An: . . I blame the Dressrosa arc for bringing Doflamingo back, he's one of my favorite characters. AND I DON'T KNOW WHY! I mean he's a douche that is a puppet master and hates to lose that control, but I can't help but like the guy.
The Marionette Uzumaki
It was a beautiful morning in Konohagakure, and the peaceful silence of the village reached deep within its core. That is until you reached the stadium located in the Forest of Death where the second part of the Chuunin Exams were taking place.
The cheers could be heard through the thick foliage of the forest, and they carried over to the only person left in the village. This person was currently perched atop the fourth hokage's head on the kage monument holding a mummified sound-nin by the neck.
"Fuffuffuffu, looks like the games are about to begin. Sorry to say that you didn't make the cut Dosu, be glad that you didn't get Gaara like you planned. If you had you wouldn't get this flourished death." the figure said to the barely conscious teen, before he dropped his body.
"Now, it is time to usher in the new era of this village from the ashes left behind of the old. Fuffuffuffufu!" he laughed as he leapt from the monument and somehow flew in the direction of the stadium.
(Currently in the stadium)
The audience was beginning to get restless since it had been a good three minutes since Naruto and Neji's fight was announced.
All the rookies, except for one in particular (Sakura, cough cough) were wondering where the energetic blond was while the Suna team couldn't have cared less about the blond nuisance.
The hokage was also worried about his wea-grandson. Yes, grandson that's what he meant. The old man needed to keep the Kyuubi under his thumb in order to have it wave off any threat that the other villages would throw at Konoha.
Ironically, enough the 'Kazekage' was in charge of an invasion of said village in an attempt to cripple the village and kill his former sensei, and he got to see Sasuke Uchiha in an actual fight so he could gauge his strength.
Of course, the blond fool needed to arrive in the stadium so his plans could proceed in the first place, and because of his late appearance the 'kage' was planning on eliminating the teen himself.
The current proctor of the exam, Genma Shiranui, was staring down at his watch to pass the time until the blond would be considered disqualified.
Neji on the other hand was pestering the proctor to call the fight early decreeing that fate decided the match before it had started.
"Calm down,kid. Uzumaki still has anther two minutes to arrive." Genma said in an agitated voice.
"I don't understand why we should wait the fool obviously realizes that he would lose to the superior opponent." Neji stated in a haughty voice as if it was a fact.
"Fuffuffuffu. You sure crack me up Hyuuga. You really believe that you're better than I am?" a voice called as a figure landed before the proctor and the Hyuuga prick.
"Who the hell are you supposed to be commoner?" Neji asked the newcomer.
The teen was dressed rather flamboyantly. He was wearing a white shirt with red waving stripes, orange pants with white waving stripes similar to his shirt, pointed black shoes, and it was all topped off with him being in a pink feathered coat and orange-tinted sunglasses.
Overall he looked like a clown had made a painting and proceeded to throw up on it.
"You don't recognize me? I'm hurt, after all it's only been a month." the teen smiled a large smile that unnerved all those present.
"You can't possibly that dead last, can you? It is hard to believe that you look even more garish then before." Neji sneered at the smiling teen hoping to cause one of the blond's famous outbursts, but the fate-driven Hyuuga was surprised to see him laughing instead.
"Did you expect me to get angry and attack? Sorry, but this 'new' look comes with a 'new' way of thinking." Naruto chuckled.
"What?" the shocked Neji spoke for the entire stadium with his blunt statement.
"Is everyone in this village that dense? Let me explain for you simpletons. The Naruto Uzumaki you knew never existed it was all an elaborate act." Naruto smiled at all the shocked faces.
"Why? What was the point of it all?" Neji asked clearly interested in the blond's reasoning.
"It was entertaining. Seeing all of you ants go about your business, thinking you were above me when I was above you, but an unforeseen circumstance made me reveal myself sooner then intended." Naruto said while throwing his arms out in a grand gesture and cackling maliciously.
(In the rookie stands)
'Naruto was never real?' those were the general thoughts of the rookies as they stared at the 'true' personality of the blond and had gathered that he was manipulative and conniving since his first appearance.
"There's no way that Naruto could really be like this. He saved me from that Kumo ambassador and defended me after my loss." Hinata said staring at the blond's smirking face.
"Face it Hinata. Naruto was never our friend he was laughing at us the entire time." Sakura told her while sneering.
Naruto at that moment looked straight at the pair of girls and his smirk grew even more at the sight of their faces.
(Back in the arena)
"So are we ready to start the fight, Neji? Or do you still have a question?" Naruto asked in a tone that was used to adress an underling.
"Just one. Why do you speak as if you are better than me?" Neji scowled.
"Easy, its because I am above you all. More specifically the rookies and I could probably beat a few jonin. The only problem there is that I'd have to cheat with a special power of mine and I would rather win without its excessive use." Naruto smiled at the red-face Neji.
"AS IF A LOWLY COMMONER COULD DEFEAT ME! FATE HAS NAMED ME THE WINNER!" Neji screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Fuffuffuffu, then prove me wrong Neji. Only the strong decide what justice is, winning is your only chance at being right." Naruto said right back just as the match was finally started by Genma.
(Neji vs. Naruto)
Neji immediately rushed the flamboyant teen in anger and expected a quick victory, but was taken by surprise when the blond dashed forward and clutched his face.
"I told you that I'm stronger than you already! So why keep TRYING!" Naruto said and jumped high in the air before dropping with Neji aimed at the ground.
The resulting crash of the impact mad all that were present wince, seeing the spider-web cracks didn't help the situation.
'How did he jump that high with that small amount of preparation? He has to be doing something.' Shikamaru thought. In spite of these events he still considered the blond a friend seeing as he had outsmarted the entire village with his ruse.
"You see Neji my strength isn't anything to sneeze at. I could beat all you rookies at once! In comparison to me you're all as strong as Sakura, and Sakura well... she's worse than she was before. If its even possible." Naruto said and laughed at the pinkette's face because of his jab, all the while he was repeatedly stomping on Neji's chest.
"I'm surprised your chest hasn't caved in. How's about a fresh one?" he asked preparing to deliver a powerful stomp intended to end the Hyuuga's life.
Fortunately Neji rolled out of the way just in time, and witnessed the blond's foot getting a good inch into the hard stone of the floor.
"You were about to kill me! What would Hinata think if you did that?" Neji asked, holding his chest and hoping that the question would stay his hand.
"Who cares? I told you that that persona was fake, I believe in strength as a defining factor and she doesn't have it. I'll admit that she is better than pinkie, but she doesn't have the heart of a ninja." Naruto said actually sporting a frown for a quick second.
The frown was because of Neji's pathetic attempt at appealing to his 'better' nature. Was he stupid or something? That girl was one of the weakest people he knew both mentally and physically.
Hinata could barely make it through spars in the academy because she was worried about harming her fellow students, and she latched on to him because he saved her once. That was what made her the perfect cover, he allowed her to follow him and he pretended to be oblivious to her feelings.
In all honesty Naruto couldn't care less about her or Sakura now, they were the weakest links of the rookies.
(In the stands)
Hinata was currently having a mental breakdown at the blond's words about her. He was just like everyone else in the village he didn't really care about her. His defense of her the month before was all a ruse to defend his own interests.
(Arena)
"You truly are an evil being aren't you?' Neji asked a little unnerved that Naruto had sunk as deep as he had to protect himself.
"I wouldn't call it evil. I will say that she was the best cover for my oblivious persona to really hit home,though." he said not showing any concern over manipulating Hinata.
Neji decided that the talk should end at that instant and charged forward again. The Hyuuga went for a gentle fist strike toward the teen's heart and had struck true.
That is if he hadn't stopped a mere centimeter from the blond's chest. "What's the matter,Neji? You were so close to finishing me, got cold feet?" Naruto laughed as he calmly stepped away from the outstretched appendage.
"What did you do? I can't move!" Neji tried to move his body, but it refused to budge as if it weren't in his control.
"I get it. You want me to attack you now, don't you? Well, if you really want me to-" Naruto said while putting his hand in a clawing motion and if one was to look closely they would see a small shimmer "-I'll be happy to oblige! Goshikito (Five Color Strings)!"
Naruto scratched the air in front of him and suddenly Neji was on the ground in pain with five lines stretching across his midsection, and certain parts of the arena.
(In the stands)
Tenten was in disbelief at what had happened in the arena and her look of disbelief wasn't lost on the other rookies.
"Tenten, what's wrong?" Kiba asked the older girl. "He attacked using ninja strings, but they weren't attached to anything in the arena. Which means that he used them to attack. Its the first time I've ever seen that." the weapon girl was astounded at the blond's ability, but what was he going to do now?
(In the arena)
Neji was still writhing in pain from the attack, those string were so thin that they dug into his body but shallow enough that they didn't cut all the way through.
"Neji Hyuuga is unable to continue the winner is Naruto Uzu-" "Donquixote." Naruto interrupted the announcement as he approached the downed Hyuuga and proceeded to grab his throat while crouching over his shocked form.
"Hey! You won already, stand down!" Genma commanded.
"I know you said I won, but I'm not done yet. What better way to consummate my new look than with a death? I know she won't look, but make sure you tell Hinata that there's been a death in the family!" Naruto sadistically smirked at the growing shock among the populace.
"Naruto! Stand down!" Hiruzen yelled.
"Fuck you!" he replied as he threw back his free hand and a thick whip made up of strings shot out from the bottom of his palm.
"Take one last look at the world around you Neji! Overheat!" Naruto announced his attack, bringing the whip down on his prone form. Just as the whip was going to reach the Hyuuga's face a kick was delivered to the blond's cheek causing him to swing the whip across the stadium leaving a deep gash in the walls.
"Figures. A guy just can't have fun in a place like this." Naruto said exasperatingly to the attackers Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, and Kurenai Yuuhi.
"You have already been declared the winner,Naruto leave Neji alone." Guy told the flamboyant teen.
"I already said that I'm not gonna. That bastard is going to die, it doesn't matter if you jonin cater to him or not." Naruto told them seriously as he stretched out his hand and curled the fingers as if he was manipulating a puppet.
The blond then calmly strode toward Neji and passed the visibly struggling jonin. 'I can't move! What did he do?' Kurenai thought knowing that her colleagues were thinking the same thing.
"Don't bother, there's no way for you to break out. So sit back and watch the show, I hear its a killer." Naruto said as he prepared another whip, but was halted when a large fireball came hurtling at his back.
The blond quickly backflipped over it and was still seen smiling, but his forehead showed that his eyebrows were knit together in anger.
"Y'know you really need to be careful with those fireballs, Asuma. You could've singed my jacket and a guy only owns so many." Naruto stated but was cut off as another came toward the teen.
Naruto didn't even seem worried as he maneuvered his fingers in a net pattern which sliced through the fireball causing the individual pieces to veer away from him.
"What did I just tell you?" Naruto sneered, this was a waste of his time and energy. At this rate he'd be out of breath before the fun started.
"Fine, you win. I'll leave the prick alone." Naruto smirked again as he leapt to the balcony where the genin were located before he casually sat on the railing rather than a seat.
"Well, hurry up and get him off the floor already. We have a tourney to finish." Naruto laughed as he completely disregarded Neji's battered body.
"Um...will Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the Sand make their way to the arena for their match?" Genma asked a little shaken by the blond's actions.
(Minutes later)
The minutes ticked by as Gaara stood in the arena waiting for the duck-ass, but he never showed up.
"Gee, guess Sasuke realized he doesn't have what it takes, Fuffuffuffu. But it really is too bad for you guys." Naruto said to the two siblings in the stands.
"Why is that a bad thing?" Kankuro questioned. "Because, we won't be able to see your skills. Konoha won't understand how much stronger Suna is, after all the prelims only gave us a taste." Naruto said with his creepy smile still on his face "But, I have the strangest feeling that we'll see those abilities soon enough." he finished in a knowing way, scaring the Suna-nin.
"I apologize for the conversation sometimes I tend to ramble. So hot-stuff, enjoy my match?" Naruto asked Temari who blushed at his words.
"As if. I'd also prefer if you didn't hit on me, I like guys that I can actually look at with a having a seizure from looking at his clothes." she replied without looking at his face so he wouldn't see the blush.
"Ouch, this one has some bite to her and I think I like it." he whispered the last bit which reduced the dirty blonde into a bumbling mess.
Before the banter could continue the hokage announced that Sasuke's match was being postponed at the spectator's and kazekage's behest.
"Hmph, figures. They kneel and kiss that bastard's ass all day." Naruto said though the smile was strained, he then outright frowned when Kankuro forfeited his match to Shino.
"The prelims were more entertaining than this." Naruto sighed seemingly not noticing the pinkette behind with her fist raised.
Just as Sakura was about to bring her fist down Naruto spoke in a chilling tone. "You know with my powers I could slice your arm off quickly and cleanly. It would happen so fast that you wouldn't notice until after the fact, problem is you wouldn't feel anything either. I rather enjoy the screams, they're very entertaining like a symphony played by a master conductor." he said as he started turning.
"Make sure that that punch is worth it." Naruto said while standing over the disturbed girl.
Just when it looked like the blond would strike her, a pair of lavender eyes welled up with tears got in his way. "What the hell do you want?" Naruto asked clearly upset at seeing her.
Naruto's harsh response made the girl back up into Shikamaru just as the Nara was going to forfeit his match to Temari. The bump resulted in the lazy boy falling into the arena making his attempted forfeit worthless.
"Is what you said true, Naruto?" Hinata asked with tears threatening to spill.
"Yeah. You make be nice to look at, but your weakness can't be overlooked. That weakness is what made you the perfect cover, though." Naruto said without a hint of remorse or lying in his tone.
"You don't care about me?" She asked in desperation. "No, I don't. I only care about the strong, like my secret subordinates." Naruto laughed nonchalantly (An:he's a real dick ain't he) as he gazed into the arena in time to see Shikamaru forfeit from having too little chakra a.k.a being lazy.
After the arena was cleared and fixed up Gaara and Sasuke were once again called to do battle.
"Fuffuffuffu. I think that he'll actually make it this time." Naruto voiced his thoughts while placing a foot on the railing, a hand on his chin, and a growing smile.
Just as Naruto finished his thought both Sasuke and Kakashi appeared in a swirl of leaves back-to-back in a 'cool' way.
"Sorry, are we late?" Kakashi asked as he took out his favorite book, only to have it ripped to shreds seconds later.
"Sorry, but no smut allowed." Naruto grinned as attention was brought back to him.
"Hn, hey loser. What's with the lame getup, the orange jumpsuit wasn't enough for you?" Sasuke asked in his ever pompous tone.
"Fuffuffu, you wish. I'm just showing my true self, besides with this look when I kill someone they'll remember these colors to their grave." Naruto smiled and waved his hand dismissively.
"Now get on with the show people have been dying to see it." Naruto laughed as Genma signaled the beginning of the match.
Now Naruto would be telling the truth if he said the fight was what he expected. What with Kakashi's training of the Uchiha and Gaara's natural ability the blond had a good estimate of their strength, but he knew that Sasuke would 'win'.
In a matter of minutes Sasuke had nearly beaten Gaara with his stolen speed techniques. Gaara in retaliation erected a sand dome around his body and proceeded to draw out his demon.
Sasuke didn't know what the redhead was up to, but he knew it wasn't good so the Uchiha fell back and started to use his Chidori. Unfortunately as the Uchiha went for the kill he was stopped a few meters in front of the dome.
"What the hell is this!" Sasuke screamed as he tried to move his body.
"Sorry, teammate but I can't let you take out the main attraction." Naruto said as he walked in between Sasuke and the dome.
"Loser! What have you done to me?! Sasuke yelled. "I stopped you from attacking Gaara here. What good is releasing his demon if its going to be hindered? That's too boring, he wouldn't be at full power fast enough for my plans." Naruto smiled further when the jonin of the village hopped down.
"And just what are your plans, Naruto?" Kakashi asked the hated demon of his team.
"I'm going to start a new era for Konoha. This village is getting weaker and only a handful have true strength." he said with overexaggerated motions of his arms.
"Konoha isn't any weaker!" the jonin shouted collectively. Naruto laughed in response clearly undaunted despite being outnumbered.
"If that were true, this invasion would've been stopped before it started." Naruto said as he pointed at the kage booth which was surrounded by purple energy. After the blond pointed this out Shukaku emerged from the dome, cackling like a lunatic which in turn triggered the entire invasion.
"What! You knew about this!" the joonin seethed at the blond. "Sure, thanks to one of my subordinates. I knew about this at the beginning of the exams, I got specifics from Dosu before I killed the bastard." Naruto said with a bow.
"Don't worry, this is your rite of passage. Its all a game to see if Konoha still has what it takes to be on top of the new era." Naruto finished with his arms spread out wide and a (what the jonin would call) manic smirk on his face.
All the jonin were moving to engage the blond, until he raised his hand to halt them. "Hold on a sec, think about what you're doing. If you stop me the invasion most likely will succeed, but stop the invasion and Konoha survives." Naruto offered knowing that the jonin were stuck.
If they took him out Shukaku would destroy the village with Oto and Suna following, but by stopping a double-village invasion Konoha would still be seen as a force to be reckoned with.
"Damn you, Naruto! You planned this very thoroughly." Asuma sneered. "Thanks, I try my best." Naruto said as the jonin jumped past him.
"Release me!" Sasuke yelled completely forgotten. "Nah." Naruto answered with a kick to the stomach that knocked the Uchiha out.
"Make way everyone. A new era is coming, one where only the strong can survive and the weak are trampled! Will Konoha win?! Will the invasion?! Who knows who is on the side of 'right' or the side of 'wrong'! The only answer can come from the winner, for they decide what is right and wrong! FUFFUFFUFFUFFUFFU!"
AN: There you have it a new story and the first of its kind (to a certain extent) choke on it in a good way folks.
Hopefully this gets my creative juice flowing through me like moonlight through ghost dance. Guess that quote and I'll work on my next chapter for a story, but it has to be correct.