The rest of the surviving teams arrive to the tower to hear the next part of the exam. They are surprised to know that they will have to take a Preliminary Exam to cut down on some numbers for the final. Who will make it through?

Naruto sighed as he walked to the kitchen with the help of his shadow clone remembering all that happened. It was nothing but a miracle that they made it to the tower without running into another team let alone attacked by any wild animals that live in the forest. Naruto had woken up on the third day of the second part of the exams, his body was completely tired but the next today he felt refreshed and much better. Hiruzen and Kakashi questioned him about what happened yesterday in the forest, the boy told them exactly what Sakura did. Then there was the topic of the hooded people that saved him and Sakura from Orochimaru; he told them that they were only interested in saving them and killing the snake Sannin. If he told them that their real purpose was to protect Naruto an Uzumaki there's no telling how they'd react to the information so he kept it to himself.

The blonde sighed as his shadow clone placed a cup down before him making him pick up the drink slowly and drink whatever it was inside the cup down. Turns out it was water. Placing the cup down he sighed as his throat felt much better, "Thanks."

The Shadow Clone nodded, "Your welcome, boss." It sat down next to the blonde.

Naruto sighed, 'I wonder how many teams made it to the tower? I know the other Rookies made it here but I'm not sure about anyone else. Not that I should care.'

"Those annoying idiots from Iwa probably made it through," Kurama reminded, "Their probably here right now looking for you."

'I hope not. I really don't need that kind of headache right now.' Naruto thought.

"Don't worry, the Jounin are patrolling the halls making sure no one does anything bad so you should be safe." Asura gave his opinion.

'That makes me feel a little better, but I still want to know what their real objective is for participating in the exams. Can't be because they wanna make Chunin.' He thought.

Kurama snorted, "I've got a theory. They came here for the sole purpose of killing you."

'…I honestly believe your not wrong about that.' Naruto thought slowly, forgetting about his father's reputation amongst the other villages especially Iwagakure.

"From what my last host told me, just the mere mention of his name in their village was enough to put everyone on edge and send out bounty hunters after him. That damn Yondaime wasn't very likeable, not that I like him either but still." Kurama stated.

Asura couldn't help but shake his head at that, 'Why did humanity stray from fathers teachings?'

Naruto got up from the table as did his shadow clone and they headed back to the room where Sakura and a still unconscious Sasuke were, 'In any case, I'll just make sure to avoid them until we know what the other part of the exam is.'

Right now, he just wanted to relax.

The blonde and his Shadow Clone entered the room where Sakura was by Sasuke's bed just watching over him, her hair was in much better condition having done it herself. She turned her head around when she saw it was Naruto along with his Shadow Clone enter the room making her smile, "Naruto."

The blonde was still surprised by her change of behavior towards him but didn't comment on it and had his Shadow Clone help him walk over to his bed so he can sit down. Sitting down on his bed he dispelled the clone, "He's still out then, huh?"

Sakura looked over at Sasuke and gave him a worried look, "He hasn't even budged."

"I see." Naruto said. He had never heard of a Curse Mark before until Kakashi explained to him, never in his life had he'd been glad that Orochimaru never marked him with it. Speaking of which the Snake Sanin is probably still around here somewhere, and that wasn't a good thing.

Sakura stared at her blonde teammate wondering what he was thinking about but before she could ask she heard Sasuke groan turning her attention back over to him, "Sasuke-kun!"

Sasuke groaned again before opening his eyes slowly blinking a few times to clear his vision. When he could finally see the ceiling he turned over to see Sakura was giving him a look of relief, looking past her he saw Naruto sitting on the bed with a smirk, "Welcome back to the world of the living." The blonde said.

Sasuke shut his eyes with a snort, "Dobe."

"Your okay! Do you need anything?" Sakura questioned.

Sasuke opened his eyes again, "No." he said slowly.

'Yeah, he's feeling better.' Naruto thought, but was still wondering how long the seal on his neck would cause more trouble again.

Guess they'd just have to wait and see.

It seemed like time just flew by when the last day finally came and the Hokage ordered all of the ones that made it to the tower to come down to an arena that was in the tower. Sakura looked around and saw some teams from Iwa, Kumo, Suna, Konoha, Ame, and Oto made it. Looks like Ame sent three teams to participate to improve their chances; Gaara apparently killed the first team from Ame, while Naruto's shadow clone had prevented the second team from even moving and wondered where they were since no one could find the bodies. It was speculated that the animals found them and ate them, so it was just the third team that made it.

Currently they were all gathered together, and all eyes were on Team 7, but Sakura knew it was because they were staring at both Sasuke and Naruto. They were now seeing their team as a threat, and in her opinion that wasn't a good thing.

"Listen up! Hokage-sama is here to explain about the Third part of the exams so shut the hell up!" Ibiki growled making everyone shut up.

Hiruzen cleared his throat, "Thank you Ibiki for that…introduction," he said to the man, "To you all who made it through the Forest of Death and arrived here to the tower in good time, congratulations. Now I will explain to you the true purpose of the exam."

Naruto was curious as to what the real reason was.

"Why is it that we have alliances with other countries and taking these exams together? Simple, to promote friendship among the countries. But here is the exams true meaning," he eyed the Genin's present, "The true purpose of the exam…is to replace war that went on in the past with the allied countries. Our current allies were once enemies who fought one another about who should rule, now in order to prevent such pointless violence and bloodshed each country purposed to do the alternative…the Chūnin Exams."

"Why the hell should we do something like that? What about being promoted to Chūnin?" Kiba growled.

Sasuke snorted at him, "You're an idiot."

Kiba snarled at him.

"True, this exam is to determine who should be promoted to Chūnin." Hiruzen said, "However the other purpose of these exams is for each countries shinobi to risk their own life to protect their land. Influential leaders from many countries make up clients for the shinobi."

"Then what's with this whole "friendship" business?" Tenten questioned.

"I said in the beginning not to be confused with the purpose of this exam," Hiruzen reminded, "By losing one's life and keeping balance is the shape of friendship in the shinobi world. Now before we begin the Third part of the exam-" he was cut off by a cough.

"Actually Hokage-sama, *cough, cough* a sickly looking Jounin appeared, "Please allow me Hayate Gekkō to explain the Third part of the exam for I am the referee." Hayate said.

Hiruzen nodded, "Very well, by all means." He stepped out of the way and allowed Hayate to do his thing.

Hayate stepped forward, "My name is Hayate Gekkō, proctor for the Third exam. Now then, before we begin all of you here will take the Preliminary part first before we get to the finals."

"Preliminary?" Sakura questioned.

Hayate nodded, "There are too many of you remaining, so to cut those numbers down we will have a Preliminary round to dwindle the number of participants participating." The man coughed again.

Naruto raised a brow, 'He may be sickly but that doesn't mean he's weak.'

"Anyway, if there is anyone of you who wants to drop out simply raise your hand." Hayate said.

Kabuto raised his hand, "I forfeit."

"Kabuto-san?" Sakura looked at him with confusion.

Hayate stared at him, "Kabuto Yakushi, right? Very well, you may leave."

"Why are you quitting?" Sakura questioned.

Kabuto smiled sheepishly, "Well to be honest with you, I'm a little beaten up and I still haven't regained my hearing yet since the tussle with the Oto nin from the First part of the exam. I'm just not in the best condition to continue." And with that he walked off no one seeing his smirk.

Naruto grippe his cane again, 'I hope they keep an eye on him.'

Sakura was looking at Sasuke but her gave her that look making her not even bother to tell him to forfeit because she knew he wouldn't listen.

"Okay…now let's begin the Third part of the exam," Hayate continued, "The Preliminaries are basically one on one fighting, you will be fighting as though this was a real life or death situation. The winners will advance to the finals. There are no rules for this part of the exam. The fights continue until one of you dies, is knocked out, or forfeits the match. Should you refuse to acknowledge that you've lost then me and the Jounin present will be forced to subdue you, and attempts to resist will result in us forcefully subduing you. Now then, please look over to the electronic board for it will decide who will fight who."

Everyone looked at the board and saw the names being shuffles until they stopped on two names.

Sasuke Uchiha

vs.

Yoroi Akadō

"For the first match, Sasuke and Yoroi. The rest go up to the balconies please." Hayate said.

The rest of the Genin present walked up to the stands to watch the match, but Sakura was still worried about Sasuke until she felt a hand on her shoulder looking up she saw it was Kakashi who eye smiled at her, "Don't worry Sakura, he'll be just fine."

Sakura smiled and nodded, "Right."

Kakashi looked over at Naruto and saw he was completely calm, "Well Naruto, are you going to cheer for your teammate?"

Naruto said nothing for about two minutes simply feeling Yoroi's chakra and sensing something was off, "Sasuke better take this match seriously…or he'll end up losing."

Sakura looked at him as did the rest of the Rookies even the Jounin present, Zabuza, Haku, and Yamato were there as well.

"What do you mean by that?" Ino growled.

"Explaining it to you will only give me a headache so I won't even bother." Naruto stated not even looking at her.

"What was that?!" She yelled prompting Shikamaru and Choji to hold her back.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered.

Sasuke and Yoroi stared at each other sizing each other up, but there was a dark gleam in the man's eyes.

Hayate looked at them the announced, "First match between Sasuke Uchiha and Yoroi Akado. Begin."

Yoroi made the tiger hand sign, "You ready?"

Sasuke took a stance, "Let's go."

The man's hand glowed with blue chakra, while the other hand grabbed a kunai and tossed it at the Uchiha so Sasuke responded in kind by throwing shuriken at man and it became a projectile battle. Sasuke gripped his neck all of a sudden almost like he was pain but he ignored it and came at Yoroi in a Taijutsu battle, Yoroi's hand glowed blue again and Sasuke noticed that he seemed to be weakening much to his confusion.

Yoroi managed to get free from the young Uchiha who looked a little exhausted.

'What is this? My strength is weakening…' Sasuke thought in exhaustion leaning down on the ground slowly.

"Sasuke-kun, look out!" Sakura yelled.

Sasuke looked up just in time to see Yoroi right in front of him grabbing his forehead slamming him down to the floor, "Chakura Kyūin Jutsu (Chakra Absorption Jutsu)." His hand glowed blue and Sasuke felt his chakra being absorbed.

Naruto sighed, "So that's what it was."

Sakura looked at him, "What do you mean?"

"That guy can absorb chakra, that's why I said Sasuke should take this seriously." Naruto reminded.

Sasuke glared at the man, "You…your absorbing my chakra…"

"Heh, so you finally noticed. But its too late!" Yoroi said arrogantly before he felt a kick to his gut sending him away from the boy, "Heh, so you still have some energy left, huh?"

Sasuke got up slowly, 'I can't use my Sharingan or any other jutsu otherwise I'll be too exhausted.'

Yoroi charged at him, "Now's not the time to be daydreaming!" before the man could try to drain Sasuke completely he was kicked in the face sending him upwards off the ground.

Lee's eyes widened when he realized what Sasuke was doing, "That's my-!"

Sasuke appeared behind Yoroi making his eyes widen, "Kage Buyō (Dancing Leaf Shadow)?!"

"Something like that," Sasuke said before wincing as his neck was in pain, "But from here on out, its all original." He kicked the man in his left side, then right, then kicked him down before going for the final blow, "Shishi Rendan (Lions Barrage)!" he sent the final blow to his stomach knocking him out completely before landing on the ground himself but not before sitting down in complete exhaustion.

"About time the damn brat ended the match." Zabuza crossed his arms in annoyance.

"Indeed." Haku agreed.

Hayate walked forward, "Winner of the first match…Sasuke Uchiha."

"Alright! I knew you could do it Sasuke-kun!" Ino yelled.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru sighed.

Sakura sighed in relief.

Kiba scoffed, "Show off."

Hinata was thinking the same thing.

Tenten frowned at Sasuke, "He stole that from Lee."

"Just what I would expect from an Uchiha." Neji commented.

Lee gripped the bars as he saw Sasuke do his own version of his move.

Guy wasn't all too happy either.

Orochimaru disguised as a sensei smirked, 'Excellent work, Sasuke,' he looked over at Naruto still keeping his smirk, 'Naruto-kun…I will soon give you your gift. I know you will not disappoint me.'

Kakashi appeared behind Sasuke and took him away somewhere, much to the others confusion but didn't think about it too long as the names rolled up on the screen again.

Shino Aburame

vs.

Zaku Abumi

Yamato who was standing next to Naruto now told him who was going next, "So it's Shino's turn, huh? That Zaku guy should probably forfeit."

Kiba heard this and grinned, "Hell yeah! Shino's gonna wipe the floor with this guy!"

Hinata smiled in complete agreement.

Shikamaru raised a brow at Naruto, "You know something we don't?"

Naruto put a finger up to his lips, "That's for me to know and you to find out Shikamaru."

"Troublesome blonde." Shikamaru muttered.

"Thank you vey much." Naruto smiled.

Kurenai was grateful Naruto didn't say anything about Shino's skill. She made a mental note to give him some sweets later.

Shino and Zaku made their way down to the arena, with Zaku grinning despite the fact that both arms were in slings.

Hayate looked at them both, "Second match between Shino Aburame and Zaku Abumi…Begin!"

Shino decided to speak, "You should forfeit the match."

Zaku scoffed as he smirked, "Well what'ya know? It looks like I still have one good arm left." And with that he came at Shino punching him square in the face sending him back and causing smoke to appear, "Heh, maybe you're the one who should forfeit!" he smirked before losing it as he saw Shino got right back up, "What?!"

Meanwhile Kakashi and Sasuke were in an underground area where he was getting ready to perform a sealing jutsu on the curse mark. Sasuke was shirtless and there was blood around the seal, when that was done Kakashi got to work, Hare → Snake → Horse → Ram → Bird → Tiger → Hare → Snake → Horse → Ram → Bird → Tiger → Hare → Snake → Horse → Ram → Bird → Dog → Rat: "Fūja Hōin (Curse Sealing)!" he placed his hand where the seal was and Sasuke cried out in pain.

"This curse sealing jutsu is only as strong as you are," Kakashi explained, "It derives its power from the strength of your will. If that will ever weakens, if you ever begin to doubt yourself…the curse will be unleashed in all its fury. Hmph, amazing. Too tired to even argue."

"My how you've grown," A familiar voice said in amusement, "To think you've become strong enough to form the curse sealing jutsu."

Kakashi turned around eyes in utter shock, "You!"

Orochimaru stood before him smirking like a snake surrounded by his evil aura, "Orochimaru!"

"Long time no see, Kakashi." Orochimaru greeted, "No offense Kakashi, but I didn't come to see you. My business is with that boy behind you."

Kakashi glared at him, "What do you want with Sasuke?" he demanded.

Orochimaru chuckled, "You've required something new, how I envy your good fortune."

Kakashi's eyes widened.

"I don't believe you had it the last time met, did you?" Orochimaru observed, "The gift…the Sharingan in your left eye."

Kakashi glared at him.

"It's only fair that I should want it too, the Uchiha power." He smirked, "But then again, Naruto-kun's power is just as delicious. Its too bad I couldn't mark him, but there's always next time."

If looks could kill then Orochimaru would be dead by now, "So…you are after Naruto…why?"

Orochimaru chuckled, "Why you ask? Simple really, he's an Uzumaki blessed with their longevity and sealing mastery, to add to that. He also has the Mokuton and has been utilizing it beautifully despite being blind. How can I not want such a delicious specimen?"

Zaku's eyes were shaking, "He's…there's no way…" there was this strange sound that was heard throughout the arena, "Hey…what…?"

Naruto smiled, "Moron."

Sakura looked at him in confusion before looking around trying to figure out what that sound was, as was everyone else.

Zaku's eyes widened when he saw bug coming out of Shino, 'What the?! He's got bugs coming out of him! Like a human hive! This guy's a freak show!' he thought, "Great now that you've creeped us all out what happens next?" he said then looked behind him in complete shock as he saw a swarm of bugs behind him.

Shino lifted his finger up showing a bug perched right on it, "Their a rare species of parasitic beetle that attack their prey in a swarm eating its chakra. An army of this size, will suck you dry in less than a minute. Your only intelligent option is to forfeit the match. You can't fight two opponents at once, if you use your good arm against me, my friends will swarm you from behind. Conversely, if you use your good arm to keep them at bay then you'll have me on your blindside."

Zaku glared at him.

"Either way, your defeat will be certain. And unpleasant," Shino brought his hands up, "It's wise to always have an ace in the whole."

Zaku was shaking mad refusing to just simply go down or forfeit the match, using the good arm he pointed it at Shino while surprising everyone that his other arm was just fine when he move it and pointed it at the swarm of bugs from behind him, "Now you've done it! NOW YOU'VE MADE ME MAD!"

Shino was simply observing him.

Zaku smirked, "Like you said yourself! Always have an ace in the whole, right?!"

Kiba growled, "What the?! I thought his right arm was shot!"

Naruto was calm knowing that Shino has something up his sleeve,

Dosu chuckled inwardly, 'So it was just a ploy to make us believe he had only one good arm. Clever move.'

"What's your game?" Kakashi demanded.

"Otogakure, the village that everyone's so curious about, its mine you see I created it." Orochimaru smiled, "I think you understand without me saying anymore."

"You and your wild eye ambition." Kakashi said.

"Oh yes indeed, as always but to play the game as you put it I need pieces on the chest board. Willing pawns to do my bidding." Orochimaru said.

"AAARRRGGGHHH! I'LL BLOW YOU AWAY!" Zaku yelled.

"And Sasuke and Naruto are one of your paws?" Kakashi questioned.

"Oh, not pawns," Orochimaru told him, "Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun are far more valuable than that. But as for the others…well you know how it is in a game of chess."

Zaku's arms started bursting out with chakra creating holes in them.

"Pieces must be sacrificed." Orochimaru grinned.

Zaku screamed out in pain, "My arms! What's wrong with them?!" he moved one arm a little bit and saw the holes were plugged up with bugs.

Shino appeared behind him, "Earlier while I was distracting you with my helpful advice. I was also sending some of my little friends to plug up those bothersome wind holes in your hands. Both hands just to be sure. You see while an ace in the whole is good. Two aces are better."

Zaku gave him a hateful glare before swinging around trying hit him but Shino backhanded the Oto ninja sending him flying before he passed out with blood coming out of his mouth.

Orochimaru walked towards Kakashi slowly making the silver haired jounin's heart beat faster and faster as he approached until he finally snapped out of it, "Stop! Don't come any closer!" he said making some hand signs, Ox → Rabbit → Monkey: "Chidori (One Thousand Birds)!"

Orochimaru saw his hand be incased in Lightning and stopped walking, "I don't care if you are one of the Sannin! The three Shinobi of Legend! I swear, take one more step towards Sasuke, and one of us will die here!" Kakashi declared.

Orochimaru laughed in amusement.

"Funny is it?" Kakashi glared at him.

"Poor Kakashi, all your noble efforts." Orochimaru mocked, "All in vain."

"What?"

"Do you really believe that the seal will hold? Do you think you can keep him? From what he truly desires? You know I'm right. A heart like his that hungers for only one thing, will not be denied. No matter what obstacles you put in his path. He's an avenger isn't he?" Orochimaru smiled.

"You think you can take advantage of that? Not Sasuke." Kakashi glared.

Orochimaru smiled, "You cannot stop it. At some point he will come to me…in search of power." And with that he walked away.

Kakashi watched the snake Sannin walk away, "Unless of course you carry out your threat to kill me, now is your chance. Take it…if you dare."

The silver haired Jounin suddenly saw himself being impaled with a sword as soon as he said that, so he didn't pass on that threat to attack the snake Sannin and simply watched him walk away until he eventually disappeared, his body was shaking in fear.

'One of us will die here…I must've been out of my mind!' he thought as he stood up and took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

Hayate bent down to observed Zaku as he groaned in pain unable to get up. The man stood up, "I'd say this one…has had it. The winner is Shino Aburame."

Naruto wasn't surprised at all that Shino won, "And that's that."

Yamato smiled, "You knew Shino would win, didn't you?"

The blonde nodded, "Shino's no pushover, not to mention the clan he comes from gives him an edge in battle."

"What do you mean?" Sakura questioned.

Naruto felt the Rookies eyes on him making him roll his eyes inwardly, 'They seriously don't know that clan he comes from?' he thought, "Shino's from the Aburame clan, meaning they house living insects inside their own bodies and use them in battle."

"Living insects?! And their inside of him?!" Lee exclaimed.

Naruto nodded, "It's actually pretty cool though, that Zaku guy should have just forfeited the match like Shino told him to. He can be ruthless when he feels like it."

"Correct." Shino said from behind them making Sakura scream and edge away from the boy.

Naruto turned his head towards the bug boy, "Yo Shino, nice work."

"Thank you," Shino bowed his head, "I look forward to seeing your match."

The blonde smirked, "Hopefully I can have some fun."

Yamato looked over at Zabuza and glared making the man shrug his shoulders, "What? Have a cow why don't you?"

Haku simply smiled.

Dosu and Kin saw the medics take Zaku away, "Well that was unfortunate."

"What just happened? How come his arms broke down like that?" Kin looked over at him.

"At some point early in the match this guy Shino managed to get his beetles into Zaku's wind canon and plug the opening. As soon as Zaku tried to use his slicing sound wave he was doomed. With its usual outlet sealed off, the energy from the sound wave trapped in his arm. Expanding searching for an exit." Dosu explained.

Kin gasped.

"Sooner or later something had to give, in this case…it was Zaku." Dosu said.

'I can't pretend we had anything in common, except this team and our mission. Still…I'll even the score for you Zaku.' Dosu thought.

"Uh…alright everyone, moving right on to the third match." Hayate announced.

Naruto's sense went off making him turn around, "Welcome back." As soon as he said that Kakashi appeared in a puff of smoke.

Lee gave Naruto an astonished look, "How did you know?"

Shikamaru sighed, "Troublesome blonde, I feel sorry for his opponent."

Kakashi greeted his two students, "Hi."

Sakura gave him an incredulous look, "What do you mean "Hi," is that all you say?! What about…what about Sasuke-kun? How is he?"

"Oh he's fine, sleeping soundly in the infirmary." Kakashi assured her.

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief.

'But he's been put under guard by the ANBU Black Ops.' Kakashi thought.

Yamato heard from the Hokage that Orochimaru was here and that he was after both Sasuke and Naruto, so he was watching over the blonde. He'd be damned if that snake got a hold of him and do god knows what. He saw the names be shuffled until they stopped announcing who would fight next, leaning down he told Naruto who would be fighting next making him nod.

Kankuro Sabaku

vs.

Misumi Tsurugi

"Kankuro Sabaku, huh? Looks like this'll will be Suna's win." Naruto said sensing Kankuro's little trick.

Yamato nodded, "Agreed."

"What are you two talking about?" Sakura wondered.

"Just watch the match and you'll see." Yamato told her.

Kankuro smirked, 'Heh, finally my turn.'

Baki saw the smirk on his face, 'Careful Kankuro, you'll underestimate your opponent one time too many.'

Gaara glared at him, 'Hmph, idiot.'

Kankuro and Misumi walked down to the arena staring at each other, "I'm not like Yoroi, I don't get careless not even against kids."

Kankuro scoffed.

"A piece of advice, once I go into my jutsu give up. Quick. If you do I promise to make it short and painless." Misumi warned.

Kankuro unwrapped the bandaged thing on his back, "Funny, I was about to say the same thing. Though I cant promise it'll be painless."

The two of them stared at each other some more.

"Alright then," Hayate spoke up, "If your ready…let the third match. Begin!"

Kankuro smirked, "Let me do you a favor and end this battle quickly."

"You can't end it if I end it first." Misumi stated as he ran towards Kankuro sending a punch but Kankuro blocked it. Misumi smirked underneath his mask and started wrapping his limbs around Kankuro, "I dislocated everyone of my joints softening my body, then with my chakra I can control it perfectly."

"With just his chakra?" Sakura questioned leaning down, "Whoa."

Naruto's enhanced hearing picked up the obvious making him sigh, "That guys an idiot, and he hasn't even noticed yet."

Yamato smiled, "Not everyone has enhanced senses like you do."

The blonde simply smiled.

"The more you struggle the tighter I'll hold. I don't know what your carrying in there, but as long as I have a hold of you it makes no difference. I can break your neck right now if I wanted to, and I will unless you give up." Misumi told him.

Kankuro smirked, "You wanna bet?"

Misumi held on tighter, "You wanna die?"

"You fool, you're the one who's gonna die here." Kankuro told him with a smirk making Misumi mad prompting him to snap Kankuro's neck.

Naruto sensed everyone's reaction, "Guys relax, he's fine."

"Fine?! He just broke the guy's neck, how is he fine?!" Ino yelled.

Naruto closed his eyes, "Look back down and you'll see."

Everyone looked back down to see what the blonde was talking about.

Misumi clicked his tongue, 'What a fool, too bad he didn't surrender. Oh well.' he still when he heard a cracking noise coming from Kankuro's supposedly dead form and saw his head move backwards only to see a puppet staring back at him.

"Now…its my turn so say goodbye." The Puppet smiled dropped the disguise and wrapping its limps around Misumi and began to squeeze him tightly.

Naruto smiled, "You see? I told you, he's just fine."

Lee looked over at the blonde in complete shock, "But…how did you know…?"

They all looked at him as he smiled and put his finger to his lips, "When I'm called to fight you'll have the answers you want to know."

Shikamaru sighed, 'I don't even wanna know.'

The wrapped object unwrapped suddenly revealing Kankuro, the real Kankuro.

Misumi's eyes widened, 'This is just a puppet! And the real ninja was in there controlling it! He's a puppet master!'

Sakura observed the fight, "He controls it, with chakra from his hands."

"He's a puppet master, their not all that uncommon in Sunagakure." Naruto said.

"That's true, and actually seeing one fight in person is still interesting." Yamato said.

Misumi was in pain from the tight squeeze the puppet had him in, "Enough! I give!"

"But if your bones were all crushed just think about how flexible you'll be." Kankuro smirked.

Hayate coughed into his fist, 'That was close. I almost stopped the match in the middle, but it's a good thing I didn't.'

Kankuro had his puppet break every bone except the man's neck making him fall down on his back, thus ending the match.

Hayate called it, "Because his opponent is unable to continue…the winner is Kankuro."

Sakura looked scared as she saw the medics reel the ninja away, 'Everyone here wields their chakra perfectly, and I thought my chakra abilities would give me an edge over the others. So much for that idea.'

"We will now take a five minute break." Hayate announced.

Sakura sighed and walked off something Naruto didn't miss at all making him sigh.

Lee saw him sigh, "What's wrong, Naruto-kun?"

"Nothing, but I think she's starting to doubt herself." Naruto said.

'Not surprising. If she didn't waste her time on Sasuke then her skills as kunoichi would be at least Hinata and Tenten's level.' Yamato thought.

"Do not worry! I'm sure Sakura-san will prevail!" Lee smiled doing his trademark pose.

The blonde wasn't too sure, "If you say so."

Five minutes had passed and Sakura had come back to stand next to her teammate and sensei.

Hayate coughed into his fist, "Now let's continue. It's time to begin the fourth battle."

Sakura approached her teammate and sensei, "Did I miss anything?"

"No your right on time." Naruto said.

"Hey Naruto, are you nervous about who you might fight?" Sakura asked.

"I'm not. There's no reason for me to be nervous." Naruto stated.

"Why's that?" Sakura wondered.

"I'm just not."

She sweat-dropped then giggled, "Your so weird sometimes."

"Is that so?" Naruto raised a brow at her changed behavior towards him. Wonder what brought this on?

Kakashi place a hand on her shoulder, "This isn't the time for laughter." He made her direct her eyes towards the screen making her blood run cold.

Yamato told Naruto who was up next making him sigh, "This match is going to be a colossal pain."

Sakura Haruno

vs.

Ino Yamanaka

Sakura turned towards Ino who she saw walking back to the balcony after their little "talk." Ino saw the names on the screen and gave Sakura determined look which the girl returned. Both girls made it down to the arena and faced each other.

"Draw." Naruto called it.

Shikamaru nodded, "Draw."

Choji nodded in agreement.

Asuma and Kakashi sweat-dropped, "Come on you three, have some faith in them."

"Then let's make a bet then," Naruto said, "If it ends up a draw then you have to burn that orange book you read so much."

Kakashi froze in place as Kurenai and Asuma chuckled, the silver haired Jounin glared at Yamato who smirked at him. So he told him about the book then, huh?

Sakura and Ino stared at each other, "I never thought…I'd fight you. Or at least I didn't think it happen this soon. But don't expect me to go easy on you."

Sakura said nothing and simply stared.

Asuma looked down at his student, 'Ino was standout among the rookie female shinobi, so she has a good chance to win. But with Sakura as her opponent can she bring herself to fight hard enough to do it.'

"Of all the people for Ino to go up against, it would have to be Sakura what a mess." Shikamaru sighed.

"I know." Choji groaned.

Kakashi was interested to see just how much she'd improved.

Naruto knew that this match would end in a draw.

Hayate raised his hand, "Begin!"

Both kunoichi came at each other and Sakura sent a kick Ino's way only for the blonde to dodge, Ino tried punching Sakura but she blocked it and tried to trip her but Ino jumped and backed away. Sakura improvised and sent three kunai at her, Ino calmly grabbed a kunai and tossed it deflecting both the kunai's that were sent at her.

"Oh no, I just knew it." Choji groaned.

Naruto sighed, "I don't need to see to know this battle is going to last too long."

"What are you saying Naruto-kun?! Sakura-san will prevail victorious!" Lee grinned.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Oh man, what an idiot."

Kurotsuchi scoffed, "Pathetic, is this the best two kunoichi from Konoha can do?"

Karui was in total agreement, "This is boring as hell."

"What a pathetic display." Yugito sighed.

Omoi edged away from them and over to Killer Bee, these two looked pissed off.

The two girls continued their little academy skill fighting some more, before Ino finally got a jab at Sakura punching her in the stomach and was about to hit her in the face but chickened out and instead slapped her lightly.

Naruto's eyebrow twitched, "Did I hear what I think I just heard? Did she just slap her?"

Yamato sighed, "Yes, she did."

"What kind shit are you two teaching these girls anyway? Can't even fight decently." Zabuza looked bored.

Haku sighed, "Its quite shameful for two kunoichi to be fighting like this."

Sakura saw Ino's hesitation and clenched her fist, "Alright listen up Ino!"

Ino blinked.

"I'm not going to fight with you over Sasuke." Sakura told her.

"What did you say?!" Ino growled.

"I'm not the weak needy girl I used to be! Your not even on my radar and your not Sasuke's type! Ino-Pig!" Sakura insulted.

Ino glared at her, "Sakura! You'd better watch your step! You have any idea who your mouthing off to?! Don't press your luck with me you little Billboard-brow!"

Naruto sighed for what felt like the one-hundredth time, "Seriously? They went from fighting to name calling?"

"This is just sad." Zabuza stated.

Sakura took her headband off and the two of them had yet another stare down.

"I can't believe these two are getting so worked up." Naruto said.

Kakashi looked at him, 'He just can't see it's the same way with him and Sasuke, well Sasuke being the one who's always worked up around Naruto. Still I wonder why Naruto avoids Sasuke whenever he wants to have a fight with him?'

Ino got what Sakura was doing and took off her headband with a smirk, "Heh, I understand…Sakura." Both girls put their headbands around their foreheads giving each other a determined look.

'This time we do this right! No holding back! A fair fight…and I'm going to win!" they thought in unison.

Both girls charged at each other sending a punch that sent them both back away from each other until they charged at each other again with Sakura doing some familiar hand signs, Tiger → Boar → Ox → Dog, two clones appeared on each side of the pink haired kunoichi.

'Just a plain old jutsu?' Ino thought in confusion, "This isn't just some ninja Academy graduation exam. Do you really think you can beat me with a basic ninja art like that?!" she stood still and took a stance, 'If I look carefully I can find out which one is the real one.'

Sakura smirked, 'I'll send chakra to my feet for a burst of speed! And then!'

'What?!' Ino's eyes widened when the clones sped up too quickly for her to do anything, so she blocked their attacks that didn't even hit her allowing the real Sakura to land a punch right in her face sending her sprawling backwards.

Sakura stood up, "I'm not some crybaby anymore! You play with fire, and your gonna get burned! Let's see your best! Ino!"

Ino got up slowly wiping her face, "It's not like I needed your invitation y'know? I'll give you my best, but your not gonna like it."

Yamato looked down at the girl, "Increasing her strikes using her chakra, huh? That's impressive, she reminds me of Tsunade-sama."

The male Jounin in the room flinched with the mention of Tsunade.

The girls came each other once more sending a punch only for them both to grab hold of each other's fists and send each other flying back, but not before throwing shuriken at each other that cancelled out.

Lee was impressed with Sakura's skill, 'No matter how good Sakura is, Ino is just as good. This battle could rage on for quite a while.'

The fight between the two girls continued and it felt like the battle was gonna keep dragging on forever.

'Man, since when did she get this strong?!' Ino thought sending a punch.

'I can do this! I know I can!' Sakura thought sending her own punch.

Both fists connected sending both girls flying backwards and away from each other.

Kakashi sighed, 'At this rate this battle will never end.'

Hayate looked in between the two girls, 'This has been going on for so long. They've been at it for 10 minutes.'

Both girls were panting as they stood up slowly, "This isn't how it was supposed to go, how can you be evenly matched with me?!"

Sakura smirked, "Heh, I guess your right Ino your obsession with your looks and hair can't be surpassed. I've been training too hard to worry about that stuff."

Ino glared at the comment prompting her to take a kunai, "Your gonna pay for that! I've had enough of you making fun of me!"

"What an idiot," Shikamaru said, "Ino's falling for her trap. She's so riled up by Sakura there's no telling what she'll do."

"Oh man, I hate it when she's like this." Choji said.

Naruto just wanted the battle to be over with already, "This is taking too long. Sakura's having way too much fun goading Ino into doing something stupid."

"Looks that way." Yamato agreed.

Ino did something that took Sakura off guard…she cut her ponytail off shocking Shikamaru and Choji.

"Heh, you think that'll help?" Sakura smirked.

Shikamaru's mouth twitched, 'Uh-oh, I think she's totally lost it this time.'

"That's it!" Ino growled then tossed her hair to the ground, "See?! I don't need this!"

Sakura simply stood there with a smirk, not at all bothered by Ino's little outburst.

"Alright, I'll put an end to this right now! Get ready to tell everyone you lost to me Billboard-brow!" Ino made a familiar hand sign.

"Wait! Don't tell me she's going to-" Shikamaru's eyes widened at the familiar hand sign.

"Could it be?" Choji said.

Sakura's eyes twitched, 'If I recall that sign is...'

"I knew I recognized it, it's the Mind Transfer Jutsu sign." Shikamaru said.

"Oh man," Asuma scratched the side of his head, "That fool."

Naruto sighed, "She does realize that if she misses then she'll lose the match. What is she thinking?"

"She's not in her right mind right now." Yamato told him but was inwardly thinking the same thing.

"Look I know your frustrated, but that's pointless." Sakura smirked.

"Oh yeah? We'll just see about that." Ino challenged.

"Shintenshin no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu), it's a jutsu that allows the user to take over their opponents spirit and rest control of their body for a few minutes by discharging all of their spiritual energy and striking their enemy with is." Sakura stated, "But despite its power, there are major flaws to this formidable jutsu that makes it extremely dangerous. First, the user's discharged spiritual energy can only fly straight and it moves at a very slow speed. Second, even if the spiritual energy misses the enemy it can't return to the user's own body for several minutes and this, in battles that are most often measured in seconds. I should add the while the spiritual energy is gone the user's body, your body Ino, can't move at all. It'll be little more than a doll."

'The Shintenshin no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu) is only used for spying. Its not a battle jutsu. Ino, using that jutsu here wouldn't just be a bad idea, it'll be a fatal mistake.' Asuma thought.

'It's a powerful jutsu, but as long as Sakura can dodge it its not much of a threat. Plus, if she can avoid it, she can attack Ino without any resistance. If that happens, Hayate will be forced to bring the match to an end.' Kakashi thought.

"So what?! I don't care, I won't know unless I try!" Ino yelled.

Sakura got ready to dodge, "If you miss its all over. You do know that, right?"

Shikamaru gripped the railing leaning down, 'She's only supposed to use this with me, so I can immobilize the enemy first with my Shadow Possession Jutsu! If she uses it this way it'll never work!'

'There's no way she'll hit Sakura!' Asuma thought.

Sakura took off running.

"Don't do it!" Shikamaru yelled.

"Shintenshin no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu)!" Ino yelled.

Everyone watched as both their bodies stilled and waited with bated breath to see if it worked or not. Ino's body fell to the ground limp and unmoving.

Shikamaru's eyes were shaking, "Did it work?"

Sakura stood there for a minute then laughed, "What an unfortunate choice…Ino." She smiled lifting her head.

"So it's all over right?" Shikamaru observed.

"I can't believe she did it." Choji stared down in disbelief.

"Your done Ino."

Naruto blinked having felt chakra below Sakura's feet, "Actually…I think Ino got her."

They all looked over at Naruto then back at the arena and saw that Sakura couldn't move making her look down, "No way…"

"You fell for it Sakura," Ino lifted her head, "Ha! I finally caught you."

"It can't be!" Sakura's eyes were shaking.

"I'm afraid it can, all those hand signs earlier were jut an act to fool you. To trick you into running into the trap I've laid for you. And it worked, now you can't move at all, can you? Your being held by a special rope that's being held by my hair by chakra poured into it." Ino smirked.

Sakura grunted.

"Now that your trapped I can take over your body and make you say that your giving up this match," Ino did the same hand sign as before, "There's no way I'll ever miss with this jutsu now."

Naruto understood what Ino did, "Ino's pretty clever, she laid out a trap without Sakura noticing until it was too late."

"If Sakura hadn't been acting so arrogant earlier she would have noticed something was wrong." Yamato commented.

"So losing it was just an act to." Shikamaru theorized.

"Shintenshin no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu)!" Ino used the jutsu and took full control over Sakura's body with a smirk, "Looks like I win…Sakura." She moved to raise her hand up only to stop midway and grip her head in pain confusing everyone there.

"What's going on?!" Lee yelled.

Naruto smirked sensing Sakura trying to fight back Ino's spirit, "I think Sakura's trying to fight back."

"What?! But how?!" Lee looked at him.

"It's simple," Naruto shrugged, "She refuses to let Ino have her way and is determined to prove that she's not going down without a fight. It's all about will power."

Ino was losing her hold on Sakura, 'No! I…can't hold…onto her! Release!' she released the jutsu sending her spirit back into her own body.

"No way…she actually shattered Ino's jutsu." Shikamaru stared down in pure disbelief.

"It's like Naruto said earlier," Yamato spoke, "Shintenshin no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu) does allow you to take over the victims body, but if the victims will power or spirit is stronger than the user then the victim can cast the intruder out of their mind."

"How can you have two spirits in you? Just what are you anyway?" Ino questioned.

"Someone who is just as strong as she is beautiful," Sakura smirked, "I mean a girl's gotta be tough if she's gonna survive something like this."

Both girls stood up slowly and charged at each other one last time, 'This ends…right now!' both girls sent each other flying as they hit each other backwards and this time both were too tired to get back up.

Hayate called it, "Since neither combatant is able to continue…by double knockout no one get's through the fourth battle of the Preliminary. This match is over."

Naruto wasn't surprised at all, he had said it would end in a draw because of how both girls are. Both Asuma and Kakashi picked Ino and Sakura up and brought them back to the balcony so the fifth match could start. Kakashi was crying anime tears because he now has to burn his precious book. The names shuffled until they landed on two new sets of names.

Yamato told Naruto who was going next.

'So Gaara's sister is going next then, huh?' Naruto thought.

Tenten Higurashi

vs.

Temari Sabaku

Tenten appeared down in the arena with a smile, 'I'm soo ready. After watching that last match I'm fired up!'

Temari stood there with a smirk.

"So, this is another Genin from Sunagakure," Neji observed, "This should be interesting to watch."

"For the fifth match, Tenten, Temari, get ready." Hayate told them.

Both girls eyed each other waiting for the match to begin.

"Begin!"

Tenten jumped back instantly.

"Alright Tenten keep her guessing!" Lee cheered.

"Go for it! You've got the power of youth!" Gai yelled.

"Come on Tenten send that girl back to her village on a stretcher! We're behind you all the way Tenten!" Lee yelled.

Naruto's eye brow twitched, "Lee, Guy-sensei, I would appreciate it very much if you'd stop yelling." The blonde growled in annoyance.

Yamato sweat-dropped, 'That's the first time I've seen him so annoyed.'

"What are you waiting for? I did say to begin." Hayate eyed them both.

"Hmph, guess she's waiting for me to make a move. Big mistake, cause the first move I make will be the last one you see." Temari smirked taking a step forward making Tenten step back.

"Come on I don't want this match to be over too quickly, so why don't you go first?" Temari made a mocking gesture, "Come on girl show me what you've got."

"Okay if you insist, remember you asked for it." Tenten jumped in the air sending three shuriken at her, Temari just stood still with a smirk and all of a sudden the shuriken were down on the ground.

"I missed her?! There's just no way!" Tenten said in disbelief.

"What was that, a warm up exercise? Or maybe you're a little nervous and its effected your aim, is that it?" Temari mocked.

Tenten grunted.

"Rats and I was hoping to work up a sweat, but forget that idea this is the best you've got." Temari smirked.

Tenten glared.

"What is going on how could she have missed it is incredible!" Lee looked in disbelief.

"It's impossible! Tenten's aim is perfect! She always hits her mark!" Guy said.

"Not this time she didn't." Neji stated.

"She never misses," Guy insisted, "There must've been something, that made her miss."

"Huh?" Lee said in confusion.

"You know, you can always count on Temari to put on a good show." Kankuro commented.

"Big deal." Gaara said uncaring.

Naruto heard it for a split second, but he was sure he heard it. The sound of wind. So that was it then. Tenten is a weapons expert while Temari is a wind user, that's why her weapons missed their mark.

"Sunagakure wins this one again." Naruto stated.

"Yeah." Shikamaru agreed.

"Like you guys said, this ones over." Choji agreed.

'Okay stay calm, don't let her get to you.' Tenten thought, 'One…two…three…she must've dodged them somehow, but if I try a different approach…'

'Look at her measuring her distance. Here come her big move.' Temari grabbed the fan on her back.

'So that's her secret, that fan she carries. Okay.' Tenten then ran around Temari taking out a scroll.

"Alright, try this on for size!" Tenten said jumping up in the air twirling the scroll around sending a barrage of weapons at the girl only for Temari to deflect them quickly without anyone noticing rendering them useless and on the ground.

Tenten landed back down to the arena, "No way! She's stopped everything I've threw! What has she got in that fan of hers?!"

Temari smirked, "Take a look, this is the first moon. There are two more."

Tenten glared at her.

"When you see all three moons you'll know…you've lost the match." Temari stated.

"Tenten! Do not play your opponents game! Maintain focus! Maintain focus!" Lee yelled.

'I know Lee, I know! Well, I was planning on saving this for the finals not waste it on the Preliminary round, but it may be now or never.' Tenten smiled taking two scrolls out.

"She's using that already?" Guy questioned.

Neji said nothing and simply observed.

'At this point it doesn't matter what she uses, it's not gonna help her win the match.' Naruto thought.

"Ha! It won't work whatever it is." Temari stated.

Tenten ignored her and got to work, bending down she performed the hand signs, Tiger → Dragon → Monkey → Hare → Snake → Cross Arms: "Sōshōryū (Rising Twin Dragons)!" there was a burst of light as clouds gathered blinding everyone and soon two scrolls danced in the air as Tenten propelled herself upwards sending a barrage of weapons at Temari.

"Heh, doesn't matter how many you throw at me," Temari flipped her fan open a little more, "It's all the same, moon number two!" she sent the weapons flying with just a wave of her fan.

Tenten came back down from the ground, "I'm not done!" she jumped back in the air again and used a ninja wire to pick up all the weapons and send them back at Temari, 'I've got her now!'

Temari giggled and sent her flying right along with her weapons making her skid to the floor, when she sat up she saw the fan was all the way open.

"Moon number three." Temari grinned then disappeared using her fan.

Tenten's eyes widened, 'Where did she go? She's…she's gone!'

"Over here!"

Tenten looked behind her and saw that Temari was gliding on her fan smirking up at her before she landed before her, "Now it's my turn."

"Kamaitachi no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Wind Scythe Jutsu)!" Temari waved her fan and sent a wind cyclone at Tenten engulfing her and sending her high in the air.

"Tenten!" Lee yelled.

Tenten's arms were cut up as where her clothes as she was completely defenseless in the air.

Neji looked up, "Temari's chakra is controlling the vortex."

Lee looked at him in confusion.

"She fought well, but she'll never escape from that whirlwind. It's over." Neji said.

Tenten came out of the whirlwind and landed right on Temari's fan on her back making her cough up blood.

"Geez…talk about ruthless." Kiba commented.

"Tenten." Lee looked down.

"Wasn't much of a match, kind of boring." Temari stated looking at Tenten with disappointment.

"To be able to stop everyone of Tenten's attacks like that." Guy commented.

"I still cannot believe it." Lee said.

"Yep, looks like another win for Sunagakure just like you two said it would be." Choji said.

"Well of course that's why we said it." Shikamaru said.

"Well we're guaranteed a clean sweep in this round." Kankuro commented.

"Hmph." Gaara grunted.

'These guys aren't messing around.' Kiba gulped.

"The winner of the fifth match…Temari." Hayate announced.

Temari smirked.

Naruto felt malicious intent, "Lee, get down there."

Lee looked over at him in confusion, "What?"

"Just do it!" the blonde yelled.

"Right!" Lee jumped down just in time as Temari threw Tenten off her fan and towards the sharp weapons on the ground but Lee caught her just in time.

Temari smiled, "Hey, nice catch."

"What is wrong with you?! She may have loss but that is no way to treat an opponent who has done her best!" Lee yelled.

Temari slammed her fan down, "Oh beat it. And take that sack of garbage with you."

Lee charged at her.

"No Lee! Lee!" Neji yelled.

"Konoha Senpū (Leaf Hurricane)!" Lee sent a kick her way only for Naruto to appear out of nowhere and grab the boy's leg, "What?!"

"Just calm down," Naruto told him, "When its your turn to fight then you can go wild as much as you want, but right now you need to be calm."

Lee nodded as Naruto brought his leg down and went over by Tenten picking her up gently as the medics came to get her, 'Thank you, Naruto-kun.'

Naruto said nothing and walked back towards the stand as did Temari who was standing next to her brother, "Did any of you see him move?"

"I didn't, kid's got some speed." Kankuro complemented while shuddering at the memory of the blonde pointing a sword at hid throat

Gaara was staring at Naruto intently.

Kurotsuchi was glaring holes at the boy.

Naruto stood next to Yamato, "These Preliminaries are getting more brutal."

"That they are." Yamato complimented.

"Those guys from Suna are strong." Sakura said appearing next to him.

"Welcome back from dream land." Naruto commented.

Sakura smiled.

The names shuffled again landing on two names, Yamato told Naruto who was fighting next making the blonde's lip twitch in amusement, "This should be good."

Shikamaru Nara

vs.

Kin Tsuchi

Shikamaru walked down to the arena with his hands in his pockets, "Guess its me."

Dosu turned to Kin, "Remember he manipulates shadow's. Watch the shadow's."

"Heh, you'd think I'd fall for a stupid jutsu like that?" Kin scoffed walking down to the arena standing in front of Shikamaru.

"Troublesome, I mean give me a break I've gotta fight a girl?" Shikamaru sighed.

"Yeah you just keep thinking that way little man." Kin said.

"Ready? The sixth match, Shikamaru and Kin…Begin!" Hayate announced.

"It's all I've got," Shikamaru made the Rat hand sign.

"Your not trying that stupid shadow thing again are you?" Kin mocked.

"Shut your mouth!" Shikamaru said annoyed, "Kagemane no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Shadow Possession Jutsu)."

"Is that all you know? If that's the only trick you've got then this is gonna be easier than I thought." Kin dodged the shadow and threw two senbon needles at him that had bells attached to them.

Shikamaru ducked and looked over at the senbon needles.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Bells, huh?"

"Bells?" Shikamaru observed standing up, "Heh, oh please not that old trick. Let me guess, next you'll send senbon needles with bells, and senbon needles without bells at the same time. I'll react to the bells, and while I'm focused on dodging them I wont notice the silent needles coming at me, am I right? Heh, good luck."

"You sure talk a lot don't you?" Kin smiled throwing more senbon at him.

Shikamaru dodged them, "Now I know to be careful to dodge all the senbon, not just the ones with the bells."

Naruto heard the bells ring and felt a familiar presence in the air, "Genjutsu? Using bells?"

"So you picked up on that then, huh?" Zabuza grinned.

Shikamaru picked up on the sound and looked behind him, "What? Where?"

"So I was right, she's using Genjutsu with the bells attached to the senbon." Naruto said.

Haku nodded, "I myself have no need to use Genjutsu, but I am impressed that she is using senbon to activate it."

"Your skills are better." Zabuza scoffed.

Haku smiled.

Shikamaru noticed something attached to one of the bells, 'Threads?' he turned behind him, "Oh man!"

"Too late!" Kin said throwing more needles at Shikamaru getting his arm but he stayed standing.

"Heh, not bad but you've still lost." Kin smirked activating the Genjutsu using the bells, creating more of her, "With this many of me you wont know where to aim your shadow at, face it little man you've lost."

Shikamaru smirked taking her off guard, "Gotcha."

"What?" Kin questioned then noticed her arm go slack, "What's wrong? Can't move my arm!"

"Looks like my lame Shadow Jutsu was a success after all." Shikamaru said.

"But you haven't thrown any shadows, no way I made sure of it!" Kin protested looking down.

"Heh, you really still don't see it?" Shikamaru smirked.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Kin questioned.

"Look at that thread your holding," Shikamaru said, "Don't you find it a little strange that it would even cast a shadow at this height?" as if to prove his point the shadow below her expanded, "Course you didn't notice it because you were concentrating on other things like killing me."

Kin grunted, "The shadow…spreading all around me, and I didn't see it coming."

"Right, I stretched my shadow along the line of that thread and followed it back now I'm attached you." Shikamaru said raising her arm.

"And now? So, we mirror each other's movements, so what? A cute trick but what do you gain by it?" Kin mocked.

"Man, your annoying, shut up and watch." Shikamaru said opening his pouch and taking out a shuriken, Kin following his every move.

"You must be insane! If you throw that shuriken at me, you'll just be attacking yourself!" She said.

"Makes it kinda interesting doesn't it?" Shikamaru smiled.

"You wouldn't. You couldn't." Kin said.

"Yeah? Like a game of chicken, let's see who ducks first!" Shikamaru threw the shuriken.

"Your crazy!" Kin yelled as she did the same thing as he did.

Everyone watched with worry as Shikamaru bent backwards to avoid being hit.

"Big deal I'll do that to-" she bonked her head hard on the wall behind her.

"And that's what I call using your head," Shikamaru stood up, "The wise shinobi carefully scouts the physical layout of the battlefield. And never loses his sight of the position on it."

"Winner of the sixth match, Shikamaru Nara!" Hayate declared.

"Atta boy, Shikamaru!" Ino cheered.

"Yeah, wait a go!" Choji cheered.

Naruto smiled, 'Shikamaru may act lazy, but when it comes to strategy he's the best.'

"This years Rookies are looking to be quite a challenge." Neji eyed Hinata.

Hinata could feel her cousin glare on her but she wasn't paying attention she had been keeping her eyes on the ninja from Iwa since the battles started. Their presence unnerving her greatly.

The names shuffled again and Yamato frowned when he saw who was going next, Kakashi was worried as was the Sandaime who was still there observing the battles.

Naruto Uzumaki

vs.

N. Kurame

"Judging by your reaction I take it it's my turn now, right?" Naruto said.

"Your up against someone from Iwa." Yamato frowned.

Naruto's lip twitched as he walked down the arena, the other Genin were wondering why the Jounin suddenly got so tense.

N was smirking as he watched the Yellow Flash's offspring before him, 'Just my luck. I finally get to fight and its against that bastards son! And to make things even better he's blind! I'm gonna enjoy killing him in front these Konoha scumbags!'

Kurotsuchi gripped the railing, 'You wont be getting out of this battle alive Yellow Flash! We'll avenge our village!'

N scoffed, "This will be easy, and don't even think about forfeiting because I wont let you."

Naruto smiled taking him off guard, "That's cute, but I would prefer it if you'd forfeit yourself. I would hate to have to kill you in front of your teammates, but something tells me you have no plans in doing so."

"W-What? Kakashi-sensei Naruto's not serious about killing him is he?" Sakura looked at the silver haired Jounin.

"He might have to, considering who his opponent is and where he's from." Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the Iwa Genin.

"What do you mean by that?" Shikamaru wondered.

Zabuza chuckled getting their attention, "I almost feel bad for that Iwa brat…almost."

"Naruto-san will show him no mercy, poor thing." Haku smiled.

Ino sweat-drooped, "You guys are seriously scaring me."

N scoffed, "Ha! You kill me? Don't make me laugh."

"Your heartbeat tells a different story," Naruto smirked, "It's beating pretty fast, are you scared or nervous?"

N glared at him.

"Glaring are we?" Naruto tilted his head in amusement.

The boy's eyes widened in shock, "You…"

Hayate could sense the tension and hope he wouldn't have to step in, "Seventh match, Naruto Uzumaki and N Kurame…Begin!"

N jumped back and performed the hand signs, Ram → Horse → Dragon: "Doton: Doryūdan (Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb)!" a dragon made of mud appeared and shot towards Naruto who was completely calm.

Naruto summoned a shadow clone giving it his sword and did his own hand sign, Ox → Dog → Rat: "Fūton: Fuuheki (Wind Release: Wind Wall)." A swirling stream of wind encased Naruto protecting him from the attack rendering it useless.

Asuma was impressed, "Huh, I didn't know Naruto has a wind affinity."

"Neither did I." Kurenai commented.

Kakashi didn't know either. Just what else is Naruto keeping from him?

"Whoa…I had no idea Naruto was thing strong." Choji was amazed by the wind wall.

"Yeah but he's not stronger than Sasuke." Ino waved her hand.

"Naruto-kun is stronger than Sasuke." Hinata spoke up surprising everyone,

"He always has been, he just sees no reason to flaunt it in front of everyone because it holds no interest for him." She said calmly.

"Basically, Naruto's been holding back since the very beginning." Shikamaru eyed the blonde.

N grit his teeth in frustration, "Let's see you block this!" he yelled, "Doton: Ganchūsō (Earth Style: Stone Column Spears)!" rock spears appeared from the ground but Naruto wasn't worried about it.

He clapped his hands together, "Fūton: Reppūshō (Wind Style: Gale Palm)." Compressed wind transforming into a powerful gale shredded the spikes before they could get to him and knocked N into the stonewall behind him. He slid down from the wall in pain but got up slowly glaring at the blonde.

"Amazing! Naruto-kun's flames of youth are simply amazing!" Lee was impressed with his rival.

"Damn, Naruto really was holding back all this time." Kiba smirked.

"His opponent though…he's seriously trying to kill him. Why?" Choji was a bit disturbed.

The Jounin didn't know how to answer that so they didn't, Hiruzen was impressed with Naruto's growth, "He's grown to be an amazing shinobi."

Anko smirked, "Damn, I really like this kid. I should take him under my wing."

"Get in line." Ibiki smirked.

Yamato who heard them snapped his head in their direction, "Absolutely not! It's bad enough this one decided to teach him!"

"Huh?" Zabuza was about to take his sword off his back but Haku stopped him.

"The hell is that supposed to mean Wood Boy?!" Anko yelled.

Yamato sputtered, "What kind of nickname is that?!"

"Will you two kindly shut the hell up?" Ibiki glared at them both.

The Genin sweat-dropped. Crazy ass adults.

Naruto could feel his opponent's glare, "Glaring at me again, huh?"

N was taken back, "How did you…?"

"Now that would be telling." Naruto mimicked Anko.

"We should be friends!" Anko yelled out in pure joy.

"NO!" Yamato and Hiruzen yelled in unison.

N got ready to use another hand sign, but Naruto's voice stopped him, "Your about to use another hand sign, aren't you?" he was having a little fun freaking his opponent out. He had no clue whether he was performing hand signs or not, he just took a guess.

He froze in his tracks, "You…but how…?!"

Naruto gave him a sinister smile making his blood run cold, "You see…there are many advantages to being blind. Can you guess what it is?"

N didn't answer and instead got into a Taijutsu stance making Naruto's ear's twitch, "Your taking up a fighting stance right now."

N's eyes winded as did everyone else's.

"How did Naruto know that?!" Ino wondered.

Lee was observing his rival wondering the same thing until he finally got it, "That's it!"

"What's it?" Kiba wondered.

"Naruto-kun is truly a worthy rival! So that's how he knew!" Lee was getting excited now.

Shikamaru was curious to know what the hell he was talking about but decided to watch the match.

Naruto took his sword back from the clone, "To be honest with you, I would prefer it of you'd forfeit. Will you?"

"Like hell I will!" N snarled.

Naruto sighed, "I see…that's too bad then," he unsheathed his long sword taking everyone by surprise, "Guess that means I need to come at you with the intent to kill since its obvious your doing the very same," he said coldly, "Fūton: Shinkūjin (Wind Style: Vacuum Blade)." Exhaling wind chakra into the blade engulfing it in wind-incased chakra.

The blonde appeared before his opponent quickly as though it were a blink of an eye not giving his opponent any time to prepare or counter anything he was about to do, "Shiroi Senkō (White Flash)." With a quick strike he slashed his opponents front side making him cry out in pain and sent him flying away from him rolling on the floor a few times before coming to a stop. N stood up slowly clutching his front side, there was visible blood on the floor.

"My god…" Kurenai's eyes were shaking.

"What…what was that…? The blade's surrounded in wind chakra…" Sakura's words were shaky.

"Fūton: Shinkūjin (Wind Style: Vacuum Blade)," Yamato spoke getting their attention, "It's a wind style jutsu that allows the user to surround any weapon they have in their possession with wind chakra making the object sharper and easy to kill their opponents."

"You taught him that?" Kakashi questioned.

"I didn't, Naruto was determined to learn it all on his own without any help and his efforts paid off. His opponent wants to kill him battle, so he's responding to the threat by doing the exact same thing." Yamato stated calmly.

"Yeah…but still," Kiba gulped, "You really think Naruto will kill him…?"

"I'm not sure, though it seems like the logical choice to do so." Shino stated.

Hinata was hoping he wouldn't have to get his hands dirty, but knew that he had to do what he had to do.

Temari grinned, "Finally another wind user, and he knows what he's doing too!"

Kankuro sweat-dropped, "Man am I glad he went easy on me the first time we met."

Gaara was grinning with anticipation of fighting the blonde.

Killer Bee was grinning, "Hey yo, Konoha ninja kicking ass, fool ya fool!"

"He seems the strongest out of the bunch." Omoi observed.

Yugito nodded in complete agreement.

Kurotsuchi was glaring down at Naruto, "Damn him…!"

"I've never seen N backed into a corner like this before." Akatsuchi's eyes were shaking.

Naruto could hear N's rapid breathing, he didn't cut him too deep but he was probably in shock and it was struggle just to stand and stay steady, "You really should just forfeit and let the medics take you, otherwise you might really die."

"Screw you Konoha trash!" N spat out gripping his wound tightly.

Naruto sighed, "Fine. Have it your way then." He did the familiar hand signs, Ox → Snake → Ram.

Kakashi's eyes widened, "Zabuza! What were you thinking?!"

Zabuza grinned, "That the kid has potential to surpass me, that's why I taught it to him."

"And what exactly is that?" Guy wondered curiously.

Sakura's eyes widened, "Those hand signs…it can't be…"

"What? What is it, Sakura?" Ino wanted to know as did everyone else.

"That's the…" Sakura stared.

Naruto finished it the hand signs and executed the jutsu, "Kirigakure no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu)." Mist began to form out of nowhere obscuring everyone's view of the battle.

"What's going on?! Where did all this mist come from?!" Kiba was trying to see but couldn't.

Neji activated his Byakugan and tried peering down but found he couldn't, "This mist is so thick that my Byakugan can't see through it."

"What?! How is that possible?!" Lee was surprised anything could obscure the Byakugan's vision.

Guy's eyes widened, "That jutsu…it's used by the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist. Its their signature jutsu they use it to hide in the mist and slaughter their opponents quickly and precisely. Only those from Kirigakure use it."

"But then how does Naruto know it?" Choji questioned.

"Me." Zabuza said getting their attention, "I used to be one of the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist kiddies, Zabuza Momochi at your service."

The Genin's paled. What the hell was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsman of the Mist doing here in Konoha?!

"Zabuza, you taught him that jutsu?!" Yamato yelled.

Zabuza shrugged his shoulders, "The kids water affinity impressive, so have his sword skills thanks to me. The kid's earned my respect so I deemed him worthy of knowing our signature jutsu and he's using it perfectly."

Haku nodded, "You have taught him well Zabuza-sama. I am proud of his achievement."

Anko was jumping with excitement, "Holy shit! This is freaking awesome! I should have made a bet on this battle!"

Ibiki smirked.

Hiruzen's eyes were wide, "He managed to execute one of Kirigakure's most known jutsu right before our eyes. Impressive."

N was looking around trying to find his opponent but didn't hear anything it was like everything was silent, "Where the hell are you?!"

"Eight points," Naruto's voice sounded in human making everyone flinch at his cold tone, "Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidney's, heart. Which point should I take? I like them all." His voice sounded like it was coming from all over the place.

Zabuza howled with laughter, "You gotta love this kid!"

"Zabuza-sama, he seems to have taken after your personality somewhat." Haku told him.

Yamato gave Zabuza his scary face, "Zabuza…I warned you."

"Oh don't get your panties in a twist," Zabuza rolled his eyes, "This is freaking hilarious."

Everyone was on edge wondering what would happen next but didn't hear anything.

Meanwhile inside the mist N was still trying to sense Naruto somewhere, anywhere but couldn't, 'Where…Where the hell is he?' he didn't think about it too long because he was slashed in the shoulder making him cry our in pain and look around gripping his shoulder tightly, 'What?! But I didn't even hear him!'

Naruto got him again in the leg making him cry out in pain once more and fall to the ground breathing heavily.

"Damn…you…where the hell…are you…?" N panted.

"I am everywhere and I am nowhere," Naruto's voice sounded throughout the mist, "I'm in front of you, I'm behind you, I'm to your left, I'm to your right. Where am I?"

N couldn't take it anymore, his wounds were starting bleed and it felt as though he was being toyed with by some inhuman monster that thrives off killing, 'What is this?! I-I can't take it! He could come at me from anywhere! Dammit!' his body started shaking and he howled, "DAMN YOU!"

Naruto appeared before him after his little rage moment, Snake → Ram → Horse → Hare → Ram → Horse → Hare → Hands spread in front palms out: "Suiton: Suirō no Jutsu (Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu)."

N found himself in a water sphere and unable to breath he was moving around trying to get free but with is wounds it wasn't really helping. The mist soon resided and everyone saw that Naruto had his opponent trapped in a familiar jutsu that Sakura and Kakashi knew quite well.

"That's the same jutsu Zabuza used against Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura recognized.

"You taught him that to?" Kakashi was surprised Naruto executed the jutsu so well.

"Yeah, but ours is completely different. I used mine and let you breath in it…the kids not doing that to his opponent." Zabuza stated.

Everyone looked down and saw that Naruto's opponent was indeed suffocating and gasping for air.

Naruto walked over bending down to feel for his scabbard, when he found it and sealed his sword back up then looked over at his opponent, "I think you should stop trying to move inside that water prison because your only making things worse, and with those wounds of yours it'll bring you more pain."

N was still struggling to breath but he felt his vision get blurry and cloudy and soon his eyes began to close slowly, 'D-Damn it…I lost…to the Yellow Flash…'

"By the way, when I asked you to forfeit earlier I was saying that out of the goodness of my heart, don't worry though you won't die just sleep for a little while." Naruto said as N finally passed out. The blonde dispelled the water prison and N fell to the ground, Hayate was by his side in an instant checking his pulse.

Hayate sighed and stood up, "Winner of the seventh match by knockout…Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto smiled as he walked towards the stand where everyone else was and found his hand grabbed by someone, "Naruto-kun, your flames of youth are most amazing! Please spar with me!" Lee said in an excited tone.

Naruto smiled nervously, "Um…sure. But maybe some other time, okay?"

"YOSH!" Lee yelled.

Naruto winced at the volume, 'I should wear my earplugs around him too.' He thought as he walked and stood next to Sakura, "I'm tired."

"Naruto…that was amazing…" Sakura found the will to speak.

"I wouldn't call what I did amazing, I was just fighting an opponent that's all." Naruto stated.

"Dude that was soo badass! I didn't think you were this strong!" Kiba grinned.

"Quit the interesting match, Naruto-san." Shino nodded.

Hinata smiled standing next to him, "I'm glad you didn't have to kill him."

"I was debating about it, but I think damaging his pride would be much more fun. He lost to a blind ninja, I cant imagine what they'll say about him after this." Naruto smirked.

Zabuza laughed his ass off, "Kid's completely ruthless! I love it!"

"Me too! Hey Kakashi can I borrow him for awhile?" Anko asked.

Kakashi sighed, "No Anko, and judging by Yamato's face he wont allow it either."

Anko pouted, "You guys are no fun."

Kurotsuchi glared at Naruto gripping the railing tightly, "Bastard…I'll avenge N…I swear…!"

"He won without getting a single scratch on him, kids dangerous." Omoi complimented.

Killer Bee was impressed with Konoha's Jinchuriki. It was obvious the kid had some hidden potential.

The names shuffled again getting everyone's attention. Two named were selected.

Kurotsuchi

vs.

Hiroshi

"Huh, an Iwa nin going up against an Ame nin, huh?" Omoi observed.

"Another ninja from Iwa is fighting, huh? And its against someone from Ame." Asuma looked down.

"Wait a minute, I recognize that girl. She's the Tsuchikage's granddaughter!" Kurenai stared at Kurotsuchi.

"Are you serious? Why would that old man send his own granddaughter here?" Asuma questioned.

"You know how Iwagakure is, something like having the Tsuchikage's granddaughter participate in the exams isn't unexpected." Kakashi reminded.

"Hmph, every single person from that village are nothing more but arrogant assholes." Zabuza grunted.

Haku nodded in agreement.

Kurotsuchi was fighting a male ninja from Ame. She was smirking the whole way eager to prove why Iwagakure is the more superior village.

Hayate looked at them both, "Here we go, the eighth match. Kurotsuchi and Hiroshi…begin!"

Kurotsuchi wasted no time and sent a kick towards Hiroshi's gut sending him flying away from her but he got right back up and threw senbon needles at her. She then did something that took everyone by surprise, she started flying in the air and simply hovered there smirking down at her opponent.

"What the hell?! She can fly?!" Kiba yelled.

"I'm not surprised, she is after all the Tsuchikage's granddaughter." Yamato stated.

"Yeah, that old man can fly too." Asuma said.

Kurotsuchi smirked at her opponent's dumbfounded expression, "Heh, let's get this party started then, Tiger → Rat: "Yōton: Kaisekifū no Jutsu (Lava Style: Ash Stone Sealing Jutsu)!" she spewed thick black ash at her opponent binding his movements preventing him from even lifting a finger.

Naruto was wondering if he he'd heard her correctly, "Did I hear that right? Did she just say, Yōton (Lava Style)?"

"You heard her correctly, she said just that." Haku said.

"And here I thought people from Iwagakure only had Doton (Earth Release), guess she comes from a clan." Naruto said.

"Yōton (Lava Style)?" Sakura questioned.

"Back in Kirigakure another person I know has the same ability. Lava Style is no joke and you don't wanna be on the receiving end of it at all." Zabuza told them seriously.

Kurotsuchi decided to end it. Literally. Making the Bird hand sign she decided to finish him off, "Doton: Doryūsō (Earth Style: Falling Earth Spears)!" an earth spike appeared from the ground impaling Hiroshi right in the gut killing him instantly.

Sakura had both hands to her mouth in horror, Ino looked sick, Hinata squeezed Naruto's hand, the others had various reactions from disbelief to anger.

Hayate looked a little disgusted himself before remembering this girl is from Iwagakure and that this is normal where their from, "Winner of the eighth match by…death. Kurotsuchi."

Kurotsuchi simply smirked and flew back up to stand next to Akatsuchi.

"That was uncalled for! The guy was pinned down!" Kiba growled.

"She's from Iwagakure Kiba, not to mention she's the Tsuchikage's granddaughter. She's probably just copying the way he acts all the time." Naruto theorized, 'I can't believe she actually killed him in front of everyone. Even though Hayate-sensei said killing is allowed I don't even think he was expecting it himself.'

The medic crew came and got the dead Ame ninja out of the black ash, placing him a body bag before whisking him off. Other ninja came and got the field back to normal again.

Hayate coughed, "Alright, onto the next match." The names on the screen shuffled before landing on two names.

Karui

vs.

Akatsuchi

"Three times in a row? Is this a coincidence or was this planned?" Zabuza raised a brow.

"I'm not sure, Zabuza-sama." Haku said.

Both competitors faced each other as they were down in the arena. Naruto felt intense hatred and looked over at Hinata, "Is Neji glaring?"

"He is, he's glaring at the girl Karui." Hinata said, "She's from Kumogakure."

"That explains it then." Naruto said.

Karui had her sword drawn and Akatsuchi got ready himself, Hayate looked at them, "The ninth match, Karui and Akatsuchi…begin!"

Karui made the first move charging at Akatsuchi taking a swing at him, but he dodged just in time and jumped back, Seal of Confrontation: "Doton: Gōremu no Jutsu (Earth Style: Earth Golem Jutsu)!" expelling from his mouth he found himself covered in earth protecting his entire body.

"So that's your defense, huh? Well let's see it counter this!" Karui brought her sword in the air, "Rairyū no Tatsumaki (Ninja Art: Thunder Dragon Tornado)!" there was lightning that gathered around her blade and soon a lightning dragon appeared, with a roar it shot towards the earth protected Akatsuchi slamming into it and causing smoke to appear as well as shake the place a little bit.

When the smoke cleared they saw the golem start to fall apart and Akatsuchi was panting a little bit giving Karui that chance to end it charging at him quickly she got to work, "Kumo-Ryū Omotegiri (Cloud Style: Front Slice)!" using the back of her sword she swiped at Akatsuchi making him cry out in pain and sent him backwards. He landed on his back and didn't get back up again.

Hayate called it, "Winner of the ninth match. Karui."

"YEAH!" Killer Bee yelled.

Kiba smirked, "I may not like those guys from Kumo but I don't like the guys from Iwa even less."

Naruto had doubts about the match, it felt as though Akatsuchi was holding back and let himself lose the match. Little did he know he was right because Kurotsuchi smirked, her and Akatsuchi discussed that it was best she'd advance to the finals and take Naruto out. But she knew his true skill and it was wasted on these idiots.

The names shuffled again before landing on two set of names that took everyone by surprise.

Hinata Hyūga

vs.

Neji Hyūga

Neji smirked, "I didn't think my revenge would come so soon."

Hinata was surprisingly calm and walked down to the arena not seeing her teammates and sensei's worried look.

"Hinata." Naruto called out making her stop and look over at him, "Don't hurt him too badly."

Hinata smiled, "Of course not. He's family." She finally made it down to the arena facing Neji.

Kurenai was confused by Hinata's behavior, 'She doesn't seem worried at all…did something happen?'

Naruto smiled, 'Maybe now Neji will finally snap out of it.'

Kiba and Shino were worried, even though Shino didn't show it. Neji is completely ruthless and wouldn't hesitate to kill Hinata at all. They could only hope that their teammate would be okay.

Neji and Hinata faced each other, "I didn't expect to fight you in the Preliminaries."

"Nor I Neji-nii-san." Hinata said calmly.

"Brother? Their siblings?" Sakura questioned.

"Their cousins," Naruto said getting their attention, "In the Hyūga household their divided into the Main House and Branch House. Hinata is from the Main House while Neji is from the Branch House, which is considered the lower part of the clan. There's still some animosity amongst between the two houses, with the Branch House hating the Main House's guts."

"Interesting," Kakashi said, "And how do you know all this?"

"Because I've been going over to the Hyūga complex ever since I was five years old, that's how." Naruto told him nonchalantly.

"What?!" Kiba yelled.

Naruto simply shrugged, "Hiashi doesn't mind me coming over and neither do the elders for some reason. The Branch and Main house don't mind me all that much either."

Kurenai had no idea Naruto was spending so much time at the Hyūga Compound, let alone close enough to interact with the clan.

Hayate was looking in between them nervously, this was one battle they were hoping to avoid, "Tenth match, Hinata Hyūga and Neji Hyūga…begin!"

Neji activates his Byakugan instantly and stared at Hinata who stared back unnerved by his staring, "I suggest you forfeit Hinata-sama, a failure like you has no chance of defeating me."

Hinata didn't respond and simply took off her jacket much to his and everyone's confusion except Naruto who didn't know she took it off until Yamato told him. He began to smirk, 'So she took her jacket off, huh? I feel sorry for Neji now.'

Hinata folded her jacket gently and handed it over to a confused Hayate who took it still blinking in confusion. Hinata then went back over to face Neji, then took off her headband that was around her neck and wrapped it around her forehead instead before activated her Byakugan.

"What kind of pathetic display was that? Are you trying to prove something?" Neji mocked.

Hinata pointed two fingers at him uttering the words that made Naruto shiver, "Lock…on."

Naruto flinched, "He's screwed."

Neji didn't have time to mock her because he had to block a Jūken aimed right at him, a soon as he blocked it he was sent flying backwards much to his shock and confusion and the pain he felt when he blocked it was stinging badly. She came at him again not giving him time to recover at all coming at him quickly and precisely.

'What is this?' Neji grunted, 'Her speed and strikes are better than they were before! But how?!' a kick to his gut knocked him out of his thoughts sending him backwards again putting one hand to his stomach glaring at Hinata who stood there looking at him emotionally as though she were in a trance.

Kiba's eyes widened, "Whoa…Hinata's completely different from when she she's with us on missions."

Shino nodded in agreement, "That's right, I've never seen her this calm before."

Naruto sighed, "Hinata's other side has just appeared. It's scarier everytime."

"Other side?" Sakura questioned.

"See…I told Hinata that she can still be her normal self when she's not fighting and she took it to heart. When she's not fighting she's normal Hinata, but when she starts fighting she becomes completely different. We called the other personality…Awakened Hinata." Naruto explained.

"Awakened Hinata?" Shikamaru raised a brow.

"It's what we call the Hinata that isn't afraid to take down an opponent she believes is a threat and actually shows no mercy. But that's only when she fights seriously, which is now." Naruto said.

"She's not gonna kill Neji is she?" Yamato questioned.

"Of course not." Naruto said immediately.

Neji straightened himself, "I'll admit I'm surprised, but your still and always will be a failure." He charged at her and she stood there waiting for him to come, as soon as he did she maneuvered around his strikes with ease, twirling and moving around with such grace as though she were dancing frustrating him more.

'Why?' he sent another strike only for her block it safely and get him in the stomach sending him back but he came at her again, 'Why?' Hinata kept moving around before getting his arm making him jump back and used his palm to get some feeling back in his arm again, 'Why can't I hit her?! Why?!'

Hinata came at him so he decided to use his trump card, 'I can't believe she's forced me to use this!' he thought, Hinata sensed there was something up and jumped back just in time, "Hakkeshō Kaiten (Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation)!" spinning around he created a blue sphere around him protecting him from any incoming attacks Hinata might throw at him.

Naruto blinked, "So he knows how to use Hakkeshō Kaiten (Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation), huh? That's only taught by the Main House."

"He must've learned it all on his own." Yamato theorized.

"Pretty impressive." Kakashi complimented.

Neji stopped spinning then smirked at Hinata, "Surprised that someone from the Branch House knows this technique?"

"It's incomplete." Awakened Hinata said.

"What?" Neji raised a brow.

"You executed it that's true, but you haven't complete it yet and simply used an incomplete version but that doesn't mean it still doesn't have its intended effect." Awakened Hinata said honestly.

"And how would you know its incomplete?" Neji said trying not to show his surprise.

"Shall I show you?" a voice said from behind making his eyes widen and turn behind him but it was too late for him to do anything, "Hakkeshō Kaiten (Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation)!" she did her version of the spin, but instead of blue it was purple and it sent him flying towards the real Hinata who got into a familiar stance, "I'm afraid its over now…Neji-nii-san."

"Jūkenhō: Hakke Rokujūyon Shō (Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms)!" she sent two fingers at him as he was still flying towards her stopping him.

"Ni Shō (Two Palms)!"

"Yon Shō (Four Palms)!"

"Hachi Shō (Eight Palms)!"

"Jūroku Shō (Sixteen Palms)."

"Sanjūni Shō (Thirty-Two Palms)."

"Rokujūyon Shō (Sixty-Four Palms)!"

And with that she sent the final strike sealing Neji's fate as flew backwards landing on the floor hard and he didn't get back up. There was silence for a few minutes before Hayate finally called it, "Winner of the tenth match…Hinata Hyūga."

"HELL YEAH!" Kiba cheered.

Shino was glad his teammate managed to beat Neji.

Kurenai breathed a sigh of relief proud of Hinata's growth, 'You did well Hinata.'

Naruto smiled, "She did it."

"Hinata-san's flames of youth are burning with passion!" Lee cheered.

Gai was glad Hinata managed to beat Neji because maybe now he can be free from the cage he put himself in by talking about fate.

Hinata deactivated her Byakugan and untied her forehead protector wrapping it around her neck again before walking over to Neji who was conscious, "I lost."

She bent down and smiled at him, "Yes, but that's not a bad thing Neji-ni-san. I was really surprised when you used one of the Main Houses techniques, and in my opinion your is the best."

Neji stared at her, "Hinata-sama…"

"When I heard the uncle was used as the sacrifice I went and yelled at my father for the first time." She told him making his eyes widen in shock.

"I believed that he sacrificed uncle without a second thought, but I was wrong. Father…broke down in tears confessing his weakness for not being able to stop uncle for sacrificing himself for the sake of the Hyūga clan. Father was prepared to go himself but uncle wouldn't let him and incapacitated him out of defiance. Uncle had already made up his mind, and said that he had faith that you Neji-nii-san would be able to defy fate just as he did." She took his hand with a smile, "And I believe that too."

At this point Neji was crying as Hinata held his hand gently, "When the exams are over let's spar sometime, okay?"

Neji looked at her with a smile for the very first time, "Yes…Hinata-sama."

Naruto smiled, 'I'm happy for you…Hinata-chan.'

The medics took Neji away and Hinata grabbed her jacket back from Hayate and walked up the stands and stood next to her teammates with a smile. The names on the board shuffled again and selected two names.

Kiba Inuzuka

vs.

Yugito Nii

Yamato blinked, "Well now, that's interesting."

"Who's going next?" Naruto asked.

"Yugito Nii will be going up against Kiba." Yamato said.

"Kit, she has Matatabi inside her." Kurama informed.

'Matatabi…which one was she again?' Naruto asked.

"Nibi."

'Gotcha.'

Kiba grinned at Yugito who looked at him calmly, "Let's do this, Akamaru!"

"Arf!"

Yugito still looked completely calm.

"So he's going up against someone from Kumo, huh? Let's hope he does his best." Asuma said.

Hayate looked at them both, "You ready? For the eleventh match, Yugito Nii, Kiba Inuzuka…Begin!"

"Let's do this Akamaru!" Kiba exclaimed as Akamaru jumped down from his perch on inside Kiba's jacket. He made the Tiger hand sign, "Jūjin Bunshin (Man Beast Clone)!" Akamaru transformed into Kiba, the two of them growling at Yugito who still stood there calmly, "Gatsūga (Man-Beast Ultimate Taijutsu: Fang Over Fang)!" the two of them started spinning and right towards Yugito who stood completely still.

Yugito channeled the Nibi's chakra closing her eyes before she snapped them open. She took a deep breath, "Byōen Hōka (Flaming Cat Roar)!" sending a human size fireball at Kiba and Akamaru both they were engulfed in flames.

"Kiba-kun!" Hinata yelled.

Everyone had their eyes covered as the flames were so bright that they couldn't help but cover their faces, the only exception was Naruto since he was blind and couldn't see anyway. When the flames died down, they saw Kiba and Akamaru were on the ground unconscious their bodies having burn marks on them but not that severe. They were shocked to see how fast the match ended.

Hayate called it still in shock himself, "Winner of the eleventh match…Yugito Nii."

Yugito bowed towards Hayate and walked back up to the stands with her team, while the medics took Kiba and Akamaru away.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered in surprise.

"No way…all it took was one jutsu and Kiba lost." Ino couldn't believe her eyes.

'Those were some intense flames…maybe even more than Sasuke's. It felt like the heat would burn me alive.' Naruto thought.

The names shuffled again and landed on two names.

Omoi

vs.

Ume

"Kumo going up against Ame again, huh?" Asuma observed.

Omoi and Ame stared at each other but Omoi was overthinking again as usual but this time it was inside his head.

"Alright then…for the twelfth match. Omoi and Ume…begin!" Hayate announced.

Omoi sighed and stuck his palm out, "Nothing personal dude," he said, "Raiton: Sandāboruto (Lightning Style: Thunderbolt)!" thunder cackled and was sent towards Ume electrocuting him into unconsciousness. Another battle ended very easily.

Hayate blinked, "Winner of the twelfth match…Omoi."

Omoi sighed and went back up to stand next to his team.

The names on the screen shuffled again and the names were selected making everyone's breath hitch.

Rock Lee

vs.

Gaara Sabaku

"YOSH! It's finally my turn to show my flames of youth!" Lee jumped down from the railing and down towards the arena where Gaara was already waiting for him.

Lee noticed that the cork on Gaara's back was no where to be seen, "I see yo are very eager to start. I look forward to this fight."

"Hmph." Gaara responded.

"Twelfth match, Rock Lee and Gaara Sabaku…begin!"

Lee shot off like a bullet sending a kick towards Gaara only for it to be blocked by a sand shield, so he tried again but it was the same result. Lee was very fast though because he was blurring around Gaara pretty fast. The sand shinobi sent his sand to try and grab Lee but the green spandex boy was jumping around avoiding it.

"Wow…Lee's pretty fast." Sakura stared in awe.

"Yeah, no kidding." Ino agreed.

"He's fast but no fast enough to get through that sand shield that sand shinobi keeps using." Shikamaru told them.

Gai thought the same thing as he saw Lee jump high in the air to avoid another sand attack and stood on top of the statue, "Lee! Take them off!"

Lee over at Gai in surprise, "But, Gai-sensei!"

"It's fine Lee! This time I'm making an exception!" Gai told Lee.

Lee nodded and bent down to remove the weights from his leg warmers much to everyone's shock.

"Wait a minute! He's been wearing weights this whole time?!" Ino yelled.

Naruto blinked, "Huh, that's pretty cool."

"Wonder how much the weigh?" Sakura wondered.

"Now I'm ready!" Lee said having removed the weights from his legs and dropped them.

Temari scoffed inwardly, 'Taking off those weights isn't gonna make a difference.' She was forced to rethink that as she saw them fall and crash to the ground where they made a dent in the ground.

"What the…?" Choji stared.

"They were that heavy?!" Ino yelled.

Kakashi sighed, 'Only Gai…'

Lee disappeared in a burst of speed charging at Gaara and the red heads sand instantly moved to protect him, only this time the sand wasn't strong enough and actually through! Before Gaara could do anything Lee disappeared in a burst of speed again making the red head look around trying to find green spandex wearing boy only to feel a force that kicked him in the head forcing him bend his knees forward.

"Gaara…he's been hit!" Temari cried out in shock.

Baki's eyes widened and Kankuro's jaw dropped. No one had ever been able to hit Gaara before, but this ninja managed to do just that!

Gaara tried using his sand again to try and crush Lee but the Genin was too fast and got the red haired sand shinobi right in the cheek.

Naruto's senses were all over the place proving that not even he could try and keep track of them, "Lee's moving so fast that its hard for me to sense him at all!"

Yamato shuddered, "That's what happens when you have Gai for a sensei."

Kakashi nodded in agreement.

Gaara got back on his feet with a grunt and everyone saw there was sand breaking off from his face, but that wasn't all…his face looked deranged.

Naruto's eyebrow twitched, 'I feel bloodlust!'

"No way! He has another shield?!" Sakura cried out.

"Gaara…he's starting to lose it!" Temari said voiced with worry for her brother.

'That sand armor of his. There's a good chance it uses a lot of chakra.' Kakashi thought.

Lee unwrapped his bandages a little bit then sped ran around Gaara creating a whirlwind before kicking the boy in the chin. He then proceeded to kick him a few more times while in the air then wrapped his white bandages around the sand ninja, "Omote Renge (Primary Lotus)!" spinning Gaara around and drove him into the ground headfirst creating a massive explosion as he did so. Lee landed away from Gaara as he observed the state of his opponent breathing heavy as everyone else watched the motionless Gaara.

"He did it!" Sakura cried out.

Naruto wasn't so sure. Gaara's not the type to go down that easy that was a fact.

He was proven right when everyone saw Gaara dissolve into sand basically falling apart.

"He used a Kawarimi?! When?!" Gai cried.

"When you were praying earlier that's when." Kakashi told him.

Gaara appeared out of the sand with a crazed look in his eyes that unsettled everyone, he made a single hand sign and sent more sand at Lee who tried to block it as best he could but he was tossed around like a ragdoll but Lee managed regain his mobility and grinned.

"He's still able to keep going?" Ino questioned, "How?"

Gai smiled with pride, "Because…the Konoha Lotus blooms twice."

Kakashi looked over at him with a shocked expression, "Gai! Did you really teach him that?! What were you thinking?!"

Gai kept a calm expression as he spoke, "You heard me Kakashi. Taijutsu is the only way for Lee to become a shinobi and I have full faith in him."

"How many can he open?" Kakashi questioned.

"Five." Gai answered.

"Kakashi-sensei, what are you guys talking about?" Sakura wondered.

Kakashi sighed, "What we're talking about are the Hachimon or The Inner Eight Gates. A series of specific eight tenketsu on a person Chakra Pathway System that can increase a person's chakra greatly once their open. The Hachimon are, Kaimon (The Gate of Opening), Kyūmon (The Gate of Healing), Seimon (The Gate of Life), Shōmon (The Gate of Pain), Tomon (The Gate of Limit), Keimon (The Gate of View), Kyōmon (The Gate of Wonder), and Shimon (The Gate of Death). Each of these gates grants the user a burst of power that is said to rival that of a Kage."

"Wow…" Sakura said.

"I get the feeling there's more to this." Naruto said.

"Yes, the more Gates you open the more strain it puts on your body. Prolonged use can result in the tearing of your muscles, and once you open the final Gate…you die." Kakashi explained.

"D-Die?" Hinata gasped.

"You shouldn't have taught him something that dangerous Gai! Are you trying to kill him?!" Kakashi yelled.

"You know nothing about that boy!" Gai shouted taking everyone off guard, "That boy means the world to me and I'm determined to help him become a powerful shinobi! Our relationship is the same as Yamato and Naruto!"

Kakashi felt a stab to the chest when Gai said that, and everyone else looked at both Yamato and Naruto. The blonde remained unconcerned by the stares, but he was curious why he was sensing guilt coming off from Kakashi. Something told him that Yamato might know.

Lee crossed his arms, 'The condition has been met!' a burst of chakra exploded from him, his skin turned red and veins appeared as he was surrounded in his own chakra, 'To defend…My Nindo!' the ground beneath him began to crack as it showed just how powerful opening one of the gates are. He came at Gaara in a burst of speed crashing into him literally and sending him high in the air delivering devastating blows.

"His muscles are tearing!" Kakashi observed having his Sharingan out.

'Neji, Sasuke, Naruto-kun. You three are the ones I want to fight the most!' Lee thought as he decided to deliver the final blow to Gaara. Using his white strap he pulled the sand shinobi back to him and delivered the final blow, "Ura Renge (Hidden Lotus)!" sending a kick to Gaara's stomach, the red haired boy was sent crashing down to the arena and Lee was rolling away no longer using one of the Eight Inner Gates.

"Gaara!" Temari and Kankuro shouted with worry.

The dust settled allowing everyone to see, Gaara used his sand to cushion the impact while Lee was far away from him on his back. Gaara raised his hand towards Lee as the boy tried to get up and get away but the sand had already enveloped his arm and leg, "Sabaku Kyū (Sand Coffin)!" Lee cried out in pain as he felt both his arm and leg be crushed by the sand. He rolled away from Gaara completely motionless.

"Die." Gaara sent another burst of sand towards Lee but it was intercepted by Gai who stood before his student protectively.

Gaara stood up slowly clutching his head in pain, "Why…save him…?"

"Because he's my precious student." Gai told him.

Gaara stared at him for a moment before walking away without a word.

"Winner of the-" Hayate was cut off as he saw Lee actually stand despite his arm and leg bleeding.

"He's unconscious." Yamato stated looking down at Lee's form.

"Lee, that's enough. You've done well." Gai complimented.

"Winner of the twelfth match by knockout…Gaara Sabaku." Hayate announced.

The medics came to get Lee immediately and carted him away for emergency treatment.

'Lee you really are strong. I don't even think I can open the gates even if I tried.' Naruto thought.

"Why did he declare the match by knockout?" Sakura wondered.

"Because Lee would rather have lost due to a knockout rather than having lost because Gai-sensei intervened." Naruto said understanding that he would want the same thing if he was in Lee's position. Yamato had quite the protective streak when he wants.

The names shuffled again then landed on two names.

Choji Akimichi

vs.

Takeru

"The winner of this match will face off against Dosu Kinuta," Hayate told them as both competitors made it down to the field, "Now for the thirteenth match…Choji Akimichi and Takeru…Begin!"

Choji went first, "Baika no Jutsu (Expansion Jutsu)!" his body swelled up to that of a balloon.

"What the-?!" his opponent yelled.

"Nikudan Sensha (Human Boulder)!" and just like that he ran over his opponent knocking him out pretty quickly much to everyone else's amusement. And with that the last Ame ninja was defeated.

"Well that didn't take long." Asuma smiled.

"Winner of the thirteenth match…Choji Akimichi," Hayate announced, "Dosu Kinuta please come down."

Dosu came down to the arena observing Choji.

"For the last match, Dosu Kinuta and Choji Akimichi…begin!" Hayate said.

"Baika no Jutsu (Expansion Jutsu)!" Choji expanded just like last time, "Nikudan Sensha (Human Boulder)!" he came rolling towards Dosu who simply held his arm out towards the boy.

"Kyōmeisen (Vibrating Sound Drill)." A series of vibrations stopped Choji in his tracks before the boy was forced out of his jutsu and unconscious.

"Choji!" Shikamaru and Ino yelled.

Hayate went over towards Choji and sighed, "Winner by knockout…Dosu Kinuta."

"Will all of the winners please come forward." Hayate called down as the medics took Choji away, the winners were Sasuke (who wasn't here), Shino, Kankuro, Temari, Shikamaru, Naruto, Kurotsuchi, Karui, Hinata, Yugito, Omoi, Gaara, and Dosu.

"To those of you who made it through the Preliminaries I say congratulations," Hiruzen smiled, "You will all have a month to prepare for the Finals."

"Why so long?" Shikamaru questioned.

"So that important people may come here to watch your matches, very important guests from different villages as well as village leaders will also come see you fight, Anko here has a box with numbers inside of it. When you have your number please call it out."

Anko walked to each one of them and they all picked out a number.

"One." Naruto called out.

"Two." Kurotsuchi called out.

"Three." Hinata called out.

"Four." Karui called out.

"Five." Omoi called out.

"Six." Yugito called out.

"Seven." Temari called out.

"Eight." Shikamaru called out.

"Nine." Shino called out.

"Ten." Kankuro called out.

"Eleven." Gaara called out.

"Twelve." Kakashi called out for Sasuke.

"Thirteen." Dosu called out.

"Alright kiddies look up at the screen for the results." Anko motioned them to look over and they did.

Match 1: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kurotsuchi

Match 2: Hinata Hyūga vs. Karui

Match 3: Omoi vs. Yugito

Match 4: Temari vs. Shikamaru

Match 5: Shino vs. Kankuro

Match 6: Gaara vs. Sasuke

Match 7: Dosu vs. Whoever wins Match 6

Yamato told Naruto who he was going up against making him sigh, 'I'm going up against another ninja from Iwa again? Was this set up by someone?'

Kurotsuchi smirked, 'I'll kill you in front of your whole village! Spawn of the Yellow Flash!'

'So I'm going up against someone from Kumo then.' Hinata made a vow not to lose.

'Oh shit!' Omoi thought as he got paired up with Yugito of all people.

Shikamaru sighed, 'Troublesome, I'm going up against another girl?'

'What's this bum's problem?' Temari thought.

'Interesting.' Shino thought.

Gaara had a murderous look in his eye, 'Uchiha…'

Dosu eyed Gaara, 'So I'm going up against the winner then.'

"I wish you all luck for the month." Hiruzen smiled as they all began to leave but he was worried about Naruto's match against Kurotsuchi and hoping the blonde would be okay.

'This finals should be interesting.' Hiruzen thought.

Next Time: Toad Sage and Training.