I DO NOT OWN NARUTO/ NARUTO SHIPPUDEN
Chapter 12:
~ Three Weeks Later ~
Naruto had met with Hayate were he'd received some techniques scrolls for handling a large sword. Naruto had also upped his weight training to accommodate the size of the weapon. He carried it around wherever he went to adjust to its weight. He was initially worried about the man's cough, he seemed deathly ill, on the verge of just keeling over at any point.
Due to his practice in in Kenjutsu already he took to the blade like a duck to water, his movements remained quite precise if not slightly slower than preferred. He'd inscribed three seals onto the blade, his Flying Raijin marker which decorated the handle and two storage seals for extra kunai.
The storage seals remained hidden on the blade to not allow his opponents to see his style or what he intended to do.
He'd trained himself into the ground, the only people he'd spoken to where Konohamaru and his two friends and Hana, the older was worried, the boy had been distant since returning. Naruto's only escape from training was time with Hana and the Konohamaru ninja squad. He'd give them small training sessions or just spend time with them.
It made him happy, the three bundles of joy were constantly asking him questions on life as a ninja. He stayed away from the harsher truths but let them in on training secrets and what it was like having Jiraiya as a sensei and the high points of missions.
He still hadn't quite mastered the Rasenshuriken, but he had perfected the larger variants of the Rasengan. His 'Massive Rasengan' was a devastating technique, Kakashi had been admitted to the hospital for a week due to his injuries.
Naruto was currently strolling around the village, running around at high speeds and flashing didn't let him appreciate any off it. He'd agreed to train the Konohamaru Ninja Squad today and they wouldn't let him forget it. Moseying around the neighbourhood he stopped when three small chakra signatures made themselves known.
Looking behind him he saw a cardboard box with drawings to make it look more natural, more like rocks, it was less than convincing. Deciding to have a little fun he jogged away, the box impersonated a caterpillar as it sprouted three sets of small legs and began chasing him.
Finding an open street, he stopped and turned around, the box had plopped itself in the middle of the path. "C'mon guys I thought you were better than this. To use a box like that, that disguise sucks. I mean seriously, have any of you heard of square rocks?"
"You saw through my camouflage again, you're slick boss just what I'd expect from my greatest rival!" Naruto had accepted Konohamaru's rivalry, both intended to become Hokage, to be respected, it was fun to egg the kid on. The more motivation the better.
As the voice stopped the box began to glow a vibrant yellow, before exploding in clouds of blue, yellow and pink smoke. When the smoke dissipated Naruto looked down to see the young kids desperately trying to evacuate their lungs.
"I think we use a little too much gunpowder you guys." Konohamaru said through his coughing fit.
When the three noticed that Naruto was staring at them expectantly, they jumped into position. The female of the group took the initiative. "I'm Moegi, the sassiest kunoichi in pre-school! Check me out!" she had two large orange pigtails that stood upright, she wore standard brown pants and light pink top with a maroon jumper over the top, blue sandals to finish it off.
"I love algebra, call me Udon!" The second boy had blue jumper and beige trousers, also wearing blue sandals. His brown messy hair fell shortly in a middle part, his glasses reflected the sunlight.
Konohamaru leapt in front of the two to spearhead the group. "And I'm the number one ninja in the village, Konohamaru!" The three struck a pose respectively. "And when we're all together, we're the Konohamaru Ninja Squad!" Konohamaru wore his yellow top and grey pants, his brown hair slightly longer than that of Udon's.
"Nice you three, though you did go overboard on the gunpowder." Naruto smiled; they never had a dull moment. Then the blond noticed a glint off of each of their foreheads. "Are those goggles, like I used to wear?"
"Yep! The old man told us you used to wear them! So, we're copying you!" Naruto blushed under the clear idolism these three had of him, it made him happy. Moegi stepped forward. "You said you would train us today, are you ready now?" she asked, clasping her hands in front of her chest, pleadingly.
"Of course, you wouldn't let me go until I did anyway." He said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Imagine wasting your time with brats like this, that's so twisted." Naruto glanced up to the voice of Sakura, who was looking on in disappointment.
"What's wrong with that Sakura, their the next generation of ninja behind us after all." Naruto said shrugging his shoulders
Konohamaru didn't like her. "Who is this girl anyway?"
"She is a fellow genin, she is part of squad seven, under Kakashi Hatake." Sakura smirked. "I'm also the teammate of the coolest genin in the village."
"I didn't know you like Sai like that Sakura." Naruto said, feigning ignorance.
"You idiot! I mean Sasuke-kun!" She bellowed.
The kids had no clue what they were talking about, Sakura saw this and turned to them. "You wouldn't follow Naruto if you knew who Sasuke-kun was." She said flipping her hair and turning away.
"You witch, you ugly fangirl!" Naruto had educated them on her tendencies, so to speak. Sakura's head turned like a rusted gate; they could imagine the creak's in her joints.
"What was that?" she asked in an all too sweet tone, while cracking her knuckles. Konohamaru who'd said that, immediately felt a sense of dread, his eye's widening in fear as Sakura closed in.
"Konohamaru, how quick are you?" Naruto asked, the boy gave an unintelligible answer, still racked with fear. "Doesn't matter now, run." He stated, the boy didn't need to be told twice.
Prying at his friends to let him past he sped away, eager to be as far away from the psycho as possible. The chase lasted for at least ten minutes, Naruto, Moegi and Udon watched on.
"Shouldn't we help Konohamaru?" Moegi asked. Naruto shook his head. "This is good training, for speed and knowing how to talk to the right people. It's slightly more painful than how I would teach it but as long as he learns his lesson." Moegi and Udon looked worried for their friend but didn't want to disagree.
Konohamaru was beginning to tire now, not looking where he's going ran around a corner and bumped into something. Opening his eyes and looking upwards he saw two people.
One wore a black one-piece with a red and yellow circle where his stomach was situated. It continued to his head which also included two peaks that looked like cat ears, the plaque of the sand village sewn into the headwear., the most jarring thing was the purple face paint he wore. A spike under his chin and hooks under his eyes. He had a human sized object strapped to his back and covered in bandages, a plume of brown fur adorning the top.
The person next to him was quite clearly female. Her sandy blonde hair was done up in four ponytails and two short tufts of hair that sculpted her face. Striking teals eyes, identified that she was battle hardened, a light purple, off-the shoulders garment that extended to half-way down her thighs. A scarlet sash wrapped around her waist. Fish nets covered her from the neck down, to her left thigh. A separated fish net on her right calf.
Both looked to be in their early teens but still had seen the real world.
"Do you need something?" the boy spoke. Konohamaru shuffled away in fear, but he was snatched up by the black-clad boy. "So, does this hurt punk?"
The girl looked disappointed. "Put him down Kankuro, or you know you'll pay for it later." Sakura looked worried; she was going to beat the boy to a pulp, but she had no idea what these two would do.
Naruto saw this as the best time to include himself. Appearing out of thin air next to Sakura he began talking. "I'd recommend you put him down." The girl glanced at him, her cheeks gaining a rosy hue. 'The village cutie, I see.' It was then that she noticed the weapon on his back.
'So, these are the Leaf Village's genin.' The boy thought to himself while smirking. "Now why would we do that?" In a spilt second Konohamaru found himself next to Sakura with Naruto face to face with the two new arrivals.
"Thank you for letting him down." Kankuro reeled in surprise, amazed by the boy's speed.
"Who the hell are you? how did you do that?" Naruto's eyes didn't leave him as he spoke, ignoring the boy's question. "It would have been bad for you to have caused an international incident for assaulting the Hokage's grandson, wouldn't it?"
Kankuro blanched, losing all the blood in his face, not only was the boy correct, their mission would be a failure. The girl responded by slapping him over the back of the head. "You idiot!"
Turning back to the boy, she was about to apologise when he spoke up. "You two, in the tree, get down here, I don't like peeking rats." Naruto said, in the tree he felt two signatures. One was familiar, Sasuke, the other confused him, it reminded him of… himself. There were two signatures associated with him, both were foul, but one was similar to the fox's, but lesser.
Jiraiya had told Naruto of the other Jinchuuriki's, Killer B and Yugito Nii from the Hidden Cloud. Killer B was quite well known, container of the Eight-Tailed Oxtopus, like his container status, he was proud of it. He was known to be in full control of his Tailed beast, many thought the two worked together. Yugito was less known but she also had full control of her beast's power, the Two-Tailed Cat, they too seemed to work together.
Naruto knew of Fuu in the Hidden Waterfall, he'd been told of Yagura Karatachi, the Mizukage and container of the Three-Tailed Turtle, he also had full control. He leads the Hidden Mist village where they are known as 'The Bloody Mist' and spearhead's the bloodline purges. There was the Six Tails Jinchuuriki, much on him was unknown, except that he is an ex-Mist shinobi, he's been on the run for the last three years.
The Hidden Stone were in control of the Four and Five Tails Jinchuuriki's. The Four Tails was contained in a man known as Roshi, his container status gifted him the ability of the Kekkei Genkai of the Lava Style, his beast was the Four-Tailed Monkey. The Five Tails Jinchuuriki was also quite hidden, the container of the Five-tailed Horse.
Finally, the One Tails Jinchuuriki, the son of the Fourth Kazekage. Said to be unstable and homicidal. The boy had turned into a cold-blooded killer after the multiple assassination attempts.
He wore fishnets like the girl, he had a brown sash and white cloth over his skin-tight brown shirt, brown pants as well. He had two green eyes and a large gourd tied to his back, the kanji for 'love' harshly scarred on his forehead.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him. "You calling me a rat loser?"
"Yes." Temari smirked at the blonds behaviour, dismissing the other without a single care. He was in control. Sasuke who was sitting in the tree looked upon the boy. In a swirl of sand, the red-haired boy appeared next to the other two, Sasuke spoke spoke up.
"What's your name?" Looking the red-haired boy who currently hanging up-side in the tree. "Who? me?" Temari said hopefully, he wasn't quite the blond, but he was still a welcome sight.
"Not you, him." Sasuke clarified to which the girl scowled.
"I am Gaara of the Desert, you?" the boy replied, his voice like a sandpaper trumpet. Sharp and coarse. "Sasuke Uchiha."
"Not you." The boy growled at being dismissed further. the eyes were boring a hole in Naruto's head, but the blond didn't even react. "Naruto Uzumaki." Turning to the girl he gave a warm smile.
"Sorry about him, he's never warmed up to the female population. Really makes you wonder." He said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What was that loser?" Sakura screeched. "Shut. Up. Sakura." The girl hid in her shell.
The girl who was giggling at the sarcasm from the blond smiled back. "What's your name?" Naruto asked. The girls cheeks reddened further. "Temari of the Sand."
Naruto nodded. "Pleasure to meet you all, I imagine you're here for the Chunnin exams?" Gaara narrowed his eyes, Temari nodded and Kankuro scowled. "That's right! We're going to grind you int-" Kankuro was cut short as he felt the crescent moon indent in Naruto's Zanbatou brushed just below the brown spiky fur on the strapped figure on 'Kankuro's' back. The blond had used his raw speed
"You don't threaten me." He whispered so only the three could hear, turning his head to Gaara. "Know this, to have someone like you enter another village can be a sign of war or at least a threat of it. I'd hope that you have told the Hokage about your… tenant."
Temari and Kankuro were as white as a sheet, this boy had identified Gaara as a Jinchuuriki and seen through Kankuro's ploy. the boy himself narrowed his green eyes. This could be a massive set back. Temari to save the situation nodded.
Naruto brightened up, though he was still sceptical, he would let the Hokage know, just in case. Pulling the massive sword away and slapping it back on his back, he clapped his hands as he addressed the three. "Great, I hope you enjoy our village, it might be greener than your used to in the Hidden Sand but as the children of the Kazekage I'm sure you'll be comfortable."
"How do you know of him?" Gaara asked, he was the only one who should know of his presence. Naruto shrugged nonchalantly. "My sensei was the village's spymaster." Naruto conceded.
Losing patience quickly the red head asked. "Who is your sensei?" the irritation clear in his voice.
"Jiraiya of the Sanin, heard of him?" Naruto joked though he got the reaction he wanted. The two from before paled further but Gaara lost his irritation and smiled, it set him off, but he didn't show it.
'Apprentice to Jiraiya and saw right through Kankuro, he's someone to keep an eye on.' Gaara thought to himself. Turning to Kankuro and Temari. "Let's go, we didn't come here to play games."
'This looks like it's going to be fun.' Naruto thought while smirking. Naruto turned and stared down the three signatures he felt not too far away. The one in the middle who ha d seated himself on the tree branch narrowed his only visible eye at this. The two others stiffened at being noticed.
"What do you think Dosu?" the boy on the left questioned. "The usual weaklings, nothing special." Getting a crazed look in his eye he finished. "But the blond and the desert rat, you should watch them, carefully." The already unnerved three
~ With the Hokage and the Jonin Sensei's ~
All Jonin sensei were gathered to attend this meeting, Jiraiya too was in attendance. "I have summoned you here for a very important purpose, seeing your fellow Jonin here, I'm sure you realise what this is about." Hiruzen started.
"So soon, I thought we'd have a little more time." Kakashi commented. "I take it all the other lands have been notified about the coming event. I noticed some of their Genin have already arrived here in the village." Asuma added. "And, when do we start?" Kurenai questioned.
"We will begin in one week." The old Sarutobi answered. "That's pretty short notice." Kakashi added once more. "Take heed, in exactly seven days from today, on the first day of July, the Genin will be gathered and tested, only the very best will be selected as Chunnin."
"Alright, it is time we chose out candidates for the Chunnin examinations. To begin will those in charge of the rookie Genin step forward." Jiraiya, Asuma, Kurenai and Kakashi all followed their leaders instruction.
"Jiraiya, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma, what do you say? Are there any under your charge that you'd recommend? Who are ready for the exams despite their inexperience, as you know any Genin who had carried out eight or more missions is technically eligible for the examinations, beyond that only you can decide when they are ready? Of course, most Genin require a much longer training period and at least twice that many missions."
Iruka who was in attendance questioned the need for this, none of them, including Naruto were ready for this. Unnaturally skilled or not. None of them had the experience, they were still too fresh.
"So Kakashi, you begin." The Hokage stated. Raising his right hand in a half-ram seal he began. "I lead squad '7', Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Sai. I Kakashi Hatake recommend all three of these Genin for the Chunnin selection exams."
Kurenai, mimicking Kakashi's actions spoke next. "And my squad, number '8', Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame and now I Kurenai Yuhi recommend all three."
Asuma followed the lead. "And my squad is number '10', Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi and now I, Asuma Sarutobi recommend all three.
Jiraiya didn't bother raising his hand, not a care for tradition. "My apprentice, Naruto Uzumaki, I Jiraiya recommend him for the Chunnin exam."
"As an apprentice, which team do you decide to partner with?" Hiruzen questioned, this wasn't a normal occurrence, but it still needed to happen.
"Well Naruto said he would prefer to work with squad '8' as it made the most sense." That surprised Asuma, he wanted Naruto as it would guarantee's his team passing the field examination. "Why would that be?"
Jiraiya knew this would happen, Kakashi and Kurenai looked on expectantly. "He stated that your team." Addressing Asuma. "Had the teamwork set and it would be an unnecessary risk to compromise that. He believed that with Kakashi's team, Sasuke's temperament would hurt possible success."
Kurenai still wanted to know about her team. "What does that say about my squad?"
"He said that he would work best with your squad as his sensory abilities would fit, he also idenfied that your team lacked a significant heavy hitter, he could fill that space." Kurenai nodded at the assessment, she couldn't disagree, it also meant that they had a much better chance of her team reaching the finals.
"Agreed, apprentice Naruto Uzumaki shall join squad '8' for these Chunnin examinations." Hiruzen stated.
While they were discussing, everyone who was in attendance murmured at the fact of three rookie teams and a rookie apprentice partaking in the exam. After all this hadn't happened in five years.
Iruka stepped forward. "Just hold on a minute!"
Hiruzen looked up to the shocked Chunnin. "Yes, what is it Iruka?"
"Hokage-sama, with all respect, nine of those named were all my students at the academy. I know their skills and abilities." Iruka promised, it would be an unnecessary risk. "Every one of them has great promise, but it's too soon, they need more experience before they're tested. If they try now, they're sure to fail the exams."
Kakashi looked disappointed, this man had such little faith. "When I became a Chunnin, I was six years younger than Naruto is now." He stated.
Iruka turned red in anger, the man still seemed too apathetic to the situation. "Naruto is nothing like you!" he returned. Kakashi tilted his head to the side. "Isn't he? When he trains with my squad, I am his sparring partner. This was the same for my team under Minato-sensei, we both excelled amongst our age, we both understand hardship. Are we not similar?"
Iruka halted in response, he had nothing to say. Kakashi eye-smiled at the stressed Chunnin. "And, well, they're always complaining about not being challenged enough, maybe wiping out on the exams will teach them a lesson. A little pain is good." Kakashi rubbed the back of his head before correcting himself.
"Nothing fatal of course, but seriously Iruka, relax." Giving a placating shake of the hand he continued to smile. "Listen, I understand how you feel, it's very personal for you and it upsets you but-"
Kurenai had heard enough, it seemed unnecessary now. "Alright Kakashi, back off, you've said enough." His eye hardened, not leaving Iruka. "On the contrary Kurenai, Iruka needs to hear this, he needs to realise they're not his students anymore. There our soldiers."
Iruka didn't accept this. "But these exams could destroy them! You know that!"
"Iruka!" their leader said harshly. "You have made your point, I understand."
The man sighed before resigning himself back to his position giving a downtrodden nod. "Accordingly, I have decided that the best thing to do is to hold a special preliminary test."
'Preliminary test?' all the Jonin thought.
~ The Next Day ~
Naruto was slurping away at his favourite ramen at his favourite ramen stand. Ichiraku had served him a large miso ramen with extra char siu. Delving into his regular meal he heard the flap of the stand rustle and in walked Jiraiya.
"Pervy-sage!"
Bopping the boy on the head. "You brat, after all this time you still call me that?"
"You make it sound like you've changed!" the boy cried indignantly, amused by their interactions. "What can I do for you?" Naruto asked, for Jiraiya to seek him out, outside of their scheduled meetings meant something was going to happen.
"I recommended you for the Chunnin exams!" The boy's smile threatened to split his face, that was until he took on a much more serious look. "I saw Gaara of the Desert, the One-tail Jinchuuriki."
Jiraiya initially confused, he thought the boy would be more excited, hearing what he had to say he understood. "I see, I'll let sensei know later." Naruto nodded, wanting to reinvigorate the conversation Jiraiya piped up.
"How's the training with that toothpick of yours?" Naruto gave a playful scowl, the nickname Jiraiya had for his sword could be infuriating but it was also funny.
"Good, good." Naruto chuckled. "Hayate-sensei is about to die but otherwise it's alright." The boy joked. "Nothing serious then?" Jiraiya tried continuing the joke.
"Mmm… I'm getting better at throwing it and it no longer is so heavy, I guess it'll only get easier." Naruto admitted, he found it to be nuisance at the beginning, but he was quickly adapting.
"You know, word spread about a 'blond' Genin, that was as 'quick as a flash' wielding the legendary Executioners Blade. You attracted some attention from Cloud and Mist, for Cloud to send squads means you must have really irked them."
Naruto frowned, he wasn't yet strong enough to release his heritage, it would have to remain hidden for now. "What about stone?"
"Radio silence, they're still not willing to send their Genin to our village." Jiraiya stated, he'd heard about the rumour ruffling a few feathers, but it was getting ridiculous.
"The leader of the Rebel Faction from Mist might be attending the finals, a Leaf Genin having one of their swords came as quite an insult."
"Do they now? How interesting." The blond spoke in a pompous manner, not taking their threat seriously.
"Expect all of their genin to come after you." Naruto remained aloof, the more people that came after him the better. "Good."
Jiraiya wasn't sure what to think about the boy's demeanour, but he knew better than to press him. Reaching into his haori he pulled out a small brown sheet of paper.
"If you think you're ready, sign that application, go to room '301' at the academy. Be there at three pm, in five days' time." Naruto nodded, a faint smile gracing him lips.
"Which team am I with?" he asked.
"I managed to use my smooth moves to get you with the centre of male attraction." Naruto sighed, Jiraiya could be a real pain, Ayame had a much more physical reaction.
"Pervert!" she screamed, bonking the man on the head with her metal spoon. Getting a comical cry of pain with tears of betrayal falling from his face. "An older female for a girlfriend and the requirement to wed many and you still refuse to appreciate to wonderful sights of the female body."
"I'm sorry I want to be faithful. As hard as that is going to be." He grumbled the last part, though it was heard by Jiraiya and the two ramen chefs. Ayame had not heard about Naruto strife show her righteous fury was at boiling point currently, though this time it wasn't so humoured.
Feeling quite small under the woman's gaze he checked for anyone who might hear, seeing and sensing no one near he turned to his older sister and sighed once more. "Because of my heritage, I'm being forced into having multiple wives, to produce multiple children and 'restart' my clan."
Seeing the serious expressions given Ayame and Teuchi relented, Teuchi wanted to know something. "Does that mean you know who your parents are?"
Naruto nodded, Jiraiya didn't move, Ayame too looked a bit down. Teuchi smiled fondly at the boy. "Well, it's no surprise that you're here then." He stated in good humour.
"Why's that?"
"This was your mothers favourite place to eat. It seemed you got her obsession of our noodles." Naruto returned the smile, it seemed he was closer to his parents than he thought.
~ Three Days Later ~
Naruto was currently with Hana; they were sitting in their frequent booth at Yakiniku Q. the two were having a regular lunch date. After Naruto had gone into his shell after returning from wave Hana had made an effort to break him out of his funk. She'd done this by often literally dragging him away from his training.
Naruto had done some serious thinking, seeing the way Haku and Zabuza felt for each other, it wasn't romantic, but they loved each other. He wouldn't want to force women who had lives to live to mother children of a man they didn't care for.
"Hana-chan, I'm going to say something, I don't want you to talk until I'm done." Hana nodded, still in quite a good mood. "Sure, what is it?"
"It's about our problem." She nodded their dubbed problem; it was Naruto's requirement to produce heirs.
"I don't want to drag in women who don't want to be with me, I don't want girls to be forced to remove themselves from their duties because they have to bear a child."
"I would prefer to be with girls who want to be with me." Seeing her want to protest he raised a hand so he could continue. "I know I'm being selfish, and I know what position this puts you in. I just wanted you to know." Lowering his hand as a way to say that he had finished
Hana thought about returning hotly as soon as he finished, but then she remembered her words to him when the issue was first brought up. She would remain strong, and depending on the women, she might get along with them.
"Just like I told you before, I'm in this for the long run." The pressure that had slowly been building in Naruto's chest with every second that she had stayed silent removed itself with her words.
Running around the table he wrapped her in a tight hug, this surprised Hana as Naruto wasn't one for anything physical. Naruto noticed this too and tried to release himself the hug lest he do something wrong, his face lighting up in embarrassment. Hana chuckled at his expression, giving him a light peck on the cheek. There was now no point anywhere on his body that wasn't bright red.
Hana only laughed harder at his reaction, she knew that the boy was being genuine and that made him that much better of a man. Yes, he was being selfish, but if someone deserved it, it would be him, that and he would likely be the only person to make it work.
~ Two Days Later ~
Naruto was preparing for the day, he'd already gotten his equipment together, but he was also preparing mentally. There would undoubtably be a combat section, something he hadn't done outside of a spar since he was on the bridge.
He was thinking about the competition that Jiraiya had mentioned. He wasn't arrogant, he knew it wasn't him that had attracted the inclusion of Cloud and increased inclusion of mist. That was because of who he resembled and the blade he wielded.
He hadn't made a name for himself yet.
Over the month since Wave Naruto had, outside of Rasengan training focused on elemental development. He had learnt Wind Style: Wind Scythe in which he would channel chakra through his massive Zanbatou and use it like a fan. He had taken inspiration from Temari, he asked Jiraiya about the fan on her back he was told about a group in the Hidden Sand who used fans as their mediums for all of their attacks.
Their style was called Tessenjutsu.
He had been told by Kurenai to meet with the rest of the team at two pm. Naruto learned that she was a very punctual woman, he too respected other's time so meeting her demands was easy. The two's work in Genjutsu had come along very well.
Naruto had improved in his detection and breaking of Genjutsu, due to his sensory abilities high level Genjutsu were easily detectable whereas the more minor one slipped by at the start. They had long since remedied this, Naruto had also learnt one Genjutsu, it was the most taxing of all of them.
It was also a Wind Style jutsu, so it all fit perfectly, Wind Style: Sandstorm Hurricane. Kurenai was ecstatic that someone else wanted to pursue the illusionary arts. The two would train for an extra half-hour after the team's training.
Naruto stood, attaching his pouch to his hip he gathered the resolve and began moving towards the academy.
Arriving to see the rest of team '8' had already arrived, Kiba was unsure of Naruto's involvement in the team. "Finally, you're here, come on Naruto, lets go." Waving the boy over.
Naruto greeted the rest of them, after being flagged over, they as a four-man cell arrived through the gates of the familiar academy. The four talked about times in the academy, there were too young to reminisce, but they did so none-the-less.
As the group reached the second floor, they all immediately noticed the Genjutsu that was placed on the door. Their scheduled room was '301', on the third floor, this was room '201'. As the student of a Genjutsu master it would have been an insult for them to not have noticed it.
They noticed three other genin making their way to the door, that and a small crowd that had gathered around the door.
Three genin they were behind were all dressed quite distinctly. The most prominent was the boy in a green, skin-tight bodysuit, his headband had red cloth and was wrapped around his waist. He also had black haired shaped into a reflective bowl cut, orange leg warmers. His forearms and hands were bandaged too.
The girl had short brown hair, held up in two buns, a pink, Chinese style top, lined with a shade slightly darker. Blue pants that finished halfway up her shins and blue sandals. Her headband with its blue cloth tied around her forehead.
The final one was male, his long brown hair rested on his squared shoulders. A beige top covered his upper half with dark-brown shorts finishing his main dress. His right arm and leg were bandaged completely, he too wore blue shinobi sandals, his black cloth headband firmly in place.
The final boy seemed to notice their presence, completely disregarding the team he locked eyes with Hinata. Much to his surprise she did not flinch or cower as usual, she merely looked back.
"Hinata-sama." He said, devoid of any emotion. His team tensed, they knew of the boy's dislike for her, it stemmed from the main and side branch disputes in the Hyuga clan.
"Neji-nii-san." She replied, though she didn't hold his gaze, she began to study his teammates. The female of the newly identified 'Neji Hyuga' was staring at the weapon on Naruto's back. She almost made a dive for the weapon when it's owner spoke up.
"Yes?" Naruto said, he was amused by her eagerness to see the sword. She frowned due to having to stop looking at the Zanbatou and instead scowled at the boy.
"How do you have that Blade?" She asked, he sighed no matter what he said, she wouldn't believe him. "Just as tradition with all the Ninja blades of the Mist, I defeated him, he died in battle, I now wield it to make sure he and Haku are not forgotten."
Disregarding who this 'Haku' was, she asked. "How did you, a fresh Genin, beat Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the Hidden Mist?" She asked incredulously.
"With ease." He remarked.
"Ahh what a cool reaction! I shall strive to match to, should I fail I will run five-hundred laps around our wonderful village!" the boy in green shouted, Naruto could imagine flames burning in his eyes from the passion he spoke with.
"My apologies! My name is Rock Lee, the 'Handsome Devil of the Hidden Leaf. May I ask for your names and your sensei."
"Kiba Inuzuka." The brash boy stepped forward. "My teammates, Shino Aburame and Hinata Hyuga as you would know, we're Squad '8' under Kurenai Yuhi."
Lee nodded vigorously. "And you?"
"Naruto Uzumaki, Apprentice of Jiraiya of the Sanin." He stated calmly. He didn't care whether that was that was too much information, they're chakra levels were minimal at best, the green boy's was almost non-existent. But his muscle definition didn't go unnoticed, Naruto would keep an eye out.
The girl rolled her eyes at her teammates reaction clearly not surprised. "Sure, thing hot-shot. I heard about that mission from our sensei, Kakashi was on that mission, it's not nice to take someone else's spoils." She said angrily. "You said you followed tradition with the blade before, would you care to try your hand again?"
"Be careful." Kiba snorted as Naruto nodded his head and followed her down the corridor, the blond was not stupid enough to throw away the blade, but he would humour this girl. "I have told you my name what is yours?"
"Tenten." Turning to Kiba, she took his remark to the blond as a warning. "And don't worry, I'll only beat him enough to win the sword. It deserves to be in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, someone who respects it."
To which Kiba's snort turned into uproarious laughter, confusing the girl.
Naruto stopped dead in his tracks, he turned to face this 'Tenten', a thunderous look in his eye. "You're lucky you're a fellow shinobi of the Leaf and the exams are about to start. Because that is the case, I was going to break some bones for what you just said but unfortunately I'll have to tone it down." Naruto spoke with utter contempt, the Hyuga boy even flinched at his tone, that did not go unrecognised by his teammates, although they were already too scared to react.
"Nobody respects this blade more than me, and definitely not you. I wasn't going to use it at it can accidentally dismember it's opponents, but now I think I will."
Arriving in a large but still enclosed area Tenten decided that this would be the best time to battle. "You ready hot-shot?"
"Of course." Tenten sped forward at the boy, his lack of reaction caused her to smirk, though her teammate, the Hyuga had his Byakugan active. He noticed the rapid speed at which Naruto was taking in the information.
Tenten unravelled a scroll at her hip, releasing a seal her hands were filled with a scythe and a malice. Just as she closed into to strike, all who were watching noticed the blond wasn't there, just as they registered this Tenten was swatted like a fly with the flat side of the Zanbatou.
Her teammate Lee appeared and caught her before she struck the wall. "Such speed, that is most impressive, to be quicker than me with my weights of is truly a feat." Lee was too stunned to continue his rant about the flames of youth.
Naruto frowned; this boy had no chakra yet besting him in speed was an achievement? "I told you I respect this weapon, and I definitely know how to use it." Looking up to the boy who caught her, his dash to get down and easy catch of his teammate was commendable.
"You." Pointing at Lee as he strapped the blade to his back once more. "Who is your sensei?"
Neji groaned at this, Tenten would have as well had she not have a minor concussion. "My sensei is the best ninja in the village and an even better man, he is Might Guy, 'The Leaf's Noble Green Beast'!" he exclaimed, Naruto would have been giddied had the girl not soured his mood.
"I see, that is why you are so strong, without any chakra may I add." Lee beamed at the praise. "Though, why are you so weak? Should you not be on the same level?" Lee's face turned into a frown, he didn't like anyone being dismissed as lesser, especially his teammate, someone still so young.
Lee and his teammate who was still perched on the observation deck noticed squad '7' make their way past. Neji decided that it would still best to observe for the time being, Lee on the other hand wanted to test something, so he lay Tenten down.
"Hey, you, with the attitude! Hold on!" to that all of squad '7' halted, turning they what would be considered an amusing sight.
"What do you want?" Sasuke replied, they were cutting it close with the starting time of the exam, he didn't want to be late. Shino assessed the situation and decided to speak to his squad.
"I think it best we leave. No need to risk being late." All three nodded. Naruto looked to Lee. "Don't beat him up too much, it wouldn't be good to lessen the competition should you look for a challenge." Naruto thought about it for a moment. "Actually, do what you want."
Lee gave a proud smile and thumbs up and Sasuke scowled before repeating himself as squad '8' left. "what do you want?" He growled out.
"I want to fight, right here, right now!" Lee challenged.
"You wanna fight me here and now huh?" Sasuke said, still not taking the oddly dressed boy seriously.
"Yes, my name is Rock Lee. I believe that it is common courtesy to give his own name first, right?" The Uchiha narrowed his eyes, Sasuke agreed.
"So, you know me?" Lee did not answer him, he just got into his fighting stance. "Everyone is always talking about the Uchiha clan and how great they are. I want to see if it is true, I figured you would be a good test for me. And also…" Lee looked towards Sakura; the girl stiffened awkwardly at his gaze.
"You are Sakura Haruno?"
"Erm… yes." Sakura spoke, not comfortable with the way he was looking at her.
"Will you be my girlfriend. I will protect you with my life!" he stated, clearly very sure of himself.
.
.
.
"No." Lee looked like his heart had been stomped on and ground into the dirt. His sadness was visible on his features. "Why not?"
"You're a weirdo." Sakura stated flatly.
"I see. This does not change my challenge of you."
"You've heard of the Uchiha clan, yet you are challenging me?" Sasuke asked, this boy looked like, what was it that Sakura just said?... A weirdo. "You must be even more psycho than you look, if that's possible."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the challenger. "You wanna know more about my clan? Then I'll teach you, the hard way." Sasuke was aggravated by the seeming arrogance this boy gave off. Lee smirked. "Bring it on."
'Excellent, a match up against the number one rookie. I will draw him out and get him to reveal his technique and I will prove myself to you... Guy-sensei!' Lee though, a test in physical combat was always welcomed by the quirky boy.
Wanting to anger Sasuke he began his taunting. "Just accept it, you have no chance against me, your skills are inferior. You see Sasuke, out of all the top leaf Genin, I am the best. Fight me and I will prove it to you."
Managing to calm himself down Sasuke smirked to himself as he spoke. "Hmm… this'll be fun, let's do it."
Sakura glanced at the nearby clock that decorated the opposite wall. "There's not time Sasuke, we have to register before three o'clock. That's less than half an hour." Sakura tried to reason but Sasuke had already resigned himself to fighting, he wouldn't back down now.
"Relax, this'll all be over in… five seconds." Sasuke made a move towards lee who was waiting patiently in his stance. 'Here he comes, forgive me Guy-sensei, I know it is forbidden but I may have to break the rules and use that jutsu', the green-clad boy thought.
Sasuke had closed in, his raised fist preparing in hitting his opponent directly in the face. Sasuke watched on and what happened gave him a sense of déjà vu, his fist connected with nothing as the boy had darted away. Looking around he saw the mass of green quickly approaching from the air.
"Leaf Hurricane!" Lee shouted. Spinning madly, he attempted to swipe at Sasuke's head. The Uchiha managed to dodge just in time to see Lee steady himself on his arm and swing his leg again.
'I'm not moving fast enough, I've gotta block him.' The raven-haired boy thought. The attacking genin saw his attempt to block and brought his free hand into a half ram seal. Sasuke saw this and grew confused, relaxing his technique Lee broke through his defence landing a strike to his face.
Sasuke was knocked backwards before rolling to stop. Standing up slowly Lee looked disappointed, Naruto could have guaranteed a much better spar. Seeing the downed opponent drag himself to his feet he thought to himself. 'Just as I thought, he is coming back for more.'
'If only I had the Sharingan, I would be able to see through whatever techniques he is using. What is it? Ninjutsu? Genjutsu?' Sasuke thought to himself.
Charging at the boy again he only made It five steps before the boy vanished, not seeing where he'd gone, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chin as it was closed for him.
Flying into the air Lee prepared himself "You see, my technique is not Ninjutsu or Genjutsu." This time he ran at Sasuke, coming face to face with the Uchiha. Exchanging blows the two continued the fight, Lee was clearly level's above Sasuke, the latter only ever managed to block, weave or just take the hits.
Reaching for Sasuke's arm he dragged him in, using both of their opposite momentum Lee rammed his elbow into his opponents stomach. Then kicking him away, Lee stood firm, Sasuke though, he fought to remain standing.
"You get it now? I am using Taijutsu, that means no tricks, Sasuke-kun." Lee told him, once again using his pure speed to get behind Sasuke. "It is just straight martial arts, nothing more." He continued, Sasuke now was aggravated, he was being made a fool of and this boy didn't even look like he was trying.
"Why you!" Swing an elbow at Lee, the boy simply flipped away, landing twenty feet away. "I know your technique, forget it, it will not work, not on me. Without your Sharingan you cannot see through your opponent's jutsu and allow you to read his chakra, decipher his hand signs and movements and you can almost guess what he is going to do before he knows himself." Lee held firm.
"The problem is Taijutsu is a little bit different."
"Right, so what's your point?" The time was dragging, thought Sasuke wanted to be fighting not talking.
"I do not try to hide or disguise my moves, I do not have to, even if you had your Sharingan you still cannot stop them, you are too slow." Lee was right and Sasuke knew it, after the exams he would make sure to become so when his eye's did awaken, his body wouldn't be left behind.
"The Sharingan, it may be able to stay one step ahead of me but if your body cannot keep up, what good does it do you?" Sasuke was livid, this freakshow was mocking him. That seemed so wrong.
"You know what? Here is what I believe, there are two different kinds of ninja: Those like you who are born with talent and do not have to work at it." Sasuke's inhibitions had gone out the window, in his furious rage he ran at Lee once more. "And ones like me: the ones who have to train every day of our lives." Sasuke's punches and kicks had lost all technique, he had seen red and this boy would be pulverised.
"You see, you are the worst match for my extreme Taijutsu. Here is what I mean." Sasuke reeled back for a punch and did not notice Lee drop out of his vision, once again and upwards kick to the jaw sent him high into the air.
Lee crouched down, building up his strength he shot into the air, appearing behind the Uchiha. "Now I will prove my point, that hard work beats out natural talent." Unravelling his bandages, they began to wrap around his opponent.
"Your finished." Lee promised.
Before the bandages could hold Sasuke a windmill fan attached to a spiked metal rod embedded his bandages into the wall. 'This is bad.' Was Lee's only thought.
"Alright, that's enough!" They all turned to be met with a large red tortoise with yellow markings and a leaf headband around its neck. "Lee!" the boy relented and instead of following through on his promise, landed face to face with the creature.
"You… you were watching us the whole time?" Lee asked. "Of course! That last technique is forbidden, you know that!"
Lee bowed his head further. "I… am sorry, I did not mean to." The tortoise clearly did not believe him as it gave the boy a harsh stare. Scared, Lee leapt back. "Ahhh! I was not planning on using a forbidden jutsu, it is just... I was in the middle of the fight and I mean... you understand."
"You're a disgrace! You think you'll get away with a bunch of lame excuses like that. A shinobi never reveals his techniques unless it's absolutely necessary, it's such a basic rule you should know it by now!" The tortoise was not furious but disappointed.
"Forgive me, sir." Lee bowed his head.
Sasuke was even angrier now. 'How could I lose to that freak!' he mentally screamed.
"Are you prepared to take the punishment for your actions?" the creature asked.
"I… I… yes sir." Lee answered.
"Alright then, please come out! Guy-sensei!" the tortoise called out to nobody. In a puff of smoke, a man appeared, this one looked like an older Lee, with the addition of a Chunnin vest. Striking his best camp pose he addressed Lee.
"Hey! What's shaking? How're you doing everybody? Life treating you good?" Sasuke and Sakura couldn't hold their shock, the man oozed a vile taste in fashion, Even Sai looked perturbed.
"Hi Lee." He gave a thumbs up and smiled so wide his teeth glinted in reflecting light.
"Too weird." Sakura remarked.
"Lee." The boy looked up from his bow. "Time for you punishment!" winding up as if about to pitch a baseball he lent forward and socked his mini-me in the face. "You little fool!"
Being knocked by one of the firmest punches the surrounding Genin have ever seen caused Lee to land in a disappointing heap. While the boy was laying there, clearly in pain, Guy walked up to his student.
He knelt down and waited for Lee to push himself back up. "I'm sorry Lee, but it's for your own good." Guy said, almost on the verge of tears.
"Sen-sensei!" Lee responded; the boy was nearly crying too. In the blink of an eye the pair were stood on a cliff face looking out on a sunburnt ocean, the sun almost setting.
As tears began to flow freely Guy spoke once more. "Ohh Lee."
"Ohh sensei, I am… so sorry." Lee had also broken down into tears, the two were staring into each other's eyes. "Alright, it's over, you don't need to say anything anymore."
With that Lee jumped forward and embraced the larger version of him. Both calling out 'sensei' and 'Lee' respectively. Sai and Sakura looked green, they wanted to regurgitate their lunch, the tortoise too was expelling a large number of tears.
Neji on the observation deck was sighing while hanging his head, this was mimicked by Tenten. Sasuke had one thought in his head. 'How could I lose to someone that lame?'.
Sakura murmured something that only her teammates heard. "That should be illegal." Sasuke didn't agree with anyone very often but he nodded along with Sai.
"You're just caught in between." Guy began. "Your too old to be called a boy and not yet quite a man." He finished, his hand resting on the boys shoulder.
"You are so good to me, Guy-sensei!"
Guy looked up and with new vigour pointed nowhere in particular. "Now take off! I want you to give me a hundred laps around the practice field! Show me what ya got!"
"Yes sir, no problem." By now the sunset had returned, both staring at it intensely. "Run into the setting sun, run and suffer! But don't mess up your hair." The last part was said quickly as to not be heard by the audience, though all got it loud and clear.
Lee and Guy rubbed the tears off their faces, they looked at each other and gave even wider smiles than before. "Let us go!"
"Right" Lee responded. The pair began walking away when Sakura spoke up.
"What about the Chunnin exams? There's no time for fooling around!"
Running his hand through his hair in embarrassment he addressed them all. "Oh, right! I forgot about that!" Clearing his throat, he looked at Lee. "Lee, you not only disobeyed the rule against fighting, but you've disrupted the Chunnin exams. I think that warrants a slightly more severe punishment, don't you?"
Saluting as he addressed the Jonin. "Yes sir!"
"We'll say five hundred laps! How does that sound?!"
"Outstanding sir!" Squad '7' didn't even move, how does one react to something like that? Sakura some'd up the situation quite well. "They're insane." She muttered, her teammates not even bothering to agree this time.
Guy looked up to the nearby squad. "Hmm… This must be Kakashi's squad, I'll check them out.' He thought to himself. When he looked Sakura got the same feeling that she got from Lee.
"Oh no! He's Looking at us!" though her two teammates had regained their composure.
"Tell me, how is Kakashi-sensei?" Sasuke looked confused, he couldn't imagine the two Jonin doing anything together.
"Do you know him?"
"Do I know Kakashi?" The question was obviously rhetorical, the tone meant to say that the two were more than acquainted. "Well, people say. He and I archrivals for all eternity." He gave them a victorious smirk while speaking.
"There's just no way!" Sakura returned.
Lee was offended in the lack of faith these people showed his sensei, he would rectify this. "How dare you! If Guy-sensei says it is true-" He was interrupted by the man himself.
"Let it slide Lee." Guy said while holding out his hand, showing his palm. "A ninja's action always speak louder than words." That was clearly a taunt and Sasuke had noticed that, he would not rise to it this time. The Uchiha narrowed his eyes at the man only to see that he'd vanished.
Hearing tiny explosion, they saw the man standing, surround by small billows of smoke. "My record is fifty wins and forty-nine losses, which means one better than his by the way." The green man declared, stroking his chin.
Seeing the disbelief on their faces he answered the un-asked questions. "The fact is, I'm stronger than Kakashi… and faster."
'His speed is incredible.' Sasuke thought. 'He's definitely faster than Kakashi, is he even human?' Sasuke couldn't believe it, this man was ridiculous. Lee thought this the best opportunity to stand up for his mentor.
"You see Guy-sensei is the best there is."
"I'm sorry for the trouble Lee caused you, look into my eyes and accept my sincere apology. Also notice my handsome, manly features." Sasuke was frozen. 'He claims he's better than Kakashi, could that be true? Arghh… I don't think he's making this up!' He mentally fumed.
"Alright Lee, I think you should accompany these fine young ninja to the classroom. Right now." Too quickly for the eye to keep up, Guy had launched a kunai that struck the windmill fan that was still holding Lee's bandages in place causing all of them to fall to the floor.
His hands were mangled and bruised, clearly from excessive training.
"Remember, give it your best. Lee, farewell." Saluting to the young boy.
Lee turned to his previous opponent.
"Hey Sasuke-kun, actually I have not been totally honest with you. I said I wanted to test my skills and that is true enough, but you are not really the one I wanted to test them against." Sasuke had been overlooked again, where were all these people coming from? How did they all get so strong?
"I lied to you when we were fighting before, I told you I am the best Genin here but there is another top ninja, Someone on my own team." Both boys narrowed their eyes, Sasuke glanced up to the boy he meant.
Neji was overlooking the exchange, his Byakugan active. He did not react.
"I came here to defeat him. You are just practice, now you are a target alongside Naruto-kun. I will crush the both of you!" Lee exclaimed.
"There you have it, consider yourself warned!" As Lee finished, he ran to Tenten and picked her up. Carrying her bridal style, he joined his final teammate on the overlooking platform.
"Were the Uchiha talented? You're sure that is true? I haven't seen you get that beat up since your spars with Sunshine." Sai truly had a way with words, that on top of an impeccable sense of timing.
"Sai! You Idiot!" Sakura said, dining in to save her love's honour.
Sasuke hadn't moved, his gaze was searing a whole in the timber floors. "Just… shut up! Next time I'll drive him to his knees!"
"That would be amusing, you might be suffering brain damage from that loss." Sai smiled, there were no words for the boy.
"Stop it! What are you saying?! Just cut it out Sai!" Sasuke now couldn't hold in his anger, a growl emanated from him. Sai didn't even react, just continued smiling.
Sasuke gripped and released his hands multiple times, seeming to be a form of catharsis. His growling stopped as his eyes travelled upwards. The two teammates saw a challenging smirk on the boys features.
"Fine… This day's starting to get interesting. The Chunnin exams, can't wait to see what's next." Sakura smiled at his proclamation. With that the trio made their way to the classroom.
A figure that had himself in a corner of the room watched the entire encounter.
"That was, interesting…"
I quite enjoyed the small interaction with Sai, he has the most potential for humour i think as he is quite detached.
Naruto is introduced to the Sand Trio and Team Guy.
Who was that at the end?