Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Naruto leant his head against the cool glass. The moisture dripped down his exposed forehead and ran tracks down his cheeks. The rain blurred his reflection in his apartment window as he peered out over the street. The two Sound nin and the other foreign shinobis were sparring in one of the fields, apparently a few of their water, wind and fire jutsus had combined to make one of the most sudden storms in recent years. The foreign nin had trickled in over the past week; now that he was actively looking for them, it was far easier for Naruto to spot them.
This was the day Kakashi would nominate them for the chunin exams. It had only been a month and already things were going wrong. Well if he could get to Gaara beforehand… but Orochimaru was a major problem. Could he risk even going into Training ground 44? If he didn't then the future would change immensely. Well that was good and bad at the same time, he mused. Kakashi still hadn't told him his plan for the exams, he had been too happy this past week too hmm. He frowned.
Yurei had disappeared. Literally. He had gone off a week ago and hadn't come back. Kakashi had spent several days chasing up whispers and dust in all the corners of Konoha but he just wasn't anywhere to be found. This was bad. Yurei knew everything Naruto did, including defences of Konoha, vital key points in time and more…if he had been taken or went willingly (neither of them seriously believed this) then they and Konoha had a serious leak in their security.
Kakashi after their little mission had gone off the deep end of paranoia. After their little prank on Keikan they had intended to go to the Uchiha clan compound but Kakashi had somehow managed to kidnap all of them on their way and lock them in his apartment while he hunted down Yurei. When it appeared that Yurei had gone, Kakashi hadn't even allowed them to set one foot out of the compound until a day ago.
"Why can't we leave?" Sasuke grunted, "This is wasting time. We could be training to get stronger."
Kakashi stretched out on his couch, "Assassins." He counted off on his fingers, "Recuperating time so you lot don't go insane, you lot can't be trusted on your own, did I say assassins already?" He leaned forward and poked Sasuke in the chest. Sasuke stumbled back from the force in that poke. "You didn't fall over, you're strong enough for now. Little steps eh Sasuke."
"Why are we not trusted?" Sakura called from her perch.
He looked at her flatly, "The Akimichi clan caused uproar a few days ago in the red light district looking for the woman one of their chunin impregnated. The ANBU had to intervene to get all the civilians out of the way and the search is still going on. However he claims he never went to the district and his house was broken into in the same day by some pranksters…it wasn't hard to put the dots together. It's the latest gossip of the village." His eye glittered with humour though at his student's antics.
She blushed and looked away. Naruto meanwhile was exploring Kakashi's flat and not paying attention to any of them. He had never been in there before…it was very sparsely decorated and the number of traps boggled all of them witless.
"You did realise there was a complaints desk at the back of the office right?" Kakashi's mouth twisted in amusement. "There was no need to make that man's life hell from his clan."
"Depending on some chunin who didn't know what we went through?" Naruto called incredulously, "Why on earth would we do that?"
Kakashi nodded approvingly.
"Who would send assassins into the heart of Konoha to get to us?" Sasuke interjected.
"Well…anyone who's terrified of me teaching some brats, anyone who wants to take you out now before you become too big a threat. Make no mistake, while there might be no survivors to spread stories on what happened…it is still likely that someone saw the disturbance. You're all staying in here until I'm reasonably sure any assassins will be killed violently by the village guard."
Sasuke stared at him then fell back into a seat.
"Cheer up Sasuke." Kakashi said cheerfully, he held up a pack of cards. "I'll teach all of you some games."
Sasuke shot him a withering look and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Naruto's lips twitched. Time to take the world on head first. Like always.
…..
"Keep an eye on him operative. Orders from the top." A bored tone interrupted her silence.
She glanced sideways and nodded once, "As he commands."
…
The man rolled the wickedly sharp rod between long fingers.
"They say insanity is like flipping a switch." He whispered, "That doubts, fears and lies pile up in mountains…until it all comes tumbling down. Do you fear your mind breaking? Like brittle glass, I will snap it and scatter all the pieces to the four winds." He knelt to the spread-eagled man impaled on the floor half unconscious. "Did I ever tell you I disagreed with those idiots? Insanity isn't a switch…it's a damn ocean. You think you're safe skirting in the shallow end then suddenly a current sweeps you out and you drown choking… Are you terrified? To know parts of your mind will twist beyond recognition? Will you recognise your own thoughts when I'm done? You'll be an animal coated in human skin…and doesn't that just fill you with pure horror?" He brushed back the man's sweat soaked hair and lightly pressed the tip under the bulge of his eye. It dilated and moved around frantically under the point. "I suppose even animals need names. Yours was a name given in love, you threw it away so I will give you a new one… Break for me Inu-kun."
The newly named Inu screamed in mind shattering agony as the rod slid easily through his eye and destroyed his optic nerve.
"I wonder…can you heal even your mind?" The man knelt in fascination to view his specimen. "We all lust for one thing Inu-kun. I lust for knowledge, every kind in the universe. I would rip it apart to work out how it worked and build my new world out of its corpse." He smiled up at the ceiling, "I know exactly what you lust for and believe me when I say it is just a dream."
…
The younger members of Team 7 loitered under a dimly glowing stall as the rain created solid sheets between them and the world.
"We're finally out and we're stuck under a stall." Sakura sighed. "I feel so small. This…caused by shinobi sparring. The total disruption of the weather patterns…You think we'll be that powerful one day?"
Sasuke closed his eyes, "We'll look upon this level as nothing more than a warm up when we're older." He smirked in a fine mood. The rain always cheered him up.
Naruto grinned at her, "Yeah, you can always seal an ocean and make your own tempest on land if things don't go your way."
She laughed.
"Show us something you learned from stealing sensei's fuinjutsu scrolls." Naruto leant forward interested.
"Oh come on, he let me steal them." But she obeyed. Ink was taken from one pocket while she bit her palm to release blood. She let the blood drip into the black ink until she was satisfied then dipped her fingers in it. Black streaks marked her fingers with deep red undertones shifting in the light. With ninja speed she flicked her fingers, droplets of black and red splattered the opposite wall…only they weren't splatters any more. Kunai the size of their fingernails were embedded in the wall, each sunk deep in the wood.
Sasuke and Naruto started in their seats, "Array less fuinjutsu?!"
She shook her head showing them her fingers. Blood and ink coated them but they coalesced into patterns on her finger tips…grooves in her skin, like she had carved them in herself.
"It was a collection of notes by the Yondaime." She explained, "He was theorising about combat fuinjutsu and using seals permanently on the body. Using this a wielder can do incredible things in their specialty but they can't do much outside their field as the permanent seals would interfere." She held up her hand, "I've lost all ability to do non blood sealing with my right hand…It was a sacrifice worth the benefits."
"Sakura. You'll break your hand if you punch that wood anymore." Kakashi stepped into the room she had hidden herself in. She didn't relax from her stance and carried on punching the wood as hard as she could, as fast as she could. He caught her hand by the wrist before the bone of her knuckles broke. "Maa this drive is unusual for you."
"I'm useless in a fight." Sakura said bluntly, "I want to be stronger."
Kakashi blinked, "Even Sasuke listened to me when I said take it easy for a few days."
"I've been doing nothing but taking it easy." She scoffed. "Do you know how many people realise Team 7 has a kunoichi? All they see is the boys and I am sick of it." She aimed a weak punch at the wood and Kakashi pulled her away before it connected.
"In the fight I ran for help." She spoke suddenly. "I will do that in every fight we get into unless I get stronger. I don't want to be useless sensei, I see Naruto get up again and again every time someone hurls cold looks at him. I see Sasuke glare his way through everything and I want a pillar of strength too. Remember you said I didn't have convictions…well I want them now. A code to live my life by so I won't get this awful taste in my mouth when I look at them."
Kakashi was quiet for a moment. It seemed like Naruto's presence was already changing things; for better and for worse. He ruffled her hair fondly. She was growing up.
"The pillar you bound yourself to before was Sasuke." He spoke, "What will happen to the chains binding you to him?"
She stared at him unsure. She wanted to get stronger but didn't want to let go of Sasuke at the same time. Kakashi sighed mentally, what he was going to do was risky and most of the kunoichis would kill him for it. He knelt to her level.
"Use him as a ladder Sakura. Measure yourself against him. Fight with him. Challenge him. He'll notice you if you strive to reach his level. I can't do anything about him being in the centre of your world but I can make it a powerful force of motivation. Get stronger for his sake. Protect his back."
This had a very high risk of the girl becoming too attached to the boy and going insane if he died or he left her. But she would get stronger…he hoped he made the right decision.
"Stronger for his sake." She whispered.
"Come Sakura. Sasuke has his Sharingan. Naruto has his immense chakra. I have something perfect for you." He held out his hand and she took it determined.
"At all?" Naruto said aghast, "You need both hands to do most sealings."
"Yeah." She huffed, "My sealing ability will have been decimated but my combat ability has increased. I can now protect your backs in a fight." Her eyes burned a sickly green in the light.
"What can you do now? With that new ability." Sasuke asked.
"The seals on my finger-tips mean that with a touch I can manipulate ink and blood into whatever I like." She stretched, "I'm still limited to small projectiles at the minute though."
"Is that what the strange noises were at night?"
"Yeah."
Naruto hugged her, "That's really brave Sakura. To give up most of your ability just to get stronger to protect us better." Sakura seemed to have really matured unlike last time. He could never imagine old Sakura doing a big decision like this. Sasuke looked away but the slight smile told her everything. She nearly glowed but squashed it down.
She smiled as Naruto hugged her. They didn't need to know the consequences of that technique.
…
Kakashi lounged in the Hokage's office with the other Jonin.
"Kakashi." Asuma greeted, "You gonna enter your brats?" He jerked his head at his father.
"Maybe." He agreed, "Maybe not. You?"
Asuma rolled his eyes, "Goddamn yes."
"They're ready?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not. I'm hoping this'll get them to get off their asses and make them realise how hard they have to work." Asuma dragged on his cigarette. "They'll get knocked out in the second stage tops."
"Shock teaching." Kakashi drawled amused. "Nice. Tried it on my kids…works pretty well actually."
"Honestly no one thought you would actually teach Cyclops." Asuma blew out smoke, "We all thought you'd let the kids flounder with some basics and let them grow into their power themselves."
"Power gained without instruction is the best power." Kakashi recited, "Anyway I can't. I let this team do as they like and they'll completely shatter."
Asuma chuckled, "It's always those kind of teams who either become spectacular or catastrophic."
"Tell me about it." Kakashi chuckled.
"Cyclops." Ibiki strode over. "Heard your brats met mine."
"Ah yes." Kakashi smirked, "You have a good team."
Ibiki snorted, "They're too slow, too stupid and far too naïve."
"Genin in other words." Kurenai's voice wickedly added.
All the shinobi shared a laugh before sobering.
"Did you hear?" Ibiki growled, "It's official. We're allied with Sound."
"Sound." Asuma mused, "I've heard rumours about that place."
"We all have." Kurenai added grimly. "We have to watch out for them in the exams. Who knows if they're bluffing or genuine?"
"Well new villages do take protection of bigger villages in return for being allies." Ibiki played devil's advocate. "But I don't think this is the case here."
Kakashi nodded slowly, "Sound has no intention of remaining a thrall to Konoha. They want to be a power in their own right. They have the shinobi for it too."
"Hosho from mist, Kaguya from mist, Nishiki from Rock, Kokenya from Suna…they're all famous names." Kurenai mused.
"Drawn in by promises of power and blood." Muttered Asuma darkly. "They're no fools to fall for charlatan tricks."
"Which means their leader is a truly frightening fellow."
"Gai." They nodded to the eccentric Jonin.
"Let us get in line fellow Jonin. You are the ones who will report first." He said cheerfully.
"He's right." Complained Asuma as he cricked his neck. "Let's go guys."
….
"Where is he?" Sasuke bit out. "He told us to meet him two hours ago!"
"Then we have another hour left." Naruto spoke tiredly, "I don't know why I bother coming on time anymore."
….
"Now…first we'll hear from those who are watching over the new genin." The Hokage steepled his fingers. "Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma and Ibiki…are there any genin you would like to enter into this chunin exams? I don't have to tell you but after a genin has properly completed 8 missions they may take the test if nominated by their sensei. Now starting with Kakashi."
"With all respect Hokage, I would like to go last."
"Very well, Kurenai?"
Kurenai made the half ram sign, "The Kurenai led team 8; Hyuuga Hinata, Aburame Shino and Inuzuka Kiba…under the name of Kurenai Yuhi I nominate them to take the Chunin exams."
Asuma made the half ram sign, "The Asuma led team 10; Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji…under the name of Asuma Sarutobi the same as to my left."
Ibiki made the half ram sign, "The Ibiki led team 5; Hoshino Yamara, Ryusaki Shishui and Miyake Kigura…under the name of Ibiki Morino the same as to my left."
Kakashi made the half ram sign, "The Kakashi led team 7; Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke…under the name of Kakashi Hatake I do not nominate them for the chunin exams…but can I have 3 forms anyway?"
Someone stifled a chuckle in the crowd.
"Lord Hokage can I have a word!?" Iruka burst out. "I taught all of them. They're not ready! The exams will crush them!"
Ibiki turned to the chunin, "Sensei, the moment they put on those headbands they stopped being your students and became our soldiers instead."
Iruka gritted his teeth but fell back accepting the reprimand.
"Wait Iruka is right." Gai stepped forward, "They're rookies. Let them mature a bit more first…the way you're handling them will break them. My team waited a year to get stronger."
"Perhaps the rookies need a little breaking so we can fit them together better." Kurenai spoke lightly but there was an edge in her words.
"Right that's enough…all other jonin senseis can submit their teams now." The Hokage announced as the rookie team senseis stepped back.
"What are you doing?" Asuma hissed to Kakashi. "Why do you want forms if you're not going to enter your kids?"
Kakashi looked affronted, "I said I wouldn't nominate my kids, I never said they wouldn't participate."
…
Sakura looked at her shadow, "It's been three hours…"
"What kind of training can we do in this weather?" Sasuke mused, "Water walking? Low visibility combat?"
"More like practising penmanship." Their sensei leapt onto the unoccupied stool between them.
"Yo. Been behaving? I got caught up in a Jonin meeting about your promotions."
They started to yell at him about the lie but froze half way and just stared at him.
"Already?" Squeaked Sakura.
"Well no, you have to pass an exam first." Kakashi considered. He held up three pieces of paper, "These are the nomination slips."
Naruto narrowed his eyes at Kakashi. What was the man doing?! Why even tell them about the exam? Kakashi's eye glittered in the dim light. He had a plan alright…
"The choice to take the exam is still up to you." He continued smoothly, "Unfortunately the deadline is in ten minutes so you have to hurry if you want to do it. I was a little late in picking these up." His eye crinkled.
Sasuke's eyes widened. "Will there be strong guys in the exams?"
"Oh very." Kakashi reassured him.
"Could we die?" Sakura asked frowning.
"Yes?"
Sasuke lowered his head. Finally he could test himself against others…and see how he could improve to become the strongest. "I will take the exams."
Sakura bit her lip. She had a made a vow to become strong and the exams sounded like a perfect chance. Exams were always her forte after all. "I will take the exams."
Naruto stared at the forms with a cool gaze. There was no way he was letting either of them near Orochimaru. "I will not take the exams. Sorry guys."
Kakashi cocked his head, "Okay…bit of information for you guys. The exam's taken in groups of three only. Next time then eh?"
Sasuke whipped to face Naruto, "Are you scared?! I never thought you would back down from a challenge dobe!" He gritted his teeth, his chance to measure his strength was gone due to him!
Sakura wasn't that concerned. "We'll take it next time then Sasuke. When we're stronger." She shrugged. She too however hadn't expected Naruto to back down in the face of a challenge.
"Don't you want a promotion?" Sasuke asked witheringly.
"Of course I do." Naruto said affronted, "I just don't think being genin for about 5 weeks is enough to take on genin who have years of training and experience under their belt. Do you?"
"We can put up a damn good show." Sasuke hissed, "We can fight and get stronger…you don't run away from things!"
"That's enough, that's enough." Kakashi interjected hastily. "If all of you really want to get stronger we'll go pick up a mission. What do you think Sakura?"
"Erm yeah?"
Naruto and Sasuke glared at each other before nodding reluctantly.
…
Team 7 dripped water all over the mission room carpet. Kakashi was perfectly dry of course but his team looked like wet bedraggled rats. All the higher nin had to stifle chuckles at the sight and settled for amused smirks.
"So Team 7, a nice D rank for you? What about doing some shopping? Hmm I suppose you can't weed in this weather…shovelling mud?" Why was the old man grinning like that?
Kakashi didn't look up from his book, "Hmm no, I think we'll go for a nice juicy B rank this time. Got any spare?"
What.
All of his genin temporarily lost their speech, just staring at Kakashi with their jaws on the ground. They had barely survived a C rank…and now he wanted them to go on a B rank!? Was the man absolutely insane?
"What? Are you insane, we can't handle a B rank!" Naruto yelled.
Sakura nodded dumbly, B ranks were the assassinations and infiltrations. Oh Kami. Sasuke just kept checking for genjutsu every 5 seconds, they weren't ready and he didn't believe Kakashi would be as stupid as not to realise that.
"Of course you can." Kakashi said dismissively, "In fact I have utmost faith in you. Hokage make it a trio only mission."
Naruto's eyes widened in horror. Kakashi had lost it. Being cooped up with them for a week had caused him to absolutely lose it. Sakura made a high keen of horror and hid her face. Sasuke too was now staring at Kakashi, did the man want to kill them that much? To do a B rank with a Jonin sensei was bad enough, to do it without was plain suicide!
"Hmm." The Hokage puffed on his pipe, "Yes I do have one free. It is an infiltration deception mission…I'll put Team 7 down for it."
"Can I have a solo A too?" Kakashi said hopefully. "I want to stretch my legs."
"Don't leave us!" Sakura spoke in horror. Sasuke remembered people from his family returning after B ranks…and they had been fully qualified chunin!
"Genin can't take B ranks." He said sharply, "Maximum is C isn't it?" Kakashi rapped him with the spine of his book.
"That's more of a guideline than anything Sasuke."
"Yes…I have a solo A rank free too." The Hokage smiled motioning for the chunin to pass them two scrolls. Where was Iruka sensei? He wouldn't have stood for this!
Kakashi accepted them both and tossed one to Naruto who caught it dumbly.
"You're team leader." He said cheerfully, "Try not to die, you'll make me look bad. Excuse me I have to prepare for mine. Ja ne." He cheekily shunshinned out waving.
Kakashi's plan to save them from Orochimaru was to kill them using a B rank? He was never letting his sensei make a plan for him ever again.
"Open it dobe." Sasuke told him wearily. Naruto unrolled it like it was an artefact of mass destruction. They leant in to read it.
MISSION RANKING: B
MISSION TYPE: SABOTAGE, INFILTRATION, DECEPTION
MISSION LOCATION: KONOHA
"Wait a B rank in Konoha?" Sasuke said incredulously, "Only D ranks are in the city." Naruto had ice growing in his stomach at the next statement.
MISSION DETAILS: YOU WILL PRETEND TO BE A TEAM IN THE CHUNIN EXAMS WITH THE PURPOSE OF SABOTAGING OTHER TEAMS AND REDUCING COMPETITION. DURING THE FIRST STAGE YOU WILL PROVIDE INCORRECT ANSWERS, TRICK PEOPLE INTO BLATANLTLY SPYING AND AT THE END YOU WILL GIVE UP TO ADD REALISM TO THE EXAM.
Three pieces of paper fluttered to the floor in front of the stunned genin.
That…that…utterly dastardly brilliant man. Using them to make the Chunin exams far more realistic and difficult while protecting them from Orochimaru by getting them out and reducing morale at the same time AND giving them valuable shinobi skills at the same time. Them freaking out was probably a bit of malicious amusement to him too.
"We're going to participate." Sasuke grinned holding up the nominations.
"For one round." Sakura pointed out.
"That doesn't matter, we'll get behind the scenes information on chunin exams and that's more important. I'm guessing they change the exams every time as not to give teams like us advantages." He smirked.
"Sensei is a monster." Naruto breathed admiringly.
DETAILS: GO TO ROOM 304 NO LATER THAN 4PM TO HAND IN THE REGISTRATION FORMS.
Kakashi had somehow managed to doodle one of his chibi pictures waving at them with a little caption saying maa have a little faith in your sensei.
They grinned at the paper. This they could do. The Hokage tipped his hat over his eyes smirking. It was so fun to mess with the new genin.
…..
Couple of hours later they met up outside the building they were supposed to be at.
"Okay we have an hour to hand these in." Sakura stated looking at her shadow. "The raining has finally stopped thank Kami." The water was up to their ankles and cool on their skin. All the colours were muted and grey and the breeze carried the smell of wild flowers and salt.
"Are we adopting personas?" Naruto asked quietly. "If we appear competent then we might get targeted."
"Nervous, weak first timers?" Sasuke looked for protests, "Nervous, weak first timers it is."
"Hide the fan." Naruto told him with piercing eyes, "The name Uchiha will draw trouble. Your clan was legendary…"
Sasuke gritted his teeth at the thought of taking off his clan identity. He was the last…it defined him…but he recognised the compliment given to his clan and nodded brusquely. Naruto handed him a knee length coat henged from one of his bunshins. He nodded his thanks and shrugged it on.
"That just made you an instant magnet to all the girls." Naruto warned awkwardly as Sasuke shot him a glare coming to the same conclusion.
"Sakura, still have the clip Anko gave you?"
"This thing?" She held up the glittery monstrosity and clipped it in her hair. "Immature boy loving kunoichi coming up."
"Well then let's go." Naruto said cheerfully, "Let's go kick people out of the exams."
….
The passageway was blocked exactly like last time with muttering genin around the disguised chunin.
Thump.
Lee collapsed on the floor from a well-placed strike.
"Hah! You plan to take the chunin exams with that?! You should quit now. You're just a little kid." Kotetsu sneered leaking the very slightest killing intent, just enough to keep the genin on edge.
"Yeah-yeah." Izumo agreed smirking slightly.
"Let us through." Tenten pleaded but Kotetsu's hand blurred and she fell back with a cry as he backhanded her.
"Horrible…" came a mutter from the crowd of nervous genin.
"What did you say?" Kotetsu asked mockingly, "Listen, this is our kindness. The Chunin exams aren't easy…even we've failed it three times straight. Those that take this exam and end up quitting as shinobis, those that die…we've seen it all. Chunins are captains of military teams, the failure of a mission, the death of a comrade…that is all the captain's responsibility. Yet kids like you think you can pass?"
"We're just thinning out those that fail anyway. What's wrong with that?"
Naruto stomped on Sasuke's foot, "Keep quiet."
"Yes thank you genius." Hissed back Sasuke.
"That sounds like Tenten." Sakura whispered, "But she was so strong willed …not like that."
"That is Team 9." Sasuke clarified, "I can see Neji near the front. Guess we weren't the only ones to put up an act…think they're actually in the exams?"
"Yes…Team 9 is one of the strongest teams here. I guarantee it." Naruto said at once. Sakura looked at him weirdly.
"Naruto, you haven't even seen the others."
"Think about it. They have Lee…genius of the Iron fist, Neji…a genius of the Gentle fist and Tenten who can hit a wasp from three hundred metres away. In close combat they will overpower anyone, in range Tenten can pick them off with ease. In addition they have one of the three great dojutsu. I doubt there's many teams with defence and offence in all three areas. Their only weak spot is ninjutsu and genin don't even know that many."
"That's some good analysis." Sakura spoke somewhat impressed. Naruto smiled, everyone who survived the war gained analysis skills. He was no different.
"Where's the stairwell?" Sasuke scanned the room.
"To the right."
"Let's sneak away then." Team 7 casually meandered over to the hidden stairwell.
"Ah Naruto! Sasuke! Sakura! My sensei's eternal rival's team!" Lee bellowed at the top of his lungs. "I see your youth blazed so brightly your sensei entered you too."
"How did he spot us?" Sakura wondered in bafflement, "We have so many people between us."
The crowd of genin shifted slightly so they had a clear view of the front. Lee rubbed at his cheek and grinned at them. Naruto grinned seeing his old friend in that infamous spandex for the first time. Sakura blinked rapidly not quite being able to reconnect her mental image of Lee from his voice with the reality.
Kotetsu laughed, "What's this? More cannon fodder? It's honestly embarrassing that you consider yourselves capable of becoming chunin. I mean…can you handle military operations if all it takes to send you to your knees is this?" Both his and Izumo's killing intent flared. Thick heavy bloodlust hung and bubbled in the air between them and the genin panicked under the utter certainty and confidence of the duo. They could defeat them. They could kill them. And they wouldn't think twice.
"Pathetic." Sneered Kotetsu as he surveyed the scene. Half the genin were on their knees or white faced. "If you can't handle my killing intent, how can you handle being on the field?"
There were only a few teams not affected. Team 7 exchanged startled glances with Team 9 who in all honesty had expected Team 7 to collapse. In truth while their bloodlust was impressive…it was nothing compared to an angry Kakashi and so even Sakura could keep her head up albeit with a wince. A few other teams remained standing smirking nastily and checking out the competition.
"We should have pretended to collapse." Muttered Naruto under his breath.
"Too late now." Sasuke breathed back.
"Not bad." Izumo spoke. His voice was tainted with a semi mocking curl. "But if all you can do is stand…" He vanished in a blur of blue.
Clang.
A short tanto struck off a pair of crossed kunai in a shower of sparks. Not missing a beat Izumo spin kicked before feinting left and slamming the genin into the nearby wall. His team mates shouted to interfere. Kotetsu blurred. One of them jumped as he suddenly reappeared behind them sweeping their feet out under them. The one which jumped somersaulted but Izumo slammed his genin's head into the wall and tossed him so they collided and fell in a heap on top of the other groaning genin on the floor.
"Go!" Sakura pulled the boys into the stairwell as everyone was distracted by the fighting. "They're that good and they're still not chunin?!" She gasped.
"Let's just hope they're plants like us and they're at the level of high chunin or something." Naruto muttered.
Sasuke just looked thoughtful, he now knew who all the stronger people were…now for plans to get them kicked out.
….
Naruto stared at the cramped hall in which hundreds of genin were milling around. How on earth had Ibiki managed to weed this many people down to about a fraction of its size? His eyes flickered over the room taking in squad formations assessing strengths and weaknesses from what he could see. Where was Gaara? Where was Kabuto? He honestly did not know what he would do if he saw Kabuto again, he was after all responsible for the grave desecrations of so many ninja. Edo Tensei was a curse from hell and he had used it like no tomorrow.
Kurama? Can you feel Shukaku's presence?
I could but then he'd know I'm here too…he doesn't like me much.
So bad idea to get you to sense him. Naruto hummed.
"How many are there?" Sakura breathed in awe.
"Only a few will become Chunin." Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Let's make that number as small as possible."
"They all look so strong…"
"Sasuke! You're late!" A flash of purple and yellow tackled Sasuke around the neck; he barely stopped himself from throwing the girl off on reflex alone. "I haven't seen you in so long! I've been waiting in excitement." Ino pouted with her arms wound around Sasuke's neck.
Sakura bared her teeth, "Get away from him Ino-pig." She hissed.
"Why if it isn't Sakura…big ugly forehead like always." Drawled Ino, propping herself up using Sasuke's shoulder.
"What did you say!?"
Ah Ino and Sakura fighting like normal. Even when they made up they still had fights but somehow they were 'different' according to the girls.
"You guys taking this stupid test too? Don't die…" A lazy voice drifted over.
"Shika, Choji." Naruto grinned at them, remembering what they had been like in the future. "You haven't changed at all."
Shikamaru's eyebrow twitched and he shot Naruto a dry look.
Choji grinned and offered Naruto his packet, Naruto took some gladly.
"Almost didn't see you there out of your eyesore."
"I looked like a bratty civilian didn't I?" Naruto returned indignantly.
"If you kept your mouth shut sure." Drawled Shikamaru. "Which was all of two seconds."
The girl's conversation about owning Sasuke went ignored with ease.
"Found you!" A series of furious barking punctuated the statement. Kiba was easily noticeable in the crowd especially with Akamaru perched on his head. Flanking him was his team; Shino and Hinata. "Well, well everyone is assembled." The boy gave a canine grin and it sent Naruto reeling mentally reminding him powerfully of the older boy's wolfish smirk.
"Ah hello." Hinata greeted timidly as Shino nodded silently.
"Geez, you guys too?" Shika grouched over his shoulder.
"Us too." A familiar voice called. Shishui draped arms over Kiba's shoulder. "Long time no see man."
Kigura and Yamara smiled at them and moved to talk to the other girls. Kigura's eyes raked uncomfortably over Naruto's skin but he gave no sign his skin was crawling.
"I see…all 12 of this year's rookies are taking the exam." Kiba huffed thoughtfully. Sasuke shot Naruto a look which was cheerfully ignored. "I wonder how far we'll get…eh Sasuke."
"Pfft you seem confident Kiba." Sasuke smirked.
"We did a lot of training, we won't lose to you." Kiba stood his ground cockily. "We haven't even seen you in the village for weeks Shishui. Where on earth have you been?"
"Cooped up in offices doing paperwork." The boy admitted. Sakura didn't believe him one bit. The speed he had shown in dodging her kunai was proof he was doing far more than paperwork.
"And you think you can compete in the chunin exams after doing paperwork?" Kiba's voice rose incredulously.
"Inside voice mutt." Kigura cut in coolly, "You'll see soon enough if we're competent or not."
"Ah Kiba didn't mean it in that way." Hinata looked down at the ground stammering.
"Fighting already." Shikamaru gazed at the ceiling, "This brings me back…"
"But there's no Iruka sensei to keep us in check this time." Naruto added wistfully.
"Are you ready for this?" Choji asked Yamara quietly. She nodded back face relaxing into a smile. "Don't worry about us…just look at that crowd. Watch your back…"
"We will be underestimated as young and experienced. That is our advantage in this fight."
Sasuke nodded in agreement with Shino. "Even cubs have claws."
"It doesn't matter if we're targeted." Ino flipped her hair, "Why? This is our home ground. We naturally have the advantage."
"Too much confidence is defined as arrogance." Sakura commented slyly. "A very unattractive trait."
"Do not be too confident. These are the elite genin from their respective countries." Kigura commented grimly.
"So they're the strongest each country has." Hinata stuttered. "Makes you almost lose your confidence."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. They were all making enough noise…where was Kabuto with his cards? He scanned the crowd for a glimpse of silver hair but…there wasn't any…What? What was happening? Why were things related to Orochimaru happening oddly? Kabuto was an important player dammit and if Naruto had no idea where he was…His internal panicking was cut off by a light crackling behind them.
They all froze as the air hissed and popped menacingly. A hissing came from the ground as gas was released into the room. People yelled and leapt back clumping together as the air itself caught fire. White fire blazed hot and dizzying, its heat forced the nearest genin to stumble back with gritted teeth. Its blue core ebbed then flared searing across their visions. Afterimages were blinked away but it didn't help in the least. One by one they looked away from the intense light and heat; the blue flame roared as it reared up to the ceiling...spreading over the roof, burning, searing, crackling…
"What's going on?!"
"Is this some Konoha trap?!"
Someone screamed. "Dogs! Get them away!"
What?
"Bloody hell where'd the train come from?" came another frantic shout.
"Train?! It's horses you idiot!"
What? It was just fire!
Genjutsu brat…hmmf as if that would work on my occupant.
The fire abruptly went out leaving everyone blinking with their distorted vision. The sound vanished so fast several people lost their balance. Confusion reigned in the hall with hundreds of genin blind, deaf and disorientated.
"Well would you look at all the little maggots squirming around." A sadistically amused voice purred, pitched just right that it seemed to be coming from behind each individual. "Makes my skin crawl. Makes me want to just wrap them up and slit their throats as you're stupidly blinking up at me."
Reviews are love ^.^