The Fox & The Tiger

by MosesOchoa8

When the Head Jonin comes for the peace treaty, his partner notices a boy and is intrigued. The two go after the boy who is oddly alienated rather than the Hyuga Heiress.

21. Final Exams

The Fox And The Tiger

Final Exams

---

Once they were dismissed after Hiruzen's final remarks, Gaara and Naruto both finally broke out of the trance. Leaving with their respective teams, the room was left empty, well except for the Jonin and Hokage having still remained. For a short while, there was silence before Hiruzen sighed.

"There's something different about these Genin this time around, isn't there?"

No one answered Hiruzen's inquiry, rather looked at him with some curiosity. Many Konoha Jonin were now expecting answers in regards to the Kumo Genin, Naruto. They all were starting to see a resemblance to somebody they all once knew and admired, especially with his choice of attire. Still, it wasn't like Hiruzen ever did give the full picture, always being subtle or cryptic in some way. Atleast until he'd decide to lay it all out there.

Darui felt it was a good time to leave and had began making his way out. But was stopped. "Say, you're the sensei to the trio that finished second in the Forest by just a few minutes right?"

He turned and noticed the Suna Jonin. "And what is it to you?"

"Just curious as to who you are. Quite young to be a Jonin Sensei. On top of that, your team finished remarkably fast."

Darui sighed. "Asking me questions...yet yours was first. So drab..." he walked away, saying nothing more.

Naruto and his squad went to an empty training ground and sat in silence. He'd climbed into a tree and laid there on a branch. His eyes were shut, so one would guess he'd fallen asleep. The other two were sitting on the ground below, leaning against the trunk. A puff of smoke, and there stood Darui.

"We should discuss your next month of training for the finals."

"What do you mean? We aren't doing the usual routine?" Rin said.

"No. Everyone is most certainly trying to add a powerful Jutsu to their arsenal. I will help you do so yourself."

"What will be different this time?" Yugito said.

"Because, he isn't just going to toss us a scroll...now are you?" Naruto said, still remaining the same.

"Correct. We will be taking your fighting style into account and rather than learn some random Jutsu, develop a technique that will work well with it."

"Ok, so where is the problem?"

"The problem, Yugito, is that there's three of us. One of him. His lightning clone will be ineffective for this training." Naruto said and they all nodded. It was very much true, especially since it wouldn't be something they get just from a scroll. Naruto opened his eyes slightly and noticed a crow circling above. "What's he doing here?" Naruto then jumped down and sighed. "I'll make it easier, don't worry about me. I still have...clan stuff I'd like to learn."

"Are you sure, Naruto?" Darui said. Naruto was becoming a student he hardly even taught. There was so much potential that he knew the kid held, but often chose solitude. Besides, there was a few things he wanted to try teaching him, especially because Naruto had all five of the chakra natures.

"Yes, Darui-sensei. I will want your teaching soon, for now though, I want to do this."

"Very well."

Naruto left to be in a completely isolated area. It was a benefit to the past he had, having the need to find safety. A place away from the hostility of the village. After a brief moment of waiting, the crow came down, soon joined by more that then combined and eventually Itachi was seen standing before him.

"So, what are you doing here, Itachi?"

"I have been watching...thank you, for looking out for my brother."

"I haven't done anything yet."

"No, but you're getting him to think. And I know you are taking him under your wing in a way."

Naruto nodded and closed his eyes. "I am assuming you're here for more than just thanks."

"Yes...I was investigating something, or someone really. A former Akatsuki member, Orochimaru."

"Hmm. He was a student of the Hokage right?"

"Yes. A man obsessed with immortality and power...his trail had led here, but he's left."

"So why have you stayed?"

"There is something I want you to do. Thanks to your curing me, I believe there can be changes to my plans, Naruto. I want you to use a Jutsu of my own making, and in front of Sasuke."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. It was an interesting prospect to learn a new Jutsu and even more intriguing since Sasuke was to be present. "What do you have in mind?"

Itachi made the half ram seal, and in front of him, a second him walked out. He gestured Naruto to back up and after doing so, the him that walked out blew up. "Exploding Shadow Clone." Itachi said once the smoke cleared.

"Hmm. I'm listening." Naruto said smirking.

"First off, you'll need the first part of the Jutsu since it's a modification to one." Naruto nodded and began walking towards Itachi. "You need to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu, it's forbidden because it requires massive amounts of chakra...among other things. But, given who you are, that is not a problem."

Naruto nodded and watched the handsigns that were required then listened as the process was described. Once he was done taking it in, he sped through the handsigns, ending with the crossing of his index fingers and had instinctively said "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Itachi went wide-eyed and went to raise his hand to stop Naruto. To jump straight into the Multi version was a risk, because it often led to people throwing way too much chakra, and going to absolute zero by mistake. But it was too late, smoke clouded the area and when it cleared, Itachi was rather surprised. On Naruto's first try, 100 clones stood all around. "Naruto, how much chakra did you put?"

Shrugging, he looked to his clones and poked one, noticing that it remained there perfectly fine. "Eh, not much really. I think I could make way more than this."

"Well then, this may go a lot faster than I'd been expecting."

At the end of the day, Naruto and Itachi sat against a tree. Naruto had noticed it before when they first met up, but finally decided to ask. "So, what's with the cloak?"

It was black and high collared, with red clouds on it. Itachi sighed and closed his eyes, "Part of the organization that I'm in. Akatsuki."

Naruto nodded, "I see. What is the organization's goal?"

"They know my loyalties are not tied to them...they only say we are creating peace, but at the moment, I have not been told by what means."

"Right...what are your plans for Sasuke?"

"Now's not the time. I should get going before questions arise."

Naruto nodded and stood up with Itachi. They shook hands and then stepped away from one another. Naruto watched as Itachi burst into crows and was gone. He sighed and shook his head. "Always a mystery...still, I'm sure I can figure it out. Hmm...I wonder if this is how they feel?" He chuckled to himself before he went to begin more training.

Off in the distance, Kakashi was watching for quite a while now. "Was Naruto the kid from the reports to have been traveling with Itachi? Then again, what is Itachi doing here? Is he here for Sasuke?" He was gone in a puff of smoke and reappeared in front of Hiruzen.

Snapping up to look at Kakashi's abrupt arrival, Hiruzen got serious and put down his brush. "What is it, Kakashi?"

"Itachi's back..."

Hiruzen nodded slowly. "I'm assuming you have more to say."

"I don't know how, nor why, but he and Naruto are in contact with one another."

Hiruzen fell back into his seat and got out his pipe. "This means that young Naruto could-"

"Have been the boy from the report that was traveling with Itachi...the question now is, why they were together and how they even came into contact with one another. Perhaps, even the more worrying thing is of what they are planning."

Hiruzen nodded and sighed deeply. "I can assume part of the visit is because of Sasuke. No doubt about that, I told you before that you could...but why Naruto?"

-Three Weeks Later-

"Where have you been?" Yugito said. Naruto walked into the armada that she was sitting in currently.

"Training."

"You say that like it is the answer to the universe...seriously though, where?"

"Training, I'm serious. Why is that a surprise to you?"

"That isn't the surprise. It is the fact that nobody's seen you these past few weeks." Naruto sighed and sat beside her. Staring into the distance he just sat there. This made her frown as he still wasn't being himself fully. "Naruto...when are you going to stop being so pitiful!" Naruto glanced at her and she saw his anger spike. His eyes were red with a black slit. "Just like that time..."

As quickly as the rage appeared, it was gone and his eyes returned to blue and went normal. Looking back forward he sighed and shook his head. "You know nothing, leave it be."

"So you're just going to push me away, push everyone away again. That's your plan?"

"Just stop."

"You're breaking your promise, Naruto."

"Stop! I am not breaking it! You! You have no idea what it is that I think of! I am trying to do right, I am...but it is not easy, so you forcing this does not make it any simpler. Back off."

He stood up and began to walk off when she grabbed his wrist. He turned to see her have a softer expression. "Look, I'm sorry. I just ca- I just want to see you be more of yourself. This, this isn't you."

"And what if it is, Yugito? What if I truly am this way. Deep down I'm just a miserable, scared, and broken person, huh? Who's to say that what you have seen is even me?"

"Stop this, Naruto. It's mind boggling how you can be so strong, so skilled one moment and then be this coward that you are acting as now."

"Coward huh. Nice to know that's what you think."

She stood and slapped him immediately. "That is not what I mean and you know that! Naruto I have watched as you became all who you are now! See I know you've had a rough and lonely life, but you haven't been weak and never just gave up, bastard. You're over here being a quitter, and that is the problem! You're over here allowing these people to get to you and you're shutting down. You should be trying to show them up! Show them who you have become!"

Naruto lost the strength in his look and sighed. "Sorry to disappoint, but I am not sure if I can."

"Then don't even bother fighting in this damn tournament. Me and Rin will handle this, you just stay out of the way...then again, not like you're a stranger to doing that. Huh?"

She then turned and immediately left. He watched her go until she no longer was visible. Putting his hands into his pockets, he sat at the table, and leaned his back on it.

"Why must you villainize yourself to her?"

"Because..."

"Listen Kit, not understanding doesn't mean you are to push her away. That doesn't make you understand any better."

"I tried to do the whole spending more time with her, remember? Told me nothing."

"Ha, well let's see how this plays out then. Just know, it will do you nothing, in the end, you're only tarnishing her opinion of you."

"You know that not all I've said is deception."

"Not to her maybe. To you though..."

"The hell are you saying Kurama."

Kurama laughed and sighed. "You don't fear these villagers. You are not belittling yourself in their presence because of them. It is because of yourself. Your fears are of yourself! You can say that it's of your past all you want, truth is, you're scared of how powerful you truly are. To be the mortal blessed by a 'God'...to have nearly no ceiling. You've always been different Naruto Uzumaki. That is what fears you."

"What? Am I supposed to just jump in and accept it all?"

"That's on you, but you need to at least understand enough to no longer fear it all."

Naruto sighed and stood up. "Maybe you're right. Whatever it is, I can't figure it all out right now."

"Figure what out?"

Naruto turned and saw Temari standing there. A smirk formed on his face and he shook his head. "Nothing in particular. Tell me, your brothers know you came to see me?"

Her face went red as she brought her hands together. "N-no...wait I'm not here just for you."

A smile spread on Naruto's face as he chuckled. "Riiiight...well I'm going to get going."

"Where to?"

Naruto had turned away and raised an eyebrow. "What happened to not being here for me?"

"I-I'm not. Just curious..."

"If you must know, I am meeting with my sensei. Be seeing you around." He waved without facing her and walked away.

She stared at his back and sighed. "What is wrong with me?"

"Ah, Naruto. Good to see you. You wanted to meet with me?"

Nodding to Darui, Naruto took out his sword from seemingly nowhere. "Yes, I need your help."

Darui nodded and got serious. "Let's do this."

-5 Hours Later-

Naruto laid on the ground as Darui had his cleaver pointed at him. He was panting and was sweating, the victory had not been easy. "You did well...and that sword of yours, I never saw anything like that."

Naruto nodded as Darui helped him up. "Kurama says my fears are of myself..."

Darui placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be. You're a good guy, you're selfless, even though you may try acting selfish, you genuinely care. I know you have a deep power, one that will surpass us all someday, you have the potential."

"What? Because I'm the Kyubi Jinchuriki?"

A chuckle broke from Darui and he shook his head. "Not even close, Naruto. Your mind, that is what separates you from us. Your ability to learn and understand things is something I haven't seen, the only thing holding you back. Is yourself."

"You have a lot of confidence in me, why?"

"I got to where I am because the right person took me under their wing...you need that person."

"Are you saying that it's you?"

"Nope. I believe you found him all on your own. But that's on you. I do want to try teaching you something though."

"That is?"

Darui smiled and sheathed his cleaver. "Well, you know of the basic Nature Releases, I want to try to teach you to combine two of them." Naruto nodded "Water and Lightning, the result, Storm Release."

"I thought that was only a Kekkei Genkai."

"Yeah, different version. This is learnable but very rare that someone can."

"Hmm. I've learned a Jutsu that just might help with this."

Darui raised an eyebrow "That being?" he heard Naruto call out the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and saw as in puffs of smoke, 300 Naruto's stood in front of him. "What?"

"Pretty neat, huh?" They all said in unison.

"Wait, but they're clones. It wouldn't matter."

Smirking, the real Naruto stepped forward "These clones are special. Most Jonin of Konoha will utilize these clones for Intel purposes. Memory is brought back to the caster after the Clone is dispelled."

"How did you come to learn it?" Naruto shrugged which made Darui sigh. "Just when I thought you would be transparent with me now...regardless, let's see how far you can get in a week." He got a nod from Naruto which made him pause for a second. "So what is Yugito mad at you for this time?"

Naruto chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "What did she say to you?"

"That she's told you to stay out of hers and Rin's way during these finals. She says she doesn't approve of your behavior. Want to explain what she means?"

Naruto sat on the ground and took a breath. "She believes me a coward."

"Did she say that?"

"It is what she means."

Darui laughed and sat in front of Naruto. "You know something? She actually looks up to you in a way." Naruto raised an eyebrow, expecting explanation. "You are becoming quite skilled and rapidly, kid. Faster than them. It may not seem it since they have more Jutsu, but yet, you're the unsaid leader between you three. Why is that?"

"I don't know. She's the better fighter-"

"You take them both on in training and win. Next."

"They're smarter-"

"You devise successful plans and execute them flawlessly. Your comprehension of the world and ability to break down Jutsu as well as Taijutsu is unmatched. Next."

"I don't know."

"They respect you, kid. You have a commanding presence, and it makes everyone follow you. I looked through the reports at the academy, most decisive victories came when you took charge. Even now, you still outclass them, by out thinking them. You are always unanimously selected to be the leader and you naturally step up when the time comes. It is in your blood."

"My blood? What is that supposed to mean?"

Darui smirked, "Look at that...something else you still need have yet to learn. Look, fight, don't fight, it doesn't matter. What matters is I'd you do what you feel is right."

"And if I don't know what it is that I feel?"

"You'll figure it out. Just hope that it isn't too late when you do. Take it easy tonight, we'll get at it in the morning...and Naruto?"

"Yes, Sensei?"

"For what it's worth, we have your back. The boss will be here within the next couple days, but will be busy with the other Kages. See you in the morning."

Naruto nodded and sighed deeply. "Man...I'm really nowhere near understanding."

-Final Exams-

The stadium was filled to the absolute max, when seats were all out, observers stood. The entire place was electric and booming with activity. Even the outside of the stadium when space had ran out still had many people gathered. Screens displayed the tournament from outside. No matter where you were watching the exams from, the crowd was thrilled and excited.

The Genin were feeding off the energy and most of then were smiling and waving. Never being around such an environment, and especially not being cheered on was new. Naruto had his hands in his pockets and was looking down slightly. Gaara had his arms crossed and stood indifferently. They were all in lines for the teams, with the leader up front and the rest behind them. Naruto still remained in the front, despite the altercation a week prior. It was clear though, that he was definitely not there mentally.

"Welcome, Lord Raikage." Hiruzen said as Ay walked into the Kage box. He went over to his set which was third, and to the left of Hiruzen.

"Thank you for having us, Hokage." Ay said and his attention immediately went down towards Naruto.

"Pleasure is ours. Always nice to have great young shinobi to come on here. Tell me, why did you only send two teams?"

Ay chuckled and smiled. "Because they were all that we needed! The teams had a 100% success rate. Proved more than enough!"

"That is true. Your squads are pretty good. Any Genin that we should keep an eye on?"

Ay nodded slowly. "If he actually gets serious...Naruto, the golden blonde boy, is a spectacle to watch."

"Hm from any prominent clan of Kumo?"

"Nope. But he does seem rather familiar to an old opponent that I faced once before..."

Hiruzen chuckled and took a puff of his pipe. "Oh? What village?"

"Here actually. Can't put my finger on it...be he reminds of somebody." Ay said and a small smirk appeared on his face when he noticed Hiruzen hesitate slightly. "Looks like he wasn't expecting it to go this way...haha!" Ay sighed "But I can be mistaken."

Hiruzen sighed and noticed another Kage entering. "Ah, Lord Kazekage, very good to see you again."

"As is to you." Kazekage Rasa said as he took his seat, beside Hiruzen to his left. "What a surprise to see you, Raikage."

Ay said nothing as his attention was solely down in the stadium. Looking at Naruto, he was really curious as to what he would do. Especially because he heard from Darui and B about the situation going on. That was when the Tsuchikage walked in as well.

He floated to his seat and was beside A, to the left of him. With all the Kages present and the greetings out of the way, Hiruzen stood up and cleared his throat. Projecting his voice through the entire stadium, he welcomed all the crowd and noblemen. Introduced the Kages and set for the exams to begin upon the proctor's command.

"Hello, I'm Hayate Geko. Jonin of Konoha and this exam's proctor." He said to the contestants of the exam and moved the senbon to the other side of his mouth. "You already have been briefed on the rules, now I need teams Neji, and Naruto to stay here. The rest, go to the stands designated for you. Your Jonin Senseis are already awaiting your arrival."

They all did as they were told and Hayate motioned for the team captains to come forward. Neji was staring, glaring at Naruto, while Naruto just looked to the sky, uninterested in the little game Neji wanted to play.

"Alright, We'll do a coin toss, Naruto call it in the air. If you are right, you will decide if it will be team, or solos."

Nodding his understanding, Hayate flipped the coin up. "Heads."

The coin came down and landed on the palm of Hayate, "It's Tails. Neji what will it be?"

"Team. I will destroy you Kumo peasants all at once." Neji immediately walked back to his squad and spoke something, they nodded to him and that was that.

Naruto remained in place for a moment, and his nose and eye slightly twitched, almost like a snarl. He then went to normal and walked back to his team. "Hyuga chose team." He then went farther behind them and crossed his arms as he sat against a tree.

"Interesting kid. Seems different from his father." Hayate thought as he looked at Naruto. After a brief pause he looked up to Hiruzen who gave nod and he smiled. "Let the match, BEGIN!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as the match was announced, the excitement that was building, exponentially shot up now. They stood for a moment before sitting back down and settling into the match.

Neji had a smug, confident look in his face as he stood. Yugito and Rin both settled into a stance. Where Naruto was building up his own ability to take on multiple opponents, the two of them always had to work together. In other words, they were in sync with one another and knew how to work to each other's strengths, while watching their weaknesses.

"This is futile for you to be fighting right now. You're destined to lose here today! Make like that Uzumaki back there and sit down!" Neji said.

"Naruto is many things, but he is no-"

Yugito interjected as Rin spoke. "That will not be happening. You'll go down, even if the bastard wants to sulk in his cowardice."

Rin looked over at her and couldn't believe what she was saying. Despite everything, Naruto definitely wasn't a coward, at least, he couldn't believe such a thing. The crowd even began to murmur about what was said and it wasn't like Naruto was doing anything to help his case at all, just sitting off behind them. Omoi was the one with the frown, as he knew the main story about Naruto's time here. It couldn't be easy, and for him to have still been performing thus far despite the inner turmoil that he must be facing was still commendable. But he also knew that Yugito was very hard on him...especially to him than just anybody else.

"Look at that, Raikage. An inner squad dispute. That's not very professional." Onoki said chuckling.

"Hardly that! Just watch!" A, said and his eyes, although watching both Rin and Yugito, was also always fixing onto Naruto. He was very curious as to how this would go for the blonde, and had no doubts that said boy would follow through on his promise. The question was when, and when it happened, well he was excited for that.

Hiruzen too was curious, as he knew who Naruto was. He wanted to see what had come of him. And right now, he was very confused as to why Naruto was like this. "He could be worse than Kakashi..."

Kakashi too was very interested, student to the father of the boy he was watching. He knew that the kid was powerful, but why he was being like this, he didn't know. Wondering if it could be the villagers, he looked around but saw no signs. With the Raikage here, it definitely would be foolish to do or say anything. So he just waited patiently. "Are you watching, Sensei?"

Yugito began running to Neji, and threw several kunai at him. Rin followed shortly after and threw shuriken of his own. Neji immediately activated his Byakugan, which showed he had done so by the veins around his eyes bulging. He swayed to the sides to dodge the kunai, then caught one. The shuriken came his way, and his arm moved very fast. When it stopped, all the shuriken were through the kunai from their central hole.

"You'll need more than that!" Neji said with a smile.

Yugito growled in annoyance and went through handsigns, unleashing a small ball of fire at him. Neji dodged easily enough, but was caught off guard by Rin, or so Rin thought when he went to punch Neji. Without ever looking at Rin, he managed to slide on his knees, dodging the blow, and stabbing a kunai into Rin's leg, all in one motion and without ever looking at him. Rin groaned in pain and grabbed where the kunai stabbed his leg, he pulled it out and tossed it to the ground.

"Is that really all you guys got? Pathetic!"

Yugito ran and jumped into the air, to try to land a massive strike on Neji. He smiled and said "You're in range..." She didn't understand what he was meaning by that and didn't have to wait long to find out. "Eight Trigrams Sixty-four Palms!" Neji lunged at her, faster than she would expect and immediately landed the first two strikes. He went through all his attacks in a matter of seconds, and when he finished, she went flying a few feet from the force and was knocked out on the ground.

"Y-YUGITO?" Naruto called out. "She...lost?"

Rin ran and was met with a strike to the chest. He clenched his chest as he coughed up blood, dropping to his knees. "N...Ruto..." He spit up more blood and collapsed fully.

Neji laughed mockingly "Was that really it? You guys are weak! Let's go coward! Or do you forfeit? I recommend so, if you wish to not meet the same fate!"

-Crowd-

"Tsk tsk tsk...He shouldn't rile Naruto up like that." Omoi said

"What do you mean? That guy just crushed Rin and Yugito. Yugito! She was the top student, the prodigy!" Karui said. "If she was defeated so effortlessly, Naruto is freaking toast!"

"What do you mean, Kumo nin?" Kakashi said, as he stepped beside Omoi.

"Well, for one, Naruto hasn't just sat there for nothing. I don't know why or what's going on, but I know he was intently watching. He is no ordinary, and definitely no easy opponent." he removed the lollipop from his mouth and sighed. "You especially don't want to rile him up, and even less so if he's seen you fight, and even more less if you never saw him. You're just asking to be destroyed in a way you wouldn't expect. Besides, he's really keen, extremely observant, he misses no detail."

Kakashi nodded. "He is alone. Even if he beats Neji, who is one of the best up and coming Genin in Konoha, he still does have two opponents he needs to face alone after."

Omoi smiled. "He's always had the odds stacked against him. Always taking on more than anyone else. He's no stranger to multiple enemies."

-Kage Box-

"Guess Kumo won't make it out of this one!" Onoki said.

Ay, frowned at seeing Yugito bested so easily. "He didn't beat her...she beat herself. Too wrapped up in her mind, she wasn't focused...but...now Naruto needs to step up."

"Yes, I was expecting a little more. But, then again, that is the Hyuga clan for you." Rasa said.

-In the Arena-

"Guess it can't be helped." Naruto said.

"You quit? Haha I win!" Neji said.

Naruto tilt his head at that and looked at Hayate. "Geko-san, did I say I quit?" Hayate shook his head. "Then why does this milk eyed retard claim he's won?" Hayate shrugged and smirked.

Neji growled and began walking slowly towards Naruto. "You bastard! Get up and fight me then! You'll see!"

Naruto nodded his head around as if thinking and shook his head. "Mmmm nah."

"Then you quit!"

"Didn't say that. Here, take this." Naruto placed his hands to the signature sign of a Jutsu that made the Konoha Jonin and Hiruzen go wide-eyed. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu." Naruto said and three clones poofed into existence.

"What? Some mere illusions can't do a thing to me!"

The Jonin all wondered how Naruto could pull off such a Jutsu. For one he was a Genin and no Genin should be able to pull off such a Jutsu, then the second thing was that it was a forbidden Jutsu of Konoha...how did a Kumo Genin even know of it's existence?

The clones all charged at Neji and he stood there annoyed. An illusion could do nothing to him. Then he was punched in the face and was sent back, a kick met his chest and he fell to the ground. "What the?" He activated his Byakugan and saw that they had chakra within them. "How? How are they solid...how do they have chakra!"

Naruto stood up from where he was seated and walked to his clones, joining up with them. "Eh, simple really."

Neji was waiting for further explanation and shook his head slightly at Naruto "What? That's it?"

"Why would you expect me to explain my Jutsu to you? Are you really actually retarded?"

"WHY YOU!" Neji jumped up and went into his Hyuga stance. "It doesn't matter, you're-"

"In range? Yeah...so are you."

"Huh?"

Naruto immediately jumped back and his clones all smirked. "Boom." Naruto said quietly and Neji was confused. Then all three clones blew up. He was sent flying and crashed into a tree where he groaned in pain. He was just within range, so there was no real damage per se, but the force of the explosion was what caused the problem and he shook his head to refocus.

"They blow up?"

-Crowd-

"How does he know that Jutsu?" Sasuke said loudly, gaining the looks of the contestants and Jonin senseis. When asked what, he growled. "That was my brother's Jutsu just now."

"I knew he taught it to him...but I didn't expect it to be used now...He also knew enough about it so that he didn't kill Neji...interesting." Kakashi thought and rubbed his mask covered chin.

-Arena-

Naruto nodded and yawned. "Yeah, cool huh?" He took out a scroll and began to look it over. Many of the Jonin of Konoha chuckled as it almost seemed like Kakashi. Naruto though, once satisfied tossed it over at Neji.

"What is this supposed to be?"

"Eh just a little something. By the way, tell me, do you do Ninjutsu at all or?"

"I don't need it! My skills are more than-" The scroll erupted in Fire and a small wave spread outwards towards Neji. "Damn...I shouldn't have allowed him to distract me!" He jumped up and stood on the tree. The fire was all below him and Naruto nodded to himself.

"Right, so pretty much Taijutsu is all you got. That and your speed is excellent but only in a burst...must be tiring to do your lunge and complete your strikes, especially at those speeds...makes sense why it is only to a certain distance...guessing that's why you took Rin out without doing the same attack. Or am I wrong?"

He made the cross sign with his fingers again and two clones appeared in puffs. They nodded to him, one went to Rin, slinging him over his shoulder and carried him towards the doors where he assumed the medics would get him. Then Naruto went to Yugito and kneeled beside her and frowned. She was completely out, and there were weird small circle bruises up her arms. He gently picked her up, bridal style and carried her gently to the doors, before softly setting her down. When he stood back up, the Clone at the door puffed away and the Clone that everyone thought was him, where he originally stood also puffed. He was left beside Yugito.

When he turned around, Neji had gotten down and away from the tree as it went up in flames. "You know nothing!"

Tilting his head with a smirk, Naruto chuckled. "Oh? You seem rather mad for 'inaccurate' observation. Am I wrong to assume that if I am further than fifteen feet from you, you won't be able to touch me? With no 'need' for Ninjutsu, what would you do then?"

Neji scowled and smiled. "No, I'm not falling for this anymore. You're just trying to get in my head!"

Neji blinked and Naruto was gone. Activating his Byakugan he smirked as he struck directly in front of him. Hitting the left shoulder of Naruto, making him immediately jump back.

"So that's how it is...interesting."

"You'll need to be more subtle with you Genjutsu!"

Naruto shrugged. "Eh, Genjutsu isn't my thing. Cool though, just too much chakra you know? Speaking of which, your strike seemed to block the chakra to my left arm, that, and your eyes let you see through Genjutsu. Now I have you all figured out."

"You have nothing figured out! You can't do handsigns, your left arm is useless! Your Jutsu are gone!"

Naruto nodded and chuckled. "Yeah. Guess you have a point about that, but then again...you're awfully mistaken Neji Hyuga. Ninjutsu wasn't quite my fighting style either." He laughed at the face Neji had. It was priceless, even if he bent the truth slightly. It wasn't that Ninjutsu wasn't his style, just up to this point, he hadn't spent much time learning or developing it...something that would surely change.

"What will you do then? You can't best me in Taijutsu, and your Genjutsu is pathetic!"

"Guess it really depends. Well nevermind, I still have your team to deal with, so after I'm done with you, I'll be fixing my arm...I do have a promise to keep." He looked up towards the Kage's Box and then glanced over to Yugito.

"A promise you made to that weak, pathetic gir-"

Five kunai were flung at him at ridiculous speeds, it caught him off guard because he hadn't ever seen a Genin throw with that speed. When he reset, Naruto wasn't in the same place, but it didn't worry Neji, he never had to look at him to see him. Whipping out a scroll, he opened it and slammed it to the ground, Neji charged as fast as he could and went to kick Naruto's face. Naruto was not worried and channeled chakra to the scroll. 8 kunai flung out in all directions, and landed in the ground five feet from the scroll, forming a circle.

The kick landed and Naruto was sent out of the circle, but he did a flip and landed on his feet. "Got you."

"What do you?" Neji didn't finish as be felt a surge and couldn't move a bit. Nothing he did was working. "What is this?"

Chuckling, Naruto tilt his head. "You seem to forget about another Ninja Art. Fuinjutsu. This is the 'Gō Uzumaki Fuinjutsu: Yaiba no Mai' made a modification but still, same purpose."

"Uzumaki? You know the Uzumaki Clan's Fuinjutsu? Weren't they destroyed?"

"Were they? You believed so much in destiny, in fate, and you lost." Neji frowned. "Destiny isn't written, Neji Hyuga. It's on you, how the story ends."

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS TO BE MARKED! TO BE CURSED!"

Naruto chuckled and closed his eyes. When they opened, Neji saw the crimson red eyes with a black slit. He gulped and quieted down. "No, I know what that's like. Hyuga-san, I would normally have let you off easy." He began walking towards Neji. "But you've helped me realize something and I appreciate that, so I was never going to kill or destroy you...but...then you had to talk about Yugito and...well I can't overlook that, so..." He took out a kunai and stabbed Neji in the gut twice, and then took a second one out as he then stabbed Neji's legs. Releasing the seal, Neji then collapsed onto his knees before Naruto and looked up in fear as he looked again into the Crimson eyes. "Forfeit and you can be healed without dying of blood loss. Even if you wanted to fight through your leg wounds, your guts and intestines will spill from you."

Naruto turned away and Neji coughed. He spit up blood and nodded. He signaled his surrender and the medics finally came out since the fight seemed to have a pause.

-Crowd-

"He really broke Neji down..." Kakashi said and was even proud of Naruto.

"I told you, he doesn't miss anything." Omoi said with a smile. "And it's good to see you understand now, my friend."

"So...if he beat an opponent that Yugito couldn't...does that make him better? Or does that mean it's a fluke? What does it mean?" Karui said.

"Well taking into account that Yugito knew nothing of her opponent, and Naruto got to watch to study the opponent, it's difficult to say." Samui chimed in nodding.

Darui chuckled and shook his head. The Konoha Genin were silent, unbelieving to the outcome. Gai, Neji's sensei was very much surprised. He was really impressed with Naruto, being able to figure out how to take on Neji, although, a small part was saddened and disappointed by Neji's behavior.

-Kage Box-

"Hmm, your boy is pretty good." Rasa said.

A, had a smile and nodded. "Like I said, kid is special!"

"His besting of the Hyuga's prodigy is definitely a surprising outcome...especially through the use of an art that isn't used so much. He is rather impressive, but we can't ignore his neglect of his squad." Hiruzen said.

Onoki looked intently at Naruto "That calmness and ease that he carried this fight...Not once was he worried, totally relaxed. Taking what he saw and being able to deduce the limits of his opponent...all from watching just the one time. He reminds a lot of-" Luckily for Hiruzen, Onoki was interrupted by the shouts of the green spandex wearing Genin.

-Arena-

"YOU DEFEATED NEJI! YOU MUST BE MY RIVAL! YOUR FLAMES OF YOUTH ARE MAGNIFICENT!"

Naruto tilt his head. "Uuuuhhh...yo proctor...this guy ok?" He looked back over to the Genin and sighed. "This is going to be a long day..." Lee settled into his stance and smiled. Disappearing from sight, Naruto went wide-eyed. "Long day indeed." Suddenly Lee appeared in front of him and sent a kick at Naruto's chest.

He brought his arms up in time to block most of it, but was sent back. Lee disappeared again, Naruto immediately went to turn around and was met with a punch to the face, he ducked barely in time but didn't manage to dodge the knee to his chin.

Everyone grimaced at that blow as it was definitely painful. Naruto went airborne and was shocked. This guy was fast! Lee appeared behind him, shadowing his trajectory, so he formed a Clone quickly and it pulled him away. When he landed, Lee was already there so he immediately extended his arm, a puff of smoke appeared and a Bo appeared. He swung at Lee but he disappeared again, spinning it above his head, he turned around and slammed it down. He narrowly missed Lee but the ground cracked, sending a kick behind him, without turning back, he managed to finally hit Lee in gut.

"So you really can keep track of me! LET'S DO THIS!" Lee said making a fist and smiling widely.

When Naruto turned around to face Lee, his blue eyes had reverted to the slitted pupil. It helped in blocking out some of the nonsense, allowing him to focus better in a sense. "This is getting annoying, I can barely even hit him." Looking around he couldn't find Lee's teammate and then looked up to see kunai, shuriken and swords coming down at him. "Now this is ridiculous."

He ran backwards and Lee disappeared, he threw the Bo at the kunai and shuriken, hoping that it could take most of them off target. He turned around and smirked at Lee, there was a glint in his eye and an air of confidence that surrounded him. He struck Lee with an open palm in the gut, and he managed to get a second strike to Lee's right arm, before Lee backed away.

Naruto smirked again when Lee tried to charge and was only running normally, this made him stop abruptly. "W-What's happened to me?"

Naruto said nothing as he lowered into a stance, his palms open and facing Lee. Lee made a look towards the Jonin and contestants which got him to smile. He took off the weights around his ankles and dropped them, causing a massive crash. Naruto raised an eyebrow at that but remained totally calm.

Lee charged, a little faster than before but couldn't seem to flicker in and out of sight anymore no matter how hard he tried. Looking nervous, he looked back to the stands and smiled as he started to try to focus.

"GATE OF OPENING, OPEN!" He stood waiting and concentrating, but nothing came. "OPEN!"

"It's no use, Lee. My Fuinjutsu will not allow you to use any enhancing Jutsu or Techniques, at this stage, you can no longer Shunshin, or flicker, your rapid movements have been taken away."

"IMPOSSIBLE! I HAVE WORKED HARD FOR MY STRENGTH! I'M NOT A GENIUS LIKE ANYONE ELSE!"

Naruto frowned. "Do you even know what a genius is? Truly?"

"SOMEONE NATURALLY GIFTED!"

"That is aptitude, not genius. Think about it, not now though...you should focus here."

"WHY ARE YOU HELPING ME? YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE!" Lee was confused and was still trying to open the gate.

Naruto sighed. "I told you to focus man. You still can be promoted, you winning here now won't be happening. Besides, your teammate kind of needs help. Her attacks, although widespread point to a glaring weakness. One I will surely exploit. So, shall we continue?"

Lee nodded and took a breath, he knew very well that he was the superior Taijutsu fighter. Obvious from the previous exchanges. He happened to slip up, and that had a consequence. It was smart though, Naruto bringing Lee down to more of a level playing field. Something that all observers didn't miss.

Naruto went through handsigns, and began breathing out fire at Lee. Without his great speeds, it was harder to get away but he still managed to, running towards a more rocky and open area of the arena. Both Lee and Tenten now were totally separate from one another and would not be able to assist one another simply. Coupled with the fact that Lee couldn't blitz Naruto as he once was able, things were not going to be simple.

Naruto grabbed his bag and removed it. Leaving him in his unzipped hoodie and long sleeve shirt. He reached into the bag and took out a scroll before tossing the bag aside. When it landed, it was gone in a puff of smoke and he held the scroll by his mouth as he held dual swords. Surprising Lee, Naruto jumped high into the air and did a backflip. To Lee's surprise, he saw as Naruto then held the sword in an "X" at the throat of Tenten from behind her.

He dropped the scroll from his mouth and it opened up. The seal glowed and it burned through the paper and onto the ground. "Let's make this easy, forfeit, and she lives."

"H-how did you know I w-was behind you?"

"Lee sold you out by looking at you. Gotta hand it to you though, you masked yourself pretty well...you nearly won."

"Uzumaki-san...let's relax a second." Lee said waving his hands.

"I am perfectly relaxed. You are not. Your friend here...well she is terrified, remember, nothing has to happen to her...you just need to forfeit the fight."

"I thought you were a good person!"

"Lee...I could have just killed her. You think anyone else would be giving you the choice aside from your fellow Konoha nin? The choice is in your hands...you hold her future...or lack thereof."

"I can't just give up though!"

"This isn't giving up, Lee. This is surviving. There's a difference in that."

Lee thought about it. Given his current state there was nothing he could do to effectively save Tenten. He could never close the distance in time. All he'd do is get her killed. With a deep sigh he looked at Tenten.

"I'm sorry, Tenten..." She said nothing but did nod in understanding and approval. "We as Team Neji, forfeit the match."

"The winner of match one between Team Neji and Team Naruto is, Team Naruto!" Hayate announced and the crowd cheered. It was a rather interesting match and it was a wonder on where it would have gone next if Tenten didn't try sneaking to Naruto, or what he'd do if she managed to get the drop on him.

Naruto upon hearing the proctor's announcement, removed the blades and deactivated the seal in front of her. "For what it's worth, Lee, I was never going to kill her. I'd have kicked her forward, and upon crossing the seal, she'd be paralyzed until I released her."

"I thought you would really kill Tenten."

"It would be unnecessary to kill your friend. But Lee, you're definitely a very skilled fighter, don't underestimate that...I recommend you pick up a weapon though, diversify your style and maybe even become deadlier since with your skill and a good matching weapon, you could cause serious trouble."

Lee nodded and Tenten was at a loss for words. Then again, she did feel as though her life was truly at risk.

They cleared the arena and Hayate gathered the attention of everyone. "Alright, for match two of the first round, I need Team Ino and Team Shino to come down."

"Maaaan...What a drag." Shikamaru said and as he was walking down the steps, he looked at Naruto. "He took on three opponents, beat Neji, and still shows no signs of fatigue...worse of all, I doubt he even showed his full capabilities...such a drag. His deductions and observations were spot on and exploited or neutralized the strengths of his opponent entirely...He is somebody that I don't want to face." Shikamaru thought as he continued on.

"Yeah! The lazy ass, the asshole, and eater! We got this in the bag!" Kiba said leaving the area.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" Ino said and shook her fist.

It seemed like it would take them forever to finally get to the area grounds. Rather annoying to everyone, but somebody was rather amused at least. It did allow some insight on other contestants.

"That guy with the pup is definitely weak. The blonde from that first exam is also weak. The big one should have strength but for sure isn't nimble, that could be a problem if he isn't careful. The other girl is extremely shy, hopefully that doesn't also go towards fighting. The 'lazy' one definitely eyed me. I wonder what he was thinking. "That guy...is he an Aburame? Fits the description from Itachi." Naruto thought looking at the two squads.

-Kage Box-

"Kid really did it. Masterfully at that." Onoki said.

Rasa nodded "Yes, I wonder what his plan was. That ending was rather lucky, so what would have been the next move?"

Ay laughed and smiled, "That was all part of the plan. He may not have expected that exact sequence in the ending, but everything was thought out. He being nearly caught off guard was a ruse to draw her into his hold. Naruto never forgot about her, nor where she was. His talking was to seem like he was distracted when really, he was waiting for her to get close enough to where she couldn't react fast enough and where he could get in place quick enough."

"Hmm. How are you so sure?" Rasa said, genuinely interested in the boy.

"I've watched him play his games since he was three. They've only gotten more sophisticated since then. Don't get me wrong, he was being beaten by that Genin, but once Naruto saw his way of fighting-"

"He found a weakness and exploited it to make the fight level. As well as unknowingly taking away Rock Lee's most powerful abilities." Hiruzen said seriously. "Aside from that, he used Fuinjutsu in his Taijutsu...something I've never seen combined in such a way as he's done."

"I'm telling you, Naruto is a spectacle to behold. Wait until he faces someone that really pushes him! I know I'm still awaiting that fight!" Ay said chuckling.

"I sure hope he faces my son. That will be a battle to see. No one but myself has ever beaten him in a fight, no one landing even a single blow." Rasa said nodding.

"Isn't he your Jinchuriki? Don't they consider him unstable?" Onoki chimed in.

"Yes, but don't worry, Tsuchikage, should he get out of hand, I can easily stop it. Besides, from what Baki has told me, ever since meeting that Naruto kid, he's been remarkably calm and relaxed. His bloodlust being nonexistent."

"Still, once a failed Jinchuriki, always a failed Jinchuriki." Onoki said harshly.

"You'll say nothing of the sort of my son! You hear me? Unlike you, my Jinchuriki are not AWOL."

"Relax, Kazekage. I am saying a truth of the Jinchuriki. Any Jinchuriki."

-Arena-

Hayate looked at the two teams and it was funny to see the way they were. "Alright, you guys know it works. Ino, make the call in the air." He flicked the coin up.

"Tails."

"It's Tails. What would you like, Team or Solos?"

"Team." She said and they separated to their respective teams. "Shika, you better be right on the team thing."

"It gives us a better advantage, Ino. The three of us separate have glaring weaknesses. Together we are better off." He drawled out.

"Doesn't that help them as well?"

With a deep sigh he held the back of his neck. "Technically. But we all know how Hinata is, she won't stomach hurting any of us...anyone really. So in a way, its two on three, but Shino can only work from a distance, we can't let him prep. Choji will harass him. While me and you take out Kiba. From there Hinata but we still must be careful because she is very capable of stopping our chakra flow."

Ino nodded and smiled. "See, you can be a great help."

"Whatever. This whole thing's a drag. If I was the representative of the team, I'd have forfeit at the coin toss. Honestly, would have done it in the stands."

"Shut up! Let's do this." Ino said. Choji just snacked on chips the whole time and just shook his head at the two.

"BEGIN!" Hayate called out and both teams faced one another. Shino looked like he was about to say something to his team but Kiba just ran out towards the opposing team. Shikamaru looked at his teammates and got a nod from them. He knelt down and Choji put his chips away. Ino stood by Shikamaru.

As he ran, Kiba called out "Man Beast Transformation!" And his dog Akamaru turned to be identical to Kiba. They had a slitted pupil, teeth looked a little sharper like fangs and their nails grew out to be claws. "Fang Over Fang!" He said and the two went into the air, spinning so fast that it was like looking at a moving tornado, only there was nothing being sucked into it.

Choji stepped forward and readied himself as Kiba approached. "Partial Expansion Jutsu!" His arm ballooned up and was massive. He smacked the two spiraling targets and they crashed hard into the wall. Kiba showed no signs of moving at the moment so Shikamaru nodded.

"Good work, Choji. Should keep him down for enough time. But we need to move fast...Ino, are we going to be close enough?"

"Yes...but if I miss."

"You won't. Choji, use your human boulder technique and get Shino focused on you. He can't control his bugs when moving." Choji nodded and he looked back at Ino. "You only have one shot, when he starts to use his bugs, that's your window. I'll take care of you while you're gone."

Ino nodded took a deep breath. "I'm ready."

"Expansion Jutsu! Human Boulder!" Choji said and his entire body became a massive sphere. He tucked his arms, head and legs in like a turtle and slowly rolled. It was not long before he rolled at great speeds towards Hinata and Shino.

Hinata went wide-eyed and immediately dove away before being crushed by the rolling boulder that was Choji. Shino waited to the last second to jump away, and Choji had to stop before trying another pass. Shino extended his hand to use his bugs but had to move away again as Choji already had reset himself. This time though, he couldn't stop as fast and flew past. Shino pushed his sun glasses up and extended both his hands towards Choji. His bugs leaving him and immediately were flying towards Choji. All you could see was a small black cloud stream head its way towards Choji.

Ino made a square with her hands and breathed in. "Mind Transfer Jutsu." She said and collapsed into Shikamaru's arms. There was a pause for a moment and the bugs stopped in their tracks.

"Did it work, Ino?" Shikamaru called out.

"Yes. It did." Shino but really Ino said. "I Shino Aburame as team leader forfeits this team from the match." As he but really she spoke, Kiba had finally recovered and was stunned. They were quitting?

"WHY ARE YOU FORFEITING US SHINO?" Kiba said, even Akamaru barked a remark that no one but Kiba understood in the arena.

"Because I took over his mind." Shino but really Ino said.

"By way of forfeit, Team Ino is the winner. Please make your way to the viewing area." Hayate said.

"BUT-"

"Now. Your team has been forfeited."

"IT WASN'T EVEN SHINO THAT SAID IT!"

"In a real battle, if a your mind is taken over by a Yamanaka or Genjutsu, you can be forced to do things you otherwise wouldn't. Such as killing a comrade! By taking over Shino, and forfeiting your team, she is doing the equivalent to killing the entire squad through Shino's body. Now move to the viewing area, or be moved." Hayate said and Kiba didn't need to be told twice.

Shikamaru had already began walking away while carrying Ino. "It actually worked as you planned...that's surprising."

"Whatever. It was nothing. Glad I got to really not have to do anything." Shikamaru drawled with a yawn. "I need a nap."

"You did nothing!"

"Dealing with things now...such a drag." Choji laughed and took out his bag of chips.

"Interesting group..." Naruto thought and looked at Shikamaru. "You're interesting."

"Alright, for the next match! Team Sasuke and Team Samui to the arena please!" Hayate called out.

-Kage Box-

"Ah, another Kumo squad facing a Konoha squad. Will this turn out differently than the last?" Onoki said to no one on particular.

"Not sure. But I sure hope the Uchiha performs well. Many are expecting great things from the only member that survived the massacre of the Uchiha. A poor performance may reflect badly on Konoha." Rasa said.

It wasn't like he was trying to disrespect them, as his village was allied to the village considered to be the strongest of the great five. It was however a very real reality, as the Uchiha clan and the Kekkei Genkai of said clan were a big part to Konoha's power in the last couple wars. Once the Senju had all but died out, the Uchiha were the prominent source of power. The Hyuga have risen but, it has yet to surpass that of what the Uchiha held. So if Sasuke was poor, then Konoha was screwed in a sense...well in terms of the Clan's future and Kekkei Genkai.

Hiruzen was not blind to such things and knew that Sasuke had a lot riding on these exams. Even if the kid knew nothing of it. "Well, Sasuke Uchiha is rather talented. He also has Kakashi Hatake as his Jonin Sensei."

"Ah, yes. The famous copy ninja, Kakashi of the Sharingan! Isn't it funny how someone not of the Uchiha clan uses a Dojutsu better than most of them did. Well let's hope that will transfer to your young Uchiha." Ay said chuckling.

"Well Kakashi isn't the only person that's ever been effective with the Sharingan."

Ay looked at Hiruzen with a smile. "Yes...but he is the only to stay around. How much talent has Konoha lost as of late?"

Hiruzen knew very well what Ay was talking about and he got worried. "He can't know...can he?" Hiruzen cleared his throat. "Konoha still has many powerful shinobi."

Ay smirked to himself then returned attention to the arena. His next group of Genin were up. It would be interesting to see these ones compete.

-Viewing Area-

"Well, go get 'em y'all." Naruto said to team Samui.

"Will do, Naruto. Can't have you showing out without us!" Karui said smiling and walking down. Samui just nodded and followed after Karui.

"Anything you got on them?" Omoi said walking to Naruto.

Naruto smirked and nodded. "Easy round bud. The pinky is pitiful, the third guy doesn't seem too bad but nothing special. Your only threat is the Uchiha but that doesn't matter necessarily if he takes on all of you. Even if you don't, just get in his head. Riling him up will be easy."

"Any points in particular?"

Naruto nodded slowly "Yeah, calling him incompetent or bringing up his clan."

Omoi chuckled and shook his head. The clan would be a low blow, but if he couldn't keep his emotions in check, then that was on him. As a Shinobi, losing one's head would guarantee death in the real world. So Omoi made his way down once the coin had been tossed. Sasuke called it in the air and got it wrong.

Samui called for solo battles which played into their favor. Then again, it was always in their favor. A no name kid, a pitiful kunoichi...if should be called that. Then finally, a challenged and conflicted Genin with talent but was held back by their mentality. All in all, the reality of the situation was that a team battle probably would have been a better choice. Ending it quickly. But nope, this way was chosen because it would let the three members under Bee get to show their own skill.

Had Naruto chosen, it wouldn't be for his own skill, but merely to show the lack thereof for the other team. Purely for his entertainment. Something he definitely wouldn't deny as it a smirk would definitely be worn on his face. Then again, merely thinking of that prospect made him smirk.

"You did real well, all on your own out there. Your friend says you always train against multiple adversaries." Kakashi said as he came up behind Naruto.

Turning around, Naruto looked at Kakashi. "Something like that. Tell me, Mr. Kakashi, what do you think of your team?"

"Hmm." He placed his hand to his chin. "They're an little rough around the edges, but when they start working together, they do well. Granted, they've still only done D ranks."

Naruto nodded. "Well the rough bits should have you worried. Especially because Samui has chosen the solo battles."

Kakashi frowned under his mask. "I'm assuming that team is very skilled."

"Yes. Samui was second in the class, Omoi is a great Kenjutsu user and has combined it with his lightning style. Karui uses Kenjutsu as well and utilizes lightning too. They all use Kenjutsu, and all work great together, but are definitely each skilled enough to be Chunin."

"I see. I heard from Sakura that you've only done one C rank."

"Yes. The usual ten D rank requirement is bypassed by my C rank mission. Still, I am surprised that they've only done D ranks."

"There was a mission available...it was a C rank mission to escort a bridge builder, but the squad was not working very well. So I didn't take the mission."

Naruto nodded. "I wonder what has come of that bridge builder, was he ever given an escort?"

"I'm unsure. I declined it, so any details thereafter are not shared to me. I assume someone else was allocated but then again, I personally hadn't heard anything." Kakashi sighed then got a little serious, "Have you found anything else on what you're searching for?"

Naruto shook his head. "Seems that this village likes its secrets...then again, it let's secrets out rather easily."

Kakashi flinched as he knew what Naruto was getting at. No one was supposed to know he was the Kyubi Jinchuriki. Yet, the whole village but he knew. It would really only be a matter of time until Naruto figured other things out too. It was something he wondered about, what would Naruto do when he finally did learn?

The match was set to begin. The first two fighters were Sasuke and Omoi. The two stood apart from one another and prepared themselves. When they were told to begin, Sasuke immediately ran through handsigns and breathed a Fireball that went straight to Omoi. He jumped to the side to dodge, then unsheathed his katana.

"Lightning Slash!" starting with his sword in the downward position, he swung it upwards to the sky, unleashing an arc of lightning, swinging it downwards again, a second arc went to Sasuke.

Sasuke immediately began to run and try to avoid the two arcs of lightning headed his way. "Is that all that the Uchiha has to offer? A fireball and running away?" Omoi said and moved his lollipop to the right side of his mouth.

Sasuke scowled and balled a fist. "I'll show you!"

-Kage Box-

"You know, there's a rumor, that this Sasuke Uchiha has yet to awaken his Sharingan...Is that true, Hokage?" Onoki said smirking as he looked down at the Genin of the topic.

All the Kage's eyes went towards Hiruzen who was mentally cursing his luck. "Hmm, well...The awakening of the Sharingan eyes varies often. It is not irregular for some to awaken them later than others. Most not until Chunin."

"Then can it be assumed that Sasuke Uchiha isn't one of the Uchiha Prodigies? Most of which had awakened it at a young age. More recently those of Shisui The Teleporter and Itachi Uchiha. Both awakened their clan Dojutsu at so young...yet Sasuke hasn't."

Hiruzen looked over to the smirking Onoki. "Do remember, Tsuchikage, that it wasn't an Uchiha that devastated your forces."

Onoki scowled "That man is no longer around though. That Minato was a fierce enemy, the only one that I would and will ever retreat from."

"For now." Ay said ad he looked over to where Naruto was observing the current match. No doubt, he'd tell Omoi of the battle from his point of view, where he could do better or taken advantage of something.

"What do you mean?" Rasa said looking over to Ay.

"Let's just say that every generation, there is one who stands above all others. This past generation, that had been Minato Namikaze. A man unmatched. This generation is no different. Our time will come soon, for the two of you, even sooner than the Kazekage and I."

"It is true. But there is no way to know who that one is, this generation is far too young." Hiruzen said.

Ay laughed and brought his hands together. "The five great nations' best prospects are down in this arena. Competing in these exams to show the strength of their village."

"That is true...these exams this time around really can show which is rising, and who is falling." Rasa said nodding in agreement with Ay.

"This really isn't going well. Sasuke, try to stay in this and don't lose your cool." Hiruzen thought as he looked down towards the match.

-Arena-

Sadly though, Sasuke wasn't doing too well at keeping cool. Deciding to take this head on, he went as fast as he could to close the distance between he and Omoi. Going for a spinning kick to Omoi's head, it got blocked by Omoi merely bringing his left arm up. Sasuke grunted as he spun his body mid air to bring his left leg around and connected with Omoi's block again. This time though, he was thrown fifteen feet from where he stood. Sasuke landed and watched as Omoi collided with a tree and got up. Seemingly unfazed, he dust himself off and looked at Sasuke.

"Well, the girls kick harder than him...so turns out that they've been helpful all this time! Naruto will never believe this." Omoi thought, chuckling to himself. "Well Sasuke, I was hoping for more from you. I'm disappointed. I was saving this for Naruto but...eh why not just end it now."

"What was for Naruto? What do you know about him? How did he learn the Exploding Shadow Clone?"

Omoi shook his head. "So many questions. Guess that's how life is. Always a big question, when will we get the answers? When will we find the purpose to-" He stopped, and imagined being hit by Karui. Shaking his head, he ran through handsigns, Sasuke was still only about ten feet away, so he was confident in this attack.

It also helped that Sasuke was charging at Omoi. When Sasuke was about five feet away, he finished. "Giant Lightning Vortex" From his hands Lightning shot across each hand and a massive wall was being formed quickly. When he was satisfied, he pushed it and the wall shot off, it passed through Sasuke and for a moment, nothing happened.

"Heh, guess it didn't-" Out of nowhere he screamed in agony and collapsed. "THE HELL IS HAPPENING?" He began curling up in hopes of easing the pain. "AH! IT HURTS!"

"See, that little show of lightning isn't the attack. I already had you struck, you may not have noticed but it was two sets of handsigns I had just done. That big lightning wall is just a distraction. That is the annoying thing with Naruto, he will see something and already create ways of countering, so the wall was never the threat...sadly though, now he knows so, back to the drawing board. For what it's worth, Sasuke, you aren't terrible, I don't know the reasons for Naruto taking an interest in helping you, but you should listen. He never does anything without purpose." Omoi then turned away and went towards his waiting team.

That pat his shoulder in congratulations and he thanked them. "You should have just opened with that move!" Karui said.

"Haha...yeah I couldn't."

"Why not?" Samui said with crossed arms.

"Well, partly, I was unsure if I wanted to use it. Then, it also used a good portion of my chakra."

"So in the end you just wanted to end it?" Karui said scratching her head.

"Not really that. But it seems to be on track with something Naruto is working on."

Before the next match even started, Sakura was about to face off against Samui. When she saw that, she noticed the tanto on her waist and also saw how she carried herself. It made her nervous and she backed out of the fight. The other teammate didn't like the odds of having to face three opponents, one after another and forfeit as well.

To fight three opponents in a row would not be easy at all. Naruto had done it, but this guy knew where he was personally. And that wasn't a spot where he could take on three opponents in a row, and win on his own.

This was obviously very disappointing for Karui and Samui, hell even the crowd was disappointed. Not just for the two forfeiting, but for the quick defeat of Sasuke. They were excited for a moment when Jutsu were being used right out of the gate, but then the Uchiha lost almost immediately after. It did not look good for Konoha as hardly anyone from their numerous squads made it to the next round, let alone this exam.

The exams being hosted by Konoha, made it to where many squads attempted, far more than any other village. Then you their squads being taken out in the first round. Kumo only brought two squads, both made it to this stage, and both are making it to the second round. Some would argue that with that success rate, Kumo seemed to be the better in development of future ninja.

Hayate stepped forward. "Alright, well Team Samui moves on. Now the teams of Gaara and Kabuto come down for the last fight of the round. This means that team Kurotsuchi will fight first, in the next round."

The two teams came down, Gaara had is arms crossed and his eyes closed. The coin toss happened and it was decided that a team battle would take place.

"You two will stay out of this. It will be over quickly." Gaara said, making Temari and Kankuro both back off. Gaara stood alone, facing the three enemies. His arms crossed and eyes shut, he was completely unfazed by the opposition.

"BEGIN!" Hayate called and the three immediately threw kunai at Gaara. A massive barrage was headed his way, inescapable through normal means. Without even a slight movement, never even opening his eyes, sand came up and blocked any kunai that would have hit him.

This brought puzzled looks from the three. Trying once more, it was only denied the same way. Gaara opened his eyes and looked at the two in front. He extended his arm with an open hand and smirked. "Sand Coffin." Very quickly, sand shot out to the two he focused on and before they realized, it already had grabbed them and began swallowing them. Once their whole body was surrounded he smiled and chuckled lightly. "Sand Burial!" The bodies got compressed and squashed to nothing by the sand, killing them instantly. They popped like a water balloon as blood spurt everywhere and even landed on Kabuto.

Kabuto was shocked. This had been unexpected. "Proctor...I quit."

Hayate nodded in understanding. "Gaara wins..." he paused for a moment and sighed. "We'll be taking a small break before the next round. The first match of round two will be Team Samui vs Team Kurotsuchi."

-Crowd-

"Such a tricky Jutsu you have yourself, my friend. I'm not quite sure if I even have an effective counter. Sure I could use that seal and it my own Jutsu but then, you'd beat me. Hmm, but for the more important thing, since now I have time, no longer needing to analyze them..."

Naruto sat at a chair and drank some water.

"So, Naruto, you've made it thus far alone, what is your plan if your team doesn't recover in time for the next match?"

Naruto looked up to see Temari standing there. "Just as I thought I'd have some thinking time." He sighed and shook his head. "It's not like I have plan for being alone, I just know that I've gotta handle business. And anyone who opposes me will not have an easy battle. I may be outnumbered, but it is no bother, and no worry."

"Why is that? Do you like to be alone?"

Naruto frowned "I thought I did. But lately, someone has been showing me otherwise." Smiling fondly, he looked to the distance "Tell me something, your brother, does his sand consume chakra?"

Shaking her head she smirked "Nope. Only when attacking. Gaara has the Ultimate Defense, his sand will automatically come to protect him from any attack. Even if he never sees it."

Naruto nodded "So as long as its his sand it will consume no chakra. So there is only a certain amount that he has...perhaps that gourd of his is all he has..."

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing really, you're just helping me find ways to defeat your brother." he said smiling.

She shook her head and frowned. "No one has ever beaten him. Everyone dies before him..."

"Oh? You sound worried for me, Temari. You wouldn't be developing some sort of feelings for me now, would you?"

Her face went red and she stormed off away from him. It made him laugh as he leaned back and took a sip of water. "I find it so funny how you can toy with her emotions while not understanding your own." Omoi said chuckling.

Naruto jumped slightly in his seat and turned to see Omoi. He was seated, leaning his head on his hand which was against his cheek as he smiled. "Look man, it isn't quite like that ok. I just happen to say things that get a reaction, and it amuses me so I found the best way to get my entertainment."

"And of your own emotions?"

"Well, I certainly know that I would do what it takes to make sure she doesn't get hurt again. I got shocked by seeing her lose...but there was also this anger that built inside me."

"It didn't seem that way from our view."

"Well, I had yet to understand the full scope of the Hyuga's fighting style. So I didn't know how bad it really was. I was significantly more calmed when I got to see her condition so that was why I only hurt him as I did."

"Hmm. And that alone doesn't tell you anything else?"

"What are you getting at?"

"My God, you are totally helpless!" Omoi stood up and went to the snack bar to get some refreshments.

"What are you on about now?" Naruto said annoyed. Then the proctor gathered their attention by calling out for the contestants of the next match. Team Samui and Kurotsuchi proceeded gather down at the arena.

-Kage Box-

"Ah finally." Onoki said with a smile.

"Isn't the team leader your granddaughter, Tsuchikage?" Rasa said.

"Yes indeed. She's one of Iwa's brightest as well."

"Ah, how far along has she come?" Hiruzen said.

"Far more than that disappointing Uchiha!" Onoki said laughing. It was very much pleasing to see many of Konoha's Genin fall in the first round. Especially when the Uchiha fell so quickly. Making all that excitement to see him build for nothing. It was a letdown of the kid and disappointing showing for Konoha. It would seem that the supposed strongest village may be losing its once prominent strength.

-Arena-

With the two teams standing, opposing one another, they readied for the coin toss. Samui got it right and again chose to have solo matches. She signaled for Karui to come forward as she could get to fight first.

When Karui came to get ready for her match, the opponent was already ready. He was taller by five inches and looked to have a burly build. He was a little intimidating, but she kept in mind that she should have the elemental advantage. The only worry was that he'd have the larger chakra pool and would outlast her. That, on top of his already apparent strength advantage, it was rather worrisome.

Still, no matter how bad it looked, she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of showing her worries. When the match was called to start, she immediately was forced to jump back as her opponent jumped towards her, planning to obliterate her. Thanks to her swift jump, his fist collided with where she once stood, stone broke and shattered, shooting out in all directions.

This proved his massive strength as she gulped. With his fist embedded into the stone, he channeled chakra into it and tore a massive shard out of the ground and hurled it at her. She spun to the right and as she came around watched as it nearly got her face, cutting a couple strands of hair that hadn't quite escaped the stone shard.

He was relentless, hurling stone after stone at her, never letting her get set. Scowling at the predicament, she knew he already got the advantage, and now she needed to get better positioned. Getting closer would be nice as he couldn't through stone at her anymore...but then he'd just smash her.

Karui ran and tried to think of a way to better the situation. There was a pause as it seemed that the Iwa Genin was regaining their breath from the constant throwing. She stopped running too to gain any break possible.

"I could use that technique but I'm not able to unleash the strikes like Omoi...but I could at least get through the stones and get close, maybe even end it if I can be fast enough...otherwise, he'll smash me and that will definitely suck." Knowing her next plan of attack, Karui unsheathed her katana and took a breath. This would be a risk since, if she faltered, then she'd be taking a stone to the face.

Now running straight at the Iwa Nin, she held her katana with both hands, facing downwards to the right and behind her. The blade was glowing with a yellowish hue that had sparks of lightning flutter across the blade ever do often. The Ninja seeing this, reached down to grab a stone shard and hurled at her. She jumped to the side to dodge the first, but it put her in path of the second. So she slashed upwards and cut right through, with it blowing up into powder almost when the blade pierced through. There was a second waiting for her so she slashed downwards and turned that one to rubble.

As she drew near, the Ninja lessened his throws and prepared. He jumped at her, fist first, ready to smash her into nothing. With his trajectory, he was bound to hit her in the upper chest. Her eyes widened as she had just cut through the stone shard and now, he was mere feet away. She dropped low to the ground and managed to dodge, but this was probably her best chance.

Gritting her teeth, she stabbed upwards, still with the lightning chakra running through her sword. Karui stabbed all the way through his chest and out his back, his momentum carried him through though, and it caused her sword to split him all the way through until exiting from cutting through the groin. The only thing keeping him from being in two completely different pieces was the neck and head.

Blood, has naturally dropped and spilled onto her. She held in the urge to puke and turned around to see the two parts that were split, had spread away from each other. The guts, intestines, lungs and everything was out for everyone to see. Cringing at the sight, she nearly threw up once more but held it in.

"Karui is the winner of the first round of this match." Hayate said. "Now the next fighters come forth." Medics came down and took the body away as Omoi and the other Iwa nin came forward.

Omoi looked at his opponent and saw that he was skinny unlike the other person. He moved the lollipop around in his mouth and narrowed his eyes slightly to analyze his opponent. "So what can he do?" Omoi readied for the start of the match and held the handle to his katana.

The match was called to start and Omoi unsheathed his sword, holding it straight at the opponent with a single hand.

"I've already seen your move from before, it won't work!"

Omoi smiled, "Dude, that's not my only way to fight. When your best friend is Naruto, the same move never works twice." He looked over Naruto and smirked. "I hope you get a kick out of this one."

The Iwa nin looked at Omoi and took out a kunai. He ran and jumped but to Omoi's surprise, he didn't just land, he was gliding along the ground, earth carrying him like a surfer on a wave. He traveled faster than he would have by running and came at Omoi.

"Well that is new." Omoi jumped up and flipped forward, he blocked a kunai slash and as he was behind the opponent, he infused lightning chakra to his blade and stabbed into the small earth wave. Breaking the Jutsu, it caused the Genin to stumble and tumble to the ground. He got up slowly and shook off the dirt.

"Lightning Chakra huh? Should have expected that one. You are from Kumo after all!"

Omoi sighed and readied himself once more. He closed his eyes and focused before a swirl of lightning surrounded him before he disappeared. The Iwa nin went wide-eyed and looked around before a kunai was at his throat. "Forfeit, or else..."

The Iwa nin gulped and started to sweat. Then he smirked, "That's a cool Jutsu, but I have elemental advantage-"

He didn't finish since Omoi slit his throat. "Sorry, but I made it clear. You weren't getting a chance to use that earth style of yours. Still, I do wish you would have listened..." Looking over to the viewing area, he gave a two figured salute to Naruto and smiled.

"Omoi is winner of match two in this series. Now, Kurotsuchi, do you wish to fight, or will you forfeit now?"

Shaking her head, Kurotsuchi stepped forward and smiled. "I will be fighting, Proctor." Hayate nodded and signaled for someone to take her on. Samui stepped forward and had her arms overlapping one another slightly as she stood.

"BEGIN!" Hayate said and jumped back. Samui sighed and looked at Kurotsuchi. With a smirk, Kurotsuchi brought her arms up slowly from her sides, as she was raising them, the ground shook, making Samui have to regain her footing. Slowly, Kurotsuchi was raising from the ground as earth and rock came up, creating a massive hill that she stood atop of. When her arms were fully up, she stood thirty feet in the air.

-Crowd-

"Well, that is one impressive girl." Naruto said.

"That impresses you?" Temari said with a frown.

"Not quite that. But it does show an impressive chakra pool and understanding of her nature." He smirked and looked at her. "Besides, not like I got to see you earlier."

Blushing Temari fidgeted slightly and looked back to the fight. "So what can you tell from this?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Now you're interested in her? Hm, whatever you say. Honestly I'm not sure, but she doesn't seem to have the same strength as her first teammate. So perhaps she will use this hill to create her attack, while being a good defense since she has the high ground."

"So Samui has lost?"

Naruto raised a finger. "Not quite. If Samui can reach the top, she can break the Jutsu."

"Can't she just puncture it with her lightning? Like that Omoi guy did?"

Naruto sighed. "It isn't that simple. The other Iwa nin had a small earth Jutsu to traverse the ground easier and faster. Omoi broke that Jutsu easily since it was so small in size, it was able to be disrupted. For Samui to do the same, she'd have to be able to reach the core so that it could spread through the entire hill, otherwise Kurotsuchi can just regenerate her hill. But getting there won't be easy, as she has full control of the hill."

"So will she succeed or not?"

Another sigh escaped Naruto as he shrugged. "I don't know. Even I would have some trouble. She is faster than me though, but even then, speed isn't what is needed. I would go about it differently, her though? Well she can't do what I can so I am curious as to her plan of action."

"What can you do?"

Naruto smiled at her. "Wouldn't you like to know." She frowned and looked away. "Yo, pineapple, what do you think?"

"Huh?" Shikamaru said and lift his head up.

"I know you are the mastermind of your squad. Well...at least it seems that way since despite that Ino girl being the leader, you create the plans. I want to hear your input."

"His friend said he was observant and didn't miss things. He knows I have the brain power in the squad, but he doesn't know the extent. Is he sizing us up? Up to now, he's intently watched every match. Already he was trying to learn about that...Gaara guy...I hope this guy faces him rather than us and if we did, immediately we will forfeit...this guy though, Naruto...he seems like an even bigger mystery than Gaara and that is troublesome. This whole thing is a drag."

"Are you going to say something? Or just look at me funny?" Naruto said chuckling. "No need getting in your head about this, Temari believes Kurotsuchi will win, I want to see your opinion."

"I never said that!" Temari said, wondering if thinking against his own fellow nin would be a negative thing.

"You didn't have to."

"Well, I don't know anything about them. What can you say about your comrade?" Shikamaru drawled while leaning on the rail.

"Hmm. Well she's second in the class, behind Yugito, but Yugito was leaps and bounds above everyone. Samui is very talented and utilizes the Lightning affinity."

"She does have elemental advantage, but you made a good point...I learned that your Raikage uses lightning to boost his speed...can anyone else do it?"

Naruto smiled. "It's not like nobody can, but it does take considerably high control."

"Right, a mistake and you can kill yourself by shocking your system..."

"I'm sorry, but if Yugito is supposed to be leaps and bounds above everyone, then your friend down there lost. Yugito was weak and lost immediately, she didn't even put up a-"

Naruto cut her off and glared at her. "You will be wise to not speak down of Yugito." Taking a breath, he sighed. "Sorry. Look, you didn't really see Yugito. When she recovers, you will see."

"What makes you so sure she will?" Temari said a little nervously, not wanting to anger Naruto.

"She doesn't recover anywhere near as fast as I, but it will be fast enough. Worst case scenario I fight my next match alone, then she'll be back."

Temari raised an eyebrow. His recovery being really fast? Then hers as well? What was it with them? "Even then, it seems you're better alone. You don't seem to play well with others, and it would seem like they'd get in your way. Aside from that, you have done great on your own, where she failed so fast, are you sure that she is an asset?"

Naruto nods. "I am unaccustomed to being with others. So used to fighting on my own. Being on my own. Guess Gaara understands that too. She is strong, believe me. Stronger than me, I just am more observant. Besides, I angered her before this, so she wasn't in the right head."

"What does he know about Gaara? Understanding each other...could he be?" Temari thought and looked away.

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at Naruto. "In what way makes you think she's stronger than you? You beat Neji, and neutralized Lee. I bet she wouldn't have been able to do what you did. Or am I wrong?" Naruto said nothing and turned to the battlefield. "So what does this mentality of his stem from? If I can figure that out, maybe we can beat him." Shikamaru thought and then rest his head.

-Arena-

Samui looked up at Kurotsuchi and frowned. This would not be easy. She waited to see what would come and Kurotsuchi was more than willing to make another move. She stomped her right foot on the hill and a ring appeared within the bottom of the hill. With a spinning kick, it seemed to control the stone below and a massive disk flung at Samui who was surprised that that was what happened.

She jumped up to go over it and landed. She did notice though, that Kurotsuchi was lower than she was prior. There was no sign of going back up either. "Perhaps the jutsu is a one time thing of sorts to give a massive attacking ability, while eating away at what is available and your overlooking position."

Kurotsuchi knelt down and stuck her hands into the ground. Samui watched as several sections of the hill were becoming pointed and suddenly massive spears of stone came flying at her. She dodged a few but it became too much, then she was stabbed in the heart. For a brief moment, things were silent, until there was a puff and a log was in her place.

Samui sighed and looked towards Kurotsuchi. It wasn't going well and she'd probably get tired before Kurotsuchi came down. Going through handsigns, she took a breath and ran as fast she possibly could. Running up the stone hill, spikes would come out and try to impale her. Each time, she barely dodged, until she got halfway up. Kurotsuchi switched it up and instead of a spiked a wall came out and threw her away. Just before hitting the wall, she dropped off and avoided being crushed.

Thinking of another plan, she ran towards it again, this time she unleashed balls of lightning as she made her ascent, to create a path where the chakra would be disrupted. Kurotsuchi realizing the attempts started utilizing her hill from different parts, and tried sending strikes from other angles, but ultimately wasn't as effective since it was more delayed than previously.

"Fine! Let's do this!" Kurotsuchi said and slammed her fists into the ground. When she pulled them out and stood, her fists and wrists were covered in stone.

Samui made it to the top, to see Kurotsuchi already in the air, preparing a punch at her. She sidestepped and watch as the impact created a crater. Gulping, she took out her tanto and began to try to take on Kurotsuchi.

The two were both fast, making it rather difficult to get an upper hand or time to prepare a jutsu. When Kurotsuchi punched, Samui would dodge and strike, but she'd be blocked by the other stone fist or pushed away. Kurotsuchi and Samui both jumped back and prepared an attack. Kurotsuchi slamming her fists to the ground and bringing spikes up to send. Samui channeled chakra to her tanto and stabbed straight ahead, the two attacked at the same time and bolts of lightning struck with the spears of earth and canceled the two out.

Both stood up and went to charge ahead again, however this time, Samui had lightning infused in her blade, so when Kurotsuchi blocked, her fist of earth was gone. Samui quickly struck the second one and swung her blade fast to Kurotsuchi's neck and stopped as the blade touched her neck.

"Yield."

Kurotsuchi nodded and sighed. Hayate called the match and both girls dropped to a knee from exhaustion. Samui from all the earlier running and then jutsu she had to throw. Kurotsuchi from the high chakra usage at the start and continued use throughout. They looked up at each other and nodded in respect before they left the arena.

-Crowd-

"Hmm, so that was what she thought of? I would have done so differently."

"How so, Naruto?" Temari said as the two finished watching the match. She was rather close to Naruto as there were only inches between the two.

"Eh, wouldn't you like to know?" He chuckled and shook his head. "I told you she would win. Even if they didn't enter that last fight, Kurotsuchi was using a lot of chakra. Samui had no easy task but I think she may have the stamina to continue evading...but there's no guarantee."

"Who do you think will go next?"

Naruto shrugged and leaned on the rail. "Doesn't really matter."

"You won't want to face us alone, Naruto...Gaara...he will kill you."

"Aww. Are you worried for me, Temari?"

"Idiot! This isn't a time to be messing around! I'm serious!"

Naruto got a serious expression and looked at her. "I know." He smiled at Omoi and the two fist bumped.

-Kage Box-

"Look at that, your squad is out in its first fight. Two dead at that." Rasa said looking at Onoki.

Onoki grit his teeth, "Kurotsuchi still did better than the damn Konoha Genin!"

"True that...for the most part. But then again, a solo fighter can't go that far." Rasa said.

"You forget that Naruto beat a team on his own!" Ay said chuckling.

Everyone frowned as it was true. Naruto was the only one to take on a team alone and win. Most had to have a break before the next opponent, so they often only fought once in a series.

"But can he beat this next one by himself off the jump? He hasn't gotten much to see." Hiruzen said.

"He has enough to be able to get a good position. That I know for sure!" Ay said and smiled looking at Naruto.

-Arena-

"I need Team Ino and Naruto to come down into the arena for the final match of the second round!"

Naruto stood and smiled at Ino who stood across from him for the coin toss. Despite being alone, he held no fear and that simultaneously worried her while firing her up. Either because he was really strong and could do this, or he saw them as no challenge. She won the toss and looked back to Shikamaru for the choice. Ultimately they chose the team battle and Naruto backed away.

"Shika, what's the plan?" Ino said, her voice had a light tremble but she was still confident in herself.

"I'm not too sure. We know he can use Fuinjutsu, but that field...it really depends on what he specializes in within it. But he seems capable of using fire in it though, and he also had good use of the Bo. Then there's his Clone Jutsu...all in all, it would look like we can win this."

"Then what's the issue?" Ino raised her eyebrows and brought her hands together.

Shikamaru sighed and brought his right hand up to hold on his neck. "That's if he isn't hiding any other tricks up his sleeve. He saw the two of you use your Jutsu...he broke Neji down from one viewing, and Lee in the middle of the fight. He may have something to counter us."

Choji who was chewing chips smiled. "He hasn't seen you though."

Shikamaru nodded and sighed again. "This is such a drag. While we were talking, he was picking at my brain. Ultimately, I can guess that he believes me to be the brains and strategist on the team, likely wanting to see how far it goes."

"What did you give off?"

"Nothing. Just a rehash of what he said. However, his goal was to gage my mind, and he seemed not even the slightest bit surprised. Expecting it really."

"So what does that mean?" Choji stuffed more chips in his mouth after speaking.

"Hopefully that he hasn't been moving pieces on the board yet. Otherwise, he may have started this game from the moment we fought Kurenai-sensei's team."

Ino frowned. "And if he did?"

"Then we have to play catch up, we're on the defensive...hopefully we don't fall into any hidden moves."

Naruto smirked as he looked at the team in front of him. It was entertaining to watch the worry and confidence come and go. Shikamaru was trying to keep them level and figure things through. "As expected of you. Kurama, how should I take this?"

"Up to you. But you focused so much on specific things that it may come back to bite you."

"I know that...I guess we can bring back that seal huh. For that girl who has mind control."

"That would be entertaining...do it."

Naruto nodded to himself and looked at Omoi in the stands. A smirk told Omoi that the show was beginning. But then he was surprised to see someone walking up to Omoi. "Bout time you woke up...only its too late for this one. Oh well, next fight, Yugito."

Hayate called the start of the match and it was completely silent. No one spoke as it was a head on three on one. Something that was supposed to be so easily one sided, yet the intrigue that it wouldn't be so, drove them to be locked in and focused on this match. Naruto stood there and extended his arm, in a puff, his bag appeared and he slung the single strapped bag over. It crossed his chest and he reached to a handle that was on the strap.

He pulled on it to reveal a rather different kunai. The blade was completely black and the entire kunai had seals going all over it. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, trying to figure out what this meant. Naruto sighed wondering how this would go but had a rather good idea based on what he'd seen. Still, it wasn't much his style to start off on the offensive, since his techniques revolved mainly on countering or surprise, so if they wanted to wait him out, then things would get complicated.

Yugito was the offensive one between the two and it was something he hoped that they didn't know yet.

-Crowd-

"Sooo...when's he going to attack?" Temari said.

All the shinobi of Kumo laughed. It annoyed Temari since it made her seem stupid. How was she supposed to know anything. Omoi noticing shook his head. "It's not about you. Naruto is not the type to go first."

"Yeah he's actually a lazy fighter!" Yugito said laughing a bit. "Most of his fighting is avoidance. Have you seen him? He will generally try avoiding a fight and if he does, makes it so you can't fight...still, nice to see he didn't just quit..."

"You thought he'd quit?" Kankuro said, entering the fray. "Nothing from before really suggested he would."

Yugito sighed and looked a little sadly at Naruto. "I know...I always seem to be wrong."

"What do you mean?" Temari said raising an eyebrow.

Yugito chuckled bitterly and frowned. "I never am right about him. Rather than helping or something, I tend to just tell him off...I know it isn't what he needs but...it's all I know how to be with him. I don't know...he always knows how to be."

Omoi smiled. "You know? You say that but if it weren't for you, he would really just only do what interests him. Such as not fighting. And I know you don't always just tell him off, you're there when it matters."

"Not like him though...he's...he's different."

They all turned back to the arena and watched as Naruto twirled the kunai on his finger.

-Arena-

Naruto walked towards the three and looked at the sky. Clouds were coming in but there was still time until they'd be upon them all. He looked ahead and was sort hoping for some rain, would help against the sand for Gaara. He chuckled when he realized that he was thinking of a fight coming up rather than the one here and now...then again, he wasn't expecting to ever lose here.

"Here, do the Ino Shika Cho formation." Shikamaru said only for them to hear.

Naruto tilt his head as they all prepared in a triangular formation. Choji was in the front, Ino to the left of Choji with Shikamaru on the opposite side. Having somewhat of an idea on what would come, he decided to let it play out.

"This should certainly be fun...I hope." Naruto thought and watched as they flung kunai and shuriken at him. With a sigh he felt as though it always starts the same with people. Knowing he couldn't let the kunai be damaged or scratched since it would mess with the seals, he placed it back within the sheath that was on the strap. Taking out a regular kunai, he deflected the ones that would have hit him and awaited the next move.

It wouldn't be a long wait since Choji came rolling in, forcing him to dive away and roll on the ground. When he stood up, he came face to face with Choji and went wide-eyed. "They used a damn clone!" He thought angrily as the first Choji seemed to shimmer away. "Damn...I wanted to hide it a bit longer but it can't be helped."

Everyone watched as Naruto was completely caught by Choji, he looked at the rolling mass for a few moments before he seemed to blur away and be about twenty feet away. He was standing straight up and had a frown on his face.

Shikamaru went wide-eyed and couldn't believe it. "Damn. He did hide more about him. He's fast! Obviously not as fast as Lee, we could still see he him...but it explains why he was able to keep track of Lee when we couldn't! How did I overlook that!"

"Is this going to be a problem, Shika?" Ino said, voice trembled since Shikamaru seemed to have been really surprised. Something that didn't always occur.

-Crowd-

"Woah...he's fast! Was he always that fast?" Kiba said having seen Naruto blur away.

"Haha yeah." Karui said.

"He's by far one of the truly fastest amongst our ranks. Setting the record for running." Samui said.

Omoi nodded, "However his speed is truly his own. No chakra is used for his speed."

"No chakra! You mean to say, that this is his true speed! From hard work alone!" Lee exclaimed with balled fists.

"Yes. It's always been obvious that he holds back a ton. Normally only doing the bare minimum. Annoying as it is, he is really strong and skilled that it's almost ridiculous. Coupled with his mind, no one would want to face him when he's serious...but he never takes anything seriously." Yugito said without taking her eyes off of Naruto.

"To be fair, none of us really push him to do so." Samui said shaking her head.

"What about against team Gai? Wasn't he hard pressed?" Kiba said.

Darui was the one to laugh. "No. He was definitely caught off guard but you didn't push him. When it came down to it, his victory over you guys was effortless. The Hyuga was shutdown, you, Lee got sealed, and the kunoichi was held at hostage. So drab, but he is easily Chunin, borderline Jonin. The only thing holding him back, is his very small Ninjutsu arsenal, Taijutsu, and himself."

"Then what would the others be ranked?" Temari said.

"Hmm. They all are Chunin. Yugito and Samui on track to be low Jonin. Wouldn't doubt them making it in a year. Then the others within two." Darui said, a smile on his face.

"So...Naruto you'd consider to be Jonin now though?"

Darui looked at Temari. "From the moment I met him, he was special. Since he was young he had a wiseness beyond his years. The way he sees things, it's different. In class he slacked, he can't explain to you the school stuff, the book stuff. But he views and understands the big picture. That is why he wins. It isn't the moment he ever thinks of, but beyond it all. You never catch up because you are nowhere near the game he's on. When you think you're beating his game, you're only on level one, he's already on game 200."

Asuma stepped forward. "Well Shikamaru is a true genius. His IQ is 200, no one beats him in strategy."

Darui turned to look at Asuma and frowned. "Sorry to say, but your team's already lost."

"What do you mean? They've only begun. Just watch."

Darui smirked. "I'm telling you, it's over. Convincing a village he's stupid and helpless as a mere toddler, was his playing field. Convincing this Genin team of what he wants is something he could do since he was three. He's thirteen now. Honestly, I'm curious to see how he'll be in his prime."

Yugito smiled fondly. "I told him, if he pursued it, I believe he could be next in line for Raikage."

"No...Nuh uh! You're lying!" Temari said.

"What?" Yugito said genuinely confused.

"There is no way that there is a potential future Kage candidate in these exams! That's not possible!"

Kakashi smirked and felt proud while sad at the same time. He looked to Temari and said seriously. "In the Ninja world, there are people younger than you, and are stronger than me, or even your Kage. To doubt the potential of a future Kage candidate in these exams would be flawed."

"It just seems...unlikely."

Kakashi nodded and understood. It would be crazy to see a potential future Kage here but then again, these Genin were supposed to be compromised of the best upcoming talents. It's not rare to see such potential since even in his time, he was one of these show outs. Itachi, Minato, the Sannin, his father Sakumo they all were such talents. That's only from Konoha, so every nation has their own.

-Arena-

When Naruto settled back after evading the real Choji he threw his kunai at Ino who tried getting her hands up to perform her Jutsu. Forcing her to dodge, he then blurred forward since Choji rolled by again. "This rolling Jutsu is ridiculous. He's so damn vulnerable with that Jutsu...why would it even be a thing?"

"The real uses of that Jutsu are actually rather scary and not to be trifled with...this is just a brat though. Luckily he isn't using the Clan Jutsu as his elders would."

Naruto nodded to Kurama's words and took a breath. "I must be too far for what they have planned. That Shikamaru tried to stop the girl just now...guess I should get closer, eh?"

Naruto allowed Choji to hit him slightly, which threw him into the air. He watched as Shikamaru smirked and held the rat seal while kneeling. Suddenly, Shikamaru's shadow morphed into a narrow line and shot its way towards him. He didn't have control of his stop without the Clone but wanted to see this. The shadow kept creeping over until it just stopped.

"Must be the shadow Jutsu's limit..." Naruto then kept going and before he landed, he grabbed the black kunai and flung it behind Choji who just watched now. Naruto went a foot closer than the shadow's limit then tumbled into the landing, he held an open scroll in his mouth that covered his chest all the way to the ground. The shadow then caught him and he couldn't move.

"So that's what it does. Interesting." Naruto then stayed still.

"Shadow Paralysis Jutsu, complete." Shikamaru said smirking.

-Crowd-

Kiba burst out into a full blown laughter. "SO MUCH FOR THE NEXT IN LINE FOR THE RAIKAGE!"

Omoi frowned from the outburst but before he could retort, Yugito grabbed Kiba's collar. "Shut the hell up, and watch. It isn't over yet!"

-Arena-

"It's over, Naruto. Forfeit."

Naruto smirked at Shikamaru and closed his eyes. This made Shikamaru nod and Ino made her sign and aimed at Naruto. "Mind Transfer Jutsu!"

Her body slumped slightly, leaning against Shikamaru. The seal glowed for a moment and a shimmer appeared behind Choji slightly. "I forfeit!"

Everyone was surprised when Choji made an outburst to forfeit. Shikamaru had released the Jutsu when Ino slumped and Naruto dropped the scroll, letting it burn. Hayate had Choji removed for forfeit and now it was Ino and Shikamaru left. They couldn't believe it.

"I know I didn't miss! So how did I end up getting Choji?"

Shikamaru sighed and thought. "That scroll...I never saw a seal like that...It glowed around the moment you should have had him." he looked and noticed that black kunai behind where Choji would have been. "He displaced your Jutsu...You didn't miss, he moved it."

"But how? He never even moved!"

Shikamaru frowned. "I'm not sure...I don't know. I know it has to do with the seal that was on that scroll but, I don't get how it would get Choji."

-Kage Box-

"No way...that was just like that Yondaime's" Onoki said, mouth gaping.

"How could he have come so close to Minato's Hiraishin Dorai?" Hiruzen said looking at Ay.

Ay chuckled and shrugged. "Honestly I don't know. Kid got curious, and that's dangerous with him. He will not rest until he has quenched that curiosity. He has been researching all we have on space-time Ninjutsu but he wasn't too pleased. So he began his own studies and this was something he made, it's improved greatly, but he wants to be able to form seals mid-air."

"If he does that...it will more or less be just like Minato's Jutsu...maybe just more limited...a feat that I don't think even Jiraya could have done even if he could learn Hiraishin." Hiruzen said, a sad smile present on his face as he looked down at Naruto.

-Crowd-

"See! I told you he'd be fine!" Yugito said with a smile.

"How did he? It makes no sense." Kankuro said, summing up what everyone but the Kumo side was thinking.

"It was so much like..." Kakashi said to himself. "Sensei."

"He kind of made a few seals all on his own. With his ever growing Fuinjutsu arsenal, especially from his-" Omoi stopped and cleared his throat. "From the library and stuff."

Kakashi, and Asuma raised an eyebrow to that but said nothing else. They rather shifted their attention back to the fight to see what would happen next.

-Arena-

"So, that leaves two now." Naruto said and picked up his black kunai. After inspecting it, he placed it back into the sheath and threw the bag away. It puffed in mid air and he sighed.

Shikamaru frowned and took a breath. "Ino, we need to be careful, he now knows our Jutsu." He said quietly.

Ino nodded and stood up. "So what is the plan now?"

"He will most likely going for the bigger threat, it's the most logical thing."

"So...you, then what?"

"When he comes for me, I will try trapping him with my shadow, we will make our way to the more forested section. You get him once I do."

She nodded and the two ran as fast as they could to get to cover in the trees. Naruto frowned at that and cracked his neck. He ran and was a golden blur to the view of everyone from his bright hair. It was like a streak that went and cut them off. Blocking them from the forested section, Shikamaru nodded to Ino as he charged on anyways.

To their surprise Naruto blurred by Shikamaru, tripping him then going behind Ino. It all happened so fast that Shikamaru went wide-eyed before turning to see Ino drop to the ground. He was worried that Naruto had killed her but noticed that she was just knocked out from an apparent chop to the neck.

"I guess he was honest about not killing when it's unnecessary...thanks." He jumped into the trees and hid. "Just a couple minutes, and then I will get him for sure."

Naruto stood and began walking to the trees. He watched as a shadow made its way to him and he slowly backed up, and marked where it maxed out at. A smirk on his face, he looked at where the shadow receded to. "So, Shikamaru. What do you say? Sword fight till the end? If a lack of sword is your worry, I have one for you...no tricks, I swear. Hopefully now, you seen me to be someone of my word. I do take my promises rather seriously."

"Oh yeah? And why would I fall into your game huh? You're obviously a better swordsman than I." Shikamaru shouted so that Naruto would hear.

"Who knows Shikamaru. I may just want to try something new!" Naruto rolled his eyes at his own statement. "Honestly I just want you to make your move already." Sighing he chuckled, "Hey! Out of curiosity, how many kunai am I holding?"

"I don't know...two."

Naruto smiled and went through a couple handsigns then kneeled to put his hands to the ground. He stood up and sighed. It was getting rather boring to wait for Shikamaru to do something. He closed his eyes and waited. It would be a few more minutes until a shadow began working its way to him. Naruto stood unmoving until it passed the mark, he was confused and got caught.

Shikamaru smirked and stood up. "Shadow Imitation Technique." He reached down to where Naruto's kunai pouch was and took one out, bringing it up. "This is check-" He got it pointed at the neck. "-and-"

"Mate..." Shikamaru went wide-eyed and froze in fear. A kunai was at his throat and Naruto was right behind him.

"H-how..." Shikamaru couldn't believe it.

The Naruto he had trapped, crumbled to rock and dirt. Showing that it was an earth clone. "You were never ahead, Shikamaru. It was obvious that you were waiting for the clouds to come in...your Jutsu is based on shadow, the more shadows, the more effective your Jutsu. I wasn't just standing around with a thumb up my ass waiting on you to do something."

-Crowd-

"No way...he...outsmarted Shikamaru? That's not...possible." Asuma said in disbelief. The best strategist he'd come to know got outplayed.

"I told you this fight was already over." Darui said with a smirk.

"Yeah...he could have ended it all a while ago. I bet the idiot just wanted to have fun because there was no need to just trip that guy." Yugito said.

Asuma then realized that she had a point. The fight really should have already been over. But Naruto, for whatever reason didn't choose to just end it. "I see what you mean...it's still so hard to believe."

"Trust us...it doesn't get easier. Just go with it, in terms to him. Don't question it." Samui said with a chuckle.

The next fight was announced as Team Naruto, vs Team Gaara in ten minutes. So Naruto came up to the viewing area with the other contestants and looked around as they all faced him. "What? Something on my face?"

"No. You just won a three on one like it was nothing is all." Kakashi said breaking the silence with an eye smile.

Naruto nodded and sighed, "Well, I have a bit...gonna go use the restroom." In reality, he really just didn't feel like answering a billion questions from everybody.

Just then, Shikamaru came up and wasn't exactly all too happy. His team had been decimated. Effortlessly it would seem at that. "For all my smarts...it just didn't matter to him. I need to get better!"

Asuma placed a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder and kneeled before him. "Relax kid. You did well, your opponent, he is no ordinary Genin."

"Yeah...I could tell."

"I'm serious, Shikamaru. His sensei considers him a low Jonin. His fellow Kumo Genin believes in him to become the next Raikage."

"Raikage? Are you kidding me? He...we are only kids!"

Asuma sighed. "I know. None of us are saying he'll be a Kage in the next three years or anything, but it's just what his peers believe. Even then...these exams bring about the best prospects of all the villages involved. To see generational talents, or shinobi that one day become a Kage to their village isn't exactly rare. I'm telling you this so that you realize just who you faced...so that you don't beat yourself up so much."

"Wow...even if I know that, it doesn't make it any easier for me. They trusted me to make a plan that would work...I failed." Shikamaru left a frowning Asuma and sat down in a seat.

Yugito was then noticed to be gone surprising them because she was just there a moment ago. Omoi though had a smile and just leaned on the rail. Naruto who was looking in the mirror frowned when there was a knock at the door. "Occupied!"

"No its not. Let me in."

"Yugito?"

"Please."

Naruto took a breath and looked up to the ceiling before opening up the door to the bathroom. "What's wrong?"

"I...wanted to say that I was-"

"Don't worry about it it's ok." He said smiling.

"It's not just that. Naruto, you've been doing well and I was wrong and all but...I think there's something I should tell you, before this next fight and stuff."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and frowned not understanding. "It's fine, really. And I'm all good as well. Jinchuriki of the Kyubi has its perks you know." Naruto chuckled and left the bathroom, calling for her to come along.

"That's not what I was trying to get at Naruto..." She thought with a sigh.

-Kage Box-

"Wow, that was masterfully done by that kid of yours, Raikage." Onoki said with a slight chuckle, but his face was anything but amused. There was a fire in his eyes, something about Naruto really irked him bad.

"Yeah, Naruto definitely is one to please." Ay said with a smile. He also noticed that Yugito would be back so that had pleased him very much. Getting to see someone that he'd taken to like a niece get another chance, and now with a clear head...hopefully.

"That kid is something else. Tell me, Raikage, where did you come across such a child?" Hiruzen said, poking the bear, wanting to see what he'd get.

Ay smirked at Hiruzen which told him what he wanted to know, before saying that Naruto was just an orphan. Which was technically true...only leaving out who he'd been orphaned from. But that didn't matter to Hiruzen because now he did truly know.

Rasa cleared his throat to get their attention. "He's all good and all...but it ends here. Against my son, there is nothing he can do. No one can beat him, I have made sure of that a long time ago..."

-Arena-

"Alright, time for the first match of the semi finals! The winner will face team Samui. That victor will have won the Chunin Exams Tournament for their respective village, that however isn't the end! There can only be one sole winner or champion if you will, if the winning team has multiple contestants still in, then there will be a fight or fights until a single contestant remains, that one will be the champion of the tournament! Now, Teams Naruto and Gaara! Come to the arena!" Hayate called out and the crowd roared with cheers.

This was the fight that had been the most anticipated. Ever since the showing of Gaara, and showings of Naruto, the idea of the two facing each other was forcing everyone's excitement to boil. Now they would finally get to see, who would come out on top. Gaara of the desert? Or Naruto Uzumaki of Kumogakure?

Naruto and Gaara stood across from each other and both had a massive smile as they stared each other down. They were not paying attention to anything being said and were solely locked in on each other. The two stood at the same height, Gaara had his arms crossed, Naruto's at his side, fidgeting his fingers. The coin was tossed and Gaara won.

"Team...when I've finished with you, Naruto, she'll die not long after." He turned around and went to his team.

Naruto smirked and cracked his neck. "Not going to happen." He said quietly.

Gaara went to his team and looked back towards Naruto. "Temari, Kankuro, you are not to interfere. After my battle with Naruto, you may go and kill the girl..."

They nodded and stepped away. Naruto looked over at Yugito, "Listen, I'm going to fight Gaara. I need for you to stay back."

"That's stupid, let's just do this together."

"No, Yugito. This is my fight."

"What are you hoping to prove! Naruto You've fought alone thus far. You don't need to do what he wants."

Naruto sighed. "It's not about what he wants. I need this."

"Why? Why do you need to fight him?"

"I...I can't really explain it..."

"Try!"

Taking a deep breath, Naruto closed his eyes. "Well one reason, is so I know if all of yours and everyone's belief in me is right. If I can't beat him, probably by far one of the strongest opponents I'll have faced yet, then I'm unworthy of you believing in me."

"Naruto..." She frowned and grabbed his hand. "The other?"

"Because I-"

"BEGIN!" Hayate called out.

Naruto got his hand free and pushed her back softly. "Please, if you truly believe in me, you will let me do this." Turning around he walked slowly to the standing Gaara.

Gaara had a wicked smile, excitement bursting through him. His heart pounded with each step Naruto took. The adrenaline surged through him as the person across from him contained the most powerful Biju of all. "MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE UZUMAKI!"

Naruto knowing that he could not hold back in this fight, blurred in a yellow streak to Gaara. He went and jumped, spinning into a kick, but met a sand wall that came up on its own. Blurring around, he sent a punch to Gaara's back but again hit a wall of sand. This went on a few times until Naruto tried to just go as fast as possible and land as many strikes as possible. Almost a full sphere formed around Gaara, only a sliver where you could see half his face and part of his body was available.

Naruto backed off and frowned. "Clearly, even as fast as I am...I'm not fast enough. I suspect that only Rock Lee can get past your Ultimate Defense with sheer speed alone."

"Impossible. Nothing, no one can touch me!"

"We'll see about that. I wouldn't doubt that they told you some things about me, my Ninjutsu arsenal may be lacking...but what I do have is effective." He was honestly thanking Darui for giving him good Jutsu for every element, and now went through handsigns. "Time to render your sand out of commission..." Bringing his hands towards his mouth and taking in some air he said, "Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu."

A high pressured stream of water left his mouth and went straight at Gaara. His sand came to defend but was getting soaked and started collapsing. Immediately more and more sand came to replace what was collapsing. Once it died down Gaara's reaction seemed to relax as he thought it would get through. Naruto wasn't done though and went through more handsigns.

"Water Style: Water Shockwave!" The water already present began spiraling upwards, Gaara watched as it climbed higher and higher, until suddenly the top burst like an explosion, creating a massive wave that came crashing towards him. It took every bit of sand to protect him, even his gourd crumbled into sand. He was pushed ten feet back but remained dry.

"I'm still not touched, Uzumaki..." He raised his arm out towards Naruto and the soaked sand slowly rose, but crumbled down to the ground.

"Hm. Now that you have no sand, what will you do now?"

-Crowd-

"Two opposite natures? That's interesting." Asuma said.

"Ha, that's only the beginning." Omoi said with a chuckle.

"Two water Jutsu and the sand is already taken care of. I guess he did manage to take away Gaara's strength as well." Kakashi said.

Baki finally came forward and shook his head. "No...it's not that simple."

-Kage Box-

"Hmmm, the first Jutsu made it so that a higher level Jutsu was possible. That's good use of the nature to take out Gaara's Ultimate Defense." Hiruzen said.

Rasa laughed bitterly. "It's only just begun, Hokage. There's a reason why no one can beat Gaara."

Ay smirked. "Naruto likes to be the one to break the norm."

-Arena-

Gaara shook his head with his arms crossed. "You amuse me, Uzumaki."

"That's my line. Get your own!"

Naruto was relaxed and ignored the look in Gaara's smile. Gaara slowly raised his arms up, as pillars of sand shot into the sky from the ground, creating a platform that made him rise up higher, to be six feet higher than originally. Sand came out of the platform he was on like a fountain, covering the wet sand at the base.

"I am Gaara of the desert. Wherever there is rock, wherever there is earth, I can always make more sand!"

Naruto looked at Gaara and frowned. "Well, shouldn't have expected this to be easy huh. Still, that was unexpected, didn't think he could summon up that much..."

Gaara began moving his arms and sand came flying at Naruto. He began evasive maneuvers and was jumping back and forth. It wasn't missed by him that more and more sand was covering the arena. Soon enough, the entire arena would be a mini desert of Gaara's. After flipping over a stream of sand, he jumped up again and landed on one and began running along the stream. As he ran, sand would come up to try to grab or crush him, but he was out running it, as he ran he was getting faster and faster. He blurred by and nearly punched Gaara only to hit sand once more.

"YOU'RE GETTING ANNOYING!" Naruto said and punched again, and again. Slowly denting through.

"Now I will make you truly like me! You will no longer be held back!" Gaara said and had an excited smile.

Naruto felt confused until a spike of sand was forming on the wall. As it was shooting out, he side stepped and watched as it flew past. It seemed like slow-motion for some reason as he followed the path it was taking, his eyes widened in horror as it was on path to hit Yugito. "No." He blurred and ran as fast as he absolutely could. Ran so fast to where it hurt, so that he could catch up and intercept the sand spike in time.

He reached out and pushed the spike with his right hand and grabbed her with his left, pulling her to him. Pulling her close as he noticed sand surround them. "Chakra Dispersion Jutsu." Naruto said as he discharged chakra from his body causing the sand to get away and making an opening at the top. Lowering himself slightly, he held her tight as he jumped with enough force to get them up and out and stood to the side of the dome that just crushed nothing but air.

"Are you ok?" Naruto said to Yugito.

She nodded and grabbed his shoulders. "You can't do this alone, Naruto. You may be used to solitude and are very strong...but you and he are different. You still have mercy, and sympathy, he does not. So please...let me help you."

"I nee-" He noticed Yugito's gaze move and he turned slightly to see a sand spike just about to impale his back. Then before he realized he was thrown aside. When he landed, Naruto looked up to see her be stabbed in the stomach. "NOOO! YUGITO!" He got up and caught her before she fell and lowered her softly to rest. Holding her in his arms, he frantically and shakily brought his hand to her cheek and tried to keep her awake. "No no no! Yugito, Yugito! Stay with me, stay with me come on!" Brining his hand to the sand spike he used water chakra around his hand and got the sand out. "Yugito please! Don't go. You said you'd be by my side forever! I don't want you to go. Stay with me...I-I...I don't want to see somebody I love die."

Naruto lowered his head into her neck and cried into her while holding her tightly. "NOW YOU ARE LIKE ME! NOW MAKE THIS FIGHT ONE I WILL NEVER FORGET!" Gaara said, laughing maniacally.

Slowly looking up, he glared at Gaara through his tear streaming eyes. Looking back down at Yugito, he rubbed the hair out of her face and rubbed her cheek softly. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I never should have played into the excitement of this fight...done as he wanted. Now, you'll never know how I finally realize how I felt...Why did you have to go for me to finally know?"

-Crowd-

"Oh shit..." Omoi said.

"Yugito!" Karui, and Samui called out and Darui frowned.

"I told you all, Gaara is not someone who can be beat."

Omoi frowned and shook his head. "He's made a big mistake."

"How's that?"

Omoi turned and looked at Baki. "Naruto has always liked her, never realized it. Recently found that he doesn't ever want her to be hurt but hadn't understood really. Now he does...first off hurting her is a no no to him. Now that he knows how he truly feels, do you really think he will be able to control that anger that is beginning to burn in him? Why do you think he's continued looking at her, hoping she will wake up and not towards Gaara?"

"What is he going to do that will actually help?" Baki said, still not believing anything can be done.

"Well...let's just say that the limits to his power still haven't been reached. He hasn't even begun to use the Kyubi...but I wouldn't trust him with that at the moment."

Baki went wide-eyed, he had never even considered the idea that Naruto was a Jinchuriki. It made sense to him now, why Gaara was so tamed, he literally had no interest in anyone else because the strongest opponent he could ever face was now there below. "They might go crazy..."

-Kage Box-

"Uh oh..." Ay said and got nervous slightly. He was very much worried for Yugito but the thing coming next might be even worse.

"What is it?" Onoki said.

"Ok, so I haven't been entirely transparent. Just know, that if things get bad, I will handle Naruto."

Hiruzen glanced over and frowned. There truly was no mistaking it at all now. Any hopes for doubt, were now completely thrown out. Already having known this was the Naruto he lost, it wasn't as surprising but there was the hope that Ay could have been just toying with him.

"What do you mean, Raikage?" Onoki said seriously.

"Naruto is the container of the Kyubi. He's lost control once...I would not doubt that he will again now."

Rasa nodded and took a breath. "Explains Gaara's behavior as of late. Should things get bad, I will handle Gaara, while you go after Naruto."

"Wait! Konoha is supposed to be in possession of the Kyubi!" Onoki said "What happened?"

Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe. "One day, Naruto Uzumaki went missing. I had not known for some time because I was always busy. I hadn't even met him in person since taking him to the orphanage as a newborn. When I finally brought myself to go, I learned he'd been kicked out for some time at that point, and anbu were never able to find him. After a couple years, he was presumed dead...until I got word from Kakashi that he'd met young Naruto when they arrived for the exams."

-Arena-

After setting her down, he looked up and growled at Gaara. His eyes filled with hatred, as they shifted into a slit, then became a crimson red. "You will pay!" Fury surrounded the words spoken, his whisker marks darkened, his hair became wilder as he became more feral. A wind spun around the arena like a tornado would and blew his hair and jacket around as he stood straight up and got away from Yugito.

In a circle a round him, red chakra, danced like a low flame and the atmosphere got colder. Balling his fists, the red chakra swirled violently and grew into nine different streams that swung with minds of their own, each impact leaving small trenches and singing the sand that was still growing.

Gaara smiled and began flaring his own chakra. A contest of output soon ensued as the two locked eyes and their chakras building. Gaara began to have sand attach to him, and it's appearance changed as he changed. Naruto began retracting the red chakra as it surrounded him, the nine streams becoming the nine tails and the fox like appearance it surrounded him with. Naruto smiled showing his sharpened and more predatory teeth with the two elongated k9s to form fangs.

"COME NOW! UZUMAKI!" Gaara called out, his right arm being surrounded in sand, being considerably larger than even he, half his face covered as well, purple markings covered the sand.

Naruto did not wait, and disappeared from sight, appearing in Gaara's face, punching him and sending him crashing into the arena wall. Gaara pushed himself out of the wall with a smile and lunged at Naruto, extending his sand arm out. Watching as he came, Naruto growled and caught the arm, and tried to fling Gaara away. The sand encased his hands, forcing him to be thrown with Gaara, however Gaara turned and slammed Naruto into the ground.

Gaara laughed wildly as sand was spreading across his body. Naruto stood up on all fours and roared, creating a gust that threw Gaara away. His tails swung wildly, crashing with each slam into the ground.

"Kit! You need to relax! You're losing it!" Naruto didn't respond to his calls and Kurama growled and noticed more chakra being pulled. "KIT! YOU MUST STOP! You can't handle this much chakra! You're going to become a mindless beast! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?"

"SHUT UP!" Naruto roared out in his demonic voice for all to hear. "HE KILLED HER AND WILL PAY!"

"That's it Uzumaki! Keep going! Keep pushing further and further into the anger, that rage!" Gaara laughed as his entire upper body was now covered in sand and looked like a mini Shukaku.

"You think this is what she wants? You doing as this weak bastard wants? Losing yourself to this?"

Naruto growled and only began pulling more chakra as the red chakra surrounding him became darker and thicker. Nails becoming claws as he lowered even more into the all four position as if it were his natural position. Just as he was about to charge at Gaara, he heard a groaning voice call his name. He snapped his gaze to the source and saw Yugito standing, leaning on her right more as the left side was what had been injured.

"Y-Yugito...you're alive?"

"Yes...Naruto. I'm still...here. I told you, I'd be here with you."

Naruto's eyes softened as he slowly stood up straight. Gaara growled "COME AT ME UZUMAKI!"

"Don't play into his game, Naruto...that's your job, remember? You're...calculative, and strategic." She coughed as she spoke and held her stomach. "Most importantly, you're the strongest person I know. YOU can beat him. But not like this. You'll only...hurt everyone else."

Naruto frowned and slowly walked towards her. "I-I-"

"Stop doubting yourself. If you meant what you said earlier...beat him with your own power. Show this fucking stupid village the true strength of Naruto Uzumaki!"

His chakra exploded and dispersed as dirt and sand kicked up forming a cloud that blocked the view of the entire arena. Everything got very silent for a moment before a gust of wind cleared everything.

Gaara stood on one side of the arena, with half his body covered in sand, Yugito against the opposite wall and Naruto, ten feet away from her. He stood, impassively, his sweater flowing with his hair being pushed by the wind. The hair from the left side of his face was being pushed in towards his face slightly, as his deep blue eyes coldly looked into the eyes of Gaara.

Looking into Naruto's eyes, everyone felt a shiver go up their spines. The once wild and dark aura that came from Naruto was now a resounding calm. All fears, anger, or doubts that he seemed to once have were all gone. He stood like there was not a thing on this earth that could even touch him.

-Kage Box-

"Those eyes! It's like...staring into those of that cursed Namikaze!" Onoki said in horror. "Nothing good ever comes from those damned eyes!"

"Looks like the truths been revealed, Hokage!" Ay said laughing. "Glad to see she's ok. On top of that, she tamed Naruto." Ay looked over at Rasa. "We can relax now. My boy will handle this."

"With all due respect, Raikage. The two were evenly matched a moment ago, with Gaara still trying to power up, and Naruto Uzu...Namikaze there no longer building power it is unlikely that he wins alone."

Hiruzen frowned and sighed. "No, Kazekage. Do not interfere. I believe that the Raikage is right. Young Naruto is fighting for something more than himself now."

-Crowd-

"That look in his eyes..." All the Genin said and thought at once. Everything just changed at this very moment.

"S-Sensei!" Kakashi said as he felt he saw something. Looking at Naruto, those eyes, the way he carried himself in this utter calmness was so familiar. As he focused, he noticed a figure stand right behind Naruto...a near transparent Minato.

-Arena-

Naruto charged, faster than he had previously and delivered a strike at Gaara's head, sending him into the wall. To Kakashi's view, everything Naruto did, Minato seemed to do as well. Naruto jumped back to gain room and showed no emotion in his face.

"The defense is gone. Everything I do is now felt..." Naruto walked towards Gaara. "You're definitely a true shinobi killer..."

Gaara blitzed Naruto with his fists out to destroy him, while Naruto just stood there. As he was mere inches away, Naruto in a quick move, causing the blur of the yellow to flash as he moved, effortlessly dodged Gaara. Being annoyed, Gaara forced his arm out and it extended, launching itself towards Naruto, trying to grab him.

Naruto took out a kunai and infused water chakra as he slashed to get into the sand arm. With his free hand, he grabbed a tag and placed it inside without anyone noticing. Gaara retracted his arm and growled in anger.

"You're my enemy, but I'm starting to like you." Naruto said and brought his hand up in the half ram real. "You have a fine family, Gaara. It is not too late to find what is precious to you...otherwise you will be neither Human or Jinchuriki." Activating his chakra an explosion burst from Gaara's sand arm.

Then a second, and a third, explosion after explosion ensued. The whole time, Naruto had his hand in the same sign. After about twenty explosions, he released the sign and the explosions stopped. When the smoke cleared, it revealed Gaara standing while wheezing. The sand falling from him bit by bit as his stomach and his arm was visible fully.

Gaara wasn't ready to admit defeat and launched once more at Naruto. As he neared, Naruto only glanced at him. "Anyway, I have my own responsibilities...I cannot fail here." Naruto side stepped and in the blink of an eye opened his hand as kanji formed on his finger tips. "Five Element Seal." He slammed his hand into the vulnerable gut of Gaara and felt as he went limp and tumbled to the ground.

The sand collapsed from Gaara as he laid on his back in pain. No longer being able to reform the sand on his body to try to transform, he looked up for the first time in a long time with fear as Naruto walked towards him. "S-Stay away!"

-Kage Box-

"He actually beat Gaara..." Rasa said as he stood up after watching the end. "How? No one should be able to."

"He applied a seal with just his chakra...on top of that, I have never seen an explosive Jutsu that can be done like he has." Onoki said, still not totally believing everything he had seen. "He truly is the Yellow Flash's son isn't he?"

Ay chuckled and smirked. "That's my boy! Once he used his head, he was able to swiftly beat Gaara."

Hiruzen nodded and smiled as he was proud of what Naruto has become. He just wished it was for Konoha though. "He's a bright young Shinobi."

-Arena-

"It seems as though your transformation for raw power costs you that which makes you unbeatable. You lose the quality that makes you, you. Don't trade that, Gaara. I could never have beaten you otherwise."

"You...aren't going to kill me?"

Naruto shook his head. "No. Yugito's ok, and that was all that matters. Besides, your sand wouldn't let me, even if I wanted to."

"What do you mean? It is because of the Ichibi that the sand defends me. With your seal, I'm defenseless."

Naruto flicked a kunai at Gaara's chest only for the sand to protect him. "Think again, Gaara."

Leaving a stunned Gaara, he turned away and walked towards Yugito. She smiled warmly at him and it made him smile. "You know something Gaara? You are the second person to ever get me to be serious."

"Who...who could possibly be the first?"

"Yugito." Everyone from Kumo smiled as Naruto had just praised Yugito. Even though he'd just won, he was deflecting attention and shifting it towards her. "Not because she's smart or overly strong or anything, though." He chuckled to himself. "I just had to get creative to get reactions." Everyone deadpanned at his statement and shook their heads. Yugito especially, she had smiled at first, up until she was practically dissed.

"So...you're saying she's weak?"

"Mmm, no. Just that I never tried in fights really. I just try to get out of it. Now I'm not claiming to be stronger than my sensei or anything, but I just never have interest in taking any of it seriously. Regardless...I guess it's time to sit back and let her take it from here."

-Crowd-

"You see him, sensei? He's becoming a remarkable shinobi." Kakashi watched as Naruto stood there and the ghost figure of Minato faded away, leaving Naruto there on his own.

"Well, she won't be happy with him later. At least he made it sound a little better at the end." Omoi said chuckling while shaking his head.

"Yeah. So...is the girl single?" Kiba said.

Karui turned around and raised an eyebrow. "What's it to you?"

"She's...hot..."

Karui frowned and shook her head at him while looking back to the arena. "You may want to back off man." Omoi said while shaking his head.

"Why? I can totally get her."

Samui chuckled at that. "Yeah, no man. Not even close."

-Arena-

Yugito had her arms crossed and shook her head. "Can never get a break with you." She said quietly to herself. Walking towards the center of the arena, Kankuro and Temari both went there as well.

Temari glanced over to Gaara and Naruto. She was glad that he didn't kill her brother and sighed. Looking towards Yugito, she grabbed her fan.

"Temari, Kankuro...enough. We're done here...even if you best the girl, you won't beat Uzumaki Naruto." Gaara said and forfeit his team himself.

Temari frowned and placed the fan back on her back. She nervously went to Gaara and helped him up. "Why are you so nervous? The match is over." Naruto said with an amused expression.

She shook her head and Kankuro went to the other side of Gaara, the three all disappeared in a shunshin back to the stands. Now Naruto sighed as he closed his eyes. When they reopened, he was slapped in the face by Yugito who glared at him.

"Don't you ever get so reckless again!" She said and was furious but her expression quickly softened. "Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?"

"What you said earlier on...when I-"

"I did..."

She smiled and reached to him but Hayate cleared his throat to get their attention. "You guys may rest for a few minutes before the next match."

The two nodded and went off to a far side of the arena. Naruto sat down and Yugito sat beside him. The two were quiet for a moment before Naruto finally sighed and looked at her. "I'm sorry for getting you in harms way. I never meant for that to happen."

"I'm not some fragile thing, Naruto. I can take care of myself, and can help you. You just need to trust me."

"I do trust you."

Shaking her head, Yugito brought her hand to his cheek and smiled slightly. "Not entirely...listen Naruto, we should talk...but not right now. We are about to have to fight friends, so let's focus on that for now."

Naruto nodded and took a breath before closing his eyes to relax for the remainder of the intermission. "You had better not be sleeping bastard! I'm the one that got hurt!"

"Really...I wasn't even asleep. I just want to relax before I have to fight you."

"What?"

"You didn't hear the proctor earlier?"

"Oh...you already are writing off our friends as losers?"

Naruto tilt his head. "Sort of...not quite as you say. I've got a few promises to keep. I said I'd win didn't I?"

She was shocked slightly but then smirked as she put her hand on his chest. "Well you've still gotta get through me."

Raising an eyebrow, he looked into her eyes and then looked back towards the sky as he closed his eyes. "If that is how you want it, then you will receive a fight."

"Are you to try?"

"Depends."

"On what?" At this point she realized that her hand was still on his chest. Bringing it down to her side, she sat facing him.

Opening his eyes and looking to his right, towards her he smirked. "On you. If you go all out then I'll be forced to respond. If you go half-hearted, then I don't really have to try all that much. In a way it's all on you, however the outcome will remain the same."

She nodded and shook her head. "You're that confident in winning? You used to say I was your better."

"In Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. In a congested ring. Here there are no limits really, I am not forced to take you head on. You may know the shunshin but only one person ever used it in combat, that person isn't you. Aside from that, even if you tried charging me, I am faster than you. So the skills I'm lesser in, are ok because you can't get me."

She frowned at that and said nothing for a moment. "You underestimate me. I've gotten much stronger while you were away. All you did was wander around!"

Naruto glanced at her and shook his head. "I do not underestimate you. I know you have, and yeah, I definitely didn't learn things that I'm willing to use against you...but that is it, I am only not willing to use it against you. Don't think I've done nothing like a damn tourist vacation."

She chuckled to herself shaking her head. "We really argue a lot."

He looked at her and looked back towards the sky. Hayate then called for the teams to come for the fight. Naruto stood up and helped her up before moving to the center of the arena.

"With her still recovering, I will need to take the lead while she's support. I need to watch my chakra, I've used a lot of Fuinjutsu and the water Jutsu wasn't as easy, had I been standing over the pond it would be a different story...then there's the part of utilizing the cloak. All in all, if I have to do most of the heavy lifting, chakra in the next fight won't come easy."

"Yeah and your girl there didn't allow you to rest."

"You're calling her that now?"

"She obviously has feelings for you."

"May not be like...dude we're off topic. You're right though, she definitely did that on purpose to not let me build up chakra. Guess I should take this fight the old fashioned way."

"Going against three swords, and Ninjutsu won't be easy at once."

"Then we take it by storm. Keeping them in a constant one on one by keeping them out of commission and always moving."

Kurama nodded, only hoping Naruto didn't fatigue himself. Normally in fights like this through training, he'd always began with full chakra and stamina. Then there was the fact that Naruto never started these sort of fights head on, so now he had no preparations. He knew Naruto was capable, but the energy cost would be high if they manage to work well together and if Yugito can't assist very effectively.

Naruto looked at Samui and the two nodded. She reached out to shake his hand which he took. "You've been doing very well. Everyone's been talking you up this whole tournament, good thing you've only been proving it right."

"Why are you all so surprised all the time? You guys know that if I say I'm going to do something, I'm gonna do it."

"Honestly, it's just that your attitude and how you carry yourself that leads us to think you may just lose interest."

Naruto nodded slightly. "I do lose interest fast...just try to amuse me as best you can."

She smirked "As good as you are, it won't be enough. We know your weaknesses and your strengths. You will not have your way in this fight."

Naruto tilt his head and smirked at her. "Is that a challenge, Samui?"

"Alright, call the side in the air." Hayate said but was stopped by Naruto raising his hand.

"Don't bother, we both will say team regardless. Let's just get it over with." Naruto said with a chuckle. Hayate nodded and had them separate. Naruto shook his head as he went to Yugito.

"So, what's happening?"

He looked at her and chuckled. "Eh Samui believes she has us beat. Thinking that because you aren't fully recovered yet, that I'm pretty much on my own and that she will totally neutralize me...oh and it's team battle."

Yugito nodded. "I'll be 100% very soon. Matatabi is working as fast as she can...still, your recovery rate is ridiculous."

"What do you expect? I'm an Uzumaki and have the King within me."

She nodded and the round was called to start. Naruto immediately noticed Omoi send slashes of lightning at him while Samui and Karui both rushed. Nodding to Yugito, she jumped back and got into a distanced position. He sidestepped the slashes and ducked a slash from Karui's katana. Before he could retaliate, Samui kicked him in the ribs and stumbled back a few steps and turned at her.

"Now that wasn't very ni-" He backed away from Karui chop and ducked her kick. "And that was rude."

"We see through this act, Naruto." Samui said and took out her tanto.

Naruto leaned back and tilt his head ever so slightly as his eyes became half closed. "I suppose you're right about that." He shot through handsigns and said "Water Style: Raging Waves" Naruto unleashed a wide spread water wave that hit the two and threw them back with high pressure.

He kept the Jutsu going until they were back to where Omoi was. They stood up and were annoyed. Omoi seeing what happened, channeled chakra to his sword and stabbed into the ground. The lightning went through the wet ground and surged towards Naruto. A smirk graced his face as he pushed out his arm with some force.

"Wind Style: Gale Palm." He said and the wet area around him dried immediately and the lightning didn't reach him.

Yugito followed up as Naruto jumped to the side as a stream of fire came at them. The three dispersed and avoided the flames. Karui noticed a blur and was hit in the gut, Naruto did a spinning heel kick, hitting her in the head causing her to fall to the ground. Naruto took a glance at Yugito who nodded and he threw several kunai at Omoi to slow down his push.

The two met and Naruto went to block a punch but was surprised when Omoi brought his arm down and went for an uppercut instead. This landed and pushed Naruto back who showed no visible sign of pain. Omoi went and spun into his slash that got ducked by Naruto, only to be kicked in the face by Omoi, sending him to the ground.

"You've gotten so much better in Taijutsu, but that is still not your strong suit, Naruto. You rely so heavily on your superior speed and countering, that you can be tricked."

Naruto looked at Omoi and smirked, "Yeah, but sadly for you three, you can't keep me in a disadvantage."

Omoi threw three kunai at Naruto, making him sway side to side to dodge. When Naruto reset, the blade was pointed between his eyes. "Yield, Naruto."

Naruto smiled "You seem to forget someone."

On cue, Yugito jumped over Naruto, kicked the katana away and while in midair, swirled as she kicked Omoi in temple throwing him away easily. She smirked playfully at Naruto and punched his chest lightly. "Your dumb ass almost got defeated there."

"I knew you were there, Yugito. Besides, you needed a chance to shine."

"Hmph! Whatever you say."

Naruto shook his head at her and chuckled. "Seriously though, can't have you not be promoted. What would you do without me?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I would be just fine, thank you very much."

He smirked at her and placed his arm around her in a single armed hug, "I'm glad to see you are doing fine now."

She nodded and hummed a confirmation before the two heard a cough. "We're still fighting, right? Or are you two going to start making out?" Omoi said with a chuckle.

"Omoi! You're gonna get it!" Yugito said with rosy cheeks.

Naruto narrowed his eyes at Omoi shaking his head. "Really man. She just recovered and I wanted to-"

"Kiss her?" Omoi said with a smile.

Naruto and Yugito looked at each other before nodding. When he looked back at Omoi he tilt his head slightly. "Now you're going down."

Naruto and Yugito ran beside each other before he grabbed her and spun her around, throwing her into the air. She went through hand signs and blew out a fireball as Naruto forced out his palm, performing the Gale Palm from before and the two Jutsus combined to create a massive wall of hot flames that went to Omoi.

Omoi seeing this gulped as he spoke aloud. "This is what I get for trying to act like Naruto...why does he never get a wall of flames to come at him like this? It isn't fair."

"Stop talking to yourself and move dumb ass!" Samui said tackling him to get him out of the kill zone.

Omoi looked around and noticed Samui on top of him and felt her breasts be pressed against his chest. He blushed a moment and didn't know what to do exactly. She finally started to get up slowly before being kicked by Yugito, sending her rolling a way about five feet. Omoi looked up to see Naruto and Yugito looking down on him.

"So...how about you two just kiss now and leave me be?" Omoi said hoping to cause enough distraction to get away...only to have the two punch him at the same time in the face, knocking him out.

Both Naruto and Yugito fist bumped, however she still had rosy cheeks while he seemed like nothing happened. However she knew he felt some embarrassment as he kept glancing away slightly every time they met eyes. It made her smile slightly before Samui got their attention by charging.

Samui went for a horizontal slash at Yugito, causing her to jump back, and spun into a strike at Naruto but was stopped half way through her motion as Naruto caught her wrist. "Now, now, Samui. You're entering an uphill battle battle taking me on with a sword." He hit the tanto out of her hand and kicked her back.

She was flung towards Yugito who kicked her as well, starting a back and forth between the two of them. Samui was helpless as she was being kicked back and forth like a ball. The two were just having fun at this point and nothing about this showed and seriousness whatsoever. Both of them had a smile, Yugito's obviously larger than Naruto's but they both had a smile regardless.

Karui came in to stop the kicking around of Samui by attacking Yugito. Before she could reach her, Naruto forced her to avoid it by throwing a kunai at her. Knowing what he was doing, Yugito turned and kicked at Karui, landing a blow to her ribs while she was busy dodging.

Samui stood up panting and was not happy at all. Stumbling forward, she went to punch Naruto who just leaned to the side and let Samui's own momentum carry her forward. As she passed, Naruto kicked her in the butt, sending her crashing to the ground as she already had little balance.

Slowly standing up, Samui had a frown and wasn't happy at all. She was being utterly embarrassed by the two. Her tanto was in between the two of them and she charged for it while weaving through handsigns. "Lightning Style: Lightning Strike!"

She extended her arms and had open hands facing Naruto as lightning built up before a bolt stretched to Naruto. He dodged easily enough but was surprised when the stream of lightning turned and still came at him. He kept moving and dodging to the side as it kept tracking after him. Growling in slight annoyance, he waited until it was directly on him before ducking and rolled to the side as it passed over him, only for it to turn around and come again.

Looking over, he noticed that Samui was watching from where she was the whole time and it led him to assume that she can control where the stream is going. On top of that, the lightning never disappeared, wherever it traveled, it still remained as a continuous stream. Knowing these factors he smirked and threw a kunai that had wind chakra and cut through the stream in the middle of the entire path.

It caused the lightning that came at him to dissipate, as well as all the lightning that stemmed from that point, but...he noticed her smile as she seemed to put more chakra in, and from that middle point, now without all the turns, the lightning made a beeline, straight for him.

He frowned at that, knowing that so long as some part of the stream still had contact with her, she can always keep sending it. "Fine, be that way..." He grabbed three kunai as he infused wind chakra, dove backwards and as the lightning came at him, he three them all at once. One hit the lightning head on that was going to come at him to stop its path as well as form an obstacle, the next struck a part three feet from her, and the other went straight at her thigh.

She immediately moved her hands from the Jutsu and decided to cancel it rather than maintain. She spread her legs as the kunai went between and Naruto landed into a backflip to return to standing. At that point, Karui was kicked into Samui and was panting heavily while groaning. Bruises were forming and she was bleeding from her lip on the left side and the corner of her right brow.

Yugito stood beside Naruto and the two smiled slightly before turning back to their opponents. "This is beginning to take too long. I would prefer to not waste any more energy in this." Naruto said before looking to Yugito, "Boost me up when I jump."

She nodded and the two ran beside eachother. Samui and Karui got in a stance, as Naruto then jumped up. Yugito propelled him up higher as he went through the air his arms were at his sides as he was arching over the two. His eyes were closed before he suddenly opened them and took out eight kunai. Four in each hand, and he twirled around slightly to have his head facing the ground as he still continued in the same direction, he threw the kunai all around the two in a circle and went through handsigns as he finally completed the flip and landed on his feet.

"Karui! RUN!" Samui called out but it was too late for the beaten and tired Karui. When Naruto landed he immediately completed the sign and brought his hands together like a clap. The kunai glowed before a seal spread to the center. Samui had gotten out just in time, but Karui did not and was frozen.

"So you don't need the scroll to use this seal?" Samui said with a pant.

Naruto shook his head. "I did it that way against the Hyuga because I couldn't get as high into the air to complete the seal. This time I could. There are many ways to do the same thing. You know?" Samui nodded and still panted. "So thanks to my Yugito over there, I was able to do it the normal way.

"He said 'my Yugito'? Does he mean it in the way that...Stop Yugito, focus on the match. We're talking later." Yugito thought before turning to Samui.

"You two are funny. You know that, Kitten?" Matatabi said with a light laugh towards Yugito.

Yugito smiled but immediately shook it off as she went to Samui, engaging her in Taijutsu. Each time Samui would dodge a punch, she was met with a kick on the side she dodged to. This was showing not only Yugito's Taijutsu prowess but her flexibility and agility as well since she was making these complex movements off platform and without much momentum. Plus the angles were a little odd.

Naruto watched her fight with what seemed to be a straight face, but his eyes told a different story, as well as if you looked close enough, you could see the corners of his mouth be curved upwards ever so slightly. He watched as Yugito finally spun towards her right and delivered a heel kick to Samui's right temple, causing her to slump over, knocked out cold.

"Team Naruto is the winner, They've won the tournament for Kumogakure...but, there can only be one champion. Unlike before, there will be no intermission, we will proceed to the next match!" Hayate called out and cheers were heard.

Naruto sighed and wasn't exactly pleased with the lack of intermission. He had used far more energy and chakra than Yugito, and she was practically fresh as of now.

The two came together to the center of the arena and stood apart from one another. "Guess you're pretty glad about not letting me meditate during the last intermission." Naruto said to a smirking Yugito.

She only acted innocent and shrugged "I really don't know what you mean, Naruto."

He shook his head and looked to the sky. "Let's see if I regret using as much chakra as I did in that last match...and since I was planning on catching both of them in that last seal, I used double the amount of chakra for it to be big enough to fit them...only getting one made it a waste...oh well." Naruto thought while watching the clouds that had darkened.

"You could always toy with her like you did before."

"Perhaps, just riskier now. Kurama, I could pull water from those clouds, couldn't I?"

"Yes, they are made of water after all. What do you plan to make a massive water dragon?"

"Takes too many signs to do it. I can go through them fast, but it isn't practical until I can lessen the signs...let's just make it rain, taking away the effectiveness of her Fire Jutsu."

"Smart. Shouldn't take much chakra at all, but it takes away an element for you-""While increasing the potency of two."

"Exactly. So Naruto...how do plan on telling her your-"

"Not now. After the fight, we will talk. I already agreed to do so."

Naruto looked down from the sky towards Yugito and closed his eyes as he waited for the match to be called. She was smiling and was bouncing on her feet in anticipation. The match was called to start and Naruto immediately moved away in a burst of speed. He put his hands into the ram seal, seemingly gathering chakra. Seeing that, Yugito went through handsigns and blew out a stream of fire, as it reached the halfway point, it immediately began raining rather hard and put out the flames.

She frowned knowing he must have done something and charged him. This time though, he did not back way, instead he stood his ground. She went for a punch that he tilt to the right to avoid, she went to kick with her right at his head, but he ducked so she spun through and went for a side kick with her left.

Naruto, deflected it slightly and hooked his arm under her thigh and stood upwards, bringing her leg to his waist. She responded by bending her leg inwards to hook around his waist completely, whilst drawing him in, as he came, she went to punch him straight in the face with her right, but he ducked and slammed top of his head into her breasts, while holding tightly on her left leg that was currently wrapped around his waist. She began falling backwards as he went with her.

She landed flat on her back and his head in her breasts which pushed the air out of her lungs from his force hitting and landing on her. He quickly got up on his knees as she wrapped both her legs around his waist to restrict his movement. He went to punch her with his right which she barely dodged, following up with his left and again with the right, she dodged the left but blocked the right before sending a strike of her own.

Her aim was his upper head so he lowered himself, and that made her smirk as she reached with her left arm up and around his neck, pulling him down into her chest. Bringing her other arm, she was keeping I'm stuck to her as it allowed her legs to fully hook with each other, looking him on her. A quick twist, got it so that she was now on top of him, sitting on his waist, but panted lightly as she wasn't used to having to grapple so much.

-Crowd-

"Damn, he's so lucky!" Kiba said.

"Kiba...you know that this is a fight, and neither one is exactly thinking about those thoughts, right?" Asuma said shaking his head. "This is literally actual fighting techniques and you don't realize that? I worry for you kid."

"Hey! Don't act like if you were in those positions, that you wouldn't be thinking the same things!"

"Kiba, right? You should really learn to hold your tongue. Naruto will fuck you up man." Karui said.

"The hell for? I ain't done a thing!"

"You really do keep insinuating things in regard to Yugito. He does not take kindly to anything or anyone that may affect her negatively. He effortlessly bested damn near everyone he's faced thus far, you wouldn't last thirty seconds with him unless he wanted to mess around." Omoi said while still nursing his head from having been knocked out.

"Man! You act like I've done something! I'm just saying that he's had a face full of tits and has a hot girl on him right now!"

"Kiba...just be quiet." Kakashi said with an eye smile.

-Arena-

Yugito looked at Naruto and smirked. "So, what now tough guy."

"Wouldn't you want to know?" Naruto reached to place a seal on her but she caught his wrist, then grabbed the other and held his wrists above his head.

Doing so had her lean more on him as now their stomachs were in contact and her legs slide further down, more into a sort laying position in order to get more stability, it also caused her to slide a little lower from his waist.

"You won't be getting me with that seal again." She smiled as she lowered more on to him and pressed her right cheek against his left and whispered in his ear. "So I ask again..." She bit his ear causing him to shiver and squirm beneath her ever so slightly. "...what will you do now?"

"DAMN! SHE'S REALLY PLAYING WITH YOU! DAMN THAT MATATABI!"

Naruto mentally shook his head and was trying to regain his focus but that bite on his ear surprised him and really threw him off. Yugito knew she was throwing him off heavily and smirked in knowing. She leaned back up and chuckled.

Naruto watched her rise up slightly, but their stomachs were still connected. He felt how she gripped his wrists and sighed in relief. Finally regaining his composure he smirked. Twisting his wrists towards her thumbs, he broke free and quickly wrapped his arms around her back and sat up. Taking a lot of force to be able to do a sit up while she was against him wasn't easy and took him a second to breathe. She was now seated on him with him holding her and was rather surprised because she didn't think he would know how to escape or have the strength to perform a sit up with her on him.

Naruto turned to his right, getting her back on the ground and before she could lock him in position, he stood up and she immediately did a kip-up to stand as well. Naruto then as she was standing, went for a spinning heel kick that she ducked and punched him in the gut when he turned back to face her.

-Crowd-

"Now this is odd." Omoi said.

"SEE NOW YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN!" Kiba said waving his arms.

"No not that dude. It's odd that Naruto has kept this fight up close. If you haven't noticed, most of the time he pushes his opponents away from him."

"Yeah. That's true. Normally only coming in to deliver a finishing strike." Kakashi said nodding. "So that style is how he normally fights then?"

Omoi nodded. "He can fight up close, don't get me wrong...it's just not his preferred method. It leaves a lot up to chance and there's less you can control. See how she will generally get the advantage in the Taijutsu fight? I don't know why exactly, but he's playing to her strength, Taijutsu was and still technically is his weakest point. It was something he never learned until we started learning it in the academy...being an outsider and all, he had no clan to back him..."

"So he's been totally self taught?"

Omoi looked to Kakashi and nodded. "For the most part. Recently he's been learning under his sensei, Darui, one of the village's best Jonin, but that was only recent. Until then, his mastery and knowledge of everything was and is his own. Especially what he takes most pride in, his Fuinjutsu. That's all him."

Kakashi eye smiled at that and nodded. "I'm happy to see how Naruto's become. He's a splendid ninja."

"Tell me, Kakashi-san...why are you so interested in my friend?"

Looking down to Omoi, Kakashi's lone eye showed a sadness to him. It reminded him of Naruto's eyes all those years ago. "Naruto...had it rough here when he was younger. He never should have been treated as such but was nonetheless...if these damned villagers knew him...they'd have never done what they did. But it was for his protection...something I find myself doubting at times and even Sandaime-sama doubts it at times."

"What is that?" Omoi said and all the Kumo nin were intently listening. Darui and Bee already knew because of Ay, but wanted to know if Kakashi would say.

"I really wish I could say...wish I could tell him. He means a lot to me, and he'll more likely never know that. I was an anbu back then and would look after him from time to time...but my duties forced me out the village a lot and I couldn't always be there...when he was presumed dead...well..." Kakashi paused and closed his eye. Then opened and he seemed a little happier and his eye had life again. "He was such a bright and cheerful little rascal. At the time, he took so much up from his mother. She was sort of like a mother figure for even me back then...and his fa-" He shook his head. "I hope Sandaime-sama will come out with the truth so I can hopefully make things up with Naruto."

Omoi smiled and shook his head. "You don't have to. He already appreciates you. He told me about that incident and how you helped him. As of now, you have his trust and that means he'll always have a hand out to you, even if he never says it...kinda not his style. More of a showing person, not a teller."

Kakashi nodded with a smile and looked back to Naruto.

-Arena-

He stepped back slightly and cracked his neck before charging in again and the two circled one another as they swung and dodged. Each strike was avoided by the other, and Yugito had a smile.

"Hm, you're lasting a lot longer than ever with me." She said nodding.

Naruto smirked. "I can do this as long as you wish." He went to kick but she caught his leg and pushed forward and did a single leg take down.

"Oh?" She smiled as she looked into his eyes and whispered out "You think you can keep it up?"

Naruto felt another shiver "What the hell is going on? She keeps...keeps...Doing something that is throwing me out of focus!"

"Yeah...Well Kit, you don't deal with your emotions only ever close them off so she can mess with them. She's drawing out emotion, and since they aren't negative, it throws you off because you aren't used to fighting with the emotions she pulls."

"But how can that cause me to keep getting these reactions?"

"That can be blamed on Matatabi. You know how I rub off on you...well your girl there has the same effect...just differently. Be glad that she wasn't affected since being a baby or even when in the womb to a Jinchuriki, otherwise it would be much worse."

"It's frustrating."

"Is it frustrating that she's doing this...or is it frustrating that you want it, crave it even, but are fighting it?"

"Stop with your nonsense Kurama."

"Whatever you say, Kit."

Naruto groaned and since she wasn't holding his wrists, he didn't have to break free. He moved to sit up again, but she just placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back down. With a chuckle, she smirked. "Let me show you something."

With a smile she concentrated as her nails began to harden and sharpen into claws and with the flexing of her fingers, the claws began to dig into Naruto. This actually made him wince a bit since it was piercing him and causing blood to come up.

"You like that, Naruto?" She said smiling.

Naruto looked up into her eyes and his mouth involuntarily opened up slightly as he groaned. It burned but there was also just something about that look in her face. This made her smile all the more as she leaned down and began scratching at him slightly.

"I think you like this...don't you, Naruto?" She giggled lightly and leaned even more into him, as her breasts now pressed on his chest and her clawed hands were digging slowly into his shoulders. "If you want it to stop...all you have to do is get up."

Naruto squirmed beneath her but couldn't seem to muster up any of his strength to do so. "W-what are you...doing?"

"Mmmm, nothing really." She whispered to him, never once taking her eyes away from his. "Just showing you what I can do when I call upon her chakra. As well as this sensation of paralysis that I can induce onto you by sending my chakra into you." She slid upwards a bit and her forehead was only a couple inches from his as she breathed into him.

He felt it was intoxicating as he was falling deeper into a more immobilized state. All his strength felt as it was fading, and the feel of her breath on his mouth and nose made his own breath hitch. It was an odd but addictive thing in a way, something that made him have an urge for more, for her contact. His heart pounded and she smiled as she could feel his heartbeat against her own chest.

"Hmmm, you like this don't you, Naruto? That's why you won't move...if you forfeit, this paralyzing feeling you have can go away, and you can regain control over yourself." She whispered to him, pressing her cheek against his. "Unless..." She turned slightly and gave the lightest of kisses to his cheek. "You don't want this to stop..."

Naruto was completely gone, his eyes were rolling to the back of his head as his consciousness was fading. The pouring of her chakra into his system was beginning to take effect and everything was becoming too much. Everything seemed cloudy, he knew he would lose if he closed his eyes...and yet...for some reason, he wanted nothing more than to close his eyes. It felt so peaceful.

"It's not what she's doing that is peaceful...it's her...I can't pull away...I don't want to."

"You have to, Kit. This is that damned tiger at play. You must resist."

"But Kurama, I don't want to. I want to sleep, it's so nice and peaceful."

"Kit, the girl knows your inner turmoil, she knows your major weakness is your emotions. Especially that which you deny constantly. With Matatabi's chakra, and her own feelings, she can leach onto that and pull it all out of you. Matatabi's chakra is paralyzing you like a poison, I can flush it out, but it requires you to will yourself through. Once we get the chakra out, you will regain your strength, and you can be free."

"You said her own feelings?"

"Is that all you heard?"

"Did she...want that kiss...as bad as I did...do?"

"Naruto, you need to focus. She has all the control right now."

"Did she?"

"Damn it! Yes! OK! She can only intensify the pull if it is mutual. It's almost like a dance, it takes two. Or I don't know how to explain this the best way without...just come on and wake up. You said you were talking to her after right?"

"You're right...I did say that. So what do you need me to do?"

"Finally, damn...then again, I got stuck in that too...whatever. Regardless, I just need you to want to force the chakra out so that it works."

"Can do, Kurama."

Naruto's eyes returned to normal as his vision cleared. He began to regulate his heartbeat as she leaned back upwards. "Y-Yugito..." His voice hadn't fully returned yet but was coming back.

"Just forfeit, Naruto. Then you will be free again."

Naruto nodded slightly. "Like this?" He said quietly and his right arm reached around her, followed by his left. She was surprised, but smirked as his strength seemed to still be gone.

"Yes...only, you won't be so weak anymore. You can make this have meaning. We can-"

Her eyes widened as he smirked up at her. "This was new, but we really need to have a talk once this is over..." He pulled her down and rolled to his right. She dug her claws in deeper which made him wince again as blood freely leaked from his shoulders.

Leaning back onto his knees, she scratched downwards, cutting down to his chest and stomach as his blood began to slowly seep through as he groaned in pain before opening his eyes and looking her in the eye. "It was a nice effort, but it's over now." He went through hand signs and brought his hands down quickly onto her collarbone. A seal spread from his hands "Chakra Suppression Seal" He said and her eyes widened again as she felt her chakra be cut off.

Her claws returned to normal fingernails and her link to Matatabi was cut off. She frowned as she looked away from his gaze, "Did any of that even work on you? Or were you just acting?"

"Why do you want to know?" He noticed a lone tear leave her eye and his heart sunk. He held her cheek and made her look at him. "It was real, I promise. Kurama just helped break me free."

She smiled slightly but frowned again. "I lost then..."

Naruto shook his head and lightly poked her nose, "Honestly, between me and you, I will say you won. Even though officially I may have won...had it not been for Kurama, I would've succumbed to you."

A smile reappeared on her face as she nodded slowly. Hayate called Naruto the victor and champion of the tournament. Naruto stood up and helped her up, as well as removing the seal he'd placed on her. Cheers echoed through the crowd, no one really knew what was going on at the end since it was rather quiet in the way that Yugito spoke to Naruto, all they knew was that he was seemingly beginning to pass out.

Then it finished with him regaining himself and managing to seal her chakra. It left widespread curiosity as to what was going on, as well as giving Kiba a nosebleed from all he watched. The guy really would need to mature otherwise, he'd get messed up. Yugito clapped for Naruto, although she wished she won, it made her happy that Naruto believed her the true winner as well as the fact that he was putting up an act.

She was truly skeptical of Matatabi's saying and instructions to pull and paralyze him, but when it actually was working, she really had to keep her own heart rate under control. Knowing how Naruto was, since he wasn't much of a telling person in regards to his emotions, to pull them out made her happy. There was a risk, that if it wasn't mutual feeling, then it could backfire, but Matatabi had kept ushering her on regardless. Something she was glad the Biju did...but it was also suspicious to her. Like how did Matatabi know it would work, because she was so confident in it.

The Kages all congratulated Ay on his Genin but then Hiruzen stood up after meeting Ay's gaze. "Attention everyone! Before you leave, there is an announcement I must make." Murmurs were heard and Hiruzen waved his hand to silence them. "Once he was made Chunin, it was to come out. It had been the wishes of the man I swore to make happen...I thought, I'd failed..." He paused and sighed "I did fail. You all must know, Minato Namikaze, didn't seal the Kyubi into some random orphan named Naruto Uzumaki...it was his own son, Naruto Namikaze...Young Naruto is no longer of the village, so it is unnecessary to keep this a secret. The boy is son to Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki."

Naruto's eyes widened and he froze. All eyes now looked at him and he was stuck. "Yugito..."

"Naruto? Are you ok?"

"I-I don't know...this makes no sense but also makes perfect sense. I don't get it but...but I-"

Yugito pulled him into a hug and spoke softly into his ear. "Don't worry. I'm here, I'm always going to be with you. I promised you...only, I want it to be more than that, Naruto. I want you, I-"

He brought his arms around her, hugging her back tightly and tears threatened to break free. "I want you too...I think that I love you...not just as a friend-"

"I know Naruto. Whatever happens, we'll face it together, ok?"

He nodded slowly as the two parted and smiled at one another. His identity finally revealed, the answer he'd been looking for, finally found. It brought him happiness, but also a deep sadness. "Thank you, Yugito."

---

Yo...long time eh? Sorry about that. The wedding had finally come and now was over so I'm free lol. This chapter is also the biggest I ever wrote in any story and it took a long time. I hope you guys like it, and will he excited for the next chapter. Where everything in the ending is fully flushed out as well as other things. Naruto and Yugito finally express their feelings to one another and that aspect will begin to really take flight. I've got plans, interesting plans and hopefully it all turns out as I hope.

So the angst aspect, it will be getting less and less. This story was driven by that in the beginning because it wasn't going to be a power growth but also mental and emotional growth as well for Naruto. He's at a point where he's finally letting go and moving forward towards those that bring happiness, rather than sticking to the norm of isolation.

So more to come, I'm going to write a chapter to my other story, and then start on this one's again. I'm still debating on bringing that other story to this platform...let me know. Might be good to do so since then you'd be able to see what else I'm working on, since I'm not sure if any of you follow me on Wattpad. If you're interested in following me there I'm MosesOchoa on there, I have my "The Fox And The Tiger" as well as the story "The Namikaze Legacy" on there.

Comment if you want that other story on here though, and I'll bring it over. See y'all in the next one!