Despite it All

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Hiruzen's POV (Land of Iron)

The journey of the Leaf and Sand to the Land of Iron went on smoothly from there in Hiruzen's opinion. While tensions did rise for a bit. Once news broke of which Sand team was involved it seemed the Sand somehow understood. Concerning considering they should've been mere young adults, but advantageous all the same. As they approached the snowy mountains they all garbed themselves in cloaks to protect from the cold. And hiked between two of the peaks. Two feet of snow must've coated the ground somewhat slowing them down. Luckily they had gotten through without incident. Past the mountains they were told to go past stood a large frozen wall of ice. In front of it stood six samurai. Armored and masked they stood patiently. As they saw the shinobi approach, two of the men drew blades and fired off chakra high into the sky. Within seconds of doing so, a great rumble sounded off. The shinobi all tensed as they watched the ice split slowly opening revealing a double iron door somehow built into the ice.

"Welcome Leaf and Sand shinobi. You are the last arrivals. This will be a rest area ahead where Shinobi can relax. Food is plenty and servants are serving it. We have an area specifically for Hokage and their guards, as well as a separate one for Jounin. We the Honorable Samurai of Iron welcome you!"

The speaking samurai bowed the others following suit. Before leading the large group into the doors.

Inside was a large and shockingly warm room. There was a vast number of large tables separated by signs marking them for certain villages. Three of the five areas were filled with Genin and their Jounin from the Cloud, Mist, and Stone. The Leaf and Sand Genin and Jounin walked to their respective areas as Hiruzen, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Rasa, Pakura, and Baki were led to the front of the room by the previous samurai. There was an upraised area fenced off by glass planes. The group filed into the room seeing a large circular table marked for their positions. On the table was a list of participants and a list of events. As well as various accommodations for them. The group settled down as an old Samurai walked in. He was a leader figure of the samurai being bowed to by the samurai in the room. He wore more simplistic plated armor. His face was wrinkled and scared showing his experience. The top of his head was wrapped in bandages. Binding his long gray hair matched by a gray goatee.

"My name is Mifune. I am the Commander General of the Land of Iron. I have been chosen as host of the Chunin Exams this year to ensure fairness and equality. First I must warn you, act out and we will be forced to retaliate. I don't believe introductions are in order for your two groups? No? Excellent Kazekage-sama, if you would not mind I would like to speak to you privately." Rasa merely nodded as he and his bodyguards followed the samurai into another door leading deeper into the building.

As they left there was an undeniable tension in the room. Between the two remaining parties stood two Kage and some of the strongest shinobi throughout the Elemental Nations. On one side already having been seated due to their early arrival Was Raikage of the Cloud, A the Unruly. He was known for his powerful jutsu, fearsome speed, and aggressive deposition. He was seated tall in his chair, seemingly impatient to get things started. To his left stood a more relaxed man. Often treated as the unofficial advisor of the Raikage. Darui of the Black Lightning. He sat much more patiently than his leader, seemingly content to wait. To his right stood someone who seemed to be tenser than either. Perfectly still yet observing everything in the room with an undeniable catlike caution. She was the jinchuriki to the Two Tails, Yugito Nii. They faced the leaf contingent on the other side of the room. Both groups were known for their power. The bodyguards of both groups were silent. Knowing their Kage would ask them to speak when necessary.

"Hiruzen, you're still kicking after all this time." A said with a sneer. "I suppose you're better than your dead successor though."

Jiraiya's killer intent filled the room. Causing a chain reaction from everyone in the room except Hiruzen and A.

"Now now, let's all keep our tempers in check. Besides, you have your own reasons for disliking the two of us." Hiruzen said for the sake of the room. He let the silence hold until all parties had fully relaxed. "A you must know I requested your presence here for a valid reason. I know you're not much for beating around the bush."

"Ha! Even as you point that out, you do it yourself. I showed because of my interest to see what ploy you have. It is merely an excuse for me to explore a bit. Escape from paperwork even. I have little interest in engaging otherwise. Especially after the stunt you pulled with the Hyuga." A stated seriously.

"We only killed one of your men after they attempted to kidnap the Hyuga heir!" Tsunade angrily exclaimed.

"The reason matters little," Yugito chimed in glaring at Tsunade. "Once one of our men was dead we had no choice but to demand the same."

"The past is the past." Hiruzen stated simply. "I'm much more interested in ensuring the future. For my home and it's allies."

"Hmm, so you have some kinda deal in mind?" A asked with a frown.

"Indeed." Hiruzen said with a warm smile. "We will offer you access to something I think you would be interested in."

"Hahaha! More games then?" A asked with fake mirth. "Go on then. What do you have that my village would need?"

"Jiraiya." Hiruzen said simply.

"We have reason to believe there is an organization of immense strength in pursuit of jinchuriki." Jiraiya started. Yugito offered a gasp as both A and Darui seemed to fully invest themselves.

"I'm sorry to say it but against the full might of a Hidden Village any group would be in trouble. Hell, even defeating a Jinchuriki usually takes a Kage level shinobi. Dull ones would simply be killed." Darui inserted.

Hiruzen held up his hand to signal Jiriaya to be quiet. "We can't tell you more until you sign this non aggression pact." Tsunade held up the contract for observing as Hiruzen said this.

A went silent for a few minutes as both Darui and Yugito raised to whisper to the man. Clearly pondering the worth of such a signing. Before long A sighed and stood up tall. "Sorry you old bastard but I don't trust you."

"Henceforth a mere non aggression pact." Hiruzen countered.

"Unacceptable for us. Even if this group is real we will defend ours to the last man. The info isn't worth working with those I can't trust." A retorted.

Hiruzen openly frowned at this. Before his face became made of Iron as he stood up facing A. "You wouldn't be planning something then would you?"

A merely smiled at him. "You're safe for now. I do like our odds but we much rather build our own strength."

"I hope it doesn't cost you." Hiruzen said simply. The two groups settled down into an awkward silence. Before either could stew in the tension too long Mizune returned. The Kazekage being oddly absent.

"Soon we will be ready to start the exams. Rasa and his guards had to return to the Sand for now. Do not bother inquiring as to why. We samurai will not be giving such information." Mifune recited as he sat. "Allow us to feast for now." With a gesture the room was filled with servants bringing a meal for the group.

As they quietly dug in, Hiruzen had to grimace. He had hoped to build relations with both the Cloud and Sand but he supposed beggars couldn't be choosers.

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Mifune's POV (Chunin Exams Reception Short While Later)

Mifune had lived a long life. He had been born as nothing more than yet another orphan in this harsh world. He had to survive on his own and in the process honed his skills to ensure his survival. At least until he had been scouted for the Land of Irons elite force. The only force seemingly capable of mounting any significant resistance to shinobi. The Iron Samurai Council of the Land of Iron had held tryouts. Mifune the young starving man had signed up merely for the free lodging and food provided. He had not expected much of it in truth. Perhaps it was fate that he had attended the showing.

It had been a great discovery for both the Iron and himself that he had been a natural swordsman. He rose up fairly quickly through the ranks. It had been cruel and harsh. His days were long and eventful, his nights short and sleepless. He had nearly quit, but even at his young age, he knew this was his way out of poverty. His talent only grew with his determination. But, it was far better than those poverty stricken days. He only had to adapt; that was his only obstacle. But, he couldn't just hammer chivalry into his mind. Growing up in those slums knowing that the other side of his country seemingly were unaware or just didn't care about the commoners was a hard pill to swallow. He was just unable to look up to the higher ups with the needed respect and status.

He quickly made a name for himself in his country. His legend had been cemented during the third and second Great Ninja War. He had managed to lead men both times against the warring shinobi. Who seemed to make a habit of attempting to enter their land during the war for various reasons. Often the intention, nefarious. They had a policy of not allowing shinobi to enter their land at will, especially at times of war. Mifune had met this duty willingly. He and his men had managed in both wars to keep them out. Many shinobi met their grim demise from Mifune's blade. To him, it had been his duty. A mere responsibility for him to follow. He had expected no award nor praise. A true samurai was a humble servant of the people after all. But he had been held by both the shinobi and samurai as a legend after the wars. He supposed that part of the job always stood out to him. He had been accepted without any background or because of any past deeds. The only thing mattered was that he was swift with his blade. But, he knew that was not true for most of his comrades. Perhaps the problem was with the leader. Of course, samurai always had a legend leading them in books. Someone who he could follow with his heart and respect willingly.

Mifune had enjoyed fame to some degree. He would not give into vain aspirations as many do, but it was nice to be acknowledged for his work. Little had he known he was due for a promotion. They had attempted to tempt him to become a politician but it was not his way. Instead they had made him a general of the samurai army. More a decorative role than a working one. But a considerable rise of the station nonetheless. The work of their wise emperor and his loyal samurai led to peace within the Land of Iron. But the shinobi world drifted on his mind constantly. As proud and skilled as his samurai forces were, any of the Five Great Hidden Villages would be a great threat. Even more worrisome was the dishonorable nature of shinobi. Leading to them being considerably unpredictable. But to his shock, one of the Kage had reached out to him personally. A plan in mind to ensure peace for the Elemental Nation at least for a time. Mifune had never been one to ignore an opportunity. Peace between the Hidden Villages was mutually beneficial, and it had been shockingly easy to persuade the others with the support of the samurai. Mifune had an idea that Hiruzen of the Leaf had done more behind the scenes as shinobi often did, but it meant little in exchange for the ninja world becoming less turbulent. It worked well. Now his home would sponsor the Exams to ensure no trickery would be done for the first exams containing all five Hidden Villages. It was worth the trouble for peace. On paper he would be strengthening the bond between two powerful forces in the world while maintaining his no shinobi stance by observing children duke it out. But, behind it all the samurais will see, seemingly how weak their leader was in the face of the shinobi leaders. He was taking a gamble. The might of the 5 kage could very well reduce his country to smithereens but it was hard imagining them agreeing after all the bloodshed they unleashed upon each other.

As the Raikage, the Hokage, and the bodyguards finished their meal Mifune left the room. Having already informed the Kage of the first Exam it was time to inform the Chunin hopefuls. He exited the room and stood in front of the large group of shinobi. Most of them had just finished their meals and were mingling with one another. He drew his blade silently and slowly before slamming it into the wooden floor below cracking it from the force. The wood being smashed violently breaks through the chatter of the room. The shinobi focused on him immediately, silence filling the room as they all realized that business had begun.

"Chunin hopefuls and Jounin sensei. My name is Mifune, and I am the Commander General of the Iron Samurai Council. As such I have been given the honor to host the Chunin Exams. This was decided due to the unique circumstances of nearly all Hidden Villages participating. A concern was raised due to the break this group of Genin received. Meaning to almost every village that this exam is vital. A chance for your homes to display their future. A chance for connection and peace for various villages. A chance for you Genin to achieve glory and recognition. But this chance must be earned. In these exams, you all will be tested on various aspects that both shinobi and samurai require. There will be three parts to this exam. You will only be informed of the parts as you do them. Remember it may be held by samurai and myself, but these are still shinobi exams. Now that you have rested after your journeys it is time to begin! Any shinobi not participating in the exam please follow the samurai located on my left of the room. He will lead you to the observation room while your Genins are being tested." As he said this he witnessed the Jounin gather around the samurai he had mentioned before being led out of the room. The Genin before him were all now standing and focused. They all seemed focused and confident, good such was a mark of their composure. Unfortunately, it was time to shake such a thing.

"But first, tis' time to go over the rules. For example…" Mifune passed for dramatic effect. "You will not partake in the test as you are. See the exam is with random teams… of course, you're not allowed to harm your teammates under penalty of failing." He waited as their eyes rose to comical levels before they narrowed upon him.

"What the hell! Every exam I've heard of, you do it with your squad!" Kiba roared out angrily.

"Ya, this is ridiculous! I'm not working with our enemies!" An Iwa shinobi called out angrily.

"Certainly not working with any tree huggers."

"Sand shinobi killed my family."

"Everyone knows the Mist is a bunch of savages."

"I don't like those arrogant Cloud bastards."

Mifune felt the smile slip at the uproar. It seemed the shinobi world was rather divided. He would not allow such anarchy! "SILENCE!" As he said this he drew his blade with great speed. The booming voice and shrill sound of steel silenced the turbulent room.

"Stop acting like kids! You will be working with each other despite any misgivings you hold! If you intend to climb the ranks then you need to be mature. There may well be a time you will work with those you disdain in this world. Such is the way of the world. If you wish to become more than a mere Genin you must display honor and loyalty. If such a thing is above you, leave now before the shame grows any greater. The room went silent. The Genin had not traveled all this way for nothing and would not seek to be dropped before things began.

"Excellent, I will read off Teams now. Team One will be Naruto Uzumaki of the Leaf, Ino Yamanaka of the Leaf, Gaara of the Sand, Samui of the Cloud, and Kurotsuchi of the Stone."

The mentioned Genin walked to the front of the room before being led off by a Samurai. Mifune watched as the room tense as they realized how random this was.

"Team Two will be: Temari of the Sand, Sakura Haruno of the Leaf, Kiba Inuzuka of the Leaf, Shikamaru Nara of the Leaf, and Neji Hyuga of the Leaf."

"How is that fair!"

"Ya almost all of them are from the same village!"

"Life in general is not fair…" Mifune says seriously managing to cut through the group yet again. "There will be times in your life when you must defy adversity. Yet, there will also be times in which you benefit randomly. I may not be a shinobi myself, but I have battled and met countless amounts. No shinobi worthy of much will complain of fairness." He said, looking throughout the room. It seemed everyone had dropped it for now. The newly formed team marched out of the room.

"Team Three will be: Omoi of the Cloud, Karui of the Cloud, Sasuke Uchiha of the Leaf, Hinata Hyuga of the Leaf, and Kankuro of the Sand." The group left silently as he eyed the remaining group. No outcries this time, it seemed the whiners realized the futility of their moping. He listed off the remaining teams without interruption.