(Here's my latest update for you guys.)
Naruto, his squad, along with Team Spy were assigned their own rooms but met in one room to discuss on matters, "Well we made it past the second stage, now all that's left is the third stage." Sam said.
"Wonder what they'll have us do now?" Naruto asked.
"That's something you'll have to find out for yourself." Max's voice was heard as they turned to see Max standing in a corner.
"Max, we didn't hear you come him." Clover said no longer startled easily at his pop ins.
"Yes, I am quite the sneaky one," Max chuckled, "Anyway I came here to congratulate you all for completing phase two of the Chunin Exams. Despite what you went through in the forest."
"Wait you knew?" Sasuke asked.
"Well of course, I am a time walker and viewer of future events." Max replied.
"So then why didn't you help us when we needed it?" Clover asked.
"Need I remind you dear lady of what I said before that I'm not allowed to interfere?" Max reminded her.
"Oh right." Clover said suddenly remembering.
"And as such I would normally suggest that Sasuke not partake in the third exam because of that little beauty mark on his neck," Max started which got Sasuke scowling being told what to do, "However, I have no place to make that decision since I cannot interfere in these matters. But I will say this Sasuke, be careful."
"Well thanks I guess." Sasuke said.
"Well I was just checking in with you, so my times just about up for now, so cheerio." Max said walking out the door and turned back, "By the way Naruto, expect more company in about a minute." He left and vanished.
"Company?" Naruto asked as he looked out the door and to his surprise saw Teams 8 and 10 approaching their room.
"Naruto!" Hinata cheered.
"We heard you guys made it ok." Ino added as she got to hug him first.
"Quite a surprise actually." Kiba said feeling arrogant.
"Watch it, Kiba!" Naruto scowled.
"Come on guys let's not fight." Sakura said coming to meet them.
"Yeah getting into fights this early is troublesome." Shikamaru agreed while yawning.
"True," Sarutobi's voice was heard as he approached with Kushina, Connor, Mikoto, and Jerry, "You should all save your energy for the arena."
"Mom." Naruto and Sasuke said looking at their respective mothers.
"Jerry?" The spies asked.
"Good day spies, I knew you'd make it here." Jerry congratulated them.
"Would all of you return to your assigned quarters, except for you Hinata and Ino. There's something I wish to discuss with you two as well as Naruto and Team Spy." Sarutobi ordered.
"Hai Hokage-sama." The two kunoichi nodded as their teams went off to their assigned rooms.
Soon they all went inside Squad Seven's assigned room where the adults stood on opposite ends of the genin, "First off I wish to congratulate you all for making it here," Sarutobi started, "And furthermore, Sasuke I know of what happened with you as well from reliable sources, and I must ask are you up for continuing the Chunin Exams?"
"I am more sure than I've ever been sure in m life." Sasuke answered while looking determined, "I've come this far, I can't turn back now."
Mikoto smiled and hugged her boy, "Just be careful. I lost my whole family years ago, I don't want to lose you."
"I'll be ok mom." Sasuke answered.
"And what about you Naruto, how do you feel?" Kushina asked.
"Fine mom, why do you ask?" Naruto asked.
"No reason." Kushina replied.
"Kushina, don't pretend like you believe him," Kurama said, "Naruto, open up your shirt."
"What, in front of the girls?" Naruto asked in surprise while Hinata blushed various shades of red all over, while Sakura, Ino, and the spies blushed normally.
"Yes, now get to it." he ordered.
Naruto sighed and lifted his shirt up and threw it aside, "Power up your chakra for us please?" Sarutobi asked and Naruto did so causing the seal on his stomach to appear.
'Seems to be looking ok.' Kurama thought until he saw the five elemental seal placed above the eight sign seal, 'So that's it, a five elemental seal was placed on the regular seal, it's disrupted our connection in chakra. Guess Orochimaru got to him as well. No matter it can be removed by Sarutobi here, but maybe this can be used as a test for Naruto's skill without having to rely on my power,' He thought as he spoke, "Well Naruto thank you. Everything looks fine."
Kushina and Sarutobi were surprised but Kurama gave them a look signaling he'll tell them later, "Well anyway before we begin the third stage we'd like to have you all do a little something for us as sort of a treat for our out of nation guests." Sarutobi said.
"A treat?" Ino asked.
Two days later the day before the deadline of the Chunin exam finals, all squads were gathered in the main gymnasium area. Some squads included Team Suna, Team Oto, Team Guy, Squads 7, 8, 10, Kabuto's team, a team from Ame, and another team from Kusa, but Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Hinata, and the spy girls were nowhere to be found.
Standing before the genin was the Hokage, Kushina, Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai, and Asuma. Among the other adults were also the sensei's from the other genin squads, along with Anko, Ibiki, Mikoto, Jerry, and Kurama having to use his identity of Connor.
"All right, I would like to congratulate each of you for making it this far in the Chunin exams!" The Hokage announced, "And for a special treat for you all, I have arranged some entertainment for all of you to enjoy for your final day of relaxation before part three of the Chunin Exams. Please give a warm welcome to Konoha's band, Spy Seven!"
The adults step off as the stage they were standing on opened up and rose up from it was The Spy Seven with their instruments ready and Naruto was holding the mike, "Good morning Konoha, for those out of villagers let me introduce us to you. We're the Spy Seven and we're here to make some music. So take it away Hinata!" he tossed the mike to Hinata and they started playing the music while she sang.
Team Guy was listening to the band play and Hinata singing enjoying it very much, well actually Lee and Tenten enjoyed it while Neji sat frowning from the performance and especially with Hinata being the one to sing having most attention drawn to her. The sibs from Suna watched as well with Temari and Kankuro looking impressed but weary as Gaara sat frowning at the performance and hoped he wouldn't erupt into a mad frenzy. The adults smiled at the performance, while Kushina was tearing up as Connor held her close. Sasuke sat amongst the genin enjoying the song feeling able to relax and forget about what happened in the Forest of Death. Kabuto's team watched with Kabuto smiling, until he turned to the squad leader for the Oto squad and smirked at him as he smirked back. The squad from Oto scowled at seeing Naruto and Sakura up there knowing that it was their teammate that almost killed Zaku who now had his arms in slings.
As the song ended, Sasuke started applauding for his squad and soon various other teams started applauding. The only ones who didn't applaud at all were the genin from Oto, Gaara, and Neji. While up in the catwalk of the gym was Max watching on smiling before he vanished before he was discovered by someone. The Hokage applauded and went back on stage, "Arigato Spy Seven, a job well done. And there you have it my guests. Feel free to rest up for tomorrow where the real entertainment starts, the third stage for the Chunin Exams!"
And with that everyone was dismissed, but when Naruto and the girls tried to go back to their rooms they were ambushed by a majority of the Genin contestants begging for autographs, which they reluctantly agreed to give out. Lee and Tenten managed to get autographs from all seven of them before making it over to Neji, "Neji I have an extra set of autographs for you." Lee said holding out a set for Neji.
Neji frowned, "Why would I want autographs from those losers." Neji motioned to the Spy Seven.
"Neji!" Tenten scolded him.
"I'll be back in the room, until tomorrow." Neji replied as he left his two teammates.
Hinata noticed this and frowned at how her cousin was treating her and her friends along with giving his team the cold shoulder. Soon enough it was nighttime and everyone was in their respected rooms sleeping, while Sasuke was looking out a window up at the moon, "Tomorrow's the day." He said to himself.
The next morning around noon time, all the genin who passed the second stage were gathered in the gymnasium like before only with Naruto and the girls present among the other competitors, while the adults stood above them, "Once again I welcome all of you to the final stage of the Chunin Exams," The Hokage announced, "However, before we get to the main event we'll be having a preliminary match to shorten the competition."
"Finally some good old fashioned fighting." Naruto said to himself.
"Before we begin, is there any of you wishing to withdraw now?" Anko asked, "You won't have to worry about dragging the rest of your teammates with you this time."
Kabuto suddenly raised his hand, "I wish to withdraw."
"Kabuto why?" Alex asked as her squad and squad seven were surprised.
"What gives?" Naruto asked in surprise.
"Sorry guys, but I haven't been feeling myself since we got out of the forest," Kabuto explained, "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. You guys just fight hard and get through this." And with that Kabuto left as his name was checked off followed by two of the Ame shinobi and one of the Kusa shinobi withdrew as well also feeling they were at their limit.
"If that's all done I'll leave this up to the next proctor, please give a warm welcome to Hayate Gekkou!" Sarutobi announced as a pale skinned Jonin with bags under his eyes approached and let out a cough.
"In these preliminary matches you will be selected to fight a random opponent from either squad including your own. When you see your name appear on the screen above come down to the field and engage in your selected opponent. Anything in combat is allowed, but I'm allowed to step in and call the match as I see fit."
The spy girls looked at the proctor and his sickly appearance, 'That guy looks like he should be in the hospital.' Sam thought.
"He needs a serious makeover.' Clover thought while looking at the bags under his eyes.
"Let the match-ups begin!" The Hokage called as the machine mixed up the names and after a minute the first two names that came up were 'Sasuke Uchiha' and 'Yoroi Akadou'.
"Yes!" Sasuke gasped in eagerness as he saw his opponent was Kabuto's teammate with black ocular lenses over his eyes.
With the combatants selected everyone else went above to the catwalk to observe the fight. When Naruto made it up he was accompanied by Kakashi, Kushina, Mikoto, Connor, and Jerry, "Well I guess there's not much to do now but wait our turns." Naruto said.
"And it could be anytime." Sakura noted.
"And against anyone." Sam added while motioning to all the competitors that looked eager for their own turns.
"Are any of you nervous at all?" Jerry asked curiously.
"You'd wish." Clover answered in confidence.
"Begin!" Hayate announced beginning the first match.
(And there's the chapter. Don't miss the rest of the preliminary matches.)
