Something happened that no one told me! Chapter 14 had been dramatically changed! I was flipping through the chapters and saw that the credits page was on it! How in the world did that happen? Oh man! Everyone must've been confused – and – oh man! I don't even have the chapter anywhere on my computer any more! Dammit, I have to write it all over!
"What are we supposed to do now?" Ryoko asked looking at Sasuke and Naruto.
"I think we're supposed to open the scrolls." Sasuke answered handing her the Heaven scroll and Naruto the Earth scroll.
With shaking hands, Ryoko and Naruto looked at each other first before slowly opening the scroll. Their eyes widen in shock when they read a single kanji character in the center of both scrolls.
"What is this?" Naruto asked confused.
Ryoko tilted her scroll, "A 'man'? A 'person'?" She guessed equally confused.
Then suddenly both scrolls began to smoke! Sasuke's eyes widen in recognition, 'This is…a summoning scroll!' "Naruto! Ryoko! Drop the scrolls!"
Startle by Sasuke's yelling, both Naruto and Ryoko threw the scrolls away.
When the scrolls landed a familiar 'Poof' sound rung in their ears as the clouds clung around a dark figure.
Their eyes widened as the smoke cleared revealing someone they least expected to see.
"Iruka-sensei?"
Iruka stood there proudly with his arms crossed as he faced his former students, "Hello. Long time no see."
"What's going on?" Ryoko asked surprised.
"Looks like you three of you went through a lot of trouble." Iruka-sensei joked.
"Nani? Why did you appear through a summoning jutsu, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto questioned.
"We Chuunin are to welcome the examinees at the end of this second Exam. I was given the duty to pass the four of you a message by chance."
"A message?" Ryoko repeated.
Iruka-sensei took a pocket watch out of his pocket and opened it, "You made it just in time." He closed it and turned to them again. "Everyone, congratulations on passing the second Exam. I'd like to treat you to ramen at Ichikaru, but-"
"YATTA!" Naruto yelled, throwing himself at Iruka-sensei and pulling him into a crushing-bone hug.
"Naruto, let me finish!" Iruka-sensei scolded. Naruto lets go of him still cheering inwardly about the ramen.
Sasuke sat on the floor and Ryoko dropped to her knees, both completely exhausted. They sighed at Naruto's unlimited energy.
"Geez, you're still restless like before." Iruka-sensei said in a nostalgic tone.
Naruto grinned in agreement.
"I see." Sasuke said with a smirk, "If we looked into the scrolls during the Exam… Iruka-sensei, what were you planning to do?"
Iruka-sensei sent them a guilty smile as he picked up the scrolls on the floor.
"Sasuke, you're as sharp as ever. As you have guessed, this Exam tests your mission completion abilities. So, if you break the rules and open a scroll, we were ordered to knock out the examinees until the second phase ended."
Sasuke's smirk widened as he turned to Naruto and Ryoko.
"Aren't you two glad you didn't open it?"
Ryoko and Naruto stiffened, wide-eyed.
"Kabuto-san, arigatou!" Naruto said, clapping his hands together.
Ryoko sighed in relief, then looked up to the poster again, "Oh, sensei." Iruka-sensei turned to her. "What does that text on the wall mean?"
"Who cares? We passed!" Naruto said.
Iruka-sensei sweat dropped, "Actually, my other mission is to explain to you what this means. This is the principal Lord Hokage wrote that you should keep in mind as a Chuunin. The 'Heaven' in this text points to the head of the person. And 'Earth' points to the body. If you do not possess Heaven, gain knowledge and be prepared. That means, for example; if Naruto's weak point is his brain, he should study and prepare for his missions."
Naruto scowled.
"And if you do not possess Earth, run through the fields and seek strength. For example, if Ryoko's weakness lies in the strength, she should train herself every day. That's what it means." Ryoko stuck out her tongue, rubbing the back of her head. "And if you have both Earth and Heaven attributes, any dangerous mission will become safe. It can even become easy."
"What about that missing letter?" Ryoko asked.
"It's the letter that symbolizes a Chunin." Iruka-sensei opened the scroll and showed it to us. "The 'human' letter that was here goes in there. The survival mission you took part in the past five days tested the basic abilities of examinees as a Chunin. And you guys completed it. A Chunin is a commander-class. He has a duty to lead a team. Deeply inscribe into your heart the importance of knowledge and strength in missions. Never forget that Chunin principal, and go on to the next step. That's all I was ordered to tell you."
"Roger!" Naruto exclaimed.
"But don't push yourselves in the third Exam." Iruka-sensei added, slightly worried.
"But we are supposed to do that!"
"Especially you, Naruto." Iruka-sensei said, "I'm worried about the-"
"Iruka-sensei." Naruto interrupted. "When I got this headband, I graduated from the Academy. There's no need to worry." He adjusted his headband. "And this is the proof you gave me to I'm not a child anymore, right, Iruka-sensei? I may still be reckless, but I'm not a kid anymore. Right now, I'm a ninja!"
Iruka-sensei remained in silent for some seconds just staring at Naruto.
"I see." The Chunin said. "I'm sorry, Naruto."
Naruto grinned happily, "Now how about that ramen?"
Iruka-sensei sweat dropped. Same old Naruto…
The teams were lined up in front of their sensei's, the Exam's proctors and the Hokage himself. Behind them there were two big stone hands performing a seal.
"First off…congratulations on passing the second phase." Anko said. "We will now have an explanation of the third Exam from Lord Hokage. Everyone listen well."
The Hokage stepped forward and started his speech.
As the Third Hokage spoke everyone took the opportunity to look around to see who had made it through. Team 8 was there, which was no surprise; their specialty was survival training. Team 10 apparently had managed to take someone's scroll. Rock Lee's team was lined up beside Naruto's and beside them, the sound team. Of all the teams, they just had to pass… Then there was Kabuto's team and Gaara's team.
A brown-haired Konoha Chunin jumped out of nowhere in front of the Hokage and kneeled to him.
"Excuse me, Lord Hokage." He said. "I, Gekkou Hayate, the judge, will explain the third Exam."
The Hokage nodded, "Please, do."
"Everyone, nice to meet you." Hayate said, turning to us and coughing a little. "Everyone, before the third Exam, there's something I want you to do. Fight in some preliminary matches to see who gets to advance the third Exam's main battle."
"Nani?" Naruto yelled.
"Preliminary matches? What do you mean?" Shikamaru asked angrily.
"It must have been because the first and the second phases were too easy, I don't know." Hayate said. "But there are too many examinees left. According to Chunin regulations, we must decrease the number of participants for the third Exam. As previously mentioned by Lord Hokage there are many guests for the third Exam. We cannot have a lot of matches. We're limited on time, as well. So, those who aren't feeling well-" He stopped the sentence to cough a little.
Talking about not feeling well…
"Excuse me. If anyone wants to quit after hearing the explanation, please let me know." When no one had any objections he continued, "The preliminary matches will begin immediately."
"Immediately?" Kiba exclaimed indignantly as some other people gasped.
"But we just got through the second Exam!" Ino cried.
"Oh man, what a drag." Shikamaru moaned.
"That's just great." Ryoko stated sarcastically, "We don't even get a rest break."
Then she heard a small wince of pain from behind her and turned around to see Sasuke with a hand over his shoulder, where the mark was.
Her eyes widened, "Is it activating?" she whispered.
He gritted his teeth and shook his head. She frowned, slightly worried. Even if the mark wasn't activating, he still felt the pain from before. This could be a problem during his fight.
"Sasuke." Ryoko said, "I'm going to ask a stupid question and ask: Do you want to withdraw?"
"May I assume there are no more people who wish to retire?" Hayate asked again.
"There's no way I'm going to withdraw after coming this far." Sasuke said in a final tone.
Ryoko smirked, "Good because I would've told you to suck it up and fight. That's the Uchiha way isn't it?"
"Hey." Naruto whispered turning to face his whispering teammates, "What are you guys whispering about?"
"Nothing."
"Naruto." Sasuke interrupted with a smirk. "I want to fight you too."
The blond stared speechlessly at Sasuke for a moment. His lips then curved into a smile.
"Then let's begin the preliminary matches." Hayate announced. "It'll be a one-on-one match. There are no rules. You fight until the other person dies, is knocked out, or admits defeat. However, if I judge that the match's over, I may stop you to prevent any unnecessary deaths. The thing that will hold your destiny-" He nodded at Anko, who said something through her mike. Seconds later, part of the wall in front of them opened, revealing a huge black television screen. "-will be this. This electric bulletin board will randomly display the names of two fighters for each match. Without further ado, I will now display the names for the first match."
The screen glowed yellow and turned black again. A lot of names scrolled through it so fast none could read it.
Finally, it stopped. Now there were only two names on the screen.
"Yoroi Akadou vs. Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke smirked. Wow, he's got to fight already?
"Those, whose names were displayed, step up." Hayate announced.
Sasuke and one of Kabuto's teammates stepped forward. "The first match's fighters are Yoroi Akadou and Sasuke Uchiha. Are there any objections?"
"No." Both said in sync.
"Everyone other than the two fighters, please move up there." Hayate gestured to the balconies.
Some people started to move, but Ryoko stayed for a little longer.
"Sasuke." He turned to look at her. "You better not lose or else you'll have to deal with me."
The Uchiha smirked.
"Worried?"
"You wish." She sent him an angry glare. "Just one more thing: Don't let that mark control you."
"I won't."
She smirked and followed Naruto to the balconies. The sensei also joined them up there. Some people leaned over the railings. Everyone was curious to see the top rookie fight.
"Begin." Hayate announced, stepping backwards to make more room for the fighters.
Sasuke assumed a fighting stance and Yoroi made a seal. His hand glowed with blue chakra and he threw three shuriken at Sasuke. The Uchiha deflected them with a kunai, but another thing happened then. His mark glowed a little, causing him to cry out in pain. Losing his balance, Sasuke fell on the floor.
The next second Yoroi was in front of him aiming a punch at Sasuke's face. Sasuke rolled to the left and kicked Yoroi legs causing him to fall. Sasuke immobilized Yoroi pretty well, holding his head with the leg and his arm, positioned on Sasuke's chest, with his other leg and one hand.
"He did it!" Naruto cheered. Ryoko grinned as well but it soon disappeared when she saw Yoroi's move.
Kabuto's teammate's hand glowed with chakra again and clutched on Sasuke's shirt. The Uchiha's eyes widened and he started to shiver. Feeling the grip on his arm loosening Yoroi slammed it on Sasuke's chest. He took his head away from Sasuke's leg and jumped backwards, leaving the Uchiha shaking in pain on the floor.
I gritted my teeth as Yoroi charged towards Sasuke prepared to strike. His chakra involved his hand one more time.
"Move your butt Uchiha!"
Sasuke quickly sat up, but couldn't dodge it in time. Yoroi pressed his hand on Sasuke's head, causing him to fall on the floor again. Sasuke grabbed Yoroi's arm, but couldn't find the strength to shove it away. After a moment, Sasuke released Yoroi with an incredibly exhausted expression.
Everyone's eyes widened at the fact that Sasuke might've given up. Naruto was holding the railings so tight they might break at any moment.
Surprising everyone, Sasuke managed to gather strength on his leg and kicked Yoroi's chest.
"Get off!" Kabuto's teammates was thrown a few meters away from Sasuke. He, too, was surprise, but he got to his feet.
Sasuke sat up again, panting heavily.
Yoroi chuckled. "Relax. I'll end this quickly."
He darted towards Sasuke, using the same technique again. This time the Uchiha managed to stand up and dodge it. He dodged a few times until Yoroi's hand touched one of his hair's bangs. Sasuke reeled forward, using all his effort not to fall.
"What's wrong? Are you done for already?" Yoroi teased.
Sasuke swung a kick at him, but Yoroi jumped backwards and avoided it.
"SASUKE!" Naruto yelled, frustrated. "You call yourself Uchiha Sasuke with that? Stop acting like an idiot! Get serious!"
"Yeah! Where's that overconfident Uchiha pride?" Ryoko yelled, "If there was anytime for you to show off like you usually do – now's the time!"
Sasuke turned to look at Naruto and Ryoko's with tired eyes.
"You don't have time to look the other way!" Yoroi yelled, charging towards Sasuke. As he came closer still didn't move until the last moment where he began to dodge all of Yoroi's punches. A smirk came to his face. With an amazing speed, the Uchiha ducked and kicked Yoroi's jaw, sending him flying upwards. Everyone's eyes widen when they saw that familiar move. That's Lee's move! Lee's and Gai's mouths dropped as they also realized that.
Sasuke appeared below Yoroi while this one was in the air.
"From here on out, it's all original, though." Sasuke said, pressing two fingers on Yoroi's back. "This is the end."
Sasuke was about to strike when the mark on his neck started to glow. But due to self control the mark slowly started to retreat until there were only the three black commas on Sasuke's neck. The Uchiha smirked. He tried to kick Yoroi's left side, but Kabuto's teammate blocked it with his arm. Then surprising everyone, Sasuke raised his right fist and punched Yoroi's jaw. The ninja started falling upside down, but Sasuke's attack wasn't over yet. He kicked Yoroi's chest with full strength.
"Lion's Barrage!" Sasuke yelled.
The force of the attack sent the Uchiha backwards, landing on his chest. Yoroi let out a wince of pain and lay on the floor defeated. Sasuke slowly sat up breathing heavily and wiped blood from his mouth.
Hayate walked to Yoroi to check his conditions, even though there was no need for that. It was obvious who the winner was.
"I will stop this match now." The proctor stated. "The first match winner is Sasuke Uchiha. He passes the preliminary round."
"YATTA!" Naruto cheered with a huge grin plastered on his face.
Ryoko smiled, relieved. "Way to go, Uchiha!"
The boy was exhausted. Sasuke's eyelids started to close and he was about to fall backwards when a cloud of smoke appeared behind him. Sasuke ended up leaning against Kakashi-sensei's knee while the Jounin lazily pretended to read his perverted book.
"You did okay." Sensei complimented, causing Sasuke to smirk.
"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, laughing. "You won in such an idiotic way! You're all worn out, you idiot!"
I sniggered, "Not as flashy as you usually do it, but it was pretty awesome!"
The Uchiha sent them a weak glare, but soon turned to smirk again.
A group of medic-ninjas walked into the arena and took Yoroi in a stretcher. One of them walked towards Sasuke with a serious expression.
"Sasuke Uchiha, we'll give you the best treatment we can."
"This isn't your field." Kakashi-sensei stated calmly.
The medic sent him a confused look.
"I'll take him." Kakashi-sensei kneeled down and whispered something in Sasuke's ear.
Sasuke reluctantly got up and walked to the exit with Kakashi-sensei, putting a hand over where the mark was. Naruto frowned at this and turned to Ryoko.
"Ryoko, did you see some sort of weird wound on Sasuke's neck during the match?"
"I don't know." Ryoko said after a moment of hesitation.
Everyone's attention turned to the electric board, which started sorting the names again. Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei stopped walking for a moment to see who would be fighting next.
Everyone held their breath as the two fighters' names were displayed.