Sorry for the delay. Was getting someone to look through the chapter for me beforehand (like last time), but here's the next chapter! Not as much action, but more of a build of suspense...with a side of comedy! In any case though...first for the reviews.

For the Asuka learning Lee's taijutsu and saying she got it from Sakura, that was what I was trying to imply to begin with. Only major difference between her and Sakura's taijutsu is Asuka is more of a speed type similar to Lee, plus she has a wider arsenal outside of that since she has more available chakra. It's just that I had to note it during the match since she and Lee didn't actually fight before the first exam that occurred in canon.

Also to the guest, thank you very much. And just to note to the rest of the people, it's not like I'm putting Naruto with everyone. Gotta leave some for the rest of the guys. And besides that, I also have to make sure the girls stay somewhat unique and not simply sounding too much the damn same. Like for example, Asuka being the mostly normal one (for now), Haku being the mischievous one, Sakura as the tsundere (cuz that's what its turning out to be), and so forth.

And yes, Haku is the Ice Queen, and to the person who noted about Lee and Fu...I see you are catching onto my ways XD

Anyhow, I don't own Naruto, only the OCs, the story here, and any unique jutsus. Now onto the chapter!


Chapter 18: Setting the Stage

Probably the last time at the Tower, Forest of Death, Konohagakure, Land of Fire

"Now then, let me explain how the final part of the exam will happen." The Hokage spoke to the line of genin in front of him.

One of the leaf jonins then wheeled out a white board that had a tournament bracket set up on it.

"In one month in the event arena, you will each compete in 1 on 1 matches similar to the preliminaries, except this time in front of a large audience. Furthermore, this will also give you a chance to analyze and come up with strategies against your opponents or even bring something new to the table." the old man explained.

Everyone but Gaara nodded, as his attention was more on the idea of the fights, and the plan that he was told he would take part in according to his father. Inside his seal, Shukaku was filled with joy at the thought of how much bloodshed there would be.

The Hokage then grinned as he spoke "As such, you might be wondering how we will be choosing who will be fighting who…"

The genins were waiting in anticipation. While yes, it had been random in the preliminaries, but if the finals were going to be such a big event, surely it wouldn't be based off chance, right?

"You'll be drawing lots." The Hokage announced.

A few of the genins sweatdropped, while some even fell to the floor for a moment from the sheer amount of misunderstanding they had (Naruto and Kankuro being of the latter). Of course, Gaara didn't care and was barely listening. He was too focused on Shukaku giving him murder fuel for later.

Anko then walked up with a box that had a hand sized opening in it. She then spoke "Alright brats, you heard the man. Draw your lots from here and speak what number you get."

From up above on the second floor, Orochimaru was quite happy with himself. He was correct in that they would indeed be drawing lots. Furthermore, while everyone was quite focused on the fight between Fu and Lee, even some of the Anbu that he knew were watching him, he managed to sneakily summon a small snake within his clothing. He had ordered it to search for the box that contained the lots, hide in it, and make sure Gaara and Naruto were up against each other.

As I expected. With this, I'll be able to watch that Uzumaki brat be crushed to death. Ah, it will be quite satisfying to watch. Though I wonder if it will be more satisfying than killing my dear old sensei. The snake summoner thought in maniacal glee.

However, what he didn't count on was Naruto's sense of smell.

"I have to say brat, you have guts. Especially calling him that while he was in the room." The Kyuubi said with a grin of her own.

Eeheheh. They don't call me the prank master of Konoha for no reason. Naruto thought spoke to the fox biju.

"In any case though, I wouldn't be surprised if Orochi-Pedo tried to rig the lots." Minato spoke, trying to not crack up from the snake summoner's new nickname.

"If I had to guess, he would probably just put you with Gaara out of spite." The Kyuubi noted.

Naruto nodded to that. From what he knew about the man, he had a feeling that would be something he would do...especially since he could smell one of the snakes from within the box.

Well, might as well go along with it. Who knows, maybe under the whole crazy murder thing, Gaara might actually be a good guy. The boy thought.

Anko then started to call the names of the contestants to grab their lots.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Asuka walked over to the box and then reached her hand inside. Inside the box, the snake within simply avoided the hand, as its master only gave it the order to make sure the blond ninja boy was put up against the redhead.

Asuka then pulled out one of the lots and read the number out loud.

"1."

Anko looked over to Hayate who nodded back before pulling out a marker from his pocket. He then wrote 'Sasuke Uchiha' in the corresponding spot. Asuka then went back to her spot.

"Shikamaru Nara."

Shikamaru scratched the back of his head and said "What a drag."

He then walked over, pulled a lot from the box, and read the number, slightly relieved as he noticed he wasn't immediately up against the Uchiha at least.

"7." he read aloud. Hayate then put his name in the corresponding spot. Shikamaru would be in the fourth match. Shikamaru felt his eyebrow twitch though as he saw that he would have to fight an extra match though in comparison to the rest.

"Kankuro."

Kankuro walked over, quite relaxed as he then put his hand the the box while doing a little hum. Of course the snake once again dodged the grabby hand, though it looked a bit annoyed as this one took his sweet time pulling out a lot.

Kankuro then pulled out one of the lots and read aloud "5."

Hayate then wrote Kankuro's name into the spot...though not without a slight cough afterwards that hid a near verbal slip of 'clown boy'.

As that happened though, the snake then quickly moved two of the lots to one of the corners of the box. These were the lots that were necessary for setting the fight Orochimaru had planned.

"Sakura Haruno."

The pinkette walked over and then pulled a lot from the box.

"6." she read aloud.

Hayate then wrote her name onto the board in its spot, showing that now the third battle would be Kankuro vs Sakura Haruno.

Sakura walked back over to her spot, feeling that she probably had a good chance against the sand nin. Furthermore, she didn't show any of her skills in the prelims due to Ino's forfeit. While she was still slightly bothered that she didn't even get to compete in the prelims, it in the end also gave her the edge of surprise.

She can't be that bad...can she? Kankuro thought, a little worried as how Naruto and Shikamaru were giving him a look of 'poor bastard.'

"Temari."

Temari then walked over and pulled a lot of her own. Though she did slightly brush the snake summon. She grimaced at that.

That snake probably wants a certain match...I just hope he knows what he's doing. If my little brother gets hurt, I swear. She thought.

She then looked at the number and smiled for a moment before she read out loud.

"8."

Hayate nodded and filled in the spot for the fourth match, putting Shikamaru against Temari.

"Oh boy. How troublesome." Shikamaru said in response to the matchup. He knew just how troublesome her use of wind could be. And just like his prior fight, it was against a fellow strategist.

Temari however was pleased with it. She enjoyed a good bit of strategy, just like in Shikamaru's fight with Shino. And besides, better than someone who could and would kill him.

"Gaara."

Gaara then walked up to the box and put his hand in. as he did so, the snake in the box took one of the numbers it had been guarding and essentially handed the boy the number. Of course, Gaara didn't exactly care much. He still got what he was asked to do.

"10." he said after he pulled the lot out of the box and read it.

Shikamaru shivered a bit at the thought that he might have to fight Gaara if he managed to win against Temari. He decided right then and there that if he managed to win against Temari, he would forfeit then and there.

Temari on the other hand, wasn't as worried. From what she remembered, 'that' was supposed to occur during Gaara's match. So she knew she wasn't going to be put up against her brother. Though she was still a bit worried about who Orochimaru planned to put against her little brother.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto then did as instructed and out his hand in the box. He could tell when the lot was put in front of his hand.

Guess you were right...but let's mess with this a little. Naruto thought, trying to keep a smirk from appearing on his face.

He then moved his hand around the box, forcing the snake to move around in order to keep the specific lot in front of the boy's hand. This went on for another 15 seconds, much to the snake's annoyance. Naruto then took the lot...but not before bopping the snake on the nose with just enough force to force it to dispel.

Orochimaru looked both annoyed and alarmed since he had been using one of his many jutsu to share senses with it. Clearly the boy must have noticed it from the start...and chose to mess with him anyways. Orochimaru nearly groaned at the thought that much like the woman he assumed to be the boy's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, this boy was as much of a prankster as her. He shivered at the thought of how one time she somehow laced his entire lab with itching powder...he had marks for weeks from that. He even had to scrap that lab just from that alone. Not to mention the other lab that got painted entirely in the color red. The walls, the tools, the flasks, even the liquids and visible gases.

I still don't know how she managed to do both of those in less than a minute. He thought.

Naruto then pulled out the lot and read it aloud.

"9."

Hayate grimaced for a moment and then wrote in the boy's name. The last match would be Naruto Uzumaki vs Gaara.

At this point, both Temari and Shikamaru had the same thought.

Nope, no way in hell am I fighting either of them.

Orochimaru however couldn't tell if he should be happy that his plan worked...or annoyed at how the boy purposely went along with it.

Meanwhile with Gaara, his hand started to twitch, and a murderous grin appeared on his face for a moment. He would enjoy feasting on the Uzumaki's blood, and he was now given another reason to do so.

Both Kankuro and Temari noticed this, and were a bit worried about their brother. It's not like he would lose though, right?

And so the drawing continued.

"Neji Hyuuga."

The brown haired boy nodded and walked over to the box. He then pulled one of the remaining lots and read the number.

"2."

With that, Hayate wrote in his name, making the first match to be Sasuke Uchiha vs Neji Hyuuga.

"I look forward to our match Uchiha. For proving who's doujutsu is better...and for other reasons." Neji noted.

Asuka simply 'hnn'ed in agreement. She wasn't surprised in what the boy implied though. She knew with the Byakugan, Neji would be able to tell her gender. She had learned about it originally through Hinata. Plus she also noticed the smirk on the boy's face when he said the second part.

I see, he's amused at the thought of me revealing my gender to the populace. She thought. It wasn't like she wasn't amused at the thought either. For one, she would finally be able to actually be with Naruto. And two, she would get to enjoy the looks on the faces of the suck ups and the damn fangirls.

Anko then spoke "Well, since there's still one open matchup and two people left, obviously they'll be fighting each other.

Hayate got the message and wrote in for the second match "Haku Yuki vs Fu."

The two girls looked at each other with similar thoughts on how it would probably be a challenge.

The Hokage then spoke "These will be the matchups then for the first round of the finals. 'Sasuke' Uchiha vs Neji Hyuuga, Haku Yuki vs Fu, Kankuro vs Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara vs Temari, and Naruto Uzumaki vs Gaara. You have one month to prepare yourselves. Any questions?"

"Just one." Naruto said with a mischievous grin. The Hokage noticed it and couldn't tell if he should be amused...or worried for his self-image.

"And your question is?" The Hokage asked him.

"Could you turn around the board please?"

The Hokage didn't know what to say to that...but Hayate, who seemed to apparently trying hard to not laugh and then cough to death, did so for him.

It was a drawing of Orochimaru wearing...questionable clothing, holding a milkshake with a speech bubble that read "My milkshake brings all the little boys to the yard."

As a result...most of the genins were in complete shock, save for a few. Anko, Kankuro, and Fu were on the floor laughing their asses off. Most of the jonin still in the room were trying hard to not laugh, even the ones from other villages. Gai was saying something about it being 'unyouthful', but even he was trying his best to not laugh like Anko was. The Hokage chuckled a bit at it. Gaara even grinned for a moment before it went away, confused at what the feeling he felt was there for a moment. Of course on the inside, Shukaku was forgetting how to breathe.


Infirmary in the Tower

Even in the infirmary, Hinata happened to use her Byakugan to watch some of the remaining matches as well as the matchups and ended up seeing Naruto's prank. And as a result...she was giggling at the boy's prank.

"Uh, what's so funny Hinata? Did we miss something?" Kiba asked her from his own bed. He was covered in bandages all over...save for his mouth unfortunately.

"Naruto-kun pulled a good prank and used it to divert attention from him and his team while they left." Hinata told him.

"Darnit! I can hear their laughter from here! What's so funny that...wait what was that last part?"


Back at the Arena

Hinata wasn't wrong though, if anyone was looking, they would have noticed that the entirety of Team 7 was all gone from the room. The only ones who picked up on it were the Hokage, who decided to just go along with it, Hayate, who also went along with it…and Orochimaru.

...if Gaara doesn't kill that boy...I will FUCKING EVISCERATE HIM MYSELF! He thought in his rage. Clearly the boy had humiliated him even further. And he even used the distraction to Hiraishin himself and his team out of the building to Kami knows where.


Kami knows where...I mean Training Ground 3, Konohagakure, Land of Fire

In the middle of the training field, a yellow flash appeared, and when the light went away, it revealed the members of Team 7...and Naruto and Haku then fell to the ground laughing their respective asses off.

"Oh man! I am so happy I left one of my clones at the ready!" Naruto said between his fits of laughter.

"Oh most definitely! Their faces! Priceless!" Haku laughed as she rolled on the ground.

Asuka giggled and said "I have to agree with Haku there, that was hilarious!"

Sakura said "While I do want to call you an idiot...I will admit that was funny." with a short giggle as she remembered everyone's faces.

Kakashi eye smiled as he commented "Also it was a good use of distraction so you could hiraishin us out of there. While normally I would say egging on a Sannin is a bad idea...he probably already wants to kill you anyway, so no harm no foul."

Meanwhile in the seal...the Kyuubi was also laughing her ass off while Minato had a bit of a chuckle, thinking on a similar thought to Kakashi's response.

Kakashi then spoke "In any case though, I suggest you all get some rest. Starting tomorrow you'll be training for a month. The Hokage will likely summon you all tomorrow to talk about who you each will be learning from...as well as what happened in the forest."

The team members nodded in response. When a Sannin attacks your team and you somehow manage to survive it, your leader would probably want to know just what was going on.

Kakashi then took that as his time to leave, and as such, he then shunshined out of the training field.

Naruto then grinned as he said "Well I don't know about you guys, but who's up for some victory ramen!?"

Asuka responded "That sounds good."

Haku sighed as she said "Sorry, I promised Zabuza-san I would spend the day with him after the exam. He also said that he had a training plan in mind if I got to the third exam."

Sakura sighed "I would Naruto, but pretty sure my mother wants to know about how the exam went so far." Though on the inside she wanted to go, but she knew just how obsessive her mother could be sometimes when it came to certain things.

Haku and Sakura then left while waving goodbyes and saying things like "See you tomorrow." and such.

Naruto and Asuka looked at each other for a moment.

It was silent before Naruto said "So...just the two of us."

"Yes."

"So does that make this a date?" Naruto asked, embarrassment written on his face.

"Yes." Asuka said, a similar expression on her face.

"Well, let's go then dattebayo!" Naruto shouted.

Asuka simply shrugged as she thought Too bad I can't really be affectionate with him during it though. Dammit dad. Dammit stupid civilian council.


Ok, last time at the Tower, I swear!

In the impromptu office in the Tower in the Forest of Death, the Hokage looked at the group in front of him. It included Hayate, Anko, several Anbus, and Karin.

"So let me get this straight, Orochimaru wants to invade the village with his nin from Oto as well as several from your former village Kusagakure?" the Hokage asked the redhead girl in a demanding tone.

"Yes. Supposedly he plans to invade during the third exam, but I'm not sure if he has any other allies as well. But based from what little I was told, he probably thinks during the exams would be the easiest time to set up an attack." Karin replied.

The Hokage sighed as he felt a headache coming on. It was one thing for his former student to be targeting the Sharingan, but to also plan an invasion on his former home village? Hiruzen honestly felt that after he gave out his orders, he was going to need quite a strong drink.

Anko nodded as she added "Yeah, that would be something that snake bastard would do. Attacking when an enemy is most open. We'll be having a lot of visitors that day, so obviously it'll be easier for them to blend in."

Hayate sighed "Great. And here I thought him merely being a possible leader in Oto was enough." with a cough at the end.

The Hokage then ordered "Very well then. First, Hawk and Monkey, please escort Miss Karin Uzumaki here to Inoichi in order to confirm the information. Please go with them child. As long as everything is confirmed, I will be sure to have you meet your cousin later."

Karin nodded as she then walked out of the room with two of the Anbu figures.

Hiruzen then looked over at Anko and spoke "Anko, I want you to keep an eye on the Uchiha. I doubt that my ex-student would just give up on 'him'. Also, we don't know if 'he' has a curse mark or not, because apparently it didn't appear during the exam. Which means one of two things. You can guess what those are, right?"

Anko's eyes widened as she asked him "A-are you serious!? You mean?"

Hiruzen nodded. To that Anko yelled "WOOHOO! FUCK YOU OROCHI-PEDO! YOU AND YOUR STUPID MARK CAN GO TO HELL!" before she ran out of the room and tower, still whooping.

The people in the room all chuckled with a sweatdrop.

"She certainly doesn't know the meaning of discreet sometimes." Hayate spoke.

"It's almost like watching Naruto when he was a child again." one of the Anbus spoke. She was a female with long purple hair and wore a mask that resembled a cat's.

Hiruzen then looked at the remaining people in the room and spoke.

"Hayate, I would like you to monitor the Sand ninjas. If I had to guess who Orochimaru would try to get in on the invasion, it would be them."

Hayate raised an eyebrow before he asked his Hokage "Why them?"

The Hokage sighed as he spoke "From what I know, in the past few years we've been getting a lot of missions from their region due to their current Daimyo, so I'm sure some of them would like the idea of showing that they're 'stronger', despite the fact they're allying with other villages to carry it out."

Hayate nodded as he spoke "I see, and why me?"

Hiruzen smirked as he said "A jonin keeping an eye on dignitaries is much less suspicious than an Anbu doing so. And who better than someone who is little known to be a former Anbu?"

Hayate smirked back, bowed, and then took his leave.

Hiruzen then looked at the remaining Anbu and ordered "The rest of you, you have one month to keep an eye for suspicious activity and also help Shikaku prepare our defenses."

Just as they were about to leave though, the Hokage also said "Neko, remain here. I have separate orders for you."

The other Anbus then left, leaving only the one or two Anbus that served as the Hokage's guards, the Hokage himself, and Neko.

He then spoke "I'm sorry I had to call you during your time off Neko. But I would like to ask you to keep an eye on Naruto. I would not put it past that snake to attempt assassination or sabotage. It'll be like old times...though without Hayate or the rest of Team Ro of course..."

Neko nodded in response, though under the mask her face showed signs of happiness...and worry. She then bowed as she spoke "Of course Hokage-sama."

She then left the room in her own shunshin. After she did so...the Hokage sighed as he spoke "Alright you two, we're heading back to the Hokage Tower then...I need my alcohol."

"Not again Hokage-sama." one of them spoke from where he was hiding.

The other however asked "...can I have some?"

"No, not again. NEVER AGAIN." the first Anbu spoke, making the second Anbu relent in defeat.

The Hokage sighed "I'm too old for this shit. Dammit Minato made this look so darn easy."


Haruno Residence, Konohagakure, Land of Fire

"I'm home!" the pinkette said as she entered her house. It was a smaller, two story building, but it fit their lifestyle quite nicely. The main door opened up into a combination of kitchen and living room.

Her mother, a woman with light brown hair that in the back, reached to the bottom of her neck, and in the front, settled just over her forehead and between her green eyes, greeted her "Welcome back my dear." This was Mebuki Haruno, current head of the Civilian Council.

Her father, Kizashi Haruno, was sitting on the couch and gave her a wave. Sakura sighed as she had a feeling he was probably wiped out from whatever mission the 'second' eternal genin had went on recently.

Mebuki then put her hands on her daughter's shoulders as she asked her. "So, how was the exam? Did you get closer to Uchiha-sama?"

Sakura told her "It was fine. And maybe a little on the second part."

"A little? More like a lot considering we dived into 'her' memories!" Sakura's inner self noted.

"Perfect! Hopefully soon enough you and Uchiha-sama will make wonderful children!" her mother said in glee.

Her father then spoke "Dear, they're too young. Give it time."

Mebuki looked over at the man and then asked him "Just like you and the laundry outside?"

Kizashi's eyes widened as he realized what she meant and quickly rushed outside to get the laundry that was probably long dry by now.

Mebuki then looked at her daughter and asked "And what about...that Uzumaki brat...how is he?" with a slight tone of disdain.

Sakura noticed it, a bit confused, though decided for now to assume she was one of the Naruto-haters.

"He's not that bad. Though yes, he can be an idiot at times." Sakura replied.

Mebuki sighed as she spoke "I still don't know why they let that...little demon be on the same team as you and Uchiha-sama. But I guess Uchiha-sama would be able to take care of a problem if it arises, after all he is an elite. Just remember to never get too close to that brat, and get as close as you can with Uchiha-sama, understood?"

Sakura nodded and then went upstairs to her room, closed the door, and then pondered for a moment. While she could understand that perhaps her mother had a grudge with the Kyuubi, she found it a bit weird as to why her mother was so insistent on her being with Sasuke.

Now that she wasn't fangirling over the boy, she was starting to notice that her mother seemed to be obsessed with the idea.

There was also the fact that she swore she heard her mother mutter something as she went up the stairs.

"...damned demon brat...him...sooner…-sama" was all she could hear of what her mother speak earlier.


Naruto: Man I got Orochi-Pedo good!

Haku: Indeed. And everyone else too!

Anko: *currently ROFL*

Sakura: Though I'm a bit worried about that thing when it came to my mother...

WVH: Gotta make you grow up a bit more somehow. And besides, at least this way you have something more than just to be a kunoichi like Tsunade eventually.

Kakashi: Makes sense to me. That's how character development is.

Hinata: I-I just h-hope I get to spend t-time with Naruto-kun s-soon.

WVH: ...maybe after the finals since he has to train. Don't worry though, I'll make sure you get some screentime though.

Hinata: Alright.

WVH: ...and before you ask Ayame, yes, you will be in the next chapter.

Ayame: YES! Finally!

Hayate: ...also why did you have me do the R&R bit last chapter WVH?

WVH: ...anyhow...thank you to all my readers and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Be sure to R&R and come back next time!

Hayate: ...did you just cut me of-