Welcome back guys and girls. Alright, just one issue on the table to clear up: The strength of the three is somewhere around high jounin currently, please keep in mind that Gaara in the manga is Kazekage at only 15. Also they will be fighting Akatsuki members which are sannin/kage level, this should explain where I plan their skill levels to be as the story progresses. YOSH! Onward!
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-Chapter 10: Fox Demon-
Kiba was staring wide-eyed at the Naruto that was standing in front of him, 'His eyes, t-t-they're...' The dog boy's breath was becoming labored and his pulse was quickening to a maddning pace.
In the stands many of the gennin were caught under the same effect, 'The Kyuubi's chakra, what a terrifying feeling,' thought the Third. 'Naruto-kun, what have you become?'
"Uzumaki Naruto vs. Inuzuka Kiba, HAJIME!"
Akamaru let out several small barks causing Kiba to go from terrified to a grinning fool, "Akamaru says you smell like a fox." Then he dropped low to the ground and formed several seals, "Akamaru's breed specializes in hunting foxes," he added as the dog lept onto his back, "Juujin Bunshin!" (Beast Human Clone)As the smoke cleared it revealed two Kibas, growling fiercely
Naruto came up from his stance frowning, "Oh? Well I should give you one to hunt then." Reaching over he cut his thumb on the blade of Kubikiri and began sealing.
Up on the balcony Zaiaku was looking on in bewilderment, "He's not going to?"
Gaara went to respond, but was cut off by Naruto's voice, "Kuchyose no Jutsu!" (summoning technique) as the smoke disappated it revealed a fox the size of a very large wolf with black fur tipped in red.
"Naruto can summon!" cried Sakura
Kakashi and the other jounin were staring on in horror at the huge fox, "Well," said the Third, "he's still Konoha's number one ninja in surprising people."
"Ah," said Zaiaku in amusement, "Hakumei"
"Che," scoffed Sasuke, "He's still a dead last."
Naruto reached down and scratched it behind the ears, the large fox enjoyed the ministrations of its master. "A dog," sneered the fox, "How borish."
"HE CAN TALK!" cried Ino
The fox looked up and glared, "And apparently in a more appropriate fasion than yourself, neanderthal."
Ino blinked in confusion as several of the gennin burst into laughter.
Kyuubi was nearly in stitches, 'He's still a little snot.'
"Hakumei," scolded Naruto, "don't be a snob." Then instead of resuming his low to the ground posture, the blonde brought both hands up in front of his face and went onto the balls of his feet.
"Where did he learn that?" questioned Gai, Zabuza only shrugged. Seeing the questioning looks from the gennin and several jounin he elaborated, "It's a fighting style from the west, focusing on striking with the knees and elbows, as well as the fist and feet."
Gaara leaned over to Zaiaku, "I've never really thought about it until this point, but where DID he learn to fight like that?" he questioned.
"Honestly," replied Zaiaku flatly, "I think it was that book he was always reading."
Akamaru charged, "I will deal with the mongrel, Naruto-sama," snarled Hakumei. The fox disappeared in a blur and slammed its shoulder into the gut of the Kiba-esque Akamaru, sending him to the floor. The puppy regained itself in mid roll and flipped to it's feet and growled. "Oh?" sneered the black fox, "I don't think you're in a position to make hollow threats, mut." This time Akamaru took the offensive and lept at the fox. Hakumei dodged a clawed swipe, but following around with another the dog hit him in the side, causing the kitsune to growl in frustration as he regained himself in mid air.
"It looks like your fox isn't doing too well ne, Naruto?" jibed Kiba as he charged at blinding speed.
As the dog boy drove his fist forward intent on slamming it into Naruto's gut he felt a hand on his wrist, "You," snarled the blonde, "talk too much." Then jerking Kiba forward he simulainiously drove his knee into his gut, causing him to double over. As he did so Naruto took the opportunity and arced an elbow into the side of his head, causing it to jerk violently to the left.
"YOSH!" cried Lee punching the air, "Naruto-kun has a strong Taijutsu, I hope to fight him in the finals!"
Gai smiled, "You have to train hard, but I'm sure your flames of youth will prevail!" He finished in his 'nice-guy' pose
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"LEE!"
Gaara, Zaiaku, and Zabuza stared at the scene in horror, "If you EVER hug me..." said Zabuza glaring..
On the floor Akamaru was doing his best to try and blindside Hakumei, as he closed in with his claws extended something sharp duginto his forearm. Looking down he saw the jaws of the fox clamped down firmly, "Never try to outwit a fox," growled Hakumei as he pivoted his body and launched Akamaru into the air. Crouching low he emited a low growl as his fur began to stand on end and turn a deep red, "Now stay down, mongrel." Raising his head he grinned, "Kitsune Bakufuu!" (Fox Blast) turning and swinging his tail horizontaly he emitted a small red wave of energy that slammed into Akamaru, sending him skidding on the floor and dispelling his jutsu.
Meanwhile Kiba was in a full blown taijutsu battle with Naruto, 'Shit,' he thought, 'That fox is beating down Akamaru, and we aren't at our best when we aren't attacking as a team.' Breaking out of his thoughts he saw a hard kick coming at his head, instinctively he threw up his arm to block, on impact he felt a sharp pain and knew it was broken.
"Kiba can't keep blocking," stated Kurenai after hearing the dog boy's bone break, "Zaiaku was it?" the white haired teen turned to her with a raised brow, "He's your teammate, how do you stop his attacks?"
Zaiaku grimaced, "You don't," he replied. "He's," he gestured to Gaara, "the only one that I know that can stop his attacks and come out unscathed."
"Not only that," interjected Kakashi, "He's brought Kiba and Akamaru's fighting capacity down to seventy percent at best."
Temari nodded, "He wasn't just showing off when he summoned that fox. He knew splitting them up would give him an edge."
"Are you swooning?" questioned Kankuro with a cocked eyebrow
"W-what?" she stammered, "I mean sure he's good looking, and he's a hell of a fighter, and-"
"YOU ARE!" cried the sand gennin, pointing an accusing finger.
back on the ground, Naruto brought his knee into the face of Kiba sending him backwards to the floor. "That's enough Kiba," said Naruto, "Your arm's broken, your chakra is nearly gone, and Akamaru has been down for a while now. Fights over." Walking over to Kubikiri he gripped the handle and ripped it from the ground, resting it on his shoulder.
"Not...yet," hissed Kiba as he got to his feet, "One more." Reaching into his pouch he pulled out a soldier pill and popped it into his mouth. "One more attack," placing both hands at his sides he charged and launched his body into a spin, "Tsuuga!" (piercing fang).
Naruto turned in surprise to see the attack coming fast, reacting instead of thinking the blonde channeled his chakra into his sword. As Kubikiri Houcho began to hum and glow a deep red Naruto swung it in a wide arc, slamming the flat of the blade against Kiba's attack. On impact the dog boys body crunched violently and flew back, at break neck speed, into the opposite wall. Immediately realizing that he over did it the blonde ran over to cumpled form of his fellow gennin, "KIBA!" he cried.
"Mother of Kami-sama," stammered Asuma, "That looked bad."
Kurenai was stunned, "He swatted Kiba's Tsuuga away like a fly, yet that attack tears through stone." She then looked wide-eyed at Zaiaku, Zabuza, and Gaara, "What the hell are you people?"
After a minute Kiba opened an eye and offered a doggish grin, "...ouch..." he grunted out. "A-aka.."
"Here," replied Naruto lifting the dog from Hakumei's back, "You did good Kiba, sorry for over doing it."
"For a dog," sneered Hakumei, "You're an acceptable opponent, we will fight again." With nothing more to say as the medics began to take Kiba to the hospital, Naruto and Hakumei made for the stairs.
Hayate stepped up, "Winner, Uzumaki Naruto."
"I'm completely impressed Naruto," said Kakashi lazily. "You're not the same person that left two years ago."
Naruto nodded, "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei."
"You," said Temari, "are good, that summon strategy was amazing, and I've never seen Taijutsu like that. Then when you knocked him away with your swor-" she continued to ramble on about his tactical and physical prowess.
Naruto was turning several shades of red under her showering praise. Meanwhile Hakumei was getting a liberal scratching behind the ears from a cooing Hinata and Sakura, while sitting in awe, "How is it possible that you can say so much without breathing?"
Temari flushed red while Naruto came to her aid, "Oi, I'll send you back!"
The black fox pouted, "Honestly, just because I questioned your female's ability to defy a human's requirement for oxygen doesn't mean you have to make threats."
Before Temari or Naruto could retort at the fox's implications Kankurou jumped in, fuming and sputtering, "SHE'S NOT HIS FEMALE!" Then he rounded on Temari, "AND YOU! STOP FLIRTING!"
Meanwhile Kakashi had walked up to Hakumei and bonked him pretty hard on the head, "What was that for you damnable barbarian!" cried the kitsune.
Kakashi frowned, "Why didn't you disappear after your mission was complete?"
"Because I didn't feel like it!" barked Hakumei
Sarutobi took on a dark expression, "So you're a?"
The fox looked confused, "I beg your pardon?"
"Any relation to?" questioned Kakashi pointing to Naruto's sealed stomach.
Hakumei looked to Naruto only to see him nodding ferverently, "Oh this is rich, what's next, Charades?" snickered the fox. "Yes I am," he added with a scowl.
"I trust," interjected Sarutobi, "that he is on a short leash?"
Before Hakumei could bless out the third for refering to him as some kind of house pet Naruto answered, "Of course." The fox threw a dark look at his summoner then curled up at his feet. "Finally, the next match!" cried the blonde after a minute. All eyes focused on the board as two more names popped up.
Temari vs. Tenten
"GO TENTEN!" cried Lee
"LET YOUR FLAMES OF YOUTH BURN TENTEN!" echoed Gai
Meanwhile Neji was looking absolutely mortified at his sensei and teammate, "I'm embarassed for you," stated Hakumei sympathetically.
Naruto simply gave a large grin to Temari, "Do your best, Temari-san," said girl blushed and nodded.
"STOP FLIRTING!" cried Kankuro
On the floor the two girls were eyeing each other, "Good luck Temari-san."
"You too Tenten," replied the sand kunoichi
"Temari vs Tenten, Hajime!"
Leaping back into perfect fighting distance, Tenten reached behind her back and retrieved a small scroll. 'alright, here we go,' leaping high into the air she released the bindings and let the scroll wrap around her body like a ribbon. Temari was looking on in utter confusion until Tenten began to slam her hands down on the seals and proceeded to launch a flurry of weaponry.
"Wow, lots of sharp objects," said Temari grinning, flicking her wrist she opened her battlefan to the first star. "Ichi no Hoshi!" (First Star) she called as she swung her weapon horizontally, releasing a huge gust of wind that effectively stopped the incoming weapon bombardment. "Try harder Tenten!" she cried as the other girl landed.
"Fine!" the brunette replied. Pulling out another scroll, she opened it and slammed her hands down on the only two visible seals. As the smoke cleared it revealed Tenten gripping a bo-staff.
"Oh crap," said Temari scowling.
On the balcony Naruto was looking on in bewilderment, "Well, that's new."
"YOSH! GO TENTEN!" cried Lee
'This,' thought Temari, 'isn't good.' Closing her fan she parried a thrust from Tenten and countered with a wide overhead strike. The brunette was dodging and striking, while Temari was holding her off it was clear that it was only a matter of time before the weapons mistress broke through. Looking up she saw Naruto looking anxious, 'I was kinda hoping I'd win, to show...wait' then she thought about Naruto's fight, "That's it!" she cried. Hefting her fan to her shoulder she concentrated her chakra to her arms and brought the weapon down vertically slamming it into Tenten's and snapping it in two. Continuing her momentum she spun around and opened her fan fully, "Ninpou: Kamaitachi!" (Ninja Arts: Slashing Wind) as she swung the weapon at an angle a huge storm of wind came forth smashing into the leaf gennin. As Tenten was suspended in the funnel of air, chakra began to slice at her skin as her breath was being ripped from her lungs, finally the weapons mistress passed out and fell to the floor. "Gomen, Tenten," whispered Temari as she waited for the announcement.
"Winner, Temari"
"YEA! TEMARI-CHAN!" cried Naruto before he could think properly, "I mean...er...yea."
"Nice," snorted Zaiaku, "very subtle."
Temari flushed while Kakuro was looking murderous, "Er, thanks," stammered the sand kunoichi.
"I think," interjected Hakumei, "I'm going to be ill."
End Chapter 11
I think this chapter was a bit lack luster, but that may just be me, I hope you enjoyed. Also I only intend to cover a few more fights, as I am anxious to get to the finals. I will warn you, after this next chapter there will be a bit more fluff, but not much. Considering there's none now o.O
Preview Chapter 12: The Final Member.