The weeks following their return from the Land of Waves were defined by a new, relentless intensity. Team 7's training sessions became brutal affairs. Kakashi pushed the three boys to their absolute limits, recognizing that their immense potential required immense pressure.
One afternoon, in their usual training ground, the three of them were locked in a chaotic three-way spar.
"You're too slow, Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, launching a clumsy but powerful kick that Sasuke easily dodged.
"And you're too loud, idiot," Sasuke shot back, his Sharingan spinning as he tracked not only Naruto, but Deva, who was circling them both. "You telegraph every move."
"Your left side is open, Naruto," Deva's voice cut in, calm and analytical. He flickered forward, not attacking, but simply tapping Naruto on the shoulder before vanishing again. Naruto spun around, finding nothing but empty air.
"And your feint is predictable, Sasuke," Deva's voice came from the other side. "You've used it three times."
Sasuke scowled, launching a fireball at Deva's last known position, only for it to hit a log. The rivalry was still sharp, but it was different now. Deva was no longer just a silent observer; he was an active participant, his commentary a constant, irritating, and undeniably helpful analysis of their flaws.
The silence was no longer absolute. "If you'd just listen to me, we could have taken Haku down faster," Naruto grumbled, stuffing his face with rice. "Your plan was to run at him until he got tired," Sasuke scoffed. "A brilliant strategy." "It would have worked eventually!" "No," Deva stated simply, not looking up from his food. "It wouldn't have. His chakra expenditure was minimal. Your stamina, while high, is finite. He could have kept it up for hours. Our only chance was a coordinated strike that broke his line of sight." Naruto and Sasuke just stared at him, then at each other, before reluctantly nodding. The quiet one had become their strategist.
It was on their meeting bridge, a few weeks after their return, that Kakashi gathered them. His usual lazy demeanor was gone, replaced by a stark seriousness that made them pay attention.
"I have something for you," he said. He held out three folded application forms. "I have recommended the three of you for the Chunin Selection Exams."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Alright! The Chunin Exams!"
Sasuke's lips curved into a confident smirk. "It's about time we got a real challenge."
Deva, however, looked at Kakashi, his expression thoughtful. "What is the historical success rate for first-time rookie teams? And what are the most common causes of failure?"
Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly at the direct, analytical question. "The success rate is low," he answered honestly. "And the most common cause of failure is inexperience, overconfidence, and encountering opponents who are simply stronger and more ruthless. It is a series of difficult tests against the best genin from other villages. Many are seriously injured. Some do not survive."
He looked at each of them, his gaze lingering. "You have all seen the reality of this life. This is not my decision to make. It is yours. Participation is voluntary. If you do not feel you are ready, there is no shame in waiting."
He handed them each a form. "But you must all agree. A team enters together. If one of you declines, none of you will participate. Think carefully. Let me know your decision by tomorrow." With that, he vanished, leaving them alone on the bridge to think about their choice.
That night, each of them considered it.
For Naruto, it wasn't a choice at all. He remembered the feeling of helplessness as Tsunami and Inari were cut down, the shame of freezing up. This was his chance to prove he was stronger now, to take the next step on his path to becoming Hokage, a man strong enough to protect everyone. He was scared, but his determination burned far brighter.
For Sasuke, it was a necessity. He remembered the humiliation of his defeat at Haku's hands, the feeling of being a burden. The Chunin Exams were a stage. A place to fight, to grow, and to be measured against other powerful ninja. Every victory, every new challenge, was a step closer to gaining the power he needed to kill Itachi. To refuse would be to admit weakness, and he would never do that again.
For Deva, the process was more complex. He sat in his quiet room above the flower shop, the application form on his desk. He weighed the risks. They were high. But then he thought of Kakashi's criticism. You think too much. Waiting was the safe, logical choice. But was it the right one? He thought of Sakura, of her broken dream. They had failed her because they were too weak. He thought of Naruto, who needed this test to validate himself, and of Sasuke, who needed it to fuel his ambition. If he declined, he would be holding them all back. The logical pursuit of data was still a factor, but it was now secondary to a new, emerging priority: the strength of his team. We need to get stronger, he thought, a new resolve hardening inside him. So that what happened in the Land of Waves never happens again.
The next morning, they met on the same bridge.
Naruto was bouncing on his feet, his signed form held high. "I'm in! Let's do this!"
Sasuke arrived a moment later, leaning against the railing with a cool smirk, his own form signed. "Hn. As if there was ever any doubt."
They both looked at Deva as he walked up, his expression calm. He stopped before them, looking from Naruto's eager face to Sasuke's confident one. A rare, small smile touched his lips.
"Did you really think I'd turn down a chance to see what else is out there?" he asked, his voice even. He held up his own signed form. "Besides," he added, his silver eyes glinting with a competitive light, "It wouldn't be much of a challenge if I let you two go alone and get all the credit."
Kakashi appeared in a swirl of leaves, a genuine smile in his visible eye as he heard Deva's words. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."
He looked at the three of them—no longer just a Jinchuriki, an Uchiha, and Deva, but a true team, united in their decision for their own different, powerful reasons. The first part of the test, the test of will, was over. The real exam was about to begin.