu in 800 words and you pass)

Kanae stood in the middle of the classroom. She had expected some things to be unexpected (if that made any sense whatsoever), but especially not this. 

Leader Maku was the test proctor.

Kanae was startled, but didn't show it. The fact that he was here... and most of all, that he recognized her, meant quite a bit. Was she really that special? Or was she just easy to remember because of her quiet ways and her eyes? Yes, that was probably it. Kanae didn't have any particular strength or talent, even though she had gotten slightly stronger from her bouts recently. 

Now, she had to do the three basic academy jutsu. If you could look at Kanae's mind right now, you would have seen a vast library, with bookshelves everywhere, even on the walls, the ceiling, and floating in the air. A white snake with yellow, cold eyes would slither among these. Academy jutsu... where was it.... ah, there it was. The snake took the book in its mouth, and brought it over to a conveniently placed table on the floor. Two other snakes came up, one wearing a purple tie, and the other wearing small glasses. The first snake flipped open the book.... and there it was. So, Kanae had now only to perform the substitution jutsu, the transformation technique, and the clone technique. Well, these were basic jutsu. Kanae now had enough knowledge and power to perform these, but did she have the confidence and willpower to maintain them? 

Like a snake.

Of course she did. She could do it... because she had to. Maku was a good man, and the fact that he was now demanding this from her meant something. Yes.....

"Yes... Maku. I shall do as you ask."

As you ask.... "kill, Kanae", "yes, of course sir." "destroy, Kanae", "As you wish." "Torture, Kanae", "Right away." "Die, Kanae." "Very well, sir." Yes.... that was how it was in the village. And if that was what she had to do to leave her past behind, then so be it. She would become the snake of the snow, she that struck out for the frozen flakes that fell over the village. 

She looked straight at Maku, and started to form a sequence of handseals with her long, slender fingers. Yes... this was the one that she would do first, as it was the one she had learned first. Now, the handseals were one factor, chakra was another. The way one kneaded the chakra, and the way one projected it with the handseals in mind.... it was like mixing colors. When you put the two together, they formed something new, the jutsu. And just like colors, once the two were mixed and the jutsu was cast, the paints could not be un-mixed, and thus the chakra would depart from the user's body, in a new form. Was that how a person should think about jutsu? If so, then there were an infinite number of combinations. The chains of handseals, the huge varieties of chakra, and the way of channeling them... the various bloodlines and physical structures of clans.... these things were all like paint colors that a child mixed together. It seemed so simple that way...

First up, was the henge no jutsu, that of transformation. She had picked out a particular form from her memories.... 

In her mind, the snake with the tie reached out and, with its mouth, grabbed a photo album. Being careful to skip the middle of the book, it attempted to flip to the beginning... but then, the snake with the glasses bumped it, and the page flipped open.... onto a picture of her stepfather, giving her one of his glances right before their mother left to go shopping. The stare that meant "get into my room.... now". The stare that meant pain for hours on end.

In the real world, Kanae had used Henge no jutsu to transform into this appearance. When she realized her mistake, her pupils dilated slightly, and her blood pressure dropped a little, but she released the jutsu, and remained outwardly calm. 

Thank goodness the next two jutsu didn't allow mistakes like that, so they were easier for her to perform. First up was the substitution jutsu, which she performed by substituting with a light ice block that was sitting around nearby. Why were all the building here made of ice anyways? If a katon user came along.... they would be in trouble.

Finally, the clone jutsu. She made the final set of handseal, slightly more confident. She produced two clones on either side of her, and all three bowed to Maku. As she bowed, the two clones dissipated, and Kanae raised her head. Did she pass? Had she performed the jutsu adequately? She earnestly hoped that she had... 

[WC 801]

approved, your a genin