Chapter 10
AN: OKAY FOLKS! This story is OFFICIALLY Re-written, and it is so different from the original version, you must re-read it. I beg of you. I can't guarantee quick updates for the rest of it, but hopefully it wont take too long. I have the basic idea of where it's going; I just need inspiration for the scenes and wording. If there's anything you'd like to see let me know! Also, for some reason FF stripped half of my formatting when I uploaded the chapters, I tried to fix them all but if you notice anything please, lemme know so I can fix it!
Naruto breathes in a huge sigh, getting a taste of the anticipation in the air. The stadium is packed to the brim, mostly with civilians placing bets on the contestants, legally or illegally. The chatter fills the air with a dull roar, making it nearly impossible to be heard. He glances at his fellow competitors, knowing the most likely outcomes.
"-ruto. Naruto." Kakashi calls, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Yo. 'Sup sensei?"
"I was just letting you and Sasuke know that Sakura and I are leaving to find seats."
"Cool, cool. Make sure they're good ones so you can have an awesome view of us kicking ass!" He crows, puffing up in pride.
"Just don't lose too badly." Kakashi teases. Naruto deflates.
"Have you no faith?"
"I'll believe it when I see it." He laughs, turning around and waving like the cool guy he thinks he is.
"G-good luck." Sakura says to Sasuke, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "You too, Naruto." She whispers, surprisingly doing the same to him.
"Thanks." Naruto answers for the both of them. "But you know we don't need it!" She smiles softly before following Kakashi out of the waiting room.
Naruto plops down on the floor in a corner and Sasuke joins him silently. A few minutes later Shikamaru appears on Naruto's other side. Neiji keeps his distance for tactical reasons.
"Hey, Shika."
"Naruto."
"Looking forward to fighting Temari?" He asks glancing over to the girl in question.
"Naw, I don't fight girls… I'll probably forfeit."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"That's cool. I heard she's really strong, you'd probably lose anyway." He says nonchalantly, watching Shikamaru's reaction from the corner of his eye.
"Ugh, really?"
"Yup."
"Guess I'll have to try then."
"Wouldn't that be 'troublesome'?"
"Hopefully not more than it's worth…" Naruto just grins to himself, knowing of the couple's future.
"If Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Neiji would please report to the ring, the final stage of the Chunin Exams will now commence."
'Wow, old man Hokage sure has cut things to the bare bones this time around. There was a lot more flair last time.'
'He's preparing for a war, Kit.' Kyuubi reminds him gently.
'Do you think we'll win?'
'Do you think we'll lose?'
'Nope.'
'Then neither do I.'
'That's so sweet, it's unlike you, are you feeling okay, Kyuu?'
'Meh.'
'Haha! Now THAT'S more like it.'
"Begin." The proctor calls, drawing Naruto from his inner thoughts. Immediately Naruto jumps back and out of Neiji's range.
"Taijuu, Kage-Bunshin no Jutsu." He whispers, forming a mass of clones. His goal is to drag the match out as long as possible. While Neiji's focused on his clone army, he hides in the trees behind Neiji and in his blind spot. He gives a clone permission to act as the 'real' Naruto and so the match progresses, slowly but surely. Naruto's not surprised when Neiji breaks out the Kaiten. The crowd's gasp is his signal to end the match. The sun is low enough in the sky.
Using an earth-style jutsu he'd 'learned' from Kakashi's scroll he tunnels under the Kaiten and bursts up landing a super-solid uppercut on the still spinning genin. Neiji's knocked out cold.
"The winner is Uzumaki Naruto." The proctor declares, gesturing for a medic. Naruto waves him off and picks up Neiji to take him to the waiting area. "The next match is Aburame Shino and Kankuro of Sand. Naruto glances at the sand sibling to see what he'll do.
"I forfeit." It's predictable, but thankfully for the leaf Village this time.
"Very well. Aburame Shino is the winner by default. Would Nara Shikamaru and Temari of Sand please come down to the ring?"
"Maybe I should forfeit after all."
"What's the matter Shika? Think you'll lose?"
"Troublesome." He mutters jumping down to the ring, while Temari rides the winds.
"Take your time, Shika!" Naruto calls grinning.
Shikamaru wonders at the point of the comment, until the match begins. 'The lengthening shadows will help throw her estimate off. Geez. How smart are you really, Naruto?'
To Naruto's disappointment, their match is predictable too. Shikamaru forfeits due to 'lack of energy'.
"Winner Temari of Sand. Would Uchiha Sasuke and Sabaku no Gaara, please come to the ring?" Naruto and Gaara trade glances; Naruto nods subtly. Garra grins ferrally.
…In the Kage's Box seat…
"That Uzumaki kid is a piece of work. I'm surprised he bested the Hyuuga prodigy," the Kazekage comments, seemingly watching the match's progress.
"He's very surprising, our Naruto. I'm impressed that Neiji managed to recreate the Kaiten."
"Oh? He wasn't taught it?"
"No. The Hyuuga family keeps the signature moves within the Main Branch."
"Interesting…you have many ANBU out in force today." He pries without outright asking.
"They were disappointed that I assigned them crowd-control." The Hokage laughs.
"Ah, but they will do as instructed, won't they."
"With the right motivation, anyone will."
"That is true. The Nara put up quite a fight."
"He is resourceful, that Shikamaru, and a genius in tactics."
"You just have the most promising rookies this year."
"We do." The box is quiet for a moment.
"Hokage-sama." An ANBU says, stepping up to whisper in the Kage's ear.
"I see." Sarutobi says, leaning further back in his chair.
"Would Uchiha Sasuke and Sabaku no Gaara, please come to the ring?" The proctor states, drawing the Kazekage's attention away from the moment.
"Now this is the match I've been waiting for," the Kazekage confides.
"I believe we all are," the ANBU replies. The Kazekage shoots him an annoyed look at his interjection in the Kage's conversation, but it's not his place to correct decorum…at least, not until he destroys Konoha and becomes Hokage himself.
…Gaara vs. Sasuke…
The match begins as many others have. The contestants stare each other down until one of them gets remotely impatient and decides to make the first move. Gaara has endless patience since the removal of the Ichibi's influence on him, and thus, Sasuke is the one to make the first move. He moves back for long-ranged combat. After seeing Gaara take down that Taijutsu specialist he knew better than to try and use that against him. A few fire jutsu's turn the guys sand to glass, but he doesn't even seem fazed, there seems to be an endless supply of sand at that guy's disposal. He continues throwing everything he's got at the Sand kid, but nothing does the trick. Gaara's got an impenetrable defense and Sasuke just can't seem to break past it…maybe it's time for that Jutsu.
…With Naruto…
He can tell Sasuke's getting ready to use Chidori. He whistles sharply, warning Gaara to create his sand barrier, otherwise things may get really bloody. He wants to laugh long and hard at Gaara's act of insanity. They'd agreed this was the only way he'd lose control as things had been before. Gaara pulls the chakra from within with no problems and soon a Tanuki of massive proportions stands before them.
…Elsewhere…
Little feathers fill the air as the traitor grins at his accomplishment. Pissed, the ANBU on guard duty sneaks up on him, Kunai in hand. One arm swings around to keep the bastard from fighting and the other makes quick work of his throat in one swift movement. He is sure to cut down to bone. Blood splatters everywhere, but at least the leak is dead.
…With Naruto…
The sleeping Genjutsu affects most everyone that he can see. Naruto gathers his chakra a moment later. "KAI!" He calls, mass-dispelling the genjutsu on the genin in the waiting room with him.
"What was that?" Shikamaru asks, sitting up and looking to the sand siblings who are now jumping out and joining the growing fray.
"It looks like we're under attack." Naruto comments lightly. Shikamaru squints his eyes at his friend.
"You knew."
"How could I have?" Naruto responds easily.
"I don't know how you did, but you did. That's why you wanted me to drag the match out, not because of the shadows lengthening, but to put this off."
"Hmm, well you have absolutely zero proof that anything you're thinking now isn't just conjecture."
"Damn right I don't, but I'm watching you, Naruto Uzumaki."
"Let's go kick some invader ass." Naruto spares a worried glance for the barrier that's atop the Kage's box.
…With the Hokage…
Ah! My cue! Orochimaru thinks standing and ripping off his disguise.
"Did you miss me, Old Man?" He asks, overly dramatic. He's disappointed when Sarutobi doesn't show his surprise.
"Not terribly, Orochi-kun." The Hokage stands up tall and proud, as they move the fight to the roof. The ANBU follows.
"Now, now, Anbu-chan." Orochimaru mocks as the Sound Four pull up the barrier. "I know it's your job to protect the Hokage, but I think you'd better sit this one out, otherwise you might die."
"I think you're the one in trouble." The ANBU says, pulling off his mask and letting the Genjutsu drop.
"Jiraiya," Orochimaru hisses in anger. The odds are officially not in his favor. Damn. "Drop the barrier." Orochimaru orders.
"But if we drop it so soon-"
"Drop it." Jiraiya begins advancing on his rival.
"We'll die, ya bastard!" Tayuya yells, pissed.
"Then die!" Orochimaru shrieks as Jiraiya lands a few solid hits.
"Too afraid to face a couple of old men?" He teases, trying seriously to land a good hit. Orochimaru manages to dodge all of the dangerous ones while throwing a few non-lethal hits right back at him.
"Drop it or I'll kill you myself!" He commands finally. The Sound four share a glance, before doing as ordered. "I'll be back!" He warns, jumping off, and calling a retreat for his troops.
…At Orochi's Super Secret Base…
"The Sand Village betrayed us?"
"Yes, M'lord. As soon as the fighting broke out they turned on us and attacked. It seems they knew you weren't their kage, m'lord."
"How? How did this go so poorly? I had everything planned. Everything was perfect. Somehow, somehow they knew. Where is my little snake?" Did he betray me? Did he warn the leaf village of our impending invasion? It's the only viable answer. They had to have had forewarning. Nothing else makes any sense. The poor guy mutters something.
"What do you mean 'Kabuto is dead'?!" Orochimaru yells, beyond frustrated. First the Sound Four, now Kabuto…the only remotely useful henchman I have left is Kaguya…Where did I go wrong?
…Konoha…
"Kitsune." The Hokage greets the fully dressed ANBU.
"Hokage-sama. I am glad to see you in good health. The counter-invasion went smoothly."
"That's good to hear. Orochimaru retreated almost immediately, but we have spies attempting to track his movements for the time being." There is a comfortable silence.
"I'm so glad everything went smoothly. I can't believe this part is over."
"Don't jinx it, Naruto-kun."
"I know better than that, Hokage-sama. We were on top of the situation, it was all skill and forethought, no luck involved."
"I think it's time your sensei was informed of your…unique situation."
"All of it?"
"Of course not."
"Good. I have to keep a few secrets, ne?"
AN: Gosh, I can't believe it's been 7 years! I'm glad you've stuck with me, (hopefully) so far. Thank you all for the reviews, favorites and follows on this story. I don't think it'll take me another seven years to finish it, so just bare with me. XD I'll try to do my best, reviews do inspire me, so leave them with things you like, things you want to see, things you hate, or even just encouragement to continue!
Thank you millions,
Yaraslava Rada