Chapter 26: The Chunin Exams Are Upon Us.
AN: This is more a filler type chapter so it's not critical that you read it but it does fill in a few things later on. However, it does introduce Kabuto Yakushi to the story. This is also the part that Sasuke starts to walk down the path he did in the show.
Over the many weeks since the disastrous mission to wave Naruto had busied himself with his training. Both in his mind as well as his body. Currently, he was sparring with Sasuke who to his slight embarrassment still hadn't unlocked his clan's bloodline. A fact Naruto enjoyed reminding him. If for nothing else then to make the boy fight ever harder and ever faster. Still, the raven-haired boy could do little more than hit air.
"No fair you lowered your weights". Sasuke yelled out convinced that was the reason he couldn't hit him.
"Sorry to tell you this Sasuke but I still have the weights on. You're just slow". Naruto said before pulling up his pants and showing that he did in fact still have them on and active. Kakashi seeing the lapse in the action called them both over.
"You have done well today Sasuke but I'm sorry to say until you unlock your Sharingan I'm pairing you with Sakura from now on". Sasuke, at this, was about to voice his opposition at the news however Kakashi raised his hand stopping that before he could. Kakashi than handed them both a scroll. "Inside is the chunin exams participation papers that are to begin in less than a week. If you wish to participate sign your name and hand it in no later then in three days time". Kakashi said before he dismissed them all for the day. No sooner had he left so to did Naruto and Sakura. However, Sasuke lingered for a moment longer in deep thought. No matter how hard he pushed himself in his training he still couldn't match Naruto. Even when he was away from the village he was always ahead. Sure he took the top student awards every year but that was only due to Naruto being more than a thousand miles away at the time. It just wasn't fair he trained just as hard as he did and yet he still couldn't do much more than hit air. Just as he was about to leave a voice from behind stopped him.
"Naruto is a prodigy like no other. That much is clear but what if I said I could help you". The voice said but no matter how hard Sasuke tried he couldn't pinpoint the location.
'Show yourself or I'll burn you out"! Sasuke yelled out only to receive laughter as the response.
"My my you're quick to anger, but fine I'll come out". The voice said before the sight of a boy around his age dropped down with white hair and thick glasses.
"Who are you"? Sasuke asked.
"Names Kabuto Yakushi. Now on to more important matters do you want my help or not"? The white-haired boy asked as he pushed up his glasses catching the light of the setting sun as he did so. For a time Sasuke eyed the boy before him unsure on what to do.
"What kind of help are you offering"? Sasuke asked. At this, the boy pulled out a small vial containing a greenish liquid.
"You take this and your reaction time will be halved. A downside is it burns chakra like crazy. So what do you say? You want it or not"?
"How much"? Sasuke asked already digging into his ninja pouch for his money.
"Call it a gift". The boy said before handed it over and with that, the boy was gone. Sasuke eyed the small thing now in his hand for a few seconds before placing it inside his ninja pouch. He would wait. If what this Kabuto guy said was true he could use it in the upcoming exams. He would show that fox-faced teammate of his. He was tired of being shown up. He was an Uchiha after all.