New Rankings:

Naruto Uzumaki –Age 13
Official rank- Genin
Special Skills- Frog Summons, Kyuubi

Ninjutsu: C+
Taijutsu: C
Genjustu: G
Intelligence: C-
Strength: C+
Stamina:-K
Speed: C-
Hand seals: C-
Overall Rank: C

Chiharu Maito -Age 13
Official rank- Genin
Special Skills- Ice bloodline

Ninjutsu: C
Taijutsu: C+
Genjustu: G+
Intelligence: C
Strength: C
Stamina: C
Speed: C+
Hand seals: C
Overall Rank: C

Sasuke Uchiha -Age 13
Official rank- Genin
Special Skills- Sharigan

Ninjutsu: C+
Taijutsu: C
Genjustu:C
Intelligence: C
Strength: C+
Stamina: C
Speed:C
Hand seals: C
Overall Rank:C

Kakashi Hatake -Age 27
Official rank- Jonin
Special Skills- Sharigan, Dog summons

Ninjutsu: K
Taijutsu: A+
Genjustu: A
Intelligence: A+
Strength: A-
Stamina:A-
Speed: A+
Hand seals: K
Overall Rank: A+

Kotori Hatake -Age 14
Official rank- Chunin
Special Skills- Sharigan, Dog Summons (pending)

Ninjutsu: J
Taijutsu: J-
Genjustu:J+
Intelligence: J
Strength: C+
Stamina: J-
Speed: J
Hand seals: J-
Overall Rank: J-

Look at bottom of page for list of jutsus each person has.

AN: There, now you can see their growth through the story. Naturally I tried to make it as realistic as possible on how strong they could get around a year. Naruto has the biggest change while Kakashi has the smallest. Which is natural since it gets harder and harder to make a difference in rank. Sasuke growth as a person will also be more eminent as he interacts with Kotori more.

Also, I've noticed other writers usually respond to reviews to show they are actually listening to their readers. If you guys like that, I could start responding to you guys. It doesn't really matter to me, but I just want you guys to know that I am reading your reviews.

However, I would like to receive more reviews like Nobodyinparticular's and I will respond to them as fast as I can. When he mentioned grammar mistakes, I went through and cleaned it out as fast as I could. I won't be angry and will gladly fix up the story so you guys can read it more enjoyably.

Finals

Day before final – Ichiraku Ramen

Naruto happily stuffed his ramen down his throat as his two senseis for the week sat beside him. Jiraiya started to sweat as he saw more and more bowls pile up. "Brat, this better makes us even for my little stunt at that cliff two days ago." Naruto finished his bowl before he smirked at the white haired man. "Don't worry Ero-senin, this definitely makes us even. I got free ramen and showed that chief toad who was boss." He turned to Kakashi who was sitting while reading his favorite book. "You're forgiven to Kakashi-sensei. I won't tell Kotori about how you let Jiraiya throw me of a cliff." Kakashi coughed nervously as he eye smiled at him. "Yeah, I would like it if she didn't find out about that stunt we pulled. We're just lucky your chakra control is much better than before or you would still probably be in the hospital." Naruto belched and patted his stomach as he finished his meal. "Of course, Kotori training has made way stronger than before. I bet I'm as strong as Sasuke now!"

Kakashi nodded as he too saw how much the boy had grown. He would put his entire team at low-chunin to mid-chunin level at the moment. It was impressive for rookie genin like them to grow so fast, but Naruto had grown the most. He was still the weakest, but had closed the gap tremendously between the rookie of the years and him. No one in his class would probably stand a chance against him besides his own teammates.

"So when are we going back to training! I got to get stronger to beat that Huyga bastard." He focused back on his student at the sudden announcement. "Sorry Naruto, but no training today. You're going to take this day off and rest your body for the finals tomorrow." Naruto face looked at him in horror. "What!? But Sasuke and Chiharu are probably training like crazy right now." Kakashi and Jiraiya both chuckled before Jiraiya answered him with a smirk. "Chiharu is also resting today. I bet at this moment, that she is being carefully watched over by Haku and Gai so she doesn't get overexert herself before the finals." Kakashi nodded. "He is right Naruto, and Sasuke is also resting whether he likes it or not. I gave explicit instructions to both Haku and Kotori to make them rest today." Kakashi chuckled as he imagined Sasuke face when he was forbidden from training. He probably took it a lot worse than Naruto has.

Naruto looked at his two senseis in shock before he sighed. "Fine, guess I'll just go see how Chiharu or Sakura are doing." Jiraiya patted Naurot on the back. "Don't worry brat, you're more than ready for the exams. I'll bet you'll demolish that kid and become Chunin in no time." Naruto brightened up a little at his words. "You right ero-sennin, I going to wipe the floor with him." He got up excitedly. "I'm going to go find Sakura and make sure she comes tomorrow to see me destroy Neji." He raced off to look for said pink haired girl and left his two sensies with a pile of empty bowls.

Jiraiya sighed as he looked at them. "I forgot how much ramen that kid eats. At least the bill will be split between us Kak-" He froze as he found said one eyed man missing from his seat. He heard a cough beside him as the owner's daughter, Ayame, held her hand out with a grin on her face. "Kakashi!"

Gai's House

Chiharu was blushing as Haku sat beside her on the couch. Across from them, was Gai crying as he shouted about how youthful the two had been all month. Her eyes kept shifting to Haku as the boy listened to his rambling. Haku surprised her by chuckling quietly as watched Gai explode into an even more youthful speech. His chuckle stunned both Gai and her as they stared at the boy in shock. Haku looked at them with concern on his face. "I'm sorry if I offended you by laughing, but this is the first time I have seen a father so open with his love for his daughter." Chiharu blushed even more as Gai face split into a blinding smile. "Aw, to see that such a youthful boy was training my Chiharu all this time."

Haku shook his head as he smiled softly. "It was nothing like that. Just that I haven't felt this kind of feelings for a long time. It is rather refreshing to once more be able to witness it." Chiharu looked at him with worry as Gai face melted to show understanding. "I know that you have witnessed things that children should never have seen. To be trained under a system that goes against everything you are." Haku looked at him in shock as Gai placed his hand on his shoulder. "But Haku, here in Konoha, everyone is family. We all look out for each other and care for one another as a family should. We protect one another, guide each other, and show them that they are never alone."

Chiharu nodded as she placed her hand over Haku's. "That's right Haku. You're now part of our Konoha family. If you feel sad, angry, or depressed, you can always share it with us." She blushed as she began to stammer. "A-and I-I'll always b-be there f-for y-you." Her face turned even redder. "You're p-precious t-to a-all my f-friends and m-e H-Haku. I-I'll a-always b-be there w-when y-you n-need m-e."

Haku looked at her in stunned silence before a gentle smile spread across his face. "Thank you, Gai, Chiharu. I'll make sure to remember that." Chiharu turned even redder as Haku turned the full power of his smile on her. "I'll always be grateful that you made me live that day. I hope that I can stay here with you forever." Chiharu made a small squealing sound before her eyes rolled back as she passed out beside Haku. Said boy looked at her in confusion before he turned to Gai. "What just happened?" Gai laughed as he youthfully pated the confused boy on the back. "Haku, I leave my little girl in your hands. Protect her and keep her close to you. For one day, you won't be able to live without her." Haku was even more confused as Chiharu's head rested on his shoulder. "huh?"

Random Village near Konoha – Dango Stand

Kotori happily munched away at her dango while ignoring the stares see was receiving from her "guest". Sasuke was tied to a chair beside Kotori as he witnessed something he never thought he would. Before him, was Kotori with her mask down to reveal her face while she ate. She sighed as he continued to stare at her silently before she turned to him. "What? Never seen a girls face before?" Sasuke glared at her. "Why are you showing me your face?" She shrugged as she went back to her dango. "Because your family now. You already have enough trust issues as it is. It's best to not make it worse by hiding my face from you." She grinned at him as she offered him some dango. "So get used to it and have some dango. I swear you'll like it."

Sasuke ignored her offer as he looked away. "I don't have trust issues; I simply don't see the need for bonds that would only weaken me." A stinging bop on the head was his reward for his answer. "Ow, what did you do that for?" Kotori only waved the dango stick at him with irritation on her face. "Didn't anything we talked about this last week stick in your head at all?" Sasuke frowned as he remembered his last week of training. "I remember all those "lessons" you gave me while you used me like a punching bag." She snickered. "Well, it was all your fault you know. You said that there was no way you could lose with your sharingan activated. I merely showed you that even if you can still the attack. It means nothing if you're too slow to react." Sasuke felt his eye twitch at the reminder. "It didn't help how you kept trying to convince me that I should give up my revenge and go be "friends" with everyone."

Kotori arched a brow at him. "Wow, your memory must really suck, or you have selective hearing. Whatever it is, I'll simply have to tell you again." Sasuke mouth twitched as he fought back a groan. He had found himself doing that a lot lately as he was trained by Kotori. "Now, don't look like that Sasuke. I'm just trying to help you understand that you won't get revenge the way you are living your life. I mean look at Naruto, he was the dead last of his class. Yet he can now keep up with you and Chiharu, the rookie of the years."

Once more the dango stick was pointed dangerously at him. "Do you remember why he has been able to catch up to you so quick?" Sasuke watched the pointed stick wearily as he answered. "Because he wants to "prove" himself to the village and "protect" his precious people." She frowned as he used sarcasm in his answer but chose to ignore it. "Correct, but you on the other hand only fight for yourself and refuse to see the reality of this world." Sasuke growled at the insult. "And what do you mean that I can't see reality?" Kotori eyes turned serious as the smile dropped from her face. "You're the weakest sharingan user alive at the moment. You don't even come close to comparing to Itachi. The only people in this village who could even stand against him would be Kakashi or the Hokage. I don't even come close to the same level as him and you lost to me horribly."

Sasuke face twisted in rage as he tried to break free of his bindings. "Maybe if you all of you would stop trying to change me and teach me jutsus to kill him. Then I wouldn't be as weak as I am now!" Kotori tilted her head as she looked at him. "Why should I train someone I don't trust enough to put my life in their hands?" Sasuke stopped as he looked at her in shock. "What..?" Kotori continued to stare at him. "Why should I train someone who looks at comrades, friends, and those who fight with him as useless? How do I know you won't kill us to save yourself, or sacrifice us to gain power like Itachi did?" Sasuke looked at her in disbelief. "I would never follow in Itachi's footsteps. I just need power to kill him. Why can't you guys understand that?"

Kotori sighed as she turned away from him. "Oh, I understand why you want to kill him. It's just that you are going about it the wrong way. Tell me, did Itachi or any Uchiha ever believe in bonds and trust between shinobis?" Sasuke struggles died down as a thoughtful look appeared on his face. "…Father always said that a shinobi should be strong and Itachi was the ideal Ninja in that way for father." Kotori nodded. "And look where only having strength with no trust led to. An all but extinct clan and a S-class nuke-ninja on the loose." Sasuke face formed into a stubborn look. "Even if that is true, I still need power to defeat him. Even if others trust me, how will that make me any stronger?" Kotori finally turned back to him as she pulled out a kunai. "Like this…" She sliced through the rope holding sasuke to the chair. He looked at her in shock as she turned back to her plate of dango.

He sat stunned as the seconds turned into minutes as Kotori said nothing. What is she trying to pull? He stood up as he looked at the door. "I don't know what you are trying to tell me but I got training to do. If you won't help me, then I do it alone." Kotori said nothing as he began to walk away. A few step later and Sasuke stopped at the entrance to look back at Kotori. She still hadn't moved or even turned to look at him. Frustration built up as he tried to figure out what she was doing. How is this supposed to teach me about trust? All she is doing is letting me leave after she held me here so I couldn't train. He warily watched her for a few more seconds before he exited the building. Every step he took made his irritation skyrocket. What the fuck is she thinking? It's like she trust that I would actually believe she was right. He stopped walking as literally smacked his forehead in realization. She wants me to trust her and not train at all!

He snorted at the thought. Why would he trust her? All that would do is make him weaken because of the missed chance at training. Even though he had those thoughts, he found his body was still frozen in place. He couldn't really be considering following her advice. Although, she was another Uchiha. His eyes widened as the stray thought passed through his mind. When did he start thinking of her as an Uchiha? Irritation and curiosity battled as he turned back to the dango stand. He sighed as he began to walk back to the stand. I'm only returning to see if she actually believed I would return. If she does nothing to help me after this, then I will leave and go back to training.

He silently walked into the stand and sat beside Kotori. He tried to look as uninterested as possible as he stared straight ahead. A few sniffling sounds finally made him turn his head slightly to see where the sound was coming from. He was caught off guide to see Kotori looking at him with tears in her eyes. "Why… are you crying?" Kotori lunged forward as she engulfed him in a hug. "Oh, I'm so proud of you little brother. You finally believed you big sister enough to trust what she says." He struggled to break free of her hug but found she had securely latched on. "Get off me!" Kotori ignored him as she only tightened her hug. "Now I don't have to worry about leaving you here to miss the exams and being the only one to do my grand revealing. It will be so much better than me being by myself." Sasuke stopped struggling as the first part of the sentence clicked with his brain. "What did you say about leaving me here to miss the exams?" kotori stopped crying as a nervous chuckle escaped her. "Silly brother, you must be hearing things."

Day of Finals – Stadium

All the contestants minus Dosu and Sasuke stood in the middle of the stadium filled with roaring fans. Naruto looked around before turning to Chiharu. "Where the hell is Sasuke?" Chiharu shrugged. "I don't know Naruto, but hopefully he will return in time for his match." Naruto didn't look happy but nodded. "He better make it here in time so I can kick his ass in the finals." They were interrupted from their conversation as the Hokage got up to address the stadium. "Welcome to the chunin exams. Today we will see the eight contestants who passed the preliminaries fight to become chunin. Please enjoy the matchs."

Genma pulled out a scroll after the Hokage's speech and showed the contestants a new tournament bracket. "There have been new changes to the matchups today. Make sure to take a good look out them before the finals begin." They looked to the only change was that Kankuro had been put aside to fight the winner of Sasuke and Gaara. Naruto looked at the changeup before he looked at Genma. "What about Sasuke? What happens if he doesn't show up?" Genma chewed his senbon before answering. "Then he will be disqualified. Now everyone besides Chiharu and Temari go to the waiting area. It's time to start the finals."

As the contestants cleared the area, Kakashi and Gai stood near the back wall. Gai turned to Kakashi. "So, where is Sasuke at? I don't see him down there and yet you are here. Don't tell me he has adopted your habit of being late." Kakashi looked boredly down at the arena as he watched Chiharu prepare for her match. "I have no idea what habits you're talking about, but I'm sure that Kotori is to blame for him being late. Jiraiya seemed to know that she has had something planned for the finals. Something he said would shock all those who will attend." Gai looked a little pale. "I remember what happened last time she had something planned like that. A good many buildings were destroyed and Lee was forbidden from ever accepting any drinks from her again." Kakashi sweat dropped as he too remembered the prank. "Let's just hope it's nothing as destructive as it was last time."

Their conversation was put to an end as Genma called out the beginning of the first match. "The first round of the finals will be between Chiharu of the leaf and Temari of the sand. Are the contestants ready?" Temari smirked and nodded as Chiharu let a quite yes as she took up her stance. "Begin!" He jumped away as he started the match.

Chiharu was the first to move as she blurred away to appear beside the only available pool of water in the arena. Temari smirked as she saw her move. "What a rookie mistake, now I know you can only do water jutsus. You'll have to stay near that pool to add any power to your jutsus." She lifted up her fan and opened it partway to show one star. "As for me, I don't have any such handicaps." Chiharu didn't respond as she stood on the water's surface. "Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique" Mist poured out of the water as it began to cover the arena floor.

In the stand, Kakashi looked at Gai. "When did she learn that jutsu?" Gai chuckled as he pointed in front of him. "It would be best to ask Haku. He is the one who trained her for the past month." Kakashi looked at the seats in front of him to see Haku looking at him. "As you know, Chiharu has the same bloodline as me. So I thought it best that she would learn jutsu that would best help her in fights." Kakashi nodded. "I see, but how would the hidden mist jutsu help her when she has not been trained to be an assassin." Haku smiled as he turned down to look into the arena that was now filled with mist. "That technique can be used for more than assassin techniques."

Down in the arena, Temari looked around before she smirked. "Big deal, this mist is nothing to my wind." She swept her fan around her as she blew the mist away with a large gust of wind. Her smirk disappeared as she found three Chiharu's coming towards her in blurs. She hastily lifted her fan up to block one of the clones attack, and was rewarded with a blow to her stomach and head. She flew back from the attacks and rolled until she skidded to her stop on her hands and knees. She coughed a little as she looked up in rage. "Bitch, don't think you can take me down that easily." She stood up and opened her fan to reveal two stars. "I'm going to blow you away!"

Up in the stands, Kakashi looked at Haku in surprise. "You also taught her how to use water clones?" Haku nodded as he continued to watch the fight. "Chiharu seems to have the same ability as me to easily learn water jutsus. It did not take her long to master the Jutsu." He turned to Kakashi with a proud look. "She has yet to show how much she has grown. I look forward to seeing your expression when she wins this battle." Kakashi looked at him strangely at the sudden change in attitude. "Then I can't wait to see how much my adorable student has grown."

Temari swung her fan twice to send two burst of wind at the clones. They jumped apart as Temari appeared behind the wind to destroy one of the clones with a blow from her fan. She smirked as she blocked a punch from the second one and kicked its legs out from underneath it. She slammed her fan into its gut to make it disperse into water. Sensing the third one charging, she quickly opened her fan all the way and spun as she swept the fan around her. The clone slammed into the wind and dispersed instantly as the rest of the mist surrounding the real Chiharu dispersed. Chiharu was revealed as she stood silently on the pond with three more water clones behind her.

Temari glared at the silent girl. "Did you think simple water clones would defeat me?" Chiharu shook her head. "N-no, b-but it w-was b-better t-then r-recklessly a-attacking y-you and b-being i-injured." Temari looked at her in irritation. "What's up with the stuttering? Are you that afraid of me now that I showed you those clones wouldn't work against me?" Chiharu again shook her head as she bashfully looked around. "I-I'm just a l-little n-nervous b-being in f-front of a-all these p-people." Temari sighed as she raised her fan. "Then you better forfeit before I defeat you in front of all these people. Then you will really have something to be embarrassed about."

Chiharu looked a lot more nervous but surprised Temari by what she said next. "T-the f-fight is already o-over. Y-you can't e-escape, s-so p-please s-surrender b-before y-you g-get hurt." Temari gritted her teeth in anger as she lifted her fan. "I don't know who you think you are, but you just pissed me off. I'm going to shred you to pieces with my wind!" Chiharu watched as Temari reared back her fan. "Sickle Weasel Technique" A giant tornado appeared from her fan as it approached Chiharu only for her to disappear as her voice rang out.

"Ice Release: Crystal Ice Mirrors" Ice mirrors rose from the destroyed water clones to trap Temari in the middle of them. She looked around wildly as Chiharu appeared in the mirrors. "What the hell is this?" Chiharu didn't answer as one of her clones appeared from a mirror and grabbed ahold of Temari's fan. She turned to kick it away as another clone appeared below her and kicked her legs out from beneath her. She fell forward to meet a second kick from the same clone that launched her in the air as her fan was ripped from her grasp. She whirled around the air uncontrollable and widened her eyes in surprise as she caught a glimpse of the third clone above her. Her ascent was halted as the clone kicked her back to earth with an overhead kick. She gasped in pain as she was rocketed back to the earth.

Below her, Chiharu watched her fly back towards her with a clone on either side. "Ice Release: Ice Prison"The clones around her turned into water and rose to catch Temari. Temari was wrapped up by the water before it froze into ice and trapped her. Genma approached the frozen but alive Temari before he turned to the fans. "Winner, Chiharu Miato" There was a few seconds of stunned silence before the crowd erupted into cheers. Chiharu blushed at the cheers and waved shyly before running to the waiting area with a red face.

Kakashi watched as his student left the arena before he turned to Haku. "You even taught her you ice mirrors?" Haku nodded as he clapped. "Chiharu has learned most of my techniques that deal with my blood limit. She easily has the strength to be a Chunin at the moment." Kakashi nodded as Gai heartily patted the boy on the back. "Thanks to Haku, Chiharu is sure to be promoted to chunin and will be given the chance to show how even more youthful she can be."

Genma waited until the cheers died down before he announced the next match. "Up next is Neji Huyga against Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto cheered as he jumped down into the arena and was soon followed by a silent Neji. Naruto bounced in place as he and Neji waited for Genma to begin the match. "Are the two contestants ready?" Naruto punched the air. "Hell yeah!" Neji nodded silently as he slipped into his stance. "Alright, round 2 of the finals. Begin!"

Naruto charged forward as he created twelve shadow clones. Neji smirked as he activated his byakugan. "A frontal exalt will not affect me. A mistake that only a dropout would make." Naruto and his clones face scrunched up in irritation at his remark. "We'll see about that!" Neji dodged their attacks as he struck two clones in the stomach to make them disappear. "Using shadow clones was a smart idea since you distribute your chakra evenly among them. Even my byakugan can't tell the difference between you and your clones." He destroyed two more as he dodged the clone's attacks. "But you can only hide among them so long."

"Who said anything about hiding?" Neji byakugan caught Naruto in the back of his clones form a jutsu. "Wind Release: Godly Wind from the Mountains" A vortex of wind cut through the clones and headed for Neji. Neji spring boarded off a clone's back and up over the vortex to land beside the real Naruto. "Smart plan, but you left yourself exposed." Neji struck Naruto in the chest with his gentle fist style. "Now you won't be able to use chakra." Naruto chuckled before he looked at Neji. "Don't count me out yet." Neji widened his eyes in surprise as the Naruto he struck puffed away. He turned as the group of Naruto's behind him spoke. "My shadow clones can use jutsu too. Now prepared to get defeated by this dropout."

Dozens of Shurikens and Kunais were thrown by Naruto and the six clones that were around him. Neji smirked as he prepared to jump away. "Even if you throw that many, it means nothing if they can't hit their mark." Naruto's clones ignored him and scattered to leave one solitary Naruto alone. "Wind Release: Violent Wind Palm" Neji cursed as the weapons were propelled toward him faster than he could dodge. "Rotation!" Neji spun as a dome of chakra deflected the weapons. "It's futile you won't be able to touch me with my defense. You were fated to lose here today. No matter how hard you fight." Naruto and his clones regrouped as they watched Neji wearily. "It's always with fate with you. Stop hiding behind that excuse and try standing on your own."

Neji's face slightly tensed in anger. "One who is ignorant to this world should keep his mouth shut. I will crush you and show you that fate cannot be changed." Naruto and his clones charged forward. "I'll never let fate or anything else decide how far I can go or become." Neji got ready as Naruto and his clones surrounded him. "Only a fool like you could believe that." Naruto smirked as he and his clones attacked. "I rather be a fool then a bastard who can't even control his own life." Neji watched as each Naruto got closer. "Rotation!" The Naruto were repelled and skidded away. Neji watched as only one Naruto remained as the rest of the Clones disappeared. "Looks like I finally found the real you."

Naruto stood up as and glared at Neji. "I'm not through yet." He prepared to summon more clones as Neji dashed forward. "Too late, you're within my range." Naruto eyes widened in surprise as Neji struck him. "Hakke, two strikes!" Naruto gaspe in pain as Neji continued. "four strikes, eight strikes, sixteen strikes, thirty two strikes, sixt-" He was cut off as the Naruto he was hitting exploded into smoke. Neji face twisted into disbelief as Naruto voice drifted from a tree near the edge of the arena. "I'm glad Kotori made me learn how to use substitution jutsu." He dropped from the tree as he grinned at Neji.

Up in the stands, Haku looked over at Kakashi with surprise on his face. "How did Naruto escape from that? I thought all his clones were destroyed." Kakashi looked up from his book that had somehow found its way back into his hands. "Naruto made twelve shadow clones at the begging of the fight. Neji destroyed four before he was pushed to use his rotation to block Naruto's attack. He failed to realize that there should have been seven clones with Naruto instead of only six. He had only destroyed four so where did the other one go?" Haku looked back to the arena with a thoughtful look. "So Naruto had one of his clones hide in case he needed to substitute himself with it." Kakashi nodded as he answered. "Correct, you can thank Kotori for teaching how to utilize the jutsu with his large reserves. While it's true he can't use substitute with his normal chakra supply, he can easily use his shadow clones to cut down on his chakra. Through his training, we have made it to where he needs to make at least twelve shadow clones for the substitute technique to become usable for him." Haku nodded. "Only Naruto would be the one brave enough to try that plan out."

Neji glared at Naruto as he turned to face him. "Do not think this changes anything, it is till your fate to lose here to me. You have only delayed your defeat." Naruto frowned as he looked at Neji. "I just don't understand how someone as strong as you can settle being controlled by fate." Neji stared at him before he silently pulled his headband off to show the branch seal on his forehead. "My fate was decided the moment my father was born as the second son. A few seconds between births decided the fate of my father and me. He would have the seal placed on him and be made a part of the branch family. I ,as his son, would naturally be part of the branch family. No matter how much stronger I was then the main branch."

Naruto nodded as he understood where Neji was coming from. He too had a seal he could never escape from. Neji continued. "One day, a kumo ninja tried to kidnap Hinata and was killed by her father, Hiashi. Of course, this did not go well with Kumo and they demanded that he be turned offer for a death of one of their own." His group on his Konoha headband tightened. "A person was given to them, but it wasn't Hiashi. It was my father, who took his place to protect the head family." He glared at Naruto as he put his headband back on. "They sacrificed my father so that Hiashi would live. That was the day I learned my fate was decided the moment I was born."

Naruto looked at him with understanding. "I may not know whats it's like to lose a father. But I can tell you that I too carry a seal that burdens me heavily." Naruto faced turned to determination as he summoned a dozen more clones. "But unlike you, I decided to grab my future with my own hands." Neji looked at him with an emotionless face before he shook his head. "Try all you want, but you will still fall to me."

Nine of Naruto's clones charged Neji as three stayed behind with the real one. Neji rushed forward to meet the clones. He dispelled two instantly as he raced dodged between them. "I've already proven that your clones are to slow to be effective against me." He destroyed four more as he threw two of the clones into others. "And I already told you. I'm going to change my fate and yours if I have to!" Neji watched as dozens of Kunais were thrown towards him and the remaining three clones he was fighting. "Wind Release: Violent Wind Palm" Neji spun in place as the kunais were once again pushed forward by naruto's wind. "Rotation!" The clones around him exploded as the kunais were deflected back into them. Neji came to a stop as he faced Naruto and his remaining clones. "That move won't against me."

Naruto smirked as one of his clones began to form hand signs. "Then try and stop this! Wind Release: Great Breakthrough" A great gust of wind came flying towards Neji. Rotation! The wind met Neji chakra wall. The two jutsu clashed as each one tried to overpower the other. "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique" The clone on the other side of Naruto used the wind to turn the c-rank jutsu into a b-rank fire jutsu. Neji grunted as he felt the huge flame clash against his shield. "I won't be defeated by the likes of you!" He poured as much chakra into his technique as he tried to deflect the attack.

A huge explosion rocked the arena as the two jutsu mixed together and exploded. Neji came skidding out of the smoke as he tried to stop himself. "Wind Release: Violent Wind Palm" Neji could only watch as he futilely tried to get his chakra exhausted body to stop as Naruto came flying out of the smoke propelled by his own jutsu. "Neji!" yelled Naruto as his fist collided with the boy's face. Neji smashed into the ground and laid still as Naruto landed behind him.

Genma walked over and checked Neji to see the boy had been knocked out. "Winner, Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto was surprised when the cloud begin to cheer for him. He looked around before he began to laugh and blow kisses to the audience. Genma felt his eye twitch as he yelled at him. "Get off the field brat. So we can continue on with the matches." Naruto yelped in surprise before ran back to the waiting area.

"Up next is Shino Aburama and Shikamaru Nara." Shino silently jumped down into the arena as Shikamaru sighed before he too jumped down. "Are both contestants ready?" Shino and Shikamaru both nodded. "Round three of the finals begin!" Shikamaru jumped back as he threw down a smoke bomb to hide himself from view. Shino jumped back as a shadow shot out from the smoke and shot towards him. The shadow slowed then stopped as it reached its limit. Shino landed farther back as he sent bugs towards the smoke to attack Shikamaru. The shadow disappeared back into the smoke as the bugs followed it.

Shino titled his head in confusion seconds later as no screams was heard from the smoke. A shadow shot out from the trees beside him and captured him. "Shadow possession jutsu succeeded." Shikamaru walked out from behind the tree as Shino followed his movement. "How did you escape my bugs?" Shikamaru sighed as he allowed Shino to look to the smoke as it cleared. On the ground was Shikamaru's vest with Shino's bugs surrounding it. "I knew that you most likely put a female on me before the match. So I used the smoke to hide myself so you wouldn't know I had gotten rid of the bug."

Shino nodded as he found himself walking over to Shikamaru as he put a kunai to his throat. "Proctor, I forfeit." Genma nodded as he announced the winner. "The winner is, Shikamaru Nara." Shikamaru sighed as the fans cheered. "Troublesome." He slowly walked back to the waiting area as Genma announced the next fight.

"The next fight will be between Gaara and Sasuke Uchiha." Two things happened after his announcement. Gaara appeared in a cloud of sand and sat quietly. The other was a large explosion of smoke across from him as two figures appeared. "About time he called your name. I thought it would never be your turn." The smoke dispersed to reveal Sasuke dressed in a black shirt with the Uchiha symbol on the back, black shorts, ninja sandals, and wrapping around his right arm. Beside him was a black haired girl standing in a loose fitting blue Komono with purple mesh underneath it, short purple pants covered her legs, and ninja sandals. "We didn't have to wait until they said my name. We could have just appeared at the beginning." The girl turned to Sasuke with a pout. "But it wouldn't be as epic." People looked at the two in confusion as they saw that both were wearing the symbol of the Uchiha.

Kakashi groaned as he saw more and more attention be brought to said symbol on the back of the girls shirt. "Gai, I really think Kotori out did herself this time." Gai nodded as he too stared at her in disbelief. She had just revealed an A-rank secrect to the whole village without any hesitation.

In the kage stand, Sarutobi sighed. Why does this generation have to be so full of troublemakers? He stood up as the fans began to make a ruckus. "It seems like those attending today will be the first to know a long held secret of our village." The crowd looked up to him as he began to speak. "As many of you know, years ago our very own Uchiha clan was destroyed leaving only two children alive." Sounds of shock and disbelief echoed throughout the crowd. He held up his hand to quiet them. "Through much thought, I decided to keep the survival of one of the children's survival a secret incase Itachi decided to return and finish the job." He turned to look at Kotori who looked back at him innocently. "But it seems that she no longer wants to remain hidden. So I present to you, Kotori Uchiha, or as most of you would know her Kotori Hatake."

Sounds of surprise came from all over as many recognized the name. Kotori smirked as she wrapped her arm around Sasuke shoulder. "That's right. You guys finally get to see me with my mask off. I hope you like it, because you're going to be seeing a lot more of it." The crowd began to cheer as Sasuke shook his head. "Did you really have to say that?" Kotori looked at him and grinned. "Of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't do something to embarrass you."

Genma cleared his throat as the crowd settled down. "As much fun as this has been. I have to ask you to leave the arena now so we can continue on with the finals." Kotori pouted at him before she let go of Sasuke. "Fine, I'll let my little brother have the spotlight for now." Sasuke eye twitched as Kotori teleport up to stand beside Kakashi. Damn, why does she always have to embarrass me like that?

Up in the stand, Kotori landed besides Kakashi and leaned against the wall. "Hey guys, miss me?" Kakashi chuckled as he put away his book. "It was quieter around here without you." Kotori pouted at him before she turned to Gai. "Gai, I know at least you must have missed me." He laughed as he took in her knew appearance. "I missed your youthful spirit in the week you have been gone." She turned back to Kakashi with a smile on her face. "At least someone is truthful about missing me."

Haku watched in amusement at their friendly argument. He missed out on all the hidden messages Kotoroi had been sending both Gai and Kakashi through body language and hand sings. If he had noticed and understood what she was saying, he would have not felt so happy. Especially, when the hidden message was reporting heavy movement of sand and sound ninja outside the village. He turned back to watch Sasuke fight and never noticed Kakashi disappear behind him to inform the Hokage of the news.

Down in the arena, Sasuke and Gaara stared at each other silently. "Are both fighters ready?" Both of them nodded. "Round four of the finals, Begin." Sasuke jumped back as sand begin to whip wildly around Gaara. "Sasuke Uchiha, I've been waiting for this match." The sand shot forward as Gaara grinned as blood thirst leaked off of him. "Make me feel alive!" Sasuke's sharingan actived as he used his chakra to increase his speed. He dodged the wave of sand and ran towards Gaara while forming hand signs. "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique" Multiple fireballs shot out towards Gaara as his sand rose up to deflect it.

Gaara chuckled insanely as launched spikes made of sand at Sasuke. "Mother… wants your blood!" Sasuke's sharingan spun as he weaved between the spikes to appear in front of Gaara. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique" Gaara's eye's widened slightly as his sand barely rose in time to collide with the fireball. "You're too slow." Gaara skidded sideways as Sasuke appeared behind him and brought a sweeping kick to his head. The sand followed Gaara as it wrapped around him to form a ball. Sasuke charged after him as he tried to strike Gaara before the sphere closed. He quickly abandoned the plan when spikes formed on the sphere in an attempt to impale him. He jumped back as he studied the sphere.

"This is new. I didn't know you could form an even better defense from your sand. Or maybe this was something you came up with during your training this month." He smirked as he received no answer. "It doesn't matter." Multiple Kunais and shurikens appeared in his hand. "I'll show you that no defense is perfect. "Manipulating Windmill Triple Blades" He threw all his weapons at the sphere as they curved around it and wrapped it in wire. He smirked when the sand didn't react. "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique" Fire shot along the wires and converged on the ball. Fire met explosive tags connected to each kunai and caused a massive explosion.

A scream of pain and rage filled the air as the sphere collapsed. The smoke revealed to show Gaara hand and half his face had undergone a transformation. Sand stuck to him to form a claw and half a demonic face. "I will not be defeated here. I will kill you and prove my existences." "Sand shuriken" Dozens of shuriken shot of his arm as Sasuke jumped back as he dodged them. Gaara laughed crazily as his arm shot out to follow his attack. "I'm going to crush you." The arm slammed into the ground where Sasuke was. Gaara frowned as he didn't feel any breaking bones or blood seep into his sand.

"It seems I really will have to use this technique." Gaara eyes looked up to see Sasuke standing on the wall with a smirk on his face. "I'm going to end this here." He formed several hand signs before grabbing his right wrist. "Lightning Release" Lighting formed in his hand as he shot down the wall and towards Gaara. Gaara sand rose up to defend him as he lifted his sand arm to deflect the attack. "Chidori!" His attack cut through the sand barrier easy and collided with Gaara's sand arm.

Up in the stand, Orochimaru frowned as he watched the boy start to ruin his plan. It seemed he would have to speed things up. Seconds later, Gaara screamed in pain as his sand arm was cut off and revealed a bleeding arm. Sasuke jumped back as he began to pant. "Damn, it didn't do as much damage as I hoped it would." Gaara ignored him as he stared at his bleeding arm. "Blood…" Something seemed to snap in Gaara as his chakra and sand thrashed around wildly. "My blood!"

Up in the stands, Orochimaru frowned as he watched the sand brat start to lose control. The boy had begun to lose control faster than he planned. His frown turned into a snakelike smirk as he sent his signal to Kabuto. Instantly, a genjutsu was cast in the stadium as explosions sounded in the distance. No matter, this little change in plan would only make the destruction of Konoha that much quicker.

Jutsu list of Main Characters:

Chiharu

C-Rank Water Release: Water Clones
D-Rank Water Release: Hidden Mist
B-Rank Ice Release: Crystal Ice Mirrors
C-Rank Ice Release: Ice Prison
B-Rank Ice Release: Thousands Needles of Death
D-Rank Ice Release: Water Freezing
C-Rank Ice Release: Ice Pellets

Naruto

D-Rank Wind Release: Godly Wind from the Mountains
C-Rank Wind Release: Violent Wind Palm
C-Rank Wind Release: Great Breakthrough
C-Rank Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique
B-Rank Shadow Clone
C-Rank Summoning: A-Rank Toad Contract

Sasuke

C- Rank Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique
C- Rank Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique
D-Rank Shadow Shuriken Technique
C-Rank Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique
C-Rank Manipulating Windmill Triple Blades
A-Rank Lightning Release: Chidori

Kotori

Too many to list.

Kakashi

Way! Too many to even think about!