The preliminaries are now at hand... First things first
Review Bin
Taiki- this chapter should quench a bit of action for you my friend
kyunaru- Naruto and Anri right now are about equal in overall strength, skill, and prowess. That will diminish in Naruto's favor after next chapter.
Matches
Sasuke vs Yoroi
Shikamaru vs TenTen
Sakura vs Ino
Hinata vs Choji
Neji vs Naruto
Rock Lee vs Kiba
Tayuya vs Kin
Gaara vs Kankuro
Misumi vs Shino
Anri vs Temari
These matches will be in said order...
Chapter 10- Preliminary Bouts
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Inside stadium, central tower of the Forest of Death
It would be a surprise to have a last minute team, making the count go from 18 to 21..
Within the huge room of the tower. All 21 genin stand in front of the Sandaime Hokage and many jounin and tokubetsu jounin as well as three special guests; Tsunade and Jiraiya of the Sannin, and Tsunade's assistant, Shizune.
Tsunade, better known as the legendary sucker of gambling, was interested in some of the kunoichi, wanting to train some of them. The blonde haired sannin would later have a total of six students; Sakura, Ino, Kin, Tayuya, TenTen, and of course, Shizune. Such training would be needed to accomplish a new goal: to have a medic ninja per team. This would mean that teams may later be revised
Jiraiya, the toad mounted sage, was Tsunade's age, his white hair natural for his age since it was such since his youth. Despite being a world renowned super pervert and author of the Icha Icha Paradise Series, Jiraiya was the former sensei of the Fourth Hokage. Despite all views by most, Jiraiya is respected for his strength. He would plan on training Naruto in the future.
After the Hokage makes a speech about how these exams true purpose really is for all participating, a tokubetsu jounin with a blue cap covering his medium length brown hair appeared standing in front of him.
"Before the third exam, I, Genma Shiramui, will be proctor for both this preliminary tourney to narrow down the candidates for chuunin. I will also be proctor for the third exam as well..." Genma appeared to be smoking, but in his mouth was a senbon needle being held by his lips as if it were a cigeratte. "Rules are simple... one on one matches will be determined, giving up or death will end said match or if the combatants are unable to continue. Before we begin, does anybody wish to drop?" Upon hearing this, Kabuto raised his hand
"I drop..." Kabuto says calmly, knowing at this point, teamwork has no means for this final exam. Of course, his plan would be to study the other fighters for his boss.
No one would question Kabuto, since his record as a genin wasn't all to be praised anyway, according to records.
"Alright, now for the matches..." Genma claps his hands as a panel activates in the top left corner of the stadium in front of the great statue. Names of the remaining candidates would be shuffled quickly for many moments before stopping. "Sasuke Uchiha and Yoroi Akado are the combatants for the first match... Everyone else please get to the stands." Everyone does so as Sasuke and Yoroi take center stage.
"The first match, Sasuke Uchiha vs Yoroi Akado... now commence!!" Genma shouts.
Both fighters take their stance.
Right off the bat... not complaining, was hoping to fight early' Sasuke thought to himself
Kabuto-sama, I will now test this boy's abilities for you and our master...' Yoroi thought to hims as his hands start to be incased in chakra
With a high speed battle at high, Sasuke activates his Sharigan to anticipate Yoroi's moves. Within moments, Sasuke would assess that a frontal attack won't do, since Yoroi's palms of infused chakra are not to be trusted. So after a few dodges of Yoroi's attacks, Sasuke disappears from sight and suddenly high kicks Yoroi in the face.
'very good Sasuke-kun,' Kabuto smiled as he adjusted his glasses, 'It didn't take you long to guess of Yoroi's stamina and chakra draining abilities upon his opponents...'
A shocked Yoroi would then feel Sasuke's presence behind him in midair with a palm on his back. 'The Shadow of the Dancing Leaf... and he is toying with me...'
"You're abilities may have given you this match, but I found them out before you could use them... now, time to end this." Sasuke spoke calmly as he and Yoroi make a small scuffle of taijutsu. Just as Yoroi thought he had the advantage, Sasuke smashed Yoroi's head with a powerful ax kick. "Shi Shi Rendan!" Upon getting hit with Sasuke's ultimate taijutsu attack, it was safe to say Yoroi was knocked out.
"Winner, Sasuke Uchiha" Genma annouces as Sasuke's teammates cheer, mainly Sakura. (similar to the anime, minus the cursed seal of course.)
"I'll handle him..." Kabuto said as he took the unconscious Yoroi up to the stands with his teammate Misumi. 'You were wise not to use our master's gift of power, we can't afford to rise suspiscion, at least not now.'
In the stands with Sasuke
"Great job Sasuke!" Sakura cheered as Sasuke returned to the stands.Ino was cheering also, but much louder as the fangirl she is.
"Hn..." Sasuke nods, "not much of a fight... " He would say boredly
"Who cares, a win is a win" Tayuya said harshly, "besides, if I were you, I would have made that weakling's injuries worse, but that is just me."
"Tayuya!" Sakura exclaims
"What! I am being honest... That wuss Yoroi was holding back." Tayuya replies which Sasuke nods.
"I don't know why, but something about Kabuto's team is trouble..." Sasuke spoke up, a bit alert.
Everyone then returns their attention to the panel, awaiting the next match
Back with Genma
The panel does a shuffle of the fighters again swiftly before determining the next match. "Shikamaru Nara and TenTen" Said two fighters go down to the arena, TenTen by leaping gracefully to the ground, while a lazy Shikamaru is given a push by his teammate, Ino.
"Troublesome..." Shikamaru would say as he stands to his feet, dusting himself off and rubbing his head. Being lazy meant he'd be vulnerable to something like that. Ino knocked him off the stands for his match before he could back out and say it would be troublesome to fight a girl. Said remark made Ino's action more rash.
TenTen stood in her attire of a pink chinese style shirt and brown pants, her brown hair tied into two buns in the back of her head.
"The second match between TenTen and Shikamaru Nara, commence!" Genma starts the match
TenTen would take an early offensive, charging at Shikamaru for close combat, knowing that if he gets time to plan, he would win no doubt.
Shikamaru would expect this however and counter by using bunshin no jutsu and following up with kawirimi no jutsu to get some distance so he could use his kagemane no jutsu. TenTen dodges at the last moment, to Shikamaru's dismay. "Troublesome..." He mutters
TenTen would quickly call forth her trump card; soshoryu. Within these scrolls would be many weapons as she unleashes a barrage at Shikamaru 'I have to end this now' she thinks in alert. Unfortunately for her, not only does Shikamaru seek for this attack, he uses it to his advantage.
Shikamaru would succeed with kagemane no jutsu due to the shadows on the ground created by TenTen's weaponry. Not only does he dodge, but leaps into the air, making TenTen do the same. However, at the last moment, he breaks his jutsu as TenTen hits her head hard on the cememt foundation of the stands. Thus, she knocked herself out as it appeared, but by Shikamaru's doing.
"Winner, Shikamaru Nara" No cheers were given for moments, since everyone was shocked. That silence was broken by Ino
"Wooohooo!! And you wanted to drop... way to go Shikamaru" Ino cheers.
Choji would smile at his friend's victory and munch on chips.
As Shikamaru ascends to the stands and TenTen regains consciousness, the next match would be determined.
The panel goes through its ritual of determining the next match, as it stops. Sakura and Ino would smirk at one another.
"Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka" Genma announces as said kunoichi get into the arena, ready to fight.
"The third match between Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka, may begin" but as soon as Genma starts the match, Sakura quickly uses her trump card of increasing her abilities tenfold by infusing her body with chakra to knock Ino out... Impressing Tsunade and shocking Ino's team.
"um... winner, Sakura Haruno" A stunned Genma would say. As Ino regains consciousness, Sakura talks with her.
"Nice try Ino-pig, but you have to train harder to beat me..." Sakura said calmly after easily kicking Ino's ass, which pisses off Ino
"Shut up billboard brow, I will win Sasuke-kun's heart before you ever will" Ino sneers
"That's funny..." Tayuya breaks into the conversation, since both girls went up to the stands after Ino regained consciousness. "Such's like Sakura here when I first met her..."
"What do you mean?" Ino retorted
"Listen blondie, a kunoichi like you won't impress Sasuke with beauty alone. A shinobi is impressed by skill, by one's ability not to be a burden. You can stay the same fangirl that you are, but you will always be weak. Acting like a slutty fangirl will forever make you weak. I suggest changing" This talk from Tayuya being a similar one she gave to Sakura when they were paired up as teammates. This would leave Ino quiet to think on what was said. She too had taken the first step to getting acknowledged by Sasuke. (looks like Sasuke is going to have a small harem too. Lol, we'll see later when that happens)
During Tayuya's little 'talk' with Ino, the next match had already been determined "Hinata Hyuuga and Choji Akimichi" Both fighters get into stance upon getting into the arena. "The fourth match between Hinata Hyuuga and Choji Akimichi will now commence" Genma called out as he adjusted the senbon in his mouth. Choji takes his fighting stance as Hinata gets into the Jyuuken fighting stance
Body expansion no jutsu!" Choji would morph his size making himself twice his size, but Hinata would easily dodge his attacks even when he used the Nikudan Sensha Hence taking the appearance of a massive rolling ball of destruction.
Upon a near close hit from Choji's Nikudan Sensha, Hinata jumps into the air slightly and spins, activating her Kaiten. Hinata would repel Choji's chakra against him sending him flying into the wall. Safe to say he was defeated.
"Winner, Hinata Hyuuga." Upon Genma's announcement, Naruto and the rest of Hinata's team cheered loudly
"Great job Hinata" Naruto said happily
"You have come far Hinata" Kurenai applauded
"Great display, Hinata" Shino would say calmly, Kiba and Akamaru just gave a congratulatory howl.
"Th-thank you everyone" Hinata said shyly. During battle, she could ignore her timidness, but socially, that was her weakness
Neji looks at Hinata and gave a simple nod of respect
The panel would once again start its shuffle, upon stopping. Naruto pumped his fist into the air. "Hai! It is finally my turn!" Naruto said happily
"Do your best otouto" Anri said calmly, not even worried of Neji possibly winning. In fact, Neji would be in for quite the surprise.
Naruto does a flip after jumping off the stands onto the arena ground. Neji merely walked down and readied himself in his Jyuuken stance. His long brown hair let down as his Hitai-ate covered his forehead, but by personal reasons rather than shinobi way.
"The fifth match consist of Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuuga shall commence!" Genma declared
The fight of course started with a taijutsu fight with both combatants evenly matched, blocking each other blow for blow, after awhile, both clash and send eachother slightly back.
"You are quite a fighter, but you have sealed your fate... you are now in range..." Neji said calmly as he prepared his Hakke Rokujuyon sho. After Anri and Naruto exchange nods in secret, Naruto calmly remains still as Neji made his attack "Two palm, four palm, eight palm, sixteen palm, thirty-two palm, sixty-four palm" Neji connects with every hit, sealing off all of Naruto's major chakra pathways. "You now have no access to your chakra... You may as well concede." Neji said calmly
"I'll take my chances..." Naruto said with a smirk as he bolts forward. What could be seen was a faint glow slowly appearing around Naruto's body of the color of red. The Kyuubi chakra. 'Thanks Kyuubi' 'No problem kit, I figured you wanted to show off, so be my guest.' Neji tries to counter Naruto's frontal assualt with a Kaiten, but Naruto avoids Neji and after the Kaiten falls, Naruto would then make a ram handseal Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. Before Neji could form another Kaiten, an army of Naruto's swarm him, all kicking him up into the air. Then the real Naruto appears overhead after a quick leap. "Uzumaki Rendan" Naruto would partly mimic Sasuke's Shishi Rendan, but using Kage Bunshin in combination, knocking Neji out, the red aura slowly fades. "Good match Neji-san" Naruto spoke calmly before knocking Neji out.
"Winner, Uzumaki Naruto." Much cheering would occur from everyone, for Naruto had beaten the top rookie of last year. After Neji regained consciousness, he joined his team in the stands. Receiving a congratulatory kiss on the cheek by Kin
"A fine effort Neji" Lee cheered.
"I didn't expect that surprise from him" Neji said calmly. "Be aware, you may have to fight him later Lee" Neji said calmly.
"Yosh!" Lee made a nice guy pose
"That's the spirit Lee!" Gai would say enthusiastically smiling with his own nice guy pose. "BURN STRONG WITH THE FLAMES OF YOUTH LEE!"
"Gai sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai sensei!"
"Lee!" Both Gai and Lee hug affectionately as teacher and student, making everyone else sweatdrop in embarassment..
"Good match Neji" TenTen would say softly while blushing
"Thanks TenTen" Neji replies calmly, blushing slightly and trying to hide it. Luckily for the two no one noticed.
Back with Genma
The panel would once again determine the first match of the second half of the preliminaries. "Rock Lee and Kiba Inuzuka" Lee would pump his fist into the air as Akamaur and Kiba cheer, happy for a fight. Both descend from the stands to the grounds of the arena
"The sixth match between Rock Lee and Kiba Inuzuka shall now begin" Genma spoke calmly, the first five matches all proving interesting, so he would hope similar or even better during the next five matches. Lee would stand still, after taking his Goken stance. Kiba and Akamaru ready themselves.
Kiba and Akamaru decide on working together as usual, making formation of the Jujin Bunshin to nullify any traces of any differences between the two. The final phase being by the use of a smoke bomb and also now having feral instincts similar to Akamaru. "Gatsuga!" A deadly taijutsu strike would be targeting Lee, whom just stood there.
Before the attack could hit however, Lee would counter "Konoha Senpu!" This poweful spin kick would hit both Akamaru and Kiba knocking them back. Kiba curses under his breath and continues the fight, Lee remains standing calmly within the Goken stance
"Tsuga!" Akamaru and Kiba try a double team barrage, but Lee would counter at the last moment once again
"Konoha Raiken!" Lee's powerful spin punch would hit both Kiba and Akamaru hard, sending them flying and this time knocking them out. "You fight well Kiba-san, but Taijutsu is my specialty... So you fell into an instant disadvantage... However, with much training, you can get stronger" Lee makes a nice guy pose
"Winner, Rock Lee" Needless to say Gai was cheering in joy for his student's victory.
After a few moments, the panel would begin to determine the next match. "Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya." Both girls would readily get from the stands to the arena floor.
"Taijutsu only?" Kin would ask Tayuya as Tayuya replies with a nod of yes. Both take fighting stances.
"The seventh match between Kin Tsuchi and Tayuya shall commence!" Upon Genma's declaration, both girls would rush eachother clashing in an immense Taijutsu fight. Both would go blow for blow equally, until they clash infusing chakra into their fists. Knocking eachother out. The fight itself takes a total of fifteen minutes. Both girls lie unconscious.
"Since both are unable to continue, this will be a draw..." Genma spoke calmly as Tayuya and Kin were taken to the stands. They awake and receive praise from their teammates.
"Great job Kin!" Naruto said happily.
"Impreesive display, Kin and Tayuya" Anri would say calmly
Sasuke would just nod in approval as Sakura congratulates the girls on such an intense match.
Kin and Tayuya smile in content. Knowing they gave their all.
The panel shuffles the last six combatants and as it determines the eight match, Kankuro shouts out.
"I forfeit!" Kankuro shouts, not wanting to fight Gaara
"Very well, due to the forfeit of Sabaku no Kankuro, Sabaku no Gaara wins by default." Genma spoke calmly as Gaara looked on boredly.
"Cowardly shithead of a brother..." Gaara mumbled, for seeing Naruto's fight intrigued him into a state of bloodlust minorly.
So with the eight match abruptly ended by Kankuro's forfeit, the panel shuffles the last four combantants. "Shino and Misumi" This would be match nine, leaving Anri and Temari last to fight. Both Shino and Misumi move to the arena floor and ready themselves for battle.
"The ninth match between Shino Aburame and Misimi Tsurugi may begin" Genma announced
"I suggest surrenderring once I go into my jutsu..." Misumi says in a cocky tone, unknown to the bugs climbing on his body.
"...I doubt that... you need chakra for that..." Shino said in a monotone voice as his kikaichu bugs suck the chakra of Misumi. Within minutes Misumi passes out in fatigue
"Winner, Shino Aburame." Genma spoke calmly with a smirk 'that Tsurugi kid's cockiness blinded his senses, otherwise he may have lasted longer against this Aburame prodigy.'
As Shino returns to his team and Misumi is taken to his team, Temari jumps down riding on her fan.
"You're anxious" Genma said calmly
"Well, I am one of the last two left in this preliminary stuff" Temair, the desert rose spoke calmly, her golden blonde hair tied up in the back in four ponytails. She wore a faded purple kimono with fishnet undergarments, hence her visible shirt. All being meant as desert attire.
"Well, the final match of the preliminaries will be between you and Anri" AS Genma announced Anri's name, Anri shunshins onto the arena floor, standing within the Ryuuken stance. Temari takes her stance after folding her fan and holding it ready.
"Now, the tenth and final match of the preliminaries between Anri Ryou and Sabaku no Temari shall commence." Genma announced. Anri's match was the third most sought match to witness, behind Naruto and Sasuke's matches of course.
"Hey cutie! How about a friendly wager in this match?" Temari calls out to Anri in a seductive tone.
"And that is?" Anri replies boredly
"If I win, you have to agree to be my servant." Temari would blush while saying this. Tayuya would growl within the stands.
"That wager can go, However, I seek nothing if I win..." Anri replies calmly. 'She may try harder to win now, but we'll see if she can'
Temari would kcik things off by unleashing a blast from her fan known as Fusajin no Jutsu In the tactic of intimidation as well as making the area where Anri is quite slippery. To her dismay, Anri never even flinched and remained standing there.
"I suggest you use your full power against me... though it won't be enough" Anri says calmly, already guessing her attacks to be wind based. Bad new for Temari because due to his Chakra and Kata having an affinity of wind, Anri is immune to wind based attacks. Since the Dark Aura isn't around, the true weakness to Anri's immunity of wind can't be exposed. At least for now.
Temari smirked as she reveals all three purple moons within her fan at Anri's request before waving her fan at him and shouting "Futon: Tatsu no Oshigoto!" A tornado of wind engulfs Anri showing immense fury and power 'It's over for you, too bad for you cutie.' Temari thought to herself. However, she smile would change to fear as the tornado fades, Anri's clothes appear damaged, but Anri didn't flinch still, nor did the cuts of wind affect him.
"I suggest you surrender, Temari-san, unless you wish to defer from using your fan and trying another tactic" Anri spoke calmly, still in his Ryuuken stance.
'It isn't good to know that he has me figured out. I have no choice' "Very well Anri-kun, I concede defeat." Temari said with a seductive smile.
"Winner, Anri Ryou!" Genma would announce as Sasuke's team and Anri's teammates cheer happily. Anri would shunshin back to the stands with his team as Temari returns to her team. Plus a kiss on the cheek from Tayuya, whom received a glare from Temari
"Gaara has that look again..." Baki, the Suna team's sensei would point out. He wore a tan vest as a Jounin from Suna and a while hood, desert attire of course.
True to the words of Baki, Gaara did have a look of bloodlust in his eyes. 'I'll make sure you get his blood mother...' He would think to himself, but mutter aloud also making it sound like gibberish to his team.
With Genma
"We now conclude the preliminaries for the third exam. I now ask the winners to come down to hear an important announcement from Lord Hokage." Genma spoke.
Shino, Hinata, Naruto, Anri, Sasuke, Sakura, Lee, Shikamaru, and Gaara all head down to the arena floor infront of the Hokage as their teammate follow along with their senseis and the other jounin and tokubetsu jounin.
"Now, I will have you all draw from a box a number, this will determine the matches for the third exam." Sarutobi spoke calmly. "Each of you one at a time meet Anko and get a number from the box"
"I'll come to you..." Anko said a bit annoyed, after everyone gets their numbers, Anko spoke, "Ok maggots, from the order of your match victories, say your number.
"Four" Sasuke spoke boredly
"Six" Shikamaru would say lazily
"One" Sakura would say contently
"Two" Hinata would say without a stutter
"Seven" Naruto spoke happily
"Three" Lee spoke with a pumped fist and nice guy pose
"Nine" Gaara would say dryly
"Five" Shino said in a monotone voice as usual.
"Eight" Anri declared calmly
"Alright, you have a month's time to train for the third exam, that gives us time to invite all of the fuedal lords of the nations to watch and also help in the Chunnin Selection." Sarutobi spoke. "Yes Shikamaru-kun, what is your question" Sarutobi asks noting Shikamaru's raised hand.
"So only one of us will become Chunnin?" Shikamaru asks lazily.
"Possibly, but that could be different, for each of you have the possibility of becoming Chunnin. All of you could be promoted or none of you. It all depends on your performance. The next month gives you all time to get some new tricks, since your current ones are known." Sarutobi spoke a half truth, because fighters like Gaara, Shino, Anri, and Sakura should little of their ability. Out of these four, Sakura's skill was easiest to measure by everyone watching. Shino's was to be expected, due to being an Aburame prodigy. Gaara had no match since his opponent and teammate forfeited, and Anri proved immunity to wind based attacks, nothing more since his Ryuuken taijutsu style wasn't used beyond taking its stance.
"Now, I shall announce the matches for next month, to aid in your training." Genma spoke as he held a piece of paper
Match 1: Sakura Haruno vs Hinata Hyuuga
Match 2: Rock Lee vs Sasuke Uchiha
Match 3 Shino Aburame vs Shikamaru Nara
Match 4 Naruto Uzumaki vs Anri Ryou
Immediately after match 4, Gaara fights the winner of match 4 according to the bracrets.
Everyone within the room nodded and would depart from the tower and Forest of Death, to discuss training plans.
"Interesting batch" Jiraiya spoke
"Indeed, I think this is one Chunnin Exam worth not missing" Tsunade replies. TonTon, Tsunade's pet pig held within Shizune's arms, oinked in agreement...
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Phew... long chapter. Hope you enjoyed it.
Anri's immunity to wind does have a weakness, as I mentioned that the Dark Aura can counter elemental immunities. A key reason why the invasion of the Dark Aura upon Twilyte did what it did.
Next chapter will be the month of training. You will be surprised on some of the training done.
Paring updates- Sasuke/harem of Sakura and Ino (which will happen later, but right now it has been established.) Anri/ harem of Temari and Tayuya (Same reason as the Sasuke Harem, Temari's relationship with Anri has made an establishment) Naruto/ harem of Hinata, Shizune (the exclusive girl in this fic in Naruto's harem that will not be in any harem in the original T rated version of this fic) and Kin, Kakashi/Rin, Hayate/Yugao.
Also, the match between Naruto and Anri will be very interesting for all of you.
Until next time
Later.