"Ino... Why...?"
"I won't let you be the only one who gets to look good in front of Sasuke."
Kin glared. "Looks like some more Leaf insects have crawled into the open. Let's get this over with... I have places to be."
A voice sounded from the trees. "That will no longer be necessary, Sound Ninja."
Everyone still conscious looked up in shock. Standing on a branch with his arms crossed, was a Leaf Ninja with long, dark hair and some sort of wrap on his right arm and leg. His companion was female and she was crouched next to him. Both were glaring down at the scene.
The boy spoke again. "I can't take anymore of this... Still so confident despite being outnumbered and squadless..."
Kin's eyes widened. "What...?"
"Your team has been eliminated, save for you..."
"Wha-what are you talking about?"
"Your wild-haired friend was defeated and killed by Uchiha Sasuke... And Lee killed your other teammate. You no longer have any reason to fight."
9 - The Preliminaries!
"Ugh... Oh man! The trees are alive! Ah!"
"Calm down, Naruto. We're just moving very quickly through a forest."
"Oh my god! Now they're talking to me!"
"Naruto, it's me, Jiraiya."
"Oh my god! Pervy-Sage turned into a tree!"
"No, you dunce! I'm carrying you through the Forest of Death!"
"Holy shit! A tree kidnapped me! I was kidnapped by tree! Why?!" Naruto suddenly found himself flying very fast at a tree. He managed to flip and propel himself harmlessly away from the tree. "Are you trying to kill me?!"
"You'd know if I was trying to kill you."
"Then, why are you constantly giving me severe head wounds?!"
"It's easier than talking to you."
"Ah! Where the hell are we goin'?!"
"To the central tower."
"Why?"
"To see what damage we've done to the time stream."
"Huh...?"
Jiraiya sighed. "Just follow me."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Several Leaf Ninja, the leaders of the six remaining teams, and the Third Hokage stood before the 18 remaining ninja.
After the idle chatter died down, Sakura nudged Ino.
Ino turned to her. "What...?"
Sakura looked down. "I forgot earlier... Thanks."
"For what?"
"For saving me."
Ino shrugged. "I didn't really do anything..."
"I know... But... You would have if you had the chance... So, thanks." smiled. "I did more to save your hair than I did to save you."Ino
Sakura smirked. "Thanks for that too."
The Third Hokage cleared his throat and everyone in the large room snapped to attention. The Third glanced around. He lowered his hat over his eyes.
Anko spoke. "Hokage-sama, please."
"Yes..." The Third frowned slightly. "For the coming Third Exam... But before I explain that... There is something I'd like you to know."
Surprised murmurs ran through the gathered crowd.
"It concerns the true reason for this Exam..."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Pervy-Sage, wait up!"
"We don't have time, Naruto! Pick up the pace!"
"Why?! What the hell's so important about the Exam?!"
"Listen! I've experienced this phenomena before!"
"What phenomena?!"
"This Time Travel Phenomena!"
"... I thought you said you didn't know what this was!"
"I didn't want all your questions! I've been through one of those caves once before!"
"Why are you telling me this now?!"
"You need to understand the nature of this event! I was stuck in one for over five years before I was finally let out!"
"Five years?!"
"Yes... And to this day, I haven't found out how to stop one of these things before they let a person out... And, I have seen plenty of them since. Also, I have discovered that the effects on the time stream start to take affect almost immediately."
"What happened to you?"
Jiraiya sighed and smiled sadly. "It was after Orochimaru left me and Tsunade... I was wandering aimlessly and I happened across one of those caves... It transported me to just before Orochimaru left... I thought it was giving me a second chance with Orochimaru, but things quickly turned disastrous when he stayed with my team."
"What are you saying...?"
"When Orochimaru stayed, Konohagakure was nearly destroyed and the ninja fell into another world war."
Naruto didn't respond and the two moved through the forest in silence.
A short while later, Naruto broke the silence. "How is the world OK?"
"I don't know... I was fighting Orochimaru to the death and suddenly I was returned to the moment when I went through the cave, only the cave wasn't there and I had no desire to go into anymore of them."
"Huh?"
"That's when my theory that it was to tell me that Orochimaru leaving was a good thing was shattered."
"Huh?"
"Those things are man-made."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A short while later, the pair entered the tower through an upper floor window. They could hear battle sounds below.
Naruto whispered. "That's fire...! Sasuke's fighting...!"
"Damn! We're late! Follow me."
As they made their way to the arena, the sounds of battle got louder.
"Hey... The doors are open...!"
Jiraiya barely managed to stop Naruto from running off. "Only slightly... And be cool. If your past self sees you, who knows what could happen?"
"Alright..."
They made their way to the doors and Jiraiya slowly pulled them open. As they opened wider, a human shape flew by the doors from the inside.
Naruto barely stopped himself from running in.
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
"The winner.... Akado Yoroi!"
Naruto stood in the doorway, looking at Sasuke's unconscious form. Before he could stop himself, he yelled.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!?!"
Sorry, for any potential confusion that may have been caused by the way I laid out this chapter. With the exception of the Sasuke fight, the preliminaries take place slightly before Jiraiya and Naruto leave to go the tower. I was just pressed for time and felt certain things were more important than just putting in exact dialogue from the manga.
From now on, things are going to start moving faster and things are going to take a different turn from the regular series.
And, yes, I do sincerely believe that Sasuke woul have lost his preliminary fight if he didn't have the Curse Mark. He was tired and low on chakra, while his opponent was well rested and powerful. The Curse Mark allowed him to win in the first place. Agree or disagree, the above is what happened. Present a good argument in a comment and I might change it. (Probably not though, but you're welcome to try.)
I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 10 by Nov. 9, 2009.
