I do not own Naruto in anyway shape or form.
talking: Ya' know
thinking: Ya' know
jutsu: Flying Raijin Jutsu!
Tailed Beast talking/slight possession: Damn you 4th Hokage
Tailed Beast thinking: Damn you 4th Hokage
Chapter 11: Recomendation, 1st and 2nd stages
The Jounin sensei and some Chunnin were gathered in the Hokage's Council Chambers, all of them knew why they were there. The 3rd Hokage began the meeting, by saying. "I assume you all know why we're here."
"So it's that time already, hm? I've already seen some of the participating ninja from other villages." Said Asuma.
"'The Chunnin Selection Exams'. Should be interesting this time around." Said Kakashi.
"Hm, that's right. We will begin recomendations now, starting with the senseis of the rookie Genin." Said the 3rd Hokage.
"There's no point, none of the rookies are ready for this exam yet." Thought Iruka.
Kakashi stepped forward, and said. "I'm Kakashi Hatake, my team consists of Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha. I recomend all 3 for the 'Chunnin Selection Exam'."
*Gasp* "What? Is he crazy?" Thought Iruka.
Next up was Kurenai. "I'm Kurenai Yuhi, my team consists of Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga and Shino Aburame. I too, recomend all 3 for the 'Chunnin Selection Exam'."
Last but not least, was Asuma. "I'm Asuma Sarutobi, my team consists of Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akamichi. I too, recomend all 3 for the 'Chunnin Selection Exam'." Once Asuma finished, the crowd of Jounin began whispering about how all the rookies have been nominated at once, which hadn't happened in years.
"Hold on! Lord Hokage, excuse me, but there is no way those rookies are ready for the 'Chunnin Exams'. I would know, I've taught all of them when they were in the Academy. I know their strengths and weaknesses better than anyone." Said Iruka, worried about all of them but mostly Naruto.
"Iruka, I understand that you're worried. But they're not your students, they're our soldiers. So we know their strengths and weaknesses. Besides, I was half Naruto's age by the time I took the exams." Said Kakashi, trying to ease Iruka's worry at least a little. Too bad it didn't work.
"Naruto is nothing like you! Are you trying to get them killed?!" Iruka asked, with anger in his voice.
"Look Iruka, you are highly underest..."
"Alright Kakashi, that's enough." Kurenai said, interrupting Kakashi.
"On the contrary Kurenai, he needs to hear this. Now as I was saying, you're highly underestimating our students. If you don't give them room to grow, how do you expect them to ever succeed? Besides, you're mostly worried about Naruto right? Well, Naruto is stronger than you would expect. Just trust me on this Iruka." Said Kakashi.
"Maybe he's right Kakashi. I let my squad wait an entire year, so they can mature and gain experience." Said a man with a bowl hair cut, wearing green spandex with orange leg warmers, and the typical Leaf Village flak jacket.
"Well, that may be fine for your students Guy, but not mine. They've changed, more than you could've imagined. Well, more like sooner than you could've imaganed."
"Alright, thats enough. Iruka I understand your concern, but you should trust the Jounin sensei training your former students. Now let's continue with the recomendations."
"Ugh! Why does Kakashi sensei always ask us to show up so early, yet he doesn't show til hours later?!" Sakura complained. "I mean c'mon, I didn't even have time to brush my hair!" Although Sakura's hair only had a few strands curled up. (Drama Queen.)
"It looks fine to me Sakura." Said Naruto, complimenting Sakura's hair.
"Shut up, Naruto! No one asked you!"
*Poof* "Yo. Sorry I'm late, I got lost on the 'Path of Life'." Said Kakashi, showing up two hours later.
"LIAR!" Yelled Sakura and Naruto, knowing it was a lie.
"Well anyway, I know this is sudden. But I just recomended you three for the Chunnin Exams." Said Kakashi, holding up three application papers.
"Really?! Alright!" Yelled Naruto, taking one of the applications.
Once everyone took an application, Kakashi continued. "Now, turn in that application 5 days from now in room 301 at the Academy. This is an idividual choice, so don't take it unless you actually want to. Later." With that Kakashi took off.
The three had split up, and Naruto had gone up to the Hokage Monument where he 'happened' to meet up with Hinata. "Hey Hinata, what's up?"
"Oh, hi Naruto. Nothing much, I...I was just thinking i...if I want to take the Ch..Chunnin E..Exams." Replied Hinata. Hinata and Naruto had gone on multiple dates since their first date. With the more dates they had, the more confident Hinata became. And the easier it became for the two to act as if nothing was going on between the two. Unless you were either those two, or Kurenai.
"Oh, you got recommended too?" Naruto asked, taking a seat next too Hinata and kissing her on the cheek.
"Y..yes, t..two d..days ago." Hinata replied, blushing slightly.
"Whaaaat! Two days ago? But Kakashi sensei just told us about it today. Did Kakashi sensei just recommend us today, or something?"
"N..no, Kurenai sensei told us that all of this year's r..rookies were all recommended."
"That JERK! Can't he just go 1 time without screwing us over?! Ughaaaah!"
"C...calm down, Na...Naruto. I'm sure he had his reasons." Said Hinata, trying to calm Naruto.
"Hmpf! Yea to screw us over until the last minute." Naruto replied, calmer but still ticked off.
"I...I don't think that was his in...intension. I d..don't know why, but I'm sure he had his reasons. A..aside from s...screwing y...you over."
*Sigh* "Yea, maybe you're right Hinata. But it still ticks me off."
"I know. But like he says, 'you have t..to look underneath the u..underneath'."
"Hnhn,, yea you're right. So Why are you worried about taking the Chunnin Exam?" Naruto asked.
"I..I'm just worried that I m...may not be good enough to take the exams. I...I've never really been that g...good, according to f..father and the Clan E..Elders." Hinata replied.
"What?! That bullshit Hinata!" Naruto said, louder than he meant to. Making Hinata jump in surprise. "I mean with what you told me about the Gentle Fist and Byakugan, you'd be totally awsome. Believe it!"
"B...but m..my cousin is participating a...as well, and he's called 'The most gifted of the Hyuga Clan'. I..if I fight him, I..I'll lose."
"So that's it, it's your cousin you're worried about. Look, Hinata. You're better than everyone thinks, I guarentee you that. You just need more confidence in yourself, that's all."
"Y..you th..think so, N..Naruto?" Hinata asked. She was blushing that Naruto had so much confidence in her, but she still couldn't help but doubt herself.
Naruto placed his hand on her opposite cheek, and turned her head towards him. "Ofcourse I do Hinata. I don't doubt that even for the amount of time it takes me to move from one place to another with the 'Flying Raijin Jutsu!'." Said Naruto, reassuring her and kissing her on the cheek once again.
Hinata blushed with Naruto's actions, that she her face almost resembled a tomato. Looking away, HInata replied. "Th...thank you, N...Naruto."
"No problem, Hinata." Naruto pulled away, before he risked Hinata fainting.
"Th...thank you, Naruto. I..I think I will take the Chunnin Exams."
"Really? That's great, and you're welcome."
For the next hour they just sat there, looking over the village. Hinata had to goe home for dinner, while Naruto decided to go train for the upcomming Exams.
Finally the day for the Chunnin Exams has come, everybody participating is either showing up or already has. Squad 7 was making their way up the stairs, when they noticed a crowd of people in front of a room. The room was being blocked by two Genin. They saw a young boy a little older than them in green spandex and orange leg-warmers and a bowl haircut, get knocked down. Shortly after, a girl in a pink kimono and brown hair done up in two buns get knocked down as well.
Walking up to them, Sasuke decided to show off to the crowd. By exposing their tricks. "Sheesh, why don't cut out the act. This is the 2nd floor, not the 3rd. So release the Genjutsu."
"Yea, it was so easy. It's pathetic." Said Sakura.
"Hn, so you saw right through it. Now, let's see what you can do in a fight." Said the boy, with bandages on his cheeks, realeasing the Genjutsu and attempting a kick at Sasuke.
Sasuke attempted to counter with a kick of his own. Before either could connect, the boy in green cut in and blocked both kicks. "What the? How'd he block my kick?" Sasuke thought.
"Lee! It was your idea not to show off." Said the girl with buns. (Mind out the gutter you pervs. lol)
"I'm sorry, Tenten." Replied Lee, as he looked over to Sakura and blushed slightly.
"Oh brother!" Thought Tenten.
Lee walked over to Sakura, and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Rock Lee. You're Sakura Haruno, right?"
"Uh, yea?" Sakura replied, somewhat curious as to where this was going.
"Please, be my girlfriend." He asked.
Sakura replied, with a disturbed look on her face. "Definately...not."
"Why?" Lee asked, shocked that he was rejected.
"Because you're a wierdo."
"Hey you, what's your name?" Asked Lee's final teammate, asked Sasuke. He had white eyes, brown hair and wore a tan shirt and black shorts.
"It's common courtisy to say your own name first, before asking someone else's?" Saske replied, with arrogance in his voice.
"You're a rookie, right? How old are you?"
"I'm not obiged to answer." With that Sasuke tuned around and walked away with his teammates.
"Why, that arrogant little..." Neji thought.
"Hmhm, kinda cute." Thought Tenten.
"Hmpf, let's go you two." Said Neji.
"I'll catch up, there's something I want to see." Replied Lee. With that he followed after Sasuke.
"Hey you, with the Additude. Hold on." Said Lee, from the balcony.
Squad 7 turned around towards the balcony, when Sasuke replied. "What do you want?"
Jumping down, Lee replied. "My name is Rock Lee. You said that it's common courtisy to say your own name, before asking for someone else's. Right, Sasuke Uchiha?"
"Hmpf, that's right I did. Now what do you want?" Sasuke asked.
"I want to fight you."
"A fight? You honestly think you're a match for me?"
"Yes, I do." Lee replied, his voice full of confidence.
"Don't you want a crack at him, Naruto?" Sasuke asked.
"Pft, not today Sasuke. Go ahead." Naruto replied.
"Hn, fine. Bring it."
"Sasuke, NO! We only have 20 minutes to get our applications in." Said Sakura, warning Sasuke about the limited time left.
"Don't worry, I'll only need 5 to take care of this creep." Sasuke replied.
"Always Sasuke! Oh well, I'll get my chance eventually. I'll stay out of this, and let them beat eachother up." Thought Naruto, jealous at the recognition Sasuke receives.
Sasuke charged in, aiming for his head with a right punch. Lee dodged by jumping up, and countered with a round house in mid-air. "Ugh, I'm not moving fast enough. I have to block." Sasuke thought. Sasuke had his block up, but still got kicked in the face. Sasuke was sent back, as a result.
Naruto and Sakura *gasp*ed, when they saw what just happened. "What just happened? How'd he hit Sasuke?" Sakura thought to her self.
"Ugh, how did he..." Sasuke thought. "Hmpf, interesting. I've been waiting to try this out." Said Sasuke. Sasuke closed his eyes. And when he opened them again, he revealed the Sharingan. Only this time he had 2 comma marks in each eye, unlike in the Land of Waves.
"Ah, the Sharingan. If it's anything like Kakashi sensei's, then this'll be a breeze for Sasuke." Thought Sakura.
"Hm, Sharingan? Will it really make much of a difference? I mean Kakashi sensei's had 3 comma marks in his eye, but Sasuke only has 2 in each. I saw the kick that 'Bushy Brow' landed easily. I mean moving as fast as my jutsu does, I kinda have to be able to keep up with high speeds. Well, let's see what happens." Thought Naruto, wondering if the Sharingan was even going to help Sasuke.
"The sharingan, eh? I'm sorry Guy sensei, but I may need to use that move." Lee thought.
Sasuke charged in once again, but it was no use. Sasuke couldn't hit him. Lee managed to land blow after blow on Sasuke, until once again Sasuke was sent to the floor.
"Do you see now? I'm not using Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, I'm only using Taijutsu. With the Sharingan, you can read a person's chakra and hand signs. That allows you to figure out what your opponent will do next, before they even know themself. But Taijutsu if a bit different."
"Yea, so?" Sasuke replied.
"So. Just because you can see my moves, doesn't mean you can counter them if you do not have the speed required. So, your Sharingan is usless against me."
Sasuke charged in again, enraged that his Clan's kekkei genkai was insulted. "Still no convinced?" Lee asked. Sasuke aimed for a punch, but missed as Lee disappeared. The next thing he knew he was up in the air, pain shooting through his jaw. Once his back a parallel to the floor, Sasuke looked behind him to see Lee.
"'Dancing Leaf Shadow'." Sasuke said, knowing the technique that normally follows.
"Good eye. But it is helpless here." Said Lee, as he unwrapped the wraps on his hands. Before Lee could execute his next attack, a pinwheel struck his wrap to the adjecent wall. "This is bad." Said Lee, as he stopped and landed on the floor by a tortoise.
Sasuke on the other hand couldn't react, shocked by the fact he lost. "Sasuke!" Yelled Sakura, as she ran and caught Sasuke.
"You were watchin the whole time?" Lee asked, kneeling on one knee.
"That's right. You know that technique is forbidden Lee, and I don't want to hear any excuses. So, c'mon out Guy sensei!" Said the tortoise.
*POOF* "Hey, what's shaking kids?" Asked the older Lee look alike, Guy. "Thank you, Ningame."
"No problem, Guy sensei." Replied the tortoise, now known as Ningame.
"Lee, you fool!" Guy yelled, punching Lee. Causing Squad 7 to sweat drop, seeing the display.
"Ouch." Said Lee, slowly getting up.
"Lee."
"Guy sensei."
"LEE!"
"GUY SENSEI!" With that the two began hugging, with a 'Sunset Genjustu' background.
"Ugh! I think I'm gonna be sick. That makes me want to throw up." Thought all members of Squad 7, turning pale at the disturbing image now in thier heads. (Can you really blame them?)
"Who the hell is that guy?! He's got the same bowl haircut, and even bushier eyebrows!" Yelled Naruto.
"Hey, don't insult Guy sensei! He is the greatest ninja in the world!" Lee yelled back.
"Well excuse me for not noticing, I was to creeped out with your identical appearences!"
"It's alright Lee. No need to to argue over something so trivial." Said Guy, before Lee could say anything. "You're Kakashi's students, right?"
"Yea, so?" Naruto replied. "Who're you?"
Guy once again replied (somewhat dramatically), before Lee could say anything. "Some people say, he and I are arch rivals for all eternity."
"What?! Yea right!" Naruto replied.
"Ha Ha. Well they do say that actions speak louder than words." Said Guy, suddenly vanishing.
"Where did he go?" Sakura asked herself.
"Ah! He's behind us." Said Naruto, causing Sasuke and Sakura to turn around.
"Hm, how'd he figure that out so quickly? Did he see Guy sensei move? But that's impossible, he was the 'dead last' of this year's rookies. By the looks of it, he was the only one to see Guy sensei!" Thought Lee, surprised that Naruto could see his sensei even move.
"How'd his eye keep up with my speed? Hm, interesting." "The score stands 50 wins and 49 losses, which is 1 better that his by the way." Thought/Said Guy, impressed that a rookie could track his moves.
"No way! How'd he beat Kakashi sensei?" Asked Naruto.
"That shouldn't matter right now, we have to get our applications in." Said Sakura, being the voice of reason.
"Hm?" Guy looked up at the clock and saw that their was 10 minutes left before the Chunnin Exam Registration 'deadline'. "You're right. Lee, your punishment is to run 500 laps around the village. But that will have to wait until after the Chunnin Exam." With that, Guy left.
"Yes, Guy sensei!" Replied Lee, before turning to Sasuke. "Sasuke. Just so you know, you were only a test for my skills. My true objective is my own teammate. Althought you were a test then, you are target now." Lee then turned to Naruto. "And you, what's your name?"
"Huh? My name's Naruto Uzumaki. Why?" Replied Naruto.
"Because you were able to see my sensei move, you are now my target as well. You two have now been warned." Lee then left, off to catch up with his teammates.
"Naruto, how'd you manage to keep up with that speed?" Sakura asked.
"Well I've been training with my jutsu, that my eyes kinda adjusted to high speeds. But I can't react to it without my jutsu thought." Naruto answered.
"Oh, that makes sense." Said Sakura.
"Anyway Sasuke, you know why you lost right. I mean you saw his hands. He probably trains everyday until he drops, that's all." Said Naruto.
"Hn, this is getting exciting. It's like all the best are here, waiting to test us out. Should be fun." Sasuke claimed, very interested in how things will turn out.
"I'm glad you came, Sakura." Said Kakashi, standing in front of room 301.
"What are doing here, Kakashi sensei? And what do you mean?" Asked Sakura.
"I mean that if you decided not to show up, I'd have to turn Naruto and Sasuke away. Squads can only enter this exam in teams of three. Althought I said it's an individual's choice whether or not to take the exam, which is true, I didn't want Naruto or Sasuke persuading you in anyway. I wanted you to make that decision on your own. Well that's all pointless now anyway, you're all here. Go on in, and 'good luck'." Explained Kakashi.
"Right!" Replied all three, entering the double doors into room 301.
"Whoa. I had no idea, that there would be so much compitition." Said Sakura, loosing her nerve upon seeing the number of people in the room.
"Sasuke!" Ino yelled, jumping onto Sasuke's back. "I haven't seen you in ages, I missed those broody good looks of yours."
"Hey 'porker', let go of Sasuke now!" Yelled Sakura.
"Oh 'forehead', you're still here. I'm surprised they let you in the exams."
"Leave my forehead out of this you pig!" Ino just stuck her tongue out at Sakura.
"So, it's you guys. Great, more compitition." Said Shikamaru, coming to stand with everyone along side Choji.
"Hey, it's the three stooges. They let you guys in?" Said Naruto, taunting Shikamaru.
"Say what?! You know something you little...Nevermind, you're not even worth the breath." Replied Shikamaru.
"So, the rookie 9 together again huh?" Said Kiba, walking up with his teammates.
"You guys too? Oh man, what a drag." Said Shikamaru.
"Looks like sure thing, at least for those of us good enough to make the cut. Right Sasuke?" Said Kiba.
"Hmpf, don't get too confident Kiba." Replied Sasuke.
"Hmpf, we've been training too hard to lose to you guys."
"What do you think we've been doing?! You don't even know what training means!" Naruto yelled, slightly irritated that Kiba was underestimating him. "Asshole, always acting like he's the best. I hope I get to kick his ass in these exams too."
"Sorry, Naruto. H...he d...did't m...mean it l...like that." Said Hinata, acting as she did before dating Naruto.
"Huh?" Asked Naruto. Hinata looked away blushing.
"Hn?" Kiba looked towards Hinata, and saw her blushing. "Ugh, damn that Naruto. What does Hinata see in that idiot?" Kiba thought.
"Hey, you guys are rookies right? You should keep it down, otherwise you'll make yourself a target." Said an older boy wearing purple witha white sash, and glasses. He also had silver hair.
"Who're you?" Asked Ino.
"I'm Kabuto Yakushi, but you might want to look around. Everybody is on edge. Those guys behind you are from the Hidden Rain, very touchy. You don't want to get on anybody's bad side." Kabuto replied. "Well I can relate, I was the same way when I was a rookie. So I'll help you guys out a bit."
"How many times have you taken the exams?" Asked Sakura.
"Since they're held twice a year, this'll be my 7th time. Anyway, I got some 'Ninja Info Cards'. I got info on nearly everybody, it's not complete but still should help." Answered Kabuto.
"Think you can show me the info you got about a few people?" Asked Sasuke.
"Sure, who do you want to know about. Give me a description, where they're from, anything." Said Kabuto.
"There's Gaara of the desert, Rock Lee of the Hidden Leaf and just for the hell of if this idiot right here." Sasuke said, pointing at Naruto with his thumb.
"Hey!" Yelled Naruto.
"Oh that's easy." Kabuto then pulled out three cards from his stack, and held them up. "Here they are."
"Show them to me."
"First, Rock Lee. He's a year older, and this is also his first time taking the exams. He's completed 20 'D' and 12 'C' ranked missions. His sensei is Might Guy, and teammates are Tenten and Neji Hyuga. In the past year his Taijutsu has increased dramatically, but his other skills are sketchy. Next is Gaara. His Skills are unknown, since he's from the Hidden Sand. He's completed an unknown number of 'D' rank. But has 8 'C' ranked, and get this a 'B' ranked as a Genin. And he came back from evey mission without even a scratch."
"A 'B' rank as a Genin, and he's never been injured?! No way." Said Shikamaru. "No way am I going to mess with that guy."
"Now, Naruto Uzumaki. 7 'D' and 1 'C' turned 'A' ranked, along with you and Sakura Haruno. Sensei is the famed Kakashi Hatake the 'Copy Ninja'. Skills aren't the most impressive out there. But is says that he's the only one of you, to land a hit on a rogue Jounin from the Hidden Mist. Zabuza Momochi one of the '7 Ninja Swordman', aka as 'The Demon of the Hidden Mist'. What I don't get is, how rookie Genin with negligible skills managed to hit an expierienced Jounin?" Finished Kabuto, curious how Naruto had achieved such a feat.
"What?! That loser hit a Jounin?! Yea right!" Yelled Ino and Kiba at once.
"That's a good question, even we don't know how." Answered Sakura.
"What?! You mean that's true?!" Asked Ino. By this time most of the room was staring at Naruto, having difficulty believing that someone wearing 'kill me' orange could hit a Jounin.
"Well I was a prankster in the academy. So if a Jounin underestimates me, even they tricks they can fall for my tricks. Hehe." Naruto answered, thankful that Sakura helped cover Naruto's secret.
"Anyway." Says Kabuto, pulling out a card with a map. "Leaf, Sand, Grass, Waterfall, Rain, and Sound. They all sent participants to this years Chunnin Exams. In all the years, I've never seen a group with such exceptional skills. This'll be the hardest exam I've been in yet."
"Almost sounds like it's enough to make you lose your confidence." Said Hinata.
"Yea. But the Sound Village is new, there's not much known about them. They're small, and are a mystery." Said Kabuto.
"If only I was as confident as I sounded, when I recomended them. I mean even the cockiest of them should be nervous" Kakashi thought.
"UuuaaaaaaaH! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm gonna beat every one of you! Believe it!" Naruto yelled.
"Or not. Haha."
"Naruto you jackass, do you have to make us a target?!" Sakura yelled, while putting him in a headlock.
"Did you hear what he said? He said the Sound was small a mystery." Said the spiky black haired Sound ninja.
"Yea, I heard. What do you say we give him some info?" Replied the bandaged sound ninja.
"Yea, let's go." Said the Sound kunoichi, with long black hair.
Sakura had in the mean time let go, and began lecturing Naruto. Naruto noticed some movement between the other candidates, and prepaired himself just in case.
Suddenly the spiky haired ninja jumped and threw 2 kunai towards Kabuto. Kabuto dodged the attack quite easily, but then he saw the bandaged ninja coming in for an attack as well.
Before the bandaged ninja could strike, he was kicked in the ribs and knocked off his feet. "Are you alright Kabuto?" Asked Naruto, standing up after having kicked the bandaged ninja.
"Yea, thanks Naruto." Replied Kabuto.
"Hey kid, what's your problem?" Asked the spiky haired ninja, his kunoichi teammate was helping up the bandaged one.
"I could ask you the same thing! Attacking a fellow Leaf ninja of ours is a big mistake." Countered Naruto.
"Looks like he's about as good as you claimed, Lee." Said Neji.
"Yes, perhaps better." Replied Lee.
*POOF* "Alright, that's enough. You three from that Sound, do you want to get disqualified before the exams even begin? " Said a tall man, wearing a black trench coat.
"What?! What about him?!" Yelled the spiky one.
"He was defending a comrad from an attack, though the warning goes for everyone. I'll say this once. There will be no fighting, unless a proctor specifically allows it. And even then, there will be no killing." Replied the man. "Now. I am Ibiki Morino, your proctor and your worst nightmare."
"Alright, squads will line up. Once you hand in your applications, you'll be given a number. That number is where you'll all sit for the written exam." Said a Chunnin, named Kotetsu.
"Wr...written test? NOOOOOOOOO!" Guess who, lol.
Once they were all seated, Ibiki explained the rules for the test. 25 minutes into and Naruto was really paniking, while most have already figured out that various ways to cheat without getting caught. Many have already been caught 5 times, getting themselves as well as their teammate disqualified.
Five minutes later, Naruto notice a little rolled up paper in front of him. Naruto grabbed it, and unrolled it to see what was written on it. Naruto was surprised to see what is was, it was the answers to the questions for problems 1-9. Looking to his right where Hinata was seated, he noticed her smile and blush. "No way. Hinata's helping me? This couldn't get any better, I just hope she won't get in trouble for this." Thought Naruto, smiling back at Hinata. Turning back to his test, Naruto began to furiously copy the answers.
Sakura had just regain consiousness after being under Ino's "Mind Transfer Jutsu!", unknown to her ofcourse. She noticed that Naruto was writting something down on his test. "Naruto are you cheating? Why you, you better not get caught or Sasuke and I both will kill you!" Thought Sakura.
"Did Naruto figure it out? If so, then how is he cheating without getting caught?" Thought Sasuke.
Naruto had just finished writting all the answers down and swallowed the piece of paper, when Ibiki called an end for the first 9 questions. "Alright, pencils down!" Ibiki then explained the new rules for question 10. "So, you either take the question and risk failing and never taking the Chunnina Exams again, or pass and try again next time. If you want to pass, then just raise your hand."
One by one participants started giving up. Eventually, Naruto raised his hand as well surprising Hinata and his teammates. *SLAM* "Don't ever underestimate me, Scareface! I don't quit and I don't run away! Even if I do end up being a Genin for life, I'll still become Hokage!" Naruto yelled, full of confidence in himself.
"Your ninja career hinges upon this decision, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?" Asked Ibiki.
"No way. I never go back on my word. That's my Nindo, my Ninja Way." Naruto replied.
"Hmm, his little speech seem to have put some back bone into the others." Ibiki thought, looking around the room. Seeing that no one else was quiting, he decided to continue. "Alright. For all those who decided to answer the question, you all pass."
"WHAT!" Yelled everyone in the room.
Ibiki then began to explain the reason for the questions. That they were meant to test one's ability to gather information, and put the 10th question in a hypothetical mission scenario.
*Crash* A woman came flying throught the window, opening a large banner that said. Your proctor for the 2nd Test, Anko Mitarashi! "Don't start celebrating yet, magets. Hmm? Ibiki, you let 78 Genin pass? You've gotten soft." Said Anko.
"Or maybe, there's a better crop of participants this time around." Ibiki replied.
"Sure doesn't look like it. Well either way, there will be less than half by the time I'm through with them."
"L...less than half?"
"Alright. That's all for today. I'll let your Squad leaders know where you'll be meeting at tomorrow morning. See ya then."
It was the next day, and the 2nd stage of the exams had already begun. Squad 7 had stop for a quick rest, when they heard a scream. "Was that a scream?" Sakura asked, scared that she did indeed hear a scream.
"Don't worry about it Sakura. Anyway I gotta take a wizz." Naruto then went into the bushes. A moment later a ninja in a white jumpsuit and a breathing apparatus, came flying into the clearing. "Umpf. What the?" Said the ninja. Once he stood up, Sasuke and Sakura saw the Rain village symbol on his headband.
"Naruto, are you ok?" Sakura asked, yelling since she couldn't see Naruto.
"Damn it! Can't a guy take a piss without interruptions?! Fuck!" Naruto yelled back.
Sakura blushed slightly, embarassed for interrupting something so private.
"Ok, so I couldn't tie that idiot up and take your scroll. So I'll just have to take it by force!" Said the Rain ninja, pulling out a kunai and attacking Sasuke.
"Just try it. Sakura watch out, the others might be near by!" Yelled Sasuke, warning Sakura.
"Oh, right." Sakura replied, finally pulling out her own kunai.
Sasuke pulled out his own kunai and began a counter attack. They locked up a few times, eventually Naruto came into the fray. "Alright you asshole, payback time for interrupting me while trying to piss!" Naruto yelled, jumping out of the bushes with his kunai ready.
"Shit! This isn't good. I came without back, so I wouldn't raise suspicion. Big mistake!"
"Not so fast, you damn pervert!" Naruto jumped in his path, stabbing him in the shoulder.
"Ugh! You'll pay for that!" The Rain ninja said, running away with Naruto's kunai.
Once they were alone, Sasuke asked Naruto a question. "Naruto, he could've led us to his teammates. Did that kunai have a seal on it?"
"Hehe, yup. Just have to wait till it's dark, and we'll get 'em." Naruto replied.
"Hn, good job loser."
"Shut up, bastard!"
"Alright. Just in case someone tries to disguise themselves as one of us, we'll need a password." Once he saw that they were paying attention, Sasuke continued. "Alright. When someone asks 'When does a ninja strike?', the answer is ' A ninja waits till the time is right, when his weapons lie forgotten in the stillness of the night, that is the time for a ninja to strike.'. Got it?"
"Yep." Sakura replied.
"Hm, you got one a little shorter?" Asked Naruto.
"C'mon, don't tell me you didn't get all that. I memorized it easily." Said Sakura.
"I got it, I got it. I just thought it was a password, not a pass-speach."
A strong gust of wind started blowing, and a piece of debri hit Naruto in the face. Noticing that it was a jutsu, Naruto yelled. "Watch out! It's a 'Wind Style' jutsu!"
"Uaaaaahhh!"
"Ugh, damn it! When I find the person who used that jutsu, I'm gonna kill 'em!" Said Naruto. Once Naruto stood up, he came face-to-face with a giant snake. "Ah, shit!"
The snake struck at Naruto. Naruto managed to dodge, and he began making hand signs. 'Wind Style: Great Breakthrough Jutsu!' Naruto yelled. The jutsu hit the snake knocking him back a few meters. "Oh crap, I thought that would do more than that. Whoa!" Said Naruto, as he dodged another strike. "Damn it. Looks like I have to use that jutsu, but I haven't mastered it or the training yet. Yikes!"
Naruto kept dodging strike after strike. "Ah, fuck it! 'Wind Style: Wind Blades Jutsu!'." Invisible blades of wind flew towards the snake, but unfortunately the snake only recieved a few cuts. "Ah, you gotta be kidding me!" Naruto yelled, infrustrated that he couldn't beat the snake.
Naruto was getting tired of constantly dodging the snake. He knew that if he did't stop the snake here, then it would just track him down and cause problems for his team. Naruto has been racking his brains for a solution, when finally. "I got it! 'Shadow-Clone Jutsu!'." Naruto created a single shadow-clone. Grabbing it he threw his clone down the snake's throat.
-Inside the Snake-
"Alright slitherpuss, time to say 'goodbye'!" 'Shadow-Clone Jutsu!' From within the snake, hundreds of shadow-clones appeared expanding the snake until the snake just burst into pieces.
-Back outside-
"Alright, time to get back to the other." Said Naruto.
*Thud-thud-thud-thud* "Hey guys, ya miss me?" Ask Naruto, arriving just in time to stop the Grass Kunoichi in her tracks.
"Naruto, get out of here! We're way out of our league here!" Yelled Sasuke, warning Naruto of this ninja's power.
"Oh, shut up Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, while forming hand signs. 'Wind Style: Great Breakthrough Jutsu!'
*CRACK* The Jutsu struck the Grass ninja, causing her to break throught the branch because she was caught off guard. The ninja landed on her feet on a different branch. She looked up towards the Naruto, and yelled. "Why you little bastards! You'll pay for that!" She bit her thumb and whipped it on the left arm, and began forming hand signs. 'Summoning Jutsu!'
A giant snake appeared beneath the ninja's feet, destroying the branch she was standing on. "So you're the one who sent that snake after me! Take this!" 'Wind Style: Wind Blades Jutsu!' This time the jutsu was more effective than last time, but it still wasn't enough to kill the summoned snaked. "Damn it!"
"Hmhmhmhm. You're better than I gave you credit for, I'll give you that. But you're still a weak little Genin." Said the Grass ninja.
The battle continued for a short while, but Naruto couldn't get his kunai and shuriken anywhere near him. Eventually Naruto got angry and began to draw upon the Nine-tails' chakra. The grass ninja noticed this, and knew it would be troublesome. Once Naruto killed the snake, she took her chance to restain him and used the '5 Pronged Seal!' to disrupt Naruto's and the Nine-tails' chakra flow. The use of the seal caused Naruto to fall unconsious. The grass ninja just threw Naruto to the side against a nearby tree.
Sakura saw that Naruto was going to fall to his death, so she threw her kunai saving Naruto, by connecting his jacket to the tree. The Grass ninja contined to attack Sasuke, who fought back. Eventually Sasuke was over powered and given the Curse-mark. The Grass ninja revealed her or himself to be Orochimaru, and claimed that Sasuke would come to him for power.
It was the next morning, and Squad 10 was having trouble with the sound ninja. Sasuke had already awoken, and took out the spiky hair Sound ninja Zaku. Sasuke was going to go after the bandaged Sound ninja Dosu, before Sakura calmed him down from his Curse-marked induced state.
*Sigh* "We're safe, for now." Said Dosu.
*Poof* Suddenly Dosu was inside a cloud of smoke. He was then sent flying, and crashed into a tree.
"What the? What just happened Neji?" Asked Tenten.
"I don't know, I didn't have my Byakugan active." Neji replied.
Once the smoke cleared, nothing was there. "Ugh, what was that? Whatever. Sasuke! We're no match for you this time, but next time it'll be different. We'll give you our scroll, and in return you let us go." Said Dosu, laying the scroll on the ground. Dosu then picked up his teammates and left.
"Hmpf, we're going Tenten." Said Neji.
"Right." Tenten replied. Once Tenten got Lee and lectured him about his recklessnes, they left. Squad 10 soon left as well, all that were left now was Squad 7.
*Sigh* "This isn't good. What should we do Sasuke?" Asked Sakura.
"What do you mean, we've got both a Heaven and Earth scroll don't we?" Asked Sasuke.
"No, that fake grass ninja said his name is Orochimaru. He burned our Heaven scroll." Sakura replied.
"Hey guys. Maybe if that Rain ninja still has my kunai, we can take their scroll if it's the one we need." Said Naruto.
"That was the original plan. Alright we'll wait for tonight, and hope they have the scroll we need. For now, we need to rest. We might have to fight for it." Replied Sasuke.
Last nights plan was a success. Squad 7 was now on the way to the tower with both a Heaven and Earth scroll. The Rain ninja was awake, but due to the surprised at the sudden appearance and was quickly subdued.
"Aaahhhh!"
"What was that?" Asked Sakura.
"Doesn't matter, it doesn't concern us." Sasuke replied.
"But what if it's a fellow leaf ninja, and they're in trouble?"
"It's not our problem, it's every man for themselves in this stage."
"Sasuke you bastard! You guys go, I'll catch up. Just throw the kunai after you entered the tower, but make sure you're alone first. Later." Said Naruto. He then left to go check out that scream.
"Um he does know that we can't enter the tower without him, right?" Asked Sakura.
"Obviously not, we'll wait for him at the tower."
'Wind Style: Great Breakthrough Jutsu!' The jutsu hit he bear hard, knocking it unconsious. "Are you alright?" Naruto asked, landing in front of the bright red-headed girl.
Picking up her glasses and putting them on, she replied. "Yes, thank you. Wait. You're that loud mouthed kid from the first stage of the exams!"
"Yea, my name's Naruto. What's your's?" Naruto asked.
"My name's Karin." She replied.
"What's your last name?"
"How should I know?! I'm an orphan. My village was destroyed about a year ago, I survived because I could sense alot of people coming."
"Really? That's pretty cool. So where're your teammates?"
"The bastards abandoned my once they saw the bear. Doesn't matter to me anymore."
"Well maybe you come come with us. I mean I'd like to get to know my cousin a little better, heehee."
"Huh, what do you mean 'cousin'?" Karin asked.
"Well, My last name is Uzumaki. And most Uzumaki's have bright red hair, like yours. My hair came from my dad, that's why my hair isn't red. Hehe." Naruto replied, with his hand behind his head.
"Hmm, thanks but no thanks. I won't betray Lord Orochi... Never mind."
"Orochimaru?! That bastard! You serve him? He attacks me and my teammates the other night. I might not know much about him, but I do know he's bad news."
"He was one of the Legendary Sannin of the Leaf." Karin explained.
"'Was'? That means he's a traitor. He'll probably betray you someday too. I wouldn't trust him if I were you." Naruto warned.
"I find that hard to believe, just like your story about us being related."
"But it's true. The Uzumaki Clan came from the Land of Eddies. It's the Uzumaki symbol that's on the backs of the flak jackets of the Leaf ninja. And the Land of Eddies is about 20 miles North-East of the Land of Waves, since the country was destroyed in one of the past wars by their enemies. The Uzumaki Clan was awsome at sealing jutsu too." Naruto explained, hoping that she'd leave Orochimaru's sevices and join him and the Leaf.
Karin was in deep thought, she didn't know what to believe. It was Orochimaru that found he and took her in after her village was destroyed. "Was that just a coincidence? Or was that Orochimaru's doing? I can't just ask Orochimaru about that, he could have me killed. What should I do?" Karin thought, puzzled over who she should believe. The one that took her in, and was the possible cause for her loss. Or this boy, that claimed to be her cousin who seemed to be looking out for her like family would. Eventually she made up her mind, for now.
"Sorry Naruto, but I have to stay with Orochimaru for now. He would kill me if he even thought that I considered betraying him. But I can find a way to get you information on his movements, when I find the chance. But if I find out that you're pulling me around, I'll kill you. Got that?!" Said Karin.
"Uh, sure. Fine by me. Although I wish you'd just come with me, we'd be able to protect you." Naruto replied.
"Maybe, but I'm playing it safe the way I think is best for me. If I find out you're right, I'll find a way to contact you. Should that be neccessary, I'll need your help to save me. Got it?"
"Heh, you bet! Anyway, I guess I'll get going. See you around, bye cuz."
"Bye c..cuz."
*Scoff* "It's about time, Naruto! What took you so long?!" Asked Sakura.
"Hehe, sorry. I kinda had to take care of business, if you know what I mean." Naruto replied, putting his hand behind his hand.
"That's sick, you idiot!" Yelled Sakura.
"Whatever, let's just get inside." Said Sasuke, wanting to get this stage over with.
Well that's it. I hope you like it, please review. Thank you.
