Finals
Finally the day of the finals arrived, and I woke up after managing to go to sleep. I dreamt the day I met Takashi. I been having a lot of those dreams since that time with Gaara.
I changed into my new set of clothes and headed to the arena. Once there, I stood with all the other finalist except for Sasuke that was no where in sight.
Kuroda sat in an assign chair looking down on the group and focus on me. "Takashi I hope you're seeing Naruto's match where ever you are," Kuroda thought.
Amongst the crowd Chief was with Hiashi Hanabi and other Hyugas there to watch the match.
At the Kage's seat, Minato was there with Sarutobi just waiting for the Kazekage. "Aren't you worried Sasuke joined Orochimaru?" Sarutobi asked.
"Kakashi disappeared the same day, so I wouldn't worry," Minato said as lord Kazekage arrived, "Hello Lord Kazekage!"
"Hello Minato, Sarutobi," he responded.
At the stands Ino was with Sakura for the matches to see Sasuke wasn't among the finalist.
Kazekage took his seat next to Sarutobi.
"Well now let's get down to business," Minato said standing up, "Welcome everyone to the final rounds of the Chuunin exam. These 10 contestants have work their way up and have shown promise that they might become Chuunins so lets enjoy the matches."
"Hey relax Sakura, don't forget Naruto is up first," Ino said, "And Sasuke's match isn't till the end of the first rounds."
"Yeah you're right," Sakura responded.
"Okay listen up," our proctor for the finals Genma said, "The rules of the finals are the same as the preliminaries, as in there are no rules. The match is over when someone admits defeat or dies. However I can end the match when I think its over."
That was fine with me, I didn't spend weeks training for nothing.
"Now for the first match, Naruto Uzumaki, Temari you two stay here, the rest of you head up to the waiting room," Genma said.
Everyone headed up as I turned to face Temari.
"Hey Sakura, Temari was the one that beat you in the preliminaries right?" Ino asked.
"Yeah but Naruto did say that he gotten stronger," Sakura said.
"I hope so," Ino said.
Kiba was watching was well. "I wander what kind of tricks you got in your sleeve now," Kiba thought.
Kiba was sitting next to two observers to help determine if the finalist had what it takes to be chuunin.
"The nine-tail's son," one of them said.
"Yeah, this will be an interesting match indeed," the other said.
"I see you got some new clothes, but new clothes doesn't mean you'll beat me," Temari said.
"Just wait, I'll blow you away," I responded.
"Let the first match BEGIN!" Genma shouted.
I threw some smoke bombs to the ground creating smoke. I took out a scroll, bite down on it and made the hand sign.
"Ready or not here I come," Temari said opening her fan, "Wind Scythe Jutsu!" With a wave of her fan a giant gust of slashing wind that broke through the smoke. However I was already gone by time she attacked.
"Where did he go?" Temari thought.
Just then in my bat form, and Just then in my bat form, and trasform back to normal, grab a scroll, bite down on it, made the hand sign, and shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Multiple shadow clones appeared around me.
"Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Temari shouted waving her fan sending a gust of slashing wind.
All the clones disappeared and I was no where in sight.
"Where did…?" Temari responded before the ground bellow her started shaking.
I was underground as I performed a shadow clone to come out of the smoke as I dug underground to avoid the attack. All I had to do was summon my tail and wait for my shadow clones to disperse to create an earthquake.
I jumped out then and tried to get Temari away from the fan. Temari jumped into the air and glided on her fan avoiding the attack.
"That was clever, fooling me with that shadow clone," Temari said.
"I got more tricks than that," I responded.
"Naruto what are you up two?" Sakura thought watching.
"Try and take this, Sandstorm Jutsu!" Temari shouted waving her fan. Sand flew up everywhere around me making it impossible for me to see.
I smirked and took out my transformation scroll. I bit down on it, made the hand signs and shouted in my head, "Fox Demon Transformation Jutsu!"
I transformed into my true form and ran strait at Temari full speed tracking her with her scent.
Temari saw me coming and prepared herself. "Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Temari shouted waving her fan summoning slashing wind.
It blow away the sand and as I was stuck in the middle of it.
"What are you going to do now Naruto?" Sakura thought.
I started digging underground protecting myself from the wind.
"I'm not falling for the same trick twice," Temari thought getting ready to dodge.
However I jumped from behind her and went to attack her.
"Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Temari shouted waving her fan sending another gust of wind.
I jump back into the hole I created dodging the attack.
"He's using the battle field to his advantage," one of the proctors said.
"That's actually clever," the other said.
I jump out and when Temari was about to attack I jump back into the hole.
Temari calmed herself down knowing that if she keeps attacking she'll run out of chakra.
Just then the earth started shaking as I hit the ground with one of my tails. Temari jumped into the air avoiding the attack. I smirked as I planned that to happened.
Just then I jump out a new hole as four more jumped out of the previous holes.
"When did Naruto learn to fuse transformation with a clone jutsu!" Chief thought.
"GO NARUTO!" Sakura shouted from the stands.
Temari opened her fan to attack.
"Wind Scythe Jutsus!" Temari shouted waving her fan creating a gust of wind.
The clones disappeared on purpose as I had the opening I needed.
I climb up the tree in the battle field and jump at Temari as she landed on the ground. I hit her from behind into a hole that was behind her.
"Who won?" Ino asked.
I climb out of the hole in my human form a little worn out. Moments later Temari manage to climb out and touch her fan.
"You could of killed me down there, why didn't you?" Temari asked.
"I maybe a demon, and my dream is to earn the title as demon ninja, but that doesn't mean I'll be a cold blooded killer like one," I responded, "If I ever had to kill someone, it will be out of last resort of my life or a life of my friend is in danger."
I didn't realize it but my words hit Temari deep, and she let it sink in. If I lived with Gaara most of my life, I wouldn't blame her.
Temari got up with some fight still in her but what she did next surprise everyone. "Proctor I give," Temari said.
Genma smirked and announced, "Winner Naruto Uzumaki!"
In the stands Kuroda started clapping, then Sakura, then the chief, and soon enough everyone started clapping in the stands and cheering, even Lee was cheering from the box as I headed up. I smiled as the sound of the clapping felt like everyone had accepted me as who I am, not what I am.
Kankaro was silent about Temari giving up but didn't blame her. Both were remembering back before Gaara started killing and thought that he was less than a monster then than now, because he started killing.
Only one or taking attention to what I said was Kabuto who was disguised as an Anbu to watch the match waiting for the right moment for something.
"Next Match: Neji Hyuga and Kankaro," Genma shouted.
Neji and Kankaro went down the stairs for their match. Neji gave me an approval nod as we passed.
When I reached the box Neji and Kankaro was already at the field ready.
"Now the second round between Neji Hyuga and Kankaro will begin," Genma shouted jumping back.
Neji took stance and activated his Byakugan, as Kankaro pulled out Crow as the wrappings fell off crow.
The two stared off for a while not knowing who should make the first move.
"Well if you're not going to attack, I'll do it for you," Kankaro said waving his fingers.
Kunais fired from Crow's mouth at Neji. He took one of his own Kunai and blocked each attack.
Neji came at Kankaro for an attack.
"Separate," Kankaro shouted.
Crow separated into parts and blades appeared from the hinges surrounding Neji.
Kankaro send the attack at Neji full speed. Neji started rotating his body sending chakra out of his body forming a spinning shield that blocked the attack.
Hiashi was surprised seeing Neji performed the Jutsu.
"Hey Hinata isn't that one of your clan's jutsus?" I asked Hinata.
"It is but its one of the main family jutsus," Hinata responded.
Neji stopped as the weapons hit the parts of crow fell around him.
"I'm not done yet," Kankaro said assembling the parts back together into Crow's form.
It fired a poisonous smoke around the area.
When the smoke cleared Neji was no where in sight.
Neji climb out of the holes I made from my match behind Kankaro.
"This is your end," Neji said from behind in another stance, "8-trigram 64 palms!"
Neji started jabbing Kankaro from behind multiple times shouting, "2 palms…4 palms…8 palms…16 palms." Then Neji turned toward Crow and started hitting it, finishing, "32 palms…64 palms."
Crow transformed back into Kankaro as he collapsed.
"I should of known," Kankaro said.
"I was destined to win this match from the beginning," Neji said.
"Winner Neji Hyuga," Genma shouted.
Kankaro was taken to another room to recover.
Neji headed up to the box to wait and watch the next match.
"Next match: Shikamaru Nara vs. Hinata Hyuga," Genma shouted.
Hinata and Shikamaru headed down as Neji smirked.
"Begin," Genma shouted.
Hinata took stance but I noticed that her stance was slightly different from Neji's. Even Neji and Hiashi noticed it. Kurenai was watching with Asuma as she smiled.
Shikamaru made the first move extending his shadow toward Hinata.
She dodge the shadow until it stopped.
"I got to be careful," Hinata thought as she knew if she tried to get closer to Shikamaru she'll be caught.
"With Hinata being a close range fighter she has a slight disadvantage," Asuma said.
"Don't worry Hinata has away around it," Kurenai said.
Just then Shikamaru's shadow extended from behind Hinata through the holes I made.
"Shadow Strike Jutsu!" Shikamaru shouted.
His shadow went for a strike behind Hinata.
"Defensive 8-Trigram 64 palms," Hinata shouted and started waving her hands around. Chakra slash from the palms of her hands forming a shield that protected her from the shadow.
Everyone was shocked seeing the jutsu especially Neji, except for one quiet Aburame that I could tell he knows something.
"Shino you and Hinata trained together didn't you?" I asked.
Shino nodded as Neji and I look toward him as he said.
"What kind of training did she did with you?" Naruto asked.
"You could say we helped each other out for our opponents," Shino said as he turned toward Lee who was to busy watching the match.
Hinata dodge another head on shadow strike this time and started getting closer toward Shikamaru.
"You know that Hinata has a hard time mastering a normal gentle fist fighting style, so you could say my job was to help her find her own style," Shino said.
Neji took in those words and turned back to the match.
"Shadow Strike Jutsu!" Shikamaru shouted. His shadow extended at different ends at Hinata.
Hinata formed another shield around the shadows. It looked as if Hinata could win this match.
"Hinata is stronger than before," Hiashi thought proudly watching her fight her hardest.
Shikamaru took a meditating stance with his hands form a square.
Asuma smirked seeing what Shikamaru was up to. "Kurenai, I hate to say this, but it looks like your student might not win," Asuma said.
"Wait why?" Kurenai responded.
Asuma explained about Shikamaru's habit in making strategies.
Hinata could tell Shikamaru was up to something and decided to move closer.
Shikamaru finally came up with the best plan.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!" Shikamaru shouted.
His shadow extended as Hinata dodge it noticing that the shadow was longer because of the sun's position. Then the shadow went into the closest hole. Hinata avoided the holes knowing what was coming next.
"4 way Shadow strike Jutsu," Shikamaru thought.
Shadow fired from the four holes around Hinata.
Hinata dodge 2 of them until two came from her side.
"Defensive 8-Trigram 64 Palms!" Hinata shouted as she started forming a defense until she was stopped cold.
"Got you," Shikamaru said.
It turned out he used the first two strikes to get Hinata close to the center hole.
Hinata took hit by the two shadow strikes just as Shikamaru released his hold.
"Hinata!" I shouted.
Hinata barely stood after the two hits. "I…can't…loose…n…" Hinata panted until she passed out.
"Winner: Shikamaru Nara!" Genma shouted.
The two proctors watch as Shikamaru walked away.
"Something tells me that kid would of backed out if she stayed in," one said.
"He definitely has chuunin material, and so does that fox-boy," the other said.
"Hinata is close but she still need work," the first one said, "As for her cousin Neji, he has more of a chance but also needs to work on his strategies."
Kiba was listening as he was sitting next to them.
As soon as Hinata as gone it was Lee and Shino's turn.
I watch as after hearing what Shino told me I was curious of how Shino will be able to fight Lee.
"The fourth match between Rock Lee and Shino Aburame will now begin," Genma shouted jumping back.
Shino started summoning insects at his will.
"I know about the Aburame parasitic insects," Lee said, "However they won't effect me as much."
"Insect Clone Jutsu," Shino said as his insects formed clones.
Lee went to attack and fought through the insect clone. However when he hit's the clones the insects scattered and surround and covered Lee.
However Lee dodge them by running and kept punching the clones causing the same thing until he reached Shino.
"Leaf Hurricane!" Lee shouted going for a kick.
Insects formed a defense blocking the kick.
"I've been working on my defense against Taijutsu," Shino said, "You'll find them somewhat similar to the sand ninja name Gaara."
Lee jumped back avoiding the insects.
"No other choice forgive me Gai-sensei," Lee thought.
Gai was watching and silently agree to the cause.
Lee removed some weights from his legs and drop them on the ground causing dirt to fly up.
Lee then ran strait at Shino going for kicks that manage to hit Shino.
The final hit send Shino into the ground.
Shino got up after the hit and summoned more bugs that formed clones.
Lee started running through each clone, causing the insects to scattered, and headed strait to Shino.
Insects barely formed a shield but Lee disappeared and kicked Shino into the air.
Lee disappeared and reappeared behind Shino.
Nearly everyone expected the Primary lotus but instead Lee disappeared again.
I knew why as Shino turned into bugs revealing to be another bug clone.
The real Shino was still on the ground having his insects searching for Lee.
That's when Lee jump out of the hole and kicked Shino into the wall.
"You give?" Lee asked.
Shino fell on his hands and feet before finally collapsing.
Everyone waited to make sure it wasn't another insect clone as Genma checked.
"Winner Rock Lee!" Genma shouted.
"Both Shino and Hinata loss," Kurenai said rather shocked.
"However I think Shino showed more promise as a Chuunin," Asuma said.
Finally was Sasuke match against Gaara. I came down wanting to be the first to see Sasuke. Genma didn't complained considering that if Sasuke doesn't arrived he'll be force to forfeit and my match will be next.
Deep inside I was hopping I was right that Sasuke was with Kakashi-sensei.
Just then a leaf fell above me as I sensed not one but two people coming.
Just then there was a whirlwind of leaves and when it cleared Sasuke and Kakashi was standing there. Sakura was happy to see Sasuke and Kakashi both.
Sasuke apparently also changed his style of clothes over the month, as he was now wearing a black suite with pants with Uchiha crest still on the back and clothes on his elbows and legs. One of his hands were bandaged up.
"Sorry we're late," Kakashi said.
"Your name is?" Genma asked.
"Sasuke Uchiha," Sasuke answered.
Everyone was glad to see Sasuke.
"Man, what took you so long, I was starting to wander if you'll come or not," I said.
"Well well Naruto, I barely recognize you with your new set of clothes," Sasuke said.
"Thanks, came with one of the new jutsus I learned over the month," I said.
"I take it you won against the sand ninja then," Sasuke said.
"Yeah well she gave at the end but only after I spared her life," I said.
Sasuke's attention turned to Gaara who was looking back at him.
"Be careful against Gaara," I warned, "I countered him the other night and all I can say is that he has a history of using the Shukaku's power."
"Right," Sasuke responded.
Meanwhile Ino was cheering for Sasuke. "Man Sakura you're lucky, you have Naruto and Sasuke for teammates. I mean before the forest of death and today, I would of never have guessed how he would of took the title of Rooky of the Year if he wanted it," Ino said.
I headed up the stairs after giving my wish of good luck to Sasuke. I stopped when I saw two grass ninjas stopping Gaara.
They told Gaara to lose the match and I knew right away they were asking for trouble. Gaara's sand popped out of the gore and surround the grass ninjas. With one attack Gaara killed them both.
Gaara walked passed me and gave me a stare that made me think of the night Gaara tried to kill Kuroda.
I reached the box without saying a word, and Neji could tell something was up from it.
"Begin!" Genma shouted.
Sand started pooring out and levitating above Gaara and Sasuke jumped back until it froze as it look like Gaara had a sudden headache.
"Don't…get so angry mother," Gaara said.
Without being told, I knew Gaara was talking to the Shukaku.
"I fed you nasty blood earlier but I promise you this one will be delicious," Gaara said.
With my super sense of hearing I heard every word and knew he was talking about the grass ninjas he killed earlier. I turned to Shikamaru who was really nervous about what was going on. I knew he was remembering that night as well.
Finally Gaara seemed to calm down after a bit.
"Naruto you remember that night you asked me to help you watch over Kuroda, as Gaara was planning to use him to get to you?" Shikamaru asked.
Neji's attention turned to us as the conversation caught his attention.
"How can I forget, every time I think about his story it always made me wander what would happen if I didn't met Takashi and Kuroda," I responded and thought of something, "Which is why I'm the only one who can stand a chance against him."
"Maybe so, but Sasuke is fighting him," Neji reminded me.
Sasuke threw some shurikans at Gaara. The sand at first formed a shield but then formed a clone holding the shurikans.
Sasuke went to attack and the sand responded. Sasuke jumped above the attack as the sand clone threw the Shurikans back at Sasuke. Sasuke blocked them with his own shurikans.
Sasuke made a few hand signs stopping at tiger. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke shouted in his head and blew a fireball at the sand clone turning it into glass.
Sasuke went to attack but more sand came to Gaara's defense. Sasuke stopped and then as if in high speed Sasuke got behind Gaara and hit him as his sand was unable to move fast enough.
"That looks like my normal speed," Lee responded, "But how did he copy it?"
"I think he had some help with past opponents," I said remembering how Sasuke and I fought against Haku and Sasuke finally activated his Sharingan.
Sasuke moved around Gaara and kicked him away.
Sasuke then started running circles around Gaara and kicked him again. Then grab Gaara and kept hitting him until finally he let go causing Gaara to fly back into the ground.
Sasuke was panting as it took a lot out of him.
Up in the stands Kakashi was explaining to Gai about the speed Sasuke reached.
Down bellow I watch as Gaara formed a thick barrier I could sense was powerful.
I decided now to talk to Kakashi.
"Where are you going?" Shikamaru asked.
"I'm going to tell Kakashi what I found out," I answered. Shikamaru fallowed me as well as Neji who told Lee to keep an eye on the match for him.
Sasuke tried some phoenix flower jutsu but it barely scratch the shield.
I finally reached Kakashi who was with Gai Sakura Ino and Choji.
"Kakashi-sensei!" I shouted. Kuroda was nearby and look at me as Neji Shikamaru was behind me.
"What's up Naruto?" Kakashi asked.
"Kakashi I know Gaara well enough to say I think I'm the only one who stands a chance even living after fighting him," I answered, "Gaara has a connection to his tail beast that allows him to talk to it, even kills anyone that stands in his way for it, and it's all because he lived most of his life in solitude thinking killing is the only way to prove his life."
"What do you mean?" Ino asked.
Sakura knew as Kakashi did explained to us about Jinchuurikis.
"Unless Sasuke gains power of a tailed beast, at this rate he'll die," I finished.
"Don't worry Naruto," Kakashi responded, "Sasuke may not have powers from a tailed beast, but I taught him something that can withstand it."
After a few rounds Sasuke finally jumped up the wall and started forming hand signs. He stopped grabbing his hand as a ball of lightning formed in his hand.
Minato recognize it as one of Kakashi's jutsus.
"So that's why he was late," Minato thought.
Sasuke ran strait down the wall and came at the barrier.
He slice through the dome and hit Gaara from inside. Gaara screamed as he felt his own blood for the first time.
Just then Kabuto started performing Genjutsu in most of the ring.
Gai explained about the technique to us and told us it was known as the Chidori
I just then sense something and apparently so did Sasuke as he pulled back.
A giant arm formed from within the hole.
When it pulled back Sasuke saw something that even scared him.
Finally the dome collapsed revealing an injured Gaara.
Just then feathers fell and everyone started falling asleep.
I sense a jutsu being performed and guess it was Genjutsu. Luckily Purvey Sage also taught me how to release Genjutsu. Most Chuunins and Jonins released the jutsus plus Sakura Neji and even though he fooled us into thinking he fell for it, Shikamaru. What we didn't know was an attack was planned out and this was the start of it.
A/N: Sorry about the long update but there was the planning what should happened in the finals, then I took a short break from Fan Fiction which came in handy as I came up with good ideas for the story.
Next Time: The attack begins and Sakura Neji Shikamaru and I must track Sasuke who ran off to look for Gaara. At the same time the third Hokage is fighting Orochimaru and the fourth is trying to get civilians to safety and get all possible ninjas assemble. With Gaara begining to transform into the Shukaku, it looks like I'll have to use everything I got to stop him and save my friends. How will it turn out? Read to find out...