Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the intermission before Naruto's match against Temari, as well as the match and aftermath leading up the invasion. So, without further ado.
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After exiting the arena, Naruto met up with Magik and Raven, along with Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura, who all congratulated him on his victory against Gaara.
"That was quite a match you put on, Naruto. I admit, I wasn't sure if you'd be able to fight Gaara or beat him, but you proved me, and I'm sure a lot of other people wrong." Kakashi stated, with Naruto nodding in response.
"I wasn't sure if I would be able to beat him, after seeing everything Lee threw at him; only for him to still keep getting back up. I just first got a feel for everything his sand could do and how fast it could move, but I also knew I couldn't just attack him head on like Lee did, given his Sand Armor along with how he could turn his gourd into sand. So, I took the sand out of the equation with that water." Explained Naruto, having known if he had any hope of beating Gaara, then he'd need to find a way to get rid of his sand.
He just hadn't expected him to call on Shukaku's Chakra to summon even more, knowing he's lucky to have gotten the Snake Contract. Otherwise they would have just kept going back and forth until one of them ran out of Chakra.
"And even if he had more sand, those Water Style Ninjutsu you used would got rid of it and the Lightning Style would let you hit him. That's actually a really great strategy, Naruto!" Sakura said, not expecting Naruto to have come up with a plan like that, but was amazed that he did and that it worked.
"Did they help you plan all that?" Questioned Sasuke while looking at Raven and Illyana, having heard from Kakashi that they helped train Naruto for the finals.
"No, we might have helped Naruto with his training and giving him some advice and tips, but he thought of all the strategies and plans he would use." Illyana replied, making the others look at them.
"Really? Out of curiosity, just how did you two meet Naruto?" Kakashi asked, looking at them suspiciously, given they were two random girls he's never seen around the village before, so they could be enemies as far as he knew or simply sent to infiltrate the village.
And given Orochimaru's presence, the Copy Ninja felt it'd be better to be safe than sorry with any strangers in the village.
"Like I said before, he helped us when we got here. We were both raised in rather…isolated locations and didn't have much interaction with the rest of the world. In fact, when we arrived in Konoha, it was our first time seeing a Ninja Village. We encountered Naruto when he'd gone to a training ground and he offered to take us to get something to eat, even offering to let us stay with him in his apartment, since we didn't have anywhere else to go. In return, we offered to help him train for the finals, after hearing what happened to his first instructor." Replied Raven, while hiding the fact they weren't even from this world.
"Though he didn't make it easy, refusing to take us on our offer, saying he wasn't expecting anything in return. But we eventually wore him down and finally got him to accept our help." Magik stated, while looking at Naruto with a smirk.
"Oh, well that was nice of you both, and of Naruto to help you. Though what are your names, anyway?" Questioned Sakura, since they still didn't know their names.
"This is Illyana Rasputin, but she also goes by Magik. And this is Raven." Naruto introduced, making his soon-to-be former team raise a brow at the names.
"Those are…unique, I guess. But why are you called Magik?" Sasuke said, wondering what the other name meant.
"It's a nickname I received where I'm from." Magik replied, making them nod slowly in response.
"Well, do you two plan to stick around after the finals, or are you going to be leaving Konoha?" Kakashi asked, wanting to know what they planned to do after the finals.
"We haven't decided yet. We may stay for a while longer, before deciding if we'll leave to explore more of the world." Answered Raven, which wasn't a complete lie.
All three of them planned to leave after the finals and explore more the world, mostly to hunt down the Masked Man. Though for now, they'd take the time to interact and get to know Naruto's soon-to-be former teammates, before they leave for good.
*With Hiruzen*
Meanwhile, the Sandaime had left the Kage's Box during the intermission while summoning two Anbu, recognizing them both as Yūgao Uzuki, or Neko as she's known while on duty. And Tenzō, a rather unique Anbu with an even more unique ability.
"You summoned us, Hokage-sama?" Tenzō asked as they knelt to their leader, with Sarutobi nodding in response.
"Yes. Neko, Tenzō, I have an important task for both of you. Until I say otherwise, I need both of you to keep an eye on Naruto and report any suspicious behavior." Sarutobi said, surprising both Anbu, not that their masks showed it, not expecting an assignment like that.
"If you don't mind me asking Hokage-sama, but why?" Questioned Neko, not understanding the rather strange assignment, given such an assignment would usually only be given if the person in question was considered a flight-risk.
And Neko highly doubted Naruto of all people is a flight-risk, having once been part of the Anbu detail to watch him growing up when his Jinchūriki status was first revealed, just in case the villagers tried anything. So, she found it strange that the Hokage now considered Naruto enough of a risk to put both of them on monitoring him.
"Recent revelations make me believe that Naruto may be planning to defect from Konoha or intend to quit being a Ninja; making him a civilian that could leave, if he so wished. I need both of you to inform me if he is in fact planning to leave." Replied Sarutobi, while feeling somewhat guilty at doing this, knowing it wouldn't earn him any favors with Naruto, should he find out.
And while the part of him that cared about Naruto as his adoptive grandson can understand why he'd grow disillusioned with the village and may end up actually leaving. Unfortunately, the Hokage side of him can't allow Naruto to leave Konoha, due to his status as a Jinchūriki. So while he may not like it, if it came down it, he'd need to find ways to force Naruto into staying in Konoha.
*With Orochimaru*
Meanwhile, Orochimaru was heading in the direction of the infirmary of the arena, making it seem like the Kazekage was going to check on his son after his match. Only having a different destination in mind, as he instead entered into a rest room normally used by competitors to use in between matches. Seeing Danzō was already inside, with his ever loyal bodyguards on either side of him.
"My Danzō, this is a surprise. I didn't think you attended events, such as these. Preferring to hide away in the dark, looking for more enemies to create, while further endangering the village you claim to love and wish to protect." Said Orochimaru, keeping up the guise of being the Kazekage, mentally smirking when the warhawk clenched his cane tightly.
"Do not play games with me Orochimaru, it would just take one word from me to put an end to your little invasion. Now tell me, what is the weapon doing with the Snake Contract?" Demanded Danzō, with the Snake Sannin not being the slightest bit intimidated by his former benefactor, knowing if Danzō revealed his plans, it'd only end in their mutual destruction.
The only difference being, Orochimaru had backup plans to make sure he didn't end up dead, along with the decrepit mummy.
"I'm afraid this was news to me, as well. I had only been informed that there was a new Snake Summoner, one who even got Manda's approval. And if it's Naruto of all people, I can just imagine what else our shared summons will teach him, perhaps a certain transformation, one that not even that fool Jiraiya has mastered. Why? are you perhaps getting nervous that your "weapon" will become too powerful to control?" Orochimaru asked mockingly, making Danzō clench his cane even tighter.
Rather than respond to the taunt, Danzō took his leave with Fū and Torune trailing behind him.
"Fū, Torune, ensure a team is ready to capture the Kyūbi Jinchūriki when the invasion begins." Danzō ordered once they were far enough away from the room, refusing to lose the chance to capture the weapon before it grows even stronger than it already has.
"Hai, Danzō-sama." Replied Fū and Torune before leaving to gather a team of ROOT Anbu to be ready to capture the Jinchūriki.
Back with Orochimaru, the Snake Sannin watched the warhawk and his guards leave, knowing that won't be the end of things. Since he knew from experience back when he was part of ROOT, that if Danzō believed an "ally" proved too capable and beyond his control, he'd have them eliminated. Like what he did to both Nonō and Kabuto, when he tried getting them to kill each other for being too accomplished and skilled as spies.
Though Orochimaru's attention turned to the vent on the ceiling when it opened up, with both Kin and Tayuya, a member of the Sound Four, dropped down.
"You needed to see us Orochimaru-sama?" Kin asked, the Sannin having sent Tayuya to retrieve her during the intermission.
"Yes, I have an important assignment for the two of you; for the time being, both of you will be keeping an eye on Naruto Uzumaki. You're to ensure that any attempts that Danzō makes to forcibly recruit him are thwarted, and to see if you can sway him to join me. And should you encounter any ROOT Anbu, make sure you kill them." Said Orochimaru, also knowing that Danzō will make a move to betray him as well and wanted to make sure his army of drones was heavily damaged when he tries it.
"Are you sure you should send me? I'm needed to help form the Four Violet Flames Formation, otherwise those three dumbasses will be useless during the invasion." Said Tayuya with a frown, given if she was watching Naruto, then the Sakon and Ukon, Kidōmaru, and Jirōbō wouldn't be able to form the barrier to trap the Hokage.
"And am I really a good choice to try fighting trained Anbu?" Questioned Kin, since while she was confident in her abilities, she wasn't confident enough to go against Anbu.
"You have nothing to worry about with the barrier Tayuya, given that with Sakon and Ukon's Kekkei Genkai, they'll be able to still form the Four Violet Flames Formation. And you'll be more than capable of dealing with Danzō's ROOT Anbu, Kin. After all with your new abilities, I'm sure it'll be enough to catch them off-guard long enough to deal with them, given how…unexpected it'll be. Plus, even if you find yourself backed into a corner you have the mark I gave you." Orochimaru replied, knowing Sakon and Ukon will be able to separate and help form the barrier without Tayuya, and given Kin's new abilities she was now a much more capable Ninja than she was a month ago.
Plus, it helps that he also gave Kin a Curse Seal, while having Tayuya help her master the First Stage over the past month. Giving her something to fallback on, should she need it.
The two traded a look, before looking back at the Sannin and nodded at their assignment.
"Okay. How long are we expected to look after the shithead?" Tayuya asked, wanting to know if this'll be a long-term assignment, or if it'll just be for a few days or weeks.
"For as long as necessary. Though no need to worry about being captured and interrogated. If I'm right, then Naruto and his two companions won't be staying in Konoha for much longer." Answered Orochimaru, being able to see that Naruto intends to leave Konoha and go off on his own.
And even if he didn't, after his former teacher dies, and should Danzō survive and become Hokage, then the whiskered blonde will definitely be leaving the village. So, no matter how the invasion ends, the Snake Sannin would benefit in some way.
*With Gaara*
Meanwhile, within Gaara's room were three ROOT Anbu, two of them with their tantos drawn and ready to kill the Jinchūriki should he wake up and attack them. With the third pulling out a Sealing Tag and carefully placed it on the back of Gaara's neck, with the seal attaching itself to him and ready to be activated when it was time.
With their business finished, the three Anbu quickly Shunshined away before anyone could arrive and see them, or what they've done.
*With Team Seven, Naruto, Raven, and Magik*
Back with Naruto, the girls, and Team Seven, things were going rather well as they conversed with each other. With Kakashi also seeing that Raven and Illyana weren't potential enemies and did genuinely care about Naruto and are sincere in having wanted to help him.
Though despite this, there was a bit of a solemn air, mostly around Naruto, with the Uzumaki wanting to spend as much time as he can with his team before leaving. Something the three of them take note of, wondering what Naruto could be sad about since he's already made it very far in the finals and could very well win them.
"Uh Naruto, is something wrong?" Sakura asked, looking at the whiskered blonde, making him look up.
"What? No, nothing's wrong, I'm just thinking." Replied Naruto, with the Uchiha scoffing.
"You may have gotten stronger, but you're still terrible at lying." Stated Sasuke, looking at Naruto with narrowed eyes, making Naruto nervous since he couldn't tell them that he's planning on leaving.
"Hey monster!"
Thankfully, and unfortunately, Naruto was saved from having to respond further when a group of Konoha Ninja approached them. Though going by the glares they were giving Naruto, they also weren't here on friendly terms.
"We always knew you were monster and now everyone else does!" One of the Ninja said, shoving Naruto back into another Ninja that punched him in the back of the head, much to Team Seven's shock, along with Magik and Raven's anger.
While Naruto just remained neutral, knowing nothing good would come of fighting back, which would only make things worse. Plus, he's going to be leaving after the finals anyway, so he didn't see any reason to make them hate him even more than they already did.
"It wasn't enough you had to kill our friends and family, now you're siding with Orochimaru like that snake bitch!" Said another Ninja, kicking Naruto to the ground.
"You weren't happy with just being a demon, you wanted to join a traitor!" A third Ninja shouted, grabbing Naruto and throwing him into a wall.
"And then you dared to use the Yondaime's Jutsu! You don't deserve anything from the Yondaime!" Said a fourth Ninja, grabbing Naruto by his collar and about to punch him in the face.
"Enough!" Kakashi said, snapping out of his shock at seeing them actually assaulting Naruto, while grabbing the Ninja's wrist and pulling them away from Naruto.
"You all can either leave now or get dragged away to prison for assaulting a fellow Ninja." Said Kakashi, making the Ninja glare at the Copy Ninja.
"Fuck you, Hatake! Of course you'd protect the demon!" One of the Ninja retorted, before they were forced onto their knees by Illyana who wrapped her hands around their neck.
"Okay then here's a different choice, which way would you prefer to die?! A snapped neck or asphyxiation?!" Hissed Magik, getting sick and tired of the villagers and Ninja pushing Naruto around, yet he's never once retaliated despite being given over a thousand reasons to do so.
"Stupid foreign bitch!" Said another Ninja about to attack Illyana from behind, only to find themselves suspended in the air by Raven's magic.
"I really don't like it when someone tries hurting my friends. Believe me, you don't want to see me angry, I tend to break things." Raven said, looking at them with her eyes glowing black and white.
"Figures the foreign freaks would defend the demon." Spat another Ninja.
"You're all pathetic you know. I don't know what your problems are, and honestly I really don't care, the fact you have to attack kids half your ages for any reason at all is pathetic." Stated Sasuke, while glaring at the Ninja.
"Why don't you shut it, Uchiha! As if we'd want the opinion from a clan of traitors!" A Ninja retorted, much to Sasuke's anger before he rushed the Ninja and slammed his foot into his head, knocking them to the ground before twisting their arm behind them.
"Say anything about my clan or my family again, and I'll rip your arms off then cut out your tongue!" Sasuke growled, while wincing slightly as the Curse Mark pulsed in response to his anger.
"Hey, come on guys, we're all part of the same village, there's no reason we should be fighting." Said Sakura, hoping to try and defuse the situation before anything else could happen.
"Shut the hell up and stay out of our way, you worthless brat!" One of the Ninja shouted moving to attack Sakura from behind, given out of all of them, they felt the pinkette was the only nonthreat of the group.
But before they could Naruto grabbed the Ninja's arm and yanked them in close, slamming his fist into their face where he felt their nose shatter, knocking them to the ground. The group of Ninja being silenced at the sudden attack from the Uzumaki, before Naruto glared at them.
"You can talk badly about me, you can spit on me, hell you can even beat me. But don't ever, ever try to attack one of my friends asshole! Otherwise you'll see why you should be scared of monsters, got it?!" Said Naruto, glaring at them with his eyes turning blood red with the Kyūbi's Chakra flaring around him for a moment; this being enough to scare the Ninja off, with Illyana and Raven releasing the ones they were holding.
"I really fucking hate this place." Magik muttered to Raven quietly, who nodded in agreement.
"Agreed. I can't wait to never see it again." Replied Raven, doubting she could stay in this village much longer without letting Anger out, just to show them a real demon.
"Th-thank you Naruto." Sakura said, still shocked at what the Ninja did to him and that one tried attacking her.
"You don't have to thank me. Like I said, the assholes can do whatever they want to me, but I'm not going to let them hurt my friends." Replied Naruto, while seeing this as further proof that he couldn't stay in Konoha anymore.
"Has that happened before?" Questioned Sasuke, given from the way the Uzumaki first acted, like he wasn't surprised and then the Ninja's reaction when he actually attacked them, like they weren't expecting it.
"Yes, though usually they only insult me or ignore my existence. But recently, it's gotten worse to where they're attacking me." Naruto said, remembering the memories he got from his Shadow Clone he left here.
Having seen some of the Ninja and villagers attack his clone, making him thankful that he, Raven, and Magik reinforced it; otherwise it would dispelled weeks ago.
With his words making Team Seven frown, with Kakashi lamenting how Naruto's parents would have reacted to this.
'Minato-sensei would have thrown them in a prison and let Anko and Ibiki use them to practice new interrogation methods. Kushina would have just killed them all.' Kakashi thought, knowing his deceased teacher and his wife wouldn't have tolerated anyone assaulting their son.
"I heard about what happened with Ebisu and Jiraiya, I'm sorry that happened." Kakashi said after a while, wanting to change the subject and get Naruto's opinion on what Jiraiya's doing, to see if it could help them figure out the Toad Sage's motivations.
"Don't worry about it, the bastard was upset because his peeking was interrupted and refused to act like an adult or help me. Besides, it worked out in the end." Naruto replied while looking at Raven and Magik with a smile, doubting we would have been able to meet them if Jiraiya actually did train him, or learn everything that he has since.
"About that, he approached us before we got here, offering to train me as his apprentice. He also seemed to get angry whenever you were mentioned. Any reason for that?" Sasuke asked, looking at the Uzumaki, who scowled at hearing this.
'That perverted old bastard!' Thought Naruto, seeing what Jiraiya was trying to do in training Sasuke.
"Who knows, maybe he's still pissed about his peeking being ruined and is trying to get back at me by training you instead. Though both of you should probably be careful, the guy seems pretty crazy from what I've seen. Anything he says outside of training, I'd take with a grain of salt." Naruto warned, knowing Jiraiya would try to fill the Uchiha's head with whatever prophecy he's obsessed with and make him believe he's the Child of Prophecy.
With Kakashi and Sasuke nodding in agreement at his warning, given Jiraiya did seem pretty unhinged when they met, along with being rather forceful in convincing Sasuke to be his apprentice.
*Later*
After some time, it was time for the final match between Naruto and Temari, with the arena now repaired from his fight against Gaara. Though both combatants noted that they decided to keep the lake the whiskered blonde made, with it having now been filled up to ground level.
"Alright, the final match between Naruto Uzumaki and Temari shall now, begin!" Genma declared, starting the final match of the Chūnin Exam Finals.
Not a moment later, Temari pulled out her fan and opened it up fully, having seen from Naruto's previous matches that he always seems to send Shadow Clones out to get a feel for his opponents' abilities. So, if she had any hope of beating him, she had to make sure he didn't have time to create any clones and needed to act on the fly.
"Dust Wind Jutsu!" Temari said, swinging her fan, creating a gust of wind that kicked up the surrounding sand and dirt, creating a large cloud that covered the arena.
Jumping back from the dust cloud, Naruto grunted slightly when some of the sand got in his eyes.
"Wind Style: Sickle Weasel Jutsu!" Said Temari, swinging her fan again sending out multiple blades of wind towards Naruto as opposed to forming a vortex around him.
Seeing the wind blades coming towards him, Naruto was forced to keep jumping around to avoid being hit by them; mentally cursing since Temari was the one opponent he wasn't prepared for. Simply because she didn't show everything she was capable of during the preliminaries.
'All I know is that she's good at using Wind Style Ninjutsu and uses her fan as a medium to use them. But I can't assume she'll be left helpless without it, or that she doesn't have a spare sealed away. She's also seen plenty of what I'm capable of doing, so I'll need to be careful while still trying to figure out her capabilities.' Thought Naruto, going through handsigns.
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!" Naruto said, releasing a massive fireball towards Temari, only to see the Kunoichi smirk as she held her fan.
"Wind Style: Cast Net!" Temari said, swinging her fan again and launching sharp wind currents in the form of a net at the fireball, confusing Naruto slightly given wind would just make the fire stronger.
Only to be shocked when the winds actually disbursed the fireball and he now had a flaming net of wind heading right towards him!
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!" Said Naruto as the water from the lake quickly shot up in front of him stopping the flaming net at it released a large amount of steam, which was quickly blown away by Temari.
"You really didn't think I wouldn't have trained to counter Fire Style Ninjutsu?" Temari asked rhetorically with a smirk, having trained her Wind Style Ninjutsu to be strong enough to overpower any Fire Style Ninjutsu users she faced, given that'd be one of the main weaknesses to her fighting style.
"Worth a shot." Naruto replied with a shrug, before going through handsigns again.
"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Naruto said as he created a thick mist around the arena, making Temari tense as the mist grew thicker and thicker until she could barely see a foot in front of her.
Swinging her fan to dispel the mist, the fan user mentally cursed at seeing the mist simply returned, not a moment later.
'He'll be able to strike me from anywhere and I won't see him coming, and I can't sense anything with his Chakra being laced through this mist. I need to get out of this.' Thought Temari, jumping up and placing her fan beneath her to ride it up and out of the mist.
Once she was clear of the mist, Temari looked down into the arena for any sign of Naruto or any movement, or sound that would give him away. Before her head immediately snapped towards movement to the far side of the arena.
'There!' Temari thought, grabbing her fan as she descended towards where Naruto was.
"Great Sickle Weasel Jutsu!" Said Temari swinging her fan and creating dozens of wind currents that collided together creating vacuum pockets, all of which rushed towards where Naruto was, impacting the entire area around him.
Landing on the ground, Temari saw the mist was cleared away in the area, only to curse when all she saw was "Naruto" dissolving into a puddle of water, showing it was a Water Clone.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Said Naruto from the mist, before a massive water dragon formed behind Temari and crashed right into her, the Kunoichi crying out as she was slammed into the wall of the arena.
Jumping out of the mist, Naruto cancelled his Hidden Mist Jutsu, seeing Temari fall to the ground after his Water Dragon disbursed.
'That was too easy.' Thought Naruto, doubting that was the end of the match already.
And he was proven right when Temari dissolved into sand, revealing it was a Sand Clone, before Naruto tensed when he sensed Temari jump out from the lake. Having switched places with her clone before flying into the air on her fan, to instead hide in the water.
"Wind Style: Great Task of the Dragon!" Said Temari, swinging her fan the sky, causing a large tornado to crash down on top of Naruto, the Uzumaki crying out as he was sucked into the tornado and thrown around.
"I have you now! Wind Style: Sickle Weasel Jutsu!" Temari said, swinging her fan towards Naruto, launching currents of wind at him which she manipulated to form a vacuum pocket around him.
Naruto grit his teeth as the numerous wind blades surrounding him cut into his body, before he managed to form handsigns.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wave!" Said Naruto, creating a large wave of earth that rose up and knocked him out of the tornado, the Uzumaki managing to get on top of the wave and rode it towards Temari.
Seeing this the Kunoichi quickly hopped onto her fan again to ride into the air and out of Naruto's reach, only for the Jinchūriki to go through handsigns again.
"Water Style: Water Trumpet!" Naruto said, shooting out a large jet of water from his cupped hand, which impacted Temari and knocked her off her fan, the Uzumaki quickly going through handsigns again.
"Earth Style: Earth and Stone Dragon!" Said Naruto as the earth wave immediately transformed into a stone dragon which slammed into Temari, sending her crashing into the arena wall.
Groaning at the attacks and impact against the wall, Temari grunted when she fell to the ground before managing to stand back up as Naruto landed across from her. Both panting slightly from the damage the other dealt them, along with the Chakra they're using.
"I have to admit you're a really powerful Wind Style specialist." Naruto complimented, knowing Temari would have him beat if he used any Wind Style Ninjutsu.
"Thanks, you're pretty good yourself using all those Elemental Ninjutsu. But I still plan on winning this match." Replied Temari with a smirk, which Naruto returned.
"Is that a fact?" Said Naruto, seeing she was completely serious.
"Absolutely. In fact, since you enjoy making bets so much, how about one of our own." Temari offered, getting Naruto's interest.
"What're the terms?" Naruto asked, curious to see what she'd ask for if she won and what she'd give him if he won.
"Simple, if I win this match, you have to teach me any Wind Style Ninjutsu you know, along with the Rasengan." Said Temari, eager to know all the Wind Style Ninjutsu that Naruto knows, along with being able to learn the Yondaime Hokage's signature Jutsu.
"And what do I get if I win?" Questioned Naruto unsurely, given he wasn't sure he'd agree to a bet where he'd teach anyone the Rasengan.
Only to immediately blush brightly, when he suddenly felt Temari appear behind him and wrap her arms around him, pressing herself against his back.
"Then you get me to do whatever you want with." Temari said seductively in Naruto's ear, making his blush intensify, before his eyes widened and quickly turned around to attack her.
Only for the Temari behind him to be another Sand Clone, while the real Temari recovered her fan and jumped towards Naruto.
"Wind Style: Great Sickle Weasel Jutsu!" Temari shouted, swinging her fan and using and even more powerful version of her Sickle Weasel Jutsu, with the much stronger air currents and wind blades slamming right into Naruto.
The whiskered blonde crying out as the wind blades cut into his body even deeper than the previous attack. Though gritting his teeth, Naruto quickly began going through dozens of handsigns while Temari's focus was on him.
"W-Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!" Shouted Naruto through the pain, as a large amount of the lake water shot into the air, before spinning around into a vortex which crashed down right on top of Temari.
The Kunoichi cried out as the pressurized water slammed into her, sending her crashing into the ground unable to move. With this also breaking her concentration and freeing Naruto from the wind blades as he fell to the ground, his own Jutsu soon ending and freeing Temari.
The two stood up, panting heavily from the damage they've now taken, and were now covered in injuries.
"Y-you tricked me." Naruto said, giving Temari an annoyed look, with the fan user shrugging in response.
"We're Ninja, it comes with the profession. But the offer's open cutie." Replied Temari with a teasing smirk and a wink, making him blush again before he shook it off and grabbed the Kubikiribōchō.
"Okay, I'm ending this before you pull anymore tricks on me." Said Naruto, refusing to fall for the same trick again, while Temari stood up straight and held her fan up.
"That's my line." Temari said, biting her thumb and spreading her blood across it before holding it up, while Naruto pulled out the Kubikiribōchō and held it up as well, preparing a new Kenjutsu Technique that he created using his Wind Affinity.
"Summoning: Quick Beheading Dance!" Yelled Temari swinging her fan, creating a massive and powerful whirlwind along with summoning Kamatari, her weasel summon riding the wind straight towards Naruto and holding his sickle at the ready.
"Wind Scar!" Naruto shouted channeling Wind Chakra into the Kubikiribōchō and swinging it, unleashing a large wave of pure chakra and wind towards the whirlwind and Kamatari.
The two attacks clashed against each other, unleashing powerful, hurricane force winds, forcing everyone in the arena to shield their eyes or duck down to avoid being hit. With Naruto and Temari being forced to channel Chakra to their feet to stick to the ground to avoid being blown away, but also leaving them to take the full brunt of the attacks.
After a few moments, the winds finally died down, revealing both competitors were beaten and cut up, with their clothes being torn apart from the attacks.
'I'm really glad Raven and Magik helped me get copies of this outfit.' Thought Naruto, seeing the state his clothes were in.
Seeing he was just in his pants, which were completely torn apart, shoes, and shirt, with half his chest and abdomen exposed, while his forehead protector was completely destroyed.
While Temari's outfit was mostly destroyed, the Kunoichi having focused on light-eight clothing as opposed to it being sturdy and potentially weighing her down. Leaving her bra and panties, as well as her fishnet bodysuit, which is partly torn, exposed. Thankfully, some of the torn up rags of her now destroyed attire helped protect some of her modesty.
"Well…looks like you win. At least I know I was able to push the first person who beat Gaara this far." Temari stated before her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she collapsed to the ground unconscious, with Naruto shakily limped over to his downed opponent.
"Gaara's sand isn't as strong as you think it is, since all someone would need is learn the strengths and weaknesses of his sand, along with having the skill and power to get through it. I was just lucky to have a Water Affinity and collect a good amount of water to use for my Water Style Ninjutsu. Along with having the time to learn some Lightning Style Ninjutsu to go with my Water Ninjutsu and pierce his sand. I was just a bad matchup for Gaara, with the fact you live in a desert just strengthened the illusion he was invincible." Said Naruto, knowing that while Gaara was strong, his reliance on his Sand-based Ninjutsu, especially his Sand Shield, made him vulnerable if you take that away.
The Uzumaki's remaining strength soon left him as he was about to collapse as well, if not for Raven and Illyana quickly running down into the arena and kept him from falling over.
"He certainly gave it his all, didn't he." Magik stated as they looked around the destroyed arena, knowing if Naruto and Temari had been stronger and older, they could very well have brought the entire stadium crashing down with how powerful their Wind Style Ninjutsu were.
"Yeah, he definitely did." Replied Raven, nodding in agreement, before Genma jumped down and looked over the damage.
"I give you the winner of the Chūnin Exams Finals, Naruto Uzumaki!" Genma declared with the audience, sans those from Konoha that hated Naruto, cheered at seeing such an intense and amazing match as their finale for the Chūnin Exams.
"The Exhibition Match between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha will be delayed until tomorrow, to give both combatants time to rest and prepare! Along with repairing the arena!" Said Genma, knowing that Naruto was in no shape for another fight, plus they didn't want the arena to really be destroyed by another clash like the one they just saw.
Naruto was then taken to the infirmary, where he was greeted with his team and the rest of the Rookie Nine; all of them congratulating him on winning.
"That amazing! You've really gotten a lot stronger over the past month, Naruto!" Sakura said, smiling at her teammate, amazed to see just how much stronger he's become.
"That was certainly an impressive display, I believe you've more than proven yourself to become a Chūnin. You may even find yourself on the fast-track to become a Jōnin." Stated Shino, impressed at Naruto's strength, especially that he managed to beat Gaara.
"Well at least I can feel better about losing to you, now you've won the whole damn thing." Kiba said, feeling better about his loss against Naruto since he's won the finals.
"Y-you did r-re-really great N-Naruto-kun, c-congrats." Said Hinata, smiling at her crush, happy that he won and at how strong he's gotten.
"Troublesome blondes. I swear, you just don't know when to quit, do you." Shikamaru muttered, with Ino smacking him on the head.
"Quit saying troublesome, I'm still pissed that you forfeited! Though who would have thought the deadlast would win the Chūnin Exams." Ino said, also amazed at Naruto's growth and power.
"Congrats on winning, Naruto." Said Chōji as he ate his chips, while offering some to Naruto, which he gratefully accepted.
"Thanks guys, I really gave it my all." Naruto replied while smiling tiredly, before Sasuke walked up to him.
"Well I hope you enjoy your victory, because I don't plan on losing tomorrow. And now I know what you can do." Sasuke stated, now even more eager and excited for their Exhibition Match, knowing the fight will push him far past his current limits if he wanted to defeat Naruto.
"Heh, well keep dreaming teme, cause I still have plenty of tricks up my sleeves." Said Naruto, just as eager for the Exhibition Match, figuring it wouldn't hurt if he, Raven, and Illyana stayed one more day; especially since they had some places in mind, on where they could stay.
*Kage's Box*
"Well I don't know about you Hokage-dono, but I believe this Chūnin Exams is certainly one that'll be remembered." Said the Kazekage, with Hiruzen nodding in agreement.
Despite his concerns, Hiruzen couldn't help but find himself proud of how far Naruto has come, over the past Month.
"Indeed Kazekage-dono. And I believe we can agree that both Naruto and your daughter have more than earned their promotion to Chūnin; with the strength, planning, and strategy they've shown. I'm also sure that we'll be in for an even better match tomorrow, between Naruto and Sasuke." Sarutobi replied, with the Kazekage nodding in response.
"Agreed, it will certainly be a match to remember." Said the Kazekage.
'A shame that it won't be happening.' Orochimaru thought, knowing that no matter how much he wanted to see the progress Sasuke has made; everything was already in place, so he couldn't afford to delay things until tomorrow.
With that in mind, the Snake Sannin made a handsign, signaling Kabuto to activate the Temple of Nirvana, before triggering the explosion to capture his former teacher.
*Infirmary*
Back in the infirmary, the group suddenly heard the sounds of fighting coming from back in the stadium.
"What's going on-" Naruto said, before crying out when a wave of sand crashed through the wall and slammed into him, much to everyone's horror before they saw Gaara stepping through the hole in the wall.
The Suna Jinchūriki's movements being jerky and slow, as if he's not in control of himself, while also gripping his head tightly.
"M-mother, wh-wh-what's h-h-ha-ha-hap-happening?! I-I c-c-ca-can't…m-m-mu-must c-c-ca-cap-capture…" Gaara said, gritting his teeth as he moved towards Naruto, before screaming in pain as the seal on him made him move to capture Naruto, while inflicting intense pain on him to weaken his resistance.
And given that Gaara's only recently begun feeling pain, it was complete agony for him as the seal forced him to obey. With things only being worse as he was joined by a squad of ROOT Anbu, all of them with their weapons drawn to fulfill their orders.
And eliminate anyone that tried stopping them.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto, Magik, and Raven taking the time to interact with Team Seven before they leave, along with the Hokage having Yūgao and Tenzō watch Naruto in the event he does try to leave. Before seeing Orochimaru and Danzō meeting, the latter demanding answers on why Naruto has the Snake Contract, only for Orochimaru to reveal it's news to him as well while also mocking the warhawk of Naruto getting stronger, leading Danzō to leave while ordering a team of ROOT Anbu to be a standby to capture Naruto. Then we see Orochimaru have Kin and Tayuya watch Naruto both to thwart any of Danzō's attempts to capture him and sway Naruto to join him, along with revealing he's even given Kin a Curse Seal due her new usefulness and abilities. Then back with Team Seven, Naruto, and the girls, a group of Ninja show up and attack Naruto much to Team Seven's shock before they interfere to stop them, only for one to try and attack Sakura leading to Naruto retaliating, since he refuses to let them attack his friends, scaring them off before learning of Jiraiya's offer to Sasuke and Kakashi, warning them to be careful around the Sannin. Then it's on to Naruto and Temari's match, with Temari managing to actually push Naruto and get some hits in on him, given she's seen plenty of what he can do while Naruto doesn't know a lot about her own abilities (plus, Temari was able to rival Shikamaru in strategizing in the anime, so she'd definitely be smart enough to make plans to go against Naruto). Leading to some back and forth between the two until they both use one last attack, Temari using her Summoning: Quick Beheading Dance and Naruto using a new technique the Wind Scar, with both attacks colliding and destroying the arena and their clothes before Temari passes out making Naruto the winner. Finally we see the Konoha Twelve congratulating Naruto while Orochimaru starts the invasion, knowing he can't delay any further, while Gaara is forced to capture Naruto after a seal was placed on him by some ROOT Anbu. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out