I stood to the left of Ino-chan with my hands behind my back.

Behind Ino-chan was Shikamaru-san, and behind him was Choji-san.

Next to Ino-chan was Kiba, who stood in front of Hinata-san and Shino-san.

Next to Kiba stood Uzumaki-kun, who stood before Uchiha and my sister.

Next to the blonde was Neji, who was before Lee-senpai and Tenten-san.

Next was Kabuto and his team.

Then was Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari respectively.

And finally there was Dosu, Zaku, and Kin, those damn Otogakure bastards under fucking Orochimaru, that motherfucking snake.

In front of the remaining seven teams and I were the senseis of each respective team, Hokage-sama, Anko, Morino-san, and a few proctors.

Welp, I'm betting that I can pass this too, I thought as I kept a blank expression on my face.

"First off, for the second exam..." Anko trailed off making a few others tense up. "Congratulations on passing!"

"Thanks," I replied politely before realizing it was somewhat rhetorical. I ignored her slightly annoyed look and looked past her at the Otogakure sensei. I stared at him suspiciously, wondering what his connection to Orochimaru was.

"So hungry!" Choji-san mumbled dejectedly despite eating not too long ago.

"Still this many left? This sucks," Shikamaru-san noted with a grouchy expression.

"Sasuke-kun's team passed too!" Ino-chan noted excitedly.

"Your team isn't too bad. Maybe they were lucky. But as long as my team is around, getting any further is impossible," Gai-sensei commented to Kakashi-sensei, who was standing right next to him. "Since from now on, it's all about real ability. Well, with youth, there are sweet times, and there are sour times, eh Kakashi?"

"Huh? You say something?" Kakashi-sensei asked cooly with a completely neutral expression.

Gai-sensei turned away as his fist shook, frustration all over his face. "Heh. Not bad, my rival, Kakashi. You're cool in that way, and it really gets in my nerves..."

"Ahh... So that's Gai-sensei's eternal rival. Gai-sensei totally loses in terms of looks though," Tenten-san commented softly.

"I knew it! Among all the teachers, Gai-sensei is the coolest! He's sparkling! Alright..." Lee-senpai got a really determined look as his springtime of youth was ready to explode. "Watch me, Gai-sensei! I'll sparkle too!"

"So the main guys survived..." Neji muttered before looking over at one of my teammates. "Uchiha Sasuke..."

Of course, the oto-fuckers were also looking at the Duckass.

"I'll get you back for my arms, Uchiha Sasuke..." Zaku growled.

I watched the Otogakure sensei smirk at Kabuto-san, making said grey-haired boy look slightly confused for a split-second. I gave a small hum before the creep turned his eyes towards me.

He gave a smile that sent shivers down my spine. With the markings around his eyes, as well as the darkness and length of his hair, definitely reminded me of the snake. His eyes were the worst thing though.

Was he messed with to look like the snake? I mean, Orochimaru probably messed with all of those under him, especially considering the advancements those Otogakure guys had. I refused to back down from the eye-staring contest. I continued on staring straight into his eyes, ignoring everything else around me.

His chakra...

I felt confused at what Sado said until it dawned on me. I managed to keep the horror off my face as I realized why he had reminded me so much of Orochimaru.

That freak was Orochimaru.

I grit my teeth in frustration, my fingers digging their nails into the skin of my palms. He's right there, but if I say anything now, I'll probably cause a disaster. Surely Hokage-sama and the others know about it too. I shouldn't make a move that may jeopardize their operation.

Orochimaru's smile suddenly seemed to darken, as if he realized that I knew his identity. He suddenly seemed ten times more amused, something that I would gladly pass over to someone else in a heartbeat.

"So only seven out of the twenty-seven teams passed..." Temari mumbled as she looked around. "And there's also that guy..."

It took me a moment to realize she was talking about me. When I finally did notice, I allowed annoyance to crawl onto my face as I glared at her out of the corners of my eyes.

Akamaru gave a small whine, catching my attention.

"The sand guy..." Kiba muttered as he looked over at Gaara warily.

"Oh good... Naruto-kun passed too..." Hinata-san said softly as she looked at Uzumaki-kun happily.

"What's this? All the Konoha rookies are here," Sakura noted while looking around.

"Wow! Wow! Hokage-ojii-san, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, and even Super Brows is here! It's like everyone is assembled!" Naruto exclaimed, keeping his voice down as to not disturb everyone within the next kilometer.

"Heh... I can't say that I'm getting a good feeling..." Uchiha muttered as a grin sat on his lips.

"Hokage-sama will now explain the third exam! Listen carefully!" Anko demanded before looking to the old man. "Now Hokage-sama, please."

"Yes," he answered, his pipe not at all affecting his speech despite being between his lips. "For the coming third exam... But before I explain that, there is something I'd like you to know. It concerns the true reason for this exam."

True reason? I repeated questioningly in my mind.

""To promote friendship among the countries." "To raise the level of shinobi." I don't want you to be confused about the true meaning... This exam is..." He trailed off as he took his pipe from his mouth and blew out some smoke. "A replacement for war among the allied countries."

"What does that mean...?" Tenten-san asked.

Pretty self-explanatory really. Countries are throwing their younger ninjas out there into "battle" to stimulate war, which will reap several benefits for various people, I concluded.

"If you go back in time, the current allies were enemies who fought each other over who would rule. In order to prevent wasteful fighting, the stage that these countries chose for battle..." Hokage-sama trailed off, making me raise a brow. "That is the origins of this chûnin selection examination."

"Why the hell do we have to do that crap?! Isn't this thing for deciding who's a chûnin?!" Uzumaki-kun yelled.

I deadpanned so hard, my face was stuck like that for at least half a minute. Oh my fucking gods. You're the reason people stereotype blondes as fucking morons. As far as you discovering the hidden meaning within the hidden meaning goes... You're too stupid to discover the obvious hidden meaning, even when it's been spelled out for you.

"It is a fact that this exam decides which shinobis have what it takes to become a chunin. But, on the other hand, this exam has another side where each country's shinobis risk their own life to protect their land's prestige," Hokage-sama explained.

"Prestige?" Ino-chan repeated questioningly.

I felt my eyes roll as annoyance began to bubble up inside of me. You're gonna have to literally spell everything out. This will take fucking forever!

"Watching this third exam will be leaders and influential individuals from many countries who make up the clients of the shinobi, and the leaders of the countries will also be there to watch each of your battles," the old man said, "If the strength of a country is clear, that country will receive more clients. And, controversially, if seen as weak, they will lose clients. And this will signal to potential enemies that "Our village has this much power." So it will send a political message to the outsiders."

"Yeah, but why?! Why do we have to risk our lives in battle?!" Kiba yelled.

"Ugh. I'm surrounded my retards," I grumbled under my breath.

"The strength of the country is the strength of the village. The strength of the village is the strength of the shinobi. And a shinobi's true strength is born only through life-risking battle," Hokage-sama stated.

Training and studying are also good tools, I thought blankly.

"This exam is a place to see each country's strength and to show off your strength. It only has meaning because lives are at risk. And that's why those that have come before you have fought in the chûnin exam for this dream that is meaningful," Hokage-sama explained.

Huh... Now that I think about it, I never actually came up with a dream. Is a dreamless path really worth dying over? I stared at the old man blankly before Sado suddenly butted into my internal monologue, making it a dialogue... (Wait, if he's a part of my personality, would it actually be a dialogue or a monologue? Am I stupid, crazy, or a bit of both?)

Isn't our dream protecting Sakura? He asked.

Yeah, but we need another reason, I thought.

Why? He questioned.

I don't know. It just doesn't feel right. She's bound to get stronger eventually- No. I'm willing to bet that she'll become strong enough to protect herself one day. What will I do then?

I don't know. Maybe you could get married and settle down.

I could hardly keep myself from bursting out laughing. Hah hah hah! That one was hilarious! Holy shit! Me?! Marry and settle down?! Who the fuck would want me?!

I don't fucking know! I'm throwing out ideas, dammit! Sado yelled angrily.

We'll discuss this later. Heh heh. Marry and settle down. Holy fuck, that was the most entertaining idea I've had in a long time.

It was my idea!

Same person, remember? I teased, only to hear silence. ...Fuck, I'm a super weirdo...

"But then why do you say stuff about it being for "friendship"?!" Tenten-san yelled, making me remember that I was currently listening in on a conversation between Hokage-sama and a bunch of morons.

"I said it in the beginning, I don't want to confuse the purpose of this. By losing life and establishing balance - this is the shape of friendship in the world of shinobi. Before we begin the third test, I will tell you one more thing. This is not just a test..." Hokage-sama trailed off dramatically, making me growl softly in annoyance. "This is a life-risking battle with your dreams and your country's prestige on the line."

"I get it," Uzumaki-kun said, making me snort.

I bit my lower lip while ignoring how he shot my a dirty look. "Like fuck you do..."

"Hey! I heard that!" Uzumaki-kun yelled at me while pointing.

"I'm glad your ears work," I chirped as I flashed him a smirk. "I know that brain of yours is a little slow, so..."

"You take that back!" The blonde demanded.

"I don't care what it is... Just hurry up and tell us what this life-risking battle entails," Gaara interrupted.

Hokage-sama released a small breath. "Yes. I'd like to now explain the third exam, but..."

"Actually..." Someone said as they appeared bowing before Hokage-sama with a cough. "I apologized, Hokage-sama... From here on, as the referee, will you allow me, Gekkō Hayate...?"

"By all means..." Hokage-sama replied.

"Hello everyone. I'm Hayate," the man greeted before turning around with another cough. He showed the bags under his eyes as he said, "Um... Before the third exam, there's something I'd like you to do."

I'm willing to bet he's gonna die within the next month.

I nodded before pausing. We don't bet on people's death! That's crossing the fucking line, dude!

There's no harm if it's gonna happen, he replied, a shrug clear in his voice.

Shut up! I internally screeched.

"Um... It's a preliminary for the third test to decide who gets to participate in the main event," Hayate-san said.

"Preliminary?" Sakura repeated questioningly.

"Preliminary?! What do you mean?!" Shikamaru-san yelled.

"Sensei... I don't understand this preliminary, but... Why aren't all the people here allowed to participate in the next test?" Sakura inquired.

"Um... Because the first and second test may have been too easy this year..." Hayate-san replied, making me internally burst out laughing.

Too easy he says! Fucker clearly didn't fight Orochimaru by himself! I thought angrily as I flipped a non-existent table in my mind.

I liked that table! Sado yelled, earning several middle fingers.

Don't ask.

"We gave a bit too many people remaining. According to chûnin exam rules, we must have a preliminary and reduce the number of participants for the third test," Hayate-san explained

"No way..." My twin muttered in disbelief.

"As Hokage-sama indicated earlier, there will be many guests at the third test, so the fights could take too long. We are limited in time. Um... So anyway..." Hayate-san said, clearly the smoothest person in existence when it came to changing topics. "Those who are not feeling well... Those who feel like quitting after these explanations... Please come forward now since we will be starting the preliminary immediately."

"Wait! Right now?!" Kiba exclaimed in shock.

The sickly man gave a nod, as well as a few harsh coughs.

No one decided to step forwards to quit.

"Um... Does anyone want to retire? Oh... Um... I forgot to tell you that from now on it will be individual battling. You may raise your hand based on your own judgement," Hayate-san added in as be pulled out a few sheets.

Still, no one stepped forwards or raised their hands.

"Um... So no one is retiring?" Hayate-san questioned, making me give a small shrug.

My team made a big drama, and I pretended to not associate with them whatsoever until they finally quieted down.

"Huh?!" Sakura exclaimed before looking to Uchiha, who was grabbing at his curse seal while making a pained noise.

"You have been strange since that guy attacked you. That mark still hurts, right?!" Sakura asked as she looked at Uchiha worriedly. "If you continue...!"

I clenched my hands into fists as she began to shake, tears forming in her eyes. I swear to the fucking gods, if that son of a bitch makes her cry anymore...

"Please... Quit... I'm... afraid..." Sakura admitted as she wiped the tears coming from her eyes. "You are in no condition to fight right now!"

Uchiha began to glare harshly.

"I can see it! You have been hiding the pain all this time!" My twin continued. "Whatever you say. I'm going to tell the senseis about that mark. Then..." She began to raise her hand, only for Uchiha to grab it and shove it back down.

"Shut up about this mark," Duckass growled.

That got more tears rolling down her cheeks.

I looked over at Uchiha with the eyes of murder, several plans already being made for his death.

"Why are you so stubborn?! I don't want to see you suffering anymore. To me, you are..." Sakura trailed off at the end, though it was clear where she was going with it.

"This has nothing to do with you. Stay out of my business," Duckass demanded, making her freeze. "Sakura... I have told you before. I am an avenger. This isn't just a test to me. I don't care about chûnin or whatever. "Am I strong?" I just want the answer to that."

No, I internally answered for him as my eyes narrowed.

"To just fight strong guys here... And they are here... I can't forgive even you if you take that away from me," Uchiha stated, clearly wanting me to kick his ever-loving ass.

"You bastard!" Uzumaki-kun yelled, earning a nod of approval from me. Stop acting all cool! Idiot! Sakura is this worried and-"

"Naruto... I also want to fight you..." Uchiha said, causing the blonde to jolt in surprise. He then released a pained noise as his hand clenched his neck tightly.

So it spreads from there. If that's the case, then I need to know more about what the effects are before I can make a seal. So far, I know it effects his chakra, as well as his physical strength. His mental state usually takes a blow from it, so it probably tampers with his normal way of thinking and twists it around slightly. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath.

Alright, let's start the process. First, we want to make a seal that counteracts a seal already place. Second, we want that seal to not affect Uchiha's normal ways of using jutsu or thinking. It cannot be used to inhibit the user. Third, we need it to be permanent, or at least until we find a way to get rid of the first seal. Now, the problems arise when it comes to the curse seal. How deeply integrated into his body is it? Does it already have control over certain things? How will sealing it effect Uchiha in all forms? That's why I need information. And if you need information... You go to Konoha's shinobi records hidden in the Hokage Monument.

"Um... Now... Let's begin the preliminary," Hayate-san suggested. "This preliminary will consist of one on one fighting. You will basically fight as if in a real life confrontation. Since we have exactly 22 entrants, we will conduct 11 matches, and... Um... The winners will advance to the third test. There are basically no rules. The fight continues until one of you dies or is knocked out or admits your defeat."

That's a run on sentence, I thought, internally criticizing his grammar even though my own definitely sucked. Also, how casually can you mention death in your state without it seeming like a cry for salvation?

That was really fucking dark, Sado pointed out.

I know, I admitted sheepishly.

"Um... If you don't want to die, then quickly acknowledge your defeat," Hayate-san suggested with a small cough. "But when I decide that the winner has clearly been established... Um... Since we don't want to pointlessly increase the amount of corpses, I'll jump in and stop things. And the object that controls your destiny is..."

"Open it," Anko demanded into her microphone.

A panel opened on the wall revealing a green screen.

"Is this... This electric scoreboard will show the match-ups for each battle," Hayate-san explained. "Now, this is sudden, but let's announce two names of the first fight."

Everyone stared at the board as hearts began to pick up in pace. Suddenly, two names appeared.

Haruno Ren

VS

Yakushi Kabuto

Can I-

Hold on, I thought before looking over at Kakashi-sensei. I pointed my thumb towards Kabuto while pointing my other thumb towards where I typically have my sado seal.

He gave a simple nod of approval.

Okay, I thought as I backed off.

Then no holding back! Sado cheered as he took full control.

"Now, will these two entrants come to the front?" Hayate-san asked.

I walked towards the front and stood of the sickly man's right. I watched as Kabuto took his spot across from me with that fake smile still plastered on his face.

Suspicion sat in those black eyes of his as he eyed my body language. He didn't make anything obvious though as he stared at the smile I typically had sitting on my lips.

"The two participants in the first fight are Haruno Ren and Yakushi Kabuto. Are you ready?" Hayate-san questioned as he looked between us.

"Yep!" I chirped as I began to rock back and forth on my heels.

"Yes," Kabuto answered.

"Now... We will be starting the first match." Hayate-san raised his left hand and motioned to the second "floor" of the arena. "Will everyone except the two participants move to the upper level?"

Kakashi-sensei began to walk towards my teammates.

"Hey! Kakashi-sensei!" Uzumaki-kun called while flailing about.

"Ren," he said as he passed me, making me hum. "If you aggravate that wound and cause it to start bleeding badly again, I'll jump in and stop the match, got it?"

"Yes, Okaa-san," I sassed, earning a small slap to the back of my head. I waved my middle fingers around at his back as he followed after my teammates. Hell, I even went so far as to stick my tongue out and move my head around mockingly. Fuck you man. I'm in control. What I says, goes.

It's actually "What I say, goes." You said says.

Fuck off! I snapped angrily.

Once everyone left, Hayate-san said, "Now. Please begin."

"Are you ready?" Kabuto asked as he began to make a few handsigns.

"Sure am," I replied happily before teleporting behind him, my hands placed together in the tiger seal. "Konoha's Most Secret and Powerful Technique!"

"What?!" Kabuto exclaimed as he began to turn around.

My eyes sparked as I shoved my four fingers, dry mind you, up Kabuto's ass. "A Thousand Years of Death!"

Kabuto froze up for a second before suddenly rocketing away as tears gathered in his eyes. "What the hell?!"

"Ren! Take this seriously!" Sakura yelled at me, her fury clear in her voice.

"But Kakashi-sensei taught it to me," I said while pointing at the man who was giggling into his hands.

The sharingan-wielder suddenly tensed up upon feeling the narrowed eyes of a tweenager glaring right through him. He held up his hands in mock defense while saying, "I didn't think he'd actually use it, I swear."

"Pay attention!" Kabuto yelled as he threw a few shuriken at me.

"I can divide my attention," I said as I ducked under the shuriken. I then rushed for Kabuto as my smile suddenly grew malicious. Don't look at the eyes. Don't get caught.

The older boy jumped back before a glow suddenly enveloped his right hand.

Chakra - a blade of chakra, Maso noted before saying, Kaimon! Kyūmon!

Oh fuck yes! I internally screamed as I finally went full-power with my semi-healed body.

Kabuto flinched back as I picked up my pace ten fold. He tried hitting me with his chakra, only for me to grab ahold of his arm.

I pulled that arm towards me as my body swung around, kicking his face harshly, sending his glasses flying.

He was able to quickly recover regardless and grabbed ahold of my leg with his chakra blade hand.

"Not really a turn-on right now," I admitted as pain shot through my leg. I quickly punched his face before kicking just below his ribs, causing him to backtrack with a small wheeze. My eyes narrowed in on his face where I had just kicked him. It's healing at a tremendous rate. Does he know medical ninjutsu? Shit. This may be harder than I thought.

"Don't get distracted!" Kabuto demanded as he lunged forwards.

I easily kicked him across the face, sending him into the wall. "Give me a sec."

You should probably take this seriously. He works for Orochimaru.

Mkay, I agreed before taking in a deep breath. I calmed myself down before getting in tune with my chakra. I made a kage bunshin and allowed it to take my place while I hid away in the blink of an eye. I remained below the ground while waiting for my cue.

After a few long minutes, my kage bunshin yelled out, "Saku: Kuro no Hasu!"

I eagerly moved through the ground, positioning myself below Kabuto.

My bunshin tapped the ground twice, signalling for me to make my move.

My hand broke out of the arena floor and grabbed onto Kabuto's left ankle. "Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu." I replaced myself with Kabuto and grinned down at the grey-haired teenager. "You know what they say! The nail that sticks up the most is the one that gets hammered down!"

Kabuto didn't reply as he began to cough violently.

"Hey, we probs shouldn't kill him," my double said as his eyes briefly flickered towards Orochimaru.

"That's exactly why we want to kill him," I objected as I smacked its bleeding head.

"Wh... What is this...?" Kabuto managed to ask through his panting and coughing.

"Hm? Oh, well that's my jutsu. I designed it as a method of torture when I was still a little shit," I answered while motioning to my rather short height as a six-year-old. "It's pretty effective, huh? I've gotten it pretty much perfected over these past few years!"

"You... made this?" He panted as pain showed in his eyes.

I chuckled as I kneeled down in front of him, my clone just flopping down on its ass behind the black-eyed boy. "Yep. But there's no need to tell him that, especially since he's here now."

Shock filled his expression as my technique stopped, freeing him from the pain that was filling his body.

"You think I wouldn't notice?" I asked with a chuckle. "I'd be a moron to miss it. Besides, I already put a chakra seal on him. I can locate him wherever, whenever. And I also have one on you. I'm not going to let either of you go."

Kabuto suddenly smirked as he asked, "Oh really?"

"Hah! You caught my bluff!" I exclaimed as I bounced up to my feet. "Why the fuck would I want to go anywhere near that freak? There's nothing he could offer me that I'd be interested in. Besides..." I lifted up my right foot, my smile darkening once again. I gave a loud chuckle as I allowed the strength in my leg to be at its maximum for a brief moment. I slammed my foot down on Kabuto's head just hard enough to give him a concussion, knock him out, and cause some bleeding. "You're not good enough for me. I love a good challenge, which he'll give if I'm on the opposing side, right?" I lifted my foot up and smiled down at the unconscious head below. Still alive, like the cockroach he is. I could kill him now, but...

That's when my kage bunshin disappeared, allowing the memories to flood to my head.

My entire body suddenly twitched before I ran full-force towards Kabuto. I easily grabbed ahold of his head and smashed it into the ground, my eyes wide as a serious expression sat on my face.

He grit his teeth before glaring past my fingers into my eyes.

I chuckled at the feeling of my skin being peeled away. It's not as good as his, that's for sure. I picked him up before slamming him into the ground once again. "Your genjutsu sucks."

"What?!" The teenager exclaimed as pain filled his voice.

I threw him up into the air before kneeling down. "No time like the present to attempt killing yourself."

"Ren! You know you're not allowed to use that move!" Gai-sensei yelled down at me.

"Ren's busy at the moment, but you can leave a message," I sassed as I jumped up behind Kabuto. I wrapped my arms around his torso before quickly turning our bodies around rapidly into the air. "Primary Lotus!" I move back just before my body could be slammed into the ground, watching apathetically as Kabuto released a small scream of pain. I felt my muscles scream at me to just lay down and die, but my mind had other ideas.

Please don't.

Oh, I'm so doing it, I replied as I ran forwards while activating my third and fourth chakra gates, my skin turning red from the blood circulation increasing. I kicked him off of the ground and into the air. I kept punching him higher and higher until I felt certain I was high enough. With a large grin, I yelled out, "Reverse Lotus!"

Kabuto grit his teeth as he tried to prepare himself for the brutal attack that was surely to come.

"Ren!" Lee-senpai yelled at me.

I ignored him as I shoved my right fist and left foot into Kabuto's body, sending him crashing into the arena hard, leaving a crater around the boy. I landed next to him and gave a laugh as my body collapsed.

Kabuto was gasping for air before spitting out a bit of blood. The boy suddenly smirk as he moved his limbs around. "Ah, I wasn't expecting it to be that bad..."

Bitch, what the fuck?! I internally screeched as my body was ready to disappear.

Definitely works for Orochimaru.

You think I can't see that?! I yelled angrily.

Sorry.

I grit my teeth as he stood up shakily. "Ugh, you're such an asshole. I thought I was bad..."

He chuckled as he spit out a bit of blood. "That was a dangerous technique. It looks like you can't really move anymore."

"Yeah," I agreed as my muscles screamed at me, begging for death.

Kabuto pulled a kunai out before quickly lunging forwards.

Now!

I forced my body to move on pure adrenaline and will power alone. I grabbed his wrist and pulled it out of the way. I then kicked his face as hard as I could manage. I wrapped my right leg around his head and used my momentum to swing around to his backside. I pulled out a kunai before making a few quick slices into his back. As I jumped away, I made my special handsigns quickly. "Saku: Kuro no Hasu!"

He chuckled as he turned around, his kunai still in his grasp. "You won't get me that easily."

"Maybe, maybe not," I chirped before mixing my chakra together. I then extended my hands out towards him and mumbled, "Fueru."

Kabuto-san began to run towards me before suddenly halting, his foot barely raised off of the ground. He shook as a slightly frightened look showed up on his face.

I gave a small chuckle as black lotuses began to bloom from the blood that was coming from random spots on his body. "Aren't they pretty? They share their name with my own." I tapped the ground twice with my right foot as my grin widened.

A hand came out of the ground and grabbed onto Kabuto's left ankle. "Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu." My real self replaced himself with Kabuto and grinned down at the grey-haired teenager. "You know what they say! The nail that sticks up the most is the one that gets hammered down!"

Kabuto didn't reply as he began to cough violently.

"Hey, we probs shouldn't kill him," I said as my eyes briefly flickered towards Orochimaru.

"That's exactly why we want to kill him," he objected as he smacked my head, nearly causing me to disappear.

"Wh... What is this...?" Kabuto managed to ask through his panting and coughing.

"Hm? Oh, well that's my jutsu. I designed it as a method of torture when I was still a little shit," Ren answered while motioning to our rather short height as a six-year-old. "It's pretty effective, huh? I've gotten it pretty much perfected over these past few years!"

"You... made this?" He panted as pain showed in his eyes.

The white-haired boy chuckled as he knelt down in front of the enemy.

I just fell on my ass behind the enemy, my muscles pretty much tearing themselves apart at that point.

"Yep. But there's no need to tell him that, especially since he's here now," my original answered softly.

That's when I stopped the Saku Hasu jutsu.

"You think I wouldn't notice?" Ren asked with a chuckle. "I'd be a moron to miss it. Besides, I already put a chakra seal on him. I can locate him wherever, whenever. And I also have one on you. I'm not going to let either of you go either."

Kabuto suddenly smirked as he asked, "Oh really?"

"Hah! You caught my bluff!" He exclaimed as he bounced up to his feet. "Why the fuck would I want to go anywhere near that freak? They're nothing he could offer me that I'd be interested in. Besides..." My original lifted up his right foot, his smile darkening once again. He gave a loud chuckle as he allowed the strength in his leg to be at its maximum for just a moment. My original then slammed his foot down on Kabuto's head just hard enough to give him a concussion, knock him out, and cause some bleeding. "You're not good enough for me. I love a good challenge, which he'll give if I'm on the opposing side, right?" He lifted his foot up and smiled down at the unconscious head below.

And then boom, I'm done existing.

Wow, the lotuses really fucking hurts. I'm glad I replaced myself, I noted as I rubbed my arms and legs. I then recalled my last thought before my bunshin's memories entered my own. I mean, would it hurt to kill him?

I don't think anyone else knows about this little rat yet. If I kill him, it could look bad on my record, Maso replied.

If I tell them now-

It could trigger Orochimaru. Wait until he's gone, Maso commanded, making me nod.

"Of course," I said as my chakra gates closing themselves. "Man, what I wouldn't give for a nice hot bath right now..."

You wouldn't give up Sakura.

I deadpanned and thought, Yeah, no shit dip.

It's pretty annoying, isn't it?

I ignored the little fucker as Hayate checked Kabuto's pulse. "Are we done yet?"

Hayate gave a nod as he stood up. "The winner of the first round is Haruno Ren!"

"Whoop whoop! I'll be in charge of bets for the next ten rounds, so hand your money over!" I announced while giving a grin towards the other genin.

Kakashi-sensei shunshined down and punched the top of my head, sending me crashing into the ground. "You're not going to gamble! You're going down to the medical bay and get treated immediately!"

"It's just holding money! I'm not gonna charge interest! And my body isn't that bad!" I exclaimed, only to be hit again. "I'm not the fucking masochist! Leave my head alone!"

"Then change out, or whatever you do!" He demanded.

"Why? Don't like me?" I growled before Gai-sensei appeared before me. "Can we not do this right now? I was given permission to fight without restraint."

"What you did was beyond foolish, and you can't chalk that up to just being youthful! You directly went against the rules!" Gai-sensei scolded, making me roll my eyes.

"Technically, I didn't," I said, making the black-haired man pause. "Yeah, take the time to process that, and then spread that shit around in case no one else knows."

That's when the medical nins showed up with a stretcher. They examined me, scolded me, and then dragged me back to the room I was originally prisoner in.

But little did they know, I was an expert at escaping. I was simply wasting my time until Kakashi-sensei and Gai-sensei had calmed down enough for me to return.