The Hidden Truths of the Village Hidden in the Leaves
Summary: Starting after the trip to the Land of the Waves, Sasuke has developed a sense of overprotectivness a shinobi feels towards their partner and Naruto has to deal with new surprises every day. The secret behind the Uchiha clan massacre is revealed and Orochimaru is scared of one man. ANBU and foxes flock towards Naruto as much as danger does. A whole new take on the life of Team 7 and co.
A/N: Hello! Just thought to leave a little note of thanks to all my wonderful reviewers and to express a little sheepishness about a topic. I see that many of you have made the guess that the ANBU protecting Naruto is Itachi, and although I had wanted to keep his identity secret, everyone seems to have figured it out so I want to congratulate you all! Maybe I should have left less hints, but then again, what's the point to that, eh? Anyway, once again, thank you all, both readers and reviewers, for sticking with this story for as long as you have and I hope to hear from you all again!
Onto the next chapter!
When the hour was up, the clearing containing the monument for the fallen shinobi was once again graced with the presence of four Academy kids, twelve genin, four chuunin, four jonin, eight hidden ANBU elites and one Hokage, all here to either witness, judge or participate in the annual, prestigious Genin Games. They were all now well rested and their hunger has been sated, except for one Chouji Akamichi, but him being an Akamichi, that really is to be expected.
Taieki, who had managed to wash away the paint through hard scrubbing and had changed his clothes, was now no longer neon pink with orange dots as he looked over the genin. He was actually rather excited to see how they will do, having seen some of them fighting in the forest and down the hill in the previous challenge. For instance, he was sure both Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuuga Neji will give quite a spectacular show of skill in these fights, and he was sure Gai's favorite student, Lee, will also show just how strong he really was. Tenten, the oldest kunoichi, also held a lot of potential and was probably as skilled at fighting as the younger Hyuuga was. He knew Hinata was shy but he also knew she was the heiress to the Hyuuga clan so she must have started her training from a young age. And he had heard about the Inuzuka's interesting fighting style. In a solely taijutsu fight, it was going to be quite interesting, watching big, famous and small clans clash.
And then there was Uzumaki Naruto. Taieki glanced at the blond, who was currently talking his team's ears off with a big grin on his face, and he remembered what Kakashi had told him when he saw the man right before coming here.
"Don't take it personally, what Naruto did to you during the last test. He was only setting traps to slow us down, if not stop us."
"(Huff!) I don't like irresponsible, immature genin in these games, Kakashi-san. What he did is not setting traps but playing pranks."
"True, but you, Sabako, Iruka, Kurenai and myself have fallen to his deception. He is a master prankster, and from what I've heard and witnessed as his sensei, I can say with absolute confidence that he is the number one ninja at surprising people."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
Kakashi had just shrugged. "Observe him closely, Taieki-san, and you will see his potential. His potential as a great ninja."
He was going to take the man's advice and watch the kyuubi's vessel but for now, he really couldn't see anything special about the kid other than the knowledge he holds such a powerful demon in his body. He snorted, realizing many people would call something like that very special, as the Kyuubi was known far and wide as a ferocious, untamable force of nature that can level mountains with one swing of one of its tails.
He let them chat amongst themselves for a few more minutes before clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, mina. It's time we start with the third part of the Genin Games. Now, this segment is dedicated to sparing, but you will spar as a team, as individuals and as partners, in that order. As teams, you will pick a leader, a captain if you wish, and he will draw a number from this here box," he patted the box Iruka brought as he stood next to him. "Who you get to fight, you fight. No changing your opponents. As for the individual fights, we will give you each a number and then draw numbers so we can make pairs. The same as for the first challenge of the third part, there is no changing opponents. You fight who you fight. Now, those are strictly taijutsu competitions and they will be timed. You each have seven minutes to keep your opponent down or knock them out. Don't worry, we have healers coming to be on standby so you will be fine for the next part of the Games. In the partner challenge, the Hokage himself will draw lots to see who is with whom. No changing partners, no matter what. Then you will pick a lot yourselves and we will see who you are paired up with. Once again, who you get, you will fight. Those fights won't be timed. They will end the second you put your opponents into a checkmate position, so to speak. They're all-techniques-allowed type of fights, meaning genjutsu, taijutsu, ninjutsu, Kekkei Genkai, animals and so on. The rules about killing still stand, so don't fuck around. Any and all weapons are allowed as long as you're not using it to try to kill each other. Follow the rules, fight like the honorable leaf shinobi you should be by now and you'll be fine. Good luck and whatnot."
Team 7 turned to look at each other just as the other teams did, too. Sakura looked at Naruto, then Sasuke, seeing that the boys were staring at each other, eyes locked as if they were sharing a silent conversation. When they nodded, Sakura was surprised that the blond wasn't suggesting himself for the leader, or protesting, but rather: "I suggest Sasuke. He planned our last formation and we won all those points."
"Eh? You're not going to protest?" Iruka asked as he approached the team with the box. Team Gai and Team Kurenai had already decided on their leader and they had already gotten their numbers, Neji having drawn 3 and Shino 1.
Naruto shrugged. "He planned our strategy against Haku, too."
"Who?" The perplexed teacher questioned, only to be completely ignored.
"Yes, but it was an epic failure and we both almost died. Besides, you got that idea in that fight against Zabuza with the Shadow Windmill Shuriken. That one worked pretty good." Sasuke countered and the blond seemed to think about it before shrugging again.
"That was a one time thing. I'm a prankster, not a strategist."
Sasuke opened his mouth to protest when Sakura's incredulous voice filtered into their ears. "I can't believe you're fighting about not being suitable to be a leader. If you two can't decide, then I'll be the leader." Again, the two boys shared a look before nodding again.
"Okay, I'll be the leader." Sasuke conceded and Sakura sweazdropped as Iruka extended the box towards him. Sasuke stuck his hand in and drew out a lot, the number 4 written in black paint across most of its surface. Ino, who was still ranting on and on about how she was the leader, was handed a slip of paper declaring their number to be two, leaving her stunned at not having the chance to fulfill her leaderly duties.
Hiruzen nodded when he saw all four teams had a number and Joko walked up to him with another box. He reached in, aware of all the eyes, hidden or otherwise, on him as he pulled out the first slip of paper. It was number 4. Naruto cheered, pumping a fist into the air while the other contestants were watching warily who will be the (un)lucky team to go up against the current champions. Secretly, Ino, Neji, Kina and Lee were hoping it would be them while Shikamaru and Hinata prayed it wouldn't be them. For different reasons, of course, but that was to be expected. Hinata would rather never face against her crush (Naruto) in battle while Shikamaru was just lazy and wanted to put it off as long as he can.
Sarutobi soon drew the other slip of paper and Shikamaru groaned as Ino cheered when they saw it was number 2. Hinata sighed in relief while Kiba and Neji glared at Team Asuma, making Chouji and Shikamaru shiver at the hostile gazes sent their way. Lee was disappointed he wouldn't get to fight either Naruto-san nor Sasuke-san in this round, but he was still hopeful for the next round!
Kakashi and Asuma watched as their teams walked into the zone marked by white paint that will serve as the main ring. In truth, it was just the starting point. The genin were allowed to move as they wish. The only real restriction was on killing or on leaving this clearing and out of the ANBU's sight. Everything else was fair game.
Ino and Sakura were staring each other down, the purple clad girl with a confident smirk and the pink haired girl with a glare at her once best friend and now rival in love. She would not lose! (Shannaro!") Chouji was still enjoying his many snacks and he waved at the blond when Naruto waved at him in greeting. Shikamaru and Sasuke were simply regarding each other with disinterest, hands shoved into their pockets, rather bored expressions in place, studying the opposite group and thinking of plans to take them down.
Taieki looked between the two teams and decided now was as good a time as any to start. ''Alright, now that the matches have been decided, it is time that I tell you how you will be getting points. Each time you knock one of your opponents down, you get a point. If you knock them out, you will get three points. Pinning them down for the duration of the fight is two points. Show of greater skill is four points. It will be that way in the other two challenges as well, so remember the rules well. Also, in this first test of the third part of the genin games, only taijutsu is allowed, meaning no other ninja tricks are allowed. Not even substitution. Is that clear?" All four teams of genin nodded and Taieki took a few steps back. He reached into his pocket and took out a metal ball slightly smaller than his hand. "You begin when the ball touches the ground." Another set of nods followed this instruction and Taieki looked over to the Hokage for permission to commence the start of the third segment of the games. Sarutobi nodded and the chuunin threw the ball high in the air before leaping back. The six genin watched the round metal object like hawks, tensing their muscles as it began to drop and was getting closer to the ground ... closer, closer ... closer-
The ball hit the ground and the tweens sprang into action as if they were fired from a gun. Ino was on Sakura in seconds, the two kunoichi going at it with drawn kunai, dancing around each other in evasive maneuvers, exchanging fists and kicks, glares firmly in place. Sasuke sprang for Shikamaru and the lazy boy just barely dodged a kick in the gut. Sasuke did a spin and punched him in the shoulder, making the Nara take a few steps back. Taieki raised an eyebrow, noting the genius genin's speed and deciding to give him 4 points for Uchiha didn't waste time and dropped to the ground to sweep Shikamaru's feet from under him, but the other boy managed to jump back just in time, putting some distance between them. Too bad that won't work as Sasuke did a complicated spin on his hands and jumped into the air, turned so his back was parallel to the ground and tried delivering a kick to the other boy's upper body. Shikamaru just barely caught the foot heading towards his chest or face, thinking he had made the right move and Sasuke would fall to the ground and Asuma seemed to be thinking the same thing as was showed by his smirk, but Kakashi knew Sasuke and his move in this situation all too well.
And, as expected, Sasuke showed great flexibility as he twisted his body so he can deliver a kick with his free foot, sending Shikamaru onto his back a good six feet away to the left. Taieki quickly scribbled 2×4+1 points for Sasuke and Team Kakashi.
Sasuke grunted in surprise when he was suddenly sumo tackled by Chouji from behind, the Akamichi having seen his best friend in trouble and ran far faster than Naruto (his opponent) or anyone else had ever seen if barbecue was not at hand. Chouji lifted the Uchiha off the ground but yelped and dropped him as Naruto kicked him in the shin by sliding across the grass like a football player, toppling the bigger boy. Sasuke did another twist in the air and landed right beside Naruto, both in a crouched position and panting slightly. Taieki wrote down another point for Team Kakashi and looked at the time. 4.01. They had a little less than a minute left.
Just in that moment, Ino tripped Sakura up and the girl landed on her butt, causing Taieki to write another point for Team Asuma. Ino was about to deliver a knock out hit, but Sakura rolled onto her hands and knees, getting her feet under her and channeling some chakra she jumped up just in time to avoid it. Raising an eyebrow, Taieki wrote 4 more points for Team Kakashi, as such molding of chakra was not something you usually saw in a genin of two months. Chouji and Shikamaru had just gotten back to their feet and circled their opponents from both sides. Standing back to back, Sasuke and Naruto took each other under the elbow with their own elbow and made as if to run in the opposite direction of their original partner. Using each other as leverage, Naruto and Sasuke brought up a foot and slammed it into the chests of Shikamaru and Chouji respectively, sending them back to the ground on their butts. Another 2 points were written up for Team Kakashi and 4 for creativity.
Ino turned to look up at Sakura and put up her arms to brace herself, but Sakura wasn't about to waste this perfect opportunity on an ordinary leg kick. No, she was going to use a move Sasuke-kun taught her!
"Ano, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura called a few minutes after they left Ichiraku's ramen stand, their hunger sated but they hadn't stuffed themselves so that they couldn't move. "Can I ask you a favor?" The pink haired female ninja asked when those dark eyes (and a curious pair of blue ones, too) turned to look at her, a dark eyebrow raised to show he was acknowledging her question.
"What?"
Sakura fidgeted a little. This was really awkward. She knew she never came across as the type who would spend hours training, especially not like her two teammates would train until they drop dead exhausted on the ground. But they were now fighting in these games and Naruto was doing so great when she had thought him to be a possible burden. Turns out, in comparison to both her teammates, she was the burden as it was Sasuke and Naruto who had won them most of their points. It was time she got serious, too.
"Um, could you teach me one of your moves? Like, right now?" Both boys stared at her with somewhat shocked expressions on their faces. "Ano, if it's not a problem that is-"
"It's fine." Sasuke cut her off and started walking in another direction, his two teammates following after him. "I know what I can teach you for the short time that we have before the break is over. Naruto can help you as a practice dummy. ("Hey!") Just don't think I will go easy on you because you're a girl. If there is anything I hate, it's slackers."
"R-right!" The girl answered, her cheeks heating up. 'Sasuke-kun is going to teach me one of his techniques!' Already, she was off in her own dream world where Sasuke, in order to correct her stance, comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her. Then he'd realize his feeling for her and be her first kiss! ("Shannaro!") 'Even if I won't be his,' she thought with an envious glance in Naruto's direction, who was now walking side by side with Sasuke. "Um, what type of technique is it?"
"It's a technique all female Uchiha master as soon as they start their training." The black haired boy answered as Sakura ran up a little so she was walking on his left side.
"Then why do you know it, teme?" Naruto asked in a teasing manner, only to get an annoyed scowl from the older boy.
"It may be preferred by the women of my clan, but it's a useful fighting technique, dobe. Because it is for the more flexible, it is easier for women to do it. Besides, Itachi learned it, mostly because he had already learned all the other techniques so he decided 'why not?'."
"Itachi?" They had both asked, confusion clear on their faces.
"My brother," was all Sasuke said before he sped up until they got to a clearing near the forest, where no one would interrupt them. Needless to say, it was a tough half an hour...
But was totally worth it as Sakura turned in the air so her side was parallel to the ground, extended both her legs and prepared her arms to catch herself when she starts falling. She did a strange looking roundhouse kick that sent Ino flying to the side, onto the ground and it earned her 4+1 points just before their time was up. Taieki whistled to signal the end and the genins stopped, Chouji falling flat on his face as he had been charging for Naruto and Sasuke stopping in the middle of delivering another roundhouse kick to Shikamaru, the Uchiha's leg an inch away from the lazy Nara's shoulder, earning him another 4 points.
"That's enough. Team Asuma, 2 points. Team Kakashi, 21 points. The current scores are 27 and 80 points respectively."
"Sugoi." Tenten breathed from in between Lee and Neji, who seemed to be anticipating this part of the Games quite a bit. Lee was stretching while Neji seemed to be staring at their opponents with his Byakugan, trying to memorize as much of their pressure and chakra points as he can. Juuken is a taijutsu piece of art the Hyuuga had developed, targeting the chakra flow system and its weak spots by releasing certain amounts of their own chakra into that spot. Byakugan could see those points and allow the user to know where to hit so the fight would be over as soon as it is possible. Since he wasn't allowed to use Byakugan until the partner matches, he will have to memorize their pressure points now. Hinata's he already knew, but Kiba and Shino were a different story. Especially Shino.
"Yosh! Let's give it our all!" Lee yelled and was about to walk towards the starting point but Neji's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Lee, you will fight Kiba. Tenten, it's you against Hinata. I'll take Shino."
"You sure?" Tenten asked, staring worriedly at the Hyuuga. Neji nodded without saying a word. "Okay then." They walked over towards the starting point, passing Team 7 on the way. Neji and Sasuke locked eyes, two polar opposites, nearly white on nearly black, and Sasuke smirked at him. Neji returned it, except his eyes were set in a bitter glare. He would show the Uchiha what a real fight looks like.
Kiba looked towards Hinata worriedly, as the shy girl couldn't dare to look up towards her older cousin. They knew that if she were to fight Neji, she wouldn't be able to continue the Genin Games, let alone go on the mission with the rest of them. Neji had some serious issues with the head family of the Hyuuga clan. They didn't know why, since not even Hinata was aware of the details, but if there was one thing that railed him up, it was talking about the relations between the head and the branch family.
"Hinata, whatever you do, don't fight with Neji. I'll take him-"
"No," they both jumped at Shino's interruption, turning to look at their usually silent teammate in surprise. "I will fight him." They shared a look as he walked passed them and just shrugged before following him. After a quick briefing of the rules a second time, Taieki stepped back, threw the ball up and leaped out of the way. The second the ball was on the ground, all three members of Team Kurenai fell on their asses.
"Kuso!" Kiba cursed as Taieki wrote down 3 points for Team Gai. Damn, they were fast. He barely got back to his feet when Lee was in front of him. He couldn't do more than dodge and block and they were all impressive, effective moves that got Lee at least 3×4 points. And then Lee dropped out of his sight but he could still smell him. He looked down just as Lee kicked up with one leg, launching him into the air. Kiba grunted in pain and flinched when he smelled the bowl haircut older boy just beneath him, his back towards Lee. Then bushy eyebrows, as Naruto called him, took a hold of his arm and got Kiba under him, kicking him with his leg into the ground. Kiba lost consciousness for about fifteen seconds and Taieki saw this, giving Lee 4+1+3 points for two impressive moves, knocking Kiba down and out. And when the dog lover tried to get up, Lee literally sat on him. With the wind knocked out of him, Kiba couldn't find the strength to get up, no matter how much he wanted to. He was too used to having Akamaru as backup.
On the other hand, Tenten and Hinata were pretty well matched, both of them exchanging blows but Hinata, with her Juuken, had the edge. They have yet to knock each other down again, but Hinata had gained her team 3×4 points and Tenten 4 for hers.
Neji was whipping the floor with Shino. He had known that Kiba would probably stand the best chance against the fast Lee, but there was no way he would let Hinata face the older Hyuuga. Without his bugs, he could barely keep up with the genius and it was more than showing. The 4×4 points score for Team Gai Neji got more than proved it. It was scary how well he could fight. Shino wondered what a fight between him and Sasuke would really look like.
When the time was up, Lee got off of Kiba, earning him 2 more points. Taieki was more than impressed. They had almost caught up with Team Kakashi. Team Kurenai now has 36 points while Team Gai now had 77 points. Needless to say, Neji was pleased when he saw Sasuke's scowl. They were now all but tied and he will make sure to turn the tables by gaining even more points in the upcoming matches.
He will show Uchiha Sasuke his power as a member of the branch family of the Hyuuga clan.