Yellow Thread

by LovelyTouch

A Red Thread connected Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Now watch as a Yellow Thread connects Naruto Uzumaki and Ino Yamanaka. [Strong Ino] [Slight Sakura and Sasuke bashing]

6. Chapter 6: Chunin Exams, Part Three

Chapter 6: Chunin Exams Part Three

(With Naruto)

Naruto was stirring in his Sleep for a few Minutes before finally opening his Eyes.

"W-where am I?" He stammered as he awoke.

"You're in the Konoha Hospital" a Doctor replied.

"H-how?" Naruto groaned in question. "I was just about to die, but then I wake up here, how is that?"

The Doctor simply pointed towards the Left Side of Naruto's Gurney.

Naruto of course looked at where the Doctor was pointing at and was unbelievably shocked to see that the Doctor was pointing at Ino, who was leaning on Naruto's Gurney, sleeping. Naruto had a confused look on his Face and was about to ask why Ino was even there, but then, as if reading his Mind, the Doctor said

"She's the One that brought you here."

This answer shocked Naruto and so he turned to the Doctor and asked him

"Can you explain further?"

The Doctor nodded and explained that

"When you First arrived here, you were badly Bruised, Bloody, and had many Broken Bones. The Young Girl saw you like this, picked you up, and desperately rushed you to this hospital, trying so hard to save you."

Naruto turned back to Ino and could only think

"She really did that... For me?'

The Doctor simply nodded and was about to walk out before turning around and assuring Naruto that

"You currently still have all those things that I just listed, which is why we bandaged you up so much. I highly recommend you take it easy and just lay back and rest, cuz that'll prove to be the best thing you can do at the moment."

Then he walked out of the Room without saying or doing anything else.

Naruto on the other hand, was trying to sit up on his Gurney and struggling to do so, but once he did, he took a deep breath, then let out a relaxed exhale. Afterwards, he asked himself

"How long have I been out?"

Before using his Strength to turn his Body to the Side of the Gurney and then trying his hardest to stand up. But all that was heard was Naruto's many Grunts and Groans of pure pain.

The Grunts and Groans were so loud, that they woke Ino up from her slumber.

"Naruto-Kun?" Ino asked while rubbing her Eyes awake.

"Damn" Naruto groaned out, purely from pain.

"You're awake!" Ino shouted before getting up from her tourney and hugging the severely injured tightly.

"Oww!" Naruto groaned out, as Ino's tight embrace just furthered his pain.

"I'm so happy you're awake Naruto-Kun!"

"Argh!" Naruto continued grunting in pain.

It took a while for Ino to get the message, but after a few seconds of finally catching onto Naruto's screams of agony, she hastily let go of him and apologized.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Naruto-Kun, so so sorry!"

"It's alright Ino, just don't do it again, at least not when I'm in the condition I'm in currently" Naruto replied.

'Wait, so that means I can hug him when he is back to full Strength?' Ino interpreted with a smile.

Then as if reading her Mind, Naruto said

"Actually, let me rephrase that, just don't do it at all during or after this injury of mine."

"Aww!" Ino complained before puffing her Cheeks.

Neither of the Two realized that Doctors were rushing to the Door and that soon after rushed to the room and busted through the Door, they asked

"What's wrong?!"

Naruto and Ino took a while to process what was happening, before they both simply raised their Eyebrows, and then Naruto explained

"Oh it's nothing, you see, Ino just started hugging me tightly not realizing the state of my Injuries."

The Doctors simply exhaled a sigh of relief, just glad that the patient was being killed.

"We apologize for misleading you" Naruto apologized for them both.

"It's fine, just try to avoid it next time" the main Doctor said before walking off, with the rest of the Doctors following after him.

Once the Door shut, Naruto turned to Ino and told her

"You heard him, let's try to avoid it again."

"Okay" Ino disappointingly said.

"Ino, do you know how long I'll be in here?"

"They said it might take Weeks, you really did take quite a beating after all."

"Hey there were multiple of them and each One was stronger than the last."

"And yet I ended up being the One to save you from the last One."

"W-what?" Naruto stammered.

"It's true" Ino started. "You were on the verge of being killed by that guy, but I struck him through the Heart with a new Technique of mine, and killed him as a result."

"Really, I just assumed that you retrieved my Body and Kakashi-Sensei killed the guy."

"Nope."

"Well either way, don't you think you should continue on with your Training and let me rest?"

"I know I should, but I don't want to."

"I'm not even gonna ask why since I already know, but really, you should train or else who knows what could happen to you in the other half of the Chunin Exams?"

Ino simply put a Hand on Naruto's Shoulder and said

"You matter more to me than becoming Chunin Naruto-Kun, I just wanna be here so that I can help you get better."

Naruto Blushed and was about to respond before Ino said

"Aww, you're Blushing over me."

Naruto Blushed even more after that remark before turning his Head and saying

"Just, leave me alone. Go and train, because trust me, your opponent is no Pushover" without looking at Ino.

"Aww, are you worried about my safety Naruto-Kun?" Ino teased.

Naruto simply didn't look at Ino and kept quiet.

"I'll tell you what, if you tell me the truth, I'll leave and train" Ino offered.

Naruto simply exhaled a deep breath and then stammered

"I-I'm worried ab-bout your Safety Ino."

The tone that Naruto said this in though, was in a pure genuine manner, one that showed that Naruto really was worried about Ino. It also showed that he wasn't so much worried about her leaving him alone, like how Sasuke would always be around her, letting her know that Naruto really did hold a certain spot in his Heart for her.

Ino was unbelievably happy and joyful after hearing this and how couldn't she be? After all, the Boy she loves was currently asking her to go train, not because he wanted to get rid of her, but because he was worried about her. So after smiling at the Boy, she told him

"There you go, that wasn't so hard now was it? Alright, I'll get out of your hair."

And without another word, Ino left the room through the Window.

"Well at least now I can at least try to rest properly" Naruto said before falling asleep, ready to get some more rest. 'Without having to worry about her.'

(With Sasuke)

Sasuke was just doing his own Training in a Forrest, not paying any mind to anything else around him.

He jumped high, spun, and then threw out all his Shuriken. Each and every Shuriken that he threw hit the Trees at their desired area.

"I've gotta train harder, I'll be damaged if that dove gets further than me, and even more damned if he actually does beat me when he's currently in the Hospital!" Sasuke shouted before continuing his Training.

After a while of training with the Shuriken, Sasuke stopped and practiced on his Taijutsu.

"I *Punch* will *Punch* not *Punch* lose!" He shouted while punching the air over and over again as if the person he hated most in the world (Naruto) was the recipient of all of them.

"I'll get you Naruto!" Sasuke shouted angrily as he continued striking the air.

He remembers the losses he took against Naruto, in the Academy, at Wave Country, and lastly, how someone less than ordinary like Naruto, could be so much stronger than an Elite like Sasuke.

He then jumped back, made Hand Signs, called

"Goukakyuu No Jutsu!" And sent a large fireball to the Trees.

As all the Trees burnt to the ground, Sasuke thought

'That will be you in the Tournament Naruto, just you wait' before getting back to training even harder.

(With Naruto)

Naruto was still in the Hospital, resting in his Gurney, and waiting for his injuries to heal.

"They really did a number on me" Naruto told himself as he looked at the bandages covering his many injuries.

"I can see that" said Kakashi who just walked into the room.

"Kakashi-Sensei, I thought you were training Ino?" He questioned.

"I am, this is just a Kage Bunshin, the real me is training her" Clone Kakashi clarified.

"Makes sense" Naruto said with a nod of his Head.

"I was just coming to check up on you, to know if you were feeling better or anything like that.

"Also makes sense, but anyways, I'm not really feeling that well, but I should be in good enough condition to fight in the Tournament though Kakashi-Sensei."

"Well that's good to know" Kakashi started. "You know, Ino's really worried about you Naruto."

"I know" Naruto admitted.

"She is constantly talking about you and how worried she is from all the damage you took against Orochimaru's Henchmen.

"Speaking of which, did she actually kill the Henchmen that about to kill me?"

"Yeah, she did Naruto."

"Wow, I really didn't expect for her to be strong enough to do that."

"Well she did and it was also her that brought you here."

"I know that much Kakashi-Sensei" Naruto told him.

"Well you know, better safe than sorry" Kakashi reminded Naruto.

"I guess. Is there anything else you wanna tell me or ask me though?"

'I could tell him about Ino's feeling for him, but I'm pretty sure he already knows. So I don't think it would shock him to know that he is the reason why she is training so hard or that he has been all that she's been talking about.'

"So nothing?" Naruto questioned.

"Nah, nothing to say" Kakashi replied. "But as for asking, I have One, or Two actually, last questions for you?"

"Alright, hit me."

"I don't believe you ever told me how you came to know about the Fox and also, how did you end up having a conversation with that Ninja that followed Zabuza before the fight?"

Naruto just let out a deep breath before answering the first of the Two questions

"Well in order for me to answer your First question, you're just gonna have to remember that the person who always used to train me, is the Third Hokage, but if that's not enough for you, then I'll go into detail. It happened the Day before the Graduation Ceremony for the Academy. Me and Jiji were training as usual, he was trying to teach me about the different Chakra Natures and how to use the One I have now and the ones that I could potentially have in the Future. I started off by bringing out my Rasengan, then running towards my Jiji with the Rasengan extended out, and right as I was approaching him, he hit me with a strong Fire attack in order to strengthen my Nature Control over it. The Fire was winning at first, but after a while, I was able to overpower it and toss it to the side, right before striking my Jiji in the Chest. Once the Attack subsided, he took me to the side and explained that he was proud of me for learning so much so fast and told me that he thought I was ready to know the truth, I asked him what he meant, and then he simply told me to follow him to the Cemetery of the Leaf. After we arrived there, he grabbed me by the Arm and led me to a big Tombstone right next to another big Tombstone. I asked him what was going on and why he brought me to such a sad place, and he simply pointed to the Tombstone in front of us. I read the message on it and it said 'Kushina Uzumaki', he then pointed to the other Tombstone and once I turned to it, I saw that it read 'Minato Namikaze', and afterwards, I asked my Jiji why he was showing me all this, and that's when he explained everything to me."

"Oh" Kakashi replied, he didn't think it would be as detailed as it was, but he was glad that his Student was opening up to him like this. "And the Second Question?"

Naruto once again let out a deep breath and then started explaining that One too.

"As for how I was able to converse with the Boy known as Haku before our fight, it was because I was training in a field that I thought was secluded, but in actuality, it had him in it. I was meditating when I heard a twig snap under someone's weight. Once I heard that snap, I opened my Eyes, turned to the source of the noise, and then engaged in combat with that source after I saw a Kunai being thrown at me. I ended up easily subduing the person and then we got to talking. I knew that it was the same Ninja that helped Zabuza escape, but I wanted to hear him out before attempting anything else, because he seemed like a good guy. So yeah, we conversed with one another and then split paths, but not before I gave him a warning to stay away from my Team, or else, and you know about the rest" Naruto finished explaining.

Clone Kakashi started brushing his Chin with his Pointer Finger, and then asked him

"Is that it?"

To which Naruto nodded in reply.

"Alright, I just really needed to know the Two, not because I don't trust you, but because I I was worried about you, Naruto."

"Thanks Kakashi-Sensei, but I'm fine, so you can disperse now."

"Okay" the Clone said before doing just that and vanishing into a puff of smoke.

"There really is nothing else for me to do but rest and watch a bit of TV is there?" Naruto asked himself before falling back to his Gurney and continuing on with his resting.

(With Shino)

Shino was training both his Taijutsu and also his Insect Control and Abilities in his Compound.

"Reap" Shino rasped before holding out his Arms and letting multiple Flying Insects fly around storm through the Sky.

He then started moving them around by gesturing his Hands, making it appear as though he was controlling some sort of Marionette.

Shino moved his Hands up and down, left and right, and also kept moving each of his Fingers seemingly randomly.

"Buzz!" All the Flying Insects buzzed out as they circled around the area.

"Separate" Shino ordered his Insects in a raspy Voice.

The Flying Insects of course obeyed their order and separated into each of their separate species. The Poisonous Insects with Weak Bite Forces were in one Party, the Non-Poisonous Insects with Strong Bite Forces were in another, the Fast Horribly Poisonous Insects with Weak Bite Forces were in a separate party, the Slow Insects with Strong Bite Forces and Strong amounts of Poison were also in a different party, then there were Trackers, etc.

"Now, each Team test one another while I practice on my Taijutsu" Shino told them all.

They all buzzed in reply before engaging in fights against one another.

"And now it's time for me to start" Shino said while cracking his Fingers, before starting his Taijutsu Training.

He was being smart and using more than what he was taught in the Academy.

He was throwing Hooks, Jabs, Power Punches, Fronts, etc.

He didn't forget to work on his Feet though and was also practicing Wheels, Fronts, Lows, etc.

He was pushing his Body's physical limit in order to strengthen himself for his upcoming battle.

'I am going to be fighting against the Kid who wants to prove to himself and everyone around that he is better than everyone else, so I can't afford to lose, not to him or anyone else' Shino inwardly told himself as he continued Striking the air.

His Insects were also fighting.

They were flying and using their Specialty to fight, whether their specialty was biting, poisoning, etc they would use it till they were victorious.

They all tried their best till their party was the last one flying, and eventually, one party was left flying.

Of course though, a separate party of the Insects, who were not a part of the brawl between them, would heal the severely injured and poisoned ones. So the Healers came down and did their job before finally bringing the Insects that were injured, badly poisoned, etc back to full strength.

Once the Healers were done healing them, Shino turned around and saw that the party who won was a Special kind of party.

'Well I can't say that I expected those to win' Shino thought before thinking of how his Insects were the winners, till he finally realized it. 'Oh okay, I get it now.'

After realizing how his Insects won their brawl, he sat down and started thinking about the Strengths of all his Insects, thinking of what would be the best way to not only take down Sasuke, but everyone else in the competition.

'How could I take down the other people that I'll fight after the Uchiha?' He wondered while holding his Chin.

After a few Minutes of trying his best to think of something, he couldn't. So he got back up to his Feet and decided to still think, while training in his Taijutsu though.

He started off just throwing Front Punches to the air, then after a while, he let out multiple Front Kicks to the same air.

But then a thought struck him and made him stop his Taijutsu Training to think about it.

'The real question is how strong will they all get within the time that the preparations for the Chunin Exams started and when the event actually starts? Because if they get really strong during that time, then anything I plan might not even have a chance at working' Shino inwardly discussed with himself. "Well I guess only time will be able to answer that."

After saying this, he shook off the momentary thought and was now focusing solely on his Training and Strategizing.

'It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter how strong or how smart they get, because I'll just have to get stronger' he realized as he continued Punching and Kicking the air, not allowing any other thoughts to hold him back from his Training. "I will win!"

(One Day Later, With Ino)

Ino was in the Forrest training with Kakashi.

"Come on, keep it steady" Kakashi advised as he saw Ino trying her best to keep the Chidori stable.

The amount of electricity that was jolting all throughout the charge was getting out of control and eventually

"Boom!" It exploded on Ino's Hand.

Ino wasn't really hurt by the blast, but it wasn't comfortable either. She was slightly burned but that was it. She simply shook the Hand that was trying to hold the Chidori till it felt warm enough to try again.

"Are you good enough to keep going Ino?" Kakashi asked

She simply nodded her Head and once again, made the necessary Hand Signs before calling

"Chidori!" And having a charge of Lightning appear on One of her Hands.

"Don't let the Power overwhelm you Ino" Kakashi said.

"It's easier said than done" she commented while still trying her best to get the Chidori to remain stable.

'I can do it, I can do it!' Ino inwardly chanted over and over again, as she kept trying to maintain the Power coursing through her Chidori.

'She seems to be getting closer' Kakashi thought. 'Maybe I didn't need th."

Kakashi was cut off by the sound of yet another blast from Ino's attempted Chidori.

"Damn it!" She yelled out in frustration. "Why was I only able to keep it steady one time and one time only!?"

Kakashi simply giggled and explained that

"It's because that time you were desperately trying to save someone that you really care about. You were probably so much more focused on saving that person that you didn't notice that your Chidori was also getting stable at the moment."

"So it's because of Naruto-Kun that I was able to do it?"

"Correct."

"Damn, then how else am I supposed to master this if the only time I managed to, it was because the Boy I love needed my help!?" Ino asked herself and Kakshi. "Because I doubt he'll ever need my help as badly as he did that time again!"

"Maybe try remembering how you felt at that moment as a way to use the Chidori again" Kakashi recommended.

"Okay, I'll try" Ino replied before making the same Hand Signs again, then calling "Chidori!" Before attempting to once again, keep the charge of Lightning stable.

She did as Kakashi recommended and tried remembering how bad she felt knowing that the Boy she loves needed her help. But try as she might, just the thought of what happened was proving not to be enough, and eventually, another blast was heard.

After the Blast, Ino was again, shaking the Hand she used to create the charge, trying to dwell the slight pain and discomfort she was feeling at the moment.

"I guess just thinking about it isn't as effective as when it was actually happening Kakashi-Sensei" Ino said as she shook her Hand.

"I guess not Ino" Kakashi replied.

"How did you manage to do it Kakashi-Sensei?"

"I can't say, at least not now."

'What is that supposed to mean?' Ino wondered before once again, creating another Chidori, and trying to get that Chidori to remain stable.

"Maybe try a different breathing pattern" Kakashi advised.

"Alright" Ino said before doing as she was advised to by her Sensei.

She breathed in through her Nose and out through her Mouth, trying her best to get a nice control over her breathing, and hopefully, by extension, also her Chidori.

It seemed to work at first, as the Chidori started getting smaller, but then, it got bigger and it again, exploded on her Hand.

'Maybe trying to teach her this without her possessing what even I need for it wasn't a good idea, but I refuse to give on her yet. She's the only One of the Two that are currently training that ain't training for herself' Kakashi pondered as he looked at Ino failing time and time again.

"Chidori! Chidori! Chidori!" Ino kept calling as she continuously kept trying to build up a Chidori, only to have it explode in her Hand.

'Maybe if I think about how I manage to do it myself, I can give her pointers on how to summon it without the need of it' Kakashi came up with. 'So now, how does it feel when it is stabilized?'

After thinking long and hard about this, while hearing Ino's every call and failure blaring in his Eardrums, Kakashi thought up of something that he thought could actually work.

"Ino" he started.

Ino stopped forming the Chidori and turned to her Sensei.

"Yes Kakashi-Sensei?" She asked.

"I have an idea, follow me" he said before turning around and pointing to a separate part of the Forrest they were in, signaling for Ino to go there.

"Okay" she replied before just following the direction that her Sensei was pointing to.

"What now Kakashi-Sensei?"

"Meditate."

"What?"

"It's always get way to Meditate and calm the mind, maybe if you manage to calm your mind, you'll be able to ease your body and Chakra when doing the Chidori, and as such, stabilize the Chidori" Kakashi explained.

"Okay" Ino said with a shrug of her Shoudkers before sitting down on the Grassy Ground, and trying to meditate till realizing "I don't know how."

Kakashi simply giggled and said

"Of course you don't" while scratching the Back of his Head. "How could I forget that?"

"We'll can you help me?" She asked.

"Of course" Kakashi said before sitting down on the ground and getting ready to meditate along with Ino. "Follow my instructions and do what I do, do you understand?"

"Hai Kakashi-Sensei" she replied with a raised Head before both of them started on their Meditation.

(With Naruto)

Naruto was in his Hospital Room, just working on a 200 Piece Puzzle to pass the time.

"Number 175 goes here" Naruto said as he held the Puzzle Piece and got ready to place it down, only for his Door to open and him be caught so off guard by who it was that he dropped his Piece. "H-Hinata-Chan?"

"Y-yeah Naruto-Kun, it's me" she replied.

"I totally forgot that you were also here" he said while scratching the Back of His Head.

"Well, it can be easy to forget" she responded before getting closer to the Blonde Boy.

"I guess, but sorry anyways Hinata-Chan."

"It's okay Naruto-Kun, I'm just glad that you're alright."

"Right back at ya."

Hinata then walked up to Naruto's Gurney and stood right before him, once she did, Naruto noticed that he dropped the Puzzle Piece, but instead of finding it, he decided to pull out a different 200 piece Puzzle. He set that one down on the Table he had the first Puzzle in, but not before taking apart the First Puzzle. Once the Second Puzzle came up, Naruto looked at Hinata and asked her

"Wanna help?"

"Sure" she replied before sitting right beside Naruto and helping him out with the Puzzle.

As Hinata searched for fitting pieces, she asked him

"Who gave you all those injuries?"

"A group of Orochcimaru's Men" Naruto replied as he connected the first Two Pieces.

"Orochimaru, a group?!" She screamed in worry and shock over her Friend.

"Yeah, I'm fine though don't worry Hinata-Chan" Naruto assured her.

"I hope you are, because it hurts seeing you like this Naruto-Kun" she told him.

"Hinata-Chan, I have a question to ask you."

"Okay, what is it Naruto-Kun?"

"What's your Team like now?"

"Well Kurenai-Sensei was the same as she has always been, I don't know about Kiba-Kun, and as for Shino-Kun, he's off doing his own type of Training, as he refuses to lose to the most arrogant Boy he ever met" she explained.

"Well whatever he's doing, I hope it works. I would hate to see that smug Teme get even more of an ego booster if he beats Shino, and that's not good for anyone."

"I agree Naruto-Kun, if Shino doesn't beat the Teme, then I can't imagine how much his ego will boost afterwards. But I trust and believe in Shino, so I'll be rooting for him the whole way!"

"And I will be doing the same."

"Thanks Naruto-Kun."

"It's just such a shame, because the only one that was able to beat that Teme" Naruto started but was cut of by Hinata who humorously said

"You. Every single tournament in the Academy came down to you and Sasuke, but every time, you would prevail."

Naruto smiled at his Friend's sense of humor, then he explained that

"It honestly pains me to realize that only I was able to do it. Everyone else who fought him would either lose quickly or be humiliated by Sasuke prolonging his fight with them, just to give them a false sense of hope. So I really do hope that Shino is able to knock some sense into him."

"That makes Two of us" Hinata said before putting down the Fiftieth Puzzle Piece.

"Nope."

"Huh?"

"Three of us counting Shino" Naruto corrected.

"Oh right, how could I forget about him?" She said with a giggle at the end.

"Well you didn't forget about him, you just forgot to include him."

"Touché Naruto-Kun."

"So when do you think you'll confess to him?"

"Huh?" Hinata gasped out before her Face turned a big Scarlet Red.

"Come on, when do you think you'll do it?"

"I d-didn't think about th-that" Hinata stammered.

"Well you gotta tell him at some point, or who knows, maybe he'll tell you" Naruto said.

"Y-y-you think?" She asked.

"Well yeah, as long as he's not oblivious to his own feelings towards you and your feelings towards him, I'm pretty sure that he'll confess."

"Th-thanks N-Naruto-Kun."

"You're welcome Hinata-Chan" Naruto told her.

As soon as this last word left Naruto's Mouth, Hinata found the last piece of the Puzzle and connected it, completing the Puzzle completely. Once the Puzzle finished Naruto made a realization, turned to Hinata, and told her

"Well, you best get to your room though. You wouldn't wanna worry your Doctors would you?"

"R-right" she said before getting off the Gurney, turning to Naruto, saying "Bye for now Naruto-Kun" and then leaving the room in order to go to her own.

'I genuinely hope that Shino does take her, he seems like a good guy, and that's pretty tough to find in the Rookies' Naruto thought after his Friend left the room.

After the thought left his mind, he laid his Back down on the gurney and decided to rest, but not before thinking about something that has been on his mind the whole time.

'How strong are the other combatants that will be facing the others?' He wondered as his back was resting on the Gurney. 'Well their strongest guy was eliminated by Lee, so they can't be any stronger than that, but even so, their still plenty strong either way. One uses Puppets, another uses a large Fan, and the one that got eliminated used Sand. Since the the Guy with Purple Markings' Puppets seem to need to get up close in order to deal massive amounts of damage or kill, then the best hope for Ino is to keep her distance from him, assuming she has anything that will actually be able to damage him, and also assuming that it's long range. As for Shino's fight, since the Teme seems to have unlocked his Second Tomoe, depending on whether or not he learns to use it properly, Shino would have to sorta rely on Speed, since that Sharingan of his would allow the Teme to see every attack that Shino threw at him, along or Short Range. Lastly, Shikamaru, he would pretty much have to use his Head on this one, cuz even I can't think of something other than brute force.'

After having these thoughts, Naruto closed his Eyes, and then fell asleep.

(Next Week Shikamaru)

Shikamaru was in his Compound thinking of possible scenarios to help him win his upcoming battle against his new opponent.

'What can I do?' He thought while placing his Thumb under his Chin. 'She uses that Fan of hers to control and direct large and powerful amounts of Wind to her opponent. Now how can I get past that wall of hers, or better yet, how can I keep her from using it to begin with?'

He was trying his best to think up of any ideas that would help him out against his upcoming foe, but wasn't really getting an answer. So he got up and decided something for himself.

"I better get to Training my Shadow Jutsu, maybe as I'm training with it I'll be able to come up with some sort of plan" he said to himself.

So he stood at the center of his Backyard, looked around, saw quite a few things that he could corrupt with his Shadows, and took a deep breath. After exhaling the deep breath, he first turned to a small Pond of Water, before making the right Hand Signs, calling

"Kagemane No Jutsu!" And stretching his Shadow to that Pond.

Once the Shadow connected with the Pond, he began thinking

'Okay, so binding my Shadow to this Pond is causing lots of tension between my Body and the Pond, but I guess it's understandable. After all, Water is Pure Pressure, so it makes sense that it would be putting such a strain in my Body as I'm trying to take it all over' Shikamaru thought with a struggling Face. 'The pressure that this Pond is giving me though, is nowhere near as strong as that Girl's Wind though, but if I'm able to get through this, then I can advance to a bigger body of Water, and progressively, I'll be able take over stronger forces of pressure. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to get through the pressure she exerts with her Wind. But that'll wall be very troublesome.'

As the Shadow continued trying to take over the Surface of the Pond, Shikamaru was losing strength and fast.

'Damn, with how much time there is left, and me not being able to take over so much as this Pond, I'd say my chances to take over or get through her Wind are very slim' Shikamaru inwardly admitted before letting go of the Jutsu. 'Troublesome.'

Once he let go of the Jutsu, he fell to his Knees and Hands, then proceeded to inhale and exhale deeply.

"Wow, I really didn't expect for such a small source of Water to have such a strong resistance to my Shadows" he gasped out.

"Seems like your having trouble Sochi" Shiakamru heard a familiar voice say before simply saying

"Yeah, it's very troublesome Tou-San." Then he turned his Head and saw that indeed it was his Dad, Shikaku.

"Little tip, don't cloud your mind in stressful thoughts of what's to come. Also don't try to force yourself to go further than what you think is possible for you. So pretty much just stay calm and also try not to put so much strain in your own body."

"Even if I do do that and it ends up working, there only a little time left before the Tournament rebegins and I doubt that I'll be able to reach a level to where I am able to break through that Girl's Wind Defense in such a short amount of time" Shikamaru told his Father as a matter of factly.

"That may be true, but that just shows you that you shouldn't be trying to break through her defenses to begin with. In fact, don't even try to engage in combat with her defense, instead" Shikaku started.

"Try to find a way around it" Shikamaru interrupted his Father.

"Yep."

"Okay, I think I know what I have to do now."

"Good for you Sochi" Shikaku said before leaving his Son to do what he needed to.

"Alright" Shikamaru started before once again, eyeing the Pond. "I still need to work on the Strength of my Shadows for possession purposes, but as for working myself around her technique, I'm gonna need to do some extra thinking."

And so Shikamaru worked on both his game plan and also his Signature Jutsu.

(With Ino)

Ino and Kakashi were currently in the Dango Stand of the Leaf.

They were both just cooling down from all the training that Ino had been going through ever since the start of preparation.

Ino was eating her Dango quite fast, trying her hardest to finish as fast as possible, so that they could restart the training as fast as possible.

"Slow down Ino, no need to rush" Kakashi assured her.

"Yeah there is, if I don't recommence my Training as fast as possible, the chances of me losing are higher, which means the chances of Naruto-Kun worrying about my safety are higher too!" Ino hastily explained.

Kakashi grew a semi-shocked expression after hearing this from his Student.

'So he told her that he worries about her didn't he? Did he say it because she made him or did he say it because he really felt that way, or who knows, it could be both' Kakashi thought as his only Female Student continued indulging herself in all the Dango she could see.

"Who's the one stuffing their Face in my Dangos?" Asked a familiar voice that stood outside the Stand.

Kakashi immediately recognized that voice, as it was the same voice that routinely came into this Dango Stand.

"The one stuffing her face in Dango is Ino, in case you've forgotten, she's one of the Kids that passed your part of the Chunin Exams, The Forrest of Death" Kakashi explained. "Anko."

"Okay, so you brought One of the Gakis here didn't you?" Anko questioned as she came inside the stand.

"Yeah I guess I did" Kakashi reassured his fellow Tokubetsu Jonin.

Anko took a look at Ino and saw the girl stuffing her Face in Dango, then asked

"What's up with her?"

Kakashi simply sighed and said

"She made a promise to the Boy she fell for and said that she would train really hard and stay safe in the other Half of the Chunin Exams."

"Ah, so the Gaki has fallen for another Gaki hasn't she?"

"Pretty much."

"Done Kakashi-Sensei!" Ino shouted with her Mouth full.

"Not yet Ino" Kakashi told her. "Swallow."

Ino nodded and then started swallowing all the food she had in her Mouth.

"Like I said before Ino, no need to rush" Kakashi reassured his Student.

"She doesn't care, cuz let me tell you something, when a Girl really likes a Boy, she tries her hardest to let him know, and this is her way in letting him know" Anko told Kakashi.

'Maybe Anko is right, I mean even with the risk of choking being there because of how fast she is eating and now swallowing, it doesn't seem like she cares' Kakashi thought as he watched his Student finish swallowing every last scarp of food in her Mouth.

"Done" Ino said, in a clear voice, before standing up, walking to the entrance, saying "Aren't you coming Kakashi-Sensei?!" And then walking out.

Kakashi simply sighed again, turned to Anko, and said

"I better get going" before walking off to go find his Student where he knew she'd be.

(An Hour Later, With Ino and Kakashi)

"Chidori!" Ino shouted right before she began to try maintaining its Power, immediately after she created the Jutsu though, it exploded."Damn!"

Ino and Kakashi were still working on stabilizing the Chidori.

"Try again" Kakashi ordered.

"Okay" Ino replied before making the right Hand Signs, calling "Chidori!" And then once again, she tried her hardest to stabilize it.

"Come on, keep it steady, keep it steady" Kakashi repeated as his Student was trying her hardest to stabilize the Lightning Charge.

"I'm trying Kakashi-Sen" Ino started but didn't get to finish as the charge, once again, blew up on her Hand. "Damn!"

"Maybe try some more meditation, you got a lot further now when you did Meditate than when you didn't" Kakashi proposed.

"Maybe, I mean I would only be able to keep it up for about Half a Second before, but now I managed to make it to a full Second. So yeah, maybe I do need to Meditate some more" Ino explained to both herself and Kakashi.

"Well then try it, and maybe after some time passes" Kakashi started before making the same Hand Signs Ino did and calling "Chidori!"

As the Lightning Charge appeared on his Hand, he showed Ino what a stabilized Chidori looks like. Once he did, he then told her

"If you manage to perfectly stabilize it you'll be able to hold it for longer periods of time." 'But if you had a certain something else, you would be able to hold it for as long as you want.'

"Alright, I'll start meditating right away Kakashi-Sensei!" Ino declared before sitting on the ground and beginning her meditating.

'This really is the best Technique that I can teach her, so it's quite imperative that she masters it. Even if she doesn't have the Key to unlock limitless amounts of time with it, she can still find some way to wield it for large amounts of time' Kakashi inwardly discussed with himself as he watched Ino continue to Meditate. 'But the real question is, is it even possible?'

Similarly, as Kakashi was wondering about all of this, Ino was trying to make it all work.

As Ino meditated, a strong wind came through and started blowing very strongly, but Ino paid it no mind and continued on with her Meditation.

'Naruto-Kun, I'll become strong, strong enough so that you won't have to worry about me, and strong enough to the point to where I can actually help you' Ino thought as she continued to Meditate.

(With Naruto)

Naruto was sitting up on his Gurney, with a Book at Hand. He didn't really have anything else to do to pass the time and was just reading a Book about the First Great Ninja War.

'Wow, the First Great Ninja War was a lot more brutal than I had anticipated' Naruto thought as he continued reading. 'Jiji never told me this much, but from what I'm currently reading myself, I can see why.'

It was at this moment that a Doctor entered the Room.

"Naruto" the Doctor said.

"Yeah, what is it?" Naruto asked.

"You're good to go Kid."

"Really!?"

"Yeah, so don't waste any time and get to doing what you would've done had this not happened."

"Alright "Naruto said before getting out of the Gurney and asking the Doctor

"Could you please step out

Then he began walking to the door. "See ya Doc."

"Goodbye Naruto" the Doctor replied before Naruto closed the Door and walked off. "Good Kid."

(Minutes Later, With Naruto)

Naruto made it out of the Hospital and was currently making his way to his Apartment.

'Alright, the sooner I arrive home, the sooner I can take a Shower and then head off to the Hokage Office to meet with Jiji' he thought as he walked home, not wanting to damage his Body any further.

After about Half an Hour of walking to his Apartment, Naruto bumped into a familiar Face along the way.

"Oh, my bad" he apologized.

"Nah, it's okay" said Konohamaru as he looked up at the Blonde Boy.

"Oh, it's you Konohamaru" said Naruto.

"Onii!" Konohamaru exclaimed in excitement.

The Two then embraced each other before walking along the streets of Konoha together.

As they were walking, Konohamaru asked his Big Brother Figure

"Do you think you could teach me something!?"

Naruto simply smirked and said

"Sure."

"Alright!"

"But we're gonna have to go to Training Grounds 7 for it, since it could and would definitely hurt people in the Streets."

"Okay!"

And so both walked off to the Training Grounds.

(Training Ground 7)

Once they managed to arrive at Training Grounds 7, Naruto and Konohamaru got to the center of the Field, before starting the lesson.

"Alright, here's what I'll teach you" Naruto said before stepping back turning his Body.

After being sure that he was in a position safe to use the Technique, he made the right Hand Signs, and then called

"Katon: Karyuu Endan!" Before blasting a Dragon made of Fire out of his Mouth.

"Whoah!" Konohamaru shouted in shock and amazement. "Okay, teach me!"

"Alright" Naruto started before turning back to Konohamaru and telling him "Try these."

Before teaching him the Hand Signs.

"Okay" Konohamaru replied before attempting to try out the Hand Signs.

"Work on the Hand Signs, then on how much Chakra you exert when using the Technique, whether it be for how strong you want it to be, or for how long you want it to go" Naruto instructed.

"Okay, I'll work on it Onii."

"Okay, and while you're doing that, I'm just gonna sit over there and do some thinking."

And after nodding his Head in understanding, Konohamaru got to working on his new Jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto walked off to some spot in the Training Ground, sat down, and then began to do some thinking.

'Okay, what can I expect the Two Suna Ninja to do?' Naruto started pondering.

He began thinking extremely hard in what to expect and what not to expect, all while Konohamaru was shouting

"Katon: Karyuu Endan!" And sending multiple small embers at the air. "Damn! I guess I'll just have to try harder!"

And so he constantly kept making Hand Sign after Hand Sign, trying his hardest to finally be able to get the move to work, even if only for a little bit.

After about an Hour passed, Naruto, who was still doing lots of thinking, realized something.

'Maybe I shouldn't be thinking of what the Suna Ninja could do and instead think of what they had already done' Naruto figured as he continued inwardly discussing the many things to expect. 'Ino is working on a move, so maybe she isn't thinking of what those Ninja could do, in which case I have to do this thinking myself and then warn her when the time is to come.'

"Katon: Karyuu Endan!" Konohamaru exclaimed after making the right Hand Signs and successfully letting out small Dragons made of Fire at the air. 'Alright, I at least now know that I'm starting to make some progress.'

After quite a few more attempts, and lots of Hours passed, Konohamaru was eventually able to quickly make the Hand Signs and call

"Katon: Karyuu Endan!" In order to send a small Dragon made of Fire through the air.

"You've done it!" Naruto claimed as he got up and saw the Little Kid who sees him as a role model, succeed in the Jutsu, well a weaker version of the Jutsu, but still.

"Yeah, I still have a lot to work on, but I'll work on it!"

The Two Boys once again embraced before Naruto broke the embrace, said

"I gotta go" and then running off to a distance.

"Okay, see ya Onii" Konohamaru shouted while waving at the Blonde.

"I gotta make my way to Jiji, I have a question I wanna run by him" Naruto said to himself as he ran off.

(With Neji)

Neji was in the Hyuga Compound, Traininbg for what was to come in the Chunin Exams.

"He is not only the Pupil of the Third Hokage, but also Lady Hinata's Best Friend" Neji said with venom. "As such, he must pay, and I can't allow myself to lose to him!"

After Neji let these words out, he started striking the air with his Palms, about the mere thought of losing to the Blonde Boy.

"I won't lose!" Neji shouted before holding his Moves and taking a deep breath. "But having said that, he is the Pupil of the Third Hokage. So he's definitely gonna be lots of trouble to deal with. I'm sure he's doing some serious training as I speak, which means I'll just have to train harder!"

Neji didn't notice that as he was Training, the Head of the Hyuga, and his Youngest Daughter, were watching him Train.

"If only either of you were as strong as him" Hiashi commented before walking off with his Youngest Daughter, Hanabi, following him.

During the time spent on Training, Neji avoided as many breaks as possible, if he was gonna surpass the teaching of a Hokage, he needed every last second he was gonna get, in order to train.

As he continued training hard alone, his Father came out of One of now where and then asked him

"I see you decided to start without me Today."

"Like I said before Tou-San, If I'm gonna beat that Blonde Boy, I need every second I can get in order to train" Neji reassured his Father. "You and I both know that the teachings of a Hokage are gonna be an insane idea obstacle to overcome, especially if I'm not taking my Training seriously."

"Fair, but I'm here now, so no need to go beat yourself up over this for no reason" Hizashi reasoned.

"Tou-San, let's just begin, shall we?"

"Okay" Hizashi said before both bowed and started their Training.

(Hours Later)

It had been Hours and both Neji and Hizashi were still Training without any restraints.

"Jūken!" Neji called before attempting to strike his Father.

Hizashi simply smacked the Palm away and responded with a

"Jūken!" Of his own aimed for the Throat of Neji.

Neji managed to smack the Hand away from where it would've struck, and then used his gracefulness to go for another Jūken Strike.

This time, Hizashi grabbed Neji the Wrist, and threw him over his Back.

As Neji was falling to the ground, he managed to land on the ground, on his Feet, and once he did, he rushed at his Old Man.

Round Kick by Neji, caught then pushed back by Hizashi, forcing Neji to the ground.

Neji got back up, via Kip Up, and then rushed at his Father again, this time, with a Front Kick, before his Father caught the Kick using both his Hands, and then used One of his Legs to grip Neji and then bring out his Hand, stopping right in front of Neji's Throat.

After the stoppage, Hizashi helped his Son back up, then reminded him to

"Don't forget about maintaining a proper retreat my Son."

"Right Father" Neji replied before dusting himself off and then saying "Let's go again."

Hizashi understood why his Son wanted to get so much stronger and didn't really have a problem with it.

'I remember when I was like you Neji, I just hope that you some Day manage to get over your hate for the Hyuga Clan like I have' Hizashi thought before getting ready. 'That being thought though, I know what it feels like to be the one that wants to train hard, but due to favoritism I was forced tot each myself. So I won't let you go through what I had to go through with my Father, my Son.'

And with that being though, Neji got into his stance and then attacked his Father again.

"Jūken!" Neji shouted as he threw a blow to the Heart of his Father.

"Hakkeshō Kaiten!" Hizashi called before spinning fast and creating some type of vortex that blocked the hit and sent Neji flying.

"Whoah!" Neji shouted as he was sent flying to the air.

Once he began falling down, he flipped and once again, landed on his Feet.

"That was close" Neji commented after landing on his Feet.

"You're not only gonna have to work on your basic Jūken Strikes Neji, you're also gonna have to work on the many Techniques of the Clan. I think we both know that if you were to go into that fight with just you're basic Jūken Strikes" Hizashi started explaining till he was interrupted by his Son.

"I am gonna lose quickly and easily" was Neji's interruption.

Hizashi simply nodded and then told his Son

"You already have great Skill for lots of the Techniques, but if you wanna beat that Kid, you're gonna need to get better."

"Agreed."

"So, show me your own Rotation."

Neji nodded, stepped back, got ready, spun, and then called out

"Hakkeshō Kaiten!"

"Now try to fight this!" Hizashi shouted before charging at Neji with a Jūken Strike.

The Rotation of Neji Vs the Jūken Strike of Hizashi, ending with a very close win from Neji.

"Hyah!" Neji shouted as he gained the upper hand and managed to throw his Father back.

"Toh!" His Father shouted as his Back hit the ground.

Once Hizashi hit the ground, he immediately got back up and then said

"Well done Neji! Now just work on that and the others even more."

"You've got it Tou-San!" Neji shouted before launching multiple Jūken Strikes at the Old Man again. 'Okay, if I train in earnest for the next few Weeks, I'll have a very high chance of being able to defeat that Boy in the Tournament!'

(A Day Later, With Ino)

Ino was keeping her Mind clean of anything that could and would distract her, and only thought of what motivated her.

'I will win, I'll show you that I too can be strong Naruto-Kun! And I'll show you just how big of a difference you're making in me!' She inwardly declared with vigor.

'She's been busting her ass off for this whole time, not wanting to take any breaks and instead just wanting to grow as strong as possible as fast as possible' Kakashi thought as he saw Ino Meditating. 'You really do have a way with people don't you Naruto?'

Shortly after this thought left the Mind of Kakashi, Ino opened her Eyes and got back up.

"I'm ready to try again Kakashi-Sensei!" She shouted, confident that she could accomplish what she has been trying to for so long now.

"Alright, try it then" Kakashi instructed.

Ino nodded her Head, made the Hand Signs, and then called

"Chidori!" Before the charge of Lightning appeared in her Hand again.

"Your best attempt was a Second and a Half, for this case we're gonna need for you to at least keep it stable for Two Seconds in order to move in for now" Kakashi explained.

"Hai Kakashi-Sensei!" Ino shouted as she tried her best to keep the attack from exploding on her.

"Half a Second, One, One and a Half" Kakashi began counting before the Jutsu, as always, exploded on Ino's Hand.

"Damn" Kakashi said in disappointment.

"I got it now!" Ino exclaimed.

"Huh?"

"Kakashi-Sensei, I think that now I know what to do in order to make it Two full Seconds!"

"Really?"

"Yes Sensei!"

"Then try!"

"Okay!"

And so after making the Hand Signs again, Jno called out

"Chidori!" And then had another Charge of Electricity appear on one of her Hands.

"Half a Second, One, One and a Half," Kakashi started counting but then stopped to see what Ino would do next.

As soon as Kakashi reached One and a Half, Ino changed her the Position of her Feet, and as a result managed to spare and extra Half of a Second.

"Two" Kakashi finished before the Chidori exploded in Ino's Hand. "Alright you did it!"

"Finally, now what do we work on Kakashi-Sensei?" She asked.

"Now we work on Strengthening that Technique of yours."

"And how do we do that?" She asked.

"Simple" he said before turning to a Tree, making the same Hand Signs as Ino, calling "Chidori!" And rushing towards the Tree.

As soon as he got close to the Tree, he thrusted his Hand forward and pierced right through the Tree and made it cut in half, all casually.

"Whoah" Ino said in amazement.

"Now you try" Kakashi told her.

"Right!" Ino shouted before making the identical Hand Signs, charging forward to another Tree, and then calling "Chidori!"

Before coming into contact with the Tree and like Kakashi, pierced through it, cutting it in half, casually.

"Alright, not bad, now try it again" Kakashi instructed.

"Right!"

And so Ino did this over and over and over again, making use of the Two Seconds she had each and every time she created a Lightning Charge, and cutting Tree after Tree, Strengthening her use of the ability and also helping her get used to the feeling of it.

After Ino got done chopping the last Sixtieth Tree, she took quite a big blow in the Chakra department.

"Amazing, your Chakra Capacity is phenomenal" Kakashi commended his Student.

"Yeah, you see, ever since I found out about Naruto-Kun's unbelievably large Chakra Capacity, I realized that if I wanna be strong like Naruto-Kun, I'm gonna need to work on my own Chakra Capacities as well" Ino explained.

"And how did you do that?" Kakashi questioned.

"Well duh, using every single Jutsu I knew of and could use, to the point of Chakra Exhaustion" Ino said as a matter of factly. 'I had been doing this ever since the Academy, specifically when I realized that Naruto-Kun could've been the One that saved me.'

After inwardly telling herself the last part, Ino looked at Kakashi and waited for some feedback.

Kakashi, was speechless, he was shocked for many reasons and started discussing them with her.

"You managed to come up with an idea that even the most Elite of Tokubetsu Jonin have a hard time realizing till their early Twenties, at the Age of Eleven?"

Little did he know, Ino had been working on it way before the age of Eleven. Ino didn't wanna say anything, so she didn't.

"You also did all this after finding out about Naruto's Heritage, how did you find out?"

That was the straw that broke the Camel's Back though. Ino couldn't stay quite anymore and had to tell her Sensei the truth.

"No Kakashi-Sensei. Naruto's Heritage isn't why I trained my Chakra Capacity so much, it was simply because of the many fights I saw him go through. Whether it was sparring against the Third Hokage or Chunin and Jonin Level Fighters, he always seemed to have what looked to be a limitless amount of Chakra, and because of something that I had been wondering at that point in time, I tried to achieve his levels of Chakra Capacity. And I also came up with this when both me and him were still in the Academy, not recently" Ino thoroughly explained. 'I didn't even find out about Naruto's Heritage until reading his Mind and finding out through his Memories.'

"Oh, well you are learning how to use my Technique very quickly, and efficiently, even though you only have Two Seconds with it."

There wasn't really anything wrong with these words to Ino, so she didn't say anything back, since this time, Kakashi was actually right.

"Well with that outta the way, where do we go from here Kakashi-Sensei?" Ino asked.

"First thing's first, are you strong enough to continue Training?" Kakashi questioned.

"Yeah, definitely" Ino replied.

"Then follow me" Kakashi said before walking off, and of course, Ino followed him.

(A Few Hours Later)

After the Duo got done traveling for a few Hours, they arrived at a Mountain Top, Ino's next step into Training.

"What are we doing here Kakashi-Sensei?" She asked.

"Continuing on with your Training" Kakashi stated before pointing over to some large Boulders nearby. "You see those shoulders over there?"

"Yeah" she replied.

"Use your Chidori to strike through them, and keep going till you're able to casually cut it in half, like you were with the Tree."

"Okay Sensei" Ino said before making the not so new anymore Hand Signs and then calling "Chidori!"

Before charging at that large Boulder with the intent of slicing it in half.

'We still have plenty of time to train Ino, don't you worry' Kakashi thought as he saw Ino strike the Boulder with her Lightning Charge.

(A Day Later, With Naruto)

Naruto was now in his Apartment, trying his best to think of possible outcomes for Ino's fight and how to get through them.

'Well even using what Jiji told me, I don't know if I can actually figure a game changing plan' Naruto thought before thinking back to what he told Hiruzen Days ago.

(Days Earlier)

Naruto managed to make it to the Hokage Tower after talking with Konohamaru and was now right in front of the Door leading to the Hokage's Office.

He knocked on the Door and then heard his Jiji say

"Come in" before entering the room. "Ah, Naruto-Kun, what seems to be the problem?"

"How did you?" Naruto started but was interrupted by Hiruzen saying

"I'm your Sensei, what do you expect?"

Naruto simply rubbed the Back of his Head and then said

"I forgot about that."

"You sure can be dense at times" Hiruzen commented.

"Hey" Naruto said humorously.

"Well it's true" Hiruzen assured Naruto.

"I guess" Naruto admitted.

"Well with that outta the way, what did you wanna know Naruto-Kun?"

"Oh, I wanted to know if you had any info on those Three Genin from Suna, their Names were Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari."

"Oh, those Three" Hiruzen said blankly. "Well, I I don't know much. I'm probably limited to as much as you are."

"Well tel me anyways Jiji."

"Okay, this is what I know, and before you ask, I'm limited to what I've heard about them, seen of them, and what it says on their forms for the Chunin Exams."

"Okay Jiji, explain."

"Alright, the Three each all have Manipulation over something, not an Element something."

"What do you mean Jiji?"

"Kankuro, manipulates deadly Puppets that have many dangerous and lethal abilities. Temari manipulates Wind through her Fan, as she is able to reshape, redirect, and strengthen air currents just by using her Fan. And then Gaara, he manipulates Sand, and it's not limited to just the Sand he has in his Gourd" Hiruzen explained thoroughly.

"Okay, I somewhat knew that, but not entirely. By that I mean that I knew that they used those things, but I didn't know that they were actually manipulating them. So what else do you know?" Naruto said with a question at the end.

"I also know that they are all Children of the current Fourth Kazekage."

Naruto was caught off guard by this and h the en simply replied with

"Okay, I didn't know that."

"And lastly" Hiruzen started before looking around to make sure nobody could hear or see them. "One of them is a Jinchuriki."

Naruto's Eyes went wide after hearing this and he was in so much shock, that he fell to the ground, unconscious.

(Flashback End)

Naruto, who was now done thinking about what he and Hiruzen were discussing a few Days, was just thinking of what he could do in order to help out his Two Friends that were still fighting, that being Shino and Ino.

'Funny, their Names sound exactly the same' Naruto thought while holding back a chuckle."Anyways though, what could I warn them about in order to help them? Well since Sasuke is an Uchiha, and Shino is pretty smart for his age, I think Shino already knows what he should do against that Sharingan of the Teme. So I guess that just leaves Ino."

Naruto then stood up from the chair he was sitting in and decided tomake some Ramen before thinking, after all, nobody can think clearly with an empty Stomach.

After finishing his Ramen, he sat back down on the Chair and continued on with his thought process.

"Kankuro manipulates Puppets with his Chakra and those Puppets have dangerous tools, abilities, and injections that can render even the strongest people helpless" Naruto outwardly discussed alone. "Like I've said before, Ino is gonna be too busy Training in order to do some strategizing, so it's up to me to do that for her."

With his Thumb under his Chin, Naruto began thinking of everything he could imagine happening in Ino's battle with Kankuro.

"I don't know what Ino's new Ability is, so I'm just basing this off of what I know she is capable of" Naruto told himself. "She managed to kill King, but that was a severely weakened version of him, specifically King after he got done fighting me for who knows how long? I didn't see what move she used to kill him and haven't received any info from anybody as to what it could be, so I'm excluding it."

After saying this, Naruto tried to recall Ino's fight with Sakura. It was the only fight that he had seen Ino fight and win, so he tired to make the best of what he had to work with.

"Well I mean, it was Sakura, so there's really nothing to talk about there, and it might as well not even count as a feat in complete honesty, but even so, what do I make of this!?" Naruto loudly shouted in frustration.

"Come on, give me something to work with!" Naruto frustratingly shouted before slamming his Head down on a Table.

'This is gonna take a while.'

(With Gaara)

Gaara was all alone in the middle of the Forrest of Death.

Temari and Kankuro were nowhere to be seen and Gaara was just sitting in the middle of a Forrest, wondering how he lost.

"How was it possible, there's no way, his blood, it should've just been HIS BLOOD!" Gaara angrily yelled out.

(Gaara's Mindscape)

Inside of a seemingly clear and endless ocean, stood a Tanuki seemingly made out of Sand, and it was mad, it was mad for very specific reasons.

"You're damn right you lost Kid and I can't believe it either!" The Tanuki shouted. "How dare you lose to some punk like that who couldn't even use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu!?

The Tanuki then started taking deep breaths as a way to relax himself.

"I can't believe I got stuck with such a weak host as yourself, getting outdone by that green pipsqueak, and you call yourself a Demon!" It continued angrily yelling.

The Tanuki didn't bother trying to calm down anymore and instead just kept striking the Water around him in fury. Punch after Punch, Stomp after Stomp, all landing on the ocean that he was taking his frustrations out on.

"How dare you lose to him when you have the great One Tail Shukaku inside of you!?" The Tanuki declared in spite. "You're pathetic Kid, how can you ever look yourself in the Eyes and seriously call yourself a Demon again!? You're no Demon, you're just a weakling!"

As the Tanuki who had just verified himself as Shukaku, kept rampaging all over his prison, he never stopped chanting anger hateful words at the host he has.

(With Gaara Again)

Gaara was still sitting down on the dirt around him, not eating, drinking, sleeping, or even blinking.

"How... How did I lose!?" He yelled out again.

He was angry, angrier than he had ever been before in his life. He no longer wanted anything but blood.

"You will pay for this!" He declared. "I will find you and I'll make you pay!"

Once these words left Gaara's Mouth, he brought out both his Fists and repeatedly kept striking the ground as hard as he could.

"I will make you taste Blood again mother, I will!" He demonically chanted as he continued Punching the ground as hard as he could.

As the Red Haired Jinchuriki continued striking the ground over and over again, he realized something.

"But it shouldn't be mine" he said in realization before getting back up to his Feet.

"I'll provide you with some appetizers before the main dish though" he said before searching the Forrest around him for any live Animals.

After a few Minutes of him waking through the Forrest, he came across a Giant Boar.

"Roar!" The boar roared before charging at Gaara.

"Perfect" Gaara said before lifting his Hand and aiming it towards the Boar.

Sand shot out of his Hand and wrapped around the Boar in the form of a cage.

"Now" Gaara started before squeezing his Hand. "Sabaku Kyū!"

And crushing the Boar without any mercy or hesitation.

"Roar!" An entire stampede of Boars yelled out from behind Gaara before charging at him.

"An all you can eat buffet" Gaara said with a smirk as all the creatures charged at him.

Gaara didn't move and instead let them all try to hit him.

The first Boar to try to squash Gaara with his Feet ended up severely breaking that same Foot he used when the Sand that protected Gaara came out and saved him.

"Ahh, the sound of Bones breaking and agony, pure music to my Ears" Gaara said as the stampede continued.

"Roar!" The rest of the Boars yelled as they too tried squashing the Red Haired Boy, only to injure themselves in the process.

One by One, every single Boar got their Feet broken and gel to the ground screeching in pain.

"Now, it's time" Gaara said before raising One of his Hands to the direction of One of the Boar's Feet.

Gaara managed to summon enough Sand to wrap around that Foot of the Boar and then called

"Sabaku Kyū!" Completely shattering every single Bone in that Foot of the Boar.

To say the Boar screamed in pain would be an understatement, but those same sounds that it let out in sheer pain, gave Gaara all the motivation he needed into doing that with all the rest of the Boars.

After the First Foot though, Gaara moved his Hand into the direction of the next Three Feet, and like with the first, shattered every Bone in those Feet for his own amusement.

After successfully shattering every last Bone it all Four of the Feet of the Boars, Gaara looked at the now crippled body of the Boar and said

"I guess it's time" before raising his Hand and covering the Boars entire Body with sand, then calling "Sabaku Kyū!"

And killing it.

"Well that was fun" Gaara said before turning to look at all the other wounded and now horrified Boars. "Good thing I still have plenty more appetizers for you Mother."

Once these words left Gaara's Mouth, he lifted his Hand and got ready to repeat every last thing he did to the Boar he just killed, with all the rest.

(With Kankuro and Temari)

Kankuro and Temari were both currently doing some Training of their own.

Temari was working on using her Fan and Kankuro were working on manipulating his Puppets.

As they were training though, Kankuro stopped and asked Temari

"You think we should go check on Gaara?"

"Absolutely not, you know that doing that would probably just get us killed" Temari replied.

"Still though, he seemed pretty upset after he lost to that Kid."

"Believe me Kankuro, he's not upset, just angry."

"Well, I guess all we can do is wait and see, isn't it ,Temari?"

"I guess so."

And so with all that being said, the Two then just continued on with their Training, not paying any mind to whatever struggles their Younger Brother might be going through.

(With Ino)

Ino was right in front of Kakashi, trying her hardest to strike him now.

"Alright, you're getting better in the Taijutsu Department" Kakashi commented as he dodged Punch after Punch from Ino.

"Thanks Sensei" Ino replied as she continued launching Punches at her Sensei.

Kakashi was just catching every Punch in his Palm.

Right Hook from Ino, Blocked by Kakashi.

Front Kick from Ino, caught then thrown by Kakashi.

Crescent Kick from Ino, Blocked by Kakashi who then said

"You've been working hard on your Chidori for quite some time, but you can't forget about your Taijutsu and Ninjutsu either."

"I know Kakashi-Sensei" Ino said as she continued delivering strike after strike to Kakashi.

As she continued trying to land a single blow on her Jonin Sensei, said Jonin Sensei explained that

"The Chidori still needs lots of work, but we've been neglecting all your other methods of Training, and only have a short amount of time left."

Ino this time didn't respond and just kept trying to land a hit on her Sensei.

Right Hook from Ino, Blocked by Kakashi.

Left Front Punch from Ino, Parried by Kakashi.

Spinning Kick from Ino, caught then thrown back by Kakashi.

Ino took multiple steps back and decided to try landing a hit on her Sensei using raw Speed this time, as she knew she wasn't physically strong enough to use force, or clever enough to outsmart him.

She ran at her Sensei and then went for a High Jump Kick (Mikey Style), only for it to be evaded by Kakashi who just Rolled Forward.

As Kakashi was still rolling, Ino landed on her Feet and then went for a Drop Kick where she knew Kakashi would get back up.

Sure enough, Kakashi did get back up where she thought he would, and Ino was able to connect her Drop Kick with the Chest of Kakashi.

After landing the Drop Kick, Ino bounced off of Kakashi and did a complete Backflip off of him before landing on her Feet and crouching down on the ground.

Kakashi was pushed back with slight amounts of pain in his Chest and then said

"Well done Ino."

Ino simply got back up and took a deep breath.

"That took forever" she commented in exhaustion.

"Yeah, but we're not stopping just yet" Kakashi reassured her.

"I know, cuz now hits your turn to hit me Kakashi-Sensei."

"Right you are Ino. So get ready."

Ino indeed took a stance and then got ready for any blow that Kakashi would try to deal.

"Now!" Kakashi shouted before charging at Ino.

Kakashi was way faster than Ino anticipated, so she wasn't able to find out where he was until she had already been hit.

Front Punch from Kakashi, landing on one of Ino's Left Ribs.

Roundhouse Kick from Kakashi, landing on Three of Ino's Right Ribs.

Then Kakashi grabbed her the Collar of her Shirt, lifted her up, and slammed her, Back-First, into the ground.

"Toh!" She shouted as the wind was knocked out of her from the fall.

"Can you continue?" Kakashi asked.

"Of course" Ino gasped out as she struggled to get back up to her Feet.

"You don't need to-"

"Yes I do!"

Kakashi was amazed at his Student's raw determination to keep Training regardless to how badly beat up she was, and so didn't hesitate to keep letting and helping her train.

Once Ino got back up to her Feet, Kakashi shouted

"Heads up!" Before throwing a Kunai at his Student.

Ino was able to move to the side and avoid the flying Kunai, but not before getting hit with a Right Hook to the Left Side of her Face.

The Punch launched her off her Feet and to the Right Side of the area before she crashed into the ground.

'I have to hold back my Power, as I don't wanna accidentally kill her, but I also don't wanna hold back to the point to where it'll take a really long time for her to grow stronger, as there isn't that much time left till the Exams begin' Kakashi thought. 'If only I knew Medical Ninjustu.'

As these thoughts traveled all over Kakashi's Head, he didn't notice Ino getting back up and trying to recuperate.

'I have to find some way to block and evade, but how?' She wondered as Kakashi was still seemingly lost in thought.

Eventually, Kakashi caught on to the fact that he was giving Ino time to recover and got ready to charge at her again, before deciding to just let her recover for as long as she needed to.

'She needs all the time she can get in order to both heal and plan out her next attack, so I'll do her a favor and give her that time' Kakashi thought as he looked at her trying to get back up to her Feet.

Ino was struggling back up. She placed One of her after forward and then applied so much pressure to that Foot in order to help her get back up to her other Feet.

As she was getting back up, her Legs were wobbling and shaking all over the place, not allowing for her to keep her balance.

Once she managed to make it to her Feet though, Kakashi saw her Body shaking, till finally, she stomped on the ground with One of her Feet and then, with a determined look in her Eyes, she shouted

"I got it!" Before standing her ground and waiting for Kakashi to hit her.

Kakashi saw the look she had on her Face and wondered what she may have thought, but before he could ponder any further, he realized that he had to attack.

So without another thought, Kakashi charged forward and cocked his Fist back, before bringing it out to where he envisioned it would land on, Ino's Face. However, he was shocked to see Ino, move to the side, avoiding n the Punch and replying with a Wheel Kick to the gut of Kakashi.

"Oh!" Kakashi yelped as his Stomach got Kicked.

After the Kick, which didn't really have that much of an effect on Kakashi, if at all, he saw the smirk Ino had on her Face and immediately understood what she did.

'Ahh, so that's what she did, I get it' he thought before getting ready to strike her again.

He cocked his Fist, waited for Ino to stand on both her Feet, then once she did, he brought it forward, ready to strike his Student Before he could though, Ino moved outta the way and then launched a Crescent Kick to the Face of her Sensei.

'Whoah, it's actually working!?' Ino though with enthusiasm as her Sensei dusted himself off and then brought himself forward to attack again.

They still had a bit of time left before the Exams started, and they were definitely gonna make the most of it.

(With Naruto)

Naruto was in his House, still trying to think of anything he could to help Ino out in her Match against the Sand Ninja.

He was just on the ground, scratching his Head, trying so hard to think of anything new he hasn't thought of before.

'Damn it, damn it, damn it! Why is it so hard!?' Naruto inwardly yelled in question. 'I need something to work with, why couldn't she her give me something to work w-!?'

Naruto immediately remembered a little something from way back. He sat up and then shouted

"Of course, how could I not remember such a simple event!? The fights she's had with me!"

After letting out a sigh of both relief and victory, he decided to rest for a while, since he had been stressing out about this for what felt like so long.

(Twenty Four Hours Later)

After a full Twenty Four Hours passed, Naruto woke up from his deep sleep.

"It feels so great to rest again" Naruto said with a yawn as he stretched. "Alright, before I start thinking about the big problem at Hand, I should get something from the Kitchen."

And so Naruto got up from off the wooden floor of his Apartment and then walked over to the Kitchen, with an even bigger stretch and yawn.

Once he arrived at the Kitchen, he pulled out a pack Ramen and put it into a Pot full of boiling Water.

As the Water in the Pot began heating up the Ramen, Naruto couldn't help but say

"If finally being able to sleep feels this good, I wanna know how great eating again feels after so long" while rubbing his Hands together, just waiting for the Ramen to finish boiling.

Once the Ramen finished boiling, Naruto wasted no time and instead of bringing out a Bowl, Naruto just picked up some Chopsticks and started eating the Ramen off of the Pot.

He grabbed a bunch of Ramen Noodles with his Chopsticks, brought them up to his Face, and then started blowing harshly, trying his best to cool them down as fast as possible.

After a few seconds of blowing on the Ramen, Naruto opened his Mouth and took every last inch of the Ramen he held with his Chopsticks, into his Mouths.

It burned at first, but he managed to toughen it out and eat every last Noodle.

After the first scoop, he took in another, then another, and then another, till finally, he cleared the Pot of every last Ramen Noodle it had.

After finishing his Ramen, he used the Back of his Hand to wipe his Mouth, shouted

"So much better than usual!" And then sat down on One of his Couches.

After sitting down, he decided that

"Okay, no more distractions, now it's time to think!"

And then got to thinking, well... Thinking out loud.

"Alright, me and her have sparred a few time before our Missions started and even after they started. Based off of what I can tell from those fights, she is very dependent on her Jutsu, doesn't really strategize much, she doesn't really have much strength in any of the other Jutsu Departments, and isn't very determined to win. Actually, scratch that last part, at first, before the Missions started, she didn't show any determination to win at all, she pretty much just gave up when fighting some one stronger than her. But once the Missions did start, she got a lot more determined" Naruto thoroughly explained. "It's probably because of her feelings towards me, but either way, I hope she does keep that up.'

Naruto then decided to take a quick break in order to get some Water. After finishing a whole bottle of Water, he continued on.

"Okay, speaking of the many Mission me and her went through with Kakashi-Sensei and the Teme, we've went on plenty of Missions but she rarely ever fought in any of those Missions and when she did, it was against someone weak. So yeah, even then, I can't really count them, cuz they're like Sakura, if they're so weak that they lose so easily without even putting up much of a fight, then why even count them?"

Naruto then drank some more of his Water before resuming.

"Okay, back to what does count about her. So I've already talked about her many flaws before the Missions started, now I should talk about what her flaws after the Missions started are."

Naruto then began to think of what Ino's flaws in a battle could be or are, then after a bit of thinking, he figured it out.

"Okay, she doesn't have as many flaws as she did before the Missions started. Now she really just isn't that skilled in any of the other Jutsu Departments... Which now I don't know if it's a bad thing or not. Since this way, she won't exhaust her Chakra that way, and I don't know if she has a good Chakra Capacity or not. Either way though, the only for sure flaw I know about her now, is that she isn't very skilled in the other Jutsu Departments."

Naruto then let out big yawn followed by a big stretch before saying

"With that being said, I guess all I really know about her now is that she is far more determined to win than before, tries to think of something quickly, tries to adapt to different Jutsu that she isn't that skilled with instead of just depending on her signature Jutsu, and the other guy, really just seems to be out for Blood. So that could be an advantage for either of them. Since Ino isn't out for Blood, then she could think properly and use different Jutsu to win, but then at the same time, the other guy could just spam strong Jutsu and without any hesitation... K-k" Naruto couldn't finish his sentence and instead decided to find Ino and Kakashi.

He rushed out of his House and tried his hardest to look for Ino and Kakashi.

'Damn, where could they be!?' Naruto inwardly shouted in wonder as he began to run all over Konoha.

(A few Hours Later)

After a couple of Hours of running around the Village, Naruto decided to calm down. He took deep breaths and then let each breath before saying

"It's okay, if Kakashi-Sensei is with her, then she's safe."

After coming to that conclusion, Naruto decided to just walk through the Village at a much more relaxed pace.

As he was walking instead of running now, the Villagers who saw him running throughout the Village were staring at him in confusion. They were all confused by how someone who seemed so desperate to get to some place that looked important to him, so much so that he was causing such a ruckus, was now just calmly walking through the Village.

Naruto didn't pay the confused stares that the people were giving him any attention though and just minded his own business. After a bit of walking, a thought hit him.

'I should go check up on both Rock Lee and Hinata in the Hospital' Naruto thought before once again, rushing to the Hospital, albeit way more relaxed than when he first rushed to get to Ino.

As he was running he inwardly explained to himself that

'The Gates are the main reason why he's in the Hospital, he hasn't suffered from any severe injuries thankfully and is instead just reeling in from the damage dealt to him by the Gates, and the much smaller damage dealt to him by the Sand Ninja. As for Hinata, Neji really did a number on her Tenketsu Points, so I need to see how she's doing.'

Eventually, he arrived at the Hospital again, entered, and approached the Female Admission Clerk and she asked him

"Naruto, you were just here a few Days ago, can I help you? '

"Yeah, I was hoping to see how Rock Lee and Hinata Hyuga were holding up" Naruto informed the Lady.

"Oh, well Hinata Hyuga was released a Day after you were and Rock Lee is still in recovery. He just needs some rest is all, if you wanna see him, go ahead, he's in Room F-4" the Lady told him.

"Thank you very much" Naruto said with a bow before taking off to the Room he was led to.

'I really don't see why everyone in the Village hates him' the Lady behind the Front Desk thought. 'He's Kind, Compassionate, and a good Kid in general. But I guess the Village is too blind to see him for who he truly is, instead of what he holds inside of him.'

(Room F-4)

Naruto arrived at the Door leading to the Room that he was heading for and was about to turn the Knob, but something else caught his attention.

'Wait, what's that noise coming from inside the Room? It sounds like...' Naruto trailed off in thought, before shouting "No!" With widened Eyes, opening the door quickly, rushing inside, seeing who was there, and then attempting to Punch whoever was standing in front of Lee's Gurney.

"Not so fast" the voice said as the Punch didn't manage to connect.

After the Punch that Naruto threw, was seemingly Blocked by... Sand, he said

"It's you, Gaara from the Sand."

Gaara, who was originally facing Rock Lee, turned to face Naruto, then said

"And it's you, Naruto Uzumaki, Pupil of the Third Hokage, and the one who beat some Dogs in the Preliminary Rounds."

Naruto simply kept his guard up, looked Gaara straight in the Eyes, and asked him

"What are you doing here?"

"Pretty stupid of you to ask that isn't it? You know I'm out for Blood, and this Kid..." Gaara trailed off before pointing at Lee. "Is the One that made me taste my own Blood."

"Step back Gaara, or else."

"Hmph, or else what?"

"Or else Lee won't be the only person to have given you a taste of your own Blood."

Gaara simply looked Naruto in the Eyes, turned to Left Side, looking at the door of the Room, then before he started walking to the Door, he said

"I've grown bored of this Kid anyways. Maybe I'll see what that Blonde Girl's Blood tastes like."

Naruto flinched, gnashed his Teeth, and clenched his Fists upon upon hearing this, trying his best not to let his anger get to him.

"Yes, Mother will be most pleased with that" Gaara said, and then started to walk to the Door.

Naruto in blind rage, ran up to Gaara, grabbed him by the Collar of his Shirt, pushed him up against a Wall, and yelled

"Don't you dare lay One Finger on her, because if you do, I promise you, YOU'LL REGRET IT!

Gaara got a good look at Naruto's Eyes as he was saying this and could see that the Blonde was looking at him with Eyes that showed a list for Blood, letting him know, that he wasn't joking.

However, Gaara was unfazed. He didn't care, used his Hand to pry Naruto's Hand off of him, then proceeded in walking out of the Room while saying

"You best find her before I do then."

Naruto was ready to Punch the Red Haired Kid right then and there, but then, out of nowhere, he started feeling someone's life force diminishing. He immediately realized who it was coming from.

"Ino" Naruto worriedly let out before exiting the Hospital as fast as possible, and making his way to where he could now sense Ino's presence. 'I'm coming for you!'

After Half an Hour of running to the destination he was picking up, or rather, following the thread, Naruto arrived at the top of the Mountain where Ino and Kakashi were Training.

"Ino!" He shouted in a worried voice.

Ino and Kakashi, who were both Training, stopped and turned to loo at Naruto.

As they did, a very fatigued and beaten up Ino questionably stammered

"N-Naruto-Kun?" out of exhaustion.

After taking a good look at Ino, Naruto could immediately tell why he felt her life force diminishing. She was so beat up and looked so exhausted, he knew he had to do something.

So he walked up to her, held out his Hands in front of him, said

"Stay still Ino." She of course cooperated, and then once she did, Naruto started applying Medical Ninjutsu to her Body.

Slowly but surely, all her cuts and bruises were being restored, as was her Chakra.

As Naruto was restoring her to full health, Kakashi thought

"She managed to completely use lots of her Chakra, despite having so much of it. This is must be because while she does have a lot, she's not an Uzumaki or Senju and wasn't naturally born to have control over it. She simply isn't used to having all this Chakra inside of her, so she can't really control all of it yet, which is why she was able to use up so much of her Chakra in such a short amount of time.'

Once Naruto was done with healing Ino's injuries and restoring her Chakra levels, he looked her in the Eyes and asked her

"You okay Ino?"

"Yeah Naruto-Kun, I'm fine now" she replied.

She didn't bother asking Naruto why he was there or how he got there, since she already knew the answer, as the same thing happened to her when she felt his life force diminishing when he was fighting King.

So instead of talking about that, Jno looked at Naruto, and asked him

"Well since you're here, why not stay here for now?"

Kakashi then chimed in and said

"Yes good thinking Ino. With Naruto's help, you'll be able to have full control over your Chakra Capacities and he'll be able to heal you whenever you're in too bad of a condition to continue on your own." He then turned to Naruto and asked him "so what do you say Naruto?"

Naruto simply kept looking into Ino's Eyes, raised his Fist in front of her, and then said

"Sure. What do you say Ino?"

Ino very relieved to not only have Two people help her out, but also happy that she can spend some time with the Boy she has fallen for. So she raised her own Fist, said

"Of course" then the Two bumped Fists ready to begin the Training.

To Be Continued...

---

Author's Note:

Hopefully this will be the last time, but I modified some of the past Chapters. And added an extra short Chapter (Chapter Two). So go back and read those if you wish.