Author's Note:
Thank you SOOOOOO much to those who have followed, reviewed, and read this story! It means the world to me!
In response to Amyb11: Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it!
I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please review and comment!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Just Konomi and the plot.
Chunin Exams: Tournament
Suna's Arena
The sun shone brightly over the packed stadium which was filled all the way up to the bleachers and rooftops. At the balcony sat the three Kages: Hokage on the left, Kazekage in the middle, and Raikage on the left, each surrounded by their respected bodyguards. Mabui and Darui stood on each side of A-sama just like the other bodyguards, while Konomi stood closer to the arena keeping a watchful eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
Puffs of color erupted from the sky and the cheers began. Lord Kazekage stood up from his seat and moved to the edge of the balcony, "Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Kages, Daimyos, and shinobi, I welcome you to to Village Hidden in the Sand! Genin from different villages and lands have traveled here to complete in the Chunin Exams, surviving our harsh desert and various challenges, in hopes of becoming chunin. Today is the deciding factor in who will be given the honorable title of Chunin! Without further delay I present to you the finalists of this years Chunin Exams!" He shouted.
On cue 34 genin made their way into the arena and looked up proudly towards the crowd, who cheered and shouted for their favorites.
The proctor Baki walked out and spoke a few words to the candidates and then sent the others up to the ledge across from the audience to watch and wait for their match to begin.
The first match was between a Kiri nin and a Suna nin. Both fought with taijutsu instead of genjutsu or ninjutsu and in the end the Kiri nin was victorious.
Match after match flew by, some bloodier than others. When the tenth match was announced, the Uchiha Clan exploded in cheers and shouts. This was the match everyone had been waiting for: Itachi Uchiha from the Hidden Leaf vs. Chiyoko from the Hidden Cloud.
The air tensed as both candidates made their way to the arena. This isn't just a battle for the title of chunin, this is a battle of villages as well… and everyone knows it. On the balcony the Hokage and Raikage exchange nods with each other. May the best village win. Kumogakure shinobi and Leaf shinobi in the stands locked eyes and flared their chakra, silently giving their genin support.
In the arena Baki started the match, "The tenth match of the tournament, Itachi Uchiha of the Hidden Leaf vs. Chiyoko of the Hidden Cloud. You may begin...NOW!"
Immediately both genin made as much distance between them as possible, before kunais and shurikens went flying back and forth. Both testing each others skill by launching small attacks to try and find the others weak points. Soon Itachi had his Sharingan activated and Chiyoko has demonstrated her lightning style.
Unlike the previous battles, this battle is one of intelligence and timing. Attacks are aimed back and forth but neither are meant to be lethal, just to test the others skill.
In the blink of an eye however, Chiyoko prepared to summon a lightning storm upon the otherwise clear sunny day. It's a big risk on her part, for these jutsus require large amounts of chakra. Itachi tensed when he realized what she was planning.
There were gasps of shock and murmurs around the crowd as they watched in awe that a genin is creating a lightning storm. While they are powerful and deadly, they require lots of chakra for a genin to perform. For an elite ninja or one who is adapted very well to using lightning style chakra, it is a simple task that can be performed in seconds without weaving signs and barely uses their chakra but for a genin with little experience in manipulating lightning it could take up to an hour to create the storm, not to mention immense amounts of chakra needed and high levels of concentration. In Chiyoko's case, she already exerted half of her chakra reserves exchanging blows with Itachi.
Konomi observed from the railing she was leaning on with a frown. This doesn't look good. Her chakra reserves aren't enough to complete the jutsu. With Suna's dry, hot climate as well calling for a storm will require more chakra than usually needed. Glancing at Itachi, she noticed he seemed tired as well. This battle's ending soon.
Slowly the temperature dropped and the sky was darkening as storm clouds wrapped around the once clear blue sky and the sun disappeared from view. The rumble of lightning echoed the arena and flashes were seen peeking out from the clouds.
Lord Kazekage raised his head to the sky in astonishment Well this is an interesting sight, Suna having a lightning storm. He glanced at the cloud genin: Chiyoko Quite a strong one, this battle's getting interesting.
Next to him Lord Raikage looked on with pride These genin are truly impressive.
Lord Hokage frowned at the increasing power of the lightning storm I never thought a genin would be capable of this much power. The Cloud is truly a village to be feared, if their genin is capable of this I can only imagine what the chunin and jonin are capable of. Itachi be careful!
Sitting among the Uchiha Clan, Shisui felt dread filling up in his stomach. This did not look good at all, if Itachi couldn't find a way to get rid of the storm then it was all over.
Suddenly Itachi ran full speed towards Chiyoko and aimed multiple fireballs at her. Breaking her concentration in order to dodge them, the lightning storm was dissolved.
Recovering quickly Chiyoko aimed a water dragon towards Itachi but with his Sharingan he was able to copy it and send one right back at her.
Towards the end both candidates were exhausted and nearly out of chakra. Suddenly Itachi threw a kunai at Chiyoko causing her to jump back to dodge and thud. It was over.
While Chiyoko was dodging Itachi flashed right in front of her with the last of his strength and casted a genjutsu on her. Finally ending the match and gaining another win for the leaf.
The crowd was stunned into silence, one by one people in the audience stood up and started clapping, before long the arena exploded with cheers from both the cloud and leaf. All three kages stood and applauded the brilliant battle.
Konomi clapped as Itachi Uchiha was announced the winner of the match, looking up from her spot however she felt a pair of eyes on her… an Uchiha.
Shisui Uchiha stood applauding with his surprisingly loud clan for Itachi's victory but his eyes were trained on her the entire time.
She recognized him from the restaurant last night and evenly stared back until he broke eye contact. She rose an eyebrow towards his direction but chose to not worry about it.
The matches went on, and Konomi had to admit she was impressed by this year's genin. They were all very skill and were able to perform jutsus that were ranked chunin level.
Towards late evening the matches were finally over and all the promoted chunin stood in the arena as they received congratulations from the three kage.
Konomi knew that even though there would be 17 chunin emerging from this exam, once all the genin got back to their villages some would also be promoted based on their overall performances and how they handled situations in the previous rounds. Some would try again next year and perhaps have better luck but the Chunin Exams weren't the only ways to become a chunin. Shinobi were also promoted on their performance on missions as well as under the recommendations of higher class shinobi. Konomi had no doubt that Chiyoko would be promoted when everyone returned to the Cloud. After all Konomi didn't miss A-Sama's shocked expression when Chiyoko summoned the lightning storm, it was quite impressive.
Out of the 11 genin from the cloud that had been finalists 8 of them became chunin, Konomi and the other Kumo nin was very proud of them.
The leaf looked ecstatic about their genins winning as well. All finalists from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans won and those from other villages were also happy with their genin becoming chunin as well.
"I'm surprised to see the Uchiha Clan showing so much happiness and emotion. I thought all they could do was frown or scowl." Darui who leaned against the rail next to Konomi commented.
She followed his gaze towards the cheering Uchihas. Spotting Itachi Uchiha quickly along with Ran Uchiha who also won. Her speed and aim was quite impressive. Around Itachi, she spotted his parents and some people who she guessed were the clan elders congratulating him. Konomi noticed something gripping Itachi's leg tightly and looking more carefully she realized that it was a little boy most likely his little brother. The sight is very cute. Looking around the Uchiha's once more she spotted the boy that was staring at her earlier, he was congratulating Itachi and Ran before fist pumping with Itachi. Konomi guessed that they were good friends.
"That's what they say about us." Konomi giggles.
"The same goes for the Hyuga's, looks like victory makes everyone loosen up." Mabui adds walking over to them. It looked like all the bodyguards have been dismissed and were now chatting with their newly made chunin and fellow shinobi.
The Kazekage finished his conversation with the Hokage and Raikage and stood up from the balcony. Everyone in the crowd turned and looked at him. "My fellow citizens and shinobi, this year's Chunin Exams has exceeded all expectations and I think you all agree with me when I say these genin are extraordinary. Without question they will serve their village proudly and bring great success and power to their names. Some will become legends and heroes among all, leaving big footsteps for the younger generation to follow. Please join me in tonight's festival in honor of the Chunin Exams and all our participants this year!" He finished and the entire arena exploded with the cheers and shouts from excited shinobi and civilians. Fireworks paint the sky causing more cheers to erupt and soon everyone is roaming the streets celebrating with each other.
Author's Note:
I hope you liked this chapter! Next chapter is the festival and it MIGHT have some Shisui and Konomi moments in it! Please follow, favorite and review! Thanks for reading! Until next time!