A/N: I'm back! Now, where was I? Oh yeah. your thoughts were right anyway...
Chapter 11: Chunnin Showdown
"No way..." said Naruto, scratching his head. There in the streacher was the grass nin with a large lump on his head, blood trickling from the side of his head. "Well, that was neat." said Zain, watching the kid.
"ow..." groaned a Konohamaru in pain. His forehead nesting a purple lump. "You idiot, you headbutted him?" asked Naruto. "If I was able to use chakra..." began Konohamaru.
"Oh yah, I'm sure that jutsu would be effective." ended Naruto. "What jutsu?" asked Zain, interested. "Nothing." said Naruto quickly. But before Zain could ask one more, the announcer shouted "Now, Round 3 with the mist nin Zain and waterfall nin Hisouke Guramni!"
"...Yosh, I'll get it out of you one way or another Naruto." he said as he left the room, cold eyes away from him. Konohamaru looked at Naruto, whom looked bemused
"Just who is that guy Naruto?"
"...I'm dead." he said with a grin.
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The crowd was silent as Zain entered. What? No flowers? he thought with a grin. His opponent was in front of him, his face emotionless. His eyes black, brown hair short and messed.
"Ready...begin!" shouted the announcer. "What's wrong with you?" asked Zain as he dodged a punch. "I'm not here for fun. I'm here to win and get out of this village back home." he answered. "So, basically, you want this to be done quick?" said Zain blocking some hits and leaped back a bit. "Exactly." answered the waterfall nin.
"Well, then it can't be helped." said Zain and put his hands into his pockets. "Hmph." said Guramni. He charged at Zain whom just stood there, relaxed. He took a deep breath.
He stopped him. He threw his leg up to his opponent's head, stopping him in his tracks. "What?" said a surprised Naruto. He was watching Zain fom the other side of the stadium. He laughed.
Zain walked over him. He threw the leg stopping the nin to the ground and under. His skull breaking the hard floor. The announcer hesitated then said "The winner is, Zain!" The crowd chuckled, some even cheered. Others were silent. Naruto knew why. For some reason, a cold draft came out with Zain despite the sunny day.
Something was't right.
"WelL, that wast most unusual. Now it's time for the final match! Leaf nin Uzumaki Naruto vs. rock nin Yushi Tama!" the crowd cheered. As Naruto walked in, a built genin was waiting for him. He had dark eyes and was bald. His arm etched with large scars.
"Ready...begin!"
Naruto was punched through the air to the ground far away. He stood up and cracked his knuckles. Looks like I'll have to do it he thought and began to streach.
"What do you think you're doing?" he said in a deep voice to Naruto as he proceeded to his shoulder in a rotating motion. "Just streaching." said Naruto simply. "Don't get cocky brat!" shouted Tama. He punched Naruto at his gut, shaking the earth as Naruto fell. The crowd cheered. Naruto stood up once more.
He's annoying... thought Naruto, streaching his legs.
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Hinata had an awful breakfast. Her father was curious of her whereabouts last night. "Where were you last night?" he asked sharply before Hinata could say 'good morning' as she came down the stairs. "A-Ano, I was at the r-restaurant father." she said shakily while siting down opposite to her father and Hanabi, whom gave Hinata a small smile at her way.
"Which restaurant?" he asked and began to eat his cold eggs. "A-Ano, the Inosaki restaurant father. We saw some people we knew and greted them. I lost track of time." She added. After the years of going out with her friends, she learned to lie a bit better than when she was still a genin.
"So you leaped over the compound's walls and made your way here?" asked Hanabi. Hinata looked at her. She seemed to know something she didn't...but what?
"We shall discuss of these matters later. Since your lateness, we must leave in a few minutes to the chunnin exams." Hinata nodded. It was a tradition for the main house to go to the chunnin exams along with other noble houses. "Don't you dare embarass me, both of you." he added, looking at Hanabi whom fell silent.
As they made their way to the stands, she saw a sore Naruto and Zain whom for some reason, were late. As she activaed her bayakugan, she saw 2 bulls at the entrance of the stadium. She chuckled silently. She dared not to chuckle in her father's presence. Hanabi also noticed it and sniggered.
They sat in what seemed like a 5-star hotel at the top of the stands with other noble clans. The Uchiha clan's area has been deserted for decades. The Sandaime made a law not to remove it. Perhaps because he liked the chairs.
"Water?" asked a waiter to Hinata and Hanabi. "Yes please." they answered. Their father glared at them and they were silent for the rest of the time.
When it was Zain's turn, she clapped softly. A friend of Naruto's is a friend of her's yet there wasn't any enthusiasm at the stands. Everyone fell silent as he entered and few mutterd. It felt like something threatening has come upon them right under their noses. Her father was pleased in the begining of the match, yet at the end indifferent. "His clan must be proud." he muttered.
Naruto was next and many applauded at the sight of the blond boy. None of the noble clans applauded in such a way. The silently nodded at the sight og him, most disgusted but Hinata clapped softly again. She thought she could hear Hanabi clapping but didn't check.
Naruto was getting pounded in the fight. His abdomen bruised, yet his chakra circulation kept on increasing in speed. Naruto kept on straching until the built man said "Had enough?"
"Yeah. Maybe we should finnish this." answered Naruto. "Gladly." said the rock nin as he cracked his knuckles. He charged at Naruto.
THWAP! A punch that echoed through the stands and beyond could be heard along with ribs cracking. Naruto punched him squared in the chest like a bullet. The man flying to the wall that broke at the force. Naruto just scratched his head and mumbled something. Everyone fell silent then applauded. Hinata's father choked at the sight of the punch. It was a primitive way, but effective.
As the chakra vessels increase in speed, the blood pumped also increases.His center of gravity and force was all centered to his fist, not to mention the increase of andrenaline in his blood, leading to such a punch. Hinata was both pleased and curious. Hanabi was...amused in some bizzare way. The boy...Konohamaru also did such a move but centered at his head. He also didn't practice it much leading to the swelling of his forehead while Naruto's knuckles were thumping with blood, relaxing. Naruto waved for some time and then stood there as Zain, Konohamaru, and someone else came to the stand. The Godaime and Kazekage entering the arena.
"Uzumaki Naruto, you pass." said a smiling Tsunade. Naruto punched the air. "Zain, you pass also." said Garra. Zain nodded, trying to conceal his excitment. Konhamaru also passed but the last failed.
As they left the stadium Zain shouted "Yeah! I'm in!" He looked at Naruto and Konohamaru. "Let'sgo and grab something to eat. You coming Ko...Komo...what was your name?" he asked Konhamaru. "It's Konohamaru and no. My head had enogh of sounds." he mumbled, rubbing his sore head as he walked home.
"...Okay then, Let's go!"
"Yeah!"
"Wait." said Zain. Let's get Tenten and Hinata to come! Like a double date you know?"
"Yeah alright. I'll go and get Hinata."
"She's at the stands with her dad and little sis. I need to takre care of some things then i'll catch up. Yurashi restaurant?"
"Alright. In and hour?"
"Yeah."
"Yoosh! See you then!"
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"It was foolish of you to forget to take it." muttered an annoyed Zetsu. "It's not my fault Zetsu. How many times am I supposed to say that?" said someone an annoyed tone, passing a tablet into his mouth.
"We must be prepared. Kisame and Deidara shall give us a diversion to leave." said Zetsu as he watched him drain the cup of water. "Well then, why can't I join?"
"You can't reveal yourself presently. In a few months, then we shall give the world our message."
"You're boring when the leader gives you orders. At least Kisame's a riot."
"Oh yeah, like that town you guys demolished."
"Hey, those villagers were asking for it. And it was Kisame's fault."
"Partially."
"Alright, so?" he mumbled, looking out the window. "Shall I tell-"
"No, I'll tell. Anyways see you tonight."
"Hmph. You'd better be ready."
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"A-Ano, I'll see you tonight father. I-I'm supposed t-to meet a friend." stammered Hinata. "Fine. Be home in the evening for your training." said Hasishi sternly. Hanabi already left to meet someone.
As she walked towards Naruto, she smiled. He was finally a chunnin, maybe by tomorrow, he'll be in the same teams she is with Tenten and Shino...or, maybe higher. But she was interuppted by Naruto.
"Hey Hinata-chan!" he shouted, running at her. "Good morning Naruto-kun. That was was a great move there." she motioned at the stadium. "Oh that? Nah, that was a practice one. The real one is still in the making. So, want to come with me to the Hokage? I need to find out where did she put me."
"Hai. That would be nice."
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Tenten was frusturated. She was part of the guards in the stadium and she felt something disturbing as Zain entered it. Now, it was all over but she wanted to see him. Not only to smash him to pulp but to know what was that aura he had around him. It was like a...killer's intent.
She couldn't imagine Zain as a killer but then again, she killed many men, at times women as an ANBU. She didn't regret it at all.
"Hey Ten-chan!" shoute a voice. She turned. It was Zain whom was waving at her. "You came?" he asked.
"Of course."
"I knew you couldn't resist me."
"Baka! I'm part of the ANBU. I've been guarding almost every chunnin exam!"
"You're ANBU?"
"Yeah, jealous?"
"Nope. Just curious."
Tenten looked at him. "And why's that?" "...Let's walk and I'll tell you." he answered. Tenten watched him carefully. There was no sign of the intent around him, just a cheerful attitude and...something else. "Alright then."
As they made their way to the woods, Zain began "I'm going to leave in...a couple of hours at the most." he said after a thought. "Where?" asked Tenten. She wasn't teary or anything that concerned sad emotions. She already knew the feel of a loss. "Is that a trick question? Home." he sniggered.
"And where's that?" she asked. He stopped. "If I told you I'd have to kill you." he said in a cold tone. Tenten was shoked. His eyes had a yellow glint of insanity. Then laughed. "I'm kidding! Besides," he added, looking at her. "What use would it be to kill you?" she blushed a bit as the sentence began to form into her mind.
"Anyways, I was wondering if you want to come with me. I mean, "he added quickly as he began to walk. "if you want to. Don't you get like a few months break after the chunnin exams?" He was right. She was off for a month or two now. She nodded.
"I'll think about it. Anyway, there's going to be fireworks tonight. You coming?" she asked. He hesitated, then nodded. "Okay then, but first you want to get something to eat?" he asked. Before Tenten could answer, a loud growl came from Zain's stomatch. "Fine then. But you're paying." she added after a chuckle.
"...Don't I pay all the time?"
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A/N: Another chapter down! I can finally start writing real. This buisness in Konoha is finally over. Time to show the true nature of the Akatsuki...right after my exams. Sorry but I've got exams coming up so I won't be posting for a week or so. Sorry!
[V[averick
