Adventure 10: …To Have A Dream!
"…Proctor, this man is interfering," Neji said stiffly, narrowing his eyes, his headband already tied back on.
The proctor, a man with white hair and a toothpick his mouth, eyed Minato without expression. Minato gulped. He had no idea why his feet had just moved when they had.
"Eh, Mister!" Naruto gasped. "Wh-what are you doing!" suddenly the kid flared at Minato and Minato quickly let go of Neji's wrist. Neji backed away from Minato with a glare and Minato's heart jolted. There was pure bloodlust and pain in Neji's eyes.
"Who the hell, do you think you are?" Neji growled. "This match- if you can even call it that- is between me and that sore loser," Neji narrowed his white eyes with veins around them. Minato had no idea what sort of eyes Neji had.
"I- ah," Minato stammered, suddenly realizing just how much he stood out and hating it.
"Hey, we're in the middle of the exam, I believe it'll be best if you return to your place in the audience," the proctor said coolly. Minato gulped. Naruto was looking at Minato without expression. Minato looked to Naruto's eyes.
"I didn't mean to interfere, I just, I don't like seeing someone getting pummeled and not being able…to do anything to stop it," Minato looked at the ground.
Naruto spit some blood out of his mouth, and gave Minato a foxy grin and determined glare. "Hey, I don't back down and I don't run away."
"It's great that you have perserverence but you should know your limits," Minato said, oddly reminding himself of the old pervy sage.
"How do I know my limits, if I don't test them!" Naruto said, getting to his feet. It looked painful. Neji spit to the side.
"Proctor, the rule book clearly states, no interruptions, this man's interference should automatically disqualify this fool," Neji said, glaring at the Proctor. The Proctor crossed his arms and took out his toothpick, and it looked like he was mulling something over, lost deep in stands weren't in a riot but some people were yelling intervention.
Minato hadn't thought that far ahead when he'd intercepted Neji's attack. He looked to the Proctor, evidently abashed.
"True, we have rules that say, if any outside force intervenes, then technically, Naruto would be disqualified," the Proctor said, scratching his head. Minato watched as Naruto's face not only fell but looked completely horrified. Minato instantly tried to speak.
"L-let's hold on just a moment!" Minato said, holding up his hands. Neji balled his hands into fists.
"Too late, although you did interfere, you only further sped up the fate of this match," Neji declared. Naruto looked frantically to the Proctor.
"O-oi! That's not ….you're not," Naruto stammered, still panting hard. Minato felt guilty. "That's bull shit!" Naruto yelled.
"I did-didn't come to double-team with Naruto or anything!" Minato said quickly. Minato couldn't help but notice how Naruto looked like he was withdrawing into himself.
"Yet, you did intervene in the middle of battle," the Proctor said. He raised his arm, and as he spoke, Minato could see how Naruto seemed to sag. All the fight he'd had, seemed to leave. "Due to intervention, Uzamaki Naruto is-"
"Wait!" Minato exclaimed. TheProctor looked to him calmly while Neji looked plum pissed and Naruto looked to Minato, evident mixture of confusion of anger in his eyes. "I-I'm the one who broke the rules here, not Naruto! Naruto never planned this! I- I intervened because …despite this being a 1-1 match…despite knowing what was at stake…I couldn't just stand around, and accept the danger the kid was facing! I only intervened because I thought…I thought the kid was at his limit…and Ididn't want him to get himself irreversably damaged…I'm- I'm sorry and I accept full responsibility, just please, don't disqualify the kid!" Minato bowed rigidly while he spoke, arms at his sides, trying to speak as calmly as he could but his voice did waver a little. Minato's eyes squeezed shut, he knew that he was in a shit ton of trouble and that everyone was looking at him.
"Be that as it may, you should know that interfering in a match means automatic disqualification, if more than one person joins the fight, then it makes it harder for me to keep an eye on the potential of all Chuunin recruits. The rules are not there to impact anyone negatively, they just help us Proctors to keep a more close eye on who is against who," the ninja explained calmly. "I understand you're apologetic but let me ask you this, if you knew th rules, would you know better than to interfere, no matter what?"
Minato blinked. He mulled it over. Yeah, the obvious response was that he would think twice. It was because he had just acted in the moment that Naruto was in a shit ton of trouble. Minato swallowed. Still, match or not, he didn't know why he cared so immensely about what happened to the kid. There was just this pull to the kid. Minato straightened up still thinking hard. "I-….I would think twice," he said.
The Proctor nodded, "Very well, sometimes you have to learn the hard way, I'm sorry but Uzamaki Naruto is still dis-"
"… and my response would be the same every time. I learned something valuable….those who fail to follow the rules are scum, but those who do not care for, and support their fellows, are even lower than that!" Minato said, giving the Proctor a determined heated gaze.
The Proctor scratched his head and sighed. "Allow me to have a word with the Hokage," and he poofed for a moment. Neji "chehed" and crossed his arms. Naruto was looking at Minato with a furrowed confused expression. Minato looked to Naruto sadly.
"I'm sorry, kid," he said evidently apologetic, "I didn't mean…"
"Hmmph. Did I really come off as that weak?" Naruto said quietly, glaring at Minato. Minato gulped.
"You're not weak…I just…I watched you….and I couldn't...but it wasn't my place to intervene, it's ok…if you can't forgive me," Minato deflated.
"Look Mister, it's not about whether or not I pass or fail, just trust me, I never give in and I don't run away," Naruto said, pointing to his head band, "What it means to be ninja, to me, is the guts to never give up …I won't lose this match!"
"It's too late," Neji scoffed, "Once the Hokage verifies your fate then it's over. You see Naruto, in the end you don't have any control over your fate, it's always going to be in someone else's hands," he said pointedly.
"Then I'll take it back!" Naruto declared, glaring at Neji.
"With what? You have nothing," Neji snapped.
"I have my will! My fate up till now has been out of my control…but over this past year, since I began doing ninja missions, I've gotten stronger, and I've already been holding my own fate since then! All you do is bitch and whine, well you know what, I'm getting sick of it! Not even Hinata complained! She took things in and she did her best to cope! Your way of coping sucks!" Naruto declared, glaring at Neji and pointing at him. "Screw this match, I'll take you on anyplace, anywhere and I'll kick your butt a thousand times over! I'll show you just who you're dealing with! If you won't change maybe I'll just beat it into you!" Naruto fumed, his vein popping a little. Their glare was electricity crackling.
Just then, the Proctor poofed back.
"The Hokage would like to speak to you during the Shikamaru versus Temari match," the ninja informed Minato. Minato figured it would be to discuss his penalty for interfering with Naruto's match. The proctor raised his arm over his head and with a jolt, Minato thought what he'd said had done nothing to change the verdict. Apparently Neji did too, because he had that smug smirk back on his lips. "Although there was an unforseen intervention, the apology has been accepted and therefore, let the match between Hyuuga and Uzamaki, commence!" and he brought down his arm to signal go. Minato stood dumbly because he was surprised and so relieved, if not for the moment. Naruto's entire being seemed to light up with a renewed vigor.
" Feh, the Hokage is a fool too…letting you keep the kid in the match," Neji said with a growl. He glared back evenly at the Proctor and Naruto who both shot him rather miffed glares athough the Proctor maintained his cool nature. "On second thought…the proctor may as well call this match off. It's obvious who the winner is," and Neji turned his back on both Minato and Naruto.
Naruto glared at Neji's back and Minato didn't know what to say. "Don't turn your back!" Minato heard Naruto growl menacingly. Minato looked to Naruto who was painfully panting. "… I won't run away…I never go back…on my word…" and he looked so determined, his blue eyes shown with a couragous and down right rebellious gleam. Minato felt an arm on his shoulder. Looking to his side he saw Usagi silently tugging him away. Minato found that his feet felt heavy. He moved to the side of the arena only a little bit a ways away from Naruto. He turned back despite Usagi trying to indicate that they should get back to the stands. The people in the crowd had been yelling a little about Minato's interference. It fell onto deaf ears. Minato couldn't take his eyes off of Naruto.
"N-Naruto!" Minato said worriedly. Naruto paused and then gave Minato a thumbs up.
"Heh, I refuse to be defeated….by a coward like you!" Naruto exclaimed to Neji, loud enough for at least Minato, Usagi and the Proctor to hear. Perhaps the others as well. "I won't lose to someone who believes in resigning himself to fate!"
That declaration was met with a contemptious snicker on Neji's end. "What a joke…don't go shooting off your mouth, out of all of us… like you know anything!" he said his voice rising an octave. "What the hell….would you know…about my fate! About bearing an unscapable and undeliable …curse!" Neji roared, pointing at Naruto with obvious hate.
Minato shivered. These two, the tension was suffocating. He balled his hands into fists at his side though. The way Neji was talking, it was though he had already given up. Minato grit his teeth. Miku had her own ups and downs as well. Her fate wasn't to be a ninja but she was working hard to change her fate. Minato understood that Neji obviously had a painful past from the snippets he'd picked up on. But.
Naruto was fighting for his dream.
Miku was fighting for hers.
They were two unlikely people who it seemed both would fail. Minato knew in his heart that they would both succeed. Or die trying.
"You're wrong!" Minato shouted to Neji, his own eyes aflame.
Neji's whole body stiffened. He turned to glare at Minato. Naruto did too but he wasn't glaring, he was just surprised.
"Proctor, this fool is interfering with my match," Neji said vehemently.
"Come on, Minato, we should really go back to the-" Usagi tried to grab Minato's arm but Minato shook him off.
"No. Not until I've had my say." Minato growled, looking at Neji. Neji eyed him levelly.
"Is this entire exam full of hot-headed fools with unreachable dreams and overly optimistic values?" Neji scoffed.
Minato grit his teeth. "Kid, I get it, you have beef to pick with your Hyuuga clan. Instead of complaining about it, why not try changing!"
Neji laughed. "Change? You want me to change my clan's ways? It's impossible you fool," he yelled.
"Not change the clan! The Change, it has to start from within…inside of you!" Minato retorted, pointing to Neji. Neji snarled at him in response.
"You, you have some real audacity coming into the middle of the exam, interrupting and then trying to sell me your peace and love crap!" he roared.
Minato balled his hands into fists. "You can't change the past! You can at least change the future!"
"Like hell! The earth and the heavens weren't made in a day you presumptious fool!" Neji retaliated.
"Yeah, I get that!" Minato retorted. "All I'm saying is, you talk like being the winner is everything!"
"It is!" Neji replied stiffly.
"I get you have issues, but if Naruto can change his fate, then why can't you!" Minato asked, keeping his tone level.
"Change my fate? This…you are a blathering idiot. I cannot change. Your destiny is pre-destined," Neji said snarling, "No one can change it, not you, not me, not even the Hokage!"
Minato glared at the kid. Naruto was looking at the tension that had rose between Minato and Neji. The proctor stood next to Usagi and was scratching his head. The crowd was complaining but Minato's attention drowned out everything else. "I can't change what the past was. I can change what is," Minato said pointedly.
"Only the weak fools think like this," Neji snapped.
"Really?" Minato said calmly. His voice rose till it was as loud as it could go, and he roared, "If being strong means looking down on others and giving up, then I'd rather be weak and have a dream, then nothing at all! You say you're strong but I can tell Naruto is stronger! Not in jutsu! Not in tactics! But in guts! He's got what it takes to change! You're the real fool here!"
His words were met with silence. You could've heard a pin drop.
Usagi gripped Minato's arm hard. "Minato. Stop." He said curtly.
But Minato was fuming too much. This kid, he was obviously so troubled. But he was beating on Naruto, beating on his dream. Calling him a failure. Saying he couldn't change his fate. Naruto held up a hand. Everyone looked to him, even the people in the stands who had been cat calling and trying to get Minato off the stage. The proctor had sort of just scratched his head and watched things unfold.
"I…I actually understand pretty well," Naruto panted, not taking his eyes off of Neji. "And, so what?" Naruto declared. Neji glared at him. Minato felt himself get tugged at least to the side of the proctor as Naruto continued to speak. "You're the one…who needs to quit lecturing! You're not the only one…who's special, you know!" Naruto panted, holding his side. Minato wanted to get the proctor to call off the match but those thoughts died when he saw how hard Naruto was trying. Calling off the match at this point would insult Naruto and his point and not only that, but add fuel to Neji's already blazing flame. Usagi leaned to Minato's ear, "That was a moving speech and all, but we really should return to the stands."
"Even though…she's in the main branch, Hinata's been suffering just as much as you!" Naruto yelled. "She's trying so hard to change herself! To earn respect!" he continued to shout at Neji. Minato was instantly reminded of Miku and how hard she was working to change her own fate. "That's why she hung in there with that fight with you, even though she was coughing up blood!" Naruto tried to straighten up a bit more. "And you! The cadet branch is supposed to protect the Main Branch, but you used this exam as an escuse to beat up Hinata! It sure seems like you were trying to defy your fate too!" Naruto declared accusingly, passionately and angrily.
Minato felt the intensity of the match just skyrocket. Naruto wasn't just fighting for his own dream, but for Hinata's.
Neji scoffed once again, "Heh, I've already blocked 64 of your tenketsu. How are you planning to fight? You can't use any chakra," and his tone was smug. Minato made a small move but Usagi held him back.
"This is Naruto's match, let's watch it unfold." Usagi nodded to Minato. Minato stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued to watch on. Miku and Alu. They were both here right? He felt Usagi tug him away just as Naruto was telling Neji how he'd kick his butt. Minato allowed himself to be moved. It didn't look like the kid would listen to anyone else's reason anyhow. He reluctantly returned with Usagi to the stands. Leaning against the rails, he watched them down below, his stomach flip-flopping, not liking the eyes that kept wandering over to him more than occasionally. He heard whispers behind him but tried to tune them out. He had a small embarassed blush on his face and Usagi patted his back. "Don't worry too much about it," Usagi whispered to Minato. "You'll be last Tuesday's news before you know it."
Minato hoped so. He kept feeling like the two Kage were watching him. He saw Naruto put his hands together. Suddenly, Minato felt an odd shift within himself. It felt as though Naruto's chakra was calling his own. Minato hugged his stomach, suddenly feeling a stomach ache. It was odd, like cramps. In the meantime, Naruto summoned an immense red-orange chakra and Usagi looked to Minato. "Hey, you ok?"
"Yeah, just…ate something funny," Minato fibbed once again. "Wh-what is that chakra the kid is summoning?"
"That's the nine-tailed fox chakra," Minato heard a voice say behind him. Turning he saw Alu leaning against the rail.
"N-nine tailed fox?" Minato repeated.
"Yes, Naruto…well I'll tell you later, for now, you want something for your stomach?" Alu asked.
Minato shook his head. "I-I'll be fine."
"Right-o. Let's watch. Naruto only gets more interesting from here on out," Alu said with a grin. " I heard your outburst. Way to get noticed! It's hard though to change a tiger of its stripes. Apparently Neji is under the impression that your destiny is pre-destined while Naruto is convinced it's something you can only create from the moment you decide to put your mind to something," Alu said with a grin. "My bet is on that gutsy lil' blonde dude," she said, shielding her eyes from the sun and watching.
"Where's Miku?" Minato asked.
"Bathroom," Alu said with a shrug.
Minato nodded and looked on as well. Naruto was faster indeed. Neji looked like he had no idea what to do. Minato probably wouldn't have either if he were in Neji's shoes. Neji had looked like he was winning indeed. Now, it looked like the tables had indeed turned. Minato couldn't tear his eyes away. "When I become Hokage, I'll change the Hyuuga clan!" he heard Naruto exclaim as the red chakra clashed with Neji's blue. They had been completely engulfed and a huge rumbling explosion had been the result of their final epic battle moment.
Minato gasped in shock along with everyone else. As the dusk cleared, it was evident that Neji was the winner. Neji coughed but managed to climb out of his crater like hole. Panting, he walked over to Naruto as everyone watched. Minato's heart sank. That kid had fought so hard. For it to end like this, it wasn't fair. He bit his lip. Just then, he saw a blonde blur come shooting out of the ground and punch Neji in the jaw. Everyones' jaws seemed to drop. Naruto Uzamaki had pulled the slip on Neji Hyuuga. Not only that, but he won.
The crowd was silent as the proctor said something to Neji as the medical ninja ran onto the field. Miku walked down the stands as well and stood next to Alu. "Ah, what'd I miss?" she asked.
"Nothing much, just Sparky here getting all energized and hopping in on the fun down there," Alu said with a foxy smirk. Minato blushed, wishing he could turn invisible. Or at least rewind. He hadn't meant to rudely interrupt.
"Eh? I missed that? Drat," Miku sighed, her eyes sparkling. "That explains the funny looks you keep getting," she grinned. Minato nodded while the others chuckled at him. He was aware that other ninja were indeed looking at him frequently. "How'd you get down there so fast?" Miku asked curious.
"He apparently used his speed," said Usagi with a grin.
"Tai jutsu? You used Tai?" Miku asked enthused.
"Er…I…my feet did the moving," Minato said quietly embarrassed.
Usagi thumped him on the back. " I guess you did remember that small lesson I gave you on simple teleportation techniques," he said proudly. Minato hadn't forgotten but he hadn't planned on actually using any ninja moves. It was as though his second nature- ninja nature- had taken over for that one moment. Not to mention, Naruto's fox chakra had retreated, but Minato still felt a bit tired. Why did he feel like this? Minato blinked, he felt sure he'd gotten refreshed before the exam. Alu patted him on the arm.
"Hey, you feeling ok? You look a little…under the weather?" she asked in a whisper.
Minato gave her a small tired smile. "I-I'm fine."
A second later he found Naruto in his face. "There you are, Mister! Didja see? Didja see me?" Minato quickly backed up, losing balance and falling on his butt in front of the people in the first row. Usagi chuckled while Miku and Alu grinned. Minato quickly got to his feet, Naruto bounced around him a little. How did this kid maintain so much energy?
Minato got to his feet quickly. "Yeah, I saw you," he said with a nod.
"When is your guys's matches? I'm waiting on Sasuke versus the sand man," Naruto said energetically. Minato observed Naruto as he spoke. Naruto had scratches and scrapes but he looked happy above all. Minato wondered how the Neji kid was fairing. Would he be able to change now? If that last ground-breaking punch wasn't enough to set that kid on the right path then Minato didn't know what would. Either way, Minato's main focus was on the fact that the first round matches were nearing an end. He still didn't know who Alu or Miku were going up against.
"Who's the sand man?" Alu asked curiously to Naruto.
" The sand man, you know, Gaara."
"Who?" Minato asked.
"He's this guy with red hair and a weird tattoo over one eye," Naruto said, and he pointed down a little ways. Minato's eyes wandered and he saw to the person Naruto was talking about. His arms were crossed, and he had a giant gourd on his back. He made eyecontact with Minato only once but Minato's eyes widened. He felt an icy shiver run down his spine, and yet he couldn't tear his eyes away from the red-haired kid. So much, emptiness in those eyes. Minato could tell that the kid's Killing Intent was masked but it still showed in the way he looked at Minato. Minato didn't feel intimidated. He felt like he wasn't going to be the only one in danger. Something was more off about that kid than the Hyuuga kid.
"Ah, Gaara," Usagi murmured. Minato looked at him. "Gaara, he's said to be the most feared Sand ninja to have ever lived," he explained. Naruto blinked.
"All I know is, I wouldn't want to meet that guy in broad daylight," he said, putting his arms behind his head in a laid back manner, his lower lip jutting out, and his eyes shut as though deep in thought. "Hey, Mister, what you did back there," Naruto tugged Minato aside. "…you didn't have to."
Minato allowed Naruto to tug him over to the top of the stands. His eyes wandered and he saw that the boy with the dog and the girl who had been coughing were on the ground, asleep? "Naruto, look, aren't they your friends?"
Naruto paused and looked as well. "What the heck, that's Hinata and Kaiba! And his dog too!" He went over and felt their pulses. "What the heck are these two sleeping in a place like this? What the heck?" Minato helped Naruto lean them against the back wall.
"Wake up, " Naruto waved a hand in front of Kaiba's nose. He didn't stir. Naruto frowned. "This isn't right," and he leaned in to Kaiba's face. "There is only one way to tell if he's asleep or he's been knocked out," Naruto said serious.
"How can you tell the difference?" Minato asked, puzzled. He was surprised no one else seemed to notice two kids sleeping behind the stands. Especially the Jonin. He would've thought they'd be more observant than this.
"Like so," and Naruto dramatically and slowly held up an index finger. Minato watched as Naruto moved his hand towards Kaiba's face….chin….and then he picked Kaiba's nose.
Minato made a face. Kaiba didn't stir and Naruto withdrew his hand. "It's official. He's knocked out," he stated. Minato just blinked.
"You should wash your hands," he said, grimacing.
"I will. Come with me to the bathroom." Minato found himself tugged along by Naruto to the bathroom.
In the bathroom, Naruto did wash his hands. Drying his hands, he turned to Minato who had been standing, arms crossed watching him silently. "What is it?" Minato asked.
"Mister, why did you stop Neji back there?" Naruto asked quietly.
"Ah, I think the more important thing to note is why your two friends are conked out," Minato tried to circumvent.
Naruto nodded. "I'll let Master Kakashi know when he arrives with Sasuke," he said. "But they're fine. They're not hurt, just sleeping it looks like. Don't try to change the subject, I can tell that is what you're trying to do." He crossed his arms stubbornly.
"Ah…look, I'm sorry ok?" Minato said with a small sheepish sigh.
"Why are you sorry?" Minato looked up to see Naruto gazing back at him.
"Ah- well…I interfered…" Minato started.
"Other than Master Iruka…no other adult has ever looked at me with those kind of eyes," Naruto said quietly, looking at the ground.
"What?" Minato asked, blinking confused.
"…Your eyes," Naruto shifted from foot to foot, the water was still running but neither ninja paid attention to it, "…they were full of worry and care."
Minato blinked. "Well, I'm sure your friends also worry-"
"No, no one has treated me like that," Naruto shook his head. "Master Iruka has those eyes, but I never expected another adult to, at least, not for me…" and Minato watched how Naruto gripped his stomach.
"The Nine-tailed fox?" Minato said gently.
Naruto looked at him, "You know of it, then you know what I am."
"No," Minato shook his head, "I don't know what you are, I know who you are," and he smiled a small warm smile.
Naruto turned his back on Minato. "You don't know me that well, Mister," he said and those words stung a little although Minato didn't know why, but then Naruto turned back from the doorway, and grinned a huge happy grin, small tears at the corners of his eyes, "…But I really do hope you stick around so I can get to know you better," and with that, the foxy kid left and Minato was left alone, in the bathroom, with the running water.
A/N: This is an updated chapter. Although I didn't like how the review was worded, I had forgotten about the disqualification portion, so I fixed it up. If it's still corny then it's fine J I just felt it'd be better to put in that little tidbit! I think it did improve the chapter and I'm all ears for positive constructive critique.! Check out my own review for just my preference on how a review should sound. I'm sorry about this, I just feel like it's important how you place your words. It really is, if worded wrong it could come off as hurtful. That's all. ^_^