Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Twenty-One
"And with that battle the preliminaries for the Chunin Exams are over," Hayate announces, "The winning candidates please come down."
The Genin all stood in a line before the Hokage, "Congratualtions on making it to the third round, even if one of you is missing right now," Hayate says.
"I will begin explaining the third round of the Exams," The Third announces.
'Finally!' Naruto thinks.
"The final round is where each of you will show off your battle skills in front of everyone. I want you to show off your ability and as representative battle forces of your respective lands, "Accordingly the final round will commence one month from this day."
"We're not doing it here and now?" Naruto asks.
"This is so that there is a suitable period of preparation," The Hokage says, "Along with the announcement of the conclusion of the preliminary round to each country's Daimyo and Shinobi leaders, readying the summons for the Final Round requires preparation time not to mention the time it takes for you examinees to prepare."
"What do you mean?" Kankuro asks, 'Why is he always beating around the bushes?'
"In other words, in order to know your adversary. Time is needed to prepare yourself. Time to analyze what you learned from the adversaries in the preliminaries and time to take stock of your successes. The battles until now were like actual battles, it presupposed situations in which you can't know your adversary."
'That's for sure,' Shikamaru thinks as he glances at Gaara who stood to his left, 'I wouldn't have guessed he could make sand into weapons.'
"However this is not the case in the final round. Some of you might have already laid your cards out in front of you. In the spirit of fairness and equality, you will have a month to train yourself to further your skills," the Hokage explains.
'An entire month dedicated to training against the opponent you've been chosen to battle with?' Hinata thinks, 'I do have a lot to work on...and with these opponents I'll need to bring my all into this. No holding back, even if I'm paired against Shino.'
"Now that that's done, I'd like you to take your leave...but first for the final round there is something we need to take care of," the Hokage says.
"Let's get on with it so we can get to our training!" Naruto yells.
"Now now. I want you all to take a sheet of paper from the box Anko is holding."
"I'm going to go around in order, only take one," Anko states before walking to Dosu who picks one out, and then she goes down the line ending with Shino.
"Good, now everyone's taken a paper, from left to right tell us your numbers," Ibiki says.
"I'm eight," Dosu says.
"One," Naruto states, looking visibly confused.
"Seven," Temari says.
"Two," Hinata says, 'I was so focused on Lord Hokage I forgot I was standing between Temari and Gaara.'
"Three," Gaara says.
"Nine," Shikamaru drawls.
"Six," Neji says.
"Five," Shino says.
"So Sasuke has number four," Ibiki murmurs as he writes down the bracket.
"Very well, I will tell you about how the Final Round will work," Hiruzen says, "Ibiki bring fourth the pairings."
Ibiki flips over the clipboard, showing them the brackets for the final round.
Naruto Uzumaki vs Hinata Hyuuga
Gaara vs Sasuke Uchiha
Shino Aburame vs Neji Hyuuga
Shikamaru Nara vs Dosu Kinuta- winner will vs Temari
'N-Naruto-kun?!' Hinata thinks in shock, 'I never thought I'd have to face him!'
'Troublesome, I have to face one guy and then another if I win?' Shikamaru thinks, 'This whole thing is a pain.'
'Hinata-Chan? At least I'm not facing no-eyebrows, that guy totally destroyed Bushy Brows,' Naruto thinks.
Neji and Shino analyze each other, the two standing next to each in line.
'The lazy bum? If he's as easy to beat than his fat teammate this shouldn't be a problem,' Dosu thinks.
'Sasuke Uchiha..' Gaara thinks, 'Just who I wanted to fight.'
'All the Final's Round is, is a tournament?' Temari thinks in annoyance.
"Can I ask a question?" Shikamaru asks.
"What is it?"
"Does this mean there will only be one winner of the tournament?" Shikamaru asks, "That only one of us will become Chunin?"
"No, on the contrary. The judges of the Final Round, in which I am one, will be made up of the Kazekage, the Daimyo of various countries who will assign you missions, and the Shinobi Leaders. Through this tournament the judges will be able to make a thorough evaluation and come to a decision as to whether each of you possesses the qualities incumbent of a Chunin," the Hokage answers, "Even if someone loses the first round, they can still become a Chunin."
"So there's a chance that all us will become Chunin?" Temari asks.
"Correct, but conversely there is a chance that none of you will be promoted," the Hokage states, "To "advance" in the tournament means maximizing chances to appeal yourselves to the judges. Understood Shikamaru?"
'What a drag,' the Nara thinks with a frown, 'This is such a pain.'
"Thank you for your patience, we'll adjourn next month," the Hokage says.
'The next round will either be Gaara or Sasuke,' Hinata thinks, 'Neither sound like a good match up...with Gaara's all around defense and offense...I'd need to be faster than Lee to even get past that. Logically my chances against Sasuke are higher...but with one month who knows what techniques he'll master and he has the Sharingan nonetheless. I need to focus on my battle with Naruto first.'
Kurenai follows Shino and Hinata out of the arena, 'Even now as we head to the hospital to visit Kiba and Akamaru..I can tell they are thinking about the Chunin Exams and their opponents,' Kurenai thinks, 'I don't think I'll be able to teach Hinata or Shino any Jutsu..maybe a few Genjutsu but that's it. I'm sure she'll train with her father when it comes to Taijutsu and Shino will train with his.'
The three enter Kiba's room and find him laying in his bed with Akamaru next to him, "Kiba-Kun!" Hinata greets happily, "Are you feeling better?"
"Kinda," Kiba says with a shrug, "I'm just bummed out I won't be able to go to the Finals with you two."
"Speaking of the Finals, they've already decided that it will be a tournament," Kurenai says, "And the first opponents have been decided."
"Who are you facing?" Kiba asks.
"Neji," Shino answers quietly, "Quite the formidable opponent, I will need to train more diligently now."
Hinata nods in agreement, "I'm facing Naruto-kun," she says, "It'll be an interesting match."
"Who're the others facing?" Kiba asks.
"Shikamaru is going against Dosu, and the winner will battle against Temari while Sasuke will be up against Gaara," Kurenai explains.
Kiba shivers, "Good luck with that Sasuke," he mutters.
"I'm unsure of what will happen concerning that fight, either way the second round will be difficult for me," Hinata says, "If I defeat Naruto-kun that is."
Shino adjusts his glasses, "Don't get overconfident and underestiamte your opponent Hinata...or else you'll end up just like Kiba," the Aburame states.
Kiba growls in annoyance, "Seriously Shino?? I've learned my lesson no need to rub it in!"
Hinata glances between the two, 'Six months and they still bicker like this,' she thinks with a small smile.
Kurenai sweat drops, 'Why do they always egg each other on?'
Kiba huffs and lays back, "Whatever," he mutters, "So what's your training regime then?" He asks curiously.
Hinata smiles sheepishly, "I haven't worked it all out, but I think I will spend some of my time polishing my techniques, working on the Genjutsu Kurenai has taught me, and working on my overall strength, speed, stamina, and chakra levels."
"I will be working on my Jutsu. In order to defeat Neji I will have to use my best techniques," Shino states.
Kiba grins, "I'm gonna get even stronger this next month too! I won't let you two leave me in the dust!"
"We've left you far behind already Kiba. You've been eating out dust since we became a team," Shino says.
The vein in Kiba's forehead bulges, "Alright..that's it bug boy! I'm gonna make you eat your words!"
Hinata holds her hands up in an attempt to placate the peace, "A-Alright now, settle down Kiba..Shino."
Kurenai pinches in the brink of her nose, 'These two..I can't handle them right now.'
Hinata sweat drops when her teammates continue to argue, ignoring her, 'Really?'
Kiba and Shino suddenly halt, the Inuzuka visibly paling when they see Hinata's activated her Byakugan, glaring at them, "H-Hinata?"
"This is a hospital, we should respect the other patients and keep our voices down. Stop. Arguing." The Hyuuga says in an unnaturally calm voice.
The two quiet instantly, 'It's always the quiet ones,' Kiba and Shino think.
Hinata's Byakugan recedes, "I'm going to go visit Neji, he's in Lee's room right now. I will see you all soon," The Hyuuga waves with a smile before heading off to find Lee's room.
Line Break
Hinata finds Hizashi outside the room along with Hiashi and Hanabi, "Hina-Nee-Chan! Congratulations on getting the finals!" Hanabi cheers as she runs over to her sister and tackles her in a hug.
Hinata giggles as she holds Hanabi just as tightly, "Thank you Hanabi..I assume your waiting for Neji?" She asks looking to her father and uncle.
"We aren't allowed inside, only Team Gai," Hiashi states, "We were gonna wait for Neji then go and find you."
Hinata looks to the hospital room door, 'Lee..those injuries are devastating for his ninja career...I don't even know how he's going to handle it,' The Hyuuga thinks with a slight frown.
"Who injured him anyways?" Hanabi asks, "Not a lot of people can beat him enough he needs hospital care."
Hinata frowns thinking about the red head, "One of the Sand Ninja," she says, "Gaara."
Hanabi frowns thoughtfully, "If you go up against him you should beat him up for Lee!"
Hinata smiles as she looks to her younger sister, "In order to do that, he'd need to defeat Sasuke and I will need to defeat Naruto."
"Your first round is against Naruto?" Hiashi asks, "I'm sure you've already came up with several ideas for your training then."
"We have exactly one month to prepare after all," Hinata says, "And I'm going to make the best of it."
The door to Lee's room opens and Neji seems shocked for a moment before regaining his indifferent expression when he sees his family, "Were you waiting for me?" He asks.
"Duh," Hanabi says rolling her eyes.
Hinata glances at the door behind Neji, "How is Lee doing?" She asks.
"Hasn't woken up yet," Neji says, "He needs a lot of rest..you saw what happened to him."
Hinata looks away, "I wish I could say it could've been worse."
"He could be dead," Neji says, "But now he can't even continue his ninja career. Which is worse than death for a ninja."
Hiashi and Hizashi look at each other, Hizashi places a hand on Neji's shoulder, "Let's go home now, you'll need to inform me of who you'll be up against so we can start training."
Neji nods and follows his father.
Hiashi looks to his daughter who continued to stare at Lee's room door, 'They are all too young to have to deal with all this...but they are ninja now. This is the life of the ninja..I just wish they didn't have to learn that this way.'
"Let's go," Hanabi clings to Hinata's side as they follow Hiashi and exit the hospital, 'Hina-Nee-Chan seems different,' Hanabi thinks, 'Just what did they see during these exams?'
Line Break
Hinata took a deep breath, beads of sweat dropped off her face as she wiped her brow. She could feel her chakra was lower than before, 'The Triagram techniques take a lot more chakra than I realized,' the bluenette thinks.
Hiashi nods from where he stood, "You did well...but it can be better. You must master it, you have your own style so you need a lot more work."
Hinata looks up and smiles at him, "I know, with this gravity seal on it takes a lot more out of me than before," Hinata admits.
Hiashi frowns, "Will that gravity seal hurt you?"
"No, it merely tricks my mind into thinking there's more pressure on my body than there really is, making it harder for me to move. It will increase my speed and stamina since I'll constantly be using it, and as a result I'll constantly be upping the strength on it," Hinata explains, "Right now it's at five out of five hundred kilograms, I had been thinking of putting one on for awhile. It's easier than using weights like Lee-Kun and Gai-Sensei."
Hiashi nods, "If you wish to use it. How did you know how to write it out?"
"The library, there's a book on basic sealing that had the gravity seal inside it," Hinata says.
Hanabi watches curiously from the side, "Can I use one to?" She asks.
Hinata smiles at her, "If you want to, but it's heavy and it takes a lot to work with. I had to concentrate my chakra to keep standing at first, it was quite the difference."
"Are you still using chakra?" Hiashi asks.
"No, I can stand and move without it now," Hinata says, "You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine."
"If you say so," Hanabi shrugs, "Can Hina-Nee-Chan spar with me now?"
Hinata nods and Hanabi jumps to her feet and walks to the middle of the dojo, falling into her Hyuuga stance.
Hinata falls into her own stance and the two take a few minutes to analyze each other.
"Begin!" Hiashi says.
Hanabi dashed forward, intent on making the first move. She thrusts her palm out at Hinata who takes a step back and swings her foot out, knocking Hanabi back.
The younger Hyuuga stumbles but stays on her feet and starts to attack quicker with more power.
Hinata dodges her attacks, searching for an opening, '..there!' Hinata thrusts a palm at her sister's unguarded stomach and sends her flying back, Hanabi skids against the ground, gritting her teeth as she watches Hinata intently.
'Hina-Nee-Chan isn't holding back...so I won't either!' Hanabi sprints at her older sister and thrusts a palm at Hinata's shoulder, the older Hyuuga grabs her arm and thrusts another palm at Hanabi who side steps it and rips her arm from Hinata's grasp and slams her own hand into Hinata.
The older Hyuuga coughs harshly at the pain but doesn't budge as she high kicks Hanabi's face knocking her younger sister back.
Hanabi wipes her mouthand slips back into her stance, going on the defensive as Hinata attacks her first.
The older Hyuuga thrusts a palm at Hanabi who backs away and grabs Hinata's arm, Hinata smirks and kicks Hanabi's face with another high kick, Hanabi falls off balance and Hinata thrusts a palm into her stomach and knocks her to the ground.
"Hinata wins," Hiashi states, "Are you both alright?"
Hinata helps Hanabi to her feet, the younger girl grins, "You've gotten stronger since our last spar Hina-Nee-Chan!" Hanabi says.
Hinata giggles, "You've gotten much stronger as well Hana-Chan."
Hanabi blushes at the compliment, "Thanks Hina-Nee-Chan."
Hinata smiles and hugs Hanabi who giggles and snuggles her older sister.
A small smile lifts at Hiashi's mouth as he watches his daughters.
Hinata lets go of Hanabi and gives her little sister a mischievous grin, "Let's spar another round!"
To be continued...
AN: There will two more chapters before the Finals round. The next one will go over the training more, and the second will be just a fun semi filler chapter. By semi-filler I mean the chapter will be for more fun than anything, but it won't be fully filler as there will be important moments in it.
To cosmicblader12: If I'm being honest I may have made Kankuro forfeit so I didn't have to write another fight scene lol. Then again, Neji would've seen all his attacks so his choice made sense. I hope you enjoyed this look at the training and you'll see much more next chapter! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
A special thanks to CrazyChimera for favoriting Altered and another special thank you to sabrac1 for following and favoriting!! I hope you both enjoyed this chapter!
I'll see y'all next chapter! Bye!