"It's been an interesting first day huh?" Anko asked.
"You could say that," her assistant chuckled. "We've already got three squads in and two of them broke the old record."
"Yeah, not to mention the little fact that two of them are rookie squads from here." She smirked. "It kind of makes you wonder what they're putting in the water at the academy."
"Whatever it is I want some."
"Get in line." She looked considering. "The squad from Suna made it here in just ninety seven minutes busting the old record by over four hours. The rookie squad with the Yondaime's son and the Hyuga heiress got in just forty minutes later. Then about four hours after that we got in the squad with the Uchiha and Aburame heirs." She shook her head. "And it's still just the first day."
"Makes you wonder how many squads will get through."
"Yeah, by the time the Hokage arrives it might be really interesting."
XXXXXXXXXX
The tower in the middle of the forest was large and had plenty of rooms. Enough rooms that each participant was given a room of their very own. There was a cafeteria, a dojo, a courtyard, medical facilities, and even a pool. After opening their scrolls and having Iruka sensei impart his message and good wishes team seven had been given a quick tour, a hot meal, and assigned rooms. They were welcome to use the facilities and spend the next four and a half days as they pleased. There were only two rules. No leaving the tower grounds and no fighting with the other teams. They saw Gaara's unit and exchanged very frosty, very formal greetings. Naruto and Gaara had a slight staring contest but nothing came of it. They were outside doing some light training in the courtyard when team eight arrived. They seemed a bit beaten up, especially Sasuke. Naruto and his team had actually tried to talk to them but Sasuke had gotten team eight moving with few words exchanged.
"Well some things never change." Naruto muttered.
"Perhaps they are just tired Naruto-kun." Hinata offered.
"Perhaps Sasuke is still as much of a jerk as ever." Naruto sighed. "Come on team, it's late let's get some sleep."
XXXXXXXXXX
Late the following afternoon, to no ones surprise, Lee's team arrived. They were more social and agreed to sit down and have dinner with team seven. Team eight and the team from Suna remained aloof.
"You saved Sakura and Sasuke from some Sound ninjas?" Naruto was impressed.
"Yes Naruto-san! Kami was merciful and put me at the right place at right time to save my beloved Sakura-chan! She thanked me and even rewarded me with a kiss on the cheek!"
"Just a kiss on the cheek? Lee you saved the girl's life! You should go knock on her door tonight and ask for a proper reward!" Kiba hinted.
"Kiba!" Hinata sounded scandalized and Tenten sent him an annoyed look.
"Kiba-san I would never do such a thing!" Lee stood up and sounded righteous. "Please do not suggest such vile acts about my Sakura-chan!"
"Easy Lee, easy." Naruto motioned for him to relax. "Kiba is just having a little fun with you that's all." Lee sat back down and they continued to eat.
XXXXXXXXXX
The next morning, to the shock of everyone from Konoha, team ten arrived.
"Shikamaru, Chouji, Ino how did you guys make it here?" Naruto asked truly surprised to see them.
Ino quickly did what she could to fix her hair. She also made a point to ignore Hinata's angry looks. "Naruto-kun I told you we were a great fighting squad! Under my leadership we used our superior stealth and took advantage of fortuitous events to successfully navigate the way here!"
"Huh?" Kiba asked not even pretending to understand.
Shikamaru translated. "We spent most of our time hiding from everyone. Then we stumbled on the bodies of some Leaf nins." He shook his head. "Whoever killed them didn't even bother to take their heaven scroll. Then we got here as fast and carefully as we could."
"So basically you succeeded by sheer luck without really trying?" Naruto said with a straight face.
"Pretty much." Shikamaru nodded.
"SHUT UP!" Ino began beating Shika to a pulp.
XXXXXXXXXX
Late on the fourth day the Sound team made it in. It was easy to see there were still some hard feelings between them team eight and Lee.
XXXXXXXXXX
On the morning of the fifth day the senseis all arrived.
"Yo."
Naruto smiled. "See niisan I told you we were ready!"
"Yeah we totally kicked ass!" Kiba confirmed.
"You've all done a great job to get this far and I am truly proud of you, but you're not quite through these woods yet."
Naruto sent him a flat look. "What does that mean?"
"Oh maybe something but maybe nothing." Kakashi said happily.
"You know what's coming up next don't you niisan?" Naruto accused.
"I have a strong suspicion." Kakashi confirmed.
"Tell us then!"
"No I don't think I will."
"What?! Why not?" Kiba shouted.
"Because I think it's good that you're nervous and paranoid and ready for anything." Kakashi said cheerfully. And from stance he could not be begged or threatened.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Why are we here exactly?" Sasuke complained. Looking around all the members of the four leaf teams had come to the, 'meeting' Naruto has called in his room.
"I called this meeting because I want to share information with all of you." Naruto spoke seriously. "We're all competitors fighting for the same prize. But we are still all Leaf nins and I don't want any of you to be hurt or killed unnecessarily. I want to tell you what we saw the red haired kid, Gaara, on the sand team do." He then related the events in gruesome detail. "If any of you face him don't try to fight him. You should either runaway or try to surrender. I know all of your abilities and none of you would be able to defeat him."
"That is insulting!" Neji snapped.
"Neji," Tenten spoke. "Naruto is just trying to help."
"Perhaps you find the idea of being told you have no hope against an enemy acceptable. I do not!" He faced Naruto angrily. "Do you really expect me to run and hide just on your say so? The very idea is disgraceful!"
"Hey jerk Naruto is trying to save your life!" Kiba shouted.
"I am sorry Naruto-san." Lee spoke up. "But I must agree with Neji. I will not run away!"
"I certainly won't run." Sasuke said. "But I assume you will?"
"No." Naruto said quietly. "I think that of all of us here I'm the only one who can defeat him."
"Is that a fact?" Sasuke said darkly. "And why exactly are you the only one who can fight him?"
"Let's just say I have something inside me that you don't." Naruto and Sasuke locked gazes.
"Enough of this, was there anything else?" Neji asked.
"Not from me." Naruto smiled at Sasuke. "Care to share what you know about the Sound ninjas?"
"No." Sasuke said flatly.
"But Sasuke-kun Naruto just shared what he knew why shouldn't we help our friends?" Sakura said.
"Until this competition is over Sakura we have no friends only competitors." Sakura looked troubled by this but Neji nodded agreement. "Naruto did what he did for his own reasons. We don't owe him anything."
"I disagree." Said Shino. "I will share information with the rest of you."
Sasuke glared at him. "As team leader I say we keep everything locked up!"
Shino gave him a look. "It is clear you can order Sakura about like a puppet." Sakura flinched hearing that in front of everyone. "But you have no authority over me; you are not Kurenai-sensei. Logic suggests that your selfish actions will damage the good will we enjoy among our fellow Leaf nins. Not to mention the fact that we remain Leaf nins even now and doing what is best for the village should remain our priority even now. Therefore logic suggests that we are best served by sharing information."
Sasuke glared at the boy but Shino failed to notice and began telling everyone what he had learned both directly and from teammates.
XXXXXXXXXX
No other teams arrived prior to the deadline.
"We have a total of six teams and eighteen competitors." Anko announced. "So as per the rules we shall have some preliminaries to cut the numbers down to something more manageable."
"I see." Tsunade said. "It's amazing that half the teams are rookie squads. Konoha should have some truly amazing ninja in its future." And one very great Hokage.
XXXXXXXXXX
They were all gathered together in a large underground arena.
"Look Naruto the Hokage is here and all our senseis as well." Hinata pointed out.
He noticed the way Kakashi and the others were looking at them. "Hinata-chan I have a very bad feeling about this."
His godmother spoke for a bit about the meaning of the exams and on the friendship they fostered between the villages. But before she could begin to explain what the third phase of the exams would involve a sickly looking ninja stepped forward and asked to be allowed to take over the proceedings. In short order he was addressing them.
"My name is Hayate and I," cough. "Am the proctor for the third and final phase of the exams." He coughed for a bit before continuing. "Now I am afraid that before we do anything else we will have to have some preliminaries."
"What do you mean preliminaries?" Ino demanded.
"Well," cough. "Not to say the first two phases weren't difficult." Cough. "But I am afraid the fact is there are simply too many of you still standing. The finals will be held before a number of important guests and we must keep the event fast moving. Therefore before any of you will be permitted to advance to the finals we will have some preliminaries to cut your numbers down by half."
That got a loud reaction from them. "That's not fair!" Sakura shouted.
"If you are a ninja then you should already know that unfair situations are common." He coughed again. "Now before we begin does anyone wish to withdraw voluntarily? From here on out you are competing as individuals so you can make your choices without concern for your teammates. Would anyone like to withdraw?" Eighteen silent glares were his only answer. "Well," cough. "I'm not surprised. Well then the preliminaries will consist of a series of individual battles. The winners will move on to the finals. We don't want to have a blood bath here so if I see anyone in a hopeless situation I will stop the fight. But you shouldn't count on my intervention, to avoid death or serious injury you should yield the moment you feel yourself to be out matched." He coughed. There was a loud noise as a massive screen was brought out. "From this point on your fate will be in the hands of that screen. The names of two contestants will appear. Those two will then fight until there is a winner. As there are eighteen of you we will have nine matches. Now then let's begin." All eyes looked up to the screen all the names flashed through until just two appeared.
SABAKU TEMARI VS UCHIHA SASUKE
"Right off the bat huh?" Sasuke smiled.
"All right, everyone but the competitors please clear the arena floor." The competitors began heading for stairs that led to a walkway from which they could safely watch.
"Good luck Sasuke-kun!" Sakura encouraged.
"Thanks Sakura-chan." Once she had left he looked over the blonde sand kunoichi he was going to fight. He grinned. "I'll try not to hurt you."
Temari gave him a very thin smile. "Afraid I can't say the same."
Sasuke had no doubts at all that he would win. The girl didn't even have a real weapon out. She was actually trying to fight him with a fan! Hayate shouted for him to begin. Temari leapt back to get some room but Sasuke remained where he was.
Temari glared at him. "Didn't you hear the proctor? The match has begun!"
Sasuke shrugged. "I heard. I'm just trying to decide the easiest way to beat you without hurting you."
Kankuro chuckled. "Oh he did not just say that! Temari's going to hurt him."
Temari sent him a dangerous look. "Oh, you think I'm no match for you huh?"
Sasuke smirked. "I'm an elite Uchiha no kunoichi is a match for me."
Naruto turned to Hinata. "O.k. does he not remember you kicking his ass all those times at the academy?"
Hinata shrugged. "I think his pride is getting the better of him."
Temari opened her fan completely revealing three, 'moons.' "All right tough guy! I was going to stretch this thing out but since you just insulted my entire gender I'll make this quick and painful. She swung her fan. "Great Cyclone Technique." A gigantic cyclone was instantly created and sped toward Sasuke. He leapt away but was too close and was pulled into it. Helpless he was viciously spun about. The winds cut into him and he cried out in pain. Temari smiled as the cyclone then threw him down onto the hard stone floor.
"One for me." She said happily. Looking up to the walkway she spotted Naruto and sent him a little wave.
Hinata glared. "Does every blonde girl you meet have to flirt with you?"
Naruto held up his hands. "I didn't do anything."
XXXXXXXXXX
A team of medic nins were soon carrying Sasuke away on a stretcher. Sakura turned to leave.
"Sakura what are you doing?" Kurenai questioned sharply.
"I need to stay by his side! Sasuke-kun needs me!"
"Sakura, he is unconscious and won't even know you're there. In any case he is in good hands your place is here. You can go be with him once the preliminaries are complete." Kurenai stated.
"But…"
"Sakura! Your duty is to stay here." Kurenai said sharply. Sakura bit her lip but nodded.
XXXXXXXXXX
The overhead screen began to scroll through names again.
HYUGA HINATA VS SABAKU KANKURO
Naruto leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "For luck!" He smiled at her. "Kick his ass Hinata-chan!"
"Yeah go get him!" Kiba shouted.
"I will!" Hinata smiled confidently and headed down the stairs.
She and her opponent were soon opposing one another. "You know it's too bad. I would have liked to have faced your boyfriend." Kankuro said.
"No you wouldn't have." She said with certainty. "Byakugan." She only needed an instant and sent him a smile. "I know your secret."
Hayate signaled them to begin. Hinata immediately ran towards him. As they closed over the top of him. As she landed behind him she quickly tapped the large bandaged shape that was carried on his back half a dozen times. The results were instantaneous. Kankuro collapsed to the ground. There was a howl not of pain but of disbelief. The bandages began to come loose and, 'Kankuro' stood up. "What did you do?"
She smiled and dropped into a proper jyuken fighting stance. "I shut down the chakra point that I saw you were using to control your puppet. I'm a member of the Hyuga clan and my byakugan gives me the ability to see chakra and my gentle fist fighting style lets me close chakra points. Now do you want to give up or should I continue?"
Kankuro's reply was a yell and a leap towards her. He made the same basic assumption most people did on first meeting Hinata. They saw a small quiet girl and assumed she could not be much of a close in fighter. Hinata very quickly showed him how wrong he was. In short order Kankuro was down on the floor next to his disguised puppet. As Hayate declared her the winner there was a loud clear cry.
"That's my girlfriend!!" Naruto shouted. Hinata covered her mouth and giggled as she headed for the stairs.
XXXXXXXXXX
TENTEN VS AKIMICHI CHOUJI
Chouji took on his human boulder form and promptly l tried to run Tenten down. This tactic was doomed to failure though. Tenten quite simply leapt onto the wall and stayed there. Chouji could not climb walls in his boulder form and so was left with no way to reach her. For Tenten the challenge was not winning but in doing it in a non lethal way. So she waited patiently for him to finally end his jutsu. The moment he did she threw down a perfect circle of kunai around him.
"Please surrender Chouji!" Tenten called down. "I don't want to hurt you but I will if you don't give up!"
"You might want to consider it." Hayate said.
Chouji eyed the kunai buried into the stone and nodded. "All right I give."
"Yatah!!" Lee and Guy shouted together. Neji shook his head in embarrassment.
XXXXXXXXXX
NAMIKAZE NARUTO VS ABUMI ZAKU
Hinata leaned over and kissed him. "For luck." She said. "You remember what Shino said about his abilities?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah he's strictly a long range type."
"You know his abilities?" Kakashi asked. Naruto nodded. "What are they?"
Naruto smiled at him. "You know niisan I could tell you, but I don't think I will." Hinata giggled and Kiba laughed out loud as Naruto leapt off the walkway.
"Kick his ass Naruto!" Kiba shouted.
"Go get him Naruto-kun!"
The two of them faced off. "I'm going to hurt you kid." Zaku tried to sound mean.
Naruto smiled. "Oh please, you couldn't even deal with Shino."
"Begin!" Hayate called.
Naruto leapt back and worked his favorite jutsu. Zaku lined him up and fired off a blast from both arms but Naruto was moving too fast for him get a bead on. And then there were literally a hundred of him all around the arena floor. The original stood back and watched. Zaku took out a few clones before they could reach him, but once they did it was all over.
And as Naruto headed back up the stairs he laughed as he heard a loud cry. "That's my boyfriend!!"
XXXXXXXXXX
ROCK LEE VS ABURAME SHINO
For Shino, Lee was about the worst opponent he could have drawn. His attack was using his kikai bugs to drain an opponent of chakra and thus leave him without the ability to use jutsus. Unfortunately this tactic was worthless against an opponent unable to even mold chakra. Rock Lee took the fight straight to Shino. Shino's taijutsu was good but not anywhere near Lee's. Lee was able to win quickly and without revealing any of his secrets.
XXXXXXXXXX
INUZUKU KIBA VS DOSU
"Kiba!" Naruto shouted. "Let's make it a clean sweep! The whole team in the finals!"
"Hell yeah!!" Kiba yelled and Akamaru barked. "No way am I losing to this guy!"
"Kiba," Hinata spoke. "remember what Shino said about his abilities. If he even gets near you with that glove you will be in trouble."
He grinned excitedly. "Don't worry Hinata! I've got it covered!" He leapt down to the floor eager to go. As he did so he fed Akamaru a soldier pill and watched his fur become red. No way am I missing the finals with Naruto and Hinata! We're going all out from the start Akamaru!
When the match began he immediately ran through a jutsu Haku had taught everyone on team seven. "Hiding Mist Technique." Hah! So much better than smoke bombs! With his opponent blinded he performed another jutsu in coordination with Akamaru. "Man-Beast Doppelgangers Technique." Two beast like Kibas appeared in the thick fog.
Kiba called out. "Hey you, Sound ninja! Any chance you want to surrender?"
"Of course not!" An angry voice replied.
"Your funeral then." With his sense of smell it was child's play for Kiba and his dog to sneak up on Dosu and attack him at will then disappear into the fog. The two of them moved too fast and with too much surprise for Dosu to be able to do anything with his glove. When Dosu finally went down for good Kiba dispelled the mist and was named the winner.
Naruto turned to Kakashi. "See niisan we're all going to the final phase!"
Kakashi smiled and felt an unbelievable pride in this squad. "So you are. Dinner is on me tonight."
"Damn right it is!" Kiba yelled happily. "Team seven to the finals!"
XXXXXXXXXX
"Don't keep me waiting." Gaara whispered. Hearing that his two siblings inched away from him. Having to stand there and watch all the fighting his blood lust was on the rise. They knew that when Gaara started talking to himself it was a bad sign. They looked up at the sign above.
HYUGA NEJI VS SABUKU GAARA
"Finally." He teleported to the arena floor in a swirl of sand. Baki, Temari, and Kankuro all looked at each other nervously.
Neji grinned eager to go. Rock Lee and Mighto Guy were also eager. Guy early wanted to match his eternal rival by sending his full squad onto the next round. Tenten was the only one who had doubts. Now she was looking down at the face of Neji's opponent and the doubts were rising.
She turned to her teammate, the boy she had feelings for. "Neji maybe you should forfeit." All three males stared at her as if she were insane. "You could always take the exam again in six moths."
Neji shook his head. "You don't actually expect me to forfeit because of what Naruto said do you?"
"But if what he said was true how can you get through his sand? It sounds like he has an ultimate defense!"
"Every defense can be defeated." Neji said with certainty. "Even if he was strong enough to kill some rain nins that does not mean I am going to run and hide!"
"Tenten you cannot expect Neji to just give up can you?" Lee said in shock.
Guy shook his head in disappointment. Yosh! Tenten where is your fire of youth? Where is your faith in Neji's abilities? Do not speak of doubts but give him your full support!"
She knew it was useless to argue with him. So she did the next best thing. She quickly leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "For luck." She said quietly. She could feel herself blush. She had never done anything near that forward.
Neji looked at her and had a tiny little grin on his lips. "Thank you." The he leapt down.
Naruto frowned. "Good luck Neji." He said fervently. He didn't like the look in Gaara's eyes.
"Do your best big brother Neji." Hinata called out.
"Is that sand coming out of that gourd?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah it is." Naruto said. He wondered what Neji would be able to do.
The two of them faced off. They both eyed one other in silence until they received the signal to begin.
"Byakugan," Neji spoke and moved in to strike his enemies chakra points. But as he tried to strike the sand rose up to block him. The first time he backed up and took another look at the sand. There was chakra in it. But there was nothing to indicate how he was controlling it.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Gaara called out without interest. He was standing with his arms crossed and in the exact spot he had started in. He had not moved an inch.
Neji gritted his teeth and rushed in again. He tried an entire series of strikes, but each one was blocked. Though he did not know it yet, it was hopeless for his attacks lacked the one element that might have allowed some degree of success; blinding speed. But he was the genius of the Hyuga clan and he was unwilling to simply give up. Not without using his most powerful technique. "Eight Trigrams Sixty Four Palms." He launched himself against Gaara with all the speed and power he could muster.
And it did him no good at all. "My turn." Gaara said. The sand reached with a frightening swiftness and took old of Neji by his legs. He was whipped around and slammed hard into the wall. Neji cried out in pain. The sand took hold of him again and again he was thrown against the wall. As this happened Gaara slowly smiled wider and wider.
"Neji give up!" Tenten screamed. She rounded on Lee and Guy. "What's wrong with you? He can't win! Tell him to give up!" Lee and Guy both looked at each other.
Guy looked at what was happening, it was not a battle it was simply a beating. "Neji!" Guy called out. "It is over admit defeat!" Seeing Guy do so Lee quickly joined in.
"What it he doing?!" Hinata screamed. For all his many insults and condescension over the years he was still her cousin and she still loved him. "Stop it!"
Naruto tightened his grip around the bars. "Kakashi-sensei can you stop this?"
"It's not my place to." He said.
Hayate called out. "Neji do you want to forfeit?"
Neji spat out blood and shook his head.
"I'm sorry Neji. Stop, the match is over! Gaara is the winner! Stop!"
"Oh thank Kami!" Tenten shouted in relief.
"Thank goodness." Hinata spoke. "Wait what he is doing?"
The sand began to cover Neji entirely from the neck down.
"Gaara don't do it!" Baki screamed. "The match is over stop!"
Kankuro and Temari were both looking on in horror, they knew.
Tsunade was leaning forward. "What is he doing? It's over!"
"Let him go! You've won the match." Hayate yelled.
Gaara licked his lips and began to make a fist.
Naruto had a sick feeling in his stomach. "I think he's…"
"Exploding Sand Funeral."
There was a deluge of blood on the arena floor.