A.N: No beta reader found, so I reread this for the last 3 days before posting it. I hope it come out okay. My main weakness is with verb tense and punctuation, so if someone want to be like my corrector, you just read my special advertisement. As for this chapter, those who read the databook might found an intruder in this story. If you do, just know that it is no error. There's a clue left in the text and the previous story that might told you what kind of character he is, but that character might be important for another story.
Well, here the 1st part of the chapter.
(Character thought)/ Kurama/Inner Flashback
Chapter 4: The towers of fate part 1
The exam has started, group of ninjas already enter the forest of death, running toward one tower.
Team 1 POV:
Before the exam started
"Hmm so what tower are we suppose to choose?" asked Chingaku
"We go north. It's the farthest tower." stated Dingaku.
"North it is, if it's not the right tower, we can flip a coin to decide which one we go after." said Singaku.
"You want to use a coin to decide afterward? That's your plan?" asked Tatsu
At those words, all 3 of them give the 4th member of their team a death glare before Chingaku said:
"Yeah that's the plan and we take out anyone in our way, so you better be useful and agree with us. Otherwise, choosing the right tower will be the least of you worry."
"Okay north it is then." said the outsider.
"I knew you'll come along."
With that, the team headed toward the north tower.
Present time.
"Well since we're going North, I might be useful. How about we take out a lot of competitors?"stated Tastu
"Interesting idea, go on." asked Dingaku.
"One of you need to carry me while I'm using the jutsu, because I won't be able to move and I will need like a quarter of everyone chakra."
"Why is that?" Singaku asked.
"So that you won't get caught by it, and to boost the range. With my jutsu, we will separate the team. If they're lost in the forest or split apart, this test is over for them. I just need to separate at least two members per team."
"What this has anything to do with us going north?" asked the blue haired one.
"Because we are moving toward the center of the forest."answered Tatsu.
"Do has he said, I'll carry him. Dingaku, give less, we could use the shield once the other gets what happened? " stated Chingaku.
"Okay"
They all give a portion of their chakra. What Tatsu didn't expected is to have that much.
(If this is really the quarter of their chakra, those guy are monsters. The jutsu will work with a better range than I expected.)
"Okay let's do this." He make a few hand-sign before releasing the chakra and said:
"Genjutsu: Infinite darkness."
"He learn this technique. Who would have known and we can clearly see ahead. All right boys, let's head north and defend our new asset. "
"Yeah."answered his brothers while Tatsu
The blackest chakra was released, blinding those who were in contact with. The bubble of darkness surrounding Tatsu begin to grow and keep growing. The genjutsu did its job of separating team. Sometime it was 1 member, sometime a whole squad was split apart, with no clue of where they were going. The 1st big offensive was launch.
Team 2 POV
The exam has just started.
"You got it, let's execute the plan we were talking." said Dotou
"Aye" said both Nissa and Kigiri.
"What plan, you didn't fill me in." asked Murasame.
Dotou then put his hand on Murasame shoulder, before saying
"Unfortunately, you failed the exam due to a bad draw. For that, I'll let you live. Be grateful I didn't kill you." He then draw his sword and stab him too fast for him to defend. However, he didn't aim for a vital organ.
"Spread out."he then order.
With that, Nissa went toward the West tower , Kigiri went toward the East tower and he went toward the North. The Kasahana clan special abilities is that they can communicate with each other with their mind. Each member has a good genjutsu affinity, so the plan was to split up, one member head toward one tower to know which one make you pass and tell the other afterward. However, Dotou begin to see the darkness spreading in the forest.
(Nissa, Kigiri, watch out. Someone seems to have cast a genjutsu that engulf everything in darkness. I can't see if I'm close or far from him, but I will try to aim with an attack toward the center of the darkness, we need to take this guy out soon.)
(I see it too, I shall attack toward the spot where the darkness seems to expand as well.) thought Nissa
(Make it 3, let's use our combination ninjutsu.) stated the 3rd member.
"Earth style: Mud wave." said the raven hair girl
"Lightning style: Lightning Ball" said Kigiri
"Water Style: water style: Water dragon jutsu." said Dotou .
The 3 jutsu met each other halfway before combining and going toward their target. You could see a Water dragon with a lightning ball in the mouth while the mud wave was under it.
(Combination style: Dragon lighting wave jutsu.) all 3 said.
The jutsu did go to the center but what they couldn't see was the result of that attack.
(Did we missed?) Nissa thought
(Maybe, anyway we shouldn't waste our chakra on a target that we can't see.) Kigiri thought.
(Stick with the plan, go straight forward, We aren't the only one this genjutsu is affecting. Everyone will aimed toward that spot as well. )
(Straight Forward, yeah, that way we can lose sight of our goal and... ) Kigiri hit himself on a tree.
(We need to go on foot. We won't be able to see the branch by jumping, so we better be running. I'll wait for the genjutsu to cover this area, I've detected several ninja putting themselves in position for an ambush )said the girl.
(Nissa, if they're still planning the ambush, carry on. They probably gamble everything on your tower so they've decided to eliminate anyone coming close to it. They'll stay there for a while before moving, so pass them quick while before they finished their preparation. They shouldn't attack you if they're not done, they won't risk it.)
(Roger that) she said while dashing toward her path. The ninja didn't attack her and were finishing the preparation for their plan.
(I'll tried to go faster and tried to catch up with the genjutsu user. Tried to use your own chakra to repel his. Just to see a little. None of us has the chakra to break that kind of jutsu completely.) stated Dotou
(Okay, dashing on foot and repel that huge genjutsu, let's hope it stop before we reach the tower.) finished Kigiri.
This event wasn't part of the plan. They already taking down 1 member of their team by themselves and now this happen. If one of them is out, the test is over. for them Things are harder than expected for the Kasahana clan.
Team 51 POV :
The team of Omoi, Ninatsuchi, Ian and Mikoshi
The exam has started. Teams were rushing inside the forest. Some of those team however where still deciding in which direction they will be headed.
"I said we go north, that way, we will have made the greatest distance." said Mikoshi.
"Heading North will probably be what most team will thought. Maybe that what they want us to think? It's probably a trap." said Omoi
"So you said that we should head East or West then." asked Ian.
"Probably, but they might have thought that we will figure this out, meaning that this could be a double bluff."
"North then?" both sand ninjas asked
"Or a triple bluff?"
"Or maybe we should just go North. Why North you may ask? Because I feel like it. And more important, the more time we're wasting on that decision and stay here, the less time we have to found the right tower. Anyone got a problem with that?" asked Ninatsuchi.
"Seems you right." said Mikoshi
"Fair enough" said Ian.
"Look like it's decided. But tell me, which one of you is so popular that they've got a fan club. Because we just got surrounded." stated Omoi
"Back to back everyone" shouted Mikoshi
Indeed the four shinobis were surrounded by a dozen of ninjas. One of them speak up to the team.
"Listen up, we've got you surrounded. We don't want all of you, only the Tsuchikage grand-daughter. She's worth 100 000 yen if we've got her dead, but alive, I'm sure old Oonoki will pay us more to see her again. We let the rest of you alive and well and carried on the exam if you do as we say." said one of the man.
"Sorry pal, I don't intend to let you take her." said Omoi while drawing is weapon.
"Me neither, I might not know her personally but I don't hand anyone or anything to scum like you." stated the other Kunoichi while drawing her own weapon.
"Boys, you just picked yourself a fight. " said Ian.
"Thank you guys. Let's do this quick. 12 on 4, It mean we have to fight 3 each. That is bad odd ... for them." finished Ninatsuchi.
With that she made a hand-sign and slam her hand on the ground.
"Earth style: Rolling Boulder ."
A giant ball of earth was forming and was aiming at 3 of her opponents. They tried to outrun it but with no success for one of them. The other have jump at each side of the ball. However, Ninatsuchi have figure they might do that so she make another hand-sign.
"This is gonna hurt, Giant ball release. Earth style: Thousand Spikes." The ball explode and piece of rock scattered on both side, hitting the other two in midair and knocking them out.
While that happen, Omoi draw his sword and Mikoshi draw her 2 fans. Both of them charge at their opponent and they found little resistance. The enhanced steel fan, thanks to Mikoshi's wind chakra cut the kunai of one of the guy, another tried to get to her from behind but she use her other fan to blow him away with a wind jutsu after cutting down the guy in front. The 3rd guy just run after seeing this. As for Omoi, he jump in the air, and stand on two of the guy shoulder before using the hilt of the sword to knock out the 3rd one. He then jump before the others react, kicking one of them in the face and deflect some shuriken from the last in midair, before kicking him in the stomach. He finished him while he was catching his breath with a punch to the face. As for the last 3, they seem to throwing fist in the air before each of them seems to receive hit and drop knock out except the one who make the demand.
"We outnumbered you, that wasn't suppose to end this way."
"The advantage we've got on you is that those who enter the exam for money or fame didn't train as rigorously as those who are here for the long run. You should thought of that while you take a nap here. Maybe you learn something if you're not food for a beast that live there while you're asleep." said calmly Ian
"SHIT" said the afraid guy . He was about to make a run for it before dropping asleep.
"How did you defeat those guys, was it genjutsu?" asked Ninatsuchi.
"Nah, I just use a puppet." said the mask man.
"A puppet, I'm sorry but from where I stand, those guy just lay down. Maybe you use a curse weapon or something?" said Omoi
"It's one of my puppet look."
With that, he release some chakra and a creepy puppet appear. It has the head of a lizard, with a mechanical tongue pending. However, it was standing on two feet.
"This puppet is Chamelo. It can become totally invisible. The tip of his tongue has a sleeping agent. It can contract and retract his tongue and I can make it fight in close combat quite well."
"Cool" both Omoi and Ninatsuchi said impressed
"Yeah I know, it is cool." said a flattered Ian
"Stop showing off Ian we got to move now team." said Mikoshi
"Right let's move."
So Team 51 is heading toward the West tower. They begin advancing, trying to go at a fast pace, trying to make up for the time they waste. They stop in their track however, when they saw the bubble of darkness far away.
"What's that" asked Omoi
"It's probably the jutsu of some other contestant trying to split team apart, which would make them failed the exam by default. If we lost two teammates, it's over." stated Ninatsuchi
"We really need that kind of crap now. What should we do? …. I know, Ian use your puppet string on us before that jutsu hit us. That way, we won't be separated."said Mikoshi.
"Got it." Ian link his teammate with chakra string he then added:
"From here on out, we're on foot. We will head straight for the tower. I'll use Chamelo as a beacon. If there is something in front Chamelo will either hit it or destroy it. The other contestant will probably focus their effort on that jutsu. No one will tried attacking other team while they don't see. Now everyone form a line, we're going in."
So Chamelo, Ninatsuchi, Omoi, Mikoshi and Ian enter into the darkness in that order. This might slow them down, but they won't lose a teammate that way at least.
Team 52 POV
Before the exam start
Calisto, Hamato, Taseki and Karui just heard that the exam was about to start.
"So, which tower are we going after 1st?" asked Calisto.
"What kind of exam is this, it's all about luck, nothing about our skill." said Karui.
"I agree, might as well go randomly about it." said Taseki
"You both are young and impatient. This test ain't about luck. I've got a plan that will ensure we will find the right tower. We split in two group of 2. One head toward the east Tower while the other head toward the west. If both of them are booby trapped, we all go north afterward."stated Hamato
"And how are we supposed to communicate with each other." asked the rain ninja.
"Yeah, that one major flaw here, we don't have a radio or something like that." added the redhead.
"There are many ways to communicate. What all your ninjutsu? Me,I'm a fire user."
"I can use lightning" answered Karui
"Earth, lightning and fire." answered Calisto
"Water, but how is it communication?" answered and asked Taseki
"To answer your question, here's how we will communicate. We will split in two group, each we'll take a lightning user.. When we determine the status of a designated tower, we'll use a jutsu from the top of it. If it's the good one, I'll make a Phoenix with my Fire style. If not, one of the lightning user will use a jutsu from the top. Taseki, you'll use a Water shark jutsu if you're group find the right tower. If not, your partner will use a lightning jutsu from the top. Calisto, you got with him, I'll go with Karui."
"Sound like a good plan Hamato, we will take the west, we will leave you the east."said the musician
"Well I suppose it's the best way to go."said the rain ninja
"I'll admit, your pretty clever old man."said the kunoichi
"I'm not that old yet, though through my years as a shinobi, I gain experience. I'm glad I was finally able to make it here at least."
"Why are you able to be here only now? You look smart and all and you've seem to have experience."asked the sole woman in the group.
"Well, it's kind of a good reason, I'm one of the 1st blind shinobi they'got."
"YOU'RE BLIND!" exclaimed both Taseki and Karui
"Blind as a mole, he's not joking, but trust him, he's quite a good shinobi, even if it doesn't have any official rank. Anyway, prepare to move." stated Calisto.
(That explained the bandanna on his eyes. At least I ain't stuck with a blind guy, though to have made it here, he must be something. Could be useful latter.) thought Taseki.
(God dammit. Well, at least I don't have to babysit him too much, we can ditch the weak link of the team and still pass. Now we know who it is. He should be a tactician or an advisor, not on the field.) thought Karui.
"So the test START NOW" said Temari .
Karui was heading toward the east with Hamato while Taseki headed toward the west with Calisto.
Present time
The team as separated. Two of of them respectively heading toward the east and the west tower. Hamato and Karui were dashing toward their tower, but something seems to bother Karui.
"If something is on your mind, you better say it now. We cannot afford to be distracted here, unless you want to fail the exam or worse."
The girl turned a head around and said:
"Well, how can you follow me without seeing. Hell, how can you be a even be consider Chunin level or even highter without sight?"
"You seem to think it is impossible, yet I am standing in front of you. The new tsuchikage gave me a chance to prove my worth. I'm not even ranked technically. However I don't regret it. I've trained myself to see with my other sense and to be a better shinobi, I even did S rank mission that I wasn't suppose to comeback from. Lady Kurotsuchi gave me this chance to prove that I can be a shinobi worthy of recognition, that is why I pass this exam at my age."
"Well, it's good for you really, at least..."
"WATCH OUT" cut the old man.
Just in front of them appear a giant snake that was aiming at Karui. The girl draw her sword and charge it with lightning. The snake charged head first at her. She dodge it easily and tried to a counter strike at the top of his head. However, the skin of the snake was too thick to let her blade pierce through,even with enhance lightning..
"That didn't seem too work. Old man. Where are you?"
(Did the snake eat him)
"Fire Style: Dancing Flame." The flame attack were like a flamethrower but instead of hitting the snake, the fire only surrounded the snake, so it was trapped by it.
"Are you alright dear."
"Yeah."
"Then let's move, especially far from my fire attack, this battle is done." He made a few hand sign and said: "Fire style: Rising Pillar." At those word, the flame stop dancing around their target and everything inside the circle was engulf in flame, like a giant pillar. Once the flame dies down, the snake was badly burn and unconscious.
"That was great. I was having my doubt but now I see that you're really strong."
"Thank you. However something coming up ahead, I sense chakra but I don't know what kind of jutsu is this. Care to fill me in?" asked the man
"Wait here, I'll get higher to see what your talking about."
What the redhead climb on top of a tree to see what he was talking about. What she saw was a dark bubble starting to engulf the forest. She comeback and describe what the jutsu look like.
"Well today his you're lucky day girl, that jutsu was created by the 2nd Hokage to blind his opponent. In other word, it will bring you to my world. The enemy must think they will separate us or slow us down. That won't be the case here."
"I see, well I've got a rope in case. We should attach ourselves together with it. You'll take the lead, I follow you."
"That's the spirit girl."
"However, that jutsu will spread toward all the forest, do you think the others will be okay?"
"Don't worry about them, Calisto is from the stone too, I know him. Well actually, he's kind of my friend. I know what he's capable of and he's the perfect guy to have around in this kind of situation."
"Good to know. There, we're all set." With that said, the pair enter into the darkness.
While those event occur, the other half of their team were facing a familiar problem. Another giant snake was in front of them. This one however find a way to eat some shinobi before them. They did have the luck to not be ambush by it.
"We have to get past the snake, you can use lightning right? If we combine our power, we can make a tidal wave that will send him to hell."stated Taseki.
"You're right, but it might resist it and we never combine our jutsu before. I suggest a more subtle approach. Plus leaving the snake alive still make him an obstacle for the other candidate, wouldn't you agree?"
"Ok but did you know how to do that?" asked the rain ninja
"Leave that to me." finished Calisto. He then took out an harp. Taseki was wondering how an harp will move a giant snake. The ninja then begin to play a song with his harp. The other ninja then understand that this was no ordinary melody. The stare of the snake became blank, he didn't seems to know where it was. Afterward, he move out of the way.
"Now our chance." said Calisto while keep playing the harp.
Both shinobi take the opportunity to get pass the snake. Once that was done and they were far enough, the stone shinobi put away his harp.
"That trick can come handy."
"Indeed, I can use my harp to cast genjutsu and to help channel chakra nature. I figure up to 3 changes with it. Water and wind are the one I didn't found yet. But I will one day. So I did show you my trick, how about you show me yours."
"You'll see it later, it'll will be useful. But useless against this. Look ahead." said the raven haired ninja.
"I see. One of the contestant has this kind of power. Being able to project his chakra this far is quite a feat. However, I had the perfect counter for this. You need to stay close to me. I'm gonna counter this."
"You can end that jutsu?"
"Nope, I don't have that much chakra. But by combining a melody of fire and lightning, I can make light into darkness. The range would be limited but enough for us to see where we going . Any question?" asked the musician.
"Nope, let's get going." finished Taseki (He's definitely a good candidate )
Calisto begin to play his song and small bubble of light was surrounding him and his teammate. They enter the enemy jutsu afterward. Now, inside the darkness, on the west side, a little beacon of light was heading toward the west tower.
Team 53 POV:
Flashback (Before the exam)
The team of Zachiro, Hanabi, Kira and Kozu has decide to go to the north. Kozu asked to have a word with Zachiro alone while the girl were getting acquainted.
"Do you know what those guys want to talk about." asked Kira
"I don't know, maybe business about their village, but I really don't have a clue."answered Hanabi
"By the way I'm Kira, nice to meet you." said the white haired girl while smiling and extended her hand."
"I'm Hanabi of the Hyuga clan , glad to be acquainted." said the other girl while she shake her hand .
"Hyuga... Oh... I read about what we did to your clan in our history scroll. Not pretty and that was a poor decision. We claim the live of one of your fellow clansman even though we launch a attack on your clan to claim the Byakugan. Since you're might become the future leader of the Hyuga clan, even if I have nothing to do with this attack, I wanted to apologize on behalf of my people. You see, I wanted to be the next Raikage. I want the cloud village to prosper on it's own power, not by trying to steal it from the other. That's why I read most of our history scroll. I do not want to make the mistake my predecessor make."stated the cloud ninja while bowing her head.
"I see, I was really young when those event happen, so I didn't really live them. However I know it was my uncle that was killed that day because of my dad killed a cloud ninja to protect my sister. Those event cost me an uncle and somehow have affect our entire family dynamic. My sister however told me that we need to left in the past what is in the past and not to hold grudge. Plus you're not really responsible and my dad did kill a cloud ninja that day, when he could have neutralize him without killing him. I accept your apology and I hope that we can work together in the future. Today seems to be a good occasion for taking that first step."answer the Hyuga girl.
"I hope for that too, but that's the future. Let's focus on today where we're kicking ass and ace that test." said Kira while smiling.
"I'd like your attitude, let's do it together." finished Hanabi while smiling back.
After the guys where far enough of the girl, Zachiro decide to ask Kozu what was so important. Even if their from the same village, he didn't see any advantage of having secret between them and the other member of the team. Beside, he already have enough difficulty trusting him.
"What is it you want Kozu that you have to say to me?" asked Zachiro.
"It's simple Zachiro, as you can see, we were pair with 2 little girls. Both of them are like 15. They will be useless to us. Might as well say we have already lost our chance to be Jonin. I want to cut you into a deal. You see, one of them is the grand-daughter of the Raikage while the other is heir to the Hyuga clan. Imagine the amount of money we can make if we take them hostage. I'm not sure if their corpse worth something on the black market, so we better with a ransom. Do you want in?"asked Kozu.
"HA HA HA HA are you kidding Kozu? You see, that is precisely why you weren't selected to be one of us. We didn't want shinobi that can be easily turn against the village . The former swordsmen were the known as the most vicious incarnation of the 7 mist swordsmen, but they all turned rogue, stop being a unit and been consume by their own dream and ambition when they lost their captain. That cost them their lives and the mist is greatest faction of warrior in the process. It took a while for us to get it back, hell we still have two empty spot. Your plan is all about the money and your own greed is what blinded you. You really think that the Raikage or the Hyuga clan will send kids to represent them in this event just because they've got a title or something. The fact that they are 15 mean that they're probably 2 of the most powerful ninjas who enter the exam. You shouldn't underestimate them like that. I believe we can pass the exam and we will pass it, so don't tried anything stupid, or else you'll be dealing with me. Understand?"
"Yeah, of course, I won't tried anything if you're protect them." (You had your chance, Zachiro.) answer Kozu.
"Good"
Temari finished concluding her explanation and then started the exam.
End of flashback
The team has to head north as it was the farthest tower. Everything was going well until Hanabi was sensing a lot of presence that seems to surrounded them. She activated her Byakugan and then said:
"Everyone, we've got incoming. 10... 20.. so 30 ninjas trying to surrounded us. They advancing at our pace and seem to be biding their time."
"They're waiting for something, how about we give them an opportunity. Look up ahead, it's an open space, the perfect spot for an ambush, let's go there and make them come out of hiding." proposed Kira.
"You propose to get in the open so that the enemy has an advantage to attack us." asked Kozu
"The whole point of an ambush is to surprise your opponent. The fact that we decide where we'll be ambush and when make them lost that advantage." answered Hanabi calmly.
"Plus we get to take out some of the competition along the way, though if it's a group of 30, I suppose they're not really here to pass anyway, so let's say just say it will help us warm up a little." added Kira
"We do what the girls said, it's seem like the most interesting way to do it plus we don't want any interruption when we're in a harder fight." finished Zachiro.
So they step into the open spot. They did got the effect that they were looking for. However what they didn't expect was one of the man asking Kozu this question:
"So Kozu does Zachiro is in or do we have to fight him as well?"
"He never recognize a good deal when he's offer one, let's kidnap the girls. As for Zachiro, since he not yet one of the 7 swordsmen officially, he corpse won't worth enough to carry. So let's just defeat him and take the Executioner Blade as a prize. That gave me a new sword and give me revenge against the mist. After all, how can you be called the 7 swordsmen of the mist if one sword is missing."
"Kozu you're backstabbing piece of shit. You didn't understand a word of what I've told you earlier."
"I've told you, we have no chance with those two little girls to pass the exam. I assemble a crew of 30 chunin to take out either the leaf hero or his girlfriend. The amount of money on the black market for their corpse is phenomenal. But when we were place on this team, I thought that those two girls can be even more valuable since we can fix ourselves the amount of money for the ransom. It means less work and possibly get the same amount or even more money with less work."
"Thinking ain't you strong suit. What do you think is gonna happen when you got out of the forest of death. The kage will hunt you and your crew down. That's the scenario if you defeat the girls and me.
"You still doubting us? Look at them, there probably tremble in fear right now?"
He turned around to see the girls talking among each other
"So you've might have a crush on a boy name Konohamaru, the grandson of the 2nd Hokage?"
"3rd Hokage and I just say that I find it cute, not that I have a crush. Though I might have one for my sister's teammate."
"You wouldn't... who is it? Is it in the exam." asked an interested Kira
"It's Ki.."
"HEY YOU, WE'RE ABOUT TO KIDNAP YOU. HOW COME YOU TALK ABOUT BOYS SO CASUALLY WHILE WE'VE GOT YOU SURROUNDED."
"Girls, would you mind taking out the 30 wimps Kozu has brought with him while I settle my score with him please." asked Zachiro.
"Sure thing, that's mean we can beat 15 each. Deal?"stated Kira.
"Deal, let's do this quick though, we don't want to waste too much time." added Hanabi.
"I'll take mine down with one jutsu."
"Same here."
"Is it a race then?"
"You're on"
"LIKE HELL WE LET THEM DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. THIS ISN'T A GAME. ATTACK THEM GUYS." said an irate Kozu.
"AYE!" They exclaimed.
Kozu draw his sword and decide to attack Zachiro. However he draw his Executioner Blade and counter his opponent easily. That when he hear behind his back some ninja saying:
"Fire style: Flamethrower jutsu"
Zachiro could feel the heat from behind him and understood that Kozu attack what meant to hold him here. He was about to jump until he saw his foot underground. Ninja from the other side use an earth jutsu to hold him on the ground and make sure the jutsu hit.
"We've got you now." said proudly Kozu
The flame then hit something that wasn't the intended target but Hanabi who jump in front of the flame and use her rotation to deflect them with success.
"I'm your opponent. You want money so bad, you'll have to earn it. Those who leave now won't get hurt." stated a focus Hanabi
Kira decided to added quickly: "Please forgive my friend here. She forget to specifically told you to leave by pair if you do leave.. If you don't, we will have an odd number of opponent and that can't be divide in two, which will be a problem for us."
"Yeah do as Kira said. That would be a pain indeed to find a way to know who knock the last one. "
"No one I leaving, we will knocked both of you bitches out, then we will become rich. Maybe some of us have a little fun with you before our business transaction." said one the the man
"Bitches... That's it." said Kira. After saying those words, you could see lightning run on her whole body repetitively. She then proceed to move faster then anyone present here could see and punched, kicked and back-chop 14 guys before they know what hit them. Tthe only thing you saw was a streak of lightning that knock back, in the air or to the ground 14 of her opponent in a matter of seconds. She then stop in front of the man that were talking trash to them.
"You're were saying?"
"Screw you!" as he throw a punch. Kira dodge it easily before kicking the 15th man strong enough to send him flying quite far from her.
"Well that was fast I suppose I can't let them run now can I."
With that Hanabi begin to use a rotation. The other guys tried throwing shuriken and fire and earth ninjutsu to stop her jutsu to no avail.
"Are you mocking us, you can't attack us with that jutsu, come out of your shell and fight us."
What they didn't know is that Hanabi was using her Byakugan to pinpoint the exact location of her 15 opponents. Once she was done she begin focusing her chakra to her palm and said:
"Gentle fist art : 8 trigrams. Rotative air palm." She then begin to throw her air palm jutsu at an alarming speed that knock back and out her opponent. The rotation was helping her jutsu to gain speed and power but it took her a great ammount focus to being able to target someone with. Her 15 opponents where knock in the air and defeat in a matter of second as well."
"Well that was impressive."said the white hair girl.
"Thank you, your jutsu ain't too shabby either." said the brunette.
"It was awesome you mean."
"You know it."
"HOW COMES 30 CHUNINS LOSE TO 2 LITTLE GIRLS." said an enraged Kozu while continue his stand-off with Zachiro
"Told you."added the swordsman before punching him in the face while he was continuing his clash of sword. Kozu was knock back by that punch a bit. Zachiro turn to face the girls and then said:
"Congratulations girls." However, he did turn his back to Kozu, who saw an opportunity to attack.
"WATCH OUT" both the girls exclaimed because the opportunist was about to stab Zachiro in the back. However he has predict that and was holding his index and middle finger and when his adversary was close enough, he said without turning around: "Water style: Water Wall." The pillar of water stood from the ground behind Zachiro. He propel Kozu in the air. At that moment, the mist shinobi turn around, made a few hand-sign and said: "Water style: Water prison jutsu." The pillar then engulf his enemy before turning into a bubble. That bubble of water was falling but was stopped by Zachiro before it hit the ground. He then made a water clone and let him take over that bubble.
"Wait you can do that. You could have block that flame attack with that jutsu earlier, what didn't you use it?" asked Kira.
"I remember saying to you that you'll have to handle the 30 wimps. You did it. I didn't want to counter attack any of them, I could have take them all on by myself, but I wanted to show our friend here and to myself that you were strong."
"So you were testing us?" asked Hanabi.
"In a way yes and from what I gather, I learned that you still are kids but you girls are strong and have good judgment, better then our friend in the bubble, so you've earned my thrust to pass this stage of the exam."
"Well you've earned ours when you didn't side with those scumbag." said Kira
"Good. Now let's get moving." finished Zachiro.
"Wait what about Kozu? You wanted to left him drown in that prison with the clone here?"
"Well yeah."
"Though he doesn't seem nice and he probably had it coming, hell the way you talked earlier shows that you even tried to talk him out of it. Even so, this is an exam made for a team of 4. You know that we might have to lost a teammate in this exam, the way Temari talk, so might as well keep him around if a time like that come. Plus I rather have an eye on him as well." stated the Hyuga girl.
"Hmm, she did has a point."said the other girl
"Fine, we take him with us. He might still be useful. I'll make a small hole to pull his head out of the water, so that he lived, but he stay in that prison and the clones will transport him." With that, Zachiro make a 2nd clone at the other side of the bubble and they begin transporting their new prisoner."
Kozu head was out of the water. He caught his breath back before saying:
"I'll get you for this Zachiro. Hell I get your whole team for this. I teach you that the 7 swordsmen are nothing without me. As for you girl. I'll..." PAF
Kozu was knock unconscious in an instant. Hanabi and Zachiro look back at Kira.
"What? He should be grateful we didn't kill him. Instead of that we got the whole speech of blah blah blah, I'll be back, blah blah blah, I'll have my revenge. We don't need to hear that right?."
Both of them look at each other and acknowledge that she was right.
"Enough wasted time. Let's get moving girls."
"Aye" both girls answered.
They continue their route toward the north tower. Everything was going well, even though they have now a prisoner within the team. However, all good thing must come to an end, as Hanabi detect something bigger than an ambush.
"Up ahead, there someone using one hell of a jutsu. His chakra keep expanding and expanding through out the whole forest. We need to take him out of the equation."
"Are you able to see through his genjutsu?" asked Zachiro.
"Yeah that kind of genjutsu is just him expanding his chakra to mold an image. That image must be quite simple."
"Like putting everything in black." asked Kira
"Exactly, how will you know that?"
"Well if you go outside Byakugan mode, You'll see it too instead of just the chakra.."
"Okay you two listen up, I'm gonna carry both of you, that way we won't lose anyone. Hanabi, you'll be my eye, you will guide me through the darkness. Kira, do you know any jutsu that might take out the user.?"
"Do you know who's the user Hanabi?"
"I don't know it yet, but the closer we get, the better I can get a location of the source."
"Okay, that will give me time to use this jutsu. It'll take a while to cast it, I'll never use it in battle for that reason because it require all my focus and most of my chakra. It can't be block on the plus size. If you carry me Zachiro, that would indeed help because it's better than I don't move. Just don't be surprise by the amount of chakra I might generate for it okay."
"Fine."
"What about Kozu?"asked the brunette.
"The clone will know the move I make, even in the shadow, they will be able to follow us. If Kozu find a way to break free, he'll be lost in the darkness, well when he woke up."
"Great so let's get started."
With that, Hanabi climb on the left shoulder of Zachiro while Kira was on his right. They enter the darkest genjutsu with the Byakugan user giving direction while the lightning user begin to charge her chakra. She made some hand-sign, afterward clap her hands together and let her chakra loose. She caught her headband that tie her hair together since it detach itself due to the massive amount of chakra released, letting her long white hair float in the air. Lightning start to cover her body. This time however, her own body was engulf by her own chakra, which was visible while lightning still running free on her body. Sometime, the lightning begin to hit Zachiro now and then, he endure it and to his surprise, it help him go a little faster on some occasion. He wonder if she can transfer her power temporary. He thought were interrupted when Hanabi said:
"Found them, the user has been carried by 1 ninja that has a huge amount of chakra and they are two other like this guy near them. They've got a little less chakra then Naruto 2 years ago, which means too much chakra for ordinary shinobi."
"Okay don't lose sight of them, we will keep this distance to avoid being detected."
"Give me 15 minutes. I'll be ready." announced Kira
"Good keep the pace Zachiro, I'll continue to guide you here." finished the Byakugan user.
The team continue their advance on the team that engulf all other in the darkness as well closing the gap between them and the North tower. Though they had a traitor in their rank, they seems to have adapted to the situation at hand.
Team 109 POV
"The exam started now." said Temari.
The team of Shino Abruame, Poa Akimichi, Toka and Apachi were arguing to decide which direction they should be headed.
"I said we should go west. It's seems the wind blow West, so I think we should go there, I have a good feeling." stated Apachi
"Nah we should eliminate the north tower as soon as possible." Toka answered.
"West or North, I really don't have much of a preference, I'll go with what the team." said Poa
"I've got a way to eliminate one of the tower. I don't know which one it is yet but it seems to be either the East or the North, from what I gather, so I suggest we go West to be sure to hit them all." said Shino
"What are you talking about and how in the hell are you going to do that.?" asked the grey eyed man.
"With a bug, the how exactly is not important, just know that by the time we reached the West tower, there is a good chance I know which one we should head next if it's not the one, however know that there is a risk I might not know at all. It's a calculated risk. Know that I have no advantage to sabotage our exam."
(If he wasn't in Choji class, that last sentence would look suspicious.) thought Poa.
"Well it's a risk I'm willing to take, count me in." said Apachi.
"You seems like a calculating man, I'll trust you, but that gamble better pay off. There will be repercussion if it doesn't."
"Fair enough, but I will defend myself if it come to that."
"Good then, let's move." finished Apachi.
The team was heading toward the west tower. In their route they stumble upon a dead giant snake that has no fang and seem to have been split in two from the jaw. They stopped to wonder:
"What kind of monster is able to do that." asked Shino.
"The kind to have brute strength and enjoy using it from what we see, look at these eye, even in death you could see fear in his eyes" stated Apachi.
"I wouldn't want to meet the kind of beast that did that." said the Akimichi.
"I don't think it is an animal, only a human could show that kind of cruelty in a kill. The nine-tails girlfriend is said to have a monstrous strength. Look like she just snapped here." said Toka.
"Not her style, she's not a sadistic cold killer. Plus one of her punch would have knock him out. She wouldn't need to go overkill like that." stated Shino
"You never know what this kind of environment do to a person, especially knowing she's probably hunted by others for the ridiculous amount of money she's worth on the black market. Hell, maybe her own teammate turned on her." continued Doka.
"Kiba won't turned on her for money, he a trustworthy friend and know Sakura for years. Plus It's not like Matsuri to back-stab people she consider friend or ally."
"Hotaru is one of us. No swordsmen of the mist will back-stab people for money. Not in this life time anyway."
"If you say so anyway let's get going." stated Toka
"Wait, where is Poa."
"GUYSSSSSS. WATCH OUT "
Poa was being drag by some kind of vines. The other ninjas understand that Poa was dragged by those. They tried to rescue him but other vines come out and tried to catch them.
"What's is this? " asked the sand ninja before being caught by one as well.
"Probably man eating plant. The vine caught the victim and dragged it to be devour."said Shino calmly
"That just perfect. Attack the base of the plant or cut the head. That ought to do the trick" said Apachi while cutting some of them with his Axe.
"GOT IT" all other 3 answered.
Toka let's himself being drag close enough of the plant to see a yellow flower with what look to be sharp fang salivating. He then smile and tap the ground with his hand.
"I've caught you now. Ninja art: Quicksand jutsu." The ground beneath the plant change into a quicksand. The plant continue to drag Toka toward his own quicksand but that didn't seems to faze him. He continue to amplify is jutsu. The plant has it mouth open during the ordeal, trying to drag Toka and eat him and that appear to be its downfall, as it swallow more and more sand until its base burst open and died while the sand escape from its body. The vine let go of him and he then stop his jutsu.
Apachi found the one that seems to tried to catch him. He draw his Helmsplitter sword and said: "I'll hit you once, you'll either look like that snake or even worse when I'm done with you." He then jump and hit the poor thing with his hammer. He literally squashed the plant, as other could hear from far the sound of his attack and he could feel the ground beneath the plant begin to break.
As for Shino, he send some bug that begin to eat the plants. No vine ever caught him. Poa has something along the same idea. Except that he ate the plant himself once he changes into giant size. Once they all dispatched the plant, the 4 reunited.
"Well those plant were disgusting." said Apachi
"I know right, the taste was awful, they could have at least taste good."
"I mean their mouth, full of saliva. Wait you actually eat one of those thing?"
"Yep, eat or be eaten, laws of jungle." said proudly the Akimichi.
"Disgusting indeed." said Toka.
"Anyway, we waste enough time here, let's continue." finished Shino
"AYE" the other 3 agreed.
They continue their travel to the west tower until they saw a giant bubble of darkness that keep expanding.
"Is that?"
"Yeah Poa, it's the jutsu of the 2nd Hokage, the infinite darkness. They somehow boost the range." said the Abruame
"Why would someone use a jutsu like that."
"To separated us, if we lost 2 teammates the exam is over." answer the swordsman
"Well anyone has a plan." asked Toka
"I'll send some paralytic bug that will track the chakra signature of the user. They can see it total darkness and should be able to neutralize the guy once they reach him. As for this I gonna use a firefly swarm to allow us to see in the darkness. Well more like something to follow. With you permission, I plant a tracking beetle on each of you, if someone lose sight of the firefly swarm, I'll be able to find it."
"I can expand in giant size and take all of us to the tower. That way, no one get lost."
"Go for a big Poa size, not giant. A giant size shinobi is a giant target." stated the sand shinobi.
"Agreed, Shino you focus on your bug and Poa, on transportation. Toka and I will deal with the obstacle that we might encounter."
"Good let' do it. Expansion Jutsu: Little Giant."
Poa was become something like 10 feet tall. Everything part of has grown, not just his height. He put Shino on his head and both Toka and Apachi on his shoulder. Shino release the paralytic bug, the firefly swarm and 3 tracking bug that attached themselves on his teammate in case. The paralytic bugs flew toward the north while the fireflies flew toward the west. They were follow by a giant Poa carrying his team into the darkness.
Team 108 POV
Flashback :Before the exam.
After team 108 was form, Sakura, Kiba, Matsuri and Hotaru were waiting for the exam to start. Sakura decide to introduce herself to her teammate, well, the one that don't know her officially.
"Hi I'm Sakura Haruno, this is Matsuri and Kiba Inzuka with his trusted companion, Akamaru. We'll be your teammate for this exam." she said while smiling.
"Hi" said both Kiba and Matsuri while Akamaru barked.
"I'm Hotaru Rokuzawa, glad to meet you all. It seems you all know each other, though I hear tales of the last war about you Sakura. You're suppose to be one of the best kunoichi in all 5 nations that can compete with elite Jonin. Being one of the new Sannin mean you don't need the rank either. I don't understand why you'll take this exam, you have nothing to prove. May I ask you why would you take this exam?"
"I still have plenty to prove. Yes, I did good in the war but there is always room for progress. That's why Naruto and I have train really hard for the last two years. We wanted to become stronger, smarter and better shinobi to achieve our dream. I want to be able to fight side by side with them, to live up to my master reputation as her pupil, as one of the new Sannin and it's the next step for Naruto's dream, a dream I swore to protect no matter what. That's why I'm taking the exam." stated the pinkette.
"It means that much to you huh. I'm glad to have a motivate teammate then. This exam is a great deal for me as well. I'm one of new 7 swordsmen of the mist. 2 of others like me are taking this exam. We're like probation member though, because except our leader due to exceptional circumstance, to become one the 7 swordsmen officially, you have to be a Jonin. That's why it is important for each of us to pass this test successfully. Your explanation make me think of Suigetsu. He said he still want to take the exam even if he didn't have too. What about you guys, why are you here?" asked the blond woman.
"Since Temari started going to the leaf more frequently and might even move here,Gaara might need a new escort when he has to go to official meeting. Mikoshi told me that he wishes that I would be this person, in case Temari ain't able to fulfill the role. I needed to get stronger for our Kage sake so I started to trained for this exam during those last 2 years. He was there for me, makes me believe in myself and he trust me, I need to live up to that thrust." said a determined Matsuri.
"I planned on beating Naruto in this exam and finally avenge that lost from the Chunin exam, while taking the next step to become Hokage."said a proud Kiba.
"WOAF" barked an equally proud Akamaru.
"Good, that mean no one here is in to lose or to use the exam as an excuse for stupid reason like money, fame or fufill a contract like others we have suspected. I'm sure you know about it but you will be targeted Sakura. We checked the black market bingo book before coming here and you're the 8th biggest target register in it." stated Hotaru
Sakura seems disappointed (only 8th I barely able to catch up to Naruto and Sasuke, now some other ninja are able to surpassed me)
"Don't feel disappointed Sakura, I mean I heard that if you're are the 35th biggest target, the amount of money you're worth is enough to set you for life." said Matsuri.
"She's right, the only people being ranked higher than you is your teammate Naruto Uzumaki & Sasuke Uchiha and the 5 Kages. Being a Kage automatically give your a top 5 spot normally, but Naruto and Sasuke have somehow confirm the sage of the sage of 6 path existence and have share his power at one point. Plus they've had a jinchuriki status and a Rinnegan respectively. That's why their body worth insane amount of money that surpasses the Kages. Anyway, enough about that topic, let think about the job we've got here."
Sakura, who now understand the way she was list and felt almost flattered. She then said:
"About this exam and I believe we should decide now where we will be headed. I'll suggest we'll go for the East tower."
"Why East in particular Sakura, do you have a hidden agenda or something? I do remember the last time I've been following you, before you turned on us to put us to sleep." ask the sole man of the group
"Those were different time. I'm sorry again for that, but it was a personal matter back then. If you want to know, it's part of a plan that I can't reveal to you right now but it will make us all past the 1st test. I have no intention of doing anything that would jeopardize this team. " answered an embarrassed Sakura
"Fine by me. At least you're honest and you know I was just messing with you."said a smirking Kiba.
"I was going to suggest East anyway so I'll agree with this tower as well." said Hotaru.
"East it is then, I'll trust you guys." finished Matsuri.
"I've got one last question for you Hotaru, what kind of jutsu can you use. You don't have to say everything, after all, we might be opponent in a latter stage of the exam, but it will be useful to know what you can do mainly so we can adjust a formation accordingly. I'm a water style user who got enhanced strength and I'm quite good at genjutsu. Kiba, Matsuri, you can tell her what you can do as well. "
"I''m a wind style ninjutsu and I fight with my Johyo." said Matsuri
"I fight with my partner Akamaru and got a keen sense of smell." said Kiba.
"Seems fair enough, I held the fangs blades. Those swords allow me to use lightning attacks. I'm a good water style user." answer Hotaru.
"Good so here's how we're going to do. Kiba, you've got the back,Matsuri, you'll take the front. I'll be behind you and Hotaru be behind me, where I watched the left side while Hotaru watch the right side. Any questions or objection? "
No question where asked. They heard 2 min latter a familiar voice stated that this exam has now started.
"Then let's do this guys" finished Sakura.
End of flashback
Team 108 were heading toward the east tower. Things were looking good as they found themselves in the lead. Ninjas were following hot on their trail. However even if that was the case something doesn't feel right.
"Guys, if we were close to an opposing team, we wouldn't happen to jump tree to tree alongside with them right?" asked Kiba.
"Of course not, they're will be tension and we might fight an opposing team, why asked?" said Hotaru.
"From what I smell, there is a huge group that are approaching toward us. I don't smell blood, sweat or anything that indicate that they are fighting, it's almost like smelling a pack."
"Hotaru would you mind checking both the left and the right side of our team formation. I think I'm the reason they are following us. I separate from you for a moment to take care of them. How many to do you think they are Kiba?"
"50 maybe 60?"
"We can let you go alone against all those guys. Let us help you."said Matsuri.
"Beside, we better stick together. If you can meet up with us or if we lost another teammate after you go, we won't be able to pass this stage of the exam. Beside, I won't allow people like that to get away with everything they want" stated the masked swordsman.
"Don't worry, I won't allow any of us to be lost. Let's stop here for a minute." said Sakura before biting her thumb. She make a few hand-sign and said : "Kuchiyose no jutsu" A cloud of smoke appear and inside were laying four mini Katsuyu.
"Lady Katsuyu, I'll need you to attach yourself to my 3 teammates over here so we don't lost contact. I'll be able to track you after I'm done with the ninjas that have followed us. If somehow someone got lost, Katsuyu will be our insurance policy with Kiba nose. Even if they got me, you'll be able to complete the test, but that won't come to that. I'll deal with them alone. As I said, I won't jeopardize this team objective. " finished Sakura.
"Looks like you make your mind. Trust me ladies, she's even more stubborn than her boyfriend, we won't be able to change her mind. Might as well goes with her plan and hope for the best. You better comeback though , Naruto won't forgive us if you don't." said the dog owner.
"Be careful. We will carry out the mission so join up as soon as you can." said the sand ninja
"Well team let's move. Good luck Sakura, hope you didn't bite more than you can chew." finished the blond girl.
The mini-Katsuyu attach itself to each teammate and the remaining 3 jump back on tree and resume their trip to the east tower. 5 minutes after Sakura splitting with her group, Hotaru asked.
"Kiba, do you smell those ninja on our tails, if Sakura messed-up and those guys weren't after her, we better go back for her."
"No they're all went toward Sakura's position. They really were after her."
"You said between 50 to 60? Even if they aren't elite ninja, they're all still chunin. Do you think she'll be all right." asked the brunette.
"Well, I saw team 7 defy every odds in the books so I say we should focus on the task at han... Stop."
Every one stop death in their track
"What is it?"
"I smell 12 people ahead. It seems from what I gather, some are closer and some are farther, some are in the tree, some are in the bush, like their waiting for team to do an ambush. "
"Probably gamble this whole test in the same tower, which is quite stupid. Matsuri do you know any long range ninjutsu." asked Hotaru
"Yes, but the way Kiba describe their hiding spot, I could use your lightning style with my Johyo. The tip has a powerful paralytic drug. I just need to sting some with it. It as a great range and I can manipulate the steel cable. However, some might be able to dodge or block the tip once they get what happening, so you use your lightning to electrify the steel cable.. Don't worry, the helm is made to be isolate from electricity, so you won't hurt me. We should be able to take 5 or 6 of them that way."
"After taking those down, we will reveal our position, so that the other came out of hiding back to back. They will either cut their loss and let us pass or attack us. The only thing is to pinpoint those location precisely."
"Leave that to me."said a confident Kiba
Matsuri was preparing her Johyo while Kiba focus his chakra on his nose and begin to tell her where to aim. Hotaru draw her swords and was ready to electrify the steel cable of Matsuri's Johyo. While their were preparing, the ambushing ninja has just ended the dream of another team.
"That's the 6th team we ambush successfully." said ambush ninja 1
"Too bad we weren't ready when that hot raven hair girl or that cute cloud redhead with the blind man pass." said ambush ninja 2
"Yeah knocking them out and put their body in scroll to not leave any trace of the ambush is definitely the perfect plan. I would have love to see have one of those hotties in a scroll, maybe we could have convince them to become our girl. Too bad we weren't ready for them, that would have complicated the ambush."
"If we're lucky, we might catches that pinkette. She might be heading this way."
"Yeah, people told me that her body is worth a lifetime of money."
"Yep, plus I would mind taking a shot at that bod iiiiiiiiiiii"
"WhAAAAAAAAAAAAAT"
Both man were knock out by the tip of Matsuri's Johyo. That continue his trajectory to the 3rd guy. It hit his target but the 4th ninja caught the tip before getting electrocuted by Hotaru's Jutsu.
"Withdraw back your weapon and get ready, they've begin coming out of hiding." said Kiba
"Who there's sneak attack our ambush party?" asked out loud the leader of this gang.
"I guess we did." said a smirking Hotaru appearing with Kiba and Matsuri at her side.
"Big mistake, kill them all."
"Let's go Akamaru."
"BARF."
Kiba and Akamaru then charging at three of the man, becoming like mini-tornado and said "Fang over Fang." Those 3 ninjas were sent flying.
"Blow them away." said a cocky Inuzuka
One of the ninja was jumping at Matsuri. She use her Johyo to caught his foot in midair and slam him into the ground. While she had her back turn, she felt a presence. One of the other ninja has jump in the hair and was about to stab her with a kunai. However, she was prepared, turn around and said: "Wind style: Vaccum bullet." The enemy was hit in midair, the jutsu made him gain some high before he come crashing down to the ground.
Hotaru was engaging two of the ninja at the same time with her blades against their kunai. She charge electricity in her sword once she was bored of clashing with them, turning their kunai to dust before cutting them both in the back while they attempt to run scared, knocking them out since they were electrocuted by her swords. She turned her attention to the leader who said to her.
"You don't know who you're messing with, I'll end you here and now. Fire style: Dragon flame jutsu."
The fire was heading toward Hotaru, who doesn't seem impress by this powerful fire attack. She plant her swords to the ground, make a quick hand-sign and said: "Water style: Water Wall". A wall of water protect her from the fire jutsu. The result was only a mist from the collision of those attack.
"I'll cannot take seriously a guy who just tried to win this by ambushing people with a superior number of man and has gamble everything without thinking. You have the higher chance to lose by doing that. Gambling everything on the 1st stage? "
She take back her sword, cross them together and then send electricity running through them. You could see her jutsu forming.
"This fight is over. Lightning style: Lightning Ball."
"Only when I say it's over. You don't know anything. Even if we lose, we still have all those contestant in scroll. Ninja from all the nation in scroll. We can unlock every secret they had. Anyway, you're in the way and I don't needed anyone to beat you. Fire style: Dragon flame jutsu."
Fire and lightning where now clashing
"You should really pay attention to your environment before using a jutsu. The mist surrounding us now is moist air, meaning your fire jutsu isn't at full power.."
The expression on her opponent change learning about that information. The collision of jutsu begin to to show the ball pushing the flame away and heading to her enemy. It hit the leader and zap him out of consciousness.
"Well that take care of it. Let's fiind the scroll of the ambushed people. We will free them after the exam." said Hotaru while withdrawing her sword
"I have found the sealing scrolls they were using, I'm gonna burn everyone of them, so that they can't trap people again."said the brunette
" Good. Wait a minute." said Kiba
"What is it?" Matsuri asked.
"You know, those ninjas that were after Sakura. Well I don't smell anyone of them. I only smell Sakura's perfume and by that I mean the flower, not the ninja. Well she's not with them anymore, she seems t..."
"to be right here I know." said Sakura who appear in front of them. "You could smell the Sakura's flower from here? That's good to know.?"
"Did you kill them all in that time interval?" asked Hotaru surprise to see her already.
"Didn't kill them just knock them all out. They shouldn't bother us anymore."
"How did you do that.?" asked Matsuri.
"Well..."
Flashback
Sakura separate herself from her group. The ninjas that were after her group switch direction as well.
"Miss Sakura, from what you Inuzuka friend saying now, your team is no longer targeted by the ninja party."
"Meaning I'm the target, Naruto probably got problem like that too."
"He seems safe at the moment."
"Well, I don't expect him to lose to those kinds of guys. Well better not underestimate them though."
"You don't think..."
"Don't worry, I'm not going all out in the 1st stage of the exam, we need to keep some surprise for our opponent now wouldn't we? Look this spot seems quite nice to let them come at me. Please hide my lady. Thing might get messy."
"As you wish."
The mini Katsuyu then hide in Sakura's clothes. She stop in the spot she choose and wait 2 minutes, to let the enemy catch up. In front of her, stand 52 chunins, all from different village.
"Sakura Haruno, you seems to have give up. Surrender yourself to us now and we won't hurt you, well we'll end your life rather quickly."
"I was about to told you that if you turned around now, I'll forget your existence and what you've done but it seems we're past that aren't we."
"Common, we outnumber you 60 to 1. The rest our group are targeting your blond boyfriend, who probably face a 100:1. Know when you're beat and when it's time to make us rich."
"Question though, even if you beat me, you know I'll take some of you with me, what happen to them and to their cut ."
"Yeah what happen to them boss." said another guy.
"We'll take them back with us of course."
"So your saying you'll carry death weight with you, while trying to run from everyone that will tried to avenge us?"asked Sakura
"Yes screw that, we leave them behind, they knew the risk."
"So who want to face me 1st."
"Hey you the screw that guy, how about you go 1st."
"No you go 1st."
The ninjas begin to fight among themselves.
(Greed is a powerful motivator but it's divide people more easily in the end. That should give the time to the 8 remaining guys to catch up to the party. I should thank Shikamaru for that lesson back then about large party traveling. Though I guess seeing all of them knock out would have make my late guest give up)
"What are you doing here? We're fighting among ourselves" said an arriving shinobi.
(Right on cue)
"Well it's seems you underestimated me, sending a 3rd of you force only. I'll be on my way, see ya."
Sakura then make explode a couple of smoke bomb and was on her way back to her teammates.
"She's the one who underestimated us. We don't have time waste. Through the smoke, after her.
" Stop, she won't make a fool out of us. Use your wind jutsu to clear it, in case it's poison."
"Yeah, she must think one of us have an acute sense of smell like her dog friend. She tried to erase her smell with that strong perfume in a smoke bomb. We can smell that odor from here. Let's teach that brat a lesson"
"YEAAAAAAAAAAAH."
They use a wind jutsu to clear the smoke. The wind begin to push it aside, before that smoke changes color and started to surrounded them. It went from dark purple to pink. The smoke started to shatter into Sakura's petal like that begin to swirling around the whole group.
"What the hell happened here?."
Sakura appear in the center of the petal and said: "I ended you all with that jutsu." With that Sakura started to grow to giant size, while the petal seems to paint the whole surrounding around the ninjas like the blackest night. People tried to run when they see her changing size, but they couldn't, no matter how hard they tried. Soon a pair of giant hand begin to wrap themselves around the entire group. That pair of hands then raise them up until they arrived face to face with a giant girl, who seems angry. No pupil in her eyes and the word Inner was written on her forehead.
"WHAT KIND OF MONSTER ARE YOU!?"said an afraid man
"A third of a wimps squad to take me out. I'm sick of people underestimate me. I'm as strong as Naruto or Sasuke. You shouldn't have underestimate me. You shouldn't have underestimate us. No shinobi that are obsess with such trivial things as a chance to defeat one of us. You should be ashamed to called yourselves ninjas when you just play the petty bounty hunter game of the black market. I'll crush every bones in your body so you'll remember, every time you felt this unimaginable pain, it was your own doing. Remember the price I'm worth on the black market, that is what you were willing to pay for getting your bones crushed."
"Please forgive us."
"Let's us go I give up."
"I quit."
"Yep. No conviction whatsoever. You make me sick SHANNARO."
Inner Squeeze and the 60 enemies and shattered their bones. She let go of them and even if their bones were crushed, they could still feel the 30 feet drop when they crash on the ground. They could feel that pain throughout all of their bodies.
(None of them suspect the genjutsu The 60 of them have fallen after 1min. Did you have your fun?)
(Stop pretending you don't know, we're the same.)
(I know, it just that I expected them to get that this was genjutsu.)
(I suppose pissing their pants like they did has stopped their thinking process, plus they were so angry you "underestimated" them. Wait one of them is conscious)
The kunoichi was trembling in shock of what happen in the genjutsu world. She was still conscious, but she saw all the other unconscious, with make him fear for the worst, especially when she saw Sakura.
"What did you do to them?."
"Genjutsu."
"When?"
"You smell the perfume of the smoke bomb. One sniff is enough at this distance."
"You never left.?"
"I was here for the whole minute."
"I see. We were fool."
"You were. I'll be on my way to meet my teammate, follow us and I'll crush every bones in your bodies in this reality.
The woman who was still in shock only nod while trembling. She knew she wasn't bluffing
"Lady Katsuyu, lead me to the other please."
The slug return to the pinkette shoulder and answer : "Yes miss Sakura."
End of Sakura's tales
"YOU CAN TRAP 60 persons at the same time with genjutsu." said an impressed Kiba.
"Thanks Kakashi and Kurenai-sensei for that. I didn't expect you to smell it. Consider yourself lucky to have been out of range." she said with an innocent smile
"Gulp" both Kiba and Akamaru did.
"You're should be ashamed to mess with him like that." whispered Hotaru to Sakura hear
"Sorry, I wanted to get back at him for earlier. Beside it was too funny to see that face he made, you have to admit."
"Yeah he's kind of cute when he afraid like this."
"Girls, sorry to interrupt you but what is this?" asked the Matsuri.
"It's the 2nd Hokage jutsu, infinite darkness. Lady Katsuyu, you still go them all attached?"
"Yes Miss Sakura."said the slug on her shoulder.
"Okay, lady Katsuyu will be our link to not get lost. Kiba will be leading the team to the tower. Focus your nose on what's in the front of us. We will have to watch our own back in this. Is everybody okay with that plan."
"Most of this plan really on my nose so no problem in my book. Akamaru and I will felt if something goes wrong right buddy."
"Barf"
"That's seems to be a solid plan. Count me in." said Matsuri
"One detail, shouldn't we attack the genjutsu user to stop him." asked Hotaru.
"Hmm. Good point. If we didn't have the mean to get to the tower, I'll definitely say yes, but since we are able to do that, this genjutsu could work in our favor and eliminate some of the competition. Beside, we don't have the mean to pinpoint the user location, so we would be wasting our chakra. Plus other will probably focus their effort on him already."
"You really have plan this quite well. I'll be foolish to disagree with a plan. Let get going with it." stated Hotaru."
"Yeah let's get going." said Kiba.
"Kiba, maybe you should let Akamaru behind the team. I know that the chance of attack in the genjutsu are slim, but we're better not take any chance. Akamaru could alert the team if their is an incoming threat behind us." pointed out the sand ninja.
"You right, Akamaru, you'll stay behind in the formation. If you felt anything happen, you tell boy okay?
"BARK" said Akamaru.
"Katsuyu." said Sakura.
"Aye" the Katsuyu on Sakura's shoulder understood and separated into two, making another mini-Katsuyu that attach itself to the back of Akamaru.
" Everyone all set ... then let's go" finished the mist ninja.
The dog ninja at lead his team into the genjutsu, followed by his dog to guard their blind spot. They're continue heading toward the East tower.
Team 107 POV
Flashback: Before the exam
After hearing their name, Naruto, Kisuke, Fudo and Doka were meeting before the exam started. Naruto decided that he had to speak to his new teammate first.
"Hello everyone, you might probably all know who I am but just in case, I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I'm here to pass this exam. For that , we will need to work as a team. If one of you is in this exam for different reasons like beating me up for money or fame, there will be other moment that would be more appropriate and that doesn't reduce our chance of passing. I would like to know as well what kind of jutsu you can use in battle. You don't have to tell me everything because we might be opponent later. I just want to have a general idea. Since I asked, I'll go first, I'm a wind ninjutsu user and have a knack for shadow clone. Anyone else want to share before it's start?"
"Nice speech, but why should we do as you say." asked Fudo
"Because he seems honest in his way of speech and his explanation is quite logical as well. We better to have an idea of what the others can do if we want our teamwork to be efficient to pass. Unless you're not here for that reason?" said Doka.
"I do have an ulterior motive beside becoming Jonin. I want to beat him 1 on 1. I want to defeat the strongest opponent. While I was trapped in that genjutsu 2 years ago. When I saw him broke it off, I felt ashamed to have been trapped in it the 1st place. I'm not taking you out Naruto while we're teammates. But that doesn't mean that I'm willing to follow your order either." concluded the big man.
"I didn't participate in that war. Father said that I wasn't ready. The plan seems to be good and I do want to go far in this trial. I'm Kisuke from the land of Iron and I'm a Samurai. I use my sword to cut things" stated the samurai
"Good to know and it is quite precise" answer Naruto.
(AND QUITE OBVIOUS)
(I KNOW RIGHT?)
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH BOTH YOU . I TOLD YOU STRAIGHT TO YOUR FACE THAT I WILL OBLITERATE YOU LATER AND THIS GUY TALK ABOUT HIMSELF AND WORST, YOU LISTEN TO HIM."
"I listened to you too. I heard you. I'll give you that shot at the exam, but let's focus on this 1st stage."
"Fine. I am Fudo. I'm an earth ninjutsu user who love beating my opponent in close combat."
"Nice to meet you Fudo." both Naruto and Kisuke said.
(I'm really stuck with those two. That guy save the world, give me a break.)
"Glad to be acquainted with each of you. I am Doka a water style user. That's all I wish to reveal to you."
"Okay so here's my plan, we go to the west tower, if that tower ain't the one, I guarantee I'll be able to figure out which one make us pass."
"I don't really care which one to go, so I don't have any objection" asked Fudo.
"Okay" said Kisuke
"Why west though? Why don't you use shadow clone to cover the whole area and go to all 3 towers. You can make a lot of those right?" stated the mask man.
"I'm kind of a target in this exam. Shadow clone could cover for me, if I willing to use chakra to transform them into looking like you, to not raise suspicion, but even so they disappear after one blow. Beside, I suck at genjutsu so my shadow clone, if they reach this distance, couldn't have a way of knowing if a tower is trapped. Beside, shadow clone cannot be trapped in genjutsu unless the user is hit by it, so they really cannot give me that information.. I would waste chakra using them plus we're a team. This test is about developing teamwork with partner you're not use to have. As for the west, let's just say I've got that covered."
"You seem to have thought this through, so let's do it as you say." conclude Doka.
They than heard later Temari said that the exam has begun.
End of flashback.
The team were adventuring in the forest. Fudo was had front of the formation, follow by Kisuke and Doka. Naruto was the last man in that formation. Every now and then, he uses a jutsu.
"Didn't you said before we go that the shadow clone were a waste of chakra." asked Fudo.
"Using them to search for the right tower would be a waste of chakra. Make some to alert us if some hostile group are behind us, that isn't a waste if you ask me." stated Naruto
"Beside, if you're the guy in front, shouldn't you be focus on what could happen in front instead of behind you unless we alert.? I thought that work for ninja formation too" added Kisuke.
"Shut up samurai."
"He's right, focus on the front Fudo." intervened Doka
"Fine, let's get this phase over quick, so I can kick each and everyone of your ass."
(Kid, you get that)
(That soon and that many, well we can let the team be delayed by them, I'll take care of them)
"Listen people, one of my clone just got attack. One of the guy shout about being rich while attacking it. I'll take care of them, You guys stay on course. I'll catch up with you. Kisuke, hold on this kunai for me. I'll comeback to get it."
"Okay, I'll give your my word that nothing will happen to it."
"Won't it be quicker to deal with them as a team?" asked th mist ninja.
" The clones count at least a 100 of them. All chunin level but they seem to have come for me. I can handle it and I'll trust you can continue on the road without me."
"I should at least come with you. 100 ninjas to beat sound like my kind of party."
"You want to face the strongest opponent here from what you said to me earlier. Those aren't the ones you search. They didn't bother to train as hard for this exam as other participant here. That why they move in giant group like that to take me on."
"Point taken, just don't lose then, YOUR MINE TO BEAT. Let's go guys."
"Aye" the two other said
"I'll see you later." finished the jinchuriki
Naruto then disappear from the rest of the group. However the team find their path block by a giant snake."
"Guys stop." stated Doka
"Yeah he's in the way."
"Want me to cut his head" asked the samurai, seeming ready to draw his sword."
"Not yet it seems the snake is in some kind of trance. Probably another team came before us and put it in a genjutsu, so it will stop other people when another team pass it by. We can see that 1 bite will be poisonous. Plus look at those flower, it seems like man eating plan are around so if we are to make a move, it must be swift."
"I understand. Fudo you with us? Where is he?" asked Kisuke
"Come here you stinky snake." said the big man while charging the snake.
(That idiot) thought Doka.
He voice snap the giant monster out of its trance. It attacks the man head-on. It bites its adversary with all his might, but it only result in the snake losing his fangs. They never penetrated Fudo skin, so no poison were injected in his vein. He then caught and hold the top and the bottom of the snake jaw and said:
"Oh I'm sorry, have I taken your weapon? My bad I shall do right by you by putting you out of your misery quickly."
He then snapped the snake jaw apart, killing the beast instantly. The vine from the man eating were about to come out but after seeing this, they knew that this guy was higher in the food chain then them.
"I should have just cut the head."stated the Samurai
"What were you thinking killing it."said an angry Doka
"Getting the path clear, you're welcome by the way."
"We could have sneak past it and let other worry about it like the other before us did."
"Don't worry, leaving the body like this will distract or terrify some shinobi even more, hell maybe some will lost their nerve."
"That actually could work" agreed Kisuke.
"Fine, just next time you want to kill something or charged head-on on an enemy, asked us first. We need to work as a team, if we want to get through this."
"All right, I'll suppose."
"Let's keep going then." finished the samurai. The ninjas nodded in agreement and proceed to their quest. While that happened Naruto find a spot to wait for his opponents to catches up with him. They caught up with him as he expected. One of the man said :
"Listen to us we have you surrounded. You can't escape us. It's an odd of 1 to 100. Give up."
Naruto made his favorite hand-sign. A giant smoke cloud surrounded the ninja before 1000 clones appear from it.
"Actually, the odd are 1:10 in my favor. I won't give up myself to you but you should give up. May I ask why are you after me? I want to tried to understand. Answer truthfully and I dispel the clones."
"Some of us are in for fame, other are in for the money, but the most of important group of us, me included are here for retribution." said the man
"Retribution.? What have I done to you. I don't even remember seeing any of you in any particular event."said the blond.
"WHAT I'VE YOU DONE. YOU DARE ASKED, 2 YEARS AGO YOU TOOK PARADISE FROM US. Madara Uchiha has given us peace. Our own little paradise, were everything we want was coming true."
"It was all a lie. All of it was a big LIE. It wasn't reality. HELL If I were to let you in this world, you would have die and your body would have morph into a Zetsu. Was it what you really want?"
"We would have die happy, who cares if we have morph, we would have live the dream."
"You're a coward."
"Excuse me. What do you know about pain and misery of this world, Mister big hero of the leaf. How are we coward to want to live our dream."
"Because you rather live a dream than live your life. Life is hard and unfair. I learned that the hard way when I was really young. I was an orphan who never knew what's a family, I loved a girl who hated me. I was the dead last at school. I failed over and over the ninja exam.I was shunned and beat by the villager just for being alive, while the fox wanted to take over my body. I was as far as it gets to have a happy life. Yeah I cried alone in the dark some night, but I did everything in my power to change my life around. Iruka-sensei help me figure that out that day when he stood up for me. Since then, I've trained day in and day out. I kept trying to get Sakura's attention and Teme's respect, until I finally got it. I've made some great friend along all the nation, I got recognize and respect by my peers, the elders and my village. I finally get along with Kurama, who become my trusted friend, I even got the chance to know my parents. I had my share of lost, when the 3rd, Asuma-sensei and the pervy sage passed away. I've seen my friend all risking their lives for me in that war. So yeah, life can be hard but if you choose to make it better and work toward your goal, you can make it great. I still got challenges that await me, but I'll face them when the time come. If you chose not to live your life, wanted to escape in a dream, that makes you a coward."
"The money for both you and your girlfriend will make us rich beyond are wildest dream."
"We will be able to relive those dream that Madara gave us."
"I see" said the blond while dispelling the clone.
"You surrender."
(Pervy sage, this one is for you).
Naruto begin doing a bizarre stance, reminiscing of what Jiraiya did before entering into a battle. He then said :
"The time for talking is over, it's time for you to face the super awesomeness of the new Toad sage and Sannin of the leaf village. Brace yourself as your entering into a battle that will be the stuff of legend."
(Tell me you didn't just do that) said an embarrassed Kurama
(I wanted to tried it once, though Pervy sage got the cool intro better than me. I just need to practice more. I wanted to honor the stance of being the toad sage)
(As corny as your master, I'll teach you some move when this exam is over. If you do it, do it right.)
(Practice makes it perfect.)
"What the hell was that?"
"Just bring it, I can take half of you squad easily, just like Sakura-chan will take care of the other half."
"Actually we send a third for her."
"Well consider your colleague beat then. She'll probably be pissed at you. Anyway let's wrap this up, I let you the first move, I'll end this fight afterward. Just remember, I was once a dead last that has no talent whatsoever."
"Well you'll be just dead now, everyone, attack him on all front."
"AYE"
With that order, shuriken, kunai and paper bomb were thrown at Naruto. The blond focus on the incoming projectile before raising his fist in the air and said:
"Wind Style: Rising dragon"
The wind vortex engulf Naruto and begin deflecting every projectile that were thrown at him.
"He use a wind jutsu to protect himself, use Fire and earth ninjutsu to bring it down."
"Fire style: Dragon flame bomb"
"Earth Style: Rock Tomb Jutsu."
The fire jutsu set the boulder on fire, heading straight toward Naruto. An explosion from the colliding jutsu ensue, leaving the spot where Naruto stood on fire."
"Let go collect our reward."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" said some ninja that were flying around
"What was that?"
"Flying Fujin level 2: Raging tornado."
The vortex that Naruto has created has teleport toward some of the enemy. You could catch a glimpse of it taking out 5 to 10 ninja out at the time before it disappear again toward it's next target, until none of the enemy remain untouched by it. Most of them were knocked out, or inapt to fight.
"What happen? You can teleport like...?
"My dad, the 4th Hokage. I learned how to use his jutsu."
"But for that to work, you have to leave a mark or something on us. Rising dragon is a defensive jutsu where you can't move. When did you put the mark on us?"
"It wasn't on you. I put it on the tree surrounding us next to your people. My clone place the mark while I heard your explanation and give you a piece of my mind. When the other begin to listen and didn't look at a clone, it leave a mark."
"I see, so you give us a bullshit speech to distract us and we fell for it."
"I meant every word. I hope one day you and your partners understand. Even if you would have capture me and get the money, I'm not so sure it would have give you happiness in the end. Remember this defeat. You can all become someone happy in this world. Just don't try to take shortcut, live your life and face it head on."
"Thanks, I'll remember." the man fell unconscious afterward
"Good"
With that Naruto disappear to reappear where his team was.
"I'll take that kunai back Kisuke."
"AHHHHHHHHH" both Kisuke and Doka said.
"Wait you're back." Fudo said.
"YOU CAN JUST APPEAR ON SOMEONE LIKE THAT." said both the samurai and the masked man who were totally taking off guard by Naruto. Kisuke return the kunai to it's owner, who put it back to his pocket gear."
"What did I miss?"
"I kill that giant snake barehanded."
"I almost got a heart attack, didn't expect you to use that jutsu." said Doka
"Well now you know"
"What's that"
Everyone stop and see a bubble of darkness engulfing the forest.
"That's the 2nd Hokage Genjutsu: Infinite darkness. That could get tricky. I could marked each of you with the Hirashin mark to not lose any of you but that doesn't help us to go through it."
"I can cut through it"
"LIKE HELL WE LET YOU MARK US HERE. For you to take us out latter in the exam." said Fudo.
"Even if we were, we need to find a way to see in there." stated Doka.
" I SAID I can cut through it." said Kisuke
"CUTTING A GENJUTSU" all other 3 exclaimed.
"I just needed to trust my sword and focus."
Flashback
"If they let you pass the exam, I will give you Kurosowa for the exam."
"You sure father. I don't think I am worthy or ready."
"You just show me that your are. As long as you swing this blade for a noble cause, know that it will cut through anything. Remember, the sword of the blade cut through darkness. Wield it's power with proud. "
"I will, thanks dad."
End of flashback
"Let try it then." concluded Naruto. The bubble was standing in front of them. Kisuke focus his chakra toward his sword and take and horizontal swing at the bubble. The 3 shinobi could believe what they saw. They could see the part of the forest were the sword has passed, though the bubble was starting to re-engulf the part that was cut.
"Kisuke, can you cut repetitively that bubble, we will have to follow you in case, all of you take those kunai, I'll be able to get you if you lost your way."
"I can. So are we going?"
"AYE."all 3 of them answer.
And so team 107 begin to cut their way through the jutsu.
Forest of death entrance.
"Almost there, keep going guys." said Temari
"Aye"
Her giant fan was open. 20 wind style user have started to infuse it with their chakra. Once it was fully charge, the 3 moons on it begin to shine.
"Time to spice things up for this exam, Wind style: TRIPLE whirlwind." Temari swing her fan and 3 giant whirlwind like attack where heading toward each of the tower, aiming all the participant of the test.
"Let's see how they deal with this."
End of part 1
A.N : And that the end of part 1. You can see that people tried to work as a team, sometime it work, sometime it didn't. Some people have the same believe while some are quite different. Some people are working together with other without the other even know. I've tried to portray Naruto as a leader here and I would have like to see some people sad of being out of the infinite Tsukuyomi confront Naruto. After all, they just lost the perfect dream.
Sakura is portray along the same way, with somehow almost same line(yeah it's intentional). What do you think of her first quick battle? Having inner appear in the genjutsu is the incarnation of her desire to catch up with Naruto and Sasuke level, she'll getting there.
The last manga related story in this is that I wanted to plant hope of a reconciliation between the cloud and the Hyuga, an issue that never really been solved (along with the whole Hyuga way's change) I wanted Hanabi and Kira to become friend, while Hinata not present in this story, is the reason why Hanabi is ready to not hold grudge. I want to portray that by letting go of this grudge, she found a good friendship or a good ally. I also wanted to show some good that can come of this co-leadership of the Hyuga clan with both sister. The way I see it, Hanabi is the strength and the strategic mind in case of attack while Hinata is the heart and the diplomatic one. They filled for each other weakness.
Back to this test, it seems to evaluate how you work with each other, but it is more than that. That will be explain in part 2 or in the interlude chapter before the 2nd stage. Yeah, I'll make an interlude chapter, to explain the Kage point of view of this exam and how they allow people in it for the wrong reason in it. I wanted to include those comment in the chapter, but seeing how long it is already, I've decided to include interlude chapter instead between each 't forget that the exam is recorded (I've mention monitor within the Kage room.)
So I hope you enjoyed it. Did you root for a character to go all the way or for a character to failed the exam. Did you find the intruder? Why do you think he's in? I hope I didn't butchered the English language too much and I'll try to post the other part as soon as possible (I'll start writing it in a week probably.)
Finally, here's a link of a diagram that summarize where everyone is right now, to help you, especially since IDK when the 2nd part will be post.
To view it, copy/ this and erase the two -
sta.s-h/-012mpx1k1bqm
So read and review and until next time XD.
