Chapter 9: Raging Mountain God!

Anko was within the tower in the middle of the Forest of Death. There, she and two of the ANBU members were discussing the issue at hand.

"We have a situation yes but we can't stop this exam." She said as she sat on the couch, her arms crossed.

"What do you mean?" One of the ANBU asked her; surprised she would allow such a thing.

Soon enough a knocking was heard. Opening the door was a Leaf ninja who was carrying in who looked to be Ayane but she looked a bit injured.

"Anko-san! We have an injured ally!" The Leaf ninja alerted Anko as Ayane managed to get out of his grasp and limp into the room.

"I..I'm fine." Ayane said to keep them from worrying about her

"You need medical attention." Anko scolded Ayane for her lack of care for her well-being.

"That's not what matters right now. I have urgent news. It's about that brown haired kid. The one from the Sand." She said as she came closer.

"The Sand boy? Well, if you insist, tell me everything you know." Anko asked of Ayane.

Ayane's expression seemed to be that one of someone who was put into a state of shock. She was adamant towards her conviction and her will as a ninja but she had never seen a boy act as this one did.

A few hours or so ago…

"Gaara, let's not waste any time. They're not worth it." Kankuro said to Gaara, wishing to avoid any more conflict with him.

"I'll kill anyone in my path, no matter who they are…" Gaara said in a very cold manner

"You little….!" Kankuro spoke, as he appeared pissed off, trying to hide his fear of his murderous brother.

Gaara simply gave him a death glare, no emotion, no care, just pure hatred.

"If you stand in my way, I'll kill you too." He replied in a very ghoulish tone.

Kankuro, mad and fearful, reacted by grasping Gaara's clothing, acting as his superior.

"You better listen to you older brother you little…!" Kankuro tried to convince Gaara, Gaara remaining unmoved by his actions.

"I never saw you as siblings. I'm merely stuck with you and I'll kill you without hesitation." Gaara spoke as he smacked off Kankuro's hand, releasing his grip.

Temari, looking just as concerned and worried, tried to calm her two brothers down.

"H-Hey, guys clam down. Gaara, please let's forget about those genin and move on. For your older sister, please?" Temari said, her hands raise to show she wanted no trouble.

Hinata looked extremely scared, fearing she would lose her life soon. Kiba too felt worried, trembling, as he brought his friends into this mess. Shino too looked troubled by this, unable to figure out a solution to this.

Gaara put his hand out, pointing it in the direction of Team 8's vicinity. Temari and Kankuro watched, helpless in their attempts to stop Gaara.

"Gaara!" Kankuro yelled as sand formed into his hand.

Gaara was ready to attack, his sand nearing compltetion. Team 8 felt hopeless, unable to accept their demise. Gaara gave them a blood lusted stare, grinning slightly.

"I'll murder every single last person in this world!" Gaara yelled out as he shot out a stream of sand to attack Team 8 with.

"Ninpo: Hajin Shinzan!" A woman's voice appeared from the sky, echoing in the trees and the forest as a woman fell down to come to the aid of the young genin.

She was weaving her hands at a rapid pace, a purple aura forming over her as she landed while slamming her hand down. The ninpo hand made a shock wave of energy, specifically in the general area of Gaara and his sand. The energy itself caused the sand to diminish slightly as well as making the rest fly back.

"What the?!" Kiba said looking over at the mysterius female who protected them.

"Who's she…?" Hinata said softly, feeling relived and grateful.

"Whoever she is, she's giving us a chance to run. We better go before we end up like that Rain ninja and his friends." Shino said as they made an attempt to leave.

"Good, they're leaving. I may not be able to beat this kid right now but I can at least get some information on him by fighting him." Ayane thought to herself, drawing her Fuma Kodachi blades, ready to battle the Sand Siblings.

Temari and Kankuro drew their weapons. Temari opened her large fan, releasing a gust of wind just to give Ayane and idea of her power. Ayane remained still, keeping a calm and collected mindset.

Kankuro released his puppet, his chakra strings attaching to his fingers as he readied himself as well.

"No, she's mine." Gaara said to his sibling, forbidding them from fighting alongside him.

A bit surprised, Ayane took extreme caution. In order to test a theory based on her observations, Ayane tossed one of her kunai at Gaara. Gaara's sand immediately reacted and blocked the oncoming kunai.

"So that's how it works. It's a defense mechanism. Damn, I can't get too close and attack it seems. My ninpo seemed to work but I'm low on ki. I need some time." Ayane said as she looked around for anything to help her out in battle.

Gaara simply store her down, his defensive sand starting to fall over. Ayane was curious of what else she could do to test out her abilities against his.

"Let's see you handle this!" She said as she tossed a barrage pf kunai at him, all of them with purple flower heads on the ends of them.

His protective sand, keeping him from even getting a scratch on his clothing, caught each and every single one. He then slammed his hand on the ground, causing a wave of sand to slither it's way towards her vicinity only to see she has vanished.

His eyes widening, he turned as Ayane appeared from behind him, blocking her incoming dagger attack. She tried twirling to get in a sneak attack only to be caught form there. Caught in his grip, he was aiming to crush her arms but instead wanted to make her suffer. He tried to cover her in his sand but before he could, she make a one handed seal.

"Now!" She said as her kunai, which was still caught in his sand made an explosion.

The explosion created a purple flame and mist that was so powerful it managed to knock even Ayane back. Flying back she was suddenly caught in a wall of sand, the sand forming into bounds on her arms and legs.

As the mist cleared, Temari and Kankuro seemed to be downed but Gaara still remained. His eyes were bloodshot, his teeth gritting and his expression full of bloodlust. She saw his sand had been hardened into a shell that was mostly broken as his face had sand covering were the explosion would've harmed him, full of cracks.

"I'll kill you…I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you! I'LL KILL YOU!" Gaara said with a deadly tone, his face showing a sinister and crazed look.

"This kid…he's insane!" Ayane thought to herself.

"Why don't I pull you apart limb from limb?! Then you'll understand true pain and misery!" Gaara said as he cackled quietly to himself, escalating to a louder maniacal laughter.

Focusing what ki she had left, Ayane charged herself up to perform her technique, Ninja Art: Supreme Deity Quaking Mountain.

"Gaara! This isn't worth it!" Kankuro said, wanting to just get to the tower already and to avoid more casualties.

"Gaara stop! Listen to your siblings!" Temair said, pleading for him to stop.

"You aren't my siblings! You are nothing to me! If you want to live, shut up!" Gaara said as Ayane kept a focused mind.

She was unable to move her arms but that's exactly what she wanted. A person who uses said technique is able to generate energy that can be used to shake even the Heavens and Earth. However if used improperly, the user may get sucked up into the void of energy conjured. She was looking to do somewhat that but to free herself.

"Okay, I got it…" Ayane said as she weaves her wrists in place, generating her ki into her technique that had created an aura surrounding her vicinity.

"You can't escape! I'll tear your into nothingness!" Gaara said as he extended his arms, gesturing his hands to crush Ayane's arms.

"Ninpo: Hajin Shinzan!" Ayane spoke loudly as the aura began to emit itself and the energy began to surface.

However the technique was only done half way. It meant that it was not done improperly but remained safe for her in a way. It was an in-between that caused a psychic energy cluster. The cluster itself began to warp what seemed to be reality itself but this was merely the altercation of the technique. It tried to take her arms first but the energy kept it from taking her whole. Her hands became nearly crushed which allowed her injured hands to slip through the sand as the sand got suck up into the void itself.

"What?! NO!" Gaara said as soon the cluster imploded within itself, causing an energy meltdown within the void.

An earth-shattering explosion had burst from it, injuring Ayane to a degree, which were mainly her arms, legs and torso. Gashes, bruises, cuts and a few broken bones was the minimal damage, at least what she considers minimal.

"Ngh! Damn…that hurt like hell…." Ayane said as the explosion seemed to have cracked Kankuro's puppet, bruising him and Temari up.

Gaara himself had an armor of sand covering his body, cracked and broken, as he looked shocked. Slight blood was dripping from his head.

His expression went from angered and hurt to slowly descending calmness, his sand armor falling off of him. He then formed sand into his extended arms yet again, preparing for an attack.

Ayane, bloodied and injured rose anyways to defend herself. She was ready to fight despite her condition. As sand formed into his hands he placed it all into one ball of sand.

"I…I guess this is it. I'm sorry…Ryu-sama." Ayane asked for forgiveness, regretting her failure.

The sand then formed itself into a cork to which Gaara put into his gourd after retrieving his sand. He stuck it in as he turned around.

"Come. We're heading to the tower." Gaara said as walked past her somewhat harmed siblings, not caring for their safety.

Ayane looked grateful but confused by his sudden actions. Temari and Kankuro got up, them too confused.

"But Gaara, why?" Kankuro asked Gaara, Gaara stopping in his tracks.

"She is not worth the waste of energy. We have other targets. Other plans. She's just someone who happens to be in the wrong place. However, if we come across her again, I will kill her." Gaara said, looking back with a dark look on his face.

Temari and Kankuro merely had an uncomfortable look, siding with their brother regardless of how they felt about him. Soon enough, after taking one last look at Ayane, left with Gaara, they soon faded into the woods. Ayane fell to her knees, grabbing her injured arm and wincing to the pain.

"I…I gotta warn somebody." She said as she tried to make it out of the woods, limping towards the tower.

Afterwards, she was seen crawling towards the tower itself, a Leaf ninja spotting her.

"I need…I need to tell you something…" Ayane said weakly to the ninja who rushed to her aid.

"Careful, what happened? Who are you?" He asked her, holding her still.

"Just…take me to whoever is here, please…" Ayane said as the Leaf ninja stood her up, carrying her inside.

"You're lucky I was out here. Anko had sent me to retrieve a video tape recording. Apparently those Sand ninja made it here just a few hours ago which is unusual. They broke the record from a few years ago." He said as Ayane had a realization.

"T-That's who did this to me. I need to speak with her, please. I have urgent information to give her. I'm lucky to even be alive." She said as she coughed up a bit of blood.

"You need to see a Medical Ninja!" The Leaf shinobi suggested.

"No, I'll be okay. I need to see Anko first." She said as she tried to stand up on her own, limping out of his grasp.

Back to present time

"I see…so this kid. He isn't normal. He has an unusual affinity and ability with sand." Anko said, thinking things over.

"Anko-sama, you might wanna see this." The Leaf ninja said, rewinding the tape and letting it replay over and over.

"Notice the time. I noticed it when retrieving the footage. They…" Anko immediately cut him off.

"They broke the record and in an unusual amount of time. That's strange…but do you see the other unusual thing about this?" Anko said as she went to go look out the window.

Repeating the footage, the ninja and ANBU analyzed the image to see anything looking strange or unusual. They couldn't see what she could see or at least weren't looking at the right place.

"I don't see it Anko-san.\, what is it?" The Leaf ninja asked, repeating the footage some more.

"Look at him, his clothing his skin. He doesn't have a single cut or scratch on him. His clothing has not even a spec of dirt on it. He remains unharmed. If Ayane is telling us the truth then that means that this child is something far greater than we imagined. We need to be cautious with him." Anko said, Ayane looking a bit weak as she sat down.

Meanwhile, Team 8 had made it to the tower second. They were in the resting area, looking around.

"Man, that was close." Kiba said, comforting Akamaru in his jacket.

"If it hadn't been for that woman, we would have died. She saved us." Shino said as he sat down momentarily.

"I'll say. At least we made it." Kiba said in victory and relaxation.

"Y-Yes…I'm glad we're all safe." Hinata agreed with Kiba, trying to remain unfazed by what they had encounter.

"Heh, sometimes you go overboard Gaara. You never know when to quit." Spoke a familiar voice from the hallway.

"I don't care." Replied another familiar voice, the same tones used previously.

Team 8 all soon widened their eyes, realizing who it was. Upon realization, the Sand siblings had entered the room, walking and talking quite casually, Gaara remaining as demented as ever. They looked at Team 8 upon passing by them, obviously recognizing them as they merely gave them a look.

"Man…that guy gives me the creeps." Kiba said quietly as the siblings went into the next room.

"You think anyone else will make it?" Kiba then asked as he looked back to his teammates.

"Possibly, since that maniac is here and not out there. Then again, anything could happen." Shino replied and concurred with his fellow teammate Kiba.

"Naruto-kun…I hope you're alright. I know you'll make it back!" Hinata thought to herself, keeping her hopes high for Naruto.

Ryu had returned to the village. He wanted to get a change of clothing as well as gear up in case another incident occurs. He switched into his Legendary Black Falcon gear, arming himself with a bow and arrow, shuriken and some kunai. As for weapons, Ryu kept his Dragon Sword but put away the Falcon's Talons. He instead replaced it with his Kusari-Gama. As for the rest, he placed a sealing jutsu on them so he can summon them whaever he needs them.

"There." Ryu said as a pulsating feeling stopped him.

He felt an evil energy coming miles away. He didn't know who it was at first until he suddenly recognized the power itself.

"Akhiro…what has he done? This power is overwhelming. No, it can't be him…it can't be." Ryu said as he put his mask and forehead protector on.

As he left, the dark power's presence had vanished. Could Akhiro be trying to fool Ryu, possibly to throw him off? Regardless, Ryu didn't want to compromise his mission nor the safety of this village.

"Ahh, Ryu! It had no idea you'd be back so soon!" An elderly man spoke to him as he turned to find Muramasa.

Muramasa was standing besides Hiruzen, waiting for Ryu's arrival. Hiruzen had commissioned and helped Muramasa set up his shop in Konohagakure.

Approaching him as he looked surprised to see him.

"Murmasa. Hokage-sama. What are you doing here?" Ryu asked the two, especially Muramasa.

"Where a Dragon Ninja goes, a craftsman can follow. I came to give you something. I also have a message from your father." Muramasa said, giving him not only a hand written letter but and Omusubi and a new crafted blade.

"It's new so it may be hard to learn. It's thinner and razor edged. I call it, the Falcon's Blade. It's best use when combined with the Dragon Sword. The compatibility is unique, similar to the Blade of the Archfiend pairing, which allows you to deal much more damage." Muramasa said, the items being taken by Ryu.

"Thank you, as for the letter…." Ryu said as he opened the letter and began reading.

It read as such:

"Ryu. I've decided to come to the village as guest for the Chunin Exams. I'm sorry for the sudden decision. I had heard that the children had been harmed and that you were forced to go through the mission using another tactic. I've taken it upon myself to aid you in this time of crisis. I'm coming to get an insight on information using my position. I'm feeling much better and will not reconsider my decision. You've truly grown and have become a superior ninja. I am proud of you. Your mother would be proud too."

"I see. I take it you informed my father early on, Hokage-sama?" Ryu asked, assuming what sounded most logical.

"Yes I did. However, I need you to come with me. We are headed to the tower in the Forest of Death. There, we are to discuss the matters with Orochimaru." Sarutobi said with a serious tone.

Nodding, Ryu agreed to it as he looked over at Muramasa.

"Thank you, Muramasa. I'll be sure to come visit sometime if I need improvement or repairs." He said as he gave him some money that was given to him the day before.

"Ryu…I cannot take this. I can manage on my own!" Muramsa insisted as Ryu shook his head.

"It is mine to give. It's my gift for all your help. It isn't much but it's enough to enjoy a meal." He said smiling slightly underneath his mask.

Muramasa smiled happily, grateful to Ryu for such a generous offer.

Soon enough, he and Hiruzen set off on a journey to the tower.

As time passed, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura had managed to wake up. A man they had met earlier named Kabuto gave them help. He helped them traverse the forest as well as fight off a ninja team who trapped them in an illusionary state.

By the morning, Team 7 made it to the tower with both Heaven and Earth scrolls.

"Thank you Kabuto! We really would have been lost without you." Sakura thanked Kabuto, as she felt grateful for his help.

"Yeah! Yeah! We would have been toast if we opened those scrolls!" Naruto added, him too feeling extremely grateful.

"It was my pleasure. Now that we've passed, I guess we'll be seeing each other in the next portion of the tournament. Good luck!" Kabuto said very kindly, smiling as he adjusted his glasses.

"You too. I'll look forward to seeing you in action again, hopefully." Sasuke said casually while showing his gratitude.

Naruto opened the double doors, tearing the paper seal, as they all entered the room, Kabuto doing the same. Entering, they saw what appeared to be an empty room. No one was around at all.

For Kabuto on the other hand, he and his teammates had some company.

"So, how did it go?" A ghoulish voice asked Kabuto.

"It went better than I expected. I got all the information I could on him. I've even written it down. Is this what you want?" Kabuto said, holding up an info card.

"So, what did you think?" Said the mysterious man, taking the card.

"You're quite fond of him, aren't you Orochimaru-sama?" Kabuto asked, seeing his interest as an obsession.

"As a spy from the Village of the Sound, I truly want your opinion on him." Orochimaru said, looking at the card as he leaned against the wall.

"You will determine everything. Having my opinion is pointless." Kabuto spoke as he adjusted his glasses, revealing his sinister eyes paired with a small grin.

"Ahh Kabuto, that's what I like about you. Your cunningness." He said, disappearing within a gust of wind.


Heyo! Another chapter here! I hope you all like this one. It's not as action packed as the last but it's definitely progressing! w I'm liking where this is going so far.

Ninpo, Jutsu and Techniques used:

Ninpo: Hajin Shinzan (Ninja Art: Supreme Deity Quaking Mountain)