"Speech"

'Thought

Telepatic Speech

Flashback (())

Disclaimer: I do not own in anyway Naruto or bleach. Inspired by James D. Fawkes' Sit upon the frosted heaven and Case13's Crimson edge.


"Tell me Naruto." Her soft voice still holding a hard edge. "What do you see before you?"

They were standing on the roof to their home. Overlooking the entirety of whirlpool. Dark rain clouds covering the sky above them. Still they paid them no mind as they looked out on to the village that they had been living in for as long as he could remember. He shifted in irritation. Obviously disturbed by the question. As he should be.

His grandmother was a rather harsh critic.

"I see our home." He began with a wave of his hand. "The village that will be the starting point for the empire grandfather so desperately wants to create."

She turned her head to him and looked over him appraisingly. Her red mane falling past her shoulders. "Good answer." How she kept her hair so vibrant in her old age he would forever wonder.

He smiled. It was a good answer.

"But what do you really see?" She pressed onward.

He hesitated for a second but answered none the less. "I see a place filled with so much potential. Cut off from the outside war for good and bad. A village who's shinobi are in deed the most powerful. But don't know the meaning of the word teamwork. A place filled with both vultures and canary. The village of Whirlpool."

She hummed in appreciation.

"This place is sick Naruto. And I'm sorry your seeing it as it is. Once upon a time, as your mother has no doubt told you. Your grandfather contracted it first before it spreaded to the shinobi of the village. And now even those few civilians. A deep seated hatred of the outside word past the sea and protective barrier." Her words holding some deep unearthly meaning. One that he would probably never understand.

"What can we do?" He found himself asking. Not really thinking of the words. She turned her head to him and smiled a sad smile.

"I can do nothing. I am also tainted and old. But you, you are still strong and pure. You must be the one to bring the village in to a new age. Can you my grandson?"

He smiled in return and nodded his head.

"Don't worry. I will." His eyes sweeping across the vast village below. "That I promise."

"Good."


"Winner: Hirigashi Colite!" Gekkou Hayate announced as the medics rushed on to the field to check over the Nara clan heir. The boy, with a rather large cut over the top of his eyebrows, glared at each of them before stalking off. His pride bruised. Apparently he wasn't as acceptable to losing as he had always portrayed. Especially losing to a girl.

Still, Naruto had to admit, Hirigashi was no average gennin. The training that the Uzumaki clan had adopted as their own showing it's self in this gennin team. No doubt due to his cousin being a Uzumaki clan member herself. Each of them, from what Hanami and Ganjou also showed, apparently had a good enough grasp on their particular chakra alignment. Ganjou's stone ninjutsu and Hanami's fire techniques showing up in the forest. Colite's lightning ninjutsu showing here.

'That was more then impressive.' Naruto thought as he surveyed the damaged battle ground for which two craters had been formed due to the girls particularly powerful lightning ninjutsu. 'Her mastery is even more far along then the boy from Kumo's was. And they are renowned for their lightning ninjutsu.'

The blond had to admit, he had doubted the girls ability to win this particular battle. From the beginning it looked as if Shikamaru had complete control over the match up. Dodging the thrown shuriken and kunai with relative ease. His aloof and laid back attitude gritting on the girls nerves as he made it look extremely easy to defeat her. Then his shadow possession ninjutsu took control over her body. Walking her body over near a wall he warned her to surrender. When she didn't he mad her bash her head in to the wall. Simple right?

And it was just as simple, until she suddenly erupted in to a light show before streaking toward him as lightning chakra. The Nara heir was barely able to avoid the charge surging toward him, and even still the ninjutsu brushed past him and caused a noticeable limp in his walk. One that was showing now more then ever as he struggled to walk up the stairs back to the observatory. Then she suddenly appeared in a cloud of smoke. A henged shuriken that she had thrown. Her face smug as she looked on to the panting boy. Two hand seals later and a wave of lightning chakra slammed in to the area just on either side of the boy. A warning. And in the end it was he who was forced to surrender. The irony.

Naruto shifted his eyes from the arena and over to the side where she was being greeted brightly by her two teammates. Hanami's bruise now only slightly visible, and Ganjou grinning heavily. Obviously proud of the way their teammate had completely controlled the situation. She used the minimum about of chakra she could to win the battle without taking on any damage. Such a victory was impressive despite who you were fighting.

The blonde's eyes moved over to the left where Shikamaru was looking off to the side with a frown in place as his female teammate ripped in to him. The other boy pausing in his constant eating to look over his friends injuries. While his teammate admonished him on underestimating his opponent so much. Naruto shrugged, not particularly caring much. In his opinion the boy deserved to lose. It would show him to take such things more seriously.

"That was scary." Sakura's voice commenting from his side. He shifted his eyes back right and down on to her pink haired head. "That girl is strong."

Naruto shrugged. "I suppose so. But it's really Shikamaru's fault for not expecting it. He went in to that match with his carefree attitude. And she wiped the floor with him. Simple as that. He should have just forfeited as we all expected him to do anyway if he didn't really care. Instead he was embarressed in front of his team, peers, and the Hokage."

Sakura looked at him in an accusing way. "Don't you think your being a little harsh on him?" She asked.

Naruto shook his head. "Not at all. Just realistic. He didn't care, she did. He got made to look a fool of. I'm not going to dumb it down or give him the benefit of the doubt because he's a leaf ninja. Like I said, he shouldn't have even fought if he wasn't going to take the match seriously." His eyes boring deep in to her emerald green as he made his point. The cotton candy haired wonder hesitated before nodding her head and looking away. Unable to dispute what he was saying.

"Next match up!" Gekkou Hayate began to announce while gesturing to the scoreboard behind him.

Yamanaka Ino

V.S

Rock Lee

"Yosh!" Shouted the green clad gennin as he leaped up and down excited at the chance to fight. "I'm up next!"

"Well done Lee!" His equally green teacher congratulated with a bright and blinding smile. "You can show these young ones the power of youth!"

"Yes Gai-Sensei! I shall show this rookie what it means to be full of you-"

"I forfeit" Rock Lee blinked.

"B-But why?!" He asked in disbelief as he turned to face the gennin. "Why do you not even try?!"

She shrugged. "I know how to pick and choose my battles. And this is one that I don't have a chance of winning. Sorry."


"Smart move." Naruto commented as he watched the two who would have been fighting on the arena floor at the time. Sakura turned her head to him and raised a delicate eyebrow.

"Really? You think so. After just having denied the same opportunity to Kakashi-sensei's face?" He turned his head back to her and offered a small smile.

"The difference being our skill level. There isn't anybody here who I'm afraid of. And I can defeat any opponent left for me. The only one who would most certainly give me trouble would be the sand boy who attacked me yesterday. I don't have anything to fear. She did. She knew she had no chance of winning against a superior opponent and chose to 'live to fight another day'. A smart choice."

"Riiight." Sakura said with a roll of her eyes. Obviously not as believing as much. Naruto himself shrugged not caring is she believed him or not.


Hayate's eyebrow twitched. "Very well. The winner is Rock Lee! Will the next set of names be called please." 'Hopefully the next one will actually be a fight....'

Kimaru Ganjou

V.S.

Inuzunka Kiba

"All right Akamaru!" Shouted the leaf gennin. "We should have this one in the bag." His dog yipping in agreement to it's master before both were brought in by Kurenai and lectured before the match. Ganjou simply settled to raise an eyebrow at them before walking towards the steps leading down to the arena floor.

Naruto shook his head. "Kiba is so dead."

"Oh?" Sakura asked of him as she watched the dog boy rock anxiously on his heels as his sensei finished talking to him.

"I've fought that guy before. He's heads and tails about Kiba. In every category." THe girl blinked in surprise.

"Even taijutsu?"

"Sakura. I'm pretty good at taijutsu. And that guy had me on the defense. He's going to cream him."

Kiba by this point had hurried down the stairs to the arena and was now standing across from his opponent. A shit eating grin across his face. Ganjou simply stared back at him. Uninterested in what he seemed to be selling. As if Kiba wasn't even a threat. Which he wasn't....

"Yo!" The boisterous boy shouted. "I would quit if I were you!" Pointing across the room at him. Ganjou just stared back lazily. Which earned him a growl from Akamaru and an unpleasant look from the Inuzunka gennin. Hayate coughed briefly before looking back and forth between the two of them.

"Are both contestants ready?" He asked. Ganjou nodded and slipped in to a lose stance as Kiba shouted his agree. "Very good. Hajime!"

Kiba wasted no time. Slamming his palms together he began the most basic of the Inuzunka clan techniques.

"Shikyaku no Jutsu!" (Four Legged Technique)

Ganjou watched with slightly veiled interest as the gennin began to hunch over. Claws and fangs growing as he fell down on to all fours. The gennin grinned at him with new fangs before rushing foward on all fours. The increase of speed was certainly impressive for a gennin and would usually score a hit. But Ganjou was certainly not trained as an average gennin.

With ease the Uzu gennin leaned backward to avoid a swipe of the claw before lashing out with a foot. Again with his speed Kiba was able to move to the side and avoid the shot but was unable to avoid the haymaker that followed. The gennin tumbled to the ground with the force behind the hit. Snarling he leaped to his feet and retreated to the side.

"Damn. Good one." Ganjou said nothing in return. Just smilling. "Looks like I'll need to take this a step further.... Juujin Bushin no Jutsu!" (Beast-Man Clone)

Ganjou's eyes shifted left as Akamaru suddenly growled violently before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Out stepped Inuzunka Kiba. Or at least Akamura in a Kiba henge. The two grinned at him before rushing foward. One coming from either side of the Uzu gennin to cover up any option of escape.

"Let's see you dodge this!"


"Good job Ki-"

"He's going to lose." Kurenai blinked in surprise before looking to the left. It was that girl. Who had just finished beaten the Nara boy. She had been looking down on the arena below them. But had obviously intended for Kurenai to hear her comments.

"Is that so?" Kurenai half asked half mocked. Obviously not taking the gennin seriously. "Because you say so?"

"No. It's because your gennin are weak." She blinked in surprise. Obviously not expecting that.

"Excuse me?"

"Your gennin. All leaf gennin are weak. Except for one that is."

"Is that so?" Turning fully to face the girl. "And who is that?"

"Him." Pointing across the walk way. She turned and followed the hand. The blond boy looking down on the arena. One of Kakashi's. The one Hinata had affection for.

"Him? I don't think so. He's average at best."

"Average?" The girl asked finally turning to look at her. "If he's average then your gennin are worst then I thought. And I don't think I want to meet your elite gennin." Before turning back to the fight.

Kurenai grit her teeth. Angry both at the girl and herself for getting so worked up. "Well see."

"Yes. Now. It's over."

Sure enough Kurenai looked on to the fight in time to see her gennin's defeat. Kiba and Akamaru had once been two spirals of fangs and claws. Now they were on the ground behind their opponent. Unconcious and out of the fight. She looked at both of them before looking toward Ganjou. A smug look on his... Silver face?

"W-What?"

"A ninjutsu." The girl answered bored. "He uses this one a lot. It's pretty hard to get physical damage through on to him with it active. Your gennin was stupid enough to fly head first in to his fist." Her voice clearly showing she was the mocking one this time.

"Winner" Hayate announced. "Kimaru Ganjou." From the stands a medical team quickly moved down to collect the unconscious gennin and his puppy. The woman could still only look on as the Uzu gennin walked past the medics and towards the steps. Her mouth had dropped a bit. She had obviously thought her gennin would take this one with ease.

"Sorry." The girl said as she began to walk away. Obviously not sorry. "But I told you."


'That old trick again.' Naruto thought as he watched the Uzu gennin walk towards his team. 'How lame.'

"Again." Sakura said. Earning a side glance. "Your right again."

Naruto gave her a slight smile. "Of course I am. You doubt?"

"Yes. I did."

"How cruel." Grabbing his heart as if staving off pain.

"Har har." She mocked in return. "I still didn't expect for it to be that easy."

He shrugged. "Oh well. It is what it is."

"Will the next match be called!" The blond looked down on to Hayate before looking up to the flashing board. Cycling through various names in preperation of a match to come...

Sabuka no Temari

V.S.

Hiriyama Saichi

From two different spots around the balcony the two gennin moved. The suna gennin getting some last minute tips from her sensei before the battle. Saichi for his part just walked past his teammate and jounin sensei. Harukaze giving only a nod of recognition before he made his way on to the arena floor.

"This should be interesting." Sakura commented as she leaned over the railing. The blond nodded in agreement.

"Yes. I've tried Saichi in battle as well. He was a rather difficult opponent." She looked to him.

"Who haven't you fought here?" He shrugged.

"The other leaf ninja." He half suggested. It was true up to this point.

Sakura just rolled her eyes. "Whatever."


"Hi there." Saichi said to his opponent. "Names Saichi."

She snorted in return. "Am I supposed to care?"

Saichi frowned at the rude dismissal. "That's not very nice. Just trying to be friendly." But his pleas fell on deft ears. With a sigh he gave up and nodded to the examiner.

Hayate looked between the two of them. "Are both contestants ready?" Nods of confirmation. "Then Begin!"

The girl was quick, pulling the large fan from her back and fanning it open wide. A large swing later and a screaming wave of wind chakra was sent flying toward the cloud gennin. Intent to cutting deep in to the young man. But Saichi was far quicker. By the time she pulled her fan free he was already on the move. Flaking her from the left as she swung her fan. In a flash he had pulled a kunai free from his pouch and took a swipe at her head.

The surprise on her face was clear as she adjusted her fan just enough to avoid being stabbed in the throat. It was clear from the feral look on his face that he wasn't just going for the wind. But something far more serious. With hi still clear speed advantage Saichi landed a devastating kick to her midsection that sent her spiralling to the ground before flipping through a set of hand seals.

She rolled around before using her fan to stop her momentum and stand to her feet. In time to leap to the side. Playing directly in to his hands.

"Raiton: Inkaten!" (Lighting Release: Flash Point)

From his out stretched hands a single bolt of lightning chakra fired forward. Blinding the girl before slamming in to her fan. With a yelp of surprise she dropped the charged fan. It crackled with the electrical charge and clanked to the ground useless. She glanced at it just slightly. A costly mistake. Saichi was on her again, a new kunai in hand as he slammed his knee in to her shoulder. She cried out in surprise and pain as he pressed down and pinned her to the floor before placing his knife to her neck. She looked up in to his wild and cold eyes.

"Yield." He commanded to her coldly. To which she nodded quickly.

"Winner: Hiriyama Saichi!" Hayate announced sounding decidedly bored out of his mind.


'What a waste.' Kankurou thought as he watched his sister slowly raise herself to her knees. 'And Temari was harping on me about making past this part.'

"Your father will not be pleased." The man beside him quietly commented. He turned his eyes to him.

"Like we care." He muttered just loud enough for the man to hear. To which he scowled in return.

It was no secret around the village that the Yondaime Kazekage and his children didn't get along. And it was because, in all honesty, he was a heartless bastard who had killed both their mother and sacraficed their youngest sibling to endure a life of constant pain. That alone was cause enough to hate the man. Never mind the way he treated everyone else in the village. As if they were trash beneath his feet. If the man was killed it would do more good then harm for all of Suna.

Here to hoping....

"What happened?" He questioned to his older sister as she stepped up to them. Her head hanging low in dejection in ways that he had never seen before. She was usually so proud. "Why did you go down so easy?" A frown on his face that was more curious then disappointment. She didn't see it as that though.

"H-He. Was just to fast for me." She said in a very un Temari way. "By the time I realized what was happening he had disarmed me. And my body froze up.... Their jounin sensei snorted.

"I told you to work on you taijutsu didn't I? Instead you focused solely on using that fan of yours." Her head hung even lower at his harsh words. But they were true words. She could only blame herself for loosing this fight to the cloud gennin. Nobody else was at fault here. Cudos to him though for executing flawlessly. It showed he took his training seriously.

"Yes. Forgive my ignorance."


"Now for the next match!" 'Is it too much to ask for a little excitement?'

A puff of smoke appeared suddenly and caused Sakura to jump back in surprise. Naruto just continued to stare straight foward towards the large board with flashing lights. Looking for the next opponent to match up in a fight. It stopped this time. And he smirked almost involuntarily.

Kaguya Hanami

V.S.

Higarashi Ten-Ten

Kakashi himself lowered his book just a bit and blinked before his eyes, along with many of the others present, who actually understood the situation, to the girl with flowing white hair that strolled past her sensei with something akin to grace. A trait that most shinobi or kuniochi did not have.

"A Kaguya?" He found himself asking outloud. A few others thinking along the same lines.

"Yes. Hanami is one of those with Kaguya clan blood." The blond gennin answered as his eyes followed the girl making her way to the arena floor. "And she is very skilled like her forefathers and mothers before her. She is one of those who I slated for automatic qualification to the final." He finished with something akin to a bit of pride.... Just a small tiny tiny bit.

Sakura blinked before looking between the two. "Hang on a minute." She interjected. "What the hell is a Kaguya?" The blond turned his blue eye to her.

And she was supposedly the smart one?

"A clan Sakura." Kakashi answered. His book now folded closed. It was clear he was taking this match rather seriously. "That originally originated from mist country. Just like Haku said before it was them who originally revolted during the bloodline purge and assault the domain of the Mizukage. Their kekkei genkai giving them powerful techniques and taijutsu. They were complete combat terrors." He paused. "I should know. I've got a scar on my chest where one of them got me during the last shinobi war."

She blinked again. "B-But. They were supposed to be gone right?"

"Exactly." He replied. "That's why it's so surprising to see one. Especially so young. I thought they were completely gone." Naruto snorted.

"Hardly. Sasuke should take tips from them if he really want's to get the Uchiha clan up and going again." His eyes now focusing on the girl who's sensei was talking to her frantically. Obviously trying to prepare her for the legendary might of the Kaguya clan. As if that would help.

Then his eyes looked over her and a memory sparked. Of a few days prior upon meeting Saichi. Oh yeah.

He was going to enjoy watching this one.

Kakashi looked at him curiously. "There more of them?" He questioned obviously focusing on the blonde's words. To which Naruto nodded.

"Of course. What was left of them, ten or so, fled in to the sea. Where they came upon and Island... With shinobi... And certain clan ruling."

"Uzu." Sakura interjected, filling in the blanks. Now remembering what Kakashi had told her while they were in the exam. About the village of Naruto's hailing. Something that she had been more then surprised to find out. The blond turned his eyes to her again. A sly grin and playfull twinkle in his eye.

"So you know?"

"Yes. Now." Her eyes quickly shifted to the place on the floor where the Kaguya girl in question was waiting patiently for her opponent to finish preparing. "So how strong is this kekkei genkai?"

"Legendary." Kakashi answered. "They were a name revered and feared like the Hyuuga and Uchiha clan names. So this will be interesting. I'm especially curious to see how she is compared to the other Kaguya of the past. I've seen that clan do some pretty devilish things on the battle field..."

"Oh. Then your in for a treat." Naruto replied. Focusing on the girl who was hurrying down to meet Hanami. Ten-Ten right? "I can remember even from a young age how talented she was. And that was only enforced in the forest. She's said to be the most advanced in over a century. A true prodigy of the clan."

Kakashi's eye shifted towards the girls on the floor. One obviously more on edge then the other.

"This ought to good then."


Her eyes trailed over to the scoreboard before looking over the drones of ninja. Instantly singling in on the green clad sensei who was talking frantically to his female student. Which meant it was her she would be fighting. And at least one other thing was sure from the various reactions.

They knew the Kaguya clan was back.

"Hanami." A quiet voice to the side. She trailed her eyes towards her teacher. "Leave no doubt."

A devious smile spread out. "Of course sensei. Don't expect anything less."


They stood a good bit apart from each other. One staring back with a calculative and cold gaze. The other anxiously watching her every move. The leaf gennin made the first mistake, a twitch of her muscles before she rocked back a bit on to her heels and took a step back. Hanami resisted the urge smile. From that movement alone she had determined more then enough to win this upcoming conflict.

First it said that she was anxious about getting in closed. Which meant she had in some capacity heard of how dangerous it would be to engage in a taijutsu match up and would most likely be focusing on ninjutsu. Which in the end would be fine for Hanami.

And second it helped to reinforce the first by showing she would be on her constant guard and stay out of range of her kekkei genkai. Which meant she would be on the defensive for most of the match. Giving Hanami practically free reign to do what she wanted in this battle. A big mistake.

Hayate looked between the two. "Are you young ladies ready?" With a cough at the end for emphasis. Ten-Ten glanced quickly at him and nodded before looking back just as quickly. Hanami did or said nothing but slid her left leg back a bit more as she stood a little taller. It was enough for Hayate.

"Match six: Higarashi Ten-Ten V.S Kaguya Hanami. Begin!"

Ten-Ten moved first. Three shuriken in each hand suddenly appearing as she flinged them while moving back. With practiced ease Hanami leaned to the left while her right hand drew a single kunai. She flung it with far more force then anyone thought possible from the young woman. And Ten-Ten was forced to lean backward to avoid being stabbed. She snapped up just as quickly though in time to see Hanami finishing a set of seals.

"Katon: Endan!" (Fire Release: Fireball)

When the ninjutsu was called most people expected a simple katon ninjutsu concentrated in to a stream to close the gap of space between the two. Nothing Ten-Ten couldn't handle. The problem being they had never witnessed the privilege of seeing Hanami fight before. So they had no idea of what they were in for when she breathed out...

It flowed from her lips and past her fingers before the heat appeared. Combustion at the lowest level suddenly shifted in to high gear and the flames that had started to flow like water sudden bellowed outward like a flower in bloom. Ten-Ten barely had the time to hit the ground before the flames washed over her like a wave from the ocean. What should have been a small fire ball suddenly shifting into a torrent of heat and air. Those on the balcony were forced to bring their arms up to cover themselves from the overwhelming heat as it slammed in to the side of the arena.

And then just as quickly as it happened it was over. Hanami expelling the last bit before quickly closing her lips. The stream of fire stopping suddenly as it began to die down, the smoke in the area covering up the area the leaf gennin had been in. From the balcony and enraged cry was heard as the viewed the damage done from the attack. Surely the girl had bee-

"Soushuua!" (Multiple Advancing Blades)

From the smoke a volley of shuriken and kunai appeared, far too many to count. With a curse of annoyance Hanami back flipped and twisted mid air before taking off with the blades right behind her. Her feet sticking to the wall as she ran up the side and back flipped over the countless iron projectiles, again twisting in mid air as she began another set of hand seals.

"Katon: Dai Endan!" (Fire Release: Great Fireball)

For the second time in battle a surge of fire chakra erupted form Hanami's mouth. Still in mid air the ninjutsu served to push her up higher as it swept down on to the arena floor below. Ten-Ten stood stunned with wide eyes and tired body as the flames decended on to her. Clenching her eyes closed as what little strength she had left ebbed away. Leaving her bare to the flames falling down on her unprotected form.

Then, it was over just as quickly. She blinked in surprise as she looked around. Murmurs from the crowd over head filling her ears. She raised her head and looked around. There she was, standing on her knees. Panting and sweating profusely. And before her stood Hanami. Looking fresh and relaxed. The only thing showing she had even moved at all were the weapons scattered on the ground behind her. Six shuriken, the ones that she had thrown to start the fight. The leaf nin paled as she realized what had happend.

It had all been just a genjutsu.

Here she was. On the floor in front of her peers. Looking like a fool. And her opponent hadn't even taken a step from the starting position. Instead she stared at her coldly. As if looking down on her. In which she probably was. Having defeated her opponent so soundly. Even her own actions had been a genjutsu. In short it was remarkable how much control the girl had over her senses. She could even feel the flames licking her skin as they passed over her head.

"Are you able to continue?" The soft voice from the left causing her to nearly jump in surprise. Shakily she turned her head to the examiner. Hayate stood still with a frown on his face. Obviously dissapointed in how the battle had turned out. At least the others were forced to move.

"No." Shaking her head slightly. "No sir. I'm finished."

He nodded. "Higarashi Ten-Ten is unable to continue. The winner is Kaguya Hanami!"

Ten-Ten lowered her head in shame as she began to stand. Grasping the hand that had suddenly been outstreched. She pulled herself up before blinking in suprise to see Hanami in front of her. The girl gave her a polite nod before walking towards the stairs where her team was waiting. Not a word spoken the entire time. And then she helps her up?

What a strange girl.


"Well. That was impressive." Kakashi admitted as he flipped his book open again. "Not nearly what I was expecting but impressive none the less."

"Yeah." Sakura breathed. Admittedly a little awed at how ease it had been for Hanami to dismantle her opponent. Just one dodge and then the girl fell to the ground. It was over in less then two minutes. If that wasn't dominant she didn't want to find out what was.

Naruto, for his part frowned openly. "Damn. I hate genjutsu." He admitted out loud. Not so much a problem with it in battle. But it was still annoying and he didn't know any. It was obviously his most glaring weakness. Just like that bitch to have some talent in it. Fucking ass.

"Upset that your little girlfriend can do something you can't Naruto?" Kakashi teased as he scanned his eyes over the book in his hand. Naruto's frowned deepend.

"Yes." He admitted. Much to Kakashi's surprise. Sakura was thinking about other things...

"Girlfriend?" She questioned sending the boy an accusing look. "What's that about?"

"Oh." Kakashi said as he pulled his head away and looked at her. "Two days ago, when he walked in to the tower, Naruto practically had his tounge down the girl's throat. Seriously out of nowhere. Just grabbed her, kissed her, then told her to shut up." Wiggling his eyebrows in a lecherous way. Although you could only see one. Naruto turned his head to him and glared.

"Your just jealous. No one would want to kiss you with that mask on." As he turned his head away from Sakura's gaping mouth and Kakashi's accusing eyes.

"Oh believe you me Naruto. I've got my share of women."

"Really now?" Naruto asked. This time it was his turn to tease. "Okay. Name three."

"Why name three? I can name about fifteen. You know there's a reason I read these books. It gives me ideas to use when I'm about to fu-"

"Will the next names be called!" Hayate announced as the two young woman finally made their way back to their teams. Again the board flashed to life, cycling through the rest of the competitors as if a roulette. Looking for the next in line to have a battle. Seven young hope filled gennin left. Who would be next up? Who would be the next to fall....

Sabuka no Kankurou

V.S.

Yakushi Kabuto.

Naruto's eyebrows rose in to his hair line as his eyes darted towards the unknown leaf gennin. Standing against a wall by himself and watching the preceding matches in silence. His jounin-sensei strangely not present.... Something was up with that guy. That much was for certain. But that was for another time. Now it was time to see what he was made of.

"This should be good." The blond commented as the silver haired gennin stood straight and walked towards the arena. Confidence oozing off him despite having failed the exam mulitple times? Yeah. He really was not one to be trusted. Of that Naruto was for certain.

"Oh?" Kakashi half asked as he flipped a page.

"Yeah. I'm curious to see what's up with this Kabuto guy. Seems to be a little troublesome if you ask me. I want to see the kind of techniques he has." The blond admitted as the two met in the ring below. He leaned forward over the railing to catch a better view of the upcoming battle. This one ought to be good indeed.


"Hi. Names Kabuto." The gennin greated happily to the other ninja. Kankurou snorted and gave him half a peace sign as he pulled the bundle on his back off and slammed it on to the arena floor. Kankurou frowned but said nothing more. Already thinking of killing this annoying brat...

'Puppet user.' He thought. 'Which means he probably isn't even there. Hiding somewhere... Ah. The acutal bundle of bandages. He's pretending to be the puppet. No use playing with this one. Best get it over with while revealing as least as possible. A well placed kunai ought to do...'

"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asked. Recieving nods from both. "Okay. Begin!"

Kakurou moved first showing the bundle in front of himself while leaping back, grabing for a hand full of shurki-

Thunk!

The accuracy and form were perfect. So much so even Ten-Ten blinked in surprise. Kakurou's body suddenly seized up before falling to the ground rigid. Skin around it's face cracking before peeling away. Revealing the puppet underneath, Karasu. From the bundle of bandages blood began to flow, the kunai knife perfectly placed where it needed to be. A scream of pain erupted from it as the real Kakurou sudden exploded outward. Kunai lodged in his leg at the knee cap. Leaving him to holler in pain as he grasped the offending object and pulled it free.

Kabuto just smiled faintly. "It was rather easy to figure out." He explained. "After all I did have your data. And you used your puppet during the first exam." He explained expertly if also rather cheerfully. Such a simple explanation to such a quick and decisive victory.

Stunned silence decended upon the crowd as the sand gennin continued to roll around in pain on the floor. Kabuto's kunai cutting directly between the gaps in the knee cap. The ACL going along with it. With practiced accuracy he had brought down his opponent before the competition even had the chance to breath outward. Amazing.

"Winner. Yakushi Kabuto!" Hayate announced as the sand jounin quickly teleported down and grabbed his gennin. Who was now muttering incoherent sentences. He glared hatefully at the leaf gennin before using the shushin to teleport away. Desperate to get his gennin to a hospital.

Kabuto just smiled even brighter.


"Damn." The blond said openly. Earning him a glare from his teammate that he promptly ignored. "Useless fucker...."

"Upset?" Kakashi asked as his eyes switched between the pages in his book and the sand gennin.

"Yeah. I wanted to see what Kabuto could do. That only served to piss me off. For all his talk that sand genin was garbage on a stick." His annoyed scowl speaking volumes. Kakashi just chuckled. Serving to further irritate the blond.

"Oh well. Guess you'll have to do your own research." As his fingers flipped another page.

"Will the next match be called!" Hayate half asked half announced as Kabuto finally left the field. In practiced order the board flashed to life as it scrolled through the numerous names available for battle. Landing on the next in line for competition-

Hyuuga Neji

V.S.

Uzumaki Naruto

He scowled openly. Great, not only was it with the creepy stalking girl. But it was with a taijutsu expert. Which meant getting in too close could mean a painful bit of damage. How annoying in deed. His eyes glanced across the expanse to the other leaf gennin, his senior in terms of service. Standing there smugly as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"Naruto." Kakashi said lowly as he closed his book with an audible thump. "Be careful here. That's the Hyuuga clan prodigy. Said to be as gifted as they come at that age." Naruto turned his gaze from the boy to the teacher. His eyes drooping slightly as he smiled.

"Don't worry old man." Waving his hand at Kakashi as he walked by. "I'll be fine."


"Neji." Gai's stern voice stopping the gennin mid stride. A noticeable difference from the usual happy and loud "Be wary of this one. Kakashi speaks just as highly of him as he does Uchiha Sasuke." Giving his student the same warning he had given Rock Lee days in advance. The Hyuuga simply frowned before shaking his head.

"Do not worry. It is his fate to lose this conflict." Gai sighed in irritation. Something he didn't do much of.

"I'm serious Neji." His voice leaving no room for argument. "Be wary of this one. I don't want to see you lose." He paused. "And while were on that note I want you to win big time. Show Kakashi who the best teacher is." His smile going back to it's normal brightness and nearly causing the gennin to go blind. Still Neji nodded as he walked past him.

"Don't worry. I will win this confrontation."

"It is fated as such."


"You should give up." Neji announced as she stood apart from the gennin. "It would save you the humiliation of being defeated in front of your peers. After all. It is fated that I am the victor on this day."

Naruto just raised and eyebrow in response.

"Very well. I warned you."

Gekko Hayate looked between the two. "Are both contestants ready?" Neji nodded in response while Naruto just shifted his eyes to him to show how he was feeling. This was enough for the proctor though. Raising his hand high in the air before bringing it down with a shout of. "Begin!"

The Hyuuga moved first, sliding a foot back and bringing his hands to bare open palm like he had been taught. The tell tale viens of the Byakugan emerged around his eyes as the chakra began to run through them. Instantly his sight increased in definition, going to the point where he could see each person's heart if he so wanted too. He concentrated on his opponent and his eyes widened as such. The thick chakra coils of the younger leaf gennin proved to be more then just impressive considering several of the village's jounin weren't even close to as developed.

'That's a lot chakra for one child to hold.' He thought as he watched it circulate through the gennin's body. Rather erratic in actuality. 'I wouldn't have thought it possible if I hadn't se-'

It was only with the infamous Byakugan that he had seen it coming. And even still then it had been a hasty guard as opposed to the usual cool dodge he placed about. Still the larger gennin's superior strength showed openly and, much to the surprise of everyone who had never seen the blond fight, the hook broke through the guard and landed. Sending the Hyuuga gennin reeling back.

Naruto pressed his advantage. Again showing his superior speed as he dashed in close. A fight of taijutsu? That was fine with him. He had always been curious to see the legendary gentle fist style in action and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Might as well play with him for a while.

Neji regained his composure just as quickly and this time leaned back to avoid the fist before lashing out with the quickness of a viper towards the gennin's midsection. Still Naruto was no stranger to taijutsu and easily evaded the attack by taking a hard step back. What happened next was a furry of flying fist and palm thrust. They Hyuuga clan's legendary style used to the highest degree as Neji parried and blocked before striking it with palms and fingers. Naruto however relied on proper technique and superior physical abilities. Seemingly weaving in and out of the way as he landed blows to the body of his opponent. Never allowing the Hyuuga more then a glancing blow on him.

Neji growled in frustration before his foot snapped up. Catching the blond off guard for a second as he tilted back to avoid it. The Hyuuga prodigy pressed this advantage and rushed in throwing a flurry of chakra empowered fingers at the blonde's body. Still Naruto proved his worth as with only a general application of chakra he slided back as if on a slope and out of the way of the attack. Putting some distance between the two before he suddenly whipped out several shuriken.

The Hyuuga bit the inside of his cheek as he spun tightly to the side and out of the path of the projectiles. Coming to a halt in time to lean sideways to avoid another hook. Taking advantage of the slight over extension he slammed his palm in to the blond's side. Relishing the grunt of pain as the blow at least connected to the ribs. Still it did not do as well as he would have liked and he received a elbow to the face for his trouble before he was sent careening to the floor from a rather hard front kick to the chest.

Naruto gripped his side and rolled his shoulder to ease the pain flow. It certainly did hurt but he had no one to blame but himself. Mess with fire you get burned. Or in this case fight a Hyuuga in taijutsu and get a chakra empowered strike to the chest. Hissing ever so slightly at the burning sensation.

'Okay. Think that's enough for one day. Time to-'

"Hakke Kuushou!" (Eight Divination Signs Air Palm)

This time even Naruto was surprised as the normally stotic Hyuuga charged forward with a furious gaze. Pushing his hand out mid way. The original ninjutsu of Hyuuga Neji slammed in to the blond at close range and even Naruto was unable to stop the gasp of pain as the chakra empowered air slammed in to his chest and sent him sliding back a few feet. Still the boy was not done yes as he lowered himself in to a crouch with palms open to both the front and back. A surprised gasp from the balcony as the lone other Hyuuga recognized what was about to happen.

Neji smiled darkly.

"Hakke Rokuuyonshou!" (Eight Divination Signs Sixty Four Palms Of The Hand)

Before anyone else could say a word the Hyuuga had taken several hard steps forward and began the prized Hyuuga clan technique.

'Two!' He thougt as his hands fired out. Eyes going wide slightly as Naruto to recovered quickly and leaned out of the way of both of them.

'Four' Again the blond's body weaved out of the way.

'Eight' Fierce determination in the eyes of both competitiors as the strikes missed the mark.

'Sixteen' Faster now. About ten of them had made it through. Still this shit was insane.

'Thirty-Two' Only half of them struck the mark! What was this guy?!

'Sixty-Four' Forty out of sixty-four?! This wasn't normal by shinobi standards. Still the damage had been done, the blond should be finished now-

"Bitch!" As the Hyuuga was introduced to another thunderous right hook. His head spinning for a second before righting again and finding himself stumbling to the ground. Eyes wide and disbelief written on his face. How the hell could he even move?

Naruto fell to one knee. Panting as his body shook with the after tremors of the famous Hyuuga clan technique. He thought he was going to die there for a split second. The stinging feeling off the chakra infused fingers embedded deeply in to his mind. He would never fall victim to that again. That was for sure. But even worst now he was practically sealed off form all his chakra. What little tenketsu he had open providing only limited flow. It truly was a dangerous technique.

"You son of a bitch." He muttered darkly as they both stood. "That wasn't cool."

Neji chuckled coldly despite the aching jaw and bruise beginning to form. "Really now? Coming from the person who dodged over half the strikes. What sort of monster are you?" As he once again slipped in to his stance.

Naruto scowled before standing as straight as he could given his aching body and protesting bones. Hand reaching out behind him and grasping the hilt of the otherwise forgotten blade. It had been aching for it's release and now without chakra usesage he was going to give it just that. Neji watched with slight surprise clearly written on his face as the blond drew his blade without a sound. Not even a his of the sheath. Those on the balcony drew their eyes instantly to the strange weapon, noticing it's unmarred finish and awe inspiring design. It truly was quite the treat.

"The kind." The blond began as he lowered his point at the gennin. "Who dosen't like to play with their prey for too long."

Neji looked towards said point. noticing the menacing gleam on it before looking back up. The damage already done as the blond appeared in view to his left with his god like speed. His sword already in half swing. In that split second there was nothing the Hyuuga could do except try to avoid it by leaning to the side. If anything it stopped him from being cut in half but still caught a hold of him. Slicing in to the area beneath his ribs with deadly precision. He fell to the ground with a silent scream of pain. And rolled up just in time to lean back and avoid the swipe that would have removed his head.

The blond's once lazy eyes were now cold and indifferent. Completely focused and aware with their calculating fury. Analyzing the Hyuuga gennin's every dodge and shift as the world around him seemed to slow down. Naruto moved, not with the grace he had shown before or strong steps forward. He just moved. As simple as it sounded. Seemingly rushing the distance in only two steps with his blade already in mid swing. Eyes looking directly in to his opponent's.

Still Neji dodged each as if it were his last chance. To which it might have been with some of the strikes. And through it all he knew that one slip up would mean instant death. It was a dance of death. And despite his reluctance to admit it he had only a chance to survive. Fear driving each step as he tried to dodge each lazy swipe of the sw-

There. What the hell was that?! The blond just moved again, going from one place to the next in the time it took him to blink away the sweat from his eyes. Cold and focused with his sword again in mid swing. Ready to decapitate the young Hyuuga gennin without the slightest bit of hesitation-

"Hakkeshou Kaiten!" (Eight Divination Palms of the Hand Heavenly Spin)

This was it. His lace ace in the sleeve. The famous heavenly spin. The ultimate defense of the Hyuuga clan. Still incomplete. But it should be good enough, it better be good enough. To stop him. It was the last bit of chakra he had. After this he was spent. He was don-

Time seemed to slow down as his body twisted. Chakra expelling fron his tenketsu as he tried to put up a defense against the gleaming metal coming his way. And then the blond did it again, disappearing and reappearing before he could blink. Like a whole in reality he had stepped through. Now behind Neji, as to form sword mid swipe, cold fury in his glacier eyes. And beyond all sense of doubt. Beyond all sense of reality. And beyond all sense of the ninja arts. Everyone present watched with wide eyes, including the usually unsurprised Hokage, as the blade literally cut through the chakra like a knife through a birthday cake. Swiping the Hyuuga down the back diagonally.

He couldn't help it. His chakra failing and his body aching Hyuuga Neji could not help it. The sword sunk in deep and ripped from shoulder to waist. And Hyuuga Neji did something a Hyuuga should never do. He screamed.

loudly.


Note: Original ninjutsu marked as such. All others are from the actual series.

Hakke Kuushou: Air Palm; Hyuuga clan technique that dispels invisible wave of chakra that slams in to the target and forces them back.

Hakke Rokuuyonshou; Sixty Four Palms; Famous technique of the Hyuuga clan. Uses quick strikes of the fingers to collapes the tenketsu in the target.

Hakkeshou Kaiten: Heavenly Spin; Famous defensive ninjutsu of the Hyuuga clan. When used correctly it forms a protective barrier of spinning chakra around the user. Dispels nearly any technique.

Soushuua: Multiple Advancing Blade; Ninjutsu that allows user to hover projectiles in front of them. Allowing for more launched at a faster rate then thrown normally.

Katon: Dai Endan: Great Fireball; B ranked fire ninjutsu that is greater then the normal fireball technique yet more taxing to use.

Juujin Bushin: Beast-Man Clone; Basic Inuzunka clan technique that turns the nin-ken in to a clone of their human partner

Shikyaku Jutsu: Four Legged Technique; Basic Inuzunka clan technique that heightens physical abilties to utilize clan ninjutsu.

Katon: Endan: Fireball; C-ranked ninjutu that converts chakra to fire nature before expelling it from the mouth. Used by Hanami to greater affect that normal due to chakra element training.

Raiton: Intaken: Flash Point; C-ranked that converts chakra to lightning nature. Creates a flash and slight static charge. Hardly lethal but great for distractions. (Original)