Yo! Chapter Seven. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Naruto may have ended...but Fanfiction is forever! *Cue Fireworks*
Chapter 7: Finals II
"So that's what they asked of you huh." said Jiraiya as Naruto nodded his head. "They want to offer you their services in helping you bring peace to Kirigakure for your return service in their organization."
"That's what Orochimaru and Sasori said when they confronted me." said Naruto before adding. "They threatened to hurt two people very dear to me as well if I ever told anyone."
Jiraiya nodded at that. "So why so trustworthy of me? Why tell me despite those consequences?" said Jiraiya. "And two more things, how do you know I'm not one of them in disguise and why do they want you particularly? You don't seem like a powerhouse shinobi to me. Akatsuki is S-rank only, why do they want a toddler?"
Naruto disregarded the jab at his age. "Because my mother trusts you. She wrote all about you in the seal book she left for me." said Naruto before adding. "And I'm a very good sensor, you're definitely not one of them because your chakra levels surpass Orochimaru's and Sasori's. Plus I know they aren't around to even know about us meeting. You made sure of that it seems. And why they would want me...I guess you'll find out in the exams. If I get pushed that far."
"I'll find out?" questioned Jiraiya as Naruto just smiled. "You've been hiding your true skills? I thought that Mist you made was too light. Normally it's so thick you can barely see through it at all. Why hide your skills?"
Naruto looked at Jiraiya before pointing toward him. "Why do you hide your skills?" questioned Naruto as Jiraiya smiled at that. "Information is powerful and the more people who believe you a terrible ninja, the more vulnerable they are when facing them. Many still believe you're the worst of the Sannin. But from what my Kaa-chan said, you could probably beat the Hokage."
"Heh. You're pretty smart kid." said Jiraiya in return to the kid's statement. Naruto just shrugged at that.
"I try. So now you know about the Akatsuki thing. What should I do?" questioned Naruto as Jiraiya put a hand to his chin in thought. "I told you because I thought you could help me. Can You?"
"Hmmm. I say do nothing." said Jiraiya after a few seconds as Naruto's eyebrows raised in surprise. "There's nothing you can do. Though I may have a way that we could take them down if you're up to it. I'll tell you in the future though when you're older. For now, do nothing. Don't accept their offer, just continue about life and I'll be sure to help in any way I can. Anything for Kushina's child."
"Oh!" exclaimed Naruto before looking at Jiraiya.
"Oh right. The tale about your mother." said Jiraiya as Naruto listened intently. "I was your mother's first sensei."
Naruto's mouth formed an 'O' at that. "You taught my kaa-chan? Really?" questioned Naruto as Jiraiya nodded his head with a smile.
"Yes indeed. Konoha allied with Uzu back in the day and to show good faith, our Hokage sent me to train a group of select students. Your mother being one." said Jiraiya as he pulled out a picture. The picture showed a young red-head girl holding up the same sword that was now in Naruto's possession. "That's your mom. And that's the sword I bought for her upon her becoming a Genin and being my only passing student. I'm sure you've noticed how special the sword is."
Naruto nodded his head before grabbing the picture of his mom and holding it in front of him. "Kaa-chan's pretty. And her hair is beautiful." said Naruto as Jiraiya smiled at that. Kushina was always nervous about her hair even though it looked the same as 95% of her clan. "And yeah, the sword is special. It feels like it's..like it's-"
"Attached to your soul?" questioned Jiraiya as Naruto nodded his head.
"Exactly. Is that why it grows as I grow?" questioned Naruto as Jiraiya nodded his head.
"That sword got crafted in Tetsu no Kuni (Iron Country)" said Jiraiya before adding. "The blacksmith who crafted the sword said it was one of kind, just like the Head Samurai's, in that it'll respond to the will of its wielder. It has Kushina's DNA in it meaning it'll only respond to her or those who possess her DNA, like her children."
"That's amazing." said Naruto with a smile before beckoning Jiraiya with a question. "Can you tell me a story about my mom?"
"Of course kid. But don't you want to watch the next match? Maybe scout your opponent. You'll be facing the winner of this next one." said Jiraiya as Naruto shook his head no.
"I want to cheer for my teammates but learning about my mother, they'll understand. Plus, I already have information on the best Genin among us. Don't worry, I have this Exam in the bag." said Naruto with a very confident aura that Jiraiya couldn't help but smile at.
"Kid definitely has Kushina-chan's personality." thought Jiraiya before getting comfortable for his recollection of his time spent with Kushina.
(Kage Box)
"It seems Kumo is finally up." came the voice of the shortest Kage, Onoki, as he sat in between the Raikage and Hokage. "Finally get to see what a Kumo Genin can do."
"Yes indeed. Though I wonder how two of my shinobi became pitted against one another in the first round." said the Raikage, Ay, as he looked at Onoki. "It doesn't seem fair in all honesty, especially considering it didn't happen to one of you."
Onoki just shrugged his shoulders at that. "I didn't come up with this exam and from what Kitsuchi said, they picked the numbers randomly from a hat." said Onoki before looking out of the corner of his eye at Ay. "That's just the way the cookie crumbles I'm afraid."
"Is that so Tsuchikage-dono. Cause it could be reasoned that it was placed like that to keep all of my Genin from advancing." said the Raikage as Onoki merely snorted at that. "They're better than your run of the mill Genin. Both were eliminated first in their matches if I recall."
Onoki looked back at Ay who simply smiled before turning back toward the Arena floor with a triumphant smirk.
The Hokage noticed the conversation between the two and could feel the tension building. "It seems all this talking from earlier does not change that we are not far enough out of the Third World War. We may act amicable to one another but one sign of aggression and it seems all bets could be off. Let's hope this Final goes smoothly."
"It seems the match is starting." said Hiruzen as Kitsuchi's voice sounded out loudly in the arena.
(Arena Floor)
"Match Three of the Chunin Exam Finals." said Kitsuchi before pointing his hand to each contestant as he said their names. "Omoi from Kumogakure. Chojuro from Kirigakure. Samui from Kumogakure. Are you all ready?"
A quick nod from the Kumogakure Genin and a shaky one from the Kirigakure Genin was all Kitsuchi needed before he swung his hand down.
"Hajime."
Continuing the trend of each match being different, this match started off with the three pulling out their swords and staring at one another. Chojuro then felt his anxiety build up when Omoi and Samui both looked at him.
"Naruto said this would happen." thought Chojuro as Samui and Omoi begin to stalk toward him in a way that put them on either side of him. "Why didn't I learn how to do the Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hidden Mist Technique)? That would really help now."
Chojuro gripped his sword a little tighter just as Samui and Omoi headed toward him. Chojuro's broad sword blocked Omoi's sword slash and a quickly whipped out Kunai blocked Samui's tanto strike. The three began a struggle for dominance that surprised many to see Chojuro actually winning.
"Damn. Dude's strong." thought Omoi receiving the worst of it due to getting the heavy broad sword and not a Kunai. Omoi then disengaged from Chojuro as his heavy sword landed in the ground with a thud. Chojuro then looked toward Samui who noticed Omoi back off.
"He's going to swing that thing at me. I have to stop him." thought Samui before channeling chakra into her tanto. Samui's guess proved right as Chojuro slugged his sword right around to the other side that Samui was on in an effort to cleave her in two. Samui pressed harder into Chojuro's kunai, surprising him that she didn't try to jump out-of-the-way even though she'd still be hit by the large sword.
Samui's tanto burst with lightning chakra as it ripped through Chojuro's kunai with ease before she shoved her tanto easily into Chojuro's shoulder, the same shoulder of the arm that was swinging his sword.
CHojuro felt the paralyzing effect of the lightning sword in his shoulder as his sword stopped moving because of it. Samui grew relieved internally at catching Chojuro before noticing his other arm was coming at her with a fist. Chojuro's fist hit Samui's chest as it sent the Kumo girl skidding backwards from the powerful strike, taking her tanto with her and out of Chojuro's shoulder.
"Wow. That looked like it hurt." thought Omoi seeing Chojuro hold the cauterised wound in his shoulder and Samui hold her chest. "A sword puncture is a sword puncture. But a punch to the chest. Ouch. Maybe if Samui had bigger breast. They could have repelled the punch and she'd be safe. And-"
Karui's loud voice from the Finalist Box cut off Omoi's thought process as he snapped back to the fight.
"OMOI! STOP THINKING AND START FIGHTING!" shouted Karui as Omoi snapped out of his thoughts. Omoi nodded his head before cocking his sword back like a baseball bat and running behind. Chojuro heard Karui and without turning around, just simply picked his broad sword up to cover his side.
"Kumo-Ryu Mikazukagiri (Cloud Style Crescent Moon Beheading)" said Omoi as he swung his sword in an arc toward Chojuro. A crescent moon arc formed in front of Omoi that hit Chojuro's sword mid swing and sent him head over heels sideways several feet before skidding to a stop near the water. Chojuro stood up quickly only to notice both Samui and Omoi heading back to him once again.
"I can't step back into the water because she'll likely just shock me if I do." thought Chojuro going through a few hand seals as Samui and Omoi got closer. "This sucks. I can at least take out one of them though."
Samui and Omoi lunged at Chojuro again as this time Chojuro blocked Samui's tanto with his broad sword while dodging Omoi's sword strike. Omoi continued though until Chojuro grabbed his arm over his sleeve. Samui noticed that in Chojuro's attempt at blocking both of them again, his foot slid into the river below. Samui just smiled before backing up and running through 4 hand seals, ending in the ram seal.
"Raiton: Pansa (Lightning Style: Panther)" said Samui as from her hands sparked with lightning before it turned into the shape of a panther and jumped into the water. Chojuro just smiled as his own technique took hold.
"Suiton: Suiro no jutsu (Water Style: Water Prison Technique)" said Chojuro as Samui looked over to see Omoi trapped in a ball of water with Chojuro's hand connected inside. So engrossed with Chojuro's foot in the water, she didn't even realize her teammate was getting surrounded by the dense ball of water. Samui just watched as the lightning panther made contact with the water and the lightning surged up the water into Chojuro and then into the ball of water Omoi was in, shocking him as well.
A few seconds later, Chojuro's water ball dispersed as Omoi laid flat on the ground soaking wet and unconscious. Chojuro just smiled right before passing out as well. Samui stood there alone as Kitsuchi just nodded his head at the results.
"Due to Double elimination. Winner of Match 3, Samui of Kumogakure." said Kitsuchi as the Audience cheered at how she eliminated two opponents at once not realizing it was a mistake on her part. Nonetheless, Samui just gave a small smile before exiting the Arena back to the Finalist box. Several medics came later to scoop up the other finalists before the start of the fourth match.
(Kage Box)
"That boy. Knew he was going to lose no matter what and still managed to take one out with him." said Ay growing more and more impressed with the Kiri Genin Team, despite two of them losing already. "Kiri. Konoha. Kumo. Seems Iwa doesn't have anyone advance yet."
Onoki looked toward the bulky Kage as he said nothing at the large man's statement. "We'll see how much you talk when Han fights. Then you'll see and everyone in the nations will know Iwa is top among the Five Great Villages." thought Onoki before turning his head back toward the fights below.
"Kumogakure and Iwagakure allied in the last war and yet their Kages are bickering at the moment." thought Hiruzen feeling slightly awkward in the Kage box now. "I'll just keep quiet for now. It's not worth attempting to mediate this quarrel."
Onoki then shifted his eyes over to the stoic Hiruzen. "It seems he's become quiet due to me and Ay at the moment." thought Onoki before looking down at the Arena Floor seeing Han land in the floor. "And with that other Uchiha boy in there. Han is certain to severely hurt him and the Kumo girl. This should be fun."
(Finalist Box)
Samui returned to the Finalist Box as she looked around not noticing Naruto in the room.
"Where did he go?" questioned Samui in her head. Ameyuri shared that same sentiment having been looking for her teammate for the past few minutes since regaining consciousness.
"Is Pretty Boy in trouble?" questioned Ameyuri in her head as she looked around the Arena if he may have noticed someone in the stands. "He wouldn't just leave like that would he? Plus I'm sure he'd want to see the other matches. Where could he be?"
Ameyuri didn't have time to look around anymore before hearing Kitsuchi's voice and focusing on the next match despite no longer being in the exams.
(Arena Floor)
"Match Four of the Chunin Exam Finals." said Kitsuchi taking heed at announcing Iwa last. "Shisui Uchiha from Konohagakure. Karui from Kumogakure. And Han from Iwagakure."
Cheers rang out again from the crowd at another Genin from their host village being announced. In the momentary cheer, Kitsuchi received word from the three competitors that they were ready. Swinging his hand down, Kitsuchi began the match.
"Hajime!" said Kitsuchi, backing up giving the Genin room. Shisui flashed his Sharingan as he vanished in a Shunshin toward the red-head from Kumogakure. Shisui appeared next to the still Kunoichi as he whipped out a kunai aimed for her arm. Karui, however, was ready for the quick movement already unsheathing her sword to block the kunai.
Sparks flew from the metal clashing with metal as the two struggled for dominance. Karui used both hands against Shisui's kunai only for the Uchiha to drag his kunai down Karui's sword. Sparks fluttered in front of the two as it distracted Karui. In that distraction, Shisui vanished in another Shunshin just as the large Iwa boy rocketed toward Karui.
Karui jumped out-of-the-way of the large boy as he sped past her before skidding to a stop and turning around. Steam fluttered off the still quiet boy as Shisui's Sharingan looked at the chakra being emanated by Han.
"NinTaijutsu User" thought Shisui as more steam came off Han's back. "Using Steam ninjutsu to bolster his Taijutsu. And based on his size, I'm sure one punch will be devastating."
Han looked at Shisui as he prepped another charge. Shisui locked eyes with the large boy as he placed him under a Genjutsu. Seconds later, Shisui jumped slightly as the large boy came speeding at him. Shisui jumped to the side as Han flew past him, kicking up a mighty wind with the speed he was traveling at. Shisui stood back up as he turned to see Karui on him with her sword.
Dodging two overhead strikes from the Kumo Kunoichi. The two then separated from one another as Han came back flying pass them even faster than before. Shisui had enough of the large Iwa boy and went through several hand seals for his next charge. Even more steam floated from Han's back as he turned sharply and flew back toward Shisui. Shisui's Sharingan picked up the movement easily as his chest puffed up.
"Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu)" said Shisui as he expelled a volley of small fireballs at the speeding Iwa boy. Due to the boy's speed, the fireballs hit him quickly as he shoulder bumped the Uchiha boy. Shisui went flying due to the shoulder hit and went careening, luckily, into the water basin rather than the stony arena floor.
Han stopped moving forward as the pain from Shisui's jutsu hit him hard, especially due to the shuriken hidden within the fireballs. Han screamed loudly as he began to pick the several hot shuriken out of his body before tossing them down. Pulling the last Kunai out of his body, Han turned to see Karui right on him with her sword closing in on his chest.
Han was faster though as he gripped Karui's sword with his large hand. Karui grew surprised at him holding her sword as blood seeped from his hand. A huge burst of steam blew from Han's back as Karui felt the air around her heat up as if she was in a sauna.
"Futton: Kairiki Muso (Boil Release: Unrivaled Strength)" thought Han as Karui had no time to react to the punch that planted itself into her stomach. Spit flew from Karui's mouth as she went careening into the wall, leaving a Karui-sized crack in it. Karui was out cold the moment she hit the wall.
"Karui of Kumogakure. Eliminated." said Kitsuchi as Han turned to see Shisui standing up from the stream of water that ran through the arena. Steam fluttered from Han's back again as he stared down the Uchiha.
"His chakra levels are monstrous. The chakra coming out of that steam on his back is incredible." thought Shisui before placing his hands in the ram seal. "If this works, thank you Naruto Hozuki."
"Magen: Niju Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu (Demonic Illusion: Double False Surroundings Technique)" thought Shisui utilizing the jutsu he copied from Naruto. The same Genjutsu he used against Anko to win his match. Shisui smiled to himself feeling Han release himself from the first layer of the Genjutsu, but not the second. Shisui then watched as Han sped and crashed directly into the wall four feet from him with a thundering boom. The entire arena shook at the force of Han hitting the wall before Shisui ran through several hand seals with practiced ease as he jumped directly in front of where Han landed.
"Katon: Nigokakyuu no Jutsu (Fire Style: Double Grand Fireball Technique)" said Shisui before expelling out a large fireball that an equally as big fireball followed behind it. The first fireball smashed into Han in the wall before the next one smashed into the first fireball as they exploded on contact. Fire covered the side of the wall that Han was in as Shisui stared at the blazing fire with his Sharingan active.
Shisui's eyes widened as Han came stepping out of the fire with large burn marks on his body that didn't seem to affect him in the slightest. Steam burst again from Han's back as he readied to attack Shisui once more.
"Heh. I'm out of chakra." said Shisui as he raised his hand. "I give up."
Han was just about ready to rocket toward Shisui before hearing his words. Kitsuchi looked at the forfeiture by the Uchiha boy and while disappointed that he didn't continue fighting, understood the kid's predicament.
"Kid's not really out of chakra but he realizes that he'll eventually be." thought Kitsuchi declaring Han the winner as he watched Shisui walk out of the Arena and Han simply jump out. "If the kid had the chakra, I wonder if he could have gone toe to toe with Han. That Double Fireball would have hurt or even kill lesser shinobi."
Kitsuchi then looked toward the crowd. "We will have a 30 minute intermission before we begin the semifinals." said Kitsuchi as several Iwa shinobi appeared in the arena to try to fix it before the semifinals began. "The First Match will pit Naruto Hozuki of Kirigakure vs Samui of Kumogakure. The Second Match will pit Itachi Uchiha of Konoha vs Han of Iwagakure. Until that time."
(Kage Box)
"A Jinchuriki. He placed a Jinchuriki in the exams." thought Ay turning an eye to Onoki. "I guess I should have known. The hosting village normally posts a Jinchuriki if possible to make sure victory. You are a sneaky one Old Fence Sitter."
"Han is quite strong." said Onoki with a small smirk as Ay just looked at him and Hiruzen kept his eyes straight ahead. "That Uchiha boy is smart unlike that girl from Kumo, bull-headed in the face of someone stronger than them."
Ay looked ready to kill but toned it down considerably as he kept in mind the ceasefire that occurred during these events.
Hiruzen grew tired of the tension and attempted to defuse it with some lighter talk like earlier. "It seems each village has a semifinalist." said Hiruzen as Onoki and Ay nodded at his words. Neither of the Kage responded to Hiruzen as he realized no more nice words would be minced between them anymore.
"Well. Maybe next Chunin Exam." thought Hiruzen as he turned his head to the Arena floor. The Kages sat in silence as they awaited the semifinals.
(Finalist Box)
"Pretty Boy! There you are. Where have you been?" questioned Ameyuri loudly as she noticed her white-haired teammate walk into the Finalist box. After her exclamation, Ameyuri noticed the smile adorning his face. "Why are you so happy?"
Naruto walked up to Ameyuri before whispering in her ear. Ameyuri blushed at Naruto's touch and closeness before smiling at what he said.
"Your Mo-" started Ameyuri only for Naruto's hand to clamp her mouth shut as he made a shushing noise. Naruto noticed Ameyuri calmed down as he let his hand go from her mouth.
"I know right. I'll tell you all about her later." said Naruto with a grin as he then looked around. "Where's Chojuro?"
"Oh. You missed the fights." said Ameyuri as Naruto smiled sheepishly causing Ameyuri to smile. "It's okay. After your match, Itachi from Konoha handedly defeated me and the other Iwa guy. It wasn't even fair, dude is too good. Chojuro fought in the third match and got tag-teamed. He ended up taking out the Kumo boy with him, letting the Samui girl win Match 3. And finally, that Han guy just wouldn't go down and won Match 4 with overwhelming power..and steam."
Naruto nodded his head at that. "So how much time til I fight again?" questioned Naruto as Ameyuri looked at her wrist as if she had a watch on.
"About 25 minutes." said Ameyuri as Naruto chuckled at his teammate.
"Let's go check on Chojuro." said Naruto as the two of them walked out of the Finalist Box down to the medical Bay. Ameyuri talked with Naruto all the way as they went to go see there teammate.
(Audience)
"What do you mean Han won't win!" shouted a random guy standing outside a booth. That booth was a betting booth as several others were attempting to place their own bets for the finals. "Did you not see how he just shrugged off those fireballs? No other Genin can compete with that."
"Yeah right. That Uchiha boy was beating him and he'll be facing another Uchiha boy." said the guy he was arguing with as he placed his bet on Itachi Uchiha. "He can get pass one Uchiha, but to get pass a second...I don't believe it."
"You're crazy! Han's odds are 5:1 in this event. The next closest to him is the Uchiha boy at 15:1." said the man placing his bet on Han. The man then placed a bet on the Kumo girl as the same man looked at him like he was crazy. "What? You always bet on odds. That Kiri kid hasn't done anything to impress me. That Kumo Girl took out two shinobi with one move."
"You just don't know anything about these fights do you. The Kiri kid was clearly holding back his skills for the fights ahead." said the Man placing a large bet on Naruto. "And since he's the underdog for some reason, I'll be looking at a fat payday when this is all said and done."
Watching that entire argument was a woman in her late twenties. She wore a large trench coat that covered her body with sunglasses and a scarf on her head. A black haired woman standing beside her with a pig in her hands whispered into the woman's ear.
"Tsunade-sama. Don't gamble on this. You know your luck with these kinds of events." said the black haired woman as the lady just looked at her.
"Shizune. I know what I'm doing." whispered the woman back before she began to walk up to the nearest betting booth with Shizune in tow. "Han is 3:1 to win the whole thing. And he's a Jinchuriki. No Genin beats a Jinchuriki."
Shizune grew shocked at that announcement before noticing a toad out of the corner of her eye. Shizune saw the toad with piece of paper on his head that simply showed a spiral.
"Tsunade-sama. Look." whispered Shizune just as Tsunade placed down her bet of $100,000 Ryo. Tsunade glanced over at the small animal as her own eyes widened behind her sunglasses.
"Ma'am. Who are you betting on?" questioned a man as he tried to get the woman's attention. Tsunade watched the toad dispel in a poof of smoke as she then noticed the man snapping in front of her. "Thank you. Who are you placing this bet on."
"You better be right pervert. If not, I'll castrate you." thought Tsunade before speaking. "Naruto Hozuki from Kirigakure."
The man nodded his head before printing out a stub. "And here you are. 40:1 odds on Naruto Hozuki from Kirigakure winning it all."
Tsunade grimaced at the odds but knew that if Jiraiya was wrong, he'd definitely pay her back. Either with money or in some other fashion.
(Outside the Arena)
Standing just outside of the Arena that held the Chunin Exams was a man with a mask on his face. This was the same Masked Man whom spoke with Yagura about Naruto. Standing beside the Masked man was the plant-like man, Zetsu.
"It seems Naruto hasn't fully gone all out." said the Masked Man as Zetsu nodded.
"Of course not. I wonder when he will though." said Zetsu before adding. "The only time he's fully shown his skills is when facing Mangetsu or his teammates."
The Masked Man nodded his head. "Indeed. Pain seems to not believe in my choice of him. Even when viewing your recordings of his training." said the Masked Man before a red glow fluttered pass his eye hole. "But I have faith that he'll surprise me further in this exam."
"How do you think he could surprise you more?" questioned Zetsu as the Masked Man grinned behind his mask.
"In due time." said the Masked Man as he began to disappear in a vortex. "In due time."
And That's A Wrap
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-Hamp Out
