Chapter 20: The tale of two Jinchuriki.
A/N: I am having to write from the phone so the next few updates might take longer but I will try my best to update fast. Thanks for the review and new follows and favs. Anyway, this is the chapter where the invasion starts. Hope you like it and please review!
"The match will start after a 15-minute interlude," Genma announced.
"That was awesome Naruto!" Chouji and Kiba complimented as Naruto came back to the stands.
Naruto nodded his thanks with a huge grin plastered over his face, "I would love to talk guys but I gotta meet Tou-chan and Kakashi Sensei. By the way where's Shikamaru?"
"He deemed it logical to sleep rather than watch," Shino replied.
"Of course," replied Naruto with a grimace.
"Who said I wasn't watching. Troublesome." Retorted Shikamaru from beside Shino.
"Ah, you're awake Shika?" Chouji asked, "Didn't seem like it."
"If I didn't act like I was sleeping, you would have bombarded me with millions of questions."
"His decision was logical. Due to his act, I was forced to be the scapegoat." Shino said in a less than monotonous tone.
Naruto laughed at his friend's antics, "Well, I've got to go." Naruto was just about to head up the stairs when Shikamaru's voice halted him.
"Naruto." Naruto turned to look at his friend face to face never hearing him talk in such a serious tone before, "Be careful. From what you said, he might be a jinchuriki too and an unstable one at that. Don't die."
Naruto choked as he felt tears appear and was about to embrace Shikamaru when... "After all it would be too troublesome to scrape your body off the ground and go to your funeral."
Naruto face faulted while Kiba and Chouji snickered. Luckily, Shino came to his rescue, with a rare show of emotion he freely displayed only when with the terrible seven, "Enough. He's much stronger than Gaara, and he will win. Gaara hurt one of our friends after all." Shino almost growled out.
"Glad to see at least some of you believe in me," Naruto said in a mock hurt tone.
"Who said we didn't? Just because we care doesn't mean we can't joke." Retorted Kiba.
"Ok I gotta go, I wasted 5 minutes with you guys!" Naruto exclaimed heading up the stairs hearing only 1 final comeback from Kiba, "Look at Naruto, the chibi of our class." Kiba said to the others wiping a fake tear from the corner of his eye, "All grown up and can't even hang out with his friends anymore. Ah! How time passes."
The others snickered while Naruto twitched although he had to admit, that wasn't a bad line.
Sighing Naruto quickly made his way up the stairs to Obito and Kakashi. Looking at Kakashi's stern face Naruto had the urge to use an excuse out of Obito's own excuse book but decided against it.
"I was talking with Shika and the others."
Kakashi's demeanor changed, "Ok no problem. I thought you were going to use one of Obito's lame excuses again. Kushina nee-chan will find a way to kill him in the afterlife and then she will bring him back alive to congratulate him on a job well done."
"Was Kaa-San very punctual then."
Rin snorted appearing from somewhere, "Nope. The reason she would kill Obito would be to pass on such lame excuses. The only reason he might survive in the afterlife is for teaching you the art of pranking and at least trying to give you some excuses for being late."
"Phew, for a second I thought all the stories you guys told me about my parents were a lie and I got my pranking Genes from otou-San "
"How so? Sensei got roped into many of Kushina nee-chan's plans too." Kakashi replied
"Maybe but hearing your stories, kaa-San seems more likely to prank people. I bet that the only reason otou-San put up with Kaa-San's pranks was because he was too scared of kaa-San and also feared that he might be pranked upon too."
Kakashi and Rin nodded sagely in agreement.
"Anyway Obito, why so stiff and quiet?" Rin asked inquisitively.
"Huh, oh. I was just thinking whether kushina neechan would let me live in the afterlife or not."
"Oh come on you can't seriously be scared."
"Naruto," Obito said as his body shuddered, "You have no idea how bad it could get. In fact, I think I found another new reason to live."
Everyone laughed.
"By the way where's Sasuke and Haku?"
"Still in the medical wing," Obito replied.
Naruto clenched his fists in anger, thinking how Haku was nearly killed. Kakashi noticed Naruto getting angry and stepped in, "I know you are angry Naruto but fight with a calm head or you will become mincemeat. Plus you said he's a Jinchuriki like you so it wasn't probably his action. From what Haku told me after the match, he was almost sane after hearing Haku's tragic past but his Biju influenced him."
Naruto didn't reply.
Kakashi sighed, "His past is probably like yours, maybe even worse. At least you had us, so maybe help him rather than just exert revenge."
"And why would I?" Asked Naruto furiously.
"Because Haku wants you to help him because he knows how Gaara suffered. You do too and you can connect with him more because you are a Jinchuriki too."
Naruto nodded, "Fine I'll try..."
After a pause, Naruto added, "Although... it might just be because of a weak seal. Hey sensei, I can do what I want while fighting, right?"
"I guess, the chunin exams are a replacement for war after all."
Naruto grinned, "Well then maybe I can help after all."
"Well anyway tell me your plan, you will need all the help you can get. I was going to give you a strategy but seeing that only 5 minutes are left, you tell me yours and I will refine it." Kakashi said motioning him to begin.
Genma didn't like this one bit. On one side was Gaara who was giving off a very huge killing intent and on the other side was Naruto grinning like a madman. Being a victim of a fair amount of Naruto's pranks, Genma couldn't help but feel sorry for the sand Genin knowing how Naruto's strategies could become.
Genma was right, Naruto and Kakashi went over how Naruto could strengthen the seal that held the Ichibi. Naruto planned to get the Ichibi out in the wild and then 'smack him upside down and then seal him up.'
Kakashi rubbed his forehead as he felt a headache coming on, hopefully his student wouldn't die. The only reason he agreed was he knew that bringing out the Ichibi would be one of Suna's main weapons in the invasion.
"It should be starting soon. Hopefully, Naruto can seal the Biju. We can't evacuate all the civilians without anyone knowing too. The worse thing is that we still don't know where Orochimaru is," Kakashi glanced at the Hokage who was sitting with two ANBU close. "At least I can trust those two to look after Sandaime-sama."
"Ladies and gentlemen," the Hokage announced, "The chunin exam finals will start now. Best of luck to both contestants.
"Okay, are you both ready?" Genma asked.
Gaara said nothing and Baruto gave the tiniest of nods. "Begin!"
Naruto ran towards Gaara withdrawing his swords, 'Wind style: Wind Blades," Invisible blades of wind rushed at Gaara who blocked it with his sand and tried to surround Naruto.
Naruto jumped up and slashed at the sand with his wind chakra enhanced sword. The sand was blown away and Naruto shot out bullets of water towards Gaara.
Gaara's sand automatically rose in defense and the stream of water bullets smashed into the sand. Naruto grinned, "I have to thank Haku for thinking of that later."
Naruto created 3 Kage bunshins and had them surround Gaara from each side. Then they all shot air blades at them. Gaara's sand couldn't get back up fast enough and he was hit.
Naruto cheered at being able to tear through Gaara's defense. The dust cleared and Naruto saw Gaara standing unharmed.
"How?" Naruto asked to no one in particular.
"You broke my sand armor. As expected of the Kyubi Jinchuriki but I expected better. No matter mother will love your blood."
"Hehe, as if you can kill me! Again guys!" Naruto shouted to his clones.
"Yes, boss!" Replied the clones getting ready to strike Gaara again. There was a poof as Gaara took out the clones with his sand.
"What the... I thought I wet all your sand!"
Gaara didn't reply and instead attacked Naruto again. Naruto made more shadow clones and dodged the sand. A few clones got destroyed but the rest surrounded Gaara. 'Water style: Water bullet,' The water bullets hit the sand again and became muddy. All the clones again got ready to fire some wind blades but Gaara brought up a huge amount of sand before he could fire.
"Tsk, I just have to use more chakra." Thought Naruto.
'Wind style: Wind blades,' The sand was pierced through and hit Gaara straight on. Gaara's face looked shocked as blood dripped from his wounds. Naruto wasted no time and ran to deliver a finishing blow when an inhuman scream pierced through the arena. Everyone clutched their ears in pain.
A demonic voice erupted from Gaara, "UZUMAKI NARUTO YOU SHED MY BLOOD ALLOW ME TO RETURN THE FAVOUR." Saying this Gaara transformed into a small version of the Shukaku. 'SAND PELLETS' The demonic voice yelled. Hundreds of small sand pellets flew at Naruto who barely had time to put up a water wall to protect himself.
"Guess I've no choice but to use it. Ero sennin advised not to in front of the Iwa delegates but I've no other choice." Naruto threw a dozen Kunai all over the field. "Hiraishin," and Naruto disappeared in a yellow flash.
The crowd gasped seeing the long-forgotten Hiraishin of the yondaime. The civilian adults became more ashamed thinking how they had treated the yondaime's legacy. On the other hand, the Iwa delegates cursed seeing Naruto flash heron one place to another.
"I thought he had used Shunshin when he had been fighting the Hyuga," Orochimaru commented as the Kazekage, "But it was Hiraishin wasn't it?"
Hiruzen nodded, "Yes, at first glance the Hiraishin doesn't give off a flash but through repeated use, this is the result."
Orochimaru didn't say anything too deep in his thoughts, "That damn brat. He knows Hiraishin and Summoning. Next, he will do a Rasengan or summon Gamabunta." Orochimaru took a deep breath and calmed himself, "No, calm down, it won't be a problem. I will have the Ichibi kill him during the invasion."
Orochimaru mused for a bit before adding, "...Then again he has the Kyuubi."
"Should I stop the fight Hokage-sama?" Hayate asked appearing beside them.
"No, let's see a bit more."
On the other side, Orochimaru signaled his forces to get ready.
Naruto summoned hundreds of clones and had all of them Hiraishin all over the field jumping suddenly at Gaara from various angles. Each clone jumped out suddenly towards Gaara unpredictably. Till now Gaara was able to disperse most of the clones but after a while, his sand started to slow down as more clones got summoned and started attacking Gaara. To make it worse the clones threw a punch front and then Hiraishined behind him.
Gaara let out a roar and sent out the sand in all directions dispersing several clones. He was about to attack again when he felt like he couldn't breathe.
'Wind style: Sucking air,' Naruto pulled out the oxygen from around Gaara. Gaara managed to escape Naruto's jutsu range and was gasping for air when he was punched by several clones.
Naruto had taken advantage of Gaara being off guard and several of his clones had attacked Gaara punching, kicking and slashing him with Kunai. Gaara was sent flying through the air and crashed into the stadium wall.
Everything was silent for a few minutes until another inhuman roar filled the air. The stadium wall started crashing as a huge monster appeared from underneath.
Orochimaru quickly signaled for the invasion to start. With perfect timing, the sound four erected a barrier around the Hokage and ANBU guard. A genjutsu was placed and Naruto felt very sleepy suddenly. It wasn't until the Shukaku slammed him into one of the walls, that he woke up. Naruto got up, his body aching. All around him there was utter confusion. He could see Sand and Sound Shinobi fighting the Konoha ninja and many people under Genjutsu. Naruto let out a huge burst of chakra waking up everyone in the arena at once.
Genma appeared beside Naruto, "We are under attack, go help the other genin evacuate the civilians. You can't take him on, none of us can!"
Naruto didn't say anything he was in his mindscape at present ordering the Kyuubi, "Hey you fuzzball, I need chakra and you owe me some rent."
The Kyuubi simply grinned, "Threatening me, are you? Very well I will give you some chakra, after all, I can't lose to that raccoon."
Before Naruto could say anything more, he was pushed out from his mindscape and felt the surge of chakra throughout his body.
"I can and I will!" Naruto said to Genma while running through several seals. Gemma's eyes widened, "You still have enough chakra?"
"Not exactly, more like I got rent," Naruto replied feeling the Kyuubi's chakra flow through his veins, 'SUMMONING JUTSU!'
The smoke disappeared and a red color scarred toad wearing a blue kimono appeared, "What is it Gaki?"
Meanwhile the Konoha forces started in surprise at the road which had helped stopped the Kyuubi rampage,
"G-gamabunta-sama?" someone exclaimed in shock.
A/N: Sorry to end on a cliffhanger. Hope you like this chapter and please Review follow and favorite.
Bye for now and check out my other fanfic!