Chapter 11-Chuunin Exams Part 2
The 4 days spent in the Forest of Death was hell for the Leaf Ninja's along with the other teams from the other villages except the Shinigami Teams, who thanks to several scouts placed prior to the Exams knew exactly where to go. It wasn't hard to do since all they had to do was head straight for the tower without being killed by any of the more blood lust filled teams from the various villages. Some of the Rookies had been engaged upon by Kumo and Iwa teams on several occasions only to push back the teams back.
However, the fact that Root ANBU were attacking and impeding the Shinigami Ninja's progress was causing quite an annoyance among them. After getting together for a secret joint-team meeting, it was decided that a public example had to be made to one of them.
Not that having so many body bags filled with dead Root ANBU Shinobi wasn't already a BIG public example mind you, but unfortunately such a thing wasn't enough.
What the Death God Shinobi had in mind involved making a statement to Konoha that cheaters never win on the grounds that a masked Root ANBU secretly approached Team 7 and showed them the quickest way to the Tower. Kiba and Sasuke originally objected the approach, but it was stopped when the man told them by doing this they could show up the other teams and allow them to rest while the others came in worn out. Sakura had no problem with that since she didn't like this place anymore then she did the last time she was in it. Her lack of training had made her weak with her only real strength being chakra control along with a few weak Jutsu's and the ability to resist weak Genjutsu's.
When Team 7 left the Root ANBU was knocked out by a surprise attack by Yahiko, who then tied him up and had Sanosuke pick up the man before heading to the Tower.
(Chuunin Exam Tower-The 4th Day)
The arena used for Preliminary fights was filled quite largely at this point before all the teams were accounted for with Team 7 of Konoha being the first to arrive. Of course the Council wanted to be there to rub it in like salt on a wound stating that Team 7 was the model ninja team of Konoha.
Despite their best efforts however, the Shikage did not once lash out at them with his still unknown tongue or unleash his killer intent at being out done by his enemies as they fully expected him to. Hell the man didn't even try to turn his head towards them when they tried talking to him from a distance and had it not been the occasional talking between the Shikage and his translator while the Death Four looked around occasionally for potential threats to their Death Shadow.
Soon the Konoha, Suna, Mist, Kumo, and Iwa Shinobi's arrived looking a little torn up, but still nothing serious that could prove life threatening in the end of the day.
"Well well it seems the great Shinigami Village isn't so great after all if they can't get past the Forest of Death. Right Haruno-san?" said Inuzuka Tsume turning to her fellow Council member, who like her twisted her lip up into a cruel sneer as they looked at the hooded figure of the Shikage.
"Yes. Of course I had no doubt that my sweet angel Sakura could get through it a second time with your strong son Kiba, along with our prodigy, and future Sixth Hokage Uchiha Sasuke," said Haruno Yasha eyeing the Shikage viciously at Konoha's little, but notable victory over them.
"I'm afraid we will have to continue the exams without them. I apologize Shikage-sama in so many of your teams losing so early in the beginning,' said Tsunade in her Hokage robes with Jiraiya beside her gauging the Shikage for whatever reaction he may give off.
All the man did was stand still and didn't move a muscle the entire time.
"Since your teams are not here Shikage-sama it would be best if you and your little group leave Konoha and don't show your face until the next...," said Yasha before the door on the opposite side of the room was smashed open sending rubble everywhere.
"Sorry were late, but its kind of difficult to get through this place carrying body bags full of these bastards that tried to jump us and try have one of their teams cheat," said Ikkaku coming in with nearly all the Shinigami Teams members covered in blood and weapons still drawn.
Nearly all due to Jin-e having been cut down by Saito due to the now deceased warrior's bloodlust and urge to kill, which were constantly becoming a disgrace to the very name of Shinsengumi as of late.
"You're too late! You didn't get here on time do you are all disqualified," said Tsume growling at the Shinigami Shinobi with everything she had.
"Shut up you ugly woman for a dog. It is because of people like you that help create such an ugly world," said Yumichika lazily before parting some hair covering his mask.
"Besides you have no room to talk since your son's team cheated," said Kenshin behind his dragon skull mask with his long red hair no longer tied down due to the fighting.
"How dare you!? You are just jealous because my son's team got to the Tower on the very first day while it took all of you the entire four days to reach here," said Tsume now looking as smug as ever when she looked at the Shinigami Shinobi's before her.
"Bitchy lady son had outside help. Tell them Feather-chan!" said Yachiru now getting the attention of everyone in the room.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME YOU LITTLE RUNT!" yelled Tsume growling fiercely and looked ready only to stop when a great deal of killer intent came from the Shikage, Yachiru's teammates, and fellow Shinobi each giving her a look that said "back the hell off bitch", which was exactly what Tsume did for the moment.
"Despite what she called you, which I personally feel is appropriate given your behavior, there is still the matter of the Root ANBU we encountered trying to halt us from getting here in the first place," said Aoshi snapping his fingers and Shinigami parted revealing a large pile of body bags with the masked heads sticking out.
"My men!" said Danzo only to realize he had been caught in self-incrimination.
"Not only that, but we have the poor bastard that help Team 7 get here so fast and I think you all damn well know him considering his past history with Konoha," said Enishi, who stomped his foot down heavily once before Sanosuke appeared carrying an unconscious, tied up, and masked Shinobi before dumping him before the Shikage.
"Wake up and introduce yourself...Mizuki," said Hajime Sato before stepping heavily on the man's shoulder breaking the joints connecting the shoulder and the rest of the body together.
Needless to say it made the man wake up screaming like a little girl.
"It can't be Mizuki is a traitor to Konoha and was put in prison," said Tsunade before she turned to the Council and Danzo, who stayed as calm as ever.
"We reviewed the evidence against the man Hokage-sama and felt that given the demon and a demon lover like Iruka was involved we felt their story was unreliable at best. We had to drop the charges in the interest of justice to this wrongfully convicted man," said Danzo all too sweetly for Tsunade and Jiraiya's taste.
"I told that demon brat I would get my revenge and since I was freed from prison I have been living a life of greatness," said Mizuki his mask having finally been removed by Kenshin's sword.
"Still cheating in the exam is illegal no matter what and no village has any right to play favorites at such a crucial part of the exam. With your permission Shikage-sama I would like to kill this scum that now lies at your feet," said Saito readying his sword into the Gatotsu stance aiming it at the man's neckline.
"You can't do that you have no authority and to do this now would be an act of war with the Leaf!" said Mizuki not wanting to lose his life yet as he still had value to Danzo.
"Just as the Root ANBU we killed had no right killing Waterfall Shinobi before going after us?" said Enishi cracking his neck itching to get into a fight right about now.
"Should we do anything Tsunade?" whispered Jiraiya knowing they could fight this if the slug princess gave the order.
"No. Either way Mizuki is going to die so why not now," said Tsunade whispered back to Jiraiya, who nodded his head knowing one way or another Mizuki was going to die.
Before anyone could make any further argument everyone now turned their attention to the Shikage who raised his right hand turned into a fist with his thumb out bringing to the left side. He paused for a moment at his neck line and then moved it across to his right side again before brining it down to his side.
"Understood Shikage-sama," said Saito, who pressed his foot into Mizuki's spine to keep the man from squirming under him before he released his attack on the man killing him instantly.
"Shikage-sama we the Council is hereby placing you and all of your Genin Teams under arrest for the murder of Konoha Shinobi," said Danzo summoning several Root ANBU to the scene only for Tsunade to stamp her foot down making the arena shake.
"I am the Hokage here Danzo not you. Mizuki was a traitor to Konoha no matter what you say and unless you want me to disqualify Team 7 right now for cheating I suggest you keep such illegal actions to yourself," said Tsunade glaring at the rest of the Council to keep them all in line.
"This isn't over Hokage-sama," said Danzo not willing to let this matter rest.
"Its over if I say it's over," said Tsunade, who would have continued on more had it not been for the sudden increase of killer intent coming from the Shikage once more.
Why was the Shikage releasing killer intent? Because a certain dog boy was leering at one Hyuuga Hinata while thinking perverted thoughts. Thoughts that did not sit well with the Shikage or Hinata herself and if it weren't for the fact that the current situation made the man angry as it was, his secret would be out.
"Perhaps we should continue on with the Exams Hokage-sama," said Yugito looking at the startled Fire Shadow knowing that the woman once held the very same look when she had sensed the man become angry.
"Yes of course Mizukage-sama. Considering the nature of what transpired in the Forest of Death the Shinigami Genin Teams will not be stopped from continuing unless they choose to," said Tsunade getting unfriendly looks from her fellow Council members, but considering their actions in the past she didn't really care at this point.
"Are you kidding? We came all this way here for a good old fashion fight and we'll be damned before Kami before we back out of this now," said Ikkaku smiling evilly at them before looking at the Shikage, who simply nodded in agreement.
"Damn straight!" said Sanosuke looking at Yahiko, who smiled along with him that of a fighter's smile that made several of the Leaf nervous.
With that resolved Tsunade gave the same speech the Third Hokage had done in the last Chuunin Exams Konoha had hosted. Soon after the screen hidden behind the wall behind her appeared and two random names were now going to appear at random to determine who fought first.
Himura Kenshin VS Yukishiro Enishi
"THIS IS SOME SERIOUS BULLSHIT!" yelled Tayuya seeing the names being placed not believing for one minute that those names came up random.
"All right everyone heads up those names that were called stay here the rest of you go up to the step to the second floor," said Anko ignoring the demon skull masked red haired woman that just swore loudly.
Though Anko had to admit it was some serious bullshit.
Obeying the Elite Jounin the other Genin Teams went to the balcony to watch the fight happen with Sasuke waiting with anticipation and his Sharingan now active. Whatever power these fools below him had would soon be his and then turned against them later on.
"You guy's ready?" said Anko looking between them seeing reluctance in their eyes due to the fact they were from the same team.
"Reluctantly I am ready," said Kenshin drawing out his sword and Enishi readying his as well.
"Same here however, no matter what happens Kenshin, we will fight our best to show the Shikage how strong we have become under his guidance," said Enishi calmly before he took one deep breath to clear his mind.
"Begin!" said Anko bringing her hand down for the fight to start and start it did with each warrior moving at high speed against the other swords swinging.
Everyone outside of all the Shinobi in the Hidden Shinigami Village were surprised by their speed as even Sasuke much to his annoyance could not copy what they were doing. Each time they could be seen clearly it was for less then a second with each warrior on the defensive or offensive though they were going so fast it was hard to tell, who would win the match.
This continued for another 45 minutes as they sliced, diced, and cut everything around them leaving slash mark on the floors and walls. It only stopped when the Shikage had commanded them to stop in the unknown language he was speaking making many turn their heads to him as to why stop such an intense match.
"The Shikage say's you both performed well, but at the rate you are going one of you will give into your bloodlust and possibly slay the other and declares it a draw between you," said Kimimaro speaking up for his master knowing everyone would want an explanation.
"The Shikage does not decide that the Leaf proctor does," said Tsume snarling at them for disrupting the fight.
"It doesn't matter since I refuse to fight against Enishi-san anymore under the command of my Shikage," said Kenshin now putting away his sword back into its sheath.
"The same with me," said Enishi putting away his sword as well.
"O-kay. Um...I guess we'll call it a draw," said Anko scratching her head confused at the outcome of the match.
The two warriors simply nodded their heads towards each other before turning to face the Shikage and bow showing their respect for the man.
"What a bunch of pansies, they can't even finish what they started!" said Kiba smiling a cruel smile at them going up the stairs to the balcony receiving respectable nods from the other Shinigami teams.
"You shouldn't put people down like that," said a deep voiced tall kid, with curly brown long hair that covered his one eye and was well muscled and by all means should have been considered a giant amongst his peers.
"Who the hell are you Gigantor," said Kiba looking at this guy who was almost as tall as the Shikage if only by a few inches.
"My name is Sado though my friends call me Chad. For what reason I don't know," said Sado wearing practically all dark navy blue in terms of his ninja outfit with only his right arm being bare of clothing while his left arm had a Mist headband wrapped around it.
"So what's your special ability? Being freakishly tall?" said Sakura seeing the kid as a freak of nature like her old teammate of a demon was.
"Considering your forehead is freakishly huge, you have really no reason to talk," said a boy with glasses wearing white with blue stripes outlining his outfit with a Mist headband on his forehead.
"As if Kabuto wasn't bad enough in the last Chuunin Exams now we another four eyed freak comes along and from another village no less," said Sasuke, who now stared at the boy in the full belief that having eye glasses meant poor eyesight, which meant weakness, and that was something Uchiha Sasuke did not bond well with.
"While your opinion is well noted Uchiha, I would like to point out that such a thing is much better then a traitor to his own village for its very enemy," said Uryu Ishida before pushing his glasses up with his gloved hand.
"YOU SHUT UP! SASUKE-KUN IS BETTER THEN ANYONE HERE!" yelled Sakura trying to punch the daylights out of the man only for the blow to be stopped by a strong triangular shield that absorbed the blow like it was nothing.
"You will stop your fighting until its time to in these Preliminaries," said a very sweet yet serious sounding girl with long orange hair moving into Team 7's line of sight to the left of Sado wearing navy blue mixed with grey.
"And who might you be?" said Sakura looking at the rather busty young girl before her and already seeing her as a threat to being near her Sasuke-kun.
"Inoue Orihime from Mist," said Orihime not wanting to give out any more knowledge about herself then usual since she had been warned about it by her sensei Soi Fong.
"Well back off you bimbo Sasuke-kun is mine!" said Sakura going right into her fan-girl state trying to protect her interest.
"I hate it when people jump to conclusions, but for the record Orihime's not interested in the Uchiha traitor," said Ishida knowing fully well just who the girl had sights on.
"Oh yeah who then?" said Kiba drooling slightly at seeing the young woman's frontal assets only to have a large butcher's knife shaped sword pressed around his neck.
"Me you dumb ass and unless you want me to cut your other head off for you to eat I would suggest you not ogle her. She doesn't like it," said a boy with orange spiky hair wearing a Mist headband on his right arm.
"Ichigo do you have to be so rough with people?" said a girl behind him that was shorter then he was with black hair with a Mist headband loosely around her neck her sword still in its sheath by her side.
"Do you have to draw picture of things like a 2 year old to explain complicated things to people Rukia?" said Ichigo, which made the said girl fume as she wasn't the best when it came to drawing things.
"Come on you guys knock it off your missing the fights," said Shiba Ganju wishing the two would knock off their bickering for once.
Sure enough they were as Suna's Genin Teams had been decimated quickly after two of them faced off against Kumo and the final one lost brutally to Iwa.
'Something is unnatural about those teams from Iwa and Kumo. According to my senses from Shukaku its demonic yet not as strong as mine, Yugito's, and/or Kenpachi's. They must have sealed weaker demons into their ninja to give them power and judging by the way this is going they have done remarkably well,' thought Gaara his eyes narrowing quite dangerously and wished he could kill the fools that had killed his Genin Teams.
However, restraint was the better part of valor and for the moment, Gaara would restrain himself from killing...if only for a little while longer.
The other matches soon came to be called out at random or as random looking to make it not look like the whole thing was fixed to weaken the other village's chances in further competing in the Exams. Shinigami Shinobi mostly faced Shinigami Shinobi with a few exceptions in the form of Kumo, Mist, or Iwa, but not the Leaf.
The Shinigami Shinobi fought each other the most and tied, but some were too injured by the Iwa and Kumo Shinobi in the matches that they couldn't continue to the next round. Though the same was said for Kumo and Iwa leaving only one Shinobi from Iwa to possibly compete in the next part of the Exam. So far Ikkaku, Yachiru, Yumichika, Saito, Sojiro, Aoshi, Misao, and Han'nya were the remaining members of all the Shinigami Genin Teams to qualify for the next part of the Exam.
"You Leaf Shinobi's are a bunch of pussies in not facing off against one of us because you know we can kick your ass all over the place," said Tayuya trying to be the voice for her Shikage, who was mentally thinking the same thing only with a few less choice words that the red haired woman had used.
Still, it pissed off the Council so the point clearly struck home as only Tenten, Sasuke, Hinata, Kiba, and Choji had advance as well into the Finals.
Lee had lost painfully to Sojiro whose speed far surpassed the green spandex wearing boy with weights both on AND off by having deep cuts in his legs and arms. The damage that was done required the bowl haired cut shaped Genin to quit if he ever wanted to continue ever being a ninja again when he was healed.
Ino lost to Misao after a brutal Taijutsu fight, which the platinum blonde lost due to her competition being the proud student of the Oniwabanshu and its "Leader" as they called him.
Sakura lost badly to Yachiru, who called the young Haruno girl "Flat-chan" due to the fact that she wasn't heavy on the physical chest portions of a woman. Sakura tried to get in a few good hits only to have them miss horribly as Yachiru proved she was faster the she looked. It left Sakura open to an attack, which the fox girl did by jumping repeatedly up and down on Sakura's spine. It was even more painful to see when they saw Yachiru enhancing the stomping with her chakra that left a large crater in the arena floor and were horrified to learn she also had weights on. To add insult to injury the stomping had put a great deal of pressure to Sakura's bladder making her relieve herself of liquid and solid waste that were in her body into her shorts before she was carried away on a stretcher.
One that would soon be destroyed after dropping the Haruno girl off.
The Shikage loudly clapped after the so called "fight" was over applauding his little girl at making the pink haired bitch suffer while Yachiru jumped up and down was practically dancing around at the fact that she made her dad proud of her. The pink haired demon of a Mother of that said bitch was now rushing to the medical area to comfort her "angel" over loss and the sheer embarrassment their family had suffered.
Orihime beat Yahiko though it severely drained her afterwards; Sanosuke had fought a worthy fight with Sado only to lose just barely to the boy/man when it came down to a fist fight contest. Who knew the kid, who used one eye while the other was covered with hair could alter his arm into something like that and win no less?
Megumi soon forfeited when her match was up against Ichigo since her field was that of a medical specialist in the group and not of combat, but the orange haired youth told her it was all right.
Hinata had the unfortunate fate of fighting twice against both Rukia and Ganju, who she defeated using the family Gentle Fist style. It was difficult on account of the fact that she had to prevent the others from seeing all of the advanced training she had done though she did have to reveal her Protection of the Eight Trigrams Sixty Four Palms technique. Though it was a small price to pay and in the end her love clapped at her performance of defending herself against Ganju's explosive attacks and Water Jutsu's he unleashed upon her.
Sasuke and Kiba each fought one of the weakened Iwa Shinobi killing them with one of their usual signature attacks Chidori and Man Beast Clone Piercing Fang combo that they were known for. Little did the two Leaf Shinobi know that had they faced their opponents at full strength, they would have been killed outright in their fight.
As for last to fight, which was Okita's, he was regrettably killed the strange Kumo Ninja simply nicknamed "Shrieker" in his match after the crouching toad like man unleashed poison covered maggot's filled with acid shooting from his mouth. That strange bug like creature exploded soon after causing the acidic fumes to attack the young warrior's lungs. Once Okita breathed or the burns themselves got into the lungs of its victim Okita felt the breathing part of his organs become extremely weak.
Even now the effect of such a deadly poison made the infected Shinsengumi member die painfully in a matter of mere moments. Still, the youngest member of the Shinsengumi Team was able to kill his enemy in a last ditch effort when having his back turned used the Gatotsu: Zero Stance and shot his sword at the surprised ninja impaling him hard into the wall killing the Kumo Shinobi in an equally painful manner.
After several of the Shinigami Shinobi carefully removed his body from the area floor, the Shikage had soon approached the dead swordsman's body and place to coins on his eyes for the boat man on the river sticks as a sign of respect.
After that was done and he was prepared to be sent home it was time to announce the fighters for the Fighting Section of the Exam, which not surprisingly were different this time.
Match #1: Mist Shinobi Kurosaki Ichigo VS Iwa Shinobi Jeagerjaques Grimmjow
Match #2: Leaf Shinobi Tenten VS Shinigami Shinobi Makimachi Misao
Match #3: Shinigami Shinobi Kusajishi Yachiru VS Leaf Shinobi Inuzuka Kiba
Match #4: Shinigami Shinobi Han'nya VS Mist Shinobi Yasutora Sado
Match #5: Leaf Shinobi Akamichi Choji VS Shinigami Shinobi Ayasegawa Yumichika
Match #6: Mist Shinobi Uryu Ishida VS Shinigami Shinobi Madarame Ikkaku
Match #7: Shinigami Shinobi Seta Sojiro VS Mist Shinobi Inoue Orihime
Match #8: Shinigami Shinobi Shinomori Aoshio VS Shinigami Shinobi Hajime Saito
Match #9: Leaf Shinobi Uchiha Sasuke VS Leaf Shinobi Hyuuga Hinata
The final match got everyone's attention and it was duelly noted that Sasuke had a smirk going close to a pyschotic smile before turning his gaze on the slightly terrified Hinata. For Sasuke it meant teaching his woman just who was in charge of their marriage before it even began and in front of the very people of the village no less. He couldn't wait for the next part of the Exam knowing that when he fought Hinata he would make her submit in front of everyone making it clear she was his woman and not some demon loser.
His thoughts were interrupted however, when more charka pressure came down upon the room, but at the same time felt like it was directed at him for some reason. It didn't take long for everyone to notice the power was coming from the Shikage though why he was angry no one could really be sure.
No one outside of Shinigami, Suna, or Mist anyway.
Kimimaro not wanting his Shikage to give away his identity away placed a hand on the man's robed shoulder and pressured it 3 times. It was a secret signal they had all created for him to calm down should he be upset beyond any further approach in such a manner.
Slowly the pressure from Kenpachi's charka left the area enough for the people around him to breath again and if Tayuya wasn't so out of it at the moment she would have said a few choice words that would have blown their cover sky high.
"Please forgive Shikage's temper Hokage-sama. To make it up to you he wishes to invite you, Kazekage-sama, and Mizukage-sama for dinner tonight," said Kimimaro bowing his upper body to signify an apology.
"Very well I accept the invitation on the condition Jiraiya of the Sannin can join me as my personal bodyguard," said Tsunade wanting this play out in her favor knowing that with all the pull Shinigami had at the moment a potential meeting could prove to the Fire Damiyo that things were looking up for the Leaf Village.
"Shikage-sama has no problems with you bringing the Toad Sannin with you, but that is as far as bringing guests with you goes. We will see you both at 7 PM SHARP!" said Kimimaro stressing being on time was a necessity in this case.
Before anyone could say anything further all the Shinigami left in a "poof" of dark smoke leaving several stunned Shinobi in their wake.
'That power felt so familiar. Could it be him? No that loser fell off the face of the earth after what happened in Wave Country according to Sakura. It's more likely he went into seclusion due to his shame of being a no talent Shinobi. Still, I will have to keep my eye on him,' thought Sasuke looking over at the Raikage seeing that stupid grin on his face and wondered if the Cloud Shadow might wish for an Uchiha to fight for him.
He would have to find out later.
(Royal Leaf Hotel-That Night)
It was interesting for Tsunade to see Jiraiya actually look presentable for once without his usual Sannin attire, but in a nice professional attire unlike that horrible Toad Sannin one. The two walked into the hotel seeing it was swarmed with Shinobi from Shinigami, Mist, and Suna talking to one another as if they were all best friends, which puzzled them to no end.
"I see you arrived," said a wolf skull masked Shinigami with the Kanji "Baldy" written on it.
Beside him was a little girl with a cat mask on with pink whiskers with a fox like tail sticking out, and a swan skull masked Shinigami Shinobi with strange eyebrows that rivaled Gai and Lee's own in the way of being strange.
Tsunade and Jiraiya instantly recognized them as the three competitors entered into the Chuunin Exams.
"Were on time if that's what you mean," said Jiraiya not liking to dress up in something so nice and fancy since it wasn't his style.
That and Tsunade had forbidden him from doing his usual "Toad Hermit Dance" to avoid any embarrassment that he may create while with her. Jiraiya had in turn told her that no matter what she couldn't punch him out the window since it would make her look equally as bad.
That little reminder/remark nearly caused Jiraiya to miss this little get-together.
"Follow us then," said Yumichika escorting the two to the elevator to take them to the top floor where their Shikage stayed.
"How are you all you Shinigami Shinobi getting along with the other Shinobi's from Mist and Suna?" said Tsunade trying to strike up a suitable conversation out of her escorts.
"Just fine actually. Unlike the Leaf Village here we actually are all very well respected for the missions we've been on. Shikage-sama only has us go on the most challenging of missions to prove ourselves worthy before him. Were talking life and death missions that are vital in taking and none of those boring D-Ranked missions you guy's always do for what you count for teamwork," said Ikkaku knowing that the selection process for Genin teams was not about having a balanced team skill wise, but rather balanced in how the people on the team get along and can work together.
The teams were put together with people you could trust your very life with or give your life for them if need be. Enough said.
"I will make sure to have a mental note of that for when our next year Genin Teams are created," said Tsunade while inside she wanted to tear the bald man to pieces.
'Boy is she in for a surprise in a month when fox is out of the bag,' thought Yumichika the two over finding the female Hokage to be quite beautiful despite hiding her real self and seeing her Sannin tag along looking nice as well, but his facial structure was clearly ugly.
"And what's your name little one?" said Jiraiya believing that no kid could resist his ever handsome face.
He wished.
The tiniest of the entire group just looked at Jiraiya tilting her head slightly before facing front looking back towards the elevator doors before they opened revealing their intended floor.
"This is our floor, time to go Wrinkly Boob and Super Pervy Man," said Yachiru before she started skipping out the elevator door and down the hallway.
Tsunade and Jiraiya instantly became annoyed at the girl's nicknames for them.
'This girl is almost as bad as Naruto if not worse!' thought Tsunade and Jiraiya nearly at the same time while the other two were holding back their fits of laughter at the choice of nicknames.
Soon they followed the skipping fox girl wondering why they didn't notice the fox like features before during the Preliminaries against Sakura. Speaking of the little pink haired bitch, she was still in intensive care for several broken bones, some cracked/broken ribs, and all the while seeing a doctor on how to focus on the signs of her "plumbing" leaking during the day. Sure Tsunade fixed that problem after removing the pressure her other organs had on her bladder and intestinal track that if not treated right away would have caused her to wear adult diapers during her prime, which the Haruno girl did not want to happen to her.
Once they reached the last door on the left the two guards looked at the invited guests before one knocked three times and opening it one second later allowing them to enter. What they saw shocked them as the Shikage was still in his robes with the hood that hid his face while beside him was none other then Hyuuga Hinata and Subaku no Temari.
Both girls were both wearing high class kimono dresses of what seemed to be made of the highest quality and design.
"Greetings Death-chan, I hereby announce Wrinkly Boob and Super Pervy Man are here to meet you," said Yachiru bowing to her Ken-chan knowing that now was not the time to reveal his identity even by her casual nickname for him.
Still, it didn't stop the little fox girl from giving him another nickname.
"Temari-san? Hinata? What are you doing here?" said Tsunade looking at the two girls' for answers only to find them not speaking to give her any.
"They came here as Shikage-sama's guests," said Kimimaro near a corner of the room closest to the window keeping the curtains closed for safety reasons.
"Temari I can understand, but what about Hinata?" said Jiraiya on account of the fact that the Kazekage had given his sister away in an arranged marriage to the Shikage.
"Is this an interrogation? Then quick complaining on why were here and just be glad that you have someone with you for this at all," said Temari glaring at the Hokage while she succeeded in sticking up for Hinata, who was trying to keep a calm yet serious face of a mask on.
'She's got a point,' thought Jiraiya knowing that it was a small mercy that he got invited to this invitation much less Tsunade herself being asked.
"Fair enough I suppose," said Tsunade sitting down at the large table in the room with Jiraiya next to her, the Kazekage Gaara on one side at the middle, with the Mizukage Rin on the other, while Temari and Hinata sat on each side of the Shikage.
After they all sat down the Death Four came in and gave them their food, which was a dish that came from strangely enough originated in Village Hidden the Waterfall. The meal consisted of fish, vegetables, spices, and a bowl of fruit found only in that area, which was why it was such a delegacy anywhere else.
"How has Konoha been since I was last here Hokage-sama?" said Gaara before taking a bite of his food, which was quite delicious in his mind on account he rarely ever had it.
Being in a dessert and all has that effect on ones taste buds.
"It's had its ups and downs though I'm afraid to admit it's been more of the latter then the former," said Tsunade hoping to bring the Shikage into the conversation this way.
"Well considering what your village did to that poor boy...Naruto wasn't it?" said Yugito behind her mask before removing the bottom half of it after hitting a secret switch so she could eat and still keep her identity a secret.
"It wasn't my idea for Kakashi to try and kill Naruto," said Tsunade finding their gaze on her to be most uncomfortable seeing as they were all questioning her about what she had let happen.
"But what about sending the ANBU and Jiraiya to engage Uzumaki after you discovered he was not as dead to kill him?" said Kimimaro knowing straight from his master mouth how they came for him after that little stunt Hatake pulled.
"How do you know that?" said Jiraiya looking over at the man hiding behind his skull mask wondering if that was who they thought he was or not.
"We have countless spies everywhere and unlike the Leaf we are quite good at seeing the whole truth when others can't," said Kimimaro not taking his eyes off the pair of Leaf Shinobi.
"What do you think Shikage-sama about everything that happened during the Preliminary fights?" said Tsunade trying to change the subject on the whole matter even if just for a moment.
Kimimaro was going to move to stand beside his Shikage to translate for him when the said man that was Kenpachi raised a black gloved telling him to stop indicating he was going to speak for himself. They heard a long growl from his throat that sounded like an angry rabid dog mixing with a sound that seemed like he was trying to focus his speech muscles to speak the words he wanted to say.
"Aside from what has...occurred with Konoha's Team 7, I think that all the matches today went rather well," said the now demonic voice Kenpachi generated after secretly executing several one handed signs under the table to do it.
(A/N: Think Anubus from Stargate: SG-1. Enjoy!)
"Wait! I thought you didn't speak human tongue?" said Tsunade frowning at the robed man wondering why all the deception.
"I think my translator miss spoke before. I CAN speak human tongue, but most of the time I choose NOT to speak it due to the people around me being idiots and fools," said Kenpachi behind his robes not having his skull mask on so he could eat with the rest of them.
"Why not reveal your face then? We are neither idiots nor fools so you can trust us with your true identity," said Jiraiya trying to get the man to reveal who he was so they knew WHO they were dealing with.
"You know he won't do that just as I won't reveal my face or my Water Daimyo will to you either since we know that most of the people in Leaf can't keep secrets," said Yugito eating some of the fresh apple slices in her bowl loving the taste of them.
"I won't just sit here and have you all bad mouth the Leaf Village that my Grandfather founded over a century ago by two upstart unknowns and those that support them," said Tsunade having all she could take of them insulting the village that while she hated for being stupid, felt compelled to defend for the sake of her ancestors.
The Hokage/Sannin would have done more when rising from her chair with Jiraiya half out of his already had she not felt the intense charka pressure the Shikage was generating. The amount of power he created practically commanded her to sit back down or face the consequences of her disobeying such strength that was before her.
"You would do well to know your place Hokage-sama! Your village has fallen to the way of power hungry fools under your guidance and you have the nerve to call me and Mizukage-sama 'upstarts'? This is an insult worthy of war between our villages. Make no mistake 'Slug Princess' if you think that there is power behind your words then you have fallen almost as far as the villagers that reside in this dying place. I wanted you both to come here tonight in order to see if you had become what I had hoped you and the Toad Sannin had not. Now I see you are nothing, but shadows of your once great former selves. Your younger selves wouldn't have let this village become what it has now. You both sicken me greatly," said Kenpachi scowling at the two people before him now seeing them as the failures they truly were without a spine if they can't standup to the people of Konoha given such legendary skills.
How his bastard Father ever became strong under the Toad Sannin was beyond him.
"Hey! You leave Tsunade-hime alone," said Jiraiya not liking how this guy was now nearly driving his former Teammate and love interest nearly into tears.
"If neither of you or any of those in the village can handle the bitter truth then you two should get out!" said Kenpachi emphasizing on the get out part more then usual, which to Jiraiya was code for something though what exactly he didn't know.
"Bastard!" said Tsunade ready to dive over the table to strange the neck of the Shikage with all her strength even if it meant dying at the hands of those loyal to him.
Jiraiya however, stopped her and held her in his arms looking between her and the Death Shadow of the Shinigami Village with piercing eyes for a moment. Without another word the Toad Sannin turned around with Tsunade and left the room to get her some place safe enough to dry her tears and tell her what he knew.
"Don't you think that was a little harsh Uzumaki-san?" said Gaara looking at his robed friend with a raised eyebrow.
"What would you have me do Gaara? Tell her who I am then have her blab it everywhere so everyone knows and then have over half the village come at us for being here!? You know that they have no love for you either my friend and if they try to they will go after you, your brother, or sister to make you suffer," said Kenpachi disengaging his "Demon Voice Jutsu" in order to speak normally.
"That will never happen," said Gaara with his eyes narrowing and his killer intent spiking significantly for all to feel around them.
"Don't worry Gaara I'll be fine should that happen and if I get into trouble that not even I can't handle Kenpachi-kun will protect me," said Temari holding onto his arm snuggling into its muscled form hidden beneath the robes.
Hinata scowled at Temari not wanting to be outdone by Suna born woman and snuggled up to Kenpachi's other arm showing that she was thinking the same thing.
The fact that they were shooting lighting glares at each other was also a dead give away too.
"Since we have a month to get everything ready what should we do first?" said Yugito so she could inform Rin more of the plan since not all the specific details of the destruction of the Leaf Village were give for security reasons.
"First, we need to keep an eye on Iwa and Kumo since they have no doubt formed a top secret alliance with each other that won't be revealed until mere days before the Finals. We will also have to get our forces ready in case we have to fight them as well as Leaf Shinobi of Konoha's, so make sure all of your Shinobi that you trust with this mission are prepared to do what they have to," said Kenpachi looking at them all seeing them nod in understanding while Hinata and Temari knew that within a month's time the Leaf would burn for a second time.
Only this time the fire wouldn't go out until the village was nothing...but ashes.
"What about those, who don't approve of Konoha's policies? I heard rumors that the Aburame's want out of here, but need time to get everything ready," said Hinata, as she knew her Father, the entire Branch Family, and some of the Main House of the Hyuuga Clan wanted out, but couldn't knowing what would happen if they tried.
"Our favorite Nine Tailed Demon Lord Zangetsu will take care of that while everyone is seeing the Chuunin Exams and by the time anyone notices anything it will be too late," said Kenpachi knowing that such a thing as transporting anything from a single person to a Clan House was nothing that a Demon Lord couldn't handle.
The simple fact that the said Demon Lord was speaking to each of the Clan Head's from the Akimichi, the Nara's, and the Yamanaka Clan was further proof that the plan was still running smoothly.
"What about the 'Prodigy' that is the Uchiha-teme? I think we need to do something to really send him over the deep end before the Finals that will make him want to fight you over Hinata," said Rin to Kenpachi knowing that the boy's instability was what made the boy so weak.
"Leave that to me. What I have in mind will drive him and all those loyal to him insane and cowering in fear at what we can do," said Kenpachi letting out a chuckle at what he had planned for the spoiled Uchiha knowing that it would drive the "Last Uchiha" wild with rage.
Just then Han'nya phased into the room and silently handed Kenpachi a large scroll with a blood seal on it indicating whoever this scroll belonged to was only for family only.
"The security around this scroll was weak at best and pathetic at worst Shikage-sama," said Han'nya, who under his Kage's orders broke into the Hokage's Office and took the necessary scroll that held Kenpachi's family inheritance.
"As always what the Leaf should treasure the most they ignore out of their own ignorance and stupidity," said Kenpachi taking his family scroll from Han'nya before he opened it after biting his thumb and smearing his blood over the seal.
Inside the scroll was none other then the special kunai's with seals drawn on them and the instructions in using the infamous "Flying Thunder God Technique" that single handedly beat the Village of Iwa into submission in the last Shinobi War when used by his Father. Oh how Kenpachi hated that man that held that title and with good reason since that man had caused him to face hell on earth from this very village out of his own stupidity. All on the belief that the villagers and Shinobi he gave his very life for would actually follow through with his last wish.
Clearly his Mother was the brains of the family because only an idiot would believe that such a dying wish would be carried out. Unacceptable.
"Should we proceed to phase two of the plan Shikage-sama?" said Han'nya his head now bowing towards his Kage to await new orders.
"Yes. Tell Toshiro and Rangiku to remove Itachi's body from its cryogenic state and to prepare that sword of his to be put to good use," said Kenpachi laughing as he pictured Sasuke's face when he saw the surprise that awaited the spoiled Sharingan user.
(Tsunade Office-15 Minutes Later)
"That heartless bastard! How dare he speak to me like that! What right does that guy have to judge me or you in what we do or how Konoha is run?" said Tsunade pounding on her desk with all her might making the seals on her desk that absorbed her blows were now becoming strained from the assault.
"Got to admit the man has a way with words. Even more so at the end at what he was secretly telling us," said Jiraiya running a hand through his white hair before letting out a small sigh.
"What do you mean? He was insulting us and telling us to get out of Konoha!" said an angry Tsunade while half tempted to punch Jiraiya for taking this in such a calm manner.
"Yeah us and anyone else that doesn't approve of Konoha. Remember you have to 'look underneath the underneath' with this to find that something is going to go down during the Chuunin Exams in a month and he wants everyone here that disapproves of the Leaf to get out," said Jiraiya wondering exactly how the Kage of the Shinigami village was going to do that.
"If that's the case we have to warn everybody involved," said Tsunade knowing that a lot of preparation would be involved in saving what lives she could.
Seconds later, the lights in the room went off and only the moon light coming in from the windows allowed the two Leaf Shinobi to see if just barely around them.
"Don't bother they already know," said a figure from the shadows appearing before them with his crimson coat blowing in an unseen and felt wind.
"YOU! How did you get in here? What are you doing here? And what do you mean when you said they already know?" said Tsunade, who didn't feel like taking on this weirdo at the moment.
"I can get in anywhere I choose to enter. The reason behind how I do it is currently none of your concern for the time being," said Zangetsu the shadows behind him that he had used to hide him gave his form a shadowy and intimidating look.
"You didn't answer my last question," said Tsunade glaring at the supposed man before her still ready to fight this intruder with the help of Jiraiya.
"True, but as I said it's currently none of your concern. All that you really need to know is when the time is right you will have to choose between what is right for the village or for those around you. Sides will be taken when the fighting starts and the one I serve does not want you to be part of the opposition to him or anyone close to him for that matter," said Zangetsu slowly fading back into the shadows and out of the room itself.
"Wait! Tell us his name? Who is the Shikage?" said Jiraiya wondering how this person could do what he was doing and if that person was a person at all.
"You still haven't figured it out it seems. Then you will have to find out with the rest of the Leaf Village and when you do that will be when you must choose," said Zangetsu before disappearing permanently into the darkness of the room with the lights turning back on mere seconds later.
"Jiraiya, during the remaining month that is to come between now and the finals I want your spy network to run overtime and find out what the hell is going on," said Tsunade, as she seethed while clenching her fists wishing she could pound the living crap out of something.
"Don't worry I'll get my people on it and be back just in time for the finals for when they start while being at your side so another surprise attack like sensei experienced does not happen," said Jiraiya knowing that if something remotely happened to Tsunade he could never forgive himself.
(Elsewhere-At the Moment)
"It was such a pity your Genin Teams were killed so soon," said Aizen sitting in his chair sipping some tea in his hotel room with Tosen standing next to him while the Yondaime Raikage that was Ichimaru Gin.
"Yes it was, but then again so were all of yours as well, except that one with that ever so strange jaw of his. Though from the calm look on your face they seem to mean nothing to you in terms of value. A means to an end perhaps?" said Gin smiling his ever so freaky smile that if Tosen could see would feel nervous around.
"Considering how Uzumaki Naruto fell off the face of the earth after Mist Village as well as Water Country in general performed a major transformation I had to make sure that I had a backup plan for the destruction of Konoha. I'm also pleased you wish to join me in its total destruction Raikage-sama," said Aizen smiling at his partner in crime.
"Yes well I would imagine that during the time of the Yondaime Hokage it would have been impossible for you to get revenge on Konoha, but now...well let's just say I don't expect you to lose much on your side of things. After all it was Namikaze Minato that killed your ANBU Captain of a Father in the last Shinobi war so I think its perfect karma that you destroy what he holds dear," said Gin eat a cookie from his plate in tiny bites.
"Yes I think that is very good karma in my bingo book though I can't help, but wonder what the Shikage, Kazekage, and Mizukage will do once we start our attack on Konoha," said Aizen not liking how those mentioned variables would factor into his plans.
"Maybe they will let us kill them and leave since they are either hostile or neutral towards the Hidden Leaf Village, but then again you never know," said Gin taking a sip more of his tea.
"There is something about the Shikage that worries me Aizen-sama. You must be wary of him and not underestimate his power," said Tosen not wanting to make his master seem weak, but to keep the man he served from dying under the other Kage's hands.
"Regardless when the time is right Konoha will fall before me and anyone else that tries to stand in our way will too," said Aizen confidently looking out the window night sky knowing that if there were certain unforeseen enemies that arrived to stop him he along with Tosen and the Raikage himself would destroy them like rats.
(Konoha-Undisclosed Location-2 Weeks Later)
Uchiha Itachi shivered as the ice around him melted, but couldn't see anything as his eyes were still covered by his Leaf Headband to prevent him from possibly doing anything in the near future. Not that Itachi could use his Sharingan considering that his whole body was currently numb from the ice that had consumed around his body. While it felt like he was dying when experiencing it the power behind the ice was in actuality preserving him in his wounded state after his fight with the loyal Shinobi of Uzumaki Kenpachi.
"Hey wake up Uchiha-teme," said a rough voice before he was backhanded by a hard fist to his jaw making him lose a tooth and some blood dripping down the side of his mouth.
"Renji watch what your doing you idiot! A few more light taps like that and you could've accidentally remove his headband from his eyes and if were not careful use the Sharingan on us," said another voice that Itachi didn't recognize, but sounded rough like Kisame's always sounded.
"Why am I still alive?" said Itachi after several minutes of silence after deciding to make it known to them that he was in fact awake enough to talk.
"To be the next pawn in this little game of chess Itachi-teme," said Kenpachi now with a huge smile on his face, with his very voice, and even his chakra signature forever burned into Itachi's mind practically seeing the huge grin on the man's face.
"And how does the great Uzumaki-sama wish me to aid him while being a prisoner under his watchful eyes?" said Itachi not really caring at this point if he died or not since it was pretty clear what level of hell he was going to end up at when his soul left his body.
"I'm going to kill you soon and when Sasuke sees you in the state I put you in, he'll lose whatever sanity he has left to try and kill me at the Chuunin Exams. Its that simple," said Kenpachi with his now face a mere inch from Itachi's while his voice rumbling next to the Sharingan user's ear before letting out a low chuckle.
"My brother is still weak I see after all this time. I heard before you attack our main base of operations that my brother was going to be trained to succeed Tsunade-sama as their next Hokage. It seems the Leaf keeps getting weaker as time passes with the loss of the Yondaime, then Sandaime, then a less them competent Tsunade, and finally my weakling brother of an Uchiha that is Sasuke to replace her," said Itachi, who despite his current condition couldn't help, but let out his own chuckle at the thought of his brother being so weak yet possessing the title of someone, who was considered strong.
It all reality it did seem funny to him since Sasuke was the runt of the once great Uchiha Clan.
"Yeah it has, but with your involuntary help I'm going to see to it that this village doesn't live past the remainder of this month no matter what," said Kenpachi taking the Uchiha's sword off a nearby table and grinned before lifting up Itachi's headband.
"I'm ready," said Itachi having made peace with what was to come.
"Don't worry when this is all over your brother will join in hell where all of you bastards belong," said Kenpachi before the room surrounding them darkened and the sound of a sword piercing flesh was heard echoing through the room before silence took the room once more with only the periodic dripping of liquid hitting wooden floor heard every few seconds.
(The Next Day-Uchiha District)
Uchiha Sasuke left his home and headed towards the training grounds on the other side of the village where Kakashi wanted to personally train him in more of his Jutsu's that the copy ninja learned over the years to help him become stronger. The Uchiha District itself was once the prize of Konoha with Sharingan users everywhere like Sasuke working as ninja or mainly involved in the police force created to keep public order.
Now the entire district was empty, baron, and quite literally a shadow of its former self as the people of the village awaited that one fateful day. The day where the last remaining Uchiha would sire children to revive his clan to its former glory that Konoha had seen it rise during its years in peace and war.
For Uchiha Sasuke that was the last thing on his mind as all he cared about was receiving power and what would give him power whether it be living or inanimate by definition. Even now as he walked through the once populated Uchiha District Sasuke was feeling the hunger for power growing inside of him and awaited today's training on account of just who his opponent would be in the final matches.
Today was also the day that scheduled fight would be changed into something else.
The ripple effect that caused the change was when Sasuke walked past the old Konoha Police Station founded by the Uchiha Clan many years ago with their clan symbol on it. It was meant to mark them as its founders and to show the village just who had the power within the village outside of the Shinobi way while still under the rule of the Hokage. It helped instill fear and respect, but for Sasuke he preferred the former since fear meant it was power and while respect meant powerful if not seemingly unbeatable.
It also meant something that was respected was not invincible and could be killed and for Sasuke, he did not want to be respected...he wanted to be feared. However, as he passed the station without a worry in the world Sasuke soon heard the drip of something coming from the station due to the echo of the silence around him. At first the Uchiha Prodigy did nothing thinking it was a something else or his imagination, but when the wind picked up and the smell of blood hit his nose the Uchiha froze in fear he seemed to love more then anything. The smell of blood that had not been smelled since that day nearly 8 years ago was something that Sasuke thought he would never have to deal with here again in his lifetime, but what saw next would forever haunt him long after he died.
It was Uchiha Itachi, pierced with his own sword into the Uchiha Crest on top of the old police station, and wave after wave of blood was flowing from his body. The source was from where the sword had gone through the center of Itachi's chest that was even from afar clearly the clan slayer's own sword. The man looked like he had been dead for hours maybe even more with glazed dead black eyes that held nothing in them with no hint of emotion or remorse. Itachi's eyes looked almost like he did when the Uchiha Clan was slaughtered and when Sasuke confronted him those long 8 years ago.
The last bit of sanity the boy had was now gone and destroyed as the facial symbol of the Shinigami was imprinted next to the body in the dead man's own blood.
All Sasuke could do...was scream.
(A/N: YAY! I can't believe I wrote this. I must have blanked out or something. LOL! Seriously it took awhile to write this on account of what action I tried to detail in this though I don't know if it was enough since I couldn't do all of the fights since I had so many participators in the Prelims. Hopefully I did everything right by you guys in terms of whom I paired up for the fights and stuff. What did you think of the ending of this little chapter? How did you like the way Sakura got destroyed in the fight against Yachiru? I felt it was more then appropriate in this matter and worked well when considering that Sakura is a bitch. Any questions? Comments? Money? LOL! I decided after I finish this I'll finish up Star Wars and then work back on C&D right after so I hope to get started on that sometime before the new year starts. Until next time...PEACE!!!)
