Melancholy's Smile – Naruto Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I don't
own Naruto.
Author's
Note: Nothing interesting to share.
Pre-readers:
Yurusane and MehPhisto
Kakashi took a look at the remaining participants of the Chuunin Exam. They were all very promising.
Sabaku no Temari, the Suna Kunoichi with her impressive weapon; a fan with Wind-Element attacks. She was ferocious and determined, he could tell.
Hyuga Neji, the top Genin from last year and a prodigy even within the Hyuuga Clan. Rumour was that he had already mastered quite a few moves only usable by those of the Hyuga Blood.
Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto were his own students and, he proudly thought, they could probably wipe the floor with all others.
Sabaku no Gaara was also a dangerous individual, but he and Naruto were prepared to interfere if it would get out of control.
Nara Shikamaru, Asuma told him, was a genius who could think two hundred steps ahead. Quite the exaggeration, Kakashi suspected. But just in case it was true, he would not be surprised.
Dosu Kinuta was the only remaining Sound Member… if he were still among the living… The bandaged young Ninja was found dead a few days ago.
Aburame Shino didn't show a lot, but what he showed was very promising. Kakashi knew the calculating mind of an Aburame, after all.
Kakashi felt proud that his entire team was still in this Exam. 'I am a good Jounin Instructor, I suppose.'
Melancholy's Smile
- Chapter 6: Firing Back
The Third had also observed the remaining Genin down in the fighting area and waiting area. The next match would Haruno Sakura against Sabaku no Gaara. After that, was Uzumaki Naruto against Hyuga Neji. Then, Sabaku no Temari against Nara Shikamaru. Aburame Shino was supposed to fight Dosu Kinuta, but now he had an easy way to the next round.
"I suggest you forfeit." Gaara's cold voice came to her ears and she couldn't help but glare at him. "Uzumaki Naruto is watching this game."
Why would it matter if her blonde teammate was watching this? 'Could he be afraid Naruto would hurt him, should he hurt me?' Sakura wondered. "No. I will prove my worth."
Gaara considered her. "If Uzumaki Naruto thinks highly of you, then perhaps this might not be a waste of time."
'Naruto thinks highly of me?' Sakura wondered again before she focused completely on her opponent. "Sabaku no Gaara." She bowed. "Let's begin!"
Gaara couldn't help but appreciate the gesture and almost allowed a smile to appear on his features. "Yes."
Sakura smirked as Gaara used his sand to attack her. Gaara narrowed his eyes as the pink-haired Kunoichi was too fast. 'Not as fast as that Rock Lee, but still able to avoid my sand. Impressive, for a female Shinobi.'
And then, Gaara saw her fist to his left and watched sand rise to shield him from the blow. What happened caused him to turn his head completely. The power in the blow completely crashed his defense and her fist came close to him.
This seemed familiar. Before, with Rock Lee, it was speed that got passed his defense. But now, with this girl, it was power.
Up in the stands, there were different reactions. Temari had her mouth open as she stared as Sakura, a Kunoichi she thought was weak, was actually giving Gaara a bit of a situation.
Naruto and Sasuke grinned. The female part of their team was finally looking good!
Shino was also surprised. 'Being put into a team with Sasuke and Naruto has proven useful to her. They seem to have become the more talented ones of the Konoha Genin...'
'Interesting…' Gaara thought. "San Suna Bunshin." Gaara muttered.
Sakura jumped back and watched three Sand Clones being formed around Gaara. 'I'll crush those!'
As she approached one of them, Sakura's eyes widened as the Clone exploded in sharp spikes of sand all around it. Sakura could barely roll away and dodge.
But she managed and threw Kunais at the other two Sand Clones. Gaara looked on with little interest as the Exploding Tags did their work. "Not bad, Haruno Sakura." Gaara calmly let out. "But I have to end this, because this is pointless. Sabaku Kyuu!!"
Sakura jumped away from Gaara's many attempts to grab her with the sand. "Suna Shuriken!!"
Sakura winced as several Shurikens made out of sand hit her right arm. But they were just scratches. Naruto had told her Genjutsu would probably be a waste of Chakra and that she should just use her strength to try and get past his defense.
So she would do just that.
Gaara narrowed his eyes as Sakura performed a simple Bunshin Technique. He released his Desert Coffin again and watched as he erased several illusions. Several Sakuras were clinging onto the walls and ceiling, but Gaara paid no attention to them.
Even if she did have some power in her, Gaara still knew he would be victorious.
"Doton, Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu!!"
Gaara's eyes widened as his sand was forced to defend him form underneath. And with all his sand occupied, he was forced to prepare for the coming blow coming from a Sakura coming from above him.
Everyone winced at the power in the blow.
Jumping backwards, Sakura watched the humongous crater she created by punching Gaara straight into the ground.
"H…How?" Gaara asked as he rose again, now sporting a wound just below his right eye.
"Kage Bunshin, not Bunshin." Sakura explained. 'Although it takes a lot of Chakra for me to create even one… I don't understand how Naruto can make so many.'
"You taught her?" Sasuke asked Naruto.
Naruto sighed. "She asked." They turned their attention back to the fight.
Before Sakura could respond, Sand grabbed her from all around her. The Gaara in front of her slowly walked towards her. "Forfeit now…"
Sasuke, with his Sharingan, watched as Sakura gathered Chakra. 'Not bad… she's using Chakra to get out. With her Control… It just might be possible.'
Gaara was shocked as Sakura exploded with Chakra, sending his Sand away. 'What?' Sakura was panting, but Gaara was intrigued. 'How did she manage to do that? No one has… Enough.'
"I will no longer hold back, Haruno Sakura. I will now strike you down."
"I concede defeat." Sakura let out. "I am almost out of Chakra and can not continue."
Gaara nodded his head. 'Uzumaki Naruto has good teammates.'
---
Shiranui Genma called for the next contestants to come down for battle. "Hyuga Neji against Uzumaki Naruto. Please… Begin!"
Neither moved.
"I saw you in the Forest of Death. You do not frighten me, Uzumaki Naruto. You understand, somewhat, the pains one can endure. But you've come to stand before me now. And I shall teach you a lesson in pain."
Naruto calmly glanced at his opponent. "Hyuga Neji. I have to become Chuunin. I already know you can not kill me, so I will handle this quickly."
Neji snorted. "You assume too much, rookie."
Naruto smirked as his eyes turned red, much to Neji's surprise. "Come, then."
'A Doujutsu?' Neji thought as he activated his Byakugan. 'He holds… He holds more Chakra than most Jounins I have seen! But no matter, he lacks the control.'
Naruto simply let Neji attack him as the Hyuga came near him. What came next, surprised him greatly.
It was new, this sensation. It was pain he hadn't felt before? Stumbling backwards, Naruto blinked as Neji grinned. "Ah, I can see this is your first time feeling the effects of the Jyuuken. It goes to show you know nothing about real pain, rookie."
"Jyuuken?" Naruto coughed and tasted iron in his mouth.
"I hit you in a vital spot, so you should just quit right now. Our style attacks your organs." Neji explained. "You could continue, but I advise against it. You stand no chance against-" His Byakugan eyes widened as he saw Naruto's body healing himself in seconds. 'His body… It's healing the area I attacked.' Neji quickly calculated. 'That is his skill, then? Rapid regeneration? But then, how come it took so long? His body, perhaps it has to get used to the Gentle Fist. I'll have to do this quickly.'
"You are within the field of my Hakke." Neji muttered as he fell into stance. "Hakke: Rokujuu Yonshou!!"
Naruto's eyes widened as this pain was completely new to him. 64 Attacks, each perfectly aimed, made him fall to his knees.
"I will finish you off now, while your body is healing." Neji said as he stood in front of the kneeling Naruto. "You have a great ability, but mine… is much greater."
Naruto chuckled in excitement. "I like you, Hyuga Neji!! Kill me, then, now!!"
Neji's eyes widened. "How can you laugh in the eyes of defeat, rookie?"
"Quick, before it's too late!! Kill me!!" Naruto screamed.
Neji glared. "I shall not! I will knock you out!"
And then, everything changed and Neji's eyes widened as red Chakra surrounded Naruto. "Don't. You. Dare." The blonde growled as he slowly rose to his feet.
"Impossible!! You shouldn't be able to mold Chakra like that." Neji jumped backwards and activated his Byakugan again. 'As I thought, his body has already healed. I shouldn't have hesitated.'
"Foolish! You should have killed me when you had the chance!! You held the possibility of finishing one of this Village's greatest wishes and you denied it?! I will punish you for this!"
Neji's eyes widened more at the Chakra in front of him. "S-Shi- Kaiten!!!"
With the wave of Demonic Chakra washing over him, Neji could only do his Heavenly Spin, but even that wasn't enough. He was roughly sent into the wall.
"What… What are you?!" Neji demanded. "No one should have so much Chakra!"
Naruto chuckled. "You lost the right for asking questions when you denied the chance to finish me off!"
"What are you saying?!" Neji wanted to continue, but didn't even sense or see the next fist in his gut.
"Shut up!! I will kill you now!!" Naruto yelled as he performed a few handseals. "Kinjutsu: Kassatsu Jizai: Eimin!!" A strange Chakra surrounded Naruto's right hand, before he smashed it straight into Neji's face.
That is, if a certain someone didn't interfere.
Naruto's eyes were widened. "Let me kill this ungrateful Shinobi!! He has wasted perhaps the only chance to-"
"Silence, Uzumaki Naruto." The person warned. "I thought we had come to an agreement on using certain Jutsus?"
Naruto scowled as he got his right hand back. "I'll do what must be done. He had the chance to end my existence, yet he ignored the wish of Konoha. He should be killed." he paused. "Hokage-sama, let me-"
"Enough, Naruto. This match is over. The winner is Uzumaki Naruto." He nodded to the examiner.
Neji fell to his knees, utterly terrified. 'That… that would have killed me, if it wasn't for Hokage-sama…'
"Make no mistake, Hyuga Neji. Have I the chance, I shall punish you for your mistake!" Naruto said as he glared once more to him over his shoulder, while making his way back to the waiting area.
'My mistake? Not killing him, was a mistake? He should be thankful!!' Neji thought. 'I'd rather not face this monstrosity again…'
"Hyuga Neji, are you alright?" The Hokage asked.
Neji sighed as he had already observed his own body with his Byakugan. "My ribs are all broken." He pointed out. Medic-nins were already on the way.
'He's strong... I wonder if I can defeat him?' Sasuke wondered as he observed how Neji was carried away on a stretcher.
Genma was glad the Hokage had come to rescue the Hyuga, because he wasn't so sure if he was able to do just that. "Will the next contestants please come down?"
---
Kakashi shook his head at Naruto. "Naruto… You just had to lose control, hm?"
Naruto considered his teacher. "That stupid idiot held the chance to kill me. I shall NOT forgive him!"
"No, he wouldn't have been able to kill you, Naruto. Although it seems the Gentle Fist was something new for your regeneration skill, it is hardly enough to kill you instantly. Surely, you understand."
Naruto glared. "We'll never know. My body has now become used to this Jyuuken thing."
And then, something strange happened. The entire waiting area completely changed…
Naruto and Kakashi looked around to see who was still around.
The entirety of team Seven, Sabaku no Gaara and Aburame Shino. And then they noticed some new individuals. The Sound and Sand Jounin and three others.
Kakashi readied himself, while Naruto simply stared. "What are you up to?"
"Now, now, Hatake Kakashi-kun. Please don't tell me you really think you can stop me?" Kakashi growled as the Sound Jounin transformed into Orochimaru.
Beside the legendary Snake Shinobi, stood three other Shinobis and Baki.
Sasuke, Sakura and Shino moved behind Kakashi, while Gaara and Naruto stared at each other. "Uzumaki Naruto. I wish to assist you against them."
Baki glared at the redhead. "Gaara-sama! You must assist US! Think of the plan!"
"I follow Uzumaki Naruto's orders, old man. If he wishes for you to die, then, you will die."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Baki, you fool. I thought you could hold your own in check."
Kakashi saw that they were surrounded by a purple barrier. Outside it, he saw Sound and Sand Shinobis attacking everyone. "A war? Now?"
"Exactly, Kakashi-kun. In actuality, just a distraction to get what I want." Orochimaru replied. "Now, then, Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke frowned. What did this freak want from him?
"Come with me, and perhaps everyone here will stay alive." He chuckled. "Perhaps."
"Who are you?" Naruto suddenly asked. "Kakashi-sensei seems to fear you. Perhaps you can kill me?"
"My, my, Naruto-kun. You don't know the great Orochimaru?" Someone beside Orochimaru said.
"I didn't ask you. You don't seem powerful at all. If anything, you're weak." Naruto said, not even looking at the man with glasses.
"Well, I am Yakushi Kabuto and these are Kaguya Kimimaro and Hozuki Suigetsu. We will be more than enough to be able to kill you."
"Naruto." Sasuke suddenly said. "You hear that? They think they can kill you."
Naruto snorted. "I don't believe them. Today already has faced me with so many disappointments."
Orochimaru sighed. "Enough with the pleasantries. Let's get this over with."
Kakashi had already seen that four people were holding the barrier up. "Naruto, can you and Gaara use everything you have and face Orochimaru?"
Naruto grinned. "I will do so alone. He seems to be the only strong one present."
Kimimaro and Suigetsu immediately glared at the blonde.
"Orochimaru-sama. Allow me kill this pathetic little kid." Kimimaro let out.
Orochimaru shook his head. "No. I will face him. You two handle the others. Kabuto, Baki, take care of Kakashi." The Snake User ordered. "I'll get rid of Naruto and Gaara."
Naruto chuckled as red Chakra surrounded him. Orochimaru simply grinned. "Please do!!" The Junchuuriki let out as he rushed forward, followed by Gaara.
---
"Proceed with caution, Haruno-san. Our opponent is not to be taken lightly, my destruction bugs tell me to... leave this battlefield as soon as I can." Shino smiled inside his coat. "However, I shall not leave behind an ally."
Sakura nodded her head as the young man named Kaguya Kimimaro considered them with a cold gaze. "Foolish Genin. I am one of Orochimaru-sama's greatest warriors. Do not expect me to hold back..."
Shino frowned as he heard bones... shifting under Kimimaro's skin. 'A special ability? Kekkai Genkai?'
Sakura gathered as much Chakra as she could, but she was still a bit tired from her previous battle. She just hoped a fresh Shino would be a good comrade this time around.
---
"So, you are Uchiha Sasuke? Will I be able to see the famous Sharingan today?"
Sasuke glared at the Shinobi before him, who had to be around the same age as himself. "Who are you, Oto-nin?"
Suigetsu chuckled. "I am no Oto-nin. I am not even Orochimaru's subordinate. I am simply someone he controls for the time being. I come from the Mist. I've heard rumours that you fought one of my superiors, Momochi Zabuza, and lived to tell the tale."
Suigetsu licked his lips and Sasuke saw creepy kind of teeth. Like those of a shark. "You didn't answer the question."
"Ah, Hozuki Suigetsu, nice to meet you." Suigetsu bowed. "Let's see how good those of the Uchiha are."
Before he could move, Sasuke was behind him and kicked him in the head. Sasuke fell to the ground as something unexpected had happened. His foot went through Suigetsu's head as it seemed to have materialised into water... momentarily.
Suigetsu looked on as Sasuke rolled back up to his feet and glared. "I see, Taijutsu is no good against something like that."
"Ah, you must be a genius of the Uchiha Clan to be able to deduce such a thing so quickly!" Suigetsu let out as he chuckled with his eyes closed, his right arm meanwhile growing in size.
---
"I must inform you, Kakashi-san. We are both Jounin-level. Two against one is something you might want to run away from." Kabuto snickered. "But then again, I would be disappointed if you would follow that piece of advice."
"I was ANBU Captain, brat." Kakashi responded, revealing his Sharingan eye. "Let's see what you two have..."
Kabuto grinned, although he wasn't so sure if they could win against the famous Copy Ninja. He grew more concerned even as he saw Baki being backed into a corner.
---
Orochimaru easily dodged Naruto's attacks and kicked him away. Orochimaru frowned as his kick, and it was a powerful one, did nothing except flung him away. 'No damage done?'
With speed unseen before, Gaara had no choice but to receive a hard blow to his head and was also sent to the ground, several feet away from his previous position. 'This one's powerful... But with my and Naruto's power combined, one would assume we can not be defeated here.'
Orochimaru this time attacked Naruto with many attacks to chest, head, legs and even his arms and then jumped back again to analyze. 'As I suspected... His body is too powerful for my level of Taijutsu. To think a Genin like that has a body strong enough to resist my Taijutsu! Ah, but I always was the weaker Taijutsu user of the Sannin...'
The Snake User then performed handseals and started inhaling. "Dokon, Shimaku no Jutsu!"
With that, a powerful gust of poison from out of Orochimaru's mouth carried Naruto away and slammed him into the barrier. Orochimaru smirked as he had now poisoned and burned the Kyuubi-boy at the same time. He turned back to Gaara, who was sending Sand his way.
Gaara couldn't even blink as Orochimaru was behind him all of a sudden. "You think those slow attacks of yours can get to me? Boy, not even the Shukaku is powerful enough to even scratch me!"
Gaara was kicked in the stomach and stared in fear as a sword pierced him through his stomach. Orochimaru dropped the Jinchuuriki to the ground. "Now, stay on the ground. That sword was also poisoned, you won't be able to move, little demon." Orochimaru said with a chuckle as he walked towards Kabuto and Baki, who were mostly defending against Kakashi's attacks.
Orochimaru frowned as he sensed an incoming attack and stepped sideways to get around it. "You again? Aren't you supposed to be dying now, Naruto-kun?" Orochimaru turned again and took a look at Naruto... Who was perfectly fine.
"I hoped for nothing else, but I was disappointed!" He performed many handseals and Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as the sequence looked familiar.
"What are you-"
"Kinjutsu: Kassatsu Jizai: Eimin!!" Naruto let out as his right hand was now surrounded with purple Chakra.
Orochimaru's eyes widened in fear. "Boy, that Jutsu! How can you wield is so easily?! It's one of the more powerful Forbidden Techniques!? How can you, a Genin, a mere child, know this?"
Naruto chuckled. "The more powerful techniques I use, the more powerful techniques my opponents have to use to be able to kill me!"
Orochimaru went through a few handseals. 'If that hand touches me, I'm a goner... How come this boy is not affected by the effects of this Kinjutsu? His body seems to be different.'
Naruto ran for Orochimaru just when the Snake Ninja yelled out "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!!"
With a blast, Naruto was flung away by a huge tail form a snake. His Kinjutsu's activity ceasing at the same time. Gaara watched as Naruto landed next to him.
---
Suigetsu and Sasuke were both panting. "Why don't you... just stay still?" The water user said between pants.
Sasuke snorted while he was also tired from using high speed to stay away from Suigetsu's insanely powerful attacks. "It seems your stamina is rather... pathetic, Suigetsu."
Suigetsu glared as both his arms grew in size. "Heh, let's see who's still standing after being hit by these two fists!"
Sasuke watched as Suigetsu jumped in the air and soared towards him, two gigantic fists coming to squash him. Sasuke rolled to the side and watched Suigetsu crash through the ground and completely dissolve into water. 'Shit!'
Sasuke thanked the gods for his Sharingan so he could see Chakra activity around him. "You won't be able to catch me off guard! I have the Sharingan!"
"You really are a foolish Shinobi, telling me the advantages of your Bloodline Limit like that..." Came the silky voice from all around him.
---
"Gaara. I want to deal with this one alone. As soon as you're better, help my teammates. They are weak." Gaara nodded his head as Naruto bit his thumb. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!!"
Orochimaru's eyes widened a great deal as he stood atop of his snake. "He has the Summoning Contract of the Foxes?!" And then, Kabuto appeared next to Orochimaru. "Baki's dead, Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru snorted. "As expected." Kakashi had appeared next to Naruto while Gaara had gone to help Sakura and Shino face Kimimaro. "It seems there's another interesting Shinobi here."
"Hm? The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki?" Kabuto asked. "His rapid regeneration is something to be proud of, yes."
"You knew?" Orochimaru asked.
Kabuto nodded. "But I shrugged it off as something useless at the time. It seems he surpasses my expectations." The greyhead let out with a chuckle. "Oh well, we can capture both him and the Uchiha."
Orochimaru grinned.
On the ground, Kakashi addressed Naruto. "You see those four Shinobis in every corner of this barrier we are in, Naruto?"
Naruto nodded his head as three Foxes the same size as him were standing around him.
"Let your foxes attack them. We'll handle this Snake and those two on top of it. I want you to use everything you have. These guys are strong!" Kakashi ordered. 'If those foxes of his to their job, we will be safe.'
Orochimaru willed his snake to descend upon the two Konoha Shinobis in front of him, but watched in terror as the foxes moved to attack his Sound Four. 'Shit! Those foxes are of the Fire Element. This Barrier will be useless against them!'
Before they could even continue, the barrier fell.
And Orochimaru was looking straight into the eyes of his former teacher. Kabuto was fighting Kakashi while Naruto was still standing there. His Snake seemed to have been defeated already.
"Orochimaru." The Third let out. "I will take you down today." The old man turned towards the blonde Shinobi behind him. "Naruto, help your teammates."
Orochimaru chuckled as he performed a few handseals. "It is inevitable, then!!" From the corner of his eyes, he saw his Sound Four joining the battle as well. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu: Edo Tensei!!"
Technique Translations
Kinjutsu:
Kassatsu Jizai: Eimin: Forbidden Technique: Touch of Death
Usually,
the user dies after usage of this Jutsu, and endures great pain
during its usage, but well, you know Naruto in this fic...
Dokon: Shimaku no Jutsu: Posion Technique: Poisonous Gust
With the barrier gone, all of Leaf will join the Third against Orochimaru! Whahahahaha!!
Next Chapter: Enter Jiraiya and the Akatsuki!
TBC
