Chapter 20:
Before the exams
Naruto's morning was greeted by a shiver from the frosting cold as he stood up from bed. Today was the day…
Shinobi from other villages were set to arrive today… Though nobody else in his age group knew, Naruto had asked Kakashi and Kakashi had politely told him.
He had a plan in mind. First things first, he needed to find Gaara when he showed up. There was just something drawing him to Gaara, that Naruto just did not know… The feeling of a need to try and help him somehow…
But Naruto buried those feelings and cleansed his thoughts as he entered the cold shower.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kain sat atop the Hokage's monument. As the sun rose, he knew what today entailed. The participants of the Chunnin Exams would all arrive today.. And their arrival would set off a chain of events which could possibly break Konoha to its very core…
Today was the day… It was not tomorrow, nor was it yesterday… There was no getting around the fact… And even as he knew the participants would arrive in the evening, he couldn't help but feel slightly anxious…
Kain grit his teeth, looking upwards at the darkened but quickly brightening sky. The day would soon come… That decided Konoha's fate….
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The market was bustling with activity this early morning as Naruto walked through. Ichiraku Ramen for breakfast wasn't exactly the most nutritious option, but nonetheless, Naruto walked…
Nothing changes. As the stares from the villagers continued as Naruto walked, he found himself thinking about all of it.
The Kyuubi attack, the sealing…
But what confused Naruto was one annoying and troublesome question…. One which he could not formulate an answer for…
Why had the Yondaime chosen him…
Of all people to seal the beast in, why him… Why was he the only baby that had been born on that day… All others died in a fire from Jiraiya's recount.
Why choose Naruto… A normal, blond-haired boy… A boy who had his whole life in front of him… But now that was all gone…
Now, Naruto's only knowledge was to kill… To kill that which threatened his existence… Perhaps that was why the Yondaime had chosen him… To entrust that Naruto had the ability to become the sole jailor to the Kyuubi, and all the troubles that came with it…
But it still bugged him… The only child who had survived… The one to be sealed… WHY…
Disappear
And with that, Naruto dropped out of existence….
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Uchiha… The name brought pride to Konoha… But to Sasuke… It was dreadful…
Known as the 'Last Uchiha', he was expected to be the saviour of the clan… That one shining hope to bring back the once glorious clan of Uchiha back to Konoha…
At first, Sasuke loved the name… It meant popularity… It meant he was someone important… Now as Sasuke thought of his name, he saw it as no more than a burden…
Everyone had their views of him… And he was expected to live up to them…. At first he liked the attention, but that was before Naruto…
When Naruto showed up, it became evident that he truly was not who he thought he was…. He wasn't the strongest there could be…. In fact, compared to Naruto, Sasuke was pathetically weak…
Sasuke grit his teeth, staring at his ramen…
He knew not why he had chosen this ramen stand to come to… He felt like he needed to talk to Naruto, and he thought Naruto might be here….
The beating Naruto had given him during the tournament… It showed him that there truly was a difference between having potential, and being strong…
Strength… Where did Naruto's strength come from? He seemed as if all he was was a killing machine… Like he was built for the job of shinobi… Was that possible?
Then why was Sasuke not like that? If it was the key to becoming strong, why weren't more shinobi just like Naruto…
'Because if that were so, the whole of Konoha would have to be an asylum…'
Sasuke didn't really like that answer…. But he figured…. If there was any way to become strong, it would be by following Naruto….
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"A bit far from Ichiraku's don't you think…"
Naruto knew that voice.
"Hai… But I figured I would take the scenic route…"
Naruto's voice was calm and sarcastic. Kain's response however, was totally serious…
"Or perhaps…. It is an escape…"
Naruto's brow furrowed, "And just what would I want to be escaping…"
Naruto knew the answer, and he had a feeling Kain knew it too…
"You haven't gotten over the villagers yet, have you…"
….
…..
"The villagers can burn for all I care…"
"But you will protect this village…"
Naruto turned to actually look at Kain. He was surprised when he saw the outfit.
He wore a red T-Shirt with the black accents on the edges. He wore black jeans also, and a leather belt with metal accents. He wore a red overcoat also, with the spiral of Konoha on the back… There was also a hood on it... It kind of reminded Naruto of what he dressed like when he had first showed up in Konoha…
What surprised Naruto even more were the twin blades which rested in an X upon Kain's back.
"And what are those…"
"Blades… A gift from Hayate…"
Naruto nodded, "He always had a kindrid spirit…. "
"Oh, Sasuke has a sword too now… I saw it on his back when he was walking…"
Naruto looked surprised at this turn of events also… He did not expect Sasuke to have a sword…
"Interesting…"
"So… heading to Ichiraku" Kain asked.
Naruto nodded.
"I'm coming… And you're paying…"
Naruto rolled his eyes, then turned around, walking out of the alley. Kain followed closely behind.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Sasuke…"
Surprised by his name being called, Sasuke looked to his right. Who sat in the stool was none other than Sakura…
"Sakura…."
For some reason, she looked different. She didn't have that crazed adoring look that she usually had when she saw Sasuke…
And though it was a relief to Sasuke, it was also something suspicious… What had changed Sakura…
'Same person that changes everyone' Sasuke found himself thinking…
Sakura looked like she was trying to find what to say. Usually it was just like 'DATE ME SASUKE' or 'GO OUT WITH ME'… This definitely wasn't a good sign.
"Sasuke…. Its about…"
"Naruto…" Sasuke finished for her…
Sakura looked surprised, then she spoke, "Yeah…"
"So… What about Naruto…"
"I found out stuff from Kain about him…"
At the name, Sasuke grit his teeth. He and Kain weren't on the BEST of terms… The last time they met, they fought with Sasuke's anger getting the better of him… And even so, that time Sasuke was absolutely demolished…
"Stuff…. What stuff…"
"Sasuke… Naruto… He hates this village…"
This came as a surprise as Sasuke face lit up, paying full attention now…
"What do you mean he hates the village?"
"Exactly that…"
"If he hated the village… He wouldn't be here…."
Sakura nodded. She had done a lot of thinking about Naruto after she had talked with Kain. For some reason, he was just… Interesting…
Naruto that is… He was still more or less an enigma… All Sakura knew was that he harboured a hatred for the village, but still fought for it… He is incredibly powerful and ever growing stronger… He has the potential to surpass Kage….
"I know… I was confused too…."
"But then I thought about it and figured it out…."
Sasuke waited for Sakura's answer, fully interested…
"Naruto-"
"Sakura…"
Sakura was fully surprised as she turned around, seeing not only the source of the sound but his companion.
Sasuke also followed Sakura's stare. And there they were, imposing as ever.
Kain stood right outside the ramen stand, looking at Sakura… And behind him… Was the hooded figure of Naruto… His face hidden within a veil of shadows…
"Oh… Um… Hi Kain…"
Sasuke grit his teeth, but hid his anger… Kain angered Sasuke, and he did not know why… He held a grudge towards Kain… He felt as if Kain was the person he needed to defeat…
"I didn't expect to find you guys here… Sasuke… Sakura…"
Sakura smiled, "I just was in the mood for some ramen"
Sasuke still had not spoken…
"Well, mind if we take our seats…"
"Not at all…"
And with that, Kain and Naruto sat in 2 seats…
The four of them sat, Naruto and Kain ordered their ramen….
"So…. You guys in the Chunnin Exams…"
Naruto smirk was missed…
This question was a surprise to both Sasuke and Sakura… Yes, they both knew what the Chunnin Exams were, but they had had no notifications….
"Sasuke…" it was Naruto dark voice who spoke…
Sasuke put his attention to Naruto…
"I'm sure you won't miss a good challenge…"
Sasuke smirked at this. If he was allowed to take the Chunnin Exams, you better bet that he would be in them.
"I believe that Kakashi will give us our permission slips when he meets us later today…"
Sasuke nodded at this, while Sakura had been more quite than usual.
Sasuke noticed Sakura's quietness and addressed it, "How bout' you, Sakura…"
What a question… The choice was this… Dissappoint Sasuke and tell him the truth, that she was nervous about the exams… Or… Agree to the exams but be a burden during them….
It didn't take a genius to figure out that she was a burden to the team… Sasuke could more or less handle himself with almost any kind of adversary, and Naruto could… For lack of a better term… Obliterate any competition he came across… But what could Sakura do…
"Sakura…."
Sakura was taken out of her stupor by the sound of Naruto's voice… For once, it sounded gentle…
"Sasuke and I will be at your side… Do not fret…"
It seemed as if everyone at the stand seemed surprised by Naruto's response… It was… Normal… Not even that… It sounded actually… Caring…
Sakura nodded, "Yeah… I know… I guess I will take the exams…"
Naruto nodded, "Good… Well then, I must be off…"
"What? You just got here" Sakura spoke.
That was when everyone looked to Naruto's ramen bowl and saw that it was empty. Surprise dawned on everyone's face as the same thought crossed their mind.
'I didn't even see him go for his food…'
And with that, Naruto stood up and blurred out of sight…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Ready when you are… Tenten…"
Tenten nodded as he held her Katana in her right hand. She took up a pretty standard stance, and loosened her grip on the blade ever so slightly as to not be too stiff.
Tenten rushed forward, sword in hand. She swung at Naruto's head.
Naruto ducked under the blade, and attempted to leg sweep Tenten.
Tenten jumped up and over Naruto, and when she landed, she rushed forward once again.
Naruto parried her strike, then dodged the next. He then blocked the next.
As Tenten made her next swing, Naruto met her blade and with his own, pushed her's outward, leaving her open.
Then, Naruto punched Tenten in the gut, sending her to the ground. Then, he jumped back.
"Is that all you've got… Because if it is… Then that was quite pathetic…"
Tenten grit her teeth, getting up in anger.
"Good… Use that anger… Just don't let it control-"
Too late….
Tenten rushed forward once again and wildy swung at Naruto's midsection. Naruto blocked the strike, then slid his blade back, putting Tenten off balance as she began to fall forward.
Naruto spun horizontally in mid-air, then descended on Tenten.
Tenten jumped forward, rolling as he impacted the ground, just as he heard the resounding sound of Naruto hitting the ground with his attack.
As Naruto landed, he blurred out of sight.
'CRAP'
Naruto appeared behind Tenten and swung at her head. Tenten ducked, then attempted to elbow Naruto…
Another bad idea…
Naruto caught her elbow, then using it as a lever, he jumped and scissors kicked Tenten.
Tenten went flying backwards from the attack, and landed in a heap. Though, she quickly got up, staring straight at Naruto.
Naruto had on a maniacal grin. Tenten couldn't help but have the feeling that he might have been enjoying this a little too much.
Naruto began running forward, but then blurred. He appeared less than a foot in front of Tenten.
Tenten had just enough time to put up a guard to block the strike as Naruto came in, but the force of Naruto's blade sent Tenten's blade and arm to her left.
Using his momentum, Naruto spun clockwise in a blur of movement, and finished by slicing Tenten across the chest.
"Argh…."
Tenten jumped backwards after the hit, and as she landed she knelt. She observed the damage. It wasn't very deep… But she couldn't help but feel slightly exposed as her shirt was cut… Across the CHEST…
"We are not done… STAND!"
Tenten obeyed and stood quickly. She then decided to rush Naruto again…
Another bad idea…
…
"Jiraiya…"
"Naruto... I hope that isn't all you've got…"
Naruto grit his teeth, "I might need a break…"
"No…. You don't get a break…"
Naruto looked astonished at this.
"Naruto… Sometimes the best way for somebody to learn…" as he said this, he blurred out of sight.
"… Is to beat the shit out of you…" the voice came from behind Naruto, and he barely had any time to put up a guard.
…
Tenten struck at Naruto. Naruto ducked under the strike, then blurred out of sight.
Shadow Leaf Dance
Tenten's eyes widened as Naruto reappeared under Tenten, and kicked the underside of Tenten's jaw, sending her flying into the air.
Naruto then threw his sword upwards at Tenten, spinning like a boomerang.
The sword flew by Tenten, slicing her multiple times in the process while still going upwards.
As Tenten saw the sword continue its path upwards, her vision was cut of as Naruto appeared over her.
Naruto then delivered a brutal axe kick to Tenten, sending her propelling back down to earth.
THUD
….
Pain. That was what she felt. Broken bones, at least 5… Her morale was down simply because it seemed as if Naruto wasn't even trying at all. As she lay on the ground, she felt beaten… But at least it was over.
Tenten sought to close her eyes and take some rest, but a sight unnerved her. Naruto's sword coming down from high. It was falling straight towards her, and at its current trajectory, it would impale her in the stomach.
But she was too sore to move, this was a real dilemma.
As the sword was about to go through her, a hand reached out over her, grabbing the sword by the hilt. The end of the blade was just barely at her stomach…
…
As Naruto held his blade and moved it from over Tenten, he took a step back. He then addressed her.
"Stand…"
She was very tired, but she managed to mumble out words.
"Can I have… a rest…"
"No…"
Tenten was surprised at this.
"What do you mean no?"
"What I mean Tenten… Is that on the battlefield… Your opponent will not give you the opportunity to rest… If you can't find the will now, how will you on the battlefield?"
Tenten grit her teeth, but nodded as she struggled to stand.
Though it may have taken her longer than she had hoped, she managed to stand…
"Now then… Come at me again!"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sasuke held his sword in a reverse grip, striking at Hayate who seemed to just continuously parry his strikes. It was the most frustrating feeling ever.
Sasuke spun horizontally in the air, and struck down on Hayate, who parried the strike yet again. Then, Sasuke attempted to strike at Hayate's feet. He jumped over the blade, and kicked out at Sasuke.
Sasuke blocked the kick with his free hand, then brought up his blade.
Hayate saw this, then using Sasuke's hand as a fulcrum, he propelled away as Sasuke's blade sliced through where he just was.
As Hayate landed, he couldn't help but be slightly impressed by what he had seen. Sasuke was not bad at all. The fact that he was able to remain calm and collected though Hayate had just been continuously parrying his blows was impressive enough, but the fact that Sasuke held some technique. It seemed as if the saber grip type Katana with Sasuke's own reverse style grip was a great combination.
"Sasuke… That's enough for today… I am told you have to meet your Jounin COUGH sensei at this time…"
Sasuke looked slightly surprised. He hadn't expected time to have gone by so fast…
"Oh…"
"Better get going…"
Sasuke nodded, "Than you… Hayate-sensei…"
Hayate nodded, "I will get your next lesson time to you through Kakashi…"
Sasuke nodded as he sheathed his blade, and began to exit. As he was out of sight, Hayate smiled. Konoha had some fine young swordsmen.. Perhaps Kenjutsu was not dead….
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The team had assembled. And for once, Kakashi was there waiting for them… That couldn't spell good news…
"I'm sure you're wondering why I called you all here…"
Naruto couldn't hide his smirk, and this did not go unnoticed by Kakashi.
"Well, I'm sure you've all heard at least some talk about the upcoming Chunnin Exams…"
Sasuke and Sakura nodded, already getting an idea of where this was going…
"So…" Kakashi reached into a pocket, and pulled out three slips of paper.
"Here are your permission slips…"
And so it began…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(Flashback)
"I, Kakashi Hayate, Jounin-sensei of Team 7 which consists of Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Uzumaki Naruto hereby elect my students to take the Chunnin Exams…"
And the crowd went into gasps and mumbled conversations… Nobody could hide their surprise…
"Kakashi! You've got to be joking! The Chunnin Exam is a serious deal. I've taught all of these kids and I can tell you that-"
"What can you say, Iruka… That my team is not ready? I assure you quite the opposite…"
"OK… Maybe Naruto might be ready for the exams, but Sasuke is a hothead and lets his emotions get in the way. Sakura is feisty but I believe she lacks the necessary skills needed. If you put your team into the exams… They could die!"
"Iruka… You may not have noticed this, but they aren't your students anymore… They're mine…"
"Kakashi!" Kurenai interrupted, "That's enough…"
"No Kurenai… He has to hear this… Iruka… You don't see what I see in this team, and you are not their sensei… It is my decision to make…"
"But…"
"Sasuke has the necessary skills to become Chunnin level. Though he may let his temperament get the better of him, he still manages to compose himself" Kakashi spoke.
"Sakura is extremely smart. Though her skills may be lacking, she can think about ways to get through a situation, and formulate plans…"
"And finally Naruto… I saw Naruto fight in the Genin Examinations just as you did… Let me tell you, he possessed Chunnin level strength then, but he was holding back… A lot…"
And silence followed….
"As a team… I am confident that they will be able to get through these exams…."
Iruka could do nothing but grit his teeth.
"I agree with Kakashi, Iruka… They are no longer your students, and if Kakashi thinks Team 7 is able, I trust him…" the Hokage spoke.
And that was the end of that conversation…
(Flashback End)
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As evening dawned, the contestants began to arrive. As Naruto and Kain stood atop the Hokage monument watching as Shinobi from other villages began to roll in, various thoughts crossed their minds…
"Its time…"
"Yeah…" Kain spoke…
"You ready for this?"
Kain smirked, "I was born ready…"
Sup. Hellfox here…
Well, by this time the story hasn't been published yet, so I don't know how feedback is going to be. Either you'll like it, or you won't like it.. Hopefully the former…
Anyways, so after the next chapter I plan to start the Chunnin exams. The next chapter itself is just gonna be like Naruto getting ready and stuff. The exam will begin, but not necessarily the first exam. That will be next chapter. During the exams, the last important OC will be introduced, and no more original characters will surface for a while. Take into account, all of the OCs I have already made (and have not yet died) such as Kain, Riku, Zensuke, etc. will play an important role in my story…
Well then, on with the show..