Chapter 14:The Chunin Exams Begins
Team 7 made their way into the Academy looking around to see other Genin all around them. They had decided to keep a low profile and not attach any attention, they than saw a large crowd of Genin trying to get into a room and two others blocking the entrance.
"Please let us in we need to get in there for our exams." A girl with brown in two buns said.
One of the guards smirked as he landed a solid blow to her face, the other Genin went wide eye at this "Go home, these exams are too hard for little girls like you!" He mocked.
Sakura laughed at this "They can't tell it's just a Genjutsu?" She said out loud.
Everyone turned to Sakura who put a hand over her mouth as she realized what she just said out loud "What Genjutsu?" One questioned.
Naruto sighed, looked like keeping a low profile was out "The room number says 301 but we are only on the second floor it's clearly a small test to weed out the weak." He explained as the room number changed into 201 revealing it was a Genjutsu.
The Genin stared at Team 7 in amazement, they'd been here trying to get into the room for 10 minutes and they just arrived and saw right through the Genjutsu. "Weed out the weak huh? Then I wonder why you're here Uzumaki." Came a familiar voice.
Naruto turned to see his least favorite person "Hyuga..." He said narrowing his eyes, as Kitsmei let out a small growl.
Neji smirked "I see so you actually came, I heard first year Genin would be taking part in the exams this year but I figured not you. I even heard Hinata-sama is going to be here too." He then walked in front of Naruto, face to face "I look forward to putting you and her in your places." He said in a cold tone.
Naruto stared Neji right back I into his pupil less eyes "Not if Hinata puts you in yours first, but you better hope she does first cause you don't want me to." He said in dangerous voice.
Sakura was and could feel the tension between the two "Please Naruto we should go." She pleaded with him.
"Yea Neji let's go." His female teammate said grabbing his arm.
Neji and Naruto didn't stop staring down each other as they answered "Fine Sakura/Tenten." They said.
"Wait!" Called out Neji's other teammate. "You are Haruno Sakura right?" He asked the cherry blossom girl. Sakura was surprised but nodded "My name is Rock Lee." He introduced himself "Well you please be my girlfriend? I promise to protect you with my life!" He gave her a thumbs up and a shining smile.
Sakura was slightly disgusted "Absolutely not.." She answered.
Lee's face had fallen as he heard her words "But why?" He asked in a small voice.
"Because you're a weirdo." She said bluntly.
Lee became instantly depressed and banged his head on the wall repeating Sakura's words. "Hey Naruto, Sakura when you two are done let me know. I'm going on ahead." He called out to the two as he was half way down the hallway.
The two then ran to catch up with the Uchiha "Lee come on let's go." Neji called to him but he shook his head.
"You two go on ahead there is something I want to check."
With Team 7
"Who was that guy Naruto? He seemed to know you and Hinata pretty well." Sakura asked the blonde.
Naruto growled a bit "Hyuga Neji, Hinata's older cousin and an asshole." He told her.
"Wait!" Came a familiar voice, Team 7 looked up to see Rock Lee above them "I wish to challenge you!" he pointed his finger "Uchiha Sasuke!" He called out his opponent.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow "Huh why?" He wonder why someone would just challenge him out of the blue.
Lee griped his fist "Because you are the rookie of the year in your grade well I was the dead last loser in mine. I am called a failure while you a genius! I have heard so muh about the Uchiha clan and how powerful they are, so I wish to test this myself for against you to and if I am the victor...then Sakura-san my fell in love with me!" He screamed shedding hot tears of passion.
Team 7's sweat dropped at this, but Sasuke smirked "If you want to experience the power of the Uchiha at first hand I'd be happy to help." He said glaring at Lee.
Naruto looked up to a clock "Sasuke we might not have time for this." He told his teammate but he shook his head.
"Don't worry this will only take 5 minutes." He said as he rushed Lee.
Naruto rolled his eyes as Sasuke and Lee began their match, Sasuke was surprisingly on the defensive for such an aggressive fighter. He was fast but Lee was even faster and soon broke through Sasuke's defense sending him flying.
Sasuke landed on his back and picked himself up staring at his opponent "What type of Jutsu is he using? Is it a Ninjutsu or Genjutsu?" He wondered in his head as he smiled, figuring out a plan.
Naruto was watching the battle closely and he could see what Sasuke was thinking as he saw his Sharingan active. "Sasuke-kun has turned on his Sharingan now he'll be able to see through what ever Jutsu Lee is using." Sakura said with a bright smile.
Naruto chuckled to himself and shook his head as Sasuke rushed Lee again full of confidence only to be pushed back again. Sakura gasped at this "What happened? Why didn't Sasuke-kun see his Jutsu!?"
"Because Lee isn't using any Jutsu." Naruto said as Sakura turned to him "Lee is using Taijutsu only, his movements are from pure speed only. Even though he is only using Taijutsu Sasuke should be able to see and predict Lee's moves with his Sharingan. Which he can but while he sees the attacks coming Lee is just too fast and Sasuke's reaction time is too slow." He explained. As he finished Lee had launched Sasuke into the air and appeared right behind him looking ready to finish it "He can't win this fight." Naruto said bluntly as Kitsmei yipped in agreement.
The three watched as one of Lee's bandaged arms started to unwrap but was stopped by a kunai. Lee saw this and landed on the ground while was falling to the ground but Sakura ran to catch him.
Kitsmei yipped and chirped into Naruto's ear "Yea maybe I shouldn't warned him but it was kinda funny." He said with a light chuckle.
"What were you thinking Lee that's a forbidden technique!" A turtle yelled at Lee.
"I am sorry sir but I just wanted to test something." Lee tried to plead.
The turtle snorted "Sorry excuse won't save you! You have to deal with him now." Suddenly the turtle vanished and an older look-a-like of Lee appeared.
The Team flinched as they saw him "Hey everybody! Konoha's Blue Beast Maito Gai!" He introduced himself showing a shining smile. Gai then looked down to Lee "Lee that is a forbidden move so you have to be punished!" Gai then gripped his fist and punched Lee in the face.
"I am sorry Gai-sensei." Lee apologized.
Gai looked to his mini-clone of a student and tears started to flow down his face "Oh Lee."
"Gai-sensei."
"Lee."
Now Lee was standing tears down his face as well "Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
The two ran to one another as they hugged each other as and a Genjutsu appeared where they were on a coast and a wave came crushing showing the two.
Team 7 had to hold back their gag release as they watched in horror, Kitsmei even started to whine in fear.
"Well this is disturbing..."
"I think I'm going puke!"
"How did I lose to someone that fucking lame!"
As Gai and Lee separated Gai looked down to his apprentice "Come on Lee its time for your punishment! I say 100 laps around the field should do!" He said as Lee nodded.
"Yes Gai-sensei!"
Sakura looked to the two green fellows as if they were crazy "Wait a minute, there's only 10 minutes left you have to be in the classroom by then." She told them.
Gai put his hand under his chin "10 minutes? Then 100 laps isn't enough! How about 500 laps Lee!"
Lee nodded "That would be great Gai-sensei!" He agreed.
"Then let's go howl young!" Gai yelled as the two ran off to the track field.
With the two gone Team 7 only stared at the direction they left "They're insane." Sakura said shaking her head.
Sasuke was shaking with rage, he an Uchiha an elite just got defeated with ease at the hands of some little freak. "Well you sure got you ass kicked." Naruto said.
Sasuke turned and sent Naruto a death glare "Shut up dobe! Next time I'll have him begging on his knees!" He screamed in rage.
Naruto rolled his eyes "Sasuke there are some people here that will be stronger than us. Like Lee said he was a loser but his Taijutsu and speed far surpasses your own, I doubt in an all out fight you'd win and don't underestimate your opponent just because of their looks." He explained.
Sasuke stepped I front of his blonde teammate gripping his collar "I said I won't lose again and I meant it!" He yelled in Naruto's face.
Sakura looked between her teammates with worry, she could see the pure hate and rage in Sasuke-kun's eyes but Naruto remained indifferent staring right into each others eyes.
"Hey are we interrupting something?" Called out a voice.
Naruto looked up to the upper stairway and his jaw nearly drop to the ground as his eyes went wide "Kar..in?" He questioned slowly walking forward.
Karin looked down to the boy below her, she frowned "Naruto..." She asked in a small voice her eyes began to water.
Naruto looked to her "Karin is it really you." He then jumped up to the platform and ran to her, Kitsmei jumped from Naruto's shoulders as he stared confused at his master.
Karin ran to Naruto as well and the two hugged each other has hard as they could "Karin I thought you were dead." Naruto said feeling a note in his stomach form from happiness, he then felt tears forming.
"Naruto-kun.." Was all Karin could say as she cried on Naruto shoulder.
Senshi then stepped in "Karin-chan who the hell is this guy?" He asked.
Karin and Naruto separated and she turned to smile "Senshi-san, Tensai-san this is my best friend Naruto-kun."
Sasuke and Sakura looked in shock both surprised to see the same girl Karin from Naruto's story to be here, she looked just like Naruto described her.
Sakura looked to the clock again "Huh Naruto I hate to interrupt you but..."
"We need to go now!" Sasuke cut her off.
The teams realized they had only minutes to make it to the classroom, they ran as fast as they could to the room 301 as Naruto dragged Karin by her hand with Kitsmei on his shoulder. The panted as they rushed inside "Well that was close." Tensai said pushing his glasses up.
Naruto looked to Karin who stared back "Naruto-kun." She smiled.
"Karin-chan." He replied smiling right back.
"Sasuke-kun!" Yelled Ino's voice as she hopped into Sasuke's back "It's so good to see you!" She squealed.
Sakura growled "Leave him alone Ino-pig!" She roared to her rival in love.
"Well you're here too Naruto? Troublesome." Shikamaru came walking up with Choji munching on a big of chips like usual.
"Naruto-kun." Hinata voice called him with her team behind her.
Kiba smiled "So we're all here just like Kurenai. All of use together again the Rookie 9." He said "You got lucky at the Land of Waves Naruto-teme, but I'll show you up here! Just you wait, then Hinata-chan will be all mine!" He though with an evil grin.
Naruto looked around to see all of classmates were indeed here, the Rookie 9 gathered again. Naruto lightly smiled, this was getting interesting.
"Naruto-kun." Karin said as he snapped out of his thoughts.
"Oh right." Naruto began as he grabbed everyone's attention "Everyone this is Karin, the one from my story." He informed them.
Team 8 and 10's eyes went wide "Oh you're the same Karin?" Ino asked as she smiled "Well it's nice to meet you I'm glad to see your still alive. I'm Ino one of Naruto-kun's friends and a friend of Naruto is a friend of mine."
Karin smiled at the blonde and was about speak but Senshi spoke first "Well nice to you too Ino was it I'm Senshi!" He pointed his finger to his other teammate "This Tensai, we're Karin-chan's team."
Tensai nodded "Pleasured." He greeted the group, the rest of the Genin then introduced themselves as well to the Kusa nin.
"Wait so where do you know Karin-chan from?" Senshi questioned.
"I lived with Karin when were in the same village, the one that was destroyed." He told them.
Senshi and Tensai's eyes went wide as they heard this "Sorry." Karin said to her team "I just never wanted to talk about it, it was painful for me." She then grabbed Naruto's hand "But Naruto-kun if you're still alive then what about..."
Naruto's face lowered "Lets talk over there, in private." He grabbed her hand and the two took a seat away from the crowd as Kitsmei jumped down from his shoulder leaving the two.
Hinata watched Naruto walk off with Karin, hand in hand. She felt her stomach drop for a moment, she remembered Toimi's words. Could she be competition? She frowned at the thought.
"Hey you guys might want to keep it down." Came a new comer.
The Rookies and Karin team looked to him "And just who the hell are you?" Senshi asked annoyed.
The man smirked "Yakushi Kabuto, and I was just giving you some friendly advice for you rookies. After all you sure attached the attention of everyone else." He pointed to the rest of the room.
The rookies looked to see the whole room full of Genin from all around sending them death glares. The Genin frowned as they felt the tension from their stares.
Senshi laughed "That the best glare you bastards got? Well fuck you all too!" He shouted as waved his middle finger to the others.
Tensai face palmed "Forgive my teammate, he had extra sugar this morning it seems." He apologized for Senshi's actions.
Kabuto grinned "Watch it rookie, else you'll find yourself to be a prime target. And trust me its the last thing you'd want." He warned.
Senshi snorted and folded his arms under his arms, Sakura then spoke up "Kabuto was it? You keep calling us rookie, which means this isn't your first time in the exams?" She asked.
Kabuto rubbed the back of his head "No it's my 7th." He told them.
The Genin looked to him in shock "Damn you must really suck." Kiba said laughing as Hinata poked him in the arm for the rude comment.
"Wow you must know I a lot then, like an expert." Sakura said.
Kabuto smiled as he pulled out a deck of cards "You could say that.."
With Naruto And Karin
Naruto and Karin smiled at one another, sitting on from another in silent just enjoying the other's present.
Karin then decided to break the silence and spoke "Naruto-kun since you're here does that mean..." She started but stopped as she saw Naruto's face drop.
"No everyone else is...gone me and you are all that survived." He looked her in the eyes "I'm sorry Karin.."
Karin shook her head "No, it's fine I figured that much. But I just had to be sure."
"How did you survive anyway and end up in Kusa?" Naruto questioned her.
The red-haired sighed as she explained "After the river swept me up I was unconscious for I don't know how long but when I woke up I was washed up on a shore. A woman named Masshirona found me and healed me. She took me back to her village Kusa, I told her everything that happened but when I returned to the village everything was destroyed." She had a lone tear fell down from her face "I wanted to believe you were all alive, my parents, Shiro, Furi, Kushina-san, Jin-jiichan, or you...I wanted to believe you were all fine and out there. But I knew that was just a fantasy, after that Masshirona-sensei took me in and I became part of Kusa." Karin smiled again "I'm so glad you're here Naruto-kun."
Naruto stared at Karin "Karin-chan there's something you need to know, about that night there was a man behind it all. And I was the reason he attacked." Karin gasped as she heard this "12 years ago a man attacked Konoha using Kyubi, my Okaa-san was its host until a man with a Sharingan stole it from her. My Oto-san the Yondaime Hokage managed to defeat the man but had died sealing Kyubi inside of me. The same man who destroyed our village is the same man who attacked Konoha, all for Kyubi." His eyes then flashed a sign of anger as they became dull "And I've sworn I'll get strong enough to kill that man for all he's done." His voice empty of emotion.
Karin looked to Naruto with sadness, she could see in his eyes and his voice the Naruto-kun she knew had changed greatly.
"Hey Naruto!" Sasuke called out the blonde's name.
Naruto looked to Karin and smiled "We should head back." He told the red-head as she nodded and they walked back to the group. "What is it Sasuke?" He asked the Uchiha.
"This guy Kabuto has some interesting information you might want to hear." Sasuke said pointing to Kabuto's cards "You said you met a team from Suna right? Kabuto here has information on everyone here, tell him who they are. This is a good chance to study our enemies." He explained.
Naruto stared at Kabuto "Ask me about anyone or anything Naruto." Kabuto said with a grin.
The red-head of the Suna team flashed in Naruto's mind, he nodded "Tell me anything you know about Sabaku no Gaara."
Kabuto nodded "Ok but first the one you asked about Sasuke, Rock Lee." He pulled out a blank card.
Naruto's eyebrow raised "It's blank.."
"Wait for it." Kabuto said as the card suddenly poofed and it's secrets were revealed. "Rock Lee, he's a year older than you guys. 20 D Ranks and 8 B Ranks, nothing special about them stands out. He was the dead last loser but in a year his Taijutsu has increased incredibly and got a lot of attention but didn't take the Chunin Exams so he's a rookie like you guys. His teammates are Tenten and Hyuga Neji."
"Hyuga? Hey Hinata-chan is that guy related to you?" Kiba asked.
Hinata lowered her head "Yes he's my cousin.." She said quietly.
Naruto frowned, he hoped Hinata hadn't run into Neji yet. But even if he tries anything he'll be there to protect her.
Kabuto then pulled out another card "And here's the other one you asked for Sabaku no Gaara." He began "Lets see no D Ranks on record...20 B Ranks and get this one A Rank." He said as the group was astonished "And the oddest part is he's gone on and returned on every mission without even a scratch on him."
Everyone's eyes went wide and their mouths open "The guy's done an A Rank without even an injury!?" Shikamaru said.
"How is that even possible?" Sakura question.
Sasuke shook his head no believing "It's not, the information must be fake." He conclude.
Kabuto chuckled "My information is always 100% correct Sasuke I can promise you that."
The group reflected on this news for a while, Team 7 just not believing this the most. Their A Rank mission not to long ago was their greatest challenge yet, to think someone completed a mission of the same difficulty is unreal.
Kiba then spoke "You said you had info on us too right? Hey well about you show up Naruto's." He asked as Naruto glared at the Inuzuka.
Kabuto wasted no time pulling out Naruto's card "Uzumaki Naruto huh? Hmm lets see his Taijutsu and Ninjutsu are far above average for a Genin. His Genjutsu though is subpar, but his Kenjutsu is also above average. 14 D Ranks, but 1 B and A Rank missions."
The group of Genin stared at Naruto including his teammates "You've done an A Rank already Naruto-kun?" Karin asked.
Senshi rolled his eyes "Not that impressive I've done 3."
"But a B Rank? When was that?" Sasuke asked demandingly.
Naruto glared at Kabuto "That mission was under secret files, how the hell do you know about it?" He asked dangerously.
Kabuto pushed his glasses up with a single finger "A Shinobi never reveals his secrets right? Lets just say I have my sources." He shrugged.
Naruto wasn't buying it though "Just who is this guy really?" He wondered.
"The details of the missions were that a Chunin Academy teacher had kidnapped Hyuga Hinata and forced Uzumaki Naruto to steal the Forbidden Scroll from the Hokage's vault. There are other details but I rather not, after all you don't want your big secret out right Naruto-kun?" Kabuto said in a mocking voice.
The group expect for Karin's teammates understood exactly what Kabuto was talking about. Naruto was no getting very annoyed, growled and began to shake with anger "If you keep talking I'll show you how advanced my Kenjutsu is as I cut your deck into pieces!" He warned.
Kabuto only smiled but Hinata stepped in "Naruto-kun please calm down." She requested as she placed her hand on her chest and he calmed himself.
He then felt Kitsmei trying to get his attention "What is it boy?" He asked the young kit as he pointed to the crowd behind them.
As Naruto turned around he could feel an intense wave of killer intent directed at him. He looked to see Gaara staring right at him in the eyes, the source of the killer intent. Naruto flinched a bit as Gaara cracked a small face on the his face, he admitted his had never felt anything kind of feeling like this. Kitsmei cowered in fear as Naruto picked him up and put him in his shoulder trying to calm him down trying not to stare back at Gaara.
"Is Kitsmei-chan ok?" Ino asked.
Shino then spoke "You looked troubled Naruto-san."
Naruto turned around "No he can feel a huge evil feeling coming from that Gaara guy and I can too. He's staring me down to maybe scare me, and I admit it is starting to working." He explained looking at the floor shamefully to avoid eye contact.
That was a bit nerve wrecking to hear Naruto of all people feeling fear, especially Hinata. Even Sasuke was beside himself with this, he hated to admit it but he knows Naruto is stronger than him so to hear he was afraid of someone here made his stomach turn.
Gaara chuckled "He's the one..." He said to himself as Temari and Kankuro looked one another worried their younger brother might lose it.
Kabuto then felt an incoming threat, it was on of the Oto Genin taking a swing at him but he dodged with ease. He smiled at the missed attack but then fell to his knees coughing with his glasses broken. The Oto nin smirked "I heard what you said about our village, put this on your card. The Genin from Otogakure will become Chunin!"
Senshi smiled at this "Hell yea now the action begins!" He shouted as Tensai face palmed.
"I don't think we're suppose to fight yet..."
Suddenly multiple men appeared in front of the classroom. The one in the middle glared at the room full of Genin "My name is Morino Ibiki, and for the next hour I'm your worst nightmare!" He announced as the Chunin Exams first stage began.
An Hour Later
Naruto stared at Ibiki as he called for the Genin to put their pencils down. The last hour they had sat their taking the first part of the Chunin Exam, a written test. And it was the most difficult test Naruto had ever seen, it was nearly impossible for a normal Genin or even some Chunin and Jounin to be able to answer. Ever question was harder than the next with no real right answer for them. There was no way anyone here, maybe Sakura and Shikamaru could begin to understand these questions. And on top of that the rules didn't make much sense to Naruto. Why did they only lose two points if they were caught cheating in the Academy if someone was cheating they'd automatically fail so why now didn't that rule apply here?. That's when and he was sure others figured it out they wanted the Genin to cheat it was the only way, this test was like a version of a mission were the object is to gather intelligence without being caught.
Naruto smiled as Ibiki explained the rules of the tenth question and he watch one by one teams raised their hands. "Well would anyone else like to leave?" Ibiki asked.
Hinata was besides herself, she wanted to raise her hand badly. If she failed now she'd never be able to become a Chunin, she didn't want to think of how the Hyuga elders would react to this. Their heiress forever a Genin, there was no doubt in her mind they'd banish her from the main branch and get her the seal or worse.
Hinata's hand slowly started to move unconsciously up "I'm sorry Kiba-kun, Shino-kun I don't think I'm strong enough.."
Naruto laughed out loud and Hinata stopped and pulled her attention to him "Why don't we just get on with this Ibiki-san, I'm ready for what you got for me." He said with confidence.
Ibiki smirked at the blonde, after Naruto figured out the test's truth meaning he just sat there smiling with his arms folded with his small fox asleep on the desk staring at Ibiki. "This boy Uzumaki is special just like Anko said." "Alright then, fine for all that stayed for the final question you pass."
The whole room when silent "WHAT!?" Sakura screamed "But what about the 10th question?"
Ibiki laughed and shrugged "There never was one, in fact this test was more of a test of your abilities as a Shinobi then your knowledge. You see there are times as Shinobi especially as Chunin you'll be sent on missions you have little to no knowledge of, does that mean you fear away and not go? No! You go and complete the mission while learning of it as you go along. Which is why we set up the rules for this part of the exams to scare you into thinking you wouldn't be able to retake the exams again and to see of you could gather information without getting caught using the rescores around you." He explained "You all have now passed the first part of the Chunin Exams I wish you all luck on the next part." He praised.
But before celebrations could start something came crashing through the window. Another figure soon followed "I right listen you maggots! My name is Mitarashi Anko the second proctor for the exams , and for here on out you're all in my hands!" She self introduced herself with a poster behind her with her name on it.
Naruto and Hinata's sweat dropped "Anko-nee..."
Anko was surprise to see nearly a full house "This many left? You're losing your touch Ibiki."
He shrugged "There very promising this year, plus your little brother had a hand in this."
Anko smiled and looked to see where Naruto was "Naruto-chan!" She shouted searching for him.
Naruto's face when red from embarrassment as he tried to ducked his head, but Kitsmei had awoken from Anko's stunt and he yipped to her.
Anko saw Kitsmei and knew immediately where Naruto was as she dashed to his desk and put him into a headlock "Hey Naruto-chan! Why didn't you greet your Onee-sama!?"
Naruto struggled to breath "Anko-nee get off!" He yelled as he tried to yank her arm off his neck.
The whole room filled with laughter and smiles as they watched Naruto struggle against Anko, Hinata giggled too. Maybe she'd be fine as long as she had Naruto-kun here for a boost of confidence.
Chapter's End
I swear I forget about Kitsmei some times and have to go back to curtain scenes and rewrite him in LOL. Anyway fav, follow, and review please and thank you :P Vicks out.