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Thank you to the following people: Kisses.In.The.Rain, itachiuchihaaismine, and Cornett for reviewing this fan fiction. It's a real thrill to know what people think of your work, so please review!
Chapter SixThere were six teams or thirteen people left. There was one Sand team, four Leaf teams, and one Lightning team.
Mitarashi Anko felt like eating her red bean cakes forever. Out of the sixty teams that had participated in the legendary Forest of Death, only six had survived. It was another hit on Morino Ibiki.
Then, the Third Hokage stepped in front of the genin. He puffed his puffy pipe, introduced his famous name, and spoke for an hour about the whole meaning about the Chuunin exams.
Basically, Sasuke thought to himself, the Chuunin exams is just to flame one another. How long did I take to think this? Less than five seconds. Old man, shut up and go away.
Thankfully, to everyones, including the calm and mighty Gaara, relief, a Jounin with baggy eyes hopped in front of the Hokage. Coughing, he got up and said, "Hokage-sama, I think I can take it from now. So, since the Chuunin Exams is so important, we have invited many important representatives from many countries. Daimyos, Hokages, Samurai… and villagers from many places all over the Ninja world. As a result, we have decided to hold a preliminary exam. In one month's time, after we have sheared away those not so qualified for the third and final round, we expect the best out of everyone. That aside, we will have one round of fighting for everyone. I'll try to prevent the number of deaths. I will decide the winner, my decision is final, and please don't continue to fight. You can surrender at anytime. Obviously, the winners go to the final round. Before we begin, who would like to surrender?"
Naruto watched in disgust as two Konoha ninjas, one a shinobi named Kabuto left the arena. Cowards... bunch of maggots that can't be loyal to Konoha… The baggy eyed, coughing Jounin waited for a bit more before announcing, "Okay, so for the first round, please look at the electronic tag board above."
Names scrolled quickly for ten seconds, before…
"Uchiha Sasuke and Okita Soujirou, please step forward. The rest of the contestants and their mentors, please make your way to the second level," the Jounin said.
Sasuke stepped up to face the Rai genin. Itachi was passing Sasuke when he stopped. In a low voice, he asked, "Did Orochimaru bite you?"
"So that's what he was called? He tried, but I escaped. Luckily, Rukawa came when I was sure to die. But, why did he want from me? Aniki!" Sasuke got increasingly agitated. Itachi laid a hand on his shoulder and said, "We'll get to this later. Concentrate on this match first."
Sasuke nodded and turned to Okita Soujirou, who had a long katana drawn and hanging at his side. The genin was smiling, and he was dressed in loose, light blue robes. Sasuke hardly smiled back, but thought up of a few battle plans.
"Ready?"
Both parties nodded. The Jounin coughed one then flipped backwards, saying, "Then, begin!"
Okita smiled warmly once more before his entire expression changed to a blood lusted, maniacal charge. Sasuke was about to release his killer intent when the boy had suddenly charged.
This guy is fast! Sasuke thought as the katana barely missed his neck. Following up on his attack, Okita used his forward momentum to sidekick Sasuke, before spinning around and slashing his arm. Sasuke skidded back hard. Sasuke flipped back as fast as he could, before dodging Okita's scissors kick by leaping high into the air. Sasuke turned onto Okita and shouted, "Katon! Gokakyuu no jutsu!"
A brilliant burst of flame erupted from his mouth, and Sasuke watched with satisfaction as Okita was caught in the legendary Uchiha technique. The Chuunin officials and Jounins looked with heightened interest. Usually, only Jounins or Chuunin could master such a technique, but Sasuke had managed it at such a young age with such ferocity. He was no doubt Uchiha Itachi's younger brother.
Sasuke had reached the climax of his leap when his eyes widened in shock. Okita had protected himself by slashing his katana around him so fast that it waved the fire away from him. Once he had cleared a path, Okita leapt into the air with his inhumane speed. Sasuke was gauging the shinobi's speed when Okita suddenly sped up in mid air. Within that fraction, Okita was already in his face, smirking crazily, and stabbed him straight in the heart. Sasuke coughed blood before grabbing onto Okita's sword. "A clone that bleeds… Bakuhatsu Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Realizing that he had been foiled, Okita released his katana and did a few seals.
Goat. Snake. Tiger. Rat. Goat. Monkey. "Ghost Dance no jutsu!"
A memory imprint, like a shadow in full colour, just dimmer, of Okita separated from the shinobi, flipping away before landing, chakra-suctioned on the opposite wall. The body of Okita was blasted away just like Sasuke's clone.
Itachi frowned as the Okita Soujirou residue morphed into the person himself. It was a powerful jutsu, but he suspected that a lot of chakra had been sheared off. From the way he was panting, Okita Soujirou had used up too much chakra, and did not have excellent control. Sasuke was crouching on the wall opposite Soujirou, doing a few seals.
Okita leapt off the wall, screaming at Sasuke, another katana already unsheathed. Sasuke released multiple fireballs at Okita, who dodged out of the way. Sasuke charged at Okita, propelling himself at the shinobi. Three-quarters spent, Sasuke released a fan of shuriken at Okita, who deflected them with his katana. Landing behind Okita, Sasuke ducked Okita's lunge at him. It had been a mistake, for Okita had misjudged the power of his lunge, and he fell forward.
Time to use something I've seen Itachi do… Sasuke smirked as he dealt a powerful mule kick to Okita.
Itachi raised his eyebrows slightly as Okita Soujirou surged into the air, dropping his katana. Sasuke leapt after Okita, locking onto him with the Shadow Leaf Dance.
Time to use something totally of my own…
Sasuke feinted to left, before flipping around and kicking Okita down. Turning another round, Sasuke punched Okita solidly in the gut. Just before Okita connected with the ground, Sasuke spun around powerfully and slammed Okita into the ground with his heel. As he did so, he shouted, "Shi Shi Rendan! (Lion Combo!)"
Sasuke bounced off his heel, and wobbled away shakily, his leg muscles palpitating. The Jounin checked Okita's situation before announcing, "Winner! Uchiha Sasuke of Konoha!"
Naruto shouted for joy and Sakura laughed elatedly. Itachi smiled and patted Rukawa's back. "Hey, the results of your training. Congrats."
"Heh Heh. Nothing I couldn't do," Rukawa grinned.
Naruto leapt off the railing to congratulate Sasuke excitedly, "Sasuke! You dumbass! I almost thought he killed you!"
"Dobe, do you really think I would lose before I fight you?" Sasuke grinned at Naruto, who was stunned.
Naruto grinned back as Itachi took Sasuke out.
Sasuke was unable to contain his worry when they reached the roof of the building. "Aniki! Why the heck did that snake guy Orochimaru want to do with me? Tell me! And what did he mean about Rukawa? Who the heck is Kazuya? Why did he try to bite me?"
Itachi embraced Sasuke and replied, "Orochimaru betrayed Konoha years ago. I exchanged blows with him before. I could have killed him, but at that time I wasn't strong enough to carry out any attack. I've researched on him, so I know a couple of things. He has a warped ambition of learning all the jutsus in the world, becoming what he thinks is the most powerful ninja. He has two options, to gain eternal life or the Sharingan. He has this body possessing technique, and he has supposedly invented a near everlasting life technique. He tried to get Shisui's and my Sharingan. Since he can't, he's probably coming for you.
"Sasuke, at your current level, I know you know the difference in your skills. So, the next time you face Orochimaru, run, hide, and save yourself and your comrades."
"What?" Sasuke shouted. It was abominable to the values that Itachi had been trying to teach him. It was abominable to his clan's pride.
Itachi only hugged him tighter. "Orochimaru is a powerful vermin who you can't beat at your current level. Run, just run. Promise me this."
Finally returning Itachi's embrace, Sasuke said softly, "Okay."
They stood on the roof for a bit longer before Itachi pulled away first. They sat on the ledge, hearing battles carry on below as time stopped for that moment. Itachi said, "It's been… a long time since we've ever done something like this."
"Yeah."
"As for your second question, Rukawa will tell you when he's ready to."
Sasuke nodded as they sat looking at the stars, relieving himself of all worries. His older brother was sitting beside him, his only family, the only one who was protecting him now other than himself.
Once again, Itachi broke the moment. "It's Sakura's and Neji's fight now. Gousaki just announced it. Let's go."
They got up, and the two brothers disappeared through the door.
Sakura could not help but stare at Neji's Byakugan. The sight of the nerves creeped her out. The guy was one year her senior, with a advanced bloodline, and was last year's super rookie.
Lee was at a lost of whom to cheer for.
Itachi had put his team through a lot of pressure of all situations, but it was mainly team play, since he expected them to train on their own too. Sakura was the one who trained the least, but was an excellent team player.
"As much as I want to think better of Sakura, Neji will win," Itachi deadpanned to Naruto.
"What makes you so sure, Itachi-sensei? Don't you have any faith in her?"
"Of course I do, especially since I mentored her, I should know her skills the best. But during our AA-ranked mission, she gained the least battle experience, and the Hyuuga kid has many more years of fighting than she has, even if he only graduated a year earlier."
"But she could turn the tables. After all it's like what you said, you coached her," Sasuke noted. Rukawa stepped out with his arms folded. "Be more critical, Sasuke. The Hyuuga is faster, stronger, and better in many ways, and I doubt Sakura could seduce him even if she dared."
Rukawa looked over at Naruto and shrugged. "Ah well, but we could have some faith in her abilities… A forty-two percent chance."
Sakura made the first move. She threw kunai at Neji, who dodged them effortlessly. What's she doing with academy-style starters? Neji thought irritated. He let another kunai sail past before he went for Sakura.
POOF.
Neji's eyes widened as he caught the kunai he had just let pass turn into his opponent. Even with his blood limit, no one at genin or lowest-Chuunin level would have the reflex to react to a triple kick dealt at less than a foot from him or herself. Sakura flipped after her kicks, before doing a few seals. "Katon! Housenka no jutsu!"
Tiny fireballs went for Neji, but with her unpolished ninjutsu skill, they went slowly enough for Neji to let only one singe his sleeve.Neji smirked before slamming a palm into Sakura's side, before twisting her around and away into the wall. "Gentle fist!"
Sakura lay unmoving as Neji walked towards her. He looked at her with distaste and smugness. "This is what fate is. This was what that would happen… even if the real you was behind me!"
Sakura's Bunshin disappeared as Sakura swung at Neji with a kunai. Neji sidestepped her move and dealt another Gentle Fist to her other side.
Itachi closed his eyes. He had expected a better fight, but this was probably Neji's skill.
Sakura's mind churned as she skidded along the ground. I still need to go on! I can't give up! Not after what I had achieved with those sound-nins! I won't disappoint Sasuke or Naruto this time!
Using will that had detoriated over years of crushing on raven-haired boys, Sakura used her skidding action to flip herself up horizontally before landing vertically. "Katon! Gokakyuu no jutsu!"
A fireball not larger than a man's body sprung from her lips. Neji smirked and protected himself with a Gentle Fist move he knew he could afford. As he dispersed the fire, he was already advancing on Sakura quickly, before… "Bakuhatsu Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Because Sakura had a small chakra store, her ninjutsu displays were a small scale compared to what the rest of Team Seven could achieve effortlessly. With no difference, her Exploding Clone was merely enough to deal Neji a powerful punch to the stomach, which was enough for her.
Several moments before, even with one rib broken, Sakura managed to leap high in the air to rest on the ceiling, suctioned by chakra when Neji was concentrating on dispersing her Fireball technique. She had guessed that he had a limit to his "sight", so now was the time to use it. She had deployed many traps during the Sound-nin's attack and during their four day survival in the Forest of Death, so her reserves were much depleted. She could only settle for a simple trap Itachi had taught them. A trap consisting of a long wire, two kunai, and a few shuriken. It would be the last of her stock, not counting the fact that she had only one kunai left, and only eight shuriken's in her stock. But the wire, was long enough. Sakura had made one last prayer.
As Neji finished the last foot of her fireball technique, Sakura quickly attached and looped her wire, finishing the end with her only kunai. She attached four shuriken two feet from the kunai. From the way she tied her wires, the three shuriken would act as a weight manager for the middle shuriken, so that it would not cut the wire. Shurikens spun when they were thrown, so using only one shuriken to tangle up her final move would be a pure waste of resource. After adding her three shuriken to line up along the string, she finished the end of the wire by knotting her last shuriken and driving it deep into the ceiling. Finally, she stayed on the ceiling to watch.
Neji slammed into the wire, which was secured firmly in an L-shape by the kunai and makeshift kunai. The makeshift kunai was the twister since it was looser. Jerking out, the shuriken-kunai dug into Neji's back. Cursing in pain, Neji tried to pull away. His big mistake. At the pull action, the three shurikens lined along the wire reacted. They were like catapults, and spun into Neji's back and leg. He shouted again. By now, the wire had tightened around his body. Sakura then wrenched the shuriken from the ceiling and hurled it at Neji. It arced around his taut frame once before tightening, digging into his arm. Jumping down to the ground, Sakura took up the kunai and threw it at Neji's back.
"Kaiten!"
Itachi raised an eyebrow when Neji shouted thus. It was not a perfect Kaiten though. Neji spun slower than a true Kaiten, and instead of a chakra sphere, only a foot thick Kaiten appeared, framing his outline. Asserting chakra into his tenketsu points, Neji broke the wire and the shuriken shot from his body. The chakra even clotted his wounds. Neji caught the kunai that Sakura had thrown. He pivoted to face her before returning it at her in full force. Sakura, exhausted by her ninjutsu and taijutsu techniques, had the kunai lodged in her shoulder.
Naruto could only watch as Neji raced up to her flailing body, did a jab step to stop, before raising his arms, hands turned into fists with only his index and middle fingers straightened.
With amazing grace, Neji hit Sakura again and again, bruising her tenketsu points badly and sending her chakra in much confusion. After three seconds, Neji stepped away.
Sakura stood there bleeding for a moment more before Neji dropped all Hyuuga grace, bunched up his right fist, and slammed a punch straight into her stomach. Sakura yelled once and fell.
The coughing jounin observed Sakura for five seconds before announcing, "Shoushou! Hyuuga Neji! Medics, please hurry!"
Neji looked arrogantly at Sakura before smugly turning away. Naruto rushed to meet him at the top of the stairs.
"Hyuuga! You teme! She was already beaten. You didn't need to deal that last move!"
"What was done, was done, Uzumaki. I heard you are quite the idiot?" Neji retorted. "It was her destiny to lose to me, after all. Whether or not a punched her didn't change anything, but it loosed my anger, so on my whim, I punched her."
"You…!"
"Gonna hit me," Neji looked at Naruto coolly, clearly irritated. A welsh of cold made him step aside to look at the Suna shinobi Gaara. "What?"
Gaara glared at the both of them then turned away. They do not have the blood that will satisfy the cravings of kaa-san. Their measly lives can be spared for later when Kaa-san wants it. Uzumaki Naruto… I have to eliminate his existence, and show him that I'm most important to exist.
Sasuke was forced to listen to Rock Lee's gibberish, "Waah! Sakura-chan's last move was pretty cool, but Neji looked through it. His Gentle Fist and Kaiten are remarkable, but unfortunately he does not have the burning fire of youth. The last punch he gave was very unsportsmanlike, Gai-sensei will reprimand him! I, the beautiful blue beast of Konoha, possess what he does not!"
"At least he is not air-headed, so, shut up," Sasuke said and walked away.
The tag board buzzed and beeped before it stopped at two names. A green illumination that contrasted greatly with the black screen read, 'Sabaku no Kankurou versus Naoto Sakumoto'.
Naruto shouldered Neji as he bypassed the genin and walked past the Suna ninjas, who were the closest to Lee and Team Seven. He shuddered as he felt the mummy on Kankurou's back giggle.
Rukawa regarded Naruto calmly as the blond complained about the Hyuuga genin. As usual, Rukawa smiled and replied all of Naruto's questions as best as he could. After a long while, including the Kankurou versus Sakumoto, Temari versus Tenten fights.
Rukawa regarded Sasuke calmly. "What doubts do you have about me? We've been living together for five years now, and yet you don't trust me. Is it because of my strength? The fact that I don't seem even close to Chuunin?"
Sasuke shook his head and explained, "No, not really anyway. If I did, I would be no better than my Uchiha predecessors. They were good clansmen, but failed to judge themselves. Aniki proved that. It's true that I don't really trust you anymore. You're always so distant, as if you're faking that friendly mask of yours…"
Sasuke stopped when Itachi shook his head behind Rukawa's shoulder. Rukawa himself was looking at the ground, his eyes shaded, downcast. Sasuke wondered if Rukawa knew that Itachi had stopped him, but realized his stupidity when he had said, "Sorry, Rukawa."
That was the giveaway. Sasuke could have kicked himself. The damage was done. Rukawa looked up again, his eyes sad. His voice was a calm, cold monotone. It could have been anger, but Sasuke knew it was more of shinobi reality. "Very well, Sasuke, I'll show you my ability, but how much I can reveal depends on the skill of my opponent. If he is weak, there is no point in going all out."
"Thanks, Rukawa," Sasuke said. "B-but… I phrased it wrongly. I trust that during missions, we're a team, and that like all of us, you will deliver your best. I've seen it during the fight on Tazuna's bridge. I-it's... it's just that Sakura, Naruto, and Aniki are easy to read. Aniki only because I've lived with him all my life. Still, that day when you came… I thought about it, and I-"
"Hey, no need to explain. Just drop it, okay? We're going to have a team meeting, you said that yourself."
The tag board beeped again. Rukawa stared at it for a while then leapt off the landing to land on the arena.
Itachi faced Sasuke. "Not very nicely put, ototo. I haven't seen him so angry like this."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Your apologies should be to him."
Rukawa faced down the orange haired ronin-ninja. The guy was shorter than him, but around fourteen. Unlike Okita Soujirou, Shinpachi Nagira used a short katana that was strapped to his back. From the way he was crouched, Rukawa could see that Shinpachi was not going to use his short sword anytime soon.
The jounin examiner shouted, "Begin!"
Rukawa took offensive, splitting into two persons then attacking Shinpachi at different directions. You want to see me, Sasuke? Then I'll let you, Kazuya thought. He let his kage Bunshin go two steps faster than him. Shinpachi decided to defend against the nearer shinobi. He performed a set of seals quickly, clapping his hands together. When he pulled his hands apart, he pulled a band of electricity, attached to his palms. When the Kazuya-clone reached him, Shinpachi faked to the right, pivoted to allow Kazuya pass him by a second, before putting the electric band over the shinobi's neck and slicing it cleanly.
The Bunshin disappeared along with Shinpachi's ninjutsu. Kazuya ran up to Shinpachi, disappeared by sliding under the person's leg, then turned around, hand crackling soundlessly with blue electricity, and put it through Shinpachi's heart, tearing the bloody muscle out. Shinpachi barely had time to live, but he had time to exchange himself with a log.
The heart Kazuya had torn out sprinkled into sawdust.
Shinpachi was standing metres from Kazuya at perfect attack and defending distance. His short sword was drawn, pulsing with yellow electricity. Kazuya drew his longest kunai and ran at Shinpachi. The ninja from Rai village split into three forms and attacked Kazuya simultaneously at perfect angles and timing. Kazuya dived under a swing and leapt over another. The true form of Shinpachi jabbed up at Kazuya's right shoulder, but Kazuya pushed it down.
Shinpachi smirked and shouted, "Spirit Sword no jutsu!"
The katana lengthened with almost opaque electricity and punched through Kazuya's side. Pain and blood screamed out of him. Kazuya grabbed hold of Shinpachi and with a puff of smoke, changed back to who he truly was… a wire. The metal thread danced around Shinpachi for a few moments, the end of it tied to Shinpachi's wrist where Kazuya's hand had grabbed it. Shinpachi barely had time to react when a sharp edge of the wire sliced his right wrist cleanly off, his katana clattering to earth. The rest of the wire bound him tightly, some parts sawing his bones.
Kazuya took little time to pick up the dropped sword and point it at Shinpachi's chest at about two feet away. "Surrender."
Shinpachi smirked as blood dripped from his mouth, "Never, you Konoha tonkachi."
"Very well," Kazuya's eyes brightened. "Spirit Sword no jutsu!"
Shinpachi's eyes widened as opaque electricity shot from his sword faster than he had ever done and punctured his most important muscle. Kazuya dropped his jutsu and pushed the sword into Shinpachi's chest and left it to drop with its dead wielder. Blood had erupted and splattered onto his fast and clothes, but it did not rattle him. He was immune to it already after the many missions he had done.
Kazuya appeared at Sasuke's side as the jounin examiner shouted, "Winner! Kazuhiko Rukawa!"
Sasuke looked at Kazuya in shock and fear as he saw the level-three Sharingan locked in on him. Then the Sharingan turned off, and the fear dripped away. The mantle of coldness dropped off and Rukawa had returned. Itachi called it schizophrenia, but it was not madness. It was a controlled personality. Business and non-business. The only reason why Aikawa Kazuya existed inside of him was because he had not found what Naruto had when Umino Iruka acknowledged him.
Sandaime Hokage quirked his eyebrows at Rukawa. It had been the most interesting Chuunin Preliminary Exam after Uchiha Itachi, the down factor that it lasted only thirty seconds. The boy was far too promising, far too immersed in the ninja arts to be called a genin, even if he was elite. From the little that he revealed, Sarutobi could only guess that the boy was at least high Chuunin. Perhaps he would arrange a talk with Uchiha Itachi and Hatake Kakashi.
Hokage chewed his pipe when the last of Itachi's subordinates was called to fight it out with another Rai ninja. It seemed that the males of his team had no luck with meeting a Suna or Konoha Nin.
Naruto whistled excitedly, took a running leap, and skid-landed on the ground. His opponent chose an even more melodramatic manner, flashing through hand seals so that an electric charge would send his feet slamming into the ground so hard that it crushed the stone slab slightly. The puff of smoke cleared, and the Lightning shinobi straightened up, his eyes leering at Naruto. A novice's call for a challenge. The Hokage and other jounin called him off the list of possible Chuunins.
"Begin!"
Sasuke, Rukawa, and Itachi had not spoken throughout Naruto's match. Sasuke's mind was ridden with guilt and was trying to come up with an apology. Itachi was thinking about his team's training during the one-month preparations. Rukawa was analyzing Naruto's skill.
"You want me to train Naruto?"
"Yes. There will be a month's time for training before the third exam. I'm getting Kakashi for Sasuke. I'll train up Sakura. You can take on Naruto. You can do that, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then, I want to see a Chuunin at the end of
the one month."
"Of course, Itachi-sensei."
"By the way, thank you."
Before the Chuunin Exams, Itachi had held back Rukawa after one of their meetings. It had been a particularly bad one, for Naruto had been a total disaster.
When Naruto had won, Rukawa had thought up of a training program.
The preliminary exams went smoothly, and there was Kankurou, Gaara, Temari, Neji, Rukawa, Sasuke, and Naruto left for the Third Exam. The arena was pretty thrashed up, and the Hokage had already estimated a cost of fifty thousand credits for cheap repairs. The candidates stood on the broken up slabs, the soles of their sandals smearing with blood with each step they took.
The Hokage gave another talk which lasted two hours, before they drew out numbers from the box to decide their opponents. Ibiki collected the data and filled the sheet of paper on his clipboard.
The opponents were as follows:
First Match- Kazuhiko Rukawa and Sabaku no Temari
Second Match- Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Neji
Third Match- Sabaku no Kankurou verses Kazuhiko Rukawa
Fourth Match- Uchiha Sasuke versus Sabaku no Gaara
To Cornett, the Chuunin Exam is a really tough examination, which is extremely hard to pass, as all the Chuunins and Jounins in the canon said. So, only a limited number of genins could get into the prelims, as a result, Sakura lost to Neji since I wanted him to be in the Chuunin Finals. But still, like the real world, examinations isn't the only way to pass, so somehow, she'll still get through, and they can take on more exciting missions. Since Itachi, the presumed genius by Konoha is their tutor, it will be quite natural that they are powerful, even as rookies.
After the Chuunin Exam, there will be less resemblance to Naruto, that I guarantee.
Most of all, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter, and please review!