(Well, this is chapter 12, the end of the Preliminaries and beginning of the 1 month training period before the final round. For those of you thinking this is all the same events, you'd be surprised at what you read, and what you see in Chapter 13. I can assure you that things don't happen the same as they do in cannon, and with the match-ups for the final round, things will be different there as well. Also, since I didn't get any questions from the last chapter, there's no Omake on this one, so it's just the chapter. I've started working on 13, though I can't make any promises as to when it will be done.)
End of Babble
Start of Story
Chapter 12: Continued Turmoil
I look to see the blonde girl grin, walking away from Shikamaru and heading toward the arena floor. I glance to see the kunoichi of the sound genin leave her comrades and walk down to the arena floor. The two of them approach each other, and Hayate stands between them. The older man looks between the two 12 year old genin, and then clears his throat.
"Do either of you have any reason to protest this match?" Hayate asks.
Both of the girls shake their heads, and then Hayate waves his hand between them.
"Begin!" He yells, and then jumps back, giving both Kunoichi space.
Kin hops backward, her right arm going to her pouch. I see senbon appear in her hand, and she throws the needles toward Ino. The Yamanaka grabs a kunai to deflect the incoming senbon. She moves her knife in the air in front of her, using it to cut through the air.
"I know your trick, I was in your head, remember?" Ino asks.
The other girl grimaces, having landed on her feet from her short hop. It's then that I notice the bells attached to the fallen Senbon…
Does she try and use that old trick, using belled Senbon to cover silent ones?
"So, just because you think you know my trick that I'll give up on killing you?"
"A shinobi's tactics are dependent on surprise, if your enemy knows your technique then using it in battle is foolish…"
"Shut up!" Kin growls in anger.
The sound girl throws three more senbon toward Ino. Ino deflects them with her kunai and then charges forward, while cutting the wires attached to the senbon.
"I won't give you a chance to use your trick!" Ino declares.
Kin shifts, trying to move backward and keep the distance between her and her opponent. Ino starts using her kunai like a knife, trying to slash and hack at Kin's body. Kin uses a held senbon to fend off Ino's kunai. The two of them clash again and again, Ino using a heavier kunai knife against the thin senbon of her opponent. Watching the two of them brawl, I can tell that Kin doesn't really specialize in close quarters combat…
She's barely fending Ino off. It isn't possible that Ino has her so off balance that she wouldn't be able to fight back against Ino's assault.
Ino hacks upward with her knife and Kin half steps backward, allowing the upward strike to pass in front of her. Three senbon appear in Kin's left hand, and she swings with her other hand. The surprise attack surprises Ino, and forces the blonde girl to duck. Several strands of hair fall from the long pony-tail behind Ino. Ino's right foot shoots out, hitting Kin in her stomach and knocking the wind out of the girl. Kin lands on her back and goes into a roll, coming up on her knees and one hand. Ino follows up, moving toward her opponent at a quick run. The Yamanaka throws a right jab, connecting squarely with Kin's face. Ino follows up with 3 quick jabs to Kin's chest, and the sound kunoichi manages to raise her arms, deflecting 2 of the three follow up jabs. Kin drops and spins, executing a leg sweep. Ino quickly raises her left leg, allowing Kin's right foot to pass beneath her. Ino kicks with her left foot, extending it out toward Kin's head. The sound kunoichi shifts her head right, avoiding the kick. She gets to her feet and lunges, throwing a right jab aimed at Ino's head.
"You aren't into Taijutsu, are you?" Ino asks mockingly.
The sound kunoichi grimaces when Ino blocks her punch using her crossed arms. Ino shifts, allowing Kin's outstretched arm to slip by, and then Ino swings a backhand blow with her right fist. Kin ducks, avoiding the shot to her head. Kin lands a quick 1-2 punch combination on Ino's left ribs, and I don't even see Ino grimace. Ino closes her right hand, driving her fist into Kin's face.
"Even Shikamaru hits harder then YOU!" Ino yells out, striking Kin in the face.
The sound genin reels backward from the force of Ino's blow. Even without the Byakugan, I can see that Ino was using chakra to enhance her strength, increasing the damage done with the punch…
Kin goes into a roll, coming up on one knee and glaring toward Ino. I see pure hatred in Kin's eyes, a glare of utter hatred.
"Damn you, you little whore…" Kin mutters, reaching into her weapon pouch.
"What now?" Ino asks cockily. "Going to throw more senbon at me?"
A smirk appears on Kin's face, the girl withdrawing a small flute from her pouch.
A flute…? What's she going to do with that?
"A flute…?" I hear Ino mutter.
Kin places the flute to her lips and begins to play an eerie, melodic tune. I see Ino's expression shift to one of fear, her eyes going wide while Kin continues to play her song…
"What're you doing?" Ino mutters.
I see Kin smile, lowering the flute slightly.
"Didn't you invade my mind?" Kin asks. "Don't you know all my tricks?"
"How… You didn't use any of your bells…?" Ino asks.
"I use my chakra to manipulate the sound waves like Dosu does, and this song changes the influence my chakra has on you. Right now, you're looking at so many of me that there is no way you can possibly tell which one is the real one. You can't use your mind transfer technique now…"
"That's what you think…" Ino mutters.
She raises her arms, making the strange hand sign, as though she was making a targeting box with her fingers.
"I told you, it's useless. You can't possibly know which the real one is, so it's useless…"
Ino grits her teeth, and then I see her eyes close and then fall forward. She looks like she's suddenly asleep. I see Kin smirk, lowering the flute. The sound kunoichi walks forward with a smirk on her face, arrogance filling her stride. Kin stops in front of Ino, reaching out and grabbing her head by her hair. She yanks her opponent's head back, looking into Ino's closed eyes.
"Look at you, you stupid shit!" Kin yells at her, holding the flute against her left hip. "I told you it was useless you dumb shit!" Kin continues, the anger filling her voice. "You used your stupid technique in the absolute worst situation, and YOU lecture ME about being a shinobi!"
Looking at the scene before me, I feel a pang of pity for Ino.
She did everything she could to try and win this match, and she's all but lost it…
It's then that everyone in attendance sees Ino's right arm fly out, grasping Kin by her neck. The sound kunoichi gasps in surprise and nearly everyone else in attendance copies the motion. I see Ino wrap her hand around Kin's throat, cutting off Kin's air supply. Kin releases Ino's head and goes for her own throat. Kin scrabbles at Ino's hand, and Ino's second hand clasps around Kin's neck.
"Isn't it hard to play a flute when your throat is slowly being crushed?" Ino asks innocently. "I only pretended to use my technique, knowing it would fake you out of using your genjutsu." She explains. "You've got a choice, either you can give up now or pass out while you scratch at your own throat…"
Kin scratches at Ino's throat, the blonde girl grinning.
"It's no use, I'm using chakra to hold my hands to your throat, in order to get my hands away from your throat you'd have to rip my hands from my arms, and I don't think you've got the physical strength for it."
I see Hayate look toward Kin, the older man eying the young girl.
"Do you choose to quit the match?" Hayate asks.
Kin barely shakes her head no. Kin begins to slap at Ino's hand with her flute, probably not having any senbon left to stab into Ino's hands. Kin's face begins to go blue, and then her eyes drift closed. Kin's arms fall to her sides, and Ino glances toward the proctor.
"Can you call the match already?" The blonde Yamanaka asks.
The proctor takes careful steps toward the two of them, grabbing at Kin's arm.
"If you're still conscious, stop your arm from falling or Ino will be declared the winner of your match." He explains.
He grabs at Kin's arm, and then slowly raises it into the air. He holds Kin's right arm in the air a moment, and then allows it to fall. The arm falls straight down, without even a moment of resistance coming from Kin. Hayate looks at Kin, and then glances to Ino.
"The winner of this match, Ino Yamanaka…" Hayate declares.
Ino immediately drops Kin and allows the sound girl to land on the arena floor with a thud. The girl gasps for air, beginning to breathe even as Hayate calls for medics. Ino turns and walks back to the rafters, beaming from ear to ear with pride at her decisive win against the sound kunoichi. She walks back to her team, and I hear Asuma and Shikamaru congratulate her, though everyone else on the rafters remains silent. A single medic ninja appears from the double doors. The white clad medic picks up Kin and takes the sound girl off to be checked out. Hayate clears his throat, and the randomizer beeps, names beginning to scroll by on the screen. Like everyone else in the arena, I watch the screen flicker names by, until the screen stops, stopping on two very different names.
Shino Aburame VS Sasuke Uchiha…
"Shino…" I mutter in disbelief, looking toward my teammate.
The Aburame keeps his neutral expression, and I see Sasuke smirk. Both of the boys walk past the spectators and head to the arena floor. Shino walks at his calm and normal clip, while Sasuke looks ragged and almost tired. Sasuke winces when he moves his left shoulder, and I wonder just what's wrong with him…
They survived the attack from the grass freak, but what I don't understand is Sasuke is right there, why doesn't that snake guy attack him now? Why would he bother attacking Sasuke in the forest and then leave him be here? It doesn't make any sense…
I glance up toward the balcony on the other side of the arena, the black clad 'sensei' of the sound genin smirking and exuding confidence.
What does he want, why is he here?
I'm so focused on the sound 'Jounin' that I completely forget about the soon to happen match, until I hear Hayate's voice enter my ears.
"Do either of you two have any objections to this match?" He asks.
Both Shino and Sasuke shake their heads no, and the Uchiha boy smirks.
"You know you can't beat me, no matter how hard you try, right?" Sasuke asks, though Shino makes no outward expression of emotion. The Aburame removes his hands from his pockets and extends his arms, an aura of confidence exuding from him.
"My clan and I do not hold back during physical encounters…" Shino explains. "We attack our opponents with the entirety of our strength…"
"It doesn't matter if you come after me with all of your strength, the power of the Uchiha clan won't lose to you…" Sasuke retorts.
"Overconfidence has led to the downfall of greater shinobi then you…" Shino finishes.
Sasuke springs forward and attacks with a roundhouse kick. Shino ducks the kick, and then Sasuke uses his left foot, to perform a thrust kick. Shino catches Sasuke's left foot in mid air with both hands. Shino rotates Sasuke's left foot with the Uchiha spiraling in mid air. During his descent, Sasuke extends both arms and goes into a handstand, killing the spinning momentum. He stays on his hands, balancing perfectly before he sends his right foot toward Shino's head. Shino grasps Sasuke's right foot, and then uses a judo throw to hurl Sasuke using the Uchiha's own weight against him. The Uchiha flips head over heels in mid air and lands on his feet. Sasuke glares back toward Shino with his face contorted into an angry glare. It's obvious to me and everyone present that Sasuke didn't expect Shino to block his kick, and then counter Sasuke's advances and make it look so easy. Looking at the two of them, you would hardly think that Sasuke was the number 2 student at the academy and Shino was only a mediocre student. Sasuke's hand fishes into his weapon pouch, grabbing three small objects and palming them into his hand. Sasuke throws three-rigged shuriken toward Shino, with metal wire trailing the three throwing weapons. Sasuke wraps Shino with impeccable skill, using the metal wires and making it look easy. Shino's arms are bound to his sides by the metal wire, with tension on the wires, Sasuke glares at his opponent.
"Do you surrender?" Sasuke asks with his voice even and cold.
Shino simply shakes his head, and I feel my heart skip a beat when Sasuke pulls on the wires. The wires cut into Shino, going into his arms first, and the moment the arms are punctured the Shino in front of Sasuke changes into a mass of black crawling kikai bugs. The bugs fall to the ground harmlessly, and Sasuke looks stunned while his wires lie on the ground.
When did Shino learn to use a kikai clone technique? I've never seen him use that ability before, so he must've learned it recently…
The bugs that once comprised Shino's clone crawl on the ground toward Sasuke. Sasuke jumps back, flipping backward three times and then coming to a stop. He puts his hands together, making hand signs, and from the sequence I can tell that he's getting ready to use a fire element based technique. I hear a sound above, and I look up to see Shino fall away from the ceiling directly above Sasuke. Sasuke looks up to see his opponent falling toward him. Shino slams his fists into Sasuke's head, using an overhead two handed bash on Sasuke's head. Sasuke's head bounces off the floor with his headband absorbing much of the impact. Shino lands on his feet with Sasuke lying on his stomach. Sasuke puts his hands on the floor and then spins around like a top, trying to trip Shino with his legs. Shino flips backward lithely, moving in a smooth well-practiced motion. Shino lands on the balls of his feet, assuming a defensive taijutsu stance. Sasuke crawls to his feet, looking worse for wear then Shino does. I see Sasuke's lips move and mutter something, though without the Byakugan I can't read his lips. Sasuke's eyes turn red, and then a black mark begins to spread across his skin, the mark seemingly spreading from his neck. Sasuke smiles a sadistic smile, and bloodlust suddenly flows out of him. The surprise is evident in Shino's stance, as the Aburame shifts backward slightly, the sudden change surprising him. Before Sasuke can make a move, a cloud of smoke appears behind him, and I hear the light clap noises of hands coming together. Before the smoke clears, two arms extend from the smoke and press against Sasuke's left shoulder. The Uchiha suddenly screams in pain, cringing as though pain suddenly shoots through him from his shoulder. Sasuke's eyes close and then his body goes limp. Sasuke falls forward, and Kakashi Hatake's arms wrap around him, catching the young Uchiha before he falls completely forward. Kakashi stands behind his student, holding the now unconscious boy in his arms. Kakashi looks toward the proctor, his one visible eye totally calm.
"Sasuke will be forfeiting this match…" Kakashi explains.
The two Jounin look at each other, a look shared between them telling me that there's more going on here then meets the eye…
Kakashi scoops Sasuke onto his shoulder, and then disappears into a puff of smoke, leaving both Shino and Hayate alone in the arena.
"The winner of this match, Shino Aburame…" Hayate says, and Shino simply slips his hands into his pockets.
The mass of crawling kikai bugs crawl back to their master in a silent moment after Hayate declares him the winner. Once all the bugs return to their master, Shino silently walks back toward the rest of us. When Kakashi disappears in a puff of smoke, the Jounin 'sensei' of the three sound genin takes a step back, and I see him disappear without a sound, fading into the wall…
Where is he going?
I turn toward Kurenai and I tug at her white robe.
"Sensei that sound Jounin is the same man that attacked Sasuke-kun in the forest, and he's disappeared…"
My teacher glances down to me, and then toward the remaining 2 sound genin.
"Damnit…" I hear her mutter, and then she looks down to me. "Wait here Hinata, I have a feeling that man is looking for Sasuke Uchiha…" She informs Naruto and me.
She makes quick hand signs, and then disappears with a small puff of smoke. Both Naruto and I stand there while Shino returns to us, and I turn toward Sakura Haruno, the only member of squad 7 left standing.
"What was that mark that spread across Sasuke-kun's body?" I ask the pink haired kunoichi.
The girl gains a solemn expression, her gaze falling toward the ground.
"That mark was put on him by this grass ninja that we ran into in the forest." Sakura explains, pausing only for a moment. "He said it was a 'gift' from him to Sasuke-kun, and then he left before he killed either Kiba-kun or me…"
It's supposed to be a gift?
The rapid beeping of the randomizer pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn my eyes toward the screen. I watch the names flicker by, until the screen stops showing the two selected opponents for the next match…
Sakura Haruno and Misumi Tsurugi. I know who Sakura is, but who is this Misume person?
I look around and I see a man dressed in clothes similar to the clothing Kabuto Yakushi wore, except this ninja wears a cloth over his face, revealing only his eyes and nothing else. He looks to be the same age as Kabuto, though I have no idea who he is or how he fights…
Both he and Sakura leave the spectator area and enter the arena, walking toward Hayate who currently stands in the middle of the arena. Both of them stand apart from each other, and Hayate glances at Misumi, and then to Sakura.
"Do either of you have any objections to this match?" Hayate asks.
Sakura shakes her head no, and Misumi simply says 'No.'
"Begin…!" Hayate declares, leaping back.
Sakura assumes a defensive stance, and Misumi raises both of his arms.
"Once I do my jutsu, go ahead and give up…" He mutters dryly.
Sakura goes into her weapon pouch, grabbing three shuriken and throwing them at Misumi. The three throwing weapons fly toward the older genin. To the surprise of everyone present, the older genin doesn't leap or move to side. Rather, he turns his body and stretches his arms and legs in an unnatural way, the shuriken flying past him without even tearing his clothing. Sakura looks on in a surprised awe, until her opponent's right arm extends off of his body toward her. She moves on instinct, getting away from him with 3 quick hops backward. The man's arm stops at nearly 10 feet of extension, with Sakura looking at the extended arm with a look of strange surprise in her eyes.
"What are you, how can you do that?" She asks from her opponent.
"I've undergone several surgeries to gain this ability…" He comments.
The man retracts his arm and returns his body to normal. Misumi charges forward and Sakura goes for her weapon pouch, throwing 3 kunai toward Misumi. Sakura makes hand signs while the knives fly toward her opponent. Misumi easily sidesteps the three kunai and then extends his arm, shooting it toward Sakura's skull. His hand reaches her skull, and then passes THROUGH it, and the illusionary clone shatters in a puff of smoke. He retracts his arm like it's on a roll, and Misumi looks around, scanning the area looking for the real Sakura. I see kunai fly down from above Misumi, landing around him. The older genin looks up toward the ceiling along with everyone else in the room. Sakura stands attached to the ceiling, holding the wires attached to the 4 kunai in her hands. I see a slight shimmer along the wires, indicating chakra is being imbued into the wire. The wires begin to move, wrapping around Misumi with the assistance of Sakura's chakra. She feeds wire through her hands, trying to bind Misumi with the metal wires. Before the metal wires catch Misumi, he uses his body manipulation technique and slithers out from the metal binding. He literally extends his arms in an arc and plants them on the ground, then lifting his legs from the ground and forming a giant arch before he returns his body to normal size. He grabs 4 kunai from his pouch, and hurls the weapons toward Sakura, who is still suspended from the roof. She flips off of the roofs and leaves the ceiling, falling to the arena floor diagonally away from Misumi. He throws 5 shuriken toward Sakura, and then charges forward. Sakura ducks under the throwing stars with Misumi cutting the distance between them to less then 10 feet in a few moments. He reaches and extends his arm toward Sakura's head. He grasps her large forehead, and Sakura grabs a kunai from her pouch, holding it like a knife in her hand, ready to stab Misumi through his wrist. He releases her head with his right hand and then uses his left arm, though Sakura swings her kunai like a knife. He swerves his hand, barely avoiding the blade of the kunai. With her knife in her right hand, Sakura's left hand goes to her pouch, withdrawing a scroll from her pouch. She throws the knife in a smooth motion, and he simply sidesteps. She leaps backward, putting even more distance between Misumi and her, before she comes to a stop and lays the scroll out on the arena floor in front of her. She starts making hand signs, and I recognize the sequence of signs Sakura is employing…
She's using a seal release, but a release for what?
Sakura plants both of her hands on the scroll and then there's a puff of smoke. I look toward Misumi, who exudes confidence, and doesn't seem to care about whatever Sakura does; confident that no matter what he can win…
The smoke disappears, and Sakura holds a kusarigama in her hands. She spins the long chain over her head, showing expert skill with the weapon. The kunoichi bears a smirk on her face, and I remember back to my time at the academy. I remember the lecture given to us on weapon combat, and the various ninja weapons in the world. After the lecture, the teacher explained to us all that the Fourth Hokage recently introduced a new assignment into the academy curriculum, an assignment for each student at the academy to learn to utilize one weapon of the student's choice to at least a genin level proficiency. The teacher explained that the Fourth introduced the assignment to make the ninja coming out of the academy better well rounded shinobi.
At the academy, most of the students, including me picked either a sword or a staff as their weapon because of the relative ease of use with either weapon. But Sakura, she picked a Kusarigama as her weapon of choice. The instructors all praised her on learning such a difficult weapon, and the entire time Sakura reveled in the praise…
I force myself to suppress a scowl, my attention returning to the match before me.
"You know, you're really unfortunate to have gotten me as your opponent…" Sakura explains, spinning the weighted chain over her head. "I learned to use this weapon as part of an assignment created by the Fourth Hokage himself, well after you ever graduated from the academy…" Sakura informs him.
"What do you think you can do with that pitiful little toy?" Misumi asks. "Do you think it will help you?"
Sakura's expression changes to a cocky grin, and then throws the weighted end of the chain toward Misumi. The chain is obviously longer then 10 feet, giving Sakura the advantage when it comes to ranged combat. Misumi shifts left, allowing the chain to pass him by, and Sakura flicks her wrist, causing the chain to ripple in the air. Misumi sees the ripple in the chain, so he reaches out and grabs the chain, now preventing Sakura from using any ranged combat.
"Now you have no chance against me girlie…" Misumi informs her. "Now that you can't use this chain to attack, you have to get in close, and I'll be able to wrap you up nice and tight…" He mutters.
A blue shimmer travels along the chain, and once the shimmer encounters Misumi's hand, the older genin pulls his hand away, acting like he just received a static shock. Sakura yanks the chain back and smiles.
"What did you do?" Misumi demands and Sakura exudes confidence.
"You can't figure it out?" Sakura asks with an arrogant tone to her voice. "I sent a stream of positively charged chakra down my chain, and when it encountered your hand and the chakra in your body, it created a sensation similar to a powerful static shock."
Misumi's face contorts behind the veil, forming an obvious scowl. He's obviously not happy that he was outsmarted by a 12-year-old girl. Sakura begins to spin the chain over her head again, preparing for her opponent to lunge at her. He draws 3 shuriken from his pouch and throws them toward Sakura in a backhand motion. The three throwing stars cut through the air, and Sakura uses the side of the bladed weapon to deflect the thrown weapons, the metal contact clanging into the air. The stars clatter to the ground near her feet, and Misume charges for Sakura. He extends his right arm out, aiming for her collar. She throws the weighted end of the chain, trying to hit him in the head and knock him out. He cocks his head to the left and avoids the chain, the chaining passing within inches of his head. His hand grabs her collar, and in response she swings the bladed end of the kusarigama toward his hand, trying to cut it off. His hand leaves her collar, and a shimmer goes down the chain. The chain moves on it's own with Sakura's chakra influence. The chain section nearest his head moves like it's magnetized to his head, wrapping around his head and neck. Once the chain is in place, Sakura jumps forward, yelling out with chakra enhanced strength. She slams the back end of the kusarigama into his skull, and the loud CRACK of impact can be heard throughout the entire arena. Misumi's body falls limp, the chain sliding through Sakura's hand as his entire body falls backward. He lands with a thud, and Hayate examines Misumi, watching the older genin lie there.
He slowly walks toward the older genin and kneels down next to him, feeling for a temporal pulse on his forehead…
He stands up and looks toward Sakura.
"The winner, Sakura Haruno…!" He declares. "I need more medics, this ninja has a concussion!"
With that, Sakura pulls the chain from her former opponent and then wraps the chain in her hand. She walks back over to the scroll, and returns the kusarigama to the scroll with a small puff of smoke. Once the weapon is returned to the scroll, she picks it up and returns it to her pouch. Two medics emerge from the doors with a stretcher. They slowly put Misumi on the stretcher, and then both of the medics carry the older genin off toward the emergency room.
"This exam certainly has a lot of casualties…" I hear one of the medics mutter before they leave the arena floor.
Sakura leave the arena floor shortly after the medics, and the pink haired girl walks up the steps and back toward us. Neji remains impassive when she walks by, and I can tell that Sakura is visibly exhausted from her match. I risk a glance toward Naruto, and I see the blonde genin look back to me, and he smiles back at me. I quickly turn away, not knowing how to respond…
"It is rather strange that 2 of the 3 members of Squad 7 fell in these preliminary matches…" Shino points out.
"Yeah, Kakashi Hatake is supposed to be this genius ninja, but it looks like he hasn't been teaching his students that much…" Naruto points out.
The randomizer begins again, pulling the attention of everyone present back toward the board. Those in the arena who have and haven't yet fought watch the display intently, and I personally wonder who Naruto will have to fight…
At least he doesn't have to fight that crazy Gaara person…
The screen stops, displaying the names Zaku Abumi and Kankuro…
Kankuro is the sand genin who wears black, but who is this Zaku person?
I see the black clad sand genin walk away from his two teammates, and at the same time the last remaining sound genin, the one with spiky hair and two broken arms walks into the arena. The two of them approach each other, walking toward Hayate who currently stands in the middle of the arena. When the two of them face each other, the sand genin smirks.
"What do you plan on doing with both of your arms in slings?" Kankuro asks, and the sound genin smiles a cocky smile.
"I don't need my arms to kick the crap out of a weak desert loving fruitcake…" Zaku responds.
Hayate looks between them, and doesn't bother asking either of them if they have any objections. He begins the match with a wave of his hand, and then leaps back, giving Kankuro and Zaku room to move. Zaku jumps forward and kicks at Kankuro, causing him to shift his head to the left to avoid Zaku's foot. The sound genin kicks again and again, trying in vain to strike Kankuro, in spite of his broken arms. Then, Zaku spins around and drives his foot into Kankuro's chest. The blow lands with a loud CRACK, and Kankuro reels backward from the force of the kick. Zaku leaps forward, covering the small distance in a moment, extending his right foot and aiming for Kankuro's head. Zaku's foot lands, impacting Kankuro's head and knocking the other boy backward, with Zaku pursuing him with a counter clockwise spinning kick to the side of the sand genin's head. Kankuro lands on the ground, and then gets to his feet, only to be hit again and again. The sounds of flesh meeting bone reverberate through the arena again and again, and I feel myself cringing at watching the sheer one sided…beating going on in front of me. Zaku kicks Kankuro again and again, each blow knocking the boy down, but the sand genin just gets up again, only to be struck again.
After nearly 15 minutes, Zaku lands a kick, and Kankuro doesn't reel backward. Instead, Kankuro's arms reach out and grasp Zaku's ribs, extending to an unnatural distance. The flesh on 'Kankuro's' face falls away, and beneath it is the inhuman face of a large ninja puppet. The wrap backpack on the puppet's back unravels, revealing what I can only assume is the real shinobi, with blue chakra strings extending off of his right hand toward the ninja puppet. The disguise on the puppet shatters like sand falling away from Gaara, and the strange puppet is revealed in all of its disturbing glory. The puppet's legs extend and wrap around Zaku, with the puppet's arms doing so as well. The puppet, held purely by its strings, binds Zaku completely. With the chest of the puppet pressed against Zaku's body, the boy's arms are pinned to chest, while the puppet holds himself to Zaku. Kankuro smirks, with an air of arrogance forming around him.
"I'll break every bone but your neck…" He mutters.
Kankuro moves his fingers, and the puppet goes to work. The weapon goes to work, and I hear the resounding cracks coming from Zaku's body that tell me the puppet is going about breaking Zaku's body to nothing. Once the puppet is done its gruesome task, it releases Zaku from its grip. The sound genin falls, a broken mess…
"The winner of the match…Kankuro…" Hayate declares.
Hayate calls for medics while Kankuro returns his creepy looking puppet to his back. Kankuro walks away while the medics place Zaku on the stretcher, the sound genin unconscious and unable to even speak. The medics haul Zaku away, and Kankuro returns to his teammates. While the black clad genin from the sand village returns to his comrades, I realize that Naruto and the single remaining man from Kabuto Yakushi's team are the only 2 genin left, and thus will have to fight each other…
Hayate motions for both Naruto and the only remaining genin to enter the arena once Zaku is hauled away. The two genin walk toward each other, and stop with 5 feet between them. The older genin from Kabuto's team stands over Naruto, though the son of the Fourth Hokage doesn't appear the least intimidated by the size difference…
"Naruto Namikaze, Yaroi Akado, do either of you have any objections to this match?" Hayate asks, naming both of them.
So, his name is Yaroi Akado, but what's his technique? How does he fight?
It's then that I see the sound Jounin return, and a few moments later Kurenai-sensei appears in a puff of smoke behind me. My teacher stands with her arms crossed, though I have no idea where Kakashi Hatake is, or even if he's still alive…
Kurenai takes the scene in front of her in, and then I see her eyes lock on her student standing down in the arena…
"Sensei, what happened?" I barely speak.
"I'll explain later Hinata, what matters for now is that Sasuke Uchiha is safe, and everything is fine…" She informs me, her attention still on the arena.
I open my mouth to inquire more information, but Hayate's voice pulls my attention to the arena floor.
"Since you have no objections, BEGIN!" He commands, and then leaps away.
Yaroi makes hand signs, and with the last sign I see his glow with a blue aura.
What kind of jutsu is that?
The older genin rushes toward Naruto, swinging his right hand at Naruto. Naruto moves, keeping his eyes on his opponent and just one step ahead of him. Naruto's speed keeps him ahead of Yaroi, who never uses his left hand or his feet, instead trying again and again with his right hand, not even trying to punch Naruto, just grab him…
He must do something with his hand, Naruto, please be careful…
The blonde boy ducks a thrust from Yaroi's right hand, and then sends his left foot out into Yaroi's stomach. The weight from Naruto's restraints is transferred from his leg into Yaroi, and the older genin is knocked back, his feet sliding against the stone floor. While Yaroi slides back, Naruto makes the sign of the ram, molding chakra around him.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu…!" Naruto yells out.
With a singe loud POP, 10 copies of Naruto spring into existence. The 10 Naruto clones and the single real Naruto charge Yaroi. The older genin uses his right hand, grabbing whatever Naruto he can get his hands on, and each clone he grabs shortly afterward disperses, even though Yaroi doesn't do anything to them other then hold them by whatever part of the body he can get his hands on. Somehow the older genin manages to keep either the real Naruto or any of his shadow clones from landing a hard blow, taking several glancing and light blows to his body as he disperses the 10 shadow clones over 5 minutes, when only a single Naruto is left standing. The real Naruto and Yaroi stand 10 feet across from each other, and the older genin raises his right hand. The glow on his right hand is now brighter then it was when he first executed the jutsu, and I see Naruto with a determined look on his face.
"I'll end this match quickly, since these preliminary matches have gone on for too long as it is…" He mutters.
Naruto nods once, and then makes the sign of the ram again. 9 shadow clones appear around the real Naruto, and 7 of them charge forward, yelling a battle cry with kunai knives in hand.
"Is that the only technique the son of the 4th Hokage knows?" Yaroi taunts, charging forward.
The 7 Narutos and Yaroi collide, with Yaroi dodging and grabbing the shadow clones. Every time his hand touches one of the clones, he grabs hold and I notice his arm muscles flex, as though he was concentrating on them for some reason, then the clone shatters. While the 7 of them tangle with Yaroi, the other 2 clones and Naruto stand huddled together, as though they were planning something…
"This appears familiar…" Shino comments next to me, pushing his sunglasses up to the bridge of his nose.
Looking at the 2 clones and the real Naruto huddled together, I recognize what the blonde boy is planning to do, what he did in the forest…
He's going to use that technique that his father taught him, the Rasengan, or whatever it's called…
The 2 shadow clones disappear in a puff of smoke, revealing Naruto holding a blue ball of what appears to be spinning chakra. Yaroi charges with the 7 clones dispelled, and he reaches Naruto, grabbing the son of the 4th Hokage by the collar. Naruto grins, and drives his right hand into Yaroi's chest. For a moment, the two of them stand there, Yaroi holding Naruto by the collar while the Rasengan begins to damage Yaroi. Yaroi begins to scream when the chakra releases, light flaring from the impact point, sending Yaroi flying backward. His hand leaves Naruto's collar a moment before the Rasengan blasts him backward, and the older genin spirals in the air, slamming into the far wall with a loud thud. Hayate stands there, glancing to Naruto, who now stands with his arms slumped in front of him, his breathing heavy. Then, Hayate shifts his gaze to Yaroi, who lies in a slump against the far wall, his shirt torn away revealing a bloody hole near his stomach.
"The winner is, Naruto Namikaze!" Hayate declares.
Naruto cracks a grin, chuckling to himself, and then he falls forward in an exhausted fall. I jump over the railing before I even realize I'm doing it, and I'm at his side before even Kurenai-sensei. I activate my Byakugan and look at my teammate, seeing his chakra coils are mostly empty, indicating he's exhausted nearly all of his chakra. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see that Naruto is just low on chakra, and he isn't hurt or dying. Kurenai and Shino are next to me a moment later.
"Have you examined him, Hinata?" Kurenai asks, and I nod, deactivating my Byakugan and turning toward my teacher.
"He's just exhausted both mentally and physically." I explain.
"I need medics out here, now!" Hayate yells out.
The double doors open, and 4 medics enter onto the arena floor. They have a stretcher between each of them, and the two trained paramedics place both Naruto and Yaroi onto the stretchers and haul them off. Both Shino and I start to follow, but Kurenai places her hand on each of our shoulders.
"You both need to remain here; if you aren't here you could forfeit your place in the final round…" She warns the two of us.
I nod, and Shino replicates the gesture.
"These preliminary matches are over!" Hayate declares. "There will be a 5 minute intermission before the final round selection." He says. "Any genin able bodied genin who won their matches should remain here for the selection."
Hayate walks toward the rafters, and Kurenai removes her hands from Shino and me.
"I'll go check on Naruto, and make sure he's all right." Kurenai explains to us. "You two remain here for the selection, you can come and see him afterward."
Both Shino and I nod our agreements, and our teacher walks away, through the double doors, leaving both of us alone to face the selection ceremony.
After 5 minutes, the 9 of us who are still standing that won our matches are lined up; I stand on the end with Shino standing next to me on my right. I note that Neji is at least 4 people away from me. Ahead of us, the 4th Hokage stands in front of us, behind him Anko Mitarashi and Ibiki Morino stand. Ibiki holds a clipboard and Anko holds a small white box. The 4th Hokage clears his throat, pulling our attention to him.
"First of all, I would like to congratulate you all on surviving this 2nd round of the Chunin exams." He begins. "I see several leaf shinobi, as well as genin from the sand village, and that fills me with a sense of pride at seeing the young leaf shinobi in front of me." He continues. "Now, I'll explain to all of you the final round of these Chunin exams and that final round will be a single elimination tournament that will be held in exactly 1 month."
Shikamaru raises his hand, and the 4th nods toward him.
"If the final round is a tournament, then will only the winner of that tournament be made Chunin?" Shikamaru asks.
Minato Namikaze shakes his head.
"Myself, as well as the Kazekage and the other nobles and lords that will be giving you your ninja missions, will be in attendance at the final round, and after the tournament, those that we feel qualified will be made Chunin. That said; it's possible that everyone here will be made Chunin, and it's also possible that none of you will be made Chunin. The only point to winning consecutive matches is to increase the number of opportunities to showcase your skills." He explains. "Does that answer your question?"
Shikamaru nods and the 4th Hokage looks to the other 8 genin assembled in front of him.
"Are there any other questions?" He asks, and I and the other genin remain quiet. "All right, now, you 9 will draw lots to arrange the match ups for the next round." He explains.
"Just remain there; I'll come to you…" Anko says, walking toward me.
She holds the box out to me, and I see a large slot in the top. Anko holds the box out to me, and I stick my hand in, feeling a bunch of golf ball sized balls in the box. I grab a single ball, and then pull my hand out, and I look at the number printed on the box.
"What number did you get?" Ibiki asks.
"Number 1…" I respond, looking down at the 1 printed on the white ball.
Ibiki makes a note on the pad in front of him, and Anko moves to Shino, who sticks his hand into the box and grasps a ball.
Please don't get number 2…
"I drew 10…" Shino explains, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
We're on opposite ends of the brackets, thank goodness…
Anko moves on to Ino Yamanaka, who sticks her hand into the box.
"I got 6…" Ino says.
Anko moves to Neji, who sticks his hand in and grabs a ball there. He withdraws the ball, and I feel my blood go cold when the smirk appears on his face.
"Number 2…" Neji says, sadistic glee filling his voice.
Neji-nii-san and I have to fight, right away? I knew at one point I'd have to fight him, but so soon…
Anko moves next to the kunoichi of the sand genin, who reaches into the box and withdraws her own number.
"I drew number 3…" Temari says.
Anko moves to the psychotic Gaara, who reaches his hand into the box and withdraws a ball.
"7…" He mutters.
Anko moves to Kankuro, who repeats the same action everyone before him has done.
"5…" Kankuro says.
Anko moves to Sakura who reaches into the box as well.
"9…" Sakura says.
That means that she'll be fighting Shino in the last match. I hate to be her right about now…
Anko moves to Shikamaru, who reaches his hand into the box lazily.
"4…" The Nara mutters, holding the ball in hand.
"With that, the missing Naruto Namikaze will be Number 8, with the standings looking like this…" Ibiki says.
Ibiki shows the clipboard, showing everyone the standings and who their respective opponents are. I see my name and Neji's name in the 1 and 2 slots, and I can't help but swallow the saliva in my mouth…
I feel Shino's hand on my shoulder, and the boy gives me a reassuring squeeze.
"There will be a 1 month grace period between now and the final round, as I said earlier…" Minato Namikaze begins. "The next month should be used for training, as the people here have seen all of your jutsu that you know now, so you should learn some new techniques before the final round, and get stronger so you can give your best performance as a shinobi." He explains. "As of now, you all are free to go for the next month, your respective Jounin will be informed of the final round tournament location, and you'll be expected to be there at the appointed time."
Both Shino and I leave the line up, going through the double doors to the infirmary. I enter the hallway and move through it quickly, finding the infirmary by instinct. I enter into the infirmary, finding Naruto by feeling alone, and I see the boy lying in bed, resting peacefully while Kurenai-sensei sits next to him…
I see Kurenai-sensei smile when she sees the 2 of us, and I don't know what to say when my teacher stands up, with my teammate behind me to my right.
"I take it you both have your match ups…" Kurenai says in a light voice, and I nod.
"Hinata is to face Neji Hyuga, while Sakura Haruno is my opponent…" Shino says in a matter of fact tone.
Naruto groans and he sits up, rubbing at his eyes.
"Hey Shino, who do I have to fight?" Naruto asks, and I look to see him rubbing at his eyes wearily.
"Naruto, you should be resting…" I protest, moving around the foot of the bed, and gently placing my hand on his left shoulder.
"Gaara of the Desert is your opponent…" Shino says once I finally manage to get Naruto to lie down, and immediately the boy sits up again.
"What? I have to fight him? I can't be sitting here then…" He nearly screams.
He goes to throw the covers off, only to meet Kurenai-sensei's stare, and I reach out, touching him on his left shoulder.
"You need to rest, Naruto…" I remind him gently. "You'll be recovered by tomorrow, and once you're rested you can start your training."
I see him gain a solemn look, and then nod. He looks toward me, and I feel my cheeks flush.
"You're up against, Neji, right?" He asks, and I nod, not trusting my voice. "Is it really okay that you're going up against him?"
I nod.
"I think I will be all right, Naruto…" I respond. "I will handle my match, and if the time comes that we should encounter each other, I will fight you with honor."
Shino nods and I see Naruto grin.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'll burn that bridge when I come to it." Naruto says.
"Why are you concerned about Hinata's match?" Kurenai-sensei asks.
"Well, it's just that I've heard so much about the Hyuga clan, and about this Hizashi-teme and his plans for overtaking the Hyuga." Naruto says. "I would think that Neji would be in on this plan of his, and he'd use the opportunity to try and kill Hinata…" Naruto explains to Kurenai.
"Wouldn't they feel fear at the Hokage for deliberately breaking the rules?" She asks, and Naruto shakes his head.
"They don't care about rules or morality, Neji will use the chance to kill Hinata for some twisted sense of revenge…" He says, and I feel shame well up inside me.
He's talking about my clan, MY blood…
"Um, Kurenai-sensei, what do you think of this situation?" Naruto asks, and my teacher looks to me, and then to him.
"I never held the Hyuga in very high regard, even though Hiashi is a hero, he didn't volunteer to be the sacrifice, and he was more or less forced into that position." She explains.
"It would be prudent to involve Hokage-sama in this matter…" Shino begins. "With the involvement of the grass ninja, and the aberrant mark on Sasuke Uchiha, this exam has been compromised."
"Yes, one of the Tokubetsu Jounin involved in the exam had an encounter with the man you're talking about, Orochimaru…" Kurenai begins. "Even with Hokage-sama and the other Jounin of this village, Orochimaru is very dangerous, and has made it clear he desires to see these exams continue. Also, the Chunin exams involve not only our country but the other nations of the world as well. Were Hokage-sama to stop the exam, the Land of Wind would be very angry for him denying their three genin a chance to advance, and conflict could arise. Also, Orochimaru would be very displeased, and likely bring calamity onto the village in a manner similar to the Kyuubi No Kitsune attack 12 years ago."
Hearing her bring up the demon fox, I feel a pang of guilt, looking down at my stomach; I can almost see the seal on my stomach that contains the demon, the beast I carry within me…
"Hinata…" Kurenai-sensei's voice pulls me back to reality, and I look to see her staring at me. "It isn't your fault; you have nothing to feel guilty about…" She says, reading me like an open book.
Naruto looks confused, and Shino keeps his impassive expression as usual.
"What do you mean sensei?" Naruto asks, and Kurenai's gaze flicks to him, and then back to me.
"In our time together, I've learned to read all three of you and your emotional states. Before I spoke, Hinata was feeling guilty about the Kyuubi attack, in spite of the fact that it had nothing to do with her, and the only thing she has to do with it is the fact that she contains the demon."
Naruto's gaze turns to me, a suddenly worried expression crossing his face.
"Is this true Hinata?" He asks, and I nod, looking down, avoiding their eyes.
"I can't help it…" I mutter, kicking my feet at the air.
"You have done nothing to have to accept blame, Hinata…" Shino begins with his tone clipped and emotionless. "As our sensei has stated previously, your only connection to the Kyuubi No Kitsune is that it is now trapped within your body. Anything prior to the event that brought this into being is not your fault, but the fault of the demon…"
I nod, raising my face, but still not meeting their eyes.
"I know, but…" I open my mouth, only for Kurenai to speak up.
"But nothing Hinata…!" She cuts me off using a forceful tone. The first time any of us have heard her speak in a forceful tone. "You are you, the demon is the demon, you aren't the same thing, and you definitely are NOT the demon, am I clear on that?" She asks, and I nod.
"Yes, sensei…"
"Anyway…" Kurenai begins again. "If Hokage-sama cancels the exams, people will want to know why, and Orochimaru would not like having his presence here made known to the other villages. Finally, the first two stages of the exam are merely a means to weed out the weak candidates from this, the third and final round. If we were to stop the exam now, it would be as though it never really happened, and many of the other nations would be VERY displeased at that…"
Kurenai stops talking, and a moment later a nurse enters the room, dressed in a usual hospital nurse uniform, the brown haired woman speaks quickly and quietly.
"I'm afraid your visit will have to end now…" The woman says. "Namikaze-sama needs his rest, and I'm sure he'll be released tomorrow." The nurse finishes.
I nod, and Kurenai-sensei, Shino and I leave the room, saying our good byes to Naruto and telling him to get some rest. Kurenai leads us from the medical area to an underground tunnel, which leads under the forest and lets out in the village proper. On the trip to the tunnel I grab my backpack and sling it over my shoulders, nearly forgetting the item in the post exam rush. The tunnel is dank and dark, and once we emerge into the village streets, it's like night and day…
Kurenai stops in the street, turning toward the two of us well enough away from the tunnel exit and far enough out of the way so as not to cause a problem with foot traffic.
"For the next month, we won't be doing any missions together." Kurenai informs Shino and I. "You have the next month to train and prepare for the final stage of the Chunin exams. Seeing as both of you are members of shinobi clans, I assume that you will seek your training from your elders within your respective clans." Kurenai continues.
Shino nods and I look down a moment, and then back up again.
"Um, grandmother doesn't want to teach me anything new for a while, so I'd really appreciate it if you would train me this next month, Kurenai-sensei."
I see my teacher smile, and then she shakes her head.
"Unfortunately, Hokage-sama wishes to see you about your training over this next month. He informed me during the selection process when he stopped in to check on Naruto." Kurenai continues. "He wants to see you in 2 hours, so you should go home and get clean, and then report to his office."
"Do you have any idea what kind of training he wants to put me through?" I ask, and my teacher shakes her head.
"To be honest Hinata, I have no idea…" She says. "Though, whatever it is I'm sure it will make you stronger…"
I nod, and I see Shino tip his head to me.
"Well, I guess I'll be going now…" I say, waving good-bye to the two of them before I turn and walk away from them.
Leaving the two of them, I walk quickly back toward the Hyuga home, knowing full well that my time is ticking past, and I only have so long to wash the sweat and Dosu's dried blood off of me before I go visit the Hokage. I sniff the sleeve of my jacket, and then reel away, my jacket smelling like a wet, dirty dog…
Need to wash this as well…
I ignore the stares and expressions from the other villagers, and instead I focus my thoughts on the training I'm supposed to get from the 4th Hokage, and what he might have me do for the next month…
Before I know it, I'm at the Hyuga home. I nod to the branch family member on guard duty, and I enter the home, leaving my shoes at the door I walk toward my room, wanting nothing more then to get clean and get ready for my trip to the Hokage's office. The trip back to my room takes me past my grandmother's chamber, and when I pass her door, her voice emerges from within.
"Come in, my granddaughter…" She bids of me through the door, and I nod, turning and entering the clan leader's bedchamber.
The room is dimly lit as usual, unlike her office where she does much of her work. My grandmother sits on her bed, her legs crossed and her eyes closed, though the veins around her eyes bulge…
"What is it you wish of me, grandmother?" I ask, and the woman makes no outward move.
"I have been appraised of your progress in the exam and of the match ups for the final round…" She says, informing me that she already knows about my duel with Neji. "I suggest that you take this next month to practice the secret arts of the Gentle Fist I taught you in the week before the exam." Hibana Hyuga begins. "If you were to master a few of those techniques, then you would be more then well equipped to defeat your cousin."
I nod to her.
"I will do that, my grandmother." I respond with a respectful tone. "If you wish nothing more of me, then I must take my leave. I have a meeting with Hokage-sama in an hour and a half, and I must get ready."
My grandmother nods once.
"Very well, you may leave." She says, and I nod again, taking my leave of her.
I leave the room and head back to my own room, breathing a sigh of relief at getting out of her bedchamber. Even though she bears me no ill will, and has done everything she can to protect me and the main lineage of the Hyuga clan, I cannot help but get apprehensive around her.
Once I'm back in my room, I quickly go about showering and changing clothes, leaving the dirty jacket on the bed and instead going for a dark blue t shirt and another pair of light blue pants, both of them clean from my closet. I strap my pouch to my right thigh, and place my headband around my neck. Once I'm dressed and presentable, I leave the Hyuga home and walk toward the tower.
Without the telltale jacket that I've always worn, people don't recognize me as quickly, so they don't stare at me like I'm a monster immediately, and I'm glad for that. On my way to the tower, I happen to pass the Konoha hot springs, and I see an older man with white hair attached to the wall of the woman's side of the bath, his red robe making him stick out like a sore thumb to anyone passing by.
The man sticks 10 feet in the air, only his head popping over the top of the wall. I see one of his hands is attached the wall, the other hand holding a pair of binoculars up to his eyes, the instrument practically squeezed against his eyes. I notice he wears dark green pants and wooden red clogs on his feet, his white mane tied back into a spiky ponytail. He wears a red and green scroll at the small of his back, and while I can't get a good look at his face, I know what a perverted peeping tom looks like when I see one…
Drawing a deep breath into my lungs, I start to scream.
"Oh Kami, there's a MAN PEEKING INTO THE WOMAN'S BATH, HE'S A PERVERT!" I yell out as loud as I can.
The old peeping tom's body nearly jumps in surprise at my scream, and I hear several female voices from the other side of the wall gasp in surprise, others just scream. I see a wash bowel fly up and hit the perverted old man square in his face, knocking the binoculars into his eyes and knocking the old man down and into some bushes below the wall. The man hits with a thud, and I turn away from him, putting my back to the pervert.
"Serves you right…" I mutter, walking away from scene when I hear the sound of angry female voices on the other side.
Maybe they'll beat him up a little as a message to other people like him. It's because of people like him that I don't use those springs, that, and my prisoner…
I squelch the train of thought before it can continue; instead I focus on the tower, and whatever it is the 4th Hokage has planned for me…
&
I arrive at the tower with 15 minutes to spare, so I take my time making my way up the steps to the floor with the Hokage's office on it. Walking down the hall, none of the people here give me a look of disrespect or anger, and when I see the Chunin guard outside merely nod to me, I see that the 4th didn't appoint another idiot like the one Naruto decked…
Remembering the incident brings a smile to my face, and I walk into the 4th's office to see the busily working. The Chunin silently closes the door to the office, giving the two of us some privacy. I remain silent, trying to eliminate my presence as much as possible, but I know that I cannot remain in the room long and have the 4th unaware of my presence…
"Are you going to just stand there watching me, or are you going to ask what I've called you here for?" Minato Namikaze asks with a relaxed tone, looking up from his paperwork and smiling at me. "It's good to see you're in good health, Hinata."
I bow to man.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." I respond.
The man gets up, walking around his desk and leaning against the front of the desk, Hokage's robe and all.
"I need to talk to you, Hinata…" He begins with a serious tone. "Have you ever heard of something called Akatsuki?" He asks.
Akatsuki…?
"Akatsuki…?" I repeat, and the older man nods.
"Have you ever heard of them?" He asks, and I shake my head.
"No, what are they, Hokage-sama?" I ask.
The man looks down a moment, crossing his arms over his chest, and then looks up to meet my gaze again.
"The Akatsuki are a criminal organization of nine S ranked shinobi, each member is listed predominantly in each country's Bingo Book." He begins. "For a time, there were 10 of them, and Orochimaru was one of them, until he went off on his own, while the other nine split up into teams of two. From what we know, the criminal older brother of Sasuke Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha is one of them as well. From what information we've been able to gather, the 2 man teams of Akatsuki at first stuck to small missions, remaining mostly hidden and not doing anything worth attention. However, now they've begun to openly search for the Bijuu, and the Kyuubi No Kitsune is obviously one of their targets." He finishes.
"The…the demon…?" I ask, looking down to my stomach.
"Yes…" His voice wafts into my ears. "From what we can tell, the Akatsuki are hunting the Bijuu in no particular order, and that means they could come for you at any time, Hinata…" He informs me.
They'll come for me, just because I'm the one who imprisons the Kyuubi?
"What do they do with the other Jinchuriki?" I ask, and the Fourth shrugs his shoulders.
"We don't know, and I won't lie to you, but I can't imagine they do anything else other then kill them, Hinata."
They kill them?
"But…why kill them?" I ask, and again the Fourth shrugs.
"We don't know; we only know that they're looking for them, and since you are not only the heir of the Hyuga, but the Jinchuriki as well, you have to be prepared."
"How can I be prepared, Hokage-sama?" I ask, and it's then that the door to the office opens.
I turn my head to look, and I see a tall man with a strange gray horned headband walk into the room. He wears dark green clothes and a red robe, with long white hair and a scroll hangs at his mid back. Looking at his face, he looks like he's in his late 40's to early 50s, and judging from his build, I'd assume he hasn't allowed age to slow him down…
"Jiraiya-sensei…" I hear Minato say in greeting, and the gears turn in my head, everything clicking together.
Sensei… then this must be the perverted teacher Minato had when he was a genin! Plus, this man has to be the one that was peeping into the woman's bath at the hot springs on my way over here! He's nothing but a perverted old lecher…
Wait… did he say Jiraiya, as in THE Jiraiya of the Sannin? No, that's impossible. There's no way a perverted old man like him could possibly be worthy of legendary status…
"Ah, Minato…" The old man begins, and both teacher and student share an embrace, like two friends who haven't seen each other for a long time.
Looking at the two of them, I feel a chill down my spine when I almost imagine that the scene before me is reminiscent of what a father and son should look like…
The hug is over in a moment, and the older man keeps his hands on the 4th Hokage's shoulders, a beaming smile on the old lecher's face…
"How have you been, still married to that sultry little red head?"
The 4th breathes a short sigh.
"You know, if Kushina heard you say that, you'd end up with a fat lip…" Minato responds.
"Ah well, it wouldn't be the first time a woman has hit me in rejection of my advances. Seriously though, if I were 20 years younger…"
"Sensei, I hardly think that topic is appropriate…" Minato cuts his teacher off, and the old man looks at him.
"What're you talking about?" The old lecher asks.
Minato motions with his left hand toward me, and the old lecher's eyes and face follow the motion, until his gaze finds me standing there, watching the two of them…
"Oh, I didn't notice you were talking to anyone Minato…" The old man says, removing his hands from his student, and turning to face me with his body.
The way he's looking at me, I can't help but think he's undressing me with his eyes…
I feel a chill go down my spine at the thought, and then I see the old man smirk.
"Give it a few years, and she'll probably fill out rather nicely…" Jiraiya comments and I can't control the flush that comes to my face.
The 4th looks like he's suddenly very tired, as though he's heard all of this before.
"Sensei, you DO realize who this is, don't you?" Minato asks, and the old man turns toward him.
All at once the perverted air around the old man is gone, replaced with a serious air that I never imagined an old pervert could have…
"Yes, I know who she is, Minato…" He begins, turning back toward me. "You're Hinata Hyuga, are you not?"
I try to suppress my earlier blush, nodding once and glad for the chance to look away from him.
"Yes, I am Hinata Hyuga…" I respond.
"Well, do you know who I am?" The old man asks.
"Um, you're 4th Hokage-sama's old teacher…"
I barely notice the old man smile.
"All that and more…" He begins, and the old man strikes a rather flamboyant pose. "I AM JIRAIYA, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL MOUNTAIN TOAD SAGE!"
Once the older man is done, the 4th Hokage shakes his head slowly, an expression of exasperation crossing his face…
Oh boy…