Last time, the match between Naruto and Neji ended with Naruto's victory with unmatched skill and power. At the end, Naruto explain to Neji about the difference between fate and cowardice.
Recovery Room
Neji is lying in bed as Konoha medic nins examine and explained to Neji about his condition. As they explained, Neji remembered on what Naruto explained to him about how Neji's 'belief' dictate his life.
The medics finished explaining to Neji about his injuries when they heard someone knocking on the entrance door of the recovery room. The person that came in was Hiashi Hyuga, the Clan head of the Hyuga family. The medics were surprise to the head of the Hyuga clan here, but were shaken away from their surprise when Hiashi asked for a moment to be alone with Neji. The medics agreed where they left the room to give the two Hyuga's some privacy.
Neji, struggled, stood up on his bed and asked Hiashi on why he was here.
"I came to tell you the truth." Hiash plainly stated
"The truth?" Neji asked in confusion
"On that day… I was fully ready to die."Hiashi answered, where Neji glared at his 'uncle'. It was at that same time that he remembered his father's funeral where he cried next to his father's dead body.
Neji, with anger, yelled at the leader of the Hyuga clan, "What!? What are you talking about!? My father was forced to take you place so he can be sacrifice for the sake of the family!" he stated as Hiashi had a neutral face on him.
Hiashi walked up him while pulling out a scroll from inside his robes. He place the scroll next to Neji, "This should explain on what happened." Hiashi explained
Neji scoffed at it since he believed that the scroll was just plain excuses. It wasn't till he looked at the scroll more closely to see that the scroll assigned to him was written in his father's hand writing. Opening the scroll, he read on what his father had written to him where he doesn't know on what to believe right now. His thoughts stopped when he heard his uncle speak to him.
"This is the truth! I'm sorry!" Hiashi stated as he was on his knees and bowed his head to Neji, where Neji couldn't believe it.
After a moment, Neji told Hiashi to stop where he got back on legs and left the room to give Neji some time alone. As he thought about everything that has happened to him, Neji walked towards the window to see a couple of birds flying free into the sky. As he saw them he thought to himself as he told his father that his new goal was to become stronger, so strong that he'll will never to lose to anyone again.
Outside Konoha
Kurama was now in position to strike at another platoon. For more than 2 or least 3 hours since the commencement of the Chunin exam, Kurama, the Kyuubi no Yoko, has quickly and silently defeated 2 platoons of Oto and Suna shinobi without any of Konoha's anbu or shinobi from ever noticing.
He is currently at his third platoon when he spotted this one readying a summoning formula where he figured that it was time to strike this one.
The Oto and Suna shinobi were prepared on making their move against Konoha were the only thing that they were waiting for was the signal to begin the invasion of the unsuspecting village. As much as they were ready, all the shinobi were surprise to hear an unfamiliar voice speaking behind them.
"My, my… look what I have found. About 40 to 50 shinobi ready to move out. By the summoning formula that is going on just behind those trees, I say you're just about ready to move out. Too bad that you won't even have a chance to make a step inside the village." In a young, charming, smooth tone of voice.
They turned around to see a young attractive man with long vibrant red hair with different color eyes (right red and left green). The young man was wearing a light-colored Chinese-style battle outfit with yellow plane and blue trim.
One of the squad leaders asked him on who is he. Kurama just smirked as he held up a rose close to his face, "I'm you're worst nightmare that has come to life."
Before anything could happen between them, all of the Oto and Suna, as well as Kurama, were caught off guard as a supremely fast moving water slithered throughout the area. The water split to several other streams that covered the area like a snake to captured and coiled around almost all of the shinobi, including the ones who were performing the summoning formula. The ones that were able to get away from the water, were suddenly caught by whips of light that pulled them back to the captured shinobi. Once all of the enemy were captured, Kurama notice that there was nothing else to do except to just put these shinobi out.
He place his rose back inside his clothing and got a gentle flower from the ground, gently blew on it where the pollen from the flower quickly increased in size and spread through the area. The shinobi instantly fell asleep where they were gently put down on the ground.
After the shinobi were now out of commission, Kurama thought, "Alright, what's going on. That was clearly a water and light spell… and to capture all these shinobi in a single strike. Currently, Naruto is the only one that can do that without any difficulty… so what's going on since I don't sense Naruto's present anywhere near here. And if he didn't do this… then who did?" Where he got his answer from above him.
"My, my… Kyuubi-kun. By the look on your face, I say we surprised you." Said a young woman that had long, straight and shiny purple hair along with a triangular fringe at the front that stop just between her blue eyes.
Kurama looked up and widen his eyes in surprise on who it was. Before he can say anything, he heard more voices coming around him.
"Hey, sister. That other platoon that we found has been dealt with. The only thing left is on what to do with them?" said another feminine voice where Kurama recognized on who she was since she has short, light blue hair with a green fringe in the middle and brown eyes.
"I say we let Kyuubi-san deal with it since I'm pretty sure that Naruto-kun has already planned for something else." Said another young women with blonde hair (between bleach and sun kiss) with two bangs on both sides of her face while the rest of her hair was tide in a braided bun. She also had blue/violet eyes.
"That's a good idea. Our little Magistar Magi-in-training has already taken care of this platoon with impressive skills." Said the first one where another young woman with long, blonde hair (gold color) and light blue eyes walked out behind some trees. The most recognizable feature of this woman was her large breasts that rivaled Tsunade.
"Thanks sister, although I'm just glad we took care of this group without anyone getting hurt." Said the young teenager.
It was then that the first girl asked on where their other two sisters are. Before they can begin to wonder where they are, the last of their group appeared in front of them.
"Don't worry about us. I spotted a couple of runners that were trying to escape. Although I had told them to surrender peacefully, they didn't give me much of a choice but to fight back." Said the one with long purple hair that reaches down to her waist and bangs that barely overlap her red eyes, as well as a semi-straight ahoge.
"I hope you didn't hurt them too much?" asked the bustiest girl of the group.
"Don't worry about it sis. I healed them up after our sister here beat them with an inch of their life where I place a sleeping spell on them." Said the final group of sisters who had brown eyes and long, waist-length burnt orange hair, who was second in the bust department.
As the girls converse with themselves, Kurama wondered on what's going? And how are these women even here? As they talked together, they asked Kurama on where Naruto is where he told him that he's Konoha's stadium taking the Chunin exam finals in Konoha. They were all glad to know that Naruto was alright and guessed that they were right when they came to Konoha.
While they cheered about the fact, Kurama thought, "The kid is going to be very happy and surprise to know that these girls are here… or… knowing Kushina is around, be very nervous." As he inner laughed at the soon-to-be Naruto's face; either smiling in happiness, frowning in fear, or panicking at what's going to happen.
The cheering ended, when Kurama got their attention. "Even though I'm glad that to see you ladies are alright and safe. I hope you don't mind and help me in taking care of this little problem. Suna and Oto shinobi are ready to attack Konoha in a war where I'm sure there are at least couple of more platoons hiding somewhere. Can you girls take care of them while I take care of these guys and the platoon that you already taken care off? Without killing them?" Kurama asked
All of the girls smiled and agreed since if they can stop these people on killing each other, then it would be a good day. All the girls used their magical/chi powers to go and take care of whatever Suna and Oto forces are left while Kurama prepared on using a spell to take care of the down shinobi that has been take care off.
Stadium
After the one-sided battle between Naruto and the Hyuga protégé has ended, Genma announced that Gaara will be heading towards the next round since he doesn't have a competitor to face. The crowd nodded in understanding since they were given a brief explanation earlier before the next round of the chunin exam.
Naruto had walked out of the arena to above the stadium roof. He stood at the very edge of the roof as he overlooked the audience and arena floor.
"Alright…!" Genma yelled out, getting the audience attention, "… the last round of the semi-finals will now begin. Uchiha Sasuke and Temari of Suna. Come down to the arena, now!" ordering both combatants
Sasuke was ready to fight where Temari looked at her brother, they both nodded in agreement on what she needs to do.
Just before Sasuke could go down to the arena, everyone heard Temari yell out that she forfeits the match. This got many people to whine about how there are so many participants forfeiting or not fighting. Genma asked Temari if she was serious where she agreed.
With Temari forfeiting her match, Genma announce that there will be a ten minute wait for the final round since there are only 3 competitors left; Naruto Namikaze, Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the Subaku.
Kage's seats
"Well Minato… what should we do about this?" Jiraya asking his former student
"I don't know sensei? This is kind of a hard thing to call. We could just let all three genin fight against each other, but I'm worried about the damage that could be done." Minato thought out loud
"Why not just let them battle it out. There is no need for such decision making since there is no other way around it." A, the Raikage, stated
"There is more to it than that. If I proceeded on doing that, the odds are that they'll take out one of the competitors by working together then fight among themselves once the other is down. That would be unfair to the participant." Minato explained
"Yes, however…" Mei, the Mizukage, started to explain, "… if we go on one on one battles, it would mean a similar thing since both competitors would tire each other out. In the case, the winner of the match will have to fight a fully rested opponent or both competitors would knock each other out will the third competitor won't be able to fight at all."
Minato sigh at it, where they all thought about for a bit. It was then that Minato looked around to see the crowd starting to get a bit restless where he then looked up to see his son, standing on top of the roof.
Like he was readying his mind, Minato saw Naruto hold up 3 fingers at him, then at the arena floor. Minato guess that his son wanted to go a fatal 3 way battle, where fatale was the underline of it. Minato looked at his son carefully before he mentally agree with the decision while at the same time hoped that Kushina doesn't kill him later.
Minato told the other kages of his decision where they agree since the Raikage and Kazekage were forward the idea.
Genma received the message, from another shinobi, on what Minato and the other kages decided. He told the audience where they cheered at the idea where Genma asked the final three competitors to come down.
Gaara smiled insanely at the thought of fighting both Sasuke and Naruto, Naruto the most since he saw how powerful Naruto really is.
Sasuke was also pleased since he wanted to fight both, even though he was a little nervous on fighting Naruto given from what he has seen.
Both made it to the arena floor where they waited for the final competitor to come on down.
Naruto looked down to see everyone waited for him to come down. Naruto just casually do a leap off the roof of the stadium. Everyone saw Naruto jumped down from the roof to the arena landing gently on the ground where they were impressed on how elegant he was.
As all three genin participants size each other up, well actually2, the audience were ready to see on what is going to happen. In the crowd, Kushina, Tsunade, Shizune, and Arika look on as Naruto was calmly looking over both Sasuke and Gaara.
Kakashi, Sakura, and the other genin teams with their senseis, watch on and wondered on how this was going to happen. Sakura and Ino were worried for Sasuke's safety.
The Suna spectators and shinobi were all wondering on how Gaara was going to handle this type of match Gaara, Temari, and Baki were thinking similar things but also hoped that Gaara doesn't get to insane in his intent to kill since he is still needed for the operation.
After a moment of waiting, Genma announce that the final match of the chunin exam.
When Genma began the match, all three of them stayed still for a moment. It was then that both Naruto and Sasuke saw Gaara starting to act weird after he got his sand coming out his gourd. As they looked on, they heard Gaara muttering out strange sentences.
"Don't… get so angry… mother…" getting Sasuke curious on what Gaara was talking about, "… I know that you've been impatient… Don't be angry… I promise… these two blood… will be delicious…" Gaara said as he look sadistically at both Naruto and Sasuke.
Temari and Kankuro looked worried since Gaara was performing the conversation phase where it showed how unstable his mental state is.
Killer Bee and Yugito can hear their bijuus tell them that Gaara is now even more unstable because of his desire to kill which the Ichibi is manipulated.
Sasuke was the first to make a move where he went after Gaara. Gaara saw this where his sand automatically went after him. Naruto guessed, from what he saw from Sasuke, was going after the easiest or more threatening opponent.
Sasuke run towards Gaara where he stopped then through a couple of shurikens. Gaara's sand automatically stop the shuriken attack where Gaara willed his sand to create a sand clone. The sand clone threw the shuriken at Naruto, instead of Sasuke. The shurikens were close to hit him, but Naruto caught it with little interest shown in his face.
Sasuke instantly took this chance to get close to Gaara, where his sand was going to block him from getting closer to him. It was there that everyone was surprise to see what Sasuke does next.
The sand that block his path towards Gaara wasn't fast enough for him to go around him and attack Gaara from behind. Sasuke use taijutsu skills equal to Rock Lee were he forcefully kicked Gaara into the ground.
Before Sasuke could decide on what to do, he surprised attacked by several coins, where it hit his side launching him to the other side of the arena. Gaara got back up and was ready to strike a down Sasuke, but before he could his sand automatically block an incoming attack. A barrage of several large, custom design swords (between European styles) came right at Gaara where his sand couldn't stop it. The swords went right threw it were it surrounded Gaara. It was then that a snake like stream of water came and struck Gaara hard, forcing him out of the incase circle of swords towards the opposite side of the arena wall.
Both Gaara and Sasuke looked to see that Naruto had attacked them given how his hands were now moving along. Sasuke quickly changed his attack pattern and went for Naruto where Naruto didn't look that impressed. Sasuke used his enhance speed to take on Naruto with extreme taijutsu, but Naruto blocked every punch and kick that Sasuke launch.
Gaara, who got back up, notice how both Naruto and Sasuke were combatting against each other. He decided to use this chance to strike them down with an enormous attack. He grinned at the thought of crushing both of them with his sand. He quickly poured a lot of his chakra to bring about a lot of sand from the ground, silently to assure that he has the element of surprise. He finished gathering his sand where he launch a massive attack at them.
Naruto and Sasuke were fighting each other, more like Naruto just blocking all of Sasuke's taijutsu without any worry. It was then that they both heard their family and teammates yell to them to be careful. Sasuke took his eyes of Naruto to see what was wrong, to see a wave of large sand coming towards them.
Naruto saw Sasuke took his eyes off him where he made him pay for it where he delivered a right hook at him at the same moment Sasuke saw the sand. Sasuke was sent to the top of the arena ground just as the sand was about to him. Naruto looked to see the sand was about to strike him.
"Naruto!" yelled Kushina and Tsunade in fear
"Naruto-nii!" Arika cried out
"Naruto!" Minato, Jiraya thought in worry
But just before the sand could reach him, everyone was absolutely shocked on what happened right before their eyes. Just as the sand was about to hit him, another large portion of sand snaked around Naruto and blocked Gaara's sand where it collided like ocean colliding against a cliff or rocky shore
As everyone watched, Gaara and other shinobi was questioning on what's going on. They then saw Naruto lift his hand where the sand that blocked Gaara's attack move forward with even greater speed directly towards Gaara. Gaara's sand defense barely block the oncoming attack but he was suddenly caught off guard as a hand was now at his abs. He looked to see Naruto was now at strike position. They both looked at each other.
"You need work." Naruto simply stated as he twisted his hand on Gaara.
Like Lee and Neji, Gaara was not immune to Naruto's Hariken Shou where like all the others, Gaara was sent spiraling up into the air with his blood spiraling out of his abs and mouth.
Horror struck all the suna representatives as well as Gaara's siblings and sensei since at this moment, they have never seen Gaara receive an injury before.
Gaara crash down on the arena floor hard on his back. The immense pain that he was feeling was something that he has never once felt before. He turned onto his stomach as he clench his hand on his abs. Gaara was on his knees when he started coughing up blood out of his mouth. Once the pain on his abs lessen a bit, he notice the metallic taste in his mouth and the splash of fluids in front of him. He could feel the warm liquid slowly flowing out his abs. He looked at his arms to see the red fluid on to finally register what it was.
He panted hard before letting out horrible scream of disbelief, "AHHHH… IT'S MY BLOOD!"
Temari and Kankuri were both afraid at this point since what Naruto has done was something that has never happened to Gaara.
During the time that Gaara was in the air, Sasuke was going to capitalize on what Naruto has done to Gaara. He was going to unleash a powerful fire jutsu, but was intercepted by sand that whipped in front of him. It caught his foot and swung him around to the other side of the arena. Before he could even reach it, Naruto appeared behind him ready to deliver a straight left punch with sand spiraling around his fist, like a drill but with a dull end. Naruto punched Sasuke right in the chest, knocking the wind out of him sending him, along with the sand, on the other side of the arena opposite from Gaara. Sasuke crashed and dented the arena floor with the sand colliding it and spreading out from the collision where it fell on the ground like Sasuke. It was there that everyone heard Gaara's scream of disbelief where they turned their attention to him.
The audience was amazed on how Naruto had dealt with both Gaara and Sasuke without much concern. They were more amazed that he shut down both of them while not even showing the slightest sign of fatigue.
Naruto stood on the opposite side of the arena between Sasuke and Gaara, as both genin tried to get back up. Sasuke struggled back onto his feet as he analyze the situation and knew that he had to use the jutsu that Kakashi has trained him to do. Gaara got up and looked like he was out for blood against Naruto as he glared directly at him, which Naruto didn't look unfazed by it.
Once both genin got back up, Naruto decided to give them a choice.
"Give up" Naruto stated at the two
Both looked at Naruto with a confused look, where Naruto stated again, "Give up you two. I'll give you this one chance to give up while you can still walk If you don't take this chance, I'm not going to show you any mercy and this match won't end until both of you are lying on medical stretchers." Explaining to both of them.
Sasuke and Gaara glared even harder at him, taking the option that he gave them as nothing more than in insult. For Sasuke, it remind him on that night, the night that Itachi killed their entire clan, only leaving him all alone as well as making him into an avenger. For Gaara, Naruto's statement made him felt like the weaklings that he has killed over the years. It made him feel even bitter since Naruto didn't have any hatred or negative emotion in him, only feelings of concern and love which infuriated him.
They responded in their own way. Gaara willed his sand fired a barrage of sand shurikens at him where Naruto's own sand protected him from the barrage. Sasuke took this opportunity to use his high speed taijutsu, believing that like Gaara, Naruto would be too focus on controlling his to really use taijutsu against him. Sasuke was in arm's length when he attack, but his attack was canceled out half way as Naruto instantly moved from his position directly in front of him. He then gave Sasuke a dozen soft punches all around his chest before being launched back to the arena wall where he coughed blood. Gaara would have continued with his attack against them but his injuries had taken a toll on him where his guard went down for a moment. Naruto capitalized on this by sending his sand to directly at Gaara in a serpent like motion, penetrating Gaara's sand defense and drilling Gaara towards the arena wall.
When it was over, both genin looked back up to see Naruto, just staring at them. He sighed, "I gave you two a chance to walk out of this but you didn't take it. Fine, don't blame me for this because I gave you a chance to surrender. Now it's time for the real fight to begin." Naruto stated where everyone looked in wonder since Naruto just declared that he wasn't even being serious against his two opponents.
Naruto kneeled on one knee where he place both his hands on the ground. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them up against in an instant. It was then that Naruto stood back up on his legs.
Everyone was curious about it since nothing has happened. But that changed when they saw movement around Naruto's feet.
Around Naruto, two large portions of sand started to come out from the ground, along with the current sand that Naruto had used on Gaara. But the two batches of sand that came out of the ground was completely different. One was that of a gold color while the other was a dark grey color. Everyone, including the suna representatives, were wondering on what's going on and what's with the colored sand.
"I hope you two are ready for this..." Getting everyone in the stadium's attention, "… because I'm about to give everyone a bit of an exhibition on suna's secret jutsu." Naruto stated
(Naruto Shippuden OST: Akatsuki theme)
(0:00 – 0:22)
"First it's Gaara's sand ability…" Naruto first introduce where the sand made itself known by transforming into Gaara, himself.
"Second it's the Yondaime Kazekage's Sakin…" Naruto introduce second as the gold color sand transformed into the Yondaime Kazekage.
"… And finally… Suna's most secret jutsu that was once used by Suna's most powerful, will from their own words, shinobi… the Sandaime Kazekage's Satetsu." Naruto stated in a deep dark tone while increasing his killing intent to another level that the audience could feel while the iron sand changed into an image of the Sandaime Kazekage.
(End OST)
Veteran shinobi are used to killing intent that were strong, while the rest of the younger genin, civilians, spectators and such felt a cold chill run down their spines. Arika felt her brother's killing intent where she actually whimper a bit, holding onto her mother's sleeve.
Kushina and those who are related to Naruto couldn't believe on what Naruto has just done or when/how he is able to do this.
"Naruto… just what have you gone through?" Minato thought with wide-eyes
"Just what else can you do, Gaki?" Jiraya thought as he looked at his godson serious face
"Naru-chan… how can you do these jutsus?" Kushina thought with both amazement/confusion
"Just how strong are you?" Tsunade wondered as the sands moved like serpents.
"Just what is this boy?" The Raikage thought with his eyes widen in disbelief
"My… oh my… I see, but I don't believe. He's has three of suna sands. Can you see Hachibi? Killer Bee asking his bijuu friend
"Yeah… I don't know if I should be impressed or be worried since he not only could this but also has Kyuubi with him. He might by trouble later on." Hachibi thought
"I don't believe since his eyes are all clean." Killer Bee said as he remembered looking at Naruto's face to see he had no evil intention during this whole time and was just having fun, although had a look like he was also hiding something.
"Nibi, just how can he do that? Could it be possible that the Kyuubi gave him this power or something?" Yugito asking her host within.
"No, that arrogant fox wouldn't help a person or his host on something like this. I get the feeling that the boy had learn it through different means… and that's the question that needs to be answered?" Nibi explained
It was then that Yugitio thought about what Naruto said over a month ago, about the connection between the Rikudou sennin and him. She narrowed her eyes on him, now convince that whatever information he has to say might actually be true.
"I have never seen anything like this... this boy is in a whole different level." The Mizukage thought in amazement
While others were in the stadium were wondering on how Naruto could do this, Sasuke and Gaara were having similar thoughts except on the important question; how are they going to break it?
Naruto narrowly looked at both of his opponents, before he got into a fighting stance, where the three abilities took formation, "Let's see what you can do now." With that, Naruto moved forward with the sand closely following his movements.
Till Next time
Next chapter will begin Orochimaru's 'invasion' but it would be short since the real battle is going to be a lot more interesting.
Also, as you can see, my poll is closed. Unfortunately, since 6th place is a one vote difference, I had to do a coin flip (5 times) to choose which one would be 6th place. I bet that many think it's unfair but since one vote could change a decisions, I decided to that. Now, if it was a 3 to 4 vote difference, then I wouldn't have done that. So all of you, can cross your fingers since I have started writing on who are Naruto's lovers/pactio partners.