Arena: Infirmary
Sakura was laid out on a bed as Medical Shinobi checked her over. Then the door opened and Yumi Haruno entered alone now wearing a mask that resembled a panther with purple markings. Both Shinobi looked at her.
"I'd like to talk to my daughter alone." Yumi stated.
The Medical Shinobi felt a large amount of killer intent coming off her.
"Ms. Haruno? We're not…" A Shinobi began.
She removed her mask and glared at them. "That is my daughter, and you will leave me to talk with her in private."
The Medical Shinobi nervously chuckled before leaving the room.
Sakura was surprisingly undeterred by this killer intent as she sat up. "What do you want mother?"
"You failed to beat that sorry excuse for a Clan Head who I heard all the judges recommending for Chunin; meanwhile, you aren't receiving any recommendations. You failed to live up to the standards I've set. The only good thing to come out of this is your gain of the Wood Style."
"I don't see how." Sakura simply said, "Tsunade Senju is the head of the Senju Clan. To my knowledge, grandmother never married the man she had my father with. Wouldn't even say. Father and I are far removed from the Senju clan in that case."
"As usual, you aren't looking at the big picture. Wood Style was the First Hokage's. If you have it, we can spin this to our advantage and put you as a direct link to him or his brother." Yumi stated. "Someday, you could ascend to the seat of Hokage for it."
Sakura looked at her. "That would desecrate their memory to attempt such a thing. Dad was the result of a baby out of wedlock. Are you saying you'd wish to harm our previous Hokage's reputation for your own gain?"
"Our gain Sakura." Yumi stated.
Sakura looked at her. "Your gain. You're spinning this in a way, so it benefits you. You married dad because the guy you were interested in didn't love you. Dad was the 2nd best choice because he treats you like a Queen. He loves you, but you don't love him.
You raised me to go after Sasuke because It'd make you look good as the only parental figure around. If I got Sasuke, you'd feel as though you got the guy you always wanted. At the same time, you pushed me to be a Shinobi creating a conflict of personality within myself.
Right now, the only thing I intend to do with this new information and style is improve myself as a Shinobi. I will not be tied down by anyone else's whims or wants." She stood. "That includes you mother."
Yumi was furious. "Sakura Haruno, I am your mother. I've cared for and raised you ever since you were born. Now, I am asking for a little cooperation in getting what I deserve for doing that. Let me handle this development and keep quiet."
"I will not." Sakura firmly stated. "I am a Shinobi. Old enough to kill means old enough to decide what's best for me. I won't let you go through with any plans concerning me because I intend to live the life I want. Also, you didn't raise me. Dad did."
"You spoiled brat!" Yumi formed a fist. "I now realize that I should have taken more drastic measures in raising you properly from the beginning." She moved to punch Sakura who crossed her arms. "You…"
Daichi ran in and grabbed the distracted mother's arm. "I'm going to make one thing clear Yumi Haruno. If you lay a hand on your daughter, I will come for you. I will drag you down to the Hokage for punishment."
Yumi glared daggers at the Fusion Clan member while Sakura lowered her arms. "Daichi?"
Daichi looked at her. "I told you I'd help you Sakura. I just didn't think it'd be so soon." He nodded to Yumi. "When I saw an Anbu moving towards the infirmary, I got curious. Imagine my surprise when I find a terrible mother."
Yumi seemed like she was about to move, but Daichi stopped her. "You know for a fact you'd never get away with anything. As Shinobi, our testaments will be considered in any incident. Two testimonies to one are dangerous for you. If you kill me, you know they'd find you."
"Bastard!" Yumi yelled.
Daichi let go of her arm. "I don't care what you think of me. I just want you to know something. If you lay so much as a hand on Sakura, you will be dealing with me." He stared her down. "I will be watching. Even if I'm on a mission, people will be watching. Now leave."
Yumi put her mask back on. "Mark my words Daichi Ryu, you will pay for this."
"Bring it on." Daichi returned.
She left and Sakura started to fall as she was still exhausted from their earlier fight.
Daichi caught her before she could hit the ground. "Alright, let's put you back in bed for now."
Once Sakura was back in bed, she looked at the Fusion member. "Thank you, Daichi."
The Fusion member blinked. "For helping you into bed?"
"No!" Sakura shouted. "I meant, thank you for helping me with my mother."
"I'm just upholding my promise." Daichi took out a food pill and sat it next to her. "Eat this. If your mother comes back, you can defend yourself or come back out to watch the matches. Either way, I'll see you later."
Sakura watched Daichi leave before looking at the food pill.
Arena
"Our next match will be Shikamaru Nara vs Kanja Yagumi." The proctor stated. "Will both competitors please come on down."
Kanja jumped over the side and walked to the middle of the arena.
"Oh man, this is such a drag. Why do I have to fight another girl?" He sighed. "Maybe I should forfeit like Neji did."
"Alright Shikamaru, get out there and fight!" Naruto happily declared.
He pushed his fellow Genin over the side sending him to the ground screaming.
The Nara landed on his back. "Thanks a lot Naruto." When he didn't move, the people started booing and throwing garbage at him. "They don't even care about this match. I'm just a warmup for the main event."
"Come on, don't you surrender on me." Kanja stated. "Bad enough that Kankuro guy did it during the preliminaries."
"Fine." Shikamaru sighed and stood. "Start the match already."
The proctor said, "Match start."
Kanja started weaving hand signs. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Shikamaru prepared to run as a dragon made of water formed, but it left him completely alone as it moved around the field tearing through the trees and removing valuable shade. Kanja ran to the dragon and jumped into it to everyone's shock.
"Great. This one is somehow smart and keeps her cool. That or she's crazy. Either way, Troublesome." Shikamaru lamented before looking at the sky. "I wish I were a cloud. Just floating along and going wherever the breeze takes me. Being a Shinobi is so much work."
The dragon dissipated having completed its duty with Kanja slamming into the ground.
Naruto shouted. "Get your butt in gear already Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru sighed and drew two kunai with explosive notes. He threw then at the Mist Genin's feet forcing her to jump back. They didn't go off, to her surprise, and Shikamaru was on top of her with his tanto drawn. He rapidly swung it at the swordswoman pushing her back.
The Genin regained her footing, drew her blade, and swung it at Shikamaru who jumped back into what remained of the shadows weaving his clans hand sign. "Shadow Possession Jutsu."
Kanja was shocked as her shadow was ensnared by Shikamaru forcing her to mimic his every move.
With Ino
"Way to go Shikamaru!" Ino yelled excitedly. "That's showing her how strong Leaf Genin can be!"
With Asuma and Kurenai
"Impressive." Kurenai stated. "He used divisionary tactics and capitalized on it by moving quicker than most would expect."
"Shikamaru is smarter than people give him credit for." Asuma stated. "He's just incredibly lazy thus the schoolwork, which he finds tedious, is too much work. For him, it's all about ending the battle fast. To accomplish that, he'll even briefly act out of his standard, lazy attitude."
Arena
Shikamaru approached Kanja, which made her approach, only to find her smiling. "Got you."
The Kanja before him became water revealing herself as a clone. At the same time, two hands shot up from the ground catching Shikamaru and dragging him into the earth.
Kanja emerged with a smirk. "You're clever Nara but taking your eyes off your opponent was a big mistake. Especially with a Jutsu on the field."
Shikamaru looked at her. "Did you…"
"You were busy looking at clouds instead of the girl jumping into her own Jutsu." Kanja declared. "From there, it was a simple matter of two Ninjutsu. Earth Style: Head Hunter and Water Style: Water clone. You underestimate what a Kunochi can do, so you fail."
"Damn it, I won't be outplayed by some girl this easily." Shikamaru sighed. "I'll admit you got me, but I'm not completely done."
He let his Chakra freely flow through his body which caused the hole to widen.
Shikamaru jumped out of the hole and wove more hand signs. "Shadow Strangle Jutsu."
Hands made from the shadows launched at Kanja who jumped back as they came at her, but she wasn't going to be able to avoid them. In this moment, there was only one option. She lifted her forehead protector revealing a Sharingan.
The Leaf Genin was to shock by this development to look away, so he was caught in a Genjutsu which made everything distorted. The hands stopped and Kanja lunged forward slamming the Nara into the ground. She placed her large blade over his throat.
"Kanja Yagumi wins." The proctor declared.
With the Kage
"Quite the interesting exam so far." The Kazekage stated. "A Mist Shinobi with a Sharingan and a thought to be extinct style to boot."
The Hokage looked at Mei. "It is rather interesting. Care to explain?"
"Not much to explain." The Mizukage stated. "Mangetsu Hozuki had a run in with an Uchiha while he was still alive. He defeated the Uchiha, but not before your shinobi stabbed one of his eyes."
With Kenjo and Akana
"Looks like that Genin pushed her into a corner." Kenjo stated.
Akana nodded. "Enough that she had to reveal the Sharingan to beat him."
"These Leaf Genin are something else." Kenjo stated remembering his fight with Lee.
Arena
Sasuke and Gaara looked at one another before Gaara used his sand body flicker to appear in the center of the arena.
At this moment, Daichi rejoined the group. "Hey guys, did I miss the match?"
"You did." Naruto stated. "Shikamaru lost to the Mist Genin, but he put up a great fight."
Sasuke was staring at Gaara. "Now, it's my turn." He looked at his teammates. "You two can bet I'll be seeing one of you in the finals."
He then jumped over the railing.
"I'm so ready to fight." Naruto looked at Daichi. "You better not be tired out from your match with Sakura."
Daichi joined him at the railing. "Don't worry Naruto. I got more than enough energy to kick your butt all over this arena."
The two friends fist bumped with a smile.
Sasuke vs Gaara
Sasuke was holding his own. He was able to mimic Lee's Taijutsu allowing him to injure Gaara. The Sand Genin eventually sealed himself with a sphere of sand, so he could begin to transform into the monster trapped within.
Sasuke was unable to crack the shell normally leaving him with only one option. The new move he learned from Kakashi Sensei known as Chidori. This allowed him to pierce the sphere and stop him mid transformation.
Competitors Box
By this point, Shikamaru, Kanja, and Sakura had joined Daichi and Naruto in the box.
Daichi was impressed with Sasuke's skill. "His Taijutsu has shot through the roof and he's learned a powerful, lightning-based technique. I'll have to see if I can get Kakashi Sensei to teach it to me."
He looked at Naruto, who was gritting his teeth, and threw an arm over his shoulder. "Looks like someone's jealous that Sasuke got a fight." He patted the Uzumaki's back. "Don't worry, I have no intention of backing out."
Naruto smiled. "You better not."
Arena
Just then, Gaara began shrieking like a monster causing everyone to freeze and turn their attention to the battle. Sasuke tried to remove his arm from the sphere. With some effort, he succeeded while also drawing out a monstrous arm made of sand.
With Temari and Kankuro
"The demon's being released!" Temari said terrified.
"Looks like we'll have to be ready to move." Kankuro stated equally as terrified as his sister.
Arena
The sphere of sand collapsed revealing a mid-transformation Gaara. Half his body, including the wound, were covered by sand.
Competitor Box
"The energy emanating from Gaara feels like you do at times Naruto." Sakura stated.
"That means he must be like me. Is he what I could have become?" Naruto questioned.
He was terrified of Gaara and seriously thinking about how his life could have turned out. The rest of the competitors were equally as shocked as they stared on at what was going down. Sakura noticed a Genjutsu coming down on them.
She made the right-hand signs and sent her Chakra out to cover everyone in the competitor box. "Release!" Those that had come to notice the Genjutsu, and Naruto who had no idea, turned to Sakura. "Someone's casting a Genjutsu on the entire arena."
"An attack?" Shikamaru sighed. "What a drag." He looked at Kanja. "It's not your village, right?"
Kanja rubbed her face. "I get why you would think that but no."
"I can't pin down who's done it." Sakura stated.
With the Kage
Ao noticed the crowd falling asleep and removed his eye patch. "Lady Mizukage, someone's cast a Genjutsu on the whole crowd. The only ones to stay awake are the teams dispatched to take the exam and several Leaf Shinobi."
The Hokage and Kazekage looked at each other.
"Shall we begin?" The Kazekage asked.
His guards rushed forward deploying smoke grenades. This caused an explosion that was seen by all who were still awake.
Inside and around Konoha
Sound and Sand Shinobi made their move. Squads of Shinobi entered through the gates while snakes were summoned to destroy the walls of the village. Konoha was officially under attack from multiple sides.
With Guy, Kakashi, and Zabuza
Guy looked at Tenten, Lee, and Karin. "Move down and help Hinata."
The Sensei then joined Kakashi and Zabuza. The trio then started to climb up to the Kage when the Anbu ran past them.
One of the, even addressed the trio. "Leave it to us."
With the Kage
"Lord Kazekage, what is the meaning of this?" Sarutobi asked.
The two Shinobi at the Kazekage's side sprang into action launching at the Anbu only for them to easily dispatch them. Kunai took out the Leaf Jonin with Sarutobi, but Ao blocked those that came for him and Mei. The Kazekage forced Sarutobi onto the roof.
"Ao, the Kazekage has disrupted the Chunin Exams and is waging war with The Leaf. Your orders are to help the Leaf Shinobi secure the safety of the unconscious." Mei ordered.
Ao nodded and immediately jumped into the stands fighting off Sand and Sound Shinobi with ease. At the same time, some of the Anbu turned out to be Hidden Sound members who jumped onto the roof to make a barrier around the Kage.
Mei jumped onto the roof and got inside the barrier before it was fully formed. An Anbu had not been so lucky. He hit the barrier and combusted into flames. This left the remaining Anbu trapped on the outside.
With Kakashi, Guy, and Zabuza
"Damn, those Shinobi outwitted your Anbu." Zabuza stated.
"They're supposed to be the best." Kakashi stated
"We need to get over there." Guy stated.
The three Jonin started to run only to stop as Sound and Sand Shinobi blocked their way.
With Kazamae and Jiraiya
Jiraiya said, "Here I was hoping the old man was wrong about an impending attack. Kazamae, you know what we have to do."
Jiraiya jumped across the roofs followed by his fellow Yonnin. "It's been a while since I've been involved in a fight like this.
With Baki
He was about to head down to the field to aid their weapon until Akana appeared in front of him.
"Here I thought you were supposed to be allies with The Leaf." Wires appeared behind the Mist Jonin. "Regardless of your reasons, I can't let you pass. Our Kage has ordered us to fight." Akana looked at Ao fighting off Shinobi in the next stand before turning to Tenjo. "Go take down the sibling Genin. This guy's mine."
"Yes Sensei." Tenjo stated.
He jumped onto the top of the stadium before running to meet the Sand Siblings.
"I hope you understand that I am only following orders." Baki closed his eyes. "As such, I must kill anyone who gets in the way of the mission."
"You seem honorable, so how about we leave the crowded stands?" Akana retracted his wires. "These people have done nothing wrong."
"I shall honor this request." Baki stated.
With Sasuke
Sasuke jumped back from Gaara to get a clear read on the situation. "My opponent is a beast. If we let lose, people, including my teammates, are going to be in danger."
His thoughts were interrupted as Sound and Sand Shinobi appeared in the arena.
The proctor looked at Sasuke. "Sasuke Uchiha, the Chunin Exams end here, but you've already obtained Chunin level. Put your training to use and get this Sand Shinobi out of the village."
"I understand." Sasuke looked at Gaara and smirked. "Hey, you want to continue our match, you better keep up."
Sasuke took off running as fast as he could straight up the wall of the arena.
"He made me bleed, so I must take his blood!" Gaara exclaimed before following.
With Temari and Kankuro
The Sand Siblings ran along the tops of the stands.
Temari was concerned for her brother. "Come on Kankuro, we have to go after Gaara!"
Kankuro nodded in agreement. "Right behind you."
Before either of them could act, two people appeared. Kenjo behind and Kiba blocking their path forward,
"I don't think so." Kenjo was ready to fight. "My Sensei has ordered I defeat you, so that's what I'm going to do.
"Hold on their Mist Genin." Kiba declared. "I'm not just going to stand by and let you protect my village. Akamaru and I want a piece of the action."
Akamaru, on Kiba's head, barked in agreement.
"Then let us work together." Kenjo nodded to the Inuzuka.
Kiba smiled. "I'm in."
Competitors Box
Naruto, Sakura, Daichi, Shikamaru, and Kanja were left in the box.
"Here's what we need to do." Daichi looked at them. "Getting Gaara is Team Seven business. Shikamaru, Sakura, and Kanja, back the proctor up. He's the man to listen to."
The three Genin nodded. "Right."
They jumped over the sides and ran into the fray with the proctor.
Naruto looked at Daichi. "Quick before we lose them."
The two members of Team Seven jumped out of the arena. They then ran after their teammate and enemy.
With Kage
The Kazekage looked at Mei. "I should have gotten better men since it seems they couldn't keep an extra member from joining us." He addressed the Hokage. "You know, we had planned on capturing Sasuke in all the commotion, but it seems not everything can go as planned."
"You pull a good cover, but I've met the Kazekage a few times, and he was rather handsome." Mei never took her eyes off the fake Kazekage. "You are not him, so drop the act."
"I must agree with Lady Mizukage." Sarutobi stated. "Do drop the act Orochimaru." The Kage ripped off his mask revealing that he was in fact Orochimaru. "I always knew this day would come; however, you will not defeat me that easily."
With Guy, Kakashi, and Zabuza
Ino, Choji, and Shino joined Hinata, Tenten, Karin, and Lee while the three Jonin fought off the Sound and Sand Shinobi. They worked quiet well off each other. Guy and Kakashi with Taijutsu and Zabuza cleaving through the enemy with his blade.
Kakashi turned to the Genin. "You seven need to break off into two squads of your choosing, remain with your squad, and help the citizens in the village to the best of your abilities. This is an A rank mission given the danger."
The Genin nodded and left the arena
Outside the Arena
Neji stood on the roof reveling in the destruction that took place around him. Only now did he decide it was time to leave. He took his head band and cut a line through the symbol before dropping it on the roof. He no longer had the Caged Bird Seal.
The former Genin then started running along the roof tops towards the gate of the village. The seven Genin, six leaf and former Grass, jumped down onto the streets with most of them noticing Neji, without his head band, running off.
"Neji…" Hinata stated.
"What is he doing?" Tenten asked.
Shino let his insects spread out. "I do not know, but this seems like a good way to divide our numbers. Lee, Tenten, and Hinata follow Neji. Ino, Karin, and Choji with me."
Karin looked at Lee. "Be careful."
"You to Karin." Lee stated.
The teams split with each running their own way.