Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Eighteen
Team Eight sat in one of the rooms, it was quiet and tense, 'The final day in the Forest of the Death, I hope our friends make into the tower in time, there's only a few hours left and both Neji's team and Team Ten has arrived,' Hinata thinks.
"That red head...there is something wrong with him," Kiba murmurs, Shino and Hinata glance at each other before looking to the Inuzuka, "Did you see anything with your Byakugan?" Kiba asks as he looks up at Hinata.
Hinata pauses, a thoughtful expression on her face, 'Should I tell them my theory? I don't know how they will take it. It will probably worsen things for us and the others who pass the test, Gaara is already dangerous enough and rumors about him might anger him,' the Hyuuga thinks, "...no."
Shino and Kiba glance at each other, they've both known Hinata for a long time, and can tell that she's holding back information, "Alright then, we won't push you," Shino says.
Hinata smiles weakly in response, "Right, Thank you Kiba-Kun, Shino-Kun."
They hear footsteps approaching and look up as Team Ten and Team Gai enter the room, "Hinata," Neji says, he nods to her teammates in greeting.
"Neji-Nii-San! I haven't gotten a chance to ask you what happened in the Forest," Hinata says, "Anything interesting?"
Neji's eyes narrow in remembrance of the Sound Team fighting against Lee and Team Seven, Team Ten joining the fight, 'I need to keep an eye on that Uchiha, he's stronger than I originally thought,' he thinks, "Nothing really, we were able to find a Scroll and finish, though not without obstacles."
Hinata nods, "That's good," she says, 'Neji-Nii-San is lying, but I'm sure it's for a good reason.'
Hinata turns to Team Ten but the three look away, "I guess all nine of us had some trouble in the Forest then."
Neji raises a brow, "You had trouble?"
Hinata glances at Kiba and Shino, "Yeah, got a Scroll right away and was the second team to arrive at the Tower. Though we ran into something unsettling on the way."
"That's vague," Tenten murmurs, "Who was the first Team?"
"The Sand Team," Kiba says, "The one with the red head on it."
Neji's eyes narrow at hearing the mention of the sand ninja, 'I need to keep an eye on him too, There is something not right about him.'
Shikamaru glances at his teammates then back to Hinata, 'That Sand Team must be really unsettling if they even set Team Eight on edge,' the way Shino and Kiba tensed when Hinata mentioned the 'unsettling situation' and the way Hinata and Shino seemed to flinch when Kiba mentioned Gaara told the Nara all he needed to know, 'Guess this'll be an even bigger than drag than I thought.'
Ino makes her way over to Hinata and sits down next to the bluenette and hugs the Hyuuga, "You have no idea how relieved I am to see you here!"
"We really feel the love too Ino," Kiba says sarcastically, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Ino shrugs with a smirk, "I guess it's good to see you two as well, since that'd be the only way Hinata would be able to pass."
Kiba rolls his eyes as Shino adjusts his glasses, 'At least she remembered I was here.'
The next few hours the three teams stayed in the room and talked, and weren't surprised when a Chunin arrived and escorted them to an arena where the other teams were already at...including Team Seven.
Hinata's eyes widened slightly seeing the state all three of them were in, 'What did they run into? Whatever happened I'm glad they came out alive.'
The seven remaining teams all lined up, this included the Rookie Nine, Team Gai, The Sand Team, Kabuto's Team, and the Sound Team.
Seven Jounin stood in the front, the Hokage standing in front of them, with four more ninja on either side of him.
"First of all congratulations on finishing the second exam," Anko states.
"I'm so hungry," Choji murmurs.
Shikamaru sighs, "There are so many left, what a drag."
"I see Sasuke and his team passed!" Ino says with a smile as she looks over at the Uchiha.
"Of course he did, after all the trouble we went through to protect them I'd be mad if they didn't," Shikamaru states.
Gai smiles, "Looks like your team didn't do to bad Kakashi, they must've gotten really lucky. Of course with my team around your team is doomed to failure, after all what matters on the next test is ability and we have you far out classed. Well I guess a part of growing up is dealing with heart break..right Kakashi?" He asks turning to his rival.
Kakashi glances at him, "Hm? Did you say something?"
'So that's Gai-Sensei's rival?' Tenten thinks.
'Watch me Gai-Sensei! I will never lose again!' Lee thinks as he clenches his fist.
'As expected, all the best are here,' Neji thinks.
"Looks like all the Rookie's are here too," Sakura says.
"Oh yeah! Looks like no one got left out this time," Naruto says as he looks at the other two teams.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Sasuke mutters as he reaches up to grab his shoulder.
'It's hard to believe there are so many left after the second exam,' Hiruzen thinks, 'So that's why they fought so hard to recommend them.'
"Alright now pay attention! Lord Hokage is going to explain the third exam to you! So listen up maggots! Lord Hokage there all yours," Anko says.
The Third Hokage steps forward and faces the seven Genin teams before him, "Before I explain the third exam to you, I want to explain something to you about the test itself, so listen closely," he begins, "I'm going to tell you the true purpose of these exams."
'The true purpose?' Hinata thinks.
"Why do you suppose our country holds these exams in conjunction with our allies?" Hiruzen asks, "To raise the ability levels of Shinobi and increase friendship between allied nations. To be sure it's important that you know the true meaning, the Exams are so to speak...they are representation between the battle of allied nations."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Tenten asks.
"If you look at the history of the nations we are currently allied with, they used to be neighboring countries who were constantly at war with each other for power. In order to avoid destroying each other's military power meaninglessly, those nations picked champions to do battle on behalf of their countries in a mutually selected location. That was how the Chunin selection Exams originally began," Hiruzen states.
"Well..that's great but why do we have to do these exams then? It's not like we're actually picking Chunin to go fight," Naruto says.
"Well actually, there is no question that part of the point of these exams is to select Shinobi worthy to become Chunin. That's just not the whole story. These exams are also a way for Shinobi to carry the pride of their nations on their backs and fight against other ninja for their very lives," Hiruzen says, "Many leaders and people of prominence from various countries are invited to watch the Chunin Exams as guests, and possibly to seek Shinobi to work for them. This Exam could determine the course of your ninja work from here on out, and more importantly those rulers will watch your battles and take note of the strengths that each ninja and each nation is developing. If there is a gap in power between the countries, the strong nations inundated with job requests for their ninja, and conversely, the requests for countries deemed weak delcine. Therefore, the stronger our nation is the better our position when it comes to negotiating with other countries so it's important to show how much military strength we have."
"Ok but even so, why is it necessary for us to risk our lives?" Kiba asks.
"The country's strength is the village's strength, and the village's strength is the Shinobi's strength. And the true strength of the Shinobi is only reached when they are pushed to their limits such as in a life or death battle. This exam is a chance for each nation to display the strength of their Shinobi and hence the strength of the nation. It's because this is an exam where your life is on the line that it has meaning, and it's for this very reason and for the strength of the nation that your fore runners fought in this exam. It's truly a dream worth striving for."
"But then why did you use the expression friendship before?" Tenten asks.
"But you've only remembered half of what I said, you also mustn't have the wrong idea of the Exams meaning," Hiruzen says, "This is a custom in which balance is preserved by fighting and dying, in the world of the Shinobi that is friendship. The third exam is a fight for life with the pride of your village and your own dreams at stake."
"Any test is fine, just tell me what the details of the exam are already..I can handle anything you throw at me," Gaara says.
"Hm, alright then, now listen closely as I tell you exactly what you're going to be doing on the third exam," Hiruzen states.
A Jounin appears before the Hokage before he can speak, bowing respectfully as he begins speaking instead, "Lord Hokage please allow me, Hayate Gekko, the protector of the third exam to speak first," he says.
"Very well then," Hiruzen says.
The Jounin stands, back facing the Genin, "It's nice to meet you all," he says before coughing, "There is something that I'd like all of you," He coughs again, "Do to before the third exam."
The Jounin goes into a coughing fit as the Genin look at him, some in worry and others in confusion.
"We have to have a preliminary exam before we continue on to the real one," Hayate states.
"A preliminary exam!" Kiba says incredulously.
"Excuse me Sensei, I'm confused as to why we need a preliminary exam in the first place," Sakura says.
"Ugh, well you see, the first two exams might've been to easy. The fact is we never expected this many Genin to still be here. According to the rules of the Exams a preliminary round can be held at any stage in order to reduce the number of candidates remaining," the Jounin explains.
"But..is that fair!"
"It's just at this stage we need to speed things up, as Lord Hokage said we have a lot of people watching and we can't afford to waste their time, they've come to see only the best, so if there are any of you who feel like your not in top physical condition, nows your chance to," he goes into another coughing fit and contradicts his words, "..sorry about that, as I was saying, any of you who don't feel up to this. Nows your time to bow out. The preliminaries will be starting immediately."
"You mean right now?!"
"Cmon! We just finished barely surviving the last exam round, don't we deserve a break?"
"Man what a drag," Shikamaru says.
"Oh yeah, the winners will be determined by one on one combat, sudden death. So like I said, if there's anyone who doesn't feel up to it nows your time to raise your hand," Hayate says.
'Does he really think anyone's gonna quit?' Sasuke thinks, before wincing in pain and grabbing his shoulder.
Sakura whispers her teammates name as Naruto looks back in confusion.
"Sasuke, listen to me, you have got to quit! You've been like this since you've tangled with Orochimaru. It's that..mark he put on you..isn't it?" Sakura asks, remembering the curse mark appearing and then covering his face, "Please! Sasuke quit now..before, I don't know. I'm scared."
"It's just as I feared," Hiruzen says.
"What do we do with him?" Ibiki asks.
"We hand him over to Black Ops and keep him locked up, we have to keep that seal under control," Anko says.
"And you really think he's gonna go without a fight?" Kakashi asks, "You really think? He's of the Uchiha Clan remember?"
"I don't care what he is! With that curse mark he's a danger to all of us!" Anko yells, "When he gets stronger the mark gets stronger to! It's feeding off his chakra! It's a forbidden Jutsu that devours the one it's placed on!"
Anko grips her own shoulder, "It's incredible the kids still standing..by now..he should be dead," Anko turns to Hiruzen, "Lord Hokage!"
"C'mon! You know as well as me you can't be fighting in this condition!" Sakura says.
"Shut up Sakura," Sasuke hisses.
"I'm not blind you now! I can see the pain your suffering through!" Sakura says.
"Stop it," Sasuke says.
"I can't help it, I'm gonna tell them about that mark, then maybe you'll-" Sakura is cut off by Kabuto raising his hand.
"Ok, you got me. I'm out," Kabuto states.
"Ugh, Kabuto Yakushi of the Leaf Village right? You can go on and step back then," Hayate says.
"What the heck are you doing Kabuto!" Naruto yells.
"Oh Naruto, I'm sorry but my body can't take the beating," Kabuto says, "The fact is, since orientation and the fight with the Sound nin, I can't hear anything with my left ear. And now to put my life on the line and to fight again, right away without a break? I can't do it."
"Seems to me I've seen that one before, this isn't the first time he's dropped out of battle. What game is he playing?" Hiruzen asks.
"Anko?" Ibiki asks.
"Oh right, it says here that he's failed six times before," Anko says.
"What of his background?"
"His time at the academy wasn't what you would call impressive, average grades...took him three tries before he passed the graduation exam, as far as the missions he's carried out since then, there's been two C-ranks and fourteen D-ranks," Anko says, "However, there is something before his time in the academy, do you remember the child? The one was found after the battle of Kikyo pass? The only survivor?"
"I remember the story, it was said a small boy was found among the enemy dead on the battlefield. He was barely alive and was brought back by a Jounin from the medical unit. Your telling me this is that boy?" Hiruzen asks.
"Kabuto what do you think your doing? Don't you remember Orochimaru's orders?" Kabuto's teammate asks.
"I'm leaving all that to you. What's the problem? For someone with your abilities, it should be no trouble. This is a chance to prove yourself Yoroi, after all you always wanted to take my place haven't you? Go for it," Kabuto states.
"You May be Orochimaru's Favorite, but be careful you don't push it to far," Yoroi says.
Kabuto waves with a cheerful smile to the rookies before leaving, 'Sorry Naruto, sorry Sasuke, wish I could stick around and play a little longer. But if I do my old self might stir up. Can't have that, it might blow my cover. I wouldn't be much of a spy. Besides you don't need me when your watching do you Lord Orochimaru? Just have to save my fun for later Sasuke, and you too Naruto,' he thinks as he leaves.
"Now then," Hayate says with a cough.
'I can't let this go on, I have to tell them!' Sakura tries to raise her hand but Sasuke slaps it down.
"Don't you dare think about telling them about this mark," Sasuke says.
"What are you trying to prove? Am I supposed to just stand by and watch you tear yourself apart? I can't bear to watch it!" Sakura says.
"Then don't watch and stay out it! This has nothing to do with you! I told you before, what I am is an avenger, for me this is something I have to do for myself. Whether I become a Chunin or not means nothing to me. Am I as strong as I can be? I want to know the answer to that question and I need to fight the strongest to know," Sasuke states, "...and the best of the best are all here, this is the path I choose. Not you or anyone can change that."
"Man you don't know when to quit! No need to bite off her head-!"
"Naruto, your one of the ones I want to fight," Sasuke says, shocking the blond to silence.
"I am still concerned with what Orochimaru said, allow the boy to continue the exam and we'll see what happens," Hiruzen says, "However at the first sign of the curse mark growing or his power getting out of control you'll stop it."
"Right," Ibiki says.
"But!...as you wish," Anko says, conceding to the Hokage's request.
"Alright then we will now begin the preliminary round, this round consists of one on one individual combat at all full battle intensity. This is not an exercise. There are twenty of you remaining, so that means only ten matches, the surviving candidates from these ten matches will advance to the third exam. As for rules there are none, you will fight until one dies or concedes defeat, or is unable to physically continue," Hayate says, "Of course those who are losing are urged to promptly except defeat to avoid fatal outcomes. Furthermore, as protector I'm given a certain amount of leeway of judging the matches. I might occasionally intervene if the match seems hopeless to save as many lives as possible. Now it's time to reveal what fate has been chosen for you."
A panel opens up after Anko motions for it to be done.
"The names of each opponents are completely random. Before each match these names will appear on the panel behind me. As there is nothing else to say, the first two names will appear in a moment."
The twenty candidates left look at the panel expectantly, wondering who the first match would be.
The panels flips through different names before finally landing on two.
"Hinata Hyuuga vs Yoroi Akado," Hayate announces, "The two chosen please come forward."
To be continued..
AN: The preliminary rounds! We made it! As for the battles, some won't be canon. Me and my Beta decided on these battles so I hope y'all enjoy them the next few chapters!
To cosmicblader12: Thank you so much for following, favoriting, and reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter and continue to enjoy Altered!
To Guest: Yay! I'm glad you love the story! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
A special thank you to Crimson G for following Altered and another special thank you to NyanCos for favoriting and following Altered as well! I hope you both continue to enjoy Altered!
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I'll see y'all next chapter! Bye!