Sorry I haven't updated in a month and probably won't update again until next month. School's not fun anymore. So that why this chapter is extra long to keep you busy for a bit. I did a cover chapter like always. It is located in my profile. It's Kuma from Jishin. I like his look so I'm going to keep it. Enough talk on with the story.

Chapter seven: The Master of Genjutsu!

Two quick puffs of air landed on a sliver part of a forehead protector causing it to fog up. A soft tissue was wiping it clean giving it that special shiny look as an image of Nezumi face was shown through it. She grinned of her daily duty of doing any kind of work was done for the day. She hopped off of her bed admiring her work and tied her forehead protector around her head.

She was excited today. Today was the start of the finals in the Chuunin Exam. She wasn't excited about her match or even trying to win the Chuunin Exam for that matter. Today was the day Naruto and Syukumei was going to fight. Though Naruto was taking it calmly for the pass four days, Nezumi probably felt guilty of keeping information from him about Syukumei. However, Fushicho told her not speak of Syukumei status to Naruto. She told her Naruto will start to get nervous if he found out what level skill Syukumei was on. Nezumi had to admit she was right, Naruto tend to worry too much and confuse his judgment in battle.

The young Yamagata walked out her room singing her favorite song her older sister would sing to her. She headed into the living room which was small that directly connected to the kitchen with no wall to separate the two areas. Despite the fact that Naruto new apartment was still small, but at least the apartment had two rooms. Actually Fushicho was insisting Naruto get a bigger apartment as she would pay for the expenses. Being Naruto, he told her no. He could afford a place along with Nezumi without adult supervision just like he's been doing throughout his life. Naruto promised on a birthday wish he would take care of Nezumi and that's what he was going to do.

Nezumi took out a box of cereal located on the table because obviously nobody put it away yesterday. She lifted herself up to grab a bowl, spoon and then grabbed the milk out of the refrigerator. She checked the expiration date on it because Naruto had a tendency to leave milk to spoil. She didn't want to end up with a stomach ach. As the date was ok, Nezumi began to pour milk into the bowl.

In his room, Naruto was looking at himself in the mirror hearing Nezumi pour herself a bowl of cereal. He softly touched his forehead protector wondering why he was nervous. He felt this way last time he faced Neji in the first round. However, this wasn't the Chuunin Exam he took before. His first match was a girl and he didn't know how to go all out on a girl.

For the past four days thinking about the Chuunin Exam and preparing for it, it didn't dwell on him until last night, Syukuemi reminded him of Tori. It was strange to think of Tori all of a sudden since the incident nine months ago. He told himself he would move on because he was not helping Nezumi if he was depressed all the time. If Nezumi wasn't depressed, he had to try for her. But it did hurt once in awhile just thinking about her or just somebody saying her name.

A smile came on his face knowing she will be cheering him on in spirit. He was going to achieve the rank of Jounin just like he promised and then Hokage. But first he had to pass the Chuunin Exam first.

"Yosh." He gripped his hands; today he was going to be a Chunnin. He was sure of it. But there was one hurtle he had to face first before the finals.

Flashback

"We should make Nezumi forfeit her match." Sasuke tells Naruto.

Naruto gave him a surprised look.

"Make her forfeit her match?" He answered back.

"Nezumi will get hurt if she stays in the finals. That boy…" Sasuke looked into Kuri eyes and see his determination of winning his match. "He will hurt her and most likely badly too. She does not have a mental mind to hurt or even kill her opponent."

"I know but…" Naurto looked at Nezumi then sees her smile at him. "Just four days then we will decide ok. I don't want to hurt her feelings right now."

"Fine." Sasuke finally agrees with Naruto.

Flashback Ends

"Four days and I couldn't once bring the topic up. I should have never let her joined the team in the first place. She's not ready." Naruto told himself feeling depressed. His mind was made up of what he must do to protect her.

Naruto slowly walked outside his room and saw Nezumi eating her bowl of cereal cheerfully. He gave her a smile when the small Yamagata looked at him to not worry her.

"How come you're not as nervous like me, Nezumi?" Naruto asked her making a bowl of cereal too.

"Because, if I don't dwell over it now, I won't need to worry about it when the exam starts. I know what I can do and that's why I'm going to win my match with flying colors." Nezumi says smiling at her older brother.

"I guess your right." He replied back.

A knock was heard at the door. Naruto shouted out the door was open as Sakura comes in with her medic-nin uniform on.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto was surprised to see her then gave her a sneaky look with a grin. She was here without Sasuke. "Come to wish me good luck in the test? Afraid I'm gonna beat Sasuke. Heh Heh!"

Sakura quickly punched him on the head of his stupidity that has no medic cure to fix.

"Don't be stupid Naruto! I was actually wondering have you seen him." Sakura said with concern on her face. She wanted to walk Naruto, Nezumi and him to the Chuunin Exam arena but nobody was home.

"Don't worry. He told me he was going to meet us there. He wanted to investigate about something." He shrugged his shoulder unsure why and did not care. Sasuke always did what he felt like.

Sakura had a worried look on her face and then had an image of Syukumei looking at her when they first met. Sakura started to get angry of hoping he didn't go see that girl. If he did she was going to kill him. Steam came out of Sakura head as she raised her hand up into a mighty fist, flames filling her eyes. For once she hated to have a Chuunin rank and wish to have her Genin rank still to knock the block off that Jishin Genin for trying to take her first love.

Naruto and Nezumi looked at her oddly asking themselves what her problem is.

A nice breeze was blowing through Konoha, sky clear as day, perfect for a blood battle. Sitting on top of a building that towered many of the apartment buildings in the area, Syukumei was admiring the view of the flowing clouds in the sky. It was a habit she picked up after her teammate passed away nine months ago. She never thought it was peaceful to listen to everything around, until one sits down and focus. At this very moment, she thought she was link to the earth itself as it was whispering to her. Whispering that evil was near.

She reared her eyes behind her. She smirked then went back to gazing at the clouds.

"It's been thirty minutes and you are still watching me…Uchiha Sasuke." Syukumei said in a composed voice not one bit intimidated by his presence.

Leaning behind a wall that divided some distance between the Genins, Sasuke had his arms folded acting calm, not at all concerned that he was exposed.

"Are you spying on me yet again, Uchiha?" She told him moving her hair back that kept getting in her way from the wind blowing.

"I knew my hunches were correct. You knew I was following you. But knowing I was watching you, you have good insight of knowing where an enemy is."

The Jishin Genin shrugged her shoulders and points to her nose. "You may camouflage your sent but that curse mark on your arm can be smelled a mile away."

"So why didn't you say anything before and let me follow you around for four days?" Sasuke asked her.

Syukumei brings one of her leg to her chest and rest her chin, still gazing out in the distance of the Konoha village.

"Because I don't really care," She says, "But if I was in your position I would do the same. I would think the second exam left you with numerous questions of how we pulled off what we did. But if you think I was going to happily tell you that then your wrong. I don't need to explain my actions. It's kill or be killed and I surly will not die in an exam. I have too much to live for."

Syukumei yawns feeling tired and close her eyes as if she just went to sleep not even caring if Sasuke was there or not. Footsteps were coming closer to her as they stop right behind her.

"What do you want with Naruto?" Sasuke bluntly told her without holding it back of what his investigation had lead him to believe why she was here.

Syukumei opened her eyes and looked in front of her again, still in a tranquil state.

"Whatever gave you that impression that I wanted him?" She replied innocently.

"Hayashi Syukumei," Sasuke pounced her full name that started to draw his conclusion of why she wanted Naruto. "When I was with Orochimaru, your clan was on his list to watch out for because it's been around for five hundred years. I know what your clan does and that is why you presented yourself at the Chuunin Exam. Are you here to kill Naruto?"

"What if I say yes," Syukumei eyes behind her with a sinister smile. "Are you going to kill me? A girl….Little oh me."

Sasuke gave her a smirk liking this girl's attitude. She wasn't afraid of him, knowing he was an Uchiha or desire to fall for him like normal girls he encountered with. She was on a level of her own just like Tori. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad because if she was like Tori in strength then Naruto battle will not be a walk in a park. He really wished he had pick number nine out of the white box.

"You may think he is weak of the way he look but trust me, you won't get that luxury of even trying to defeat him so easily."

"Are you his protector?" She started to chuckle and then stands slowly up. "How cute. If I would have killed Naruto or binned his abilities forever to use Kyuubi's chakra, I would have came three years ago when you guys first took the exam."

Sasuke seriously gazed at her of this girl knew more information about them then he expected.

"Actually to be precise I would have had two Jinchuuriki to handle, right. That sand demon Gaara would have been very interesting to play with if I joined the Chuunin Exam then. However I decided not too."

Sasuke knew what kind of creature Gaara was and knew this girl is talking all big and tuff now.

"You were afraid weren't you? You saw what Gaara powers were and you didn't join, fearing that he might turn into that monster I saw years ago."

Syukumei chuckled at his accusations.

"Oh so wrong. I was waiting for them to at least become stronger to survive against me when they took the Chuunin exams again. Just looking at their abilities as they were in the past, I knew they would not be granted the rank Chuunin. Gaara was to cold hearted and thought about only himself. Naruto wasn't all that great in the brain department. Another chance would have presented itself to go up against one of them again and well…today that day has come. I do not care about becoming a Chuunin in this exam. They can keep me a Genin for all I care, more fun if people believe I'm weak."

Syukumei takes a deep breath. "Naruto will make this a special day for me. Heh Heh!"

Syukumei turned around and looked directly into Sasuke onyx eyes of seeing his aggressiveness towards her. She smirked loving the killing sensation in the air that made her blood awaken.

"And nobody will stand in my way." She said in a bold voice saying do not interfere with the battle or else.

To Sasuke it sounded more of a threat and thought this girl was something else. He gave her a smirk.

Walking down the streets of Konoha, Naruto, Sakura and Nezumi was heading towards the arena where the Chuunin Exam will commence. Sakura was yelling at Naruto not to take his fight to lightly as Naruto just told her not to worry about it. Sakura was going to hit him upside the head to get some sense into him but stopped her actions spotting Sasuke and Syukumei together.

Sakura eyes widen seeing Sasuke smiling, will not smiling but a smirk, staring at each other. Her body slowly came to a halt when she seen them together wondering, is this the reason why Sasuke been acting strange the past four days. Sakura hand started to shake feeling a chill go up her spin, realizing she was losing Sasuke everyday.

After saying one last word to Sasuke, Syukumei puff into white smoke.

Sasuke looked at his watch seeing it's almost showtime then looked below him seeing Naruto loud mouth ranting on about something. But then he saw Sakura dismay look watching him directly. Sakura head lowers, not wanting to look at him, enraged that somebody was stealing away her first love.

Unsure of her disapproving look, Sasuke disappears into smoke.

Playing with a lighter, on the lower levels of the Chuunin Exam arena, Fushicho was admiring the flames then watching it go back out again. She was leaning on the wall accompanied with four other medic-nin from Konoha on standby until the end of each match to aid to the contestant injuries. However, the Jishin Jounin mind was deep in thought of finding out what Yoake seen in Oushiza. But she was more concerned of what Rasiden was going to do to the village.

However, it was shocking to Fushicho when she saw Okami mark on Hinata's arm. It would mean Tori finally appeared after nine months of silence. Fushicho would have been more surprised to this incident but she already knew one month after the big blast that she was alive. Though she didn't act on who had her. But the man controlling her….

"Fushicho-san, Fushicho-san?" Sakura called her name. She shakes her shoulder of seeing her in a daze, not responding.

Fushicho snapped out of her little dream world and looked directly at Sakura who was kind of worried.

"Oh sorry Sakura, I was thinking about something." She gave her a reassuring smile to not alarm her.

"Oh. The matches are about to begin in just a few minutes. Nezumi is the first match," Sakura looked out the hallway that lend outside to the arena. "I hope she doesn't get hurt."

Fushicho lights up her lighter again then flips the cap back on it in a whip like matter.

"Don't worry. She will win this match. She is a Yamagata after all." Fushicho told her with a smile. Sakura looked at her trying to form a smile; unfortunately she was still worried about her. Nezumi wasn't an aggressive child to fight and she knew it would be complicated for her to attack somebody. But not knowing what is going to happen, Sakura was anxious to watch her match more then Sasuke or Naruto.

On the other side of the corridors leading out into the arena, Naruto, Sasuke and Nezumi was waiting to go out, to follow the rest of the Genins. Sasuke gave Naruto a look to tell her to forfeit her match right now or he will say it for him. Naruto looked at Nezumi in front of her with a sadden face.

"We should hurry their leaving us." Nezumi says seeing her two teammates not moving as she was ahead of them by a few meters.

"Nezumi wait for a bit." Naruto says as she walked back towards him. "Nezumi I want….you…to," Nezumi gave him a clueless look of figuring out his hesitation. "We want….we want…"

"We want you to forfeit your match." Sasuke blurted out taking the job Naruto was suppose to do.

Nezumi eyed them both not understanding what they are talking about.

"Nezumi you are going to get hurt or even die out there. I hate to say it but forfeit your match. Your first opponent will not give you any mercy and we do not want to see you get hurt." Sasuke said.

"But…"

"I never agreed to this idea in the first place," Sasuke cuts Nezumi off. "But your cousin tricked us by allowing you on our team. You are too young to take it and do not have the necessary requirements to kill a person. I hate to be the bad guy in this but throw your match when it begins."

Nezumi knew what he was saying and had a feeling he was going to say it eventually during the exam. She just needed to know when. She then looked at Naruto trying not to look at her.

Nezumi gave them an out of the blue smile which surprised them. "Then my job is done."

"You're…job?" Naruto asked her.

"Yes," Nezumi says, "My job from the Hokage and Fushicho-oneechan was to get you to the finales. It was your decision if you wanted me to still fight. So to tell you the truth I didn't care from the beginning if I was participating in the finales or not. If you guys made it, that's what it really matters, right."

Nezumi turned around and look at the bright light shinning in at the end of the corridor.

"And besides," Nezumi touched her forehead protector of why she became a shinobi in the first place. "Oneechan would be proud of you if she was here."

Naruto and Sasuke just stare at her knowing she was talking about Tori. Sasuke glanced at Naruto seeing him watch the ground, hating when Nezumi talked about Tori like that. It reminded him that he was useless to protect her. But…

"We should hurry before were late." Nezumi grabbed Naruto's arm bringing him along as he was shouting at her to slow down.

Scratching her head above the arena, Tsunade was in her chair waiting for the finale exam to commence. She yawns how boring this way as Shizune gave her a scolding look of the way she is acting. This wasn't how a Hokage was supposed to be acting at a special event such as this. Tonton was in Shizune arms thinking her actions were pretty funny to him.

Shizune comes closer to her sensei's right ear. "Tsunade-sama, shouldn't you at least act like your interested in the exam. People will talk."

"I'm just waiting for the battle to start," She tells her rubbing her eye. "I would have more energy if my trusty apprentice would let me go to sleep early."

"Isn't sleeping got you into this situation in the first place?" She gave her a scowling look not to bring her sleep deprivation on her.

"So, so." Was Tsunade only comment about it waving her away. She then reared her eyes at the Jounin, toothpick biting Genma, who was about to start the match.

The crowd started cheer to see a show and an exciting one at that. Naruto looked around seeing more people in the stands then when he first took the exam. Scanning the crowd, his eyes widen of who was about to sit in the stands and next to the Hyuuga heir.

"Hayabusa-sama." Naruto said catching Nezumi attention as she looked in his direction. She saw her father in the audience. But rather to be excited to see him it was quite the opposite. She really didn't want to see him. She tried not to see it or block it from her mind about his actions towards her older sister about her death. However his harsh treatment towards her sister mad her feel angry and lucky she was living with Naruto.

"Is this seat taken?" Lord Hayabusa asked his old friend who was surprised to see him at the Chuunin Exam.

"N-No…not at all." Hiashi said to the Jishin king as he took the seat next to him.

"The Chuunin Exam is going to be lively this time. Congratulations on your daughter making it to the finals, Hiashi." He said in a firm voice.

"Thank you and yours too. Though they are both young, it would be interesting how they both do."

"Yes." Hayabusa stare at Nezumi. He would be surprised if she lasted the first thirty second into the final exam at all. "But I'm afraid my daughter will forfeit her match."

"Why do you say that?" Hiashi said surprised.

"Nezumi is a difficult child to understand, but given without a purpose to go forward into the finales there is no need for her to fight. She'll quit just to not make her teammates not worry about her. She doesn't care about rank like others, as long as her teammates succeed, then that what matters to her the most."

Hiashi was going to say something but decided not too. It appeared to him he understand his daughter very well. Quite frankly he thought he had the oddest daughters in the world.

Yawning by putting his hand over his mouth, Shikamaru slouches over in his chair lazily hoping the exam will begin. Sitting next to him was Ino who was giving him an angry look.

"Shikamaru you could at least act interested. Where here to support Nezumi, Sasuke and Naruto in their match."

"Pfft. How troublesome." Shikamaru bored look knew Ino was here to look at Sasuke fight and that's it.

"May I seat here?"

Shikamaru eyes widen of that voice and here of all places. He slowly turned his head to the left to see a blond hair, four ponytail kunoichi that had more attitude then his mother. She gives him a kind smile.

"Temari." Shikamaru said and surprised to see her face painted brother as his attention was in the arena thinking they came just in time. "Kankurou. W-What are you two doing here?"

The two Jounins from the Sand village sit down as Temari was next to Shikamaru. She gave him a smile then back at the finale contestants that made it out of second exam. Brave souls she thought dealing with the Jishin Genins.

"To watch a good match of course and besides Nezumi is one of the finalists," Temari looked at the shortest person among the group. Every time she looked at the little Yamagata it reminded her of the one that would have loved to be here. Having her presence only felt right to Temari even if she had to drag her doll loving brother with her.

It was a no brainier to Shikamaru what she meant by that and left it like it was. He gave her a smile. "Then you're just in time. It's about to start."

Ino watched the interaction between the two and felt happy inside that people came to support Nezumi even if she win or lose. Just to make it to the finales at her age was surprising to her.

"Hmph. That little brat better win her match or were disowning her. We don't hang around with losers." Kankurou said out of the nowhere.

Furious, Ino punched Kankurou on top of the head. "DON'T BE AN IDIOT!!!"

Tsunade looked around of all the contestants and audience members are here. She stood up from her chair and looked down upon the rowdy crowd, excited of the contenders competing in this match.

"Ladies, gentlemen and guests, thank you for gathering here in Konohagkure for the Chuunin selection exam!" Tsunade announces. "We will now begin the first match of the final round between twelve candidates who advanced in the second exam. Now it is time to sit back and enjoy the show. The Chuunin exams will begin!"

The crowd shouted out loud in a loud cheer as they all wait in anticipation of the battle that will begin.

Genma turned around to look at the finalists chewing his toothpick looking at two familiar faces. The Uchiha and that Kyuubi kid again. Huh. What an interesting battle to watch then they go up against monsters just like themselves.

"Listen up all of you," He grabs there attention. "This is the last exam. There are no set rules. Any Jutsu can be used at your disposal. You fight until one of you dies or admits defeat unless I determine that a clear winner had already been decided. I'll stop the match before anyone is killed but there are no grantees. Understood? Now let's get this party started. First match Yamagata Nezumi and Shibewi Kuri you two stay here. The rest will go to the waiting room outside the area!"

The two finalists stayed behind as Kuri was giving Nezumi an evil eye added with a smirk. Sasuke picked up on this little demon in the making of he wasn't going to get his chance to humiliate Nezumi in anyway. Naruto looked behind watching little Nezumi reaction staring back at Kuri and then a smile. Naruto smiled a bit then sadden again thinking was it right for her to make her forfeit.

Tori. Why did you choose me? Naruto thought to himself of hating to make decisions like these.

Syukumei was the last one to walk pass Nezumi and stop in her tracks. She didn't look behind her but Nezumi had a felling to turn in her direction.

"Nezumi, try to go easy on the boy. You don't want us to come and stop the match now do you." Syukumei smirk and kept on walking.

Genma glance at Syukumei and thought something was off about her. Stop the match. Pfft. What the hell is she talking about? He looked at Nezumi overjoyed personality. He even had his doubts of why she was in the finals in the first place.

The crowd was settling down waiting for the match to begin. Most of the people in the crowd started to laugh of Nezumi small size as she looked totally out of place. They thought no way this girl could be a Genin. They all had their money on who was going to win the match and it was Kuri.

Temari eyes wondered hearing the conversations from a few people. Those idiots. The match will be over before they know it.

The other finalists made their way to the waiting room as they started to look down at the match about to begin.

Nikato stretched out thinking this was going to be a long day before her match comes. "This is going to be a quick match. I already know the victor before it begins. Sakoto you mine as well get ready in about five minutes."

Naruto looked at her angry that nobody believes that Nezumi was going to win in the first place. He could hear it in the crowd. It was the same atmosphere when he took the exam the first time. Nobody believed he could win against a genius like Neji and he did. A failure like him, last in the class proved all of them wrong.

"Nezumi! You better win kid!" Keitaro yelled out along with his teammates in the stands. Though they had Band-Aids on their face from the second exam but they cheered Nezumi on as this caught Naruto and Sasuke attention.

"You better win kid! Beat that kid up!" Haru yelled out.

Naruto looked back down at Nezumi of how stupid he is. He is no better then those people that doubted his abilities, to let another team, who only meet her two weeks ago, is cheering her on.

Damn it. Naruto clenched his hands of his stupidity.

Flashback

Nine months ago

At night Tori and Naruto was standing near a lake outside Kaiyo village, one of the five protecting villages of the Teutoberg forest in their swim suits celebrating Tori's birthday.

"I…hmm…Naruto, do you want to know what I wished for for my birthday," Tori looked at him serious.

Naruto eyes her of this being out of character for her.

"Naruto I wanted to ask you, if anything happened to me would you take care of Nezumi for me?" Naruto was caught off guard by Tori's wish. "I thought about it a lot and when I look at you your always happy, even happy in the most worst conditions. Nezumi and you are just the same and I want to keep her happy too."

"Tori."

"Can you promise me this?" Tori looked at him worried.

Naruto sees a troubled look on her face. He smiled to lighten her spirit and gave her a thumbs up. "Then it's a promise."

"Thank you Naruto." Tori smiled joyfully that he would accept her birthday wish.

Flashback ends

Naruto brings his right hand to his face and clench it how his scared actions of Nezumi getting hurt confused his judgment. He was no better then Hayabusa himself controlling Tori.

Tori I'm not sure if this is what you would have done in my next decision but I will not be afraid of what happens. Where here because Nezumi got us here scott free without to many complications. I promised you on your birthday. And I will keep it. Naruto looked down towards Genma about to start the mission.

"Now then match one begin!!" Genma yells out starting the match.

Kuri gave Nezumi a sinister smile. "I'll be a nice guy and allow you to quit your match. I don't like hitting girls younger then me. If you don't want to get humiliated then forfeit your match. I'm only saying this because you are Hanabi's friend."

Nezumi sighs of thinking is all little boys so cocky. That's why she doesn't like them now. They all think there badass but put one on one and their crying like babies calling their mommy. Nezumi didn't care if she faced him or not. It was for the best for his safety anyway.

She raised her hand that caused a commotion in the crowd that she was about to forfeit her match.

"I forf-"

"NEZUMI!!! Don't forfeit the match!!" Naruto yelled out the top of his lungs.

Sasuke gave him an angry look. "What the hell are you doing Naruto?!"

Nezumi turn her attention in Naruto direction shock.

Naruto pumps his fist in the air. "You better win! Don't let this kid scare you! Wolves of the forest don't quit!!"

Nezumi eyes widen of hearing those words from her older sister.

"What a loud mouth boy." Kuri eyes gazed towards Naruto in waiting room then he oddly looked at the Jishin Genins next to him with scary expressions on their face like he was a piece of meat.

"Naruto what the hell!! Are you trying to get Nezumi hurt or killed!" Sasuke yelled out towards him and was about to grab his collar.

"Sasuke, I was trusted Nezumi by Tori herself," Naruto eyes was focused on Nezumi while Sasuke was stunned to hear Naruto finally say Tori's name in quite some time. "If I keep her caged like a bird than I will be no better from her father. We are here because of her and I will let her finish it in her style."

Naruto smirk and look at Sasuke with a cheese smile. "Besides my money is riding on her anyway. Where running little low on money this month and rent is due soon."

Sasuke gives Naruto a sulking look of an idiot is always an idiot. Although what Naruto said was right. Controlling somebody's destiny can lead to destruction. Tori and his older brother were prim examples of caged birds. Sasuke for once did not want Nezumi to turn out like neither one of them.

"Fine." Sasuke finally said then crossed his arms and focus on the battle.

Foolish fools. Nezumi will never be defeated. Those who look into her eyes will fall under her spell. Syukumei licks her lips eyeing Nezumi of the hidden potential power inside of her.

"Yamagata, are you going to forfeit your match?" Genma asked.

"No." She said happily while lowering her hand. "Oniisan says no then I have no choice but to fight."

Nezumi eyes glance towards Kuri. "But you should." She directed her words towards Kuri that made him angry.

"Don't push it little girl. I was just being nice to you!"

"And so am I." She replied back to his comment cheerfully.

Kuri took out two kunais and held them in his right hand ready to attack.

Nezumi smiled back then put her hands in a rectangle as if she was capturing a picture in her site.

"Huh what kind of hand seal is that?" Kuri oddly look at her.

"What is that girl doing? Is she really going to fight or what?" Shikamaru said leaning over the railing in front of them lazily, trying to figure out what she is trying to pull off.

"This is stupid waiting. I'll just atta-" Kuri body froze of looking into the rectangle shape box by Nezumi hands.

'Foolish boy. Now your mind is under my control.'

'W-What the…' Kuri eyes widen stunned seeing a floating eye in the rectangle box. However this wasn't no ordinary eye, it was a demonic eye of a blood thirsty animal.

Kuri looked around noticing the area has changed into another dimension, resembling a barren wasteland. The world he was standing in resembled a waste land. Large bones of animals was submerged under the harden soil as the moon in the sky was red as a ruby.

What is this? Where am I? No I'm still in the arena but stuck into a Genjutsu. Her Genjutsu. Damn it. When did she perform it? Kuri glanced forward but notice Nezumi wasn't there. Where she disappear too?!

"Yo!"

Kuri feels a horrifying presence near him. The young Genin eyed the crumbling ground seeing a shadow then looked above him. Nezumi was floating in the air but her feet was flat like if she was walking on the ground. But what surprised the boy were her eyes. Her eyes were red just like the bloody red moon.

"W-What the hell are you?!" Kuri shouted out unable to move his body still. His heart was pounding every second for some unknown reason. How could he be afraid of a little girl that's five years younger then him? It was absurd. He didn't want to accept it. He was going to break out of this Genjutsu.

Kuri bit down on his lip to wake himself up. He pressed harder as blood trickled down his mouth and dripping down on his clothes. Concentrating on pain…he stop as his eyes widen, puzzled and afraid all at once. What the…Why can't I get out of this Genjutsu?

"Because my power is far stronger than a normal boy such as you." A devilish smile forms on Nezumi face as if it wasn't her at all. She bends down in a squatting position and gazed directly into Kuri's eyes. "It's been awhile since anybody has played with me. Heh Heh Heh! Don't worry it won't hurt. Much."

Kuri body was trembling of death feeling inside his heart. He could feel another life form with tremendous power inside this hell where Nezumi brought him. It was a power he never felt before as it circulated around, making it difficult to pinpoint where it was coming from.

His eyes were locked into Nezumi demon eyes as he saw what was inside the dimension with them.

"AAAHHHHHHH!!!"

In reality everybody was confused of what was happening. The finalists haven't moved in three minutes which made Genma concerned of what was happening. For a split second his eyes started to wonder around the area.

Where is this evil presence coming from? Genma thought then reared his eyes back at Nezumi. It can't be. The examiner then looked at the Hokage with the same clueless look as his. It was then he notice something was off. All the Jishin Genins had a sinister smile on their face, eyes locked onto the battle. He knew they were seeing something he was not and it scared him. Quite freakily their entire village scared him as even the backup guards from Jishin was eyeing the arena.

"I don't get it. What is going on?" Naruto said scratching his head puzzled.

Eying out the corner of his eyes, Sasuke watched the Jishin Genin expressions. Something is happening and only they know about it. But…Sasuke grabbed his arm reacting for unknown reason. This curse senses powerful chakra near by. What is Nezumi doing?

Then Sasuke finally caught on what Nezumi was performing as he looked at her fighting stance, as if you can call it that. I get it. That hand signs is just a distraction. Sharingin!

The Uchiha blood awakens as he saw blue chakra emitting from Nezumi body that was unseen by the naked eye. Sasuke eyes widen. A Genjutsu!

Genma heard footsteps moving then looked out the corner of his eyes. Nezumi was walking towards her opponent as Kuri looked in a daze and discombobulated. Kuri eyes were in a glass state of not reacting to Nezumi walking towards him.

"What the hell are you doing Kuri?! Attack her!" Akio yelled at his paralyzed teammate.

Hanabi just looked on, wondering what is going on. She knew Kuri could have easily won the match. What the hell was he thinking?

"Why is that kid not fighting back?" Sakura asked the Jishin Jounin clueless like everybody else.

Fushicho smirks. "Those who eye the blood red moon will lose their mind in the pits of hell."

"Huh?" Question marks were placed all around Sakura's head of what the hell was she talking about. However, she didn't like the smirk on Fushicho face. It reminded her of the devil snake Orochimaru.

Nezumi stopped inches away from Kuri's body. The boy's eyes were directed forward like nobody was home as Nezumi sticks out her hand near Kuri nose, palm up. White dust was seen as she gently blows it right in front of her opponent nose for him to inhale it.

With one flick of touching Kuri's body, it falls straight back like a tree was being cut in the forest, and it's the ground.

Everybody eyes widen in the audience as it was quiet. Whispers were everywhere of trying to figure out was that boy dead.

Fairly surprised like the rest, Genma walk over and touched Kuri neck to make sure he was still alive. So I see, he's just asleep. Sleeping powder.

The examiner gets up then points in Nezumi direction. "Yamagata Nezumi is the winner of the first match."

"WHAT!!!" Everybody said out loud.

"What the hell is going on?" A man says in the crowd.

"How did that little girl win?" Another group of people say.

Horishi eyed Hayabusa wondering the same question.

"Nezumi only shows her true shinobi skills when her team is in trouble. She doesn't show boat them to others like children her age. It will break the Genjutsu placed upon them. She's what we call in our village, a Silent Black Horse." Hayabusa said to Horishi.

Horishi looked back at Nezumi. A silent black horse? Hayabusa, how many are your children are monsters. To have this kind of level thinking at a young age, it's scary to think how skillful she will be when she gets to Hanabi's age right now.

"She won?" Naruto says dumbfounded. "She won. She won! Nezumi nice job!!!"

Naruto jumps off the waiting area and into the arena, running towards Nezumi.

"I knew she was going to win. Foolish child, he should of forfeit his match." Nikato stated yawing again of being tired.

"Hanabi, how did Kuri lose? He just got owned by your little friend" Akio asked his white eyed teammate.

"I'm not sure. Must be a Genjutsu she used on him. Probably that weird hand sign she used in the beginning." Hanabi said in a calm voice of not worrying about her abilities. Genjutsus don't work on the Byakugan. So when she beat her opponent she will beat that Yamagata.

Syakumei eyed down at the little Hyuuga feeling a sense of jealously against Nezumi. She just smirked as she needed to worry about her own match which is next.

"Sakoto. Let me enjoy your battle." Syakumei said to her little sister.

"Yes."

"How did Nezumi win that match, Temari?" Ino asked watching Naruto congratulate Nezumi.

"All I know it was a Genjutsu. Just like I knew she was going to win her match from the beginning. It's a Genjutsu that she rarely uses that nobody has escaped it yet. That is why nobody has been able to touch her in battle." Temari replied but always wondered how much chakra Nezumi had to use to produce such a powerful Genjutsu.

Leaning on the railing, Shikamaru had his eyes on Nezumi knowing there was more to that Genjutsu. But he was surprised how Nezumi was perfectly calm throughout the battle and caught Kuri in her trap. Interesting kid.

Nezumi won her match just like Fushicho said. Tsunade looked at Fushicho watching the Konoha nurse transport Kuri unconscious body towards the infirmary. Fushicho gives her a thumbs up and Tsunade gave her a thumbs up back.

Whatever that little girl pulled it worked! Tsunade rubs her hands together like an evil greedy villain. Money. Money. Money. That little girl will pay half my debt off by today. Lucky me!! BWAHAHHAHAH!!!

"I don't like Tsunade-sama face!" Shinzuni had a frighten face hugging Tonton. Tonton attention was in the arena directly at Nezumi sensing powerful unusual chakra coming from her. The medic-nin pats the pink pig on the head. "What's the matter Tonton?"

"Sasuke-oniisan, Sasuke-oniisan I won!" Nezumi said running towards him. She paused in front of him and gave him a peace sign of her victory.

Although Sasuke had many questions on the Genjutsu Nezumi used but he would allow her to enjoy in her victory. "Nice job Nezumi. I'm proud of you."

She gave him a big cheese smile.

"Next match Hyuuga Hanabi and Minamoto Sakoto please step forward." Genma said as both finalists was already inside the arena and facing each other.

Hirashi was in the crowd watching, nervous for his daughter to have to go up against a Jishin Genin. But he wanted his daughter abilities to be tested by the best, to see if she had the ability to carry the Hyuuga bloodline.

"Ready begin!" Genma said giving the signal and step back.

Hanabi hop back a few meters and then activate her Byakugan. She got into her Juuken stance ready for action. Sakoto was not intimidated going up against a Hyuuga. She had a full knowledge of what the Byakugan can do and smiled about it to Hanabi face.

"You won't be smiling by the end of this match." Hanabi said tired of walking on egg shells around her and the Jishin Genins.

"Hmph," Sakoto looked at Hanabi. "Compared to your sister, you're nothing more than a little pampered kitten seeking approval from daddy. You're not worth my time or effort."

"What the hell you say!" Hanabi growled back comparing her to her sister and weak at that.

"Come if you can." Sakoto said egging her on.

"I will!" Hanabi charges at her opponent not wasting anytime as Sakoto stood their waiting for her to attack.

"Show me a red moon Sakoto." A devilish grin forms on Syukuemi face as she licks her lips of fresh blood is about to spill.

Wow. Nezumi advance forward to the next round and Hanabi better watch her temper or it could be her doom. But how does Sakoto knows Hanabi's past? Next chapter Hanabi vs. Sakoto and Sasuke vs. Kuma. And finally Hinata wakes up from her slumber. What will Kakashi, Gai, and Kuneari do about Tori being alive?

Next Chapter: The Red Moon