Well here is the long awaited chapter seven of Shuratenmei. But first I want to answer a few questions from those of you who kindly enough left reviews.

Cybermage: I haven't narrowed down the parings for Naruto, if any at all. There will be parings of other characters later on in the series however. As for Naruto's use of Suna jitsu, I say it now,there will be very little, if any jitsu's related so Suna.

Hiroshima Namikaze: A par of eyes? You think I'm going to reveal who that was now do you? Not for a while yet but I'll let you know when that comes around. As for his team standings, Kyuusuke's team is 'strong' but not the strongest. Also, like Cybermage asked before, parings are not final yet.

Well thats that for now, so please enjoy the chapter.

I don't own Naruto of its original characters. Please read, review and enjoy.


Yamato was not a very happy person at the moment. After the failed attempt to capture Uchiha Sasuke again, he was sent out on a solo mission the moment he got back. Upon his return a few days ago he was briefed on the situation regarding his former student Naruto.

Getting over the shock took a few moments before his current thoughts started running through his mind. Although his time was short with Naruto, he knew one thing for curtain, and that was Naruto wouldn't leave, no matter how much he was pushed.

Sakura's contribution startled him greatly, but only added to the questions he had to answer. It wasn't long before he found himself in front of Ichiraku's Ramen Bar and a small smile formed on his face.

Remembering the times he was here with the young shinobi, he couldn't help but walk in and take a seat.

"Can I help you?" Came a with drawn voice.

Blinking in surprise, Yamato examined the usually happy ramen stand waitress Ayame. Her neat and maintained appearance was replaced by a worn-out , red eyed wreak. He knew the girl was a little close to Naruto, seeing she knew him sense he entered the academy, but this was a surprise.

"A bowl of miso ramen please," he said after a moment. "and a cup of tea while I wait."

She nodded and made her way to the back kitchen. As she vanished from view, her father came from the other side and to the front to see a customer.

"Did Ayame-chan take your order?"

"She did... though she seems like she has a lot on her mind..."

"She just came back from a vacation from our extended family..."

"...so I take it she took the news hard then..."

"She hasn't been like this sense her mother died..." the older man sighed.

"Having someone you see as a little brother run away from home is hard to accept..." Yamato said frowning.

"Run away," he snorted. "Rubbish. That boy loved this village more then anyone else, even after his hard life, he would give his own to save us all."

"I agree..." Yamato said raising an eyebrow.

"I knew something was off when he talked to me before left. I couldn't place what it was but after I heard a few conversations from the other customers..."

"He talked to you before he left? What he say?"

"That's the oddest thing... he said it was a mission but the masked shinobi escorting him didn't look like they wanted him to stop for anything."

"Masked shinobi... ANBU?"

"Yea that was them... they literally seemed to pull him out of the village."

Yamato frowned and rested his chin in his hand. Seemed his suspicions where confirmed, there was more going on then he realised. A shinobi must look at the underneath of the underneath after all.


Kyuusuke sat on the ground, opening his senses to alert him of any approaching shinobi. His jacket was used as a makeshift blanket for Maaya, who was sleeping by his side. The closest she came to consciousness was when she asked for some water, but quickly passed out from the pain afterwards.

Asuka was laying on her side with her back to him, asleep as well. From her last statement, they were a few hours away from the finish, but they needed there rest. So Kyuusuke found himself guarding his two team mates with all but his thoughts for company.

Just when he was about to grab a drink of water, a chill ran up his spine and into his head. As a precaution, he sent a few groups of Kage Bushin into the tunnel's so no one could get the jump on them.

Seemed that the clone in the western tunnel dispelled itself to sent information back to the original.

"Two Iwa teams uh... just our damn luck... " He said to himself then nudged Asuka. "Get up, where's going to have company."

"Urh..." she said getting into a sitting position. "How many?"

"Two Iwa teams."

"Shit. We need to move."

"Right," he said forming a seal and produced three Bushin.

"What are they for?"

"A distraction," he said as the clones were covered in smoke.

"Henge no Jitsu," they said.

When the smoke cleared, a replica of there team was standing at the ready.

"They should slow them down some," he said putting Maaya on his back. "Come on."

"Right."


"Its been months sense the Kyuubi has been seen," a shadowed figure said as he walked. "I'm beginning to lose my patience."

"We have two teams looking for him as we speak," a female voice said. "It's just a matter of time before we find him. After all, he no longer has Konoha to protect him."

"True, those fools threw away their greatest weapon," a second female voice said. "The question still stands to where he is hiding."

"Going by his profile all we have to do it wait for him to act, then he'll be ours and our goals will be that much closer to completion." Another man said.


"They're closing in," Kyuusuke said grunting. "How much further?"

"50 meters," Asuka said. "Take the next tunnel to the left."

She was riding on the back of a Kage Bushin that had scouted ahead of them when they were resting. Asuka argued at first but accepted the dire situation and sucked up her pride.

"How's Maaya doing?"

"She's getting a slight fever," he said leaping over a few rocks. "She'll need a medic soon." They were coming to another small chamber. "Directions?"

"Take the third from the right," she said.

Following her directions, they continued to run threw the tunnels. They ran into a few other teams alone the way but managed to slip by unnoticed. Finally, what seemed like weeks, they reached the surface.

It took a moment for there eyes to adjust to the sunlight again, but they were soon able to take in there surroundings.

They were at the entrance of a mining shaft that was over looking a large building in the centre of a clearing. It seemed that the whole building was surrounded by mining operations.

A gasp of pain from Maaya brought Kyuusuke out of his daze as he ran full out towards the building.

"Welcome and congratulations upon completing the second phase of the exam," a Iwa Chunnin said as they appeared at one of the many doors. "Looks like you had a run in with some uninvited quests."

"You could say that," Kyuusuke grunted. "We need a medic desperately."

"Of course," the man said opening the door. "The man inside will escort you to the resting quarters."

"Thanks."


"So that's what happened," Ashitaka frowned.

"Yes sensei," Kyuusuke and Asuka said.

The three were standing beside a bed that Maaya was currently asleep in. The doctors patched her up as best they could but they recommended that she not aggravate her injuries. Asuka wound was healed mostly now but she still walked with a bit of a limp.

"You did exception well given the situation," he said looking over at Maaya. "Keeping a level head in such a situation and not losing site of your goal while attending an injured team member." He looked back at his two standing students. "Get your rest. In 18 hours the second part of the exam will end."

"Yes sensei."

There captain left, leaving Kyuusuke and Asuka alone with Maaya. After several moments, Asuka turned and look a seat in a chair and looked at Kyuusuke with an unreadable expression.

"What?" He asked after a while.

"...Thanks..." she said looking away.

"... What was that?"

"...Don't make me say it again Kyuusuke," she grunted.

"Okay..." Kyuusuke blinked then took a seat in the other chair. "I'm going to get some sleep."

"Using a Jounin level jitsu continuously and carrying her would be a pain," Asuka grinned, but he was all ready asleep. "Baka..." Closing her eyes, she took joined her team mates and slept for the first real time in days.


It wasn't long before Kyuusuke was standing in formation with Asuka and a very injured Maaya. The medics warned her to stay in bed but she knew if she didn't show up it would be disrespectful.

So, Suna's Team six stood at attention with seven other teams that happened to get through the mine. Along with his team, there was one a piece from Arashi, Kumo and Grass. However, the remaining four teams were all from Iwa.

Both the proctors of the exam were looking over them at the top of a large bolder that overlooked a large portion of the clearing. On their sides stood the captains of the team, awaiting further orders.

"Congratulations on completing the second part of the Chunnin exams," the nameless proctor said looking at them all with a grin. "You are the representation of your villages power, thus representing the power of your home countries. They should be proud to have crafted such fine instrument of war."

"However," Hitomi continued placing her arms behind her back. "As much as I would like to see you all participate in the finals, there is a slight problem."

"What he talking about?" Asuka frowned.

"There's to many of us," Kyuusuke frowned.

"There are too many of you left," the proctor continued. "The final test is a one on one combat scenario where you fight in front of the leaders and future rulers of this land. Thus, there time is valuable and can't be wasted."

"What's going on?" Maaya asked.

"There will be a preliminary before we can continue," he continued. "The test has been decided to be a battle Royal between the remaining teams."

"Those of you that are unable to participate due to fatigue or serious injury maybe chose to drop out now. Know that doing so you are not bringing shame to you and your village for you have fought valiantly and strong."

"Maaya," Asuka said looking at her team mate.

"I can't just leave you guys..."

"We can handle it Maaya. There's no point in hurting yourself further."

"But?"

"Maaya," Kyuusuke looked at her. "There's no shame in dropping out now."

"Asuka-san... Kyuusuke-san..."

"We won't fail," Kyuusuke said giving her the thumbs up. "Asuka and I will get the the finals and win this thing for you and Suna. That's a promise."

Asuka showed a small smile and nodded in agreement. Maaya looked at her two team mates and place her gaze on the ground. After a few seconds she nodded her head and raised her hand.

"I withdraw," she said and walked away.

As she left, Kyuusuke frowned and clenched his fists in anger. Noticing her team mate change in attitude she was going to voice her opinion when he interrupted her. "No more fooling around Asuka." He said looking at her. "This is for Maaya now, not our personal gain. I'll watch our back, you watch mine got it?"

"Like I need you watching my back Kyuusuke no baka," she crossed her arms then grinned. "Either way we're going to mope the floor with there skulls."

Naruto nodded and placed his attention on the proctors once again who were waiting for the stragglers to leave. In the end it was Maaya along with one Arashi-nin who was helped off the field by a medic and two Iwa-nin.

"Is that all?" Hitomi asked getting no reply. "Very well, each remaining team will be assigned a proctor. They will decided when you're unable to fight any further. If you are unable to move, are knocked out and dare I say even killed... well you get the idea. Follow your proctors to your start point and await for the start. The match will last as long as needed till the desired amount of candidates is met."

As they all separated, Kyuusuke noticed that a Arashi-nin signalled a Kumo-nin, ending in a nod from both of them.

"You see that Asuka?"

"Kumo and Arashi?"

"Yea, looks like Alliances are starting to form."

"This is going to be interesting," she said preparing herself. "You ready for this baka?"

"You know me," he said cracking his knuckles.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"Suna team 6, are you ready?" The proctor asked.

"Yes."

"Team ready!" The proctor shouted as did the other proctors.

"Very well," the proctor grinned and raised his hand.

"BEGIN!"

Kyuusuke and Asuka watched as countless jitsu's, kunai and shrunken flying around the battle field hitting shinobi, bushin and various other things. Before they could rush forward, a team of Iwa-nin charged them throwing various blades at them.

"Katon: Gokakyu no Jitsu!"

"Futon: Daitoppa!"

The combined attack gave the fire balls from Kyuusuke a speed burst and added power from the gust of wind provided by Asuka. The Iwa nin were caught off guard from the surprise combination. The attack hit one of them full on as he began putting the flames out, Asuka attacked.

"Kamaitachi no Jitsu!" Asuka slashed her sword, sending arks of cutting wind forward.

"Doton: Doryuheki!"

A wall formed in front of the Iwa team, blocking the attack with great damage to the wall. Feeling the ground move below him, Naruto grabbed Asuka and jumped into the air just as 3 sets of hands tried to pull them down with a failed Doton: Shinju Zanshu no Jitsu.

"Katon: Gokakyu no Jitsu!"

Kyuusuke shot the giant ball of fire at the ground, scolding everything it touched. As they descended, Asuka unsheathed both her swords after doing her hand seals.

"Kamaitachi no Jitsu!"

The wind blew away the smoke covering the field and diced the surrounding ground with countless slashes. In the center of a smoldering crater were the broken bodies of three Iwa-nin, which the proctors looked over. Nodding to each other the signaled a medic team that carried away the shinobi.

"Iwa Team 13 all defeated," the proctor said.

Kyuusuke and Asuka turned to examine the battle field and noticed that the Arashi and Kumo team had joined forces. By the looks of it the Kumo team was down one member while the Arashi was down to only one.

There were surrounded by seven of the remaining Iwa team who were using there Doton jitsu's to try and isolate each shinobi.

"Shall we?" Asuka asked.

"Lets," Kyuusuke said pulling out a full set of kunai in each hand.

Kyuusuke threw his kunai at the closest Iwa-nin's which were propelled by a Zankuuha no Jitsu. Two of the Iwa-nin where hit while the others dodged and prepared to attack. Taking there queue, the two Kumo-nin threw a few kunai attached to wire and sent a current of a nameless Raiton jitsu into the Iwa-nin.

As they did this the Arashi-nin forced a Iwa-nin away from the group and headed towards Naruto's position.

Asuka parried a set of shrunken thrown at her with her sword while Kyuusuke caught the one thrown at him and sent them back at the enemy. As they dodged the attack, Asuka and Naruto kicked there enemies into each other along with the Arashi who forced the third Iwa nin to them.

They noticed that at Arashi-nin was going threw a complex set of hand seals when Hitomi raised her voice.

"Enough! The mach has officially ended!"

The Gennin stopped there attacks, but kept there guard up.

"Well done all of you," she said as the medics entered the field and took away the wounded. "Will the remaining candidates place step forward."

Looking wirily at each other, Kyuusuke and Asuka walked forward tell they and the others were standing in front of the proctors.

"When your name is called step forward and pull a slip of paper out of the box," Hitomi said grinning. "This is place you in the order for the main matches."

"Kurogami Asuka," said a Chunnin.

Asuka stepped forward and placed her hand in the box and pulled out a piece of paper and showed it to the Chunnin.

"Nami Kaji."

The remaining Arashi-nin stepped forward and placed his hand in the box. He was taller then Kyuusuke with a hair style like Sasuke but brown with dark blue eyes that were the same colour as his pants. His black shirt was covered in a brown coat that ended at his shins.

"Taya."

The remanning girl from Iwa stepped forward. She was as tall as Asuka with brown hair the same length. She was wearing a two piece black dress consisting of a long sleeve shirt and a matching skirt. Her forehead protector was on her head.

"Ryozo."

A Kumo nin stepped forward and grabbed a slip of paper. Like Kyuusuke, his face was covered by a black mask that covered his hole head hiding his hair. He was dressed in a skin tight smoke jump suit with silver shin guards and bracers. He wore his headband as a belt.

"Shirokado Makoto."

Makoto had a laid back look on his face with semi-messy red hair and black eyes. He wore a par of black pants with a white shirt. His hair is tied into a breaded pony tail that ends at his neck and his bangs reach his chin. He wore his headband on his head with a black cloth.

"Yori."

Yori was a average looking teen with short black hair wearing a leather vest with par of off white pants. He wore no foot ware and had a pare of leather bracers on his arms. He wore his forehead protector off centre from his head.

"Toshi."

The final Iwa nin was wearing a brown shirt with matching pants. He would have passed for a simple civilian if it was for the forehead protector tied around his neck.

"Kyuusuke."

Kyuusuke stepped forward and pulled the last piece of paper out of the box even though it wasn't needed. A few seconds later, the Chunnin held out a scroll with the match listings and called them out.

"Match 1: Makoto of Kumo vs. Kaji of Arashi."

"Match 2: Yori of Iwa vs. Asuka of Suna."

"Match 3: Taya of Iwa vs. Ryozo of Kumo."

"Match 4: Toshi of Iwa vs. Kyuusuke of Suna."

"The final matches will being in 5 weeks time," The proctor said. "Until then do as you wish. Your sensei's will take you back to the village. See you all in 5 weeks."

With that they vanished in a cloud of smoke and the teams left with there sensei's to begin there training for the final match.


To be continued...