Preliminaries
Einjeru looked at her opponent thinking "I shouldn't take her lightly. I see myself in her." Kiku said "Funny, you remind me of myself." Einjeru gulped and said "I was thinking the same thing." The proctor looked at them and said "Start!" Einjeru pulled a kunai out and Kiku stood there. Kiku then said "You know, being small has it's perks. Like this." Kiku appears behind Einjeru who turns with a slash.
Einjeru got Kiku on the cheek and thought to herself "Now what is that girl doing?" Kiku rubbed the blood from her cheek and said "That hurt." Flower pedals rained down and Einjeru realized that she was in a genjutsu. She put her hands together in a seal and said "Release!" Just as Einjeru comes out of it Kiku was in Einjeru's blind spot and knocked her across the room.
After being knocked into the wall, Einjeru shook herself and thought "Alright, no more nice girl." She pulled out the White Light Chakra Saber and put some chakra into her step. Before Kiku had a chance to react, Einjeru slashed her across the chest and knocked her into the wall. Einjeru blew her hair out of her face and said "Thank you Ibiki for teaching me about my high tolerance for pain. I can use it to my advantage." She shook the blood off of her weapon and sheathed it.
On the platform, Naruto was being loud about cheering Einjeru on. Sasuke smirked at how Einjeru was being in action and Sakura was watching in fear. Kakashi put his hands on his students shoulders and watching as Einjeru grew before his eyes. He thought to himself "She'll become a chunin no doubt."
Kiku came out the wall saying "How are you that strong?" Einjeru replied "I can ask the same thing. Looks like we've underestimated each other." They charged at each other and went for a taijutsu bout. Einjeru thought to herself "We're evenly matched. I could use numbers against her." She jumped back and made the hand sign for the shadow clone jutsu. There were five of Einjeru now. The original and the clones charged in and went for a combination attack that normally caused the victim to be unconscious.
Over in Guy's squad, Neji was looking at the spectacle with his byakugan and said "How is this possible? I can't distinguish the clones from the original." Guy then said "One of the perks of the shadow clone jutsu. The chakra is split into equal parts so said clones can also perform jutsu as well. Kakashi must have taught it to her in place of the regular clones." Meanwhile Kakashi gives an eye-smile and waves at Guy. Guy gives a thumbs-up.
Rock Lee was watching intently for any flaws in her moves and says "Guy sensei? She doesn't know any of the forbidden taijutsu, does she?" Guy shook his head saying "Her father would have my head if that was the case." Lee then said "It wouldn't be fair to use that on her then." Guy was shocked that Rock Lee was even considering that. Kakashi overhearing the conversation walked over to them and said "By next month she'll have new jutsu in her arsenal. Just because taijutsu is her strong point now and is her primary way of fighting, it doesn't mean that she can't surprise you."
Back on the competition floor, Kiku was barely standing after Einjeru's combination attack using the clones. Kiku then says "How long have you been training in fighting like this?" Einjeru indulged the question by saying "Four years." Kiku was surprised and said "You can't be more than 13 right now." Einjeru nodded and said "I'm 12 for now. My birthday is next month." Kiku holding herself up from all of the high-impact kicks that she was given said "Funny I'm just a few years older than you. I'm 16."
Einjeru looked in amazement saying "I wouldn't have guessed. You can pull off being 12 quite well." Kiku said "I appreciate the complement." Einjeru then nods and asks if she can continue. Kiku shakes her head and says "My ribs are shattered from the blows to the wall and your combination attacks just now." She coughs up blood and Einjeru rushes over to her. Despite being from another village, Kiku knew how to accept her defeats with grace. Einjeru smiles saying "It was a good match. I hope one of these upcoming exams you'll become a chunin." Kiku nods and says "No worries. Just make it through." Einjeru smiles and stands up to see what the proctor says.
The proctor asks if Kiku can continue before he makes the ruling. Kiku shakes her head and the proctor says "Due to her opponents inability to continue, the winner is: Einjeru Hatake." Einjeru walks upstairs to her squad and the medical team comes to rush Kiku to the medical bay for treatment. Einjeru watches and thinks "I wish you the best Kiku."
Upon getting up to the platform, Einjeru gets rushed by Naruto, and says "What'd you think I was going to do? Die?" Naruto laughs and says "Are you kidding?" Kakashi comes over and says "Well, you made it to the final rounds. How do you feel?" Her stomach growls and she thinks to herself "Hungry." She pulls a snack bar from her bag and says "I'm going to need more snack bars soon." Kakashi nods and everyone looks to see who the next matchup is.
The board starts randomizing the names and the next matchup was Sakura and Ino. Einjeru thinks to herself "A battle of the fangirls. Great. I just hope Sakura took my words of wisdom to heart." Sakura heads down and Ino says "Leave it your squad-mate to make the hidden leaf look like a bunch of chumps." Einjeru upon hearing that balled up her fist. Sakura then said "Einjeru fought with honor. She didn't beat her opponent when she was down. That's not how the hidden leaf works."
Ino then says "You'd protect your enemy?" Sakura shakes her head saying "She didn't just... Never mind. You insulted my team. Not to mention Sasuke is mine." Ino then said "Who said he was yours billboard brow?" Einjeru then yelled out "Stop the damn arguing before I come down there and stop it myself! My god you're giving me a headache." The proctor signals for them to begin.
Naruto says to Kakashi "What is the way of the hidden leaf?" Kakashi replies "We complete our missions by any means. It doesn't mean that you dishonor yourself by hitting your opponent when they're down. If we have to, we kill. Einjeru only does it when necessary. She has a compassionate side." Einjeru then said "That girl was 16. I could've continued, but there was no point. I shattered most of her ribs and rendered her just able to breathe. If we were on a mission, it would be different, but this is an exam and the proctors also want to see our self control." Kakashi nods saying "Which is why they have the rule of stopping after the proctor calls the match." They then focus their attention on the two fangirls.
Sakura and Ino were matching each other blow for blow. Ino is thinking to herself "This is impossible. The only one who should be able to top me is Einjeru. Sakura may be able to match me blow for blow, but it won't be enough." Einjeru reading Ino's thoughts figured out a way to give Sakura the upper hand. Einjeru pulled a Naruto by blurting out "Sakura! Ino underestimates you! Remember what I said to you about underestimating your opponent!" Sakura grins and grabs Ino's incoming fist.
Ino looked in shock. Sakura grinned as she put her other hand on Ino's and started to spin her around. After gaining enough momentum, Sakura threw Ino. She used a clone jutsu and charged her. She threw kunai and shuriken galore. Ino gets up and does her best to block it. Sakura then gets into Ino's blind spot and knocked her to the floor. Sakura starts feeling accomplished until Ino gets up and faces her with a weird gleam in her eye.
Einjeru sees this and says "Ino thinks she has an ace in the hole. I hate to say this, but there are flaws in her plan. If Sakura moves from the spot that she's aiming for, this match is completely over. Sakura will use Ino's unconsciousness to her advantage and beat the mess out of her." She walks over to Choji and Shikamaru saying "You know your teammate's crazy right?" They nod and said "Since the first squad meeting we've known. You portrayed an excellent match and was very polite to your opponent." Einjeru nods and says "A shinobi must be able to show proper conduct on and off duty."
Shikamaru then says "That's true. I was worried you were actually going to kill mercilessly." Einjeru shook her head and said "You should've seen me at the land of waves. I was distraught after that. Luckily you guys and my dad and shrink have been helping me through. They said the best way to get over the kill and move on is to honor the person in some way." They nod and said "Oh no! Ino is really going to do it!" Asuma then blurts out "Ino you idiot!" Einjeru faces the fight and sees that Sakura is trapped with chakra infused rope made from Ino's hair.
On the battle floor, Sakura is thinking to herself "Damn it! The only thing to do is bend forward." Ino casts the jutsu and narrowly misses. Sakura notices the chakra rope letting up and starts to move. She starts off saying "Sorry Ino. That was bad planning on your part." She walks over to Ino and lies her straight saying "I'm not protecting my enemy, I'm protecting my honor." Sakura then faces the proctor saying that Ino will be unconscious for a few minutes. The proctor called the match, declaring Sakura the winner.
Sakura came back up to the squad and Naruto went on about how awesome she was during the match. Einjeru walked over and said "You fought a fair match. You know if we go against each other in the final rounds, I won't be going easy on you." Sakura smiles and says "I wouldn't have it any other way." Sasuke smiles at the ploy. As squad 7 celebrated another one of their own making it to the finals, the board started to randomize the names.
The next two names were an unknown leaf genin and Kankuro from the sand. The two of them got down there and Einjeru said "This match is as good as over." The genin ask why and Einjeru explains her keen sense of smell. She then says "The one guy with the bandaged item on his back is actually a puppet with hidden poisoned weapons. The real guy is hiding in the bandages while the puppet takes the blunt of the attack. The smell of poison coming from the puppet is overwhelming to say the least."
Down on the battle floor, the hidden leaf guy was warning Kankuro to give up. Kankuro was saying the same thing and the proctor signaled for them to begin. After hearing Einjeru's analysis, all of the genin of the hidden leaf thought that their comrade was as good as toast. The genin was wrapped all over Kankuro and thought he had the match in the bag until the head snapped. The puppet then revealed and the puppet master appeared out of the bandages.
Everyone face-palmed at the now obvious ploy. The puppet then extended its arms and revealed some hidden blades. It then proceeded to squeezing the life out of the guy. The proctor then decided that it was over and Kankuro the winner. Kakashi said "Looks like you called it Einjeru. How did you know that the weapons were poisoned?" Einjeru said "My sense of smell was already heightened. However while we were still in the forest, I upped it some more by forcing chakra into my nose, but I can't seem to stop the flow."
Kakashi then said "You need to work on your chakra control more if that's the case." Einjeru just said "It's okay. I guess I'll have to start wearing a mask to filter the smells for now." Kakashi chuckles and says "Now you're really starting to become like me." Einjeru sighs at Kakashi's antics and says "You're hiding your face for a whole other reason dad."
Meanwhile the board randomizes the names and the two that come up are the two Hyuggas. Einjeru cringed at that sight. Naruto thinks to himself "One of us will face him in the finals. It's just a question of who." Einjeru thought back to that conversation between her, Guy and Kakashi. She looks at Kakashi and says "I'm really nervous about this match dad. It seems like Neji has it in for Hinata." Kakashi says "You might be right."
On the main floor, Neji is pressing for Hinata to give up. He keeps going on about fate. Einjeru bit her lip so hard it bled. The words were so harsh that it cut her like butter. She excused herself to go to the restroom so no one would see what she was about to do. Naruto thought to himself "Why did she leave?" He follows the sound of her footsteps to the restrooms. Outside he hears crying. Kakashi comes up behind Naruto and says "Is there a reason you followed?" Naruto waves his hands frantically and says "I'm worried. Why is she crying?"
Kakashi kneels down to Naruto's level and says "Neji... He's known for his bitterness as Einjeru is known for her sweetness and compassion. His words cut through Einjeru and she's noticed behaviors during the wait at the tower after they arrived." Sakura came up behind and said "Why are you two at the girls room?" She then heard the crying and understood. She goes in and Einjeru notices the door open and shut.
Her crying died down to a whimper as Sakura knocked. Einjeru then said "What is it Sakura?" Sakura then said "I'm aware of why you're upset. Neji's words have only gotten harsher since you left the room. I think he's doing it to get a rise out of everyone." Einjeru grumbled and said "That guy. He has no idea how anyone has lived. So who is he to determine what fate has in store for someone. I know one thing, I'm no genius, but I'm not a failure either. There's no doubt I have my share of bitter feelings, but I hold them back or release them based on the situation."
Sakura then says "I've seen." Einjeru says "No. You haven't. There's no way for anyone to see what I hide. I can keep most stuff hidden from my dad with no problems until someone catches me." Sakura then says "Come on. At least watch to see who wins." Einjeru comes out rubbing her eyes. Both her and Sakura come out of the bathroom wondering why Kakashi and Naruto were just sitting there. Einjeru rolls her eyes in disgust.
They walk back to the platform and see Neji striking Hinata's heart. Einjeru grew wide-eyed and as Neji tried to continue his attack, the jonin sensei jumped in. Guy said "You weren't going to involve your grudge in this. You told me that." Neji grumbles and says "So, you're going to stick up for the head family as well." Einjeru balled up her fist and wanted to give Neji what for. Hinata coughed up, and Naruto, Einjeru, Kiba and Shino rushed over to her.
Upon getting to her , Hinata coughed up again. Einjeru put her ear to Hinata's heart. She jerked her head up in shock. They called Kurenai over and she identified Hinata as having a ventricle fib. Kiba looked at Neji in disdain. Einjeru's hand twitched. Shino then said "There's no point in fighting right now. It's not going to help Hinata." Naruto then said "That jerk. I hope I get to fight him in the third round just so I can pummel his so called fate into the ground. I vow to win."
They all headed back upstairs and the sensei joined their enraged students. Neji smiles smugly which caused him to have less people to side with him. Squads 7 and 8 were not happy with him. The remainder of Guy's squad looked at the others and sensed the animosity. Rock Lee went over to Einjeru and said "How do you feel about this?" She jerked her head to him and said "I feel that your teammate is a jerk! Someone needs to knock some sense into him!" Kakashi put his hand on Einjeru's shoulder to calm her down. Her breathing went back to normal and she realized that she snapped at Lee for no reason. Lee didn't mind about the snap because he knew that she was being honest.
The board started randomizing names again and Naruto was going up against Kiba. Naruto and Kiba decided to give it their all because of Hinata. The proctor said to begin and Naruto used the shadow clones as a distraction. Kiba was running through the clones and the real one lays a haymaker on him. Einjeru grinned when he used that move. Naruto grabbed Akamaru and pinned him while the clones were busy beating Kiba to a pulp.
All of sudden Kiba gave Akamaru a food pill which caused him to turn red. Naruto dropped him and dispelled the clones so he could see the two of them. All of a sudden Akamaru turned into Kiba and they started using fang over fang. Naruto then used a transformation to throw them off. Einjeru said "That idiot. The Inuzuka clan has a higher sense of smell than I do. They can tell the difference in smells between them." However, Kiba made the mistake of knocking out Akamaru. Einjeru grew wide-eyed and Kiba went for the other one for that one to be Akamaru as well.
The next thing anyone knew, one of the Akamarus disappeared and Naruto appeared giving Kiba a right hook. Naruto made some more clones knocking Kiba into the air. Kakashi looks and says to Einjeru "He must have been paying close attention during your match. He's matching you move for move." Einjeru nods saying "Yeah, I'll have to talk to him about stealing people's moves." When Naruto slammed Kiba to the ground, he was discovered to be unconscious. The proctor called the match in Naruto's favor, and Kiba and Akamaru were taken for treatment.
Naruto came up to be punched by Einjeru. He rubbed his cheek saying "What'd I do?" Kakashi chuckled and said "It pays to have original moves. Not ones that you borrowed from your teammate." Naruto then said "Oh! She's mad that I used the moves she used." Einjeru grabbed her wrist and said "Do that again and I swear I won't spare you." Naruto cowered in fear as the board randomized the names.
The next two names were Gaara and Yoroi Akado. The wave of Killing Intent flared and Einjeru said "The other guy is going to lose." Naruto looks and says "What's up with the glum outlook?" Einjeru then replies "You'll see when the match begins." The two of them got down to the battle floor and proctor said to begin. Chakra was visible in Yoroi's hand and Sasuke says "Does anyone understand why the chakra in that guy's hand is visible."
Kakashi and the other sensei couldn't answer for sure. Kakashi mustered up a guess by saying "If I had to guess, it's either a secret technique or forbidden." Everyone watched as Yoroi tried to get close to Gaara to no avail. Gaara's sand started coming out of his gourd and Einjeru said "Once that sand touches Yoroi, it's over." The sand kept coming out of the gourd and getting closer to Yoroi.
The sand got to Yoroi and covered him completely. Gaara raised his hand to an unknown sign and called out "Sand Coffin." Upon squeezing his hand shut, the sand crushed Yoroi. Yoroi then dropped to the ground causing everyone to cringe in some way. Einjeru finally came to the conclusion that Gaara wasn't a normal human being. Naruto saw Einjeru lost in thought and said "Hey! You okay?" Einjeru shook herself and said "That guy is not normal."
The board started randomizing the names again and Temari and Tenten popped up. They came downstairs and the proctor said to begin. Tenten being a weapons specialist started off by throwing some kunai. Team Guy looked in astonishment as she missed. Rock Lee said "Tenten never misses." Guy then said "I know. She must have been forced to miss, but how?"
Temari said "If that's all you got, you may as well give up now." Einjeru looks closely at the fan behind Temari's back. There was one purple mark showing. Temari then said "By the time I get to the third one, your time is up." Einjeru then said "That's how Tenten missed. It's the fan and Temari being able to use wind style to deflect Tentens attacks." Rock Lee and Guy look at her and said "Are you sure?" Einjeru nods saying "That's the only way I can think of it." Tenten meanwhile is trying to think of a way to bypass Temari's fan. She decides on the Twin Dragon Control which failed ultimately.
After using her two weapons scrolls, Tenten decides to charge head on and gets the blunt of Temari's Wind Cyclone. Everyone looked in shock after Tenten landed on Temari's fan the way she did. Temari flung her off and Rock Lee caught her. Einjeru cringed slightly. Naruto says "Ninja from other villages are cruel." Kakashi then said "Be wary or you might end up dead Naruto." Einjeru then said "In ANBU there's only one absolute and that's the mission. If you're ordered to kill someone, even if they're your best friend, you do it."
It remained deadly quiet as the board randomized the names. This time it was Choji versus Shikamaru. Einjeru's eyes bugged out of her head when she saw that matchup. Naruto then said "Man that's messed up. Even when they were made to spar in the academy, they never did." Einjeru then said "Come on! Shikamaru's going to forfeit. This is a pointless match. He's not going to want to fight his best friend like this." Shikamaru says "I forfeit!" Einjeru gestures saying "See?" Kakashi said "Calm down." The proctor made the decision and said "Due to forfeit the winner is Choji Akimichi."
The board randomized the names again, and the matchup this time was Sasuke and Shino. Sasuke thinks to himself "Finally." Einjeru said to him "Good luck. Don't lose to him." Naruto says "Same here. I want to fight you." Sakura then says "Good luck Sasuke." Kakashi was relieved to see his last genin going through the preliminaries. Sasuke goes downstairs and awaits Shino. He comes down and the proctor says to begin.
Shino brings out his bugs, disgusting everyone on the viewing platforms. Einjeru then says "He's from the Aburame clan isn't he?" Kakashi nods saying "It doesn't make it anymore comfortable to look at." Sasuke turns on his Sharingan to take a look. Sasuke then says "This is going to be tricky." he starts on the offensive using the fireball jutsu. Shino dodges and starts sending his bugs. Sasuke avoids them and forces Shino on the defensive in a taijutsu bout.
On the viewing platform, most of the shinobi were trying to keep their weak constitutions upon seeing the bugs. Einjeru then looks closely trying to see how Shino fights. She then says "It seems that Shino's weak point is taijutsu. Sasuke is overpowering him." Kakashi looks saying "I can see that, but the problem that Sasuke will have if he doesn't stop trying to pound Shino is the bugs that are about to ambush him."
Sasuke is laying hit upon hit on Shino not letting up on his attack. As soon as Sasuke knocks Shino on his behind, he jumps to the wall and weaves signs for a fire style jutsu. After he's done, Sasuke calls out "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu." Within the fireballs there were shuriken. Einjeru saw the taking the blunt of the fireballs. Shino remarks on how adept Sasuke was and Sasuke is trying to bypass the bugs.
Shino tries to go on the offensive, and Sasuke goes defensive trying to figure out how to wear him down. However Sasuke is finding himself getting more tired. Einjeru groaned saying "Each hit he takes, the more those bugs siphon off his chakra." Sasuke pulls a kunai and starts slashing. The bugs started falling and forcing Shino on the defensive again.
Kakashi looks at the scene and thinks "The Aburame are skilled in their use of insects." Einjeru keeps looking at the fight and thinks "Their analytical skills are off the chart. I wouldn't be surprised if this match came to a standstill." However Shino lands on the floor. Everyone's eyes widened as Shino wasn't able to get up. Sasuke was standing over him thinking "That really costed me the last little bit of chakra that I had. I'm surprised that I'm still standing." The proctor called the match in Sasuke's favor.
Sasuke returned to the squad and everyone was high-5'ing each other for making it to the finals. Einjeru grins knowing that the whole squad would be getting some combined attention. Everyone turns to the screen the final matchup. It's Rock Lee versus Kenta Kohaku.
They meet on the floor and Rock Lee looks at Einjeru thinking "I really want to face her in the final rounds. I must win here." Kenta says "Your strength is in taijutsu right?" Rock Lee gives a questioning look. Kenta continues saying "I'm glad I'm able to fight someone like me." Lee then says "You can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu either?" Kenta shakes his head. Rock Lee says "I'm honored." The proctor starts the match and they charge at each other with high impact kicks.
Rock Lee in his determination tries to use the lotus. Einjeru's eyes widened and she said "Isn't that a forbidden taijutsu?!" Kakashi nods and looks at Guy with a little concern and disdain in his eye. Guy came over and said "It's because of his inability to use ninjutsu and genjutsu that I gave him that ace in the hole." Einjeru wanted to punch Guy for Kakashi. She lashed out at him saying "How could you teach him that?! If you wouldn't teach it to me, why would you teach it to him?!"
Guy saw the hurt in Einjeru's eyes because of the fact that he'd been training her longer. Einjeru sniffled and said "I already know my dad would've had a cow about it, but still you'd teach it to Lee. That could effectively end his shinobi career! How is he supposed to keep up his end of the bargain if he can't do it anymore? There's a reason it's forbidden!" Kakashi put his hands on her shoulders to calm her down, but he even knew that this was beyond trying to calm her down.
Back at the battle, Rock Lee was just able to stand let alone defend against Kenta. Everyone was watching in anticipation. Kenta had a few broken ribs and his right leg was broken. Lee was in almost the same condition. Kenta was about to lay another hit on Lee until he collapsed and smiled. The proctor looks at Kenta and determined him unable to continue. He declared Lee the winner and the preliminaries over.
Einjeru, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Lee, Neji, Choji, Gaara, Kankuro and Temari all came down to main floor for instructions about the third rounds. Einjeru looked at Lord Third who explained the premise of the chunin exams. He says "Yes it's a means of determining who should become a chunin, but it's also a war deterrent. It's a means of maintaining balance between our allied nations."
Gaara then says "Enough with the history lesson old man. Just explain the meaning behind the finals." Einjeru then says "You should demonstrate respect to someone who's known as the god of shinobi." Gaara then says "How would you know that?" Einjeru then smirks saying "It pays to pay attention to shinobi history. Lord Third hokage is someone that you don't want to cross. Not to mention, you're in his home village surrounded by all who serve under him. You're outnumbered don't you forget." Gaara remained quiet after that.
Lord Third then said "Anko will come around with box of 10 slips of paper. Each of you will take a slip and we'll go from there." Anko went down the line starting with Einjeru. As soon as Temari got the last slip, Anko told them to read off their numbers. Einjeru then called out " I got three." Naruto said "I got one." Sakura got five, Sasuke got nine, Lee got four, Neji got two, Choji got seven, Gaara got ten, Kankuro got eight and Temari got six.
As soon as the sorted the matchup out, the proctors showed them the board and said "The matchups are as followed." They ran down the list and everyone listened intently. They were:
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyugga
Einjeru Hatake vs. Rock Lee
Sakura Haruno vs. Temari
Choji Akimichi vs. Kankuro
Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara
After looking at the brackets, Rock Lee asks "With the way this is laid out; does this mean that only one of us will become a chunin?" Lord Third chuckles and says "Quite the contrary. All of you could be promoted or none of you can be promoted. You're being watched by feudal lords and people that can request missions. This will be your chance to show off your strengths. Not only are you representing your squad, but your village and nation."
Einjeru then says "It's simple Lee. Not only are we being graded by the kage that attend and our proctors, but the people who are betting on us as well." Lee then says "Oh! I get it now!" Einjeru sweat-dropped and thought "I'm definitely going to have to work on Taijutsu for the finals." Lord Third then says "In order to make this fair and send out all of the invitations; the finals will be held one month from today. Congratulations to you all!"
Everyone started to part ways and squad 7 decided to eat in celebration. Kakashi came up to them and said "Because the whole squad made it, I'll treat you guys to whatever you want." Naruto grinned in delight, but Einjeru, Sakura and Sasuke wanted barbecue. Naruto deflated and said "But why?" Einjeru said "Ramen is my favorite food, but I need a break from eating it. Just because we went five days without it doesn't mean we can't live. Besides barbecue is a good source of protein and vegetables." Naruto gives in knowing that he won't win an argument with her.
At the barbecue restaurant, Sasuke says "Has anyone been able to identify the source of the killing intent that was in the tower?" Einjeru said "If I had to guess, it was coming from that Gaara guy." Naruto says "The only killing intent that I'm able to sense is Einjeru's." Sakura then says "Einjeru's killing intent is mild to what we had felt." Einjeru nods saying "Sakura's right. My killing intent is like a puppy's compared to the wave we felt." Kakashi says "Your opponents are lethal. Especially yours; Naruto and Sasuke. Since you all got into the final rounds I'll be working with you guys together as well as individually and assigning some stuff for you guys to do on your own. There's no room for lacking here." They all nod and Naruto says "So what will we be working on sensei?"
Kakashi says "I'll tell you guys tomorrow at training ground 7. Meet there at dawn." They nod and finish their food. Later on after the rest of the squad leaves, Kakashi tells Einjeru to drag him to the training grounds for the training. Einjeru nods and says "Oh no doubt. We all need it and can't afford for any time to be wasted. We do need to get home if we intend to get any sleep."
They head to the apartment and hear a girlish giggle. Kakashi looks at Einjeru and she said "That definitely wasn't me." She pulls a kunai and moves cautiously with Kakashi behind her. She gets closer to the giggling and hears "Boy Kakashi, you have a pretty daughter." Kakashi gets a weird look on his face and nods to Einjeru. She sneaks in and gets behind the person with a kunai to their throat.
Einjeru says "One move and I'll slice. Now what are you doing here in my room?" The person says "I was wondering when you'd get here. Where's your father?" Einjeru says "Who are you?" The person says "Let me go and I'll tell you." Einjeru withdraws her kunai and gives him the floor.
He starts off saying "From the ranges of Mount Myoboku to right here in the hidden leaf. The sage who strikes fear into the hearts of men and makes the ladies swoon. I am the gallant Jiriaya." Einjeru's mouth drops and Kakashi comes in saying "Now that you scarred her for life with that spiel, may I ask what you're doing here master Jiriaya?" Einjeru then says "Can you do it in a room that isn't my bedroom? I'm tired." Kakashi and Jiriaya move to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Jiriaya starts off saying "You're doing well for a jonin sensei, you brat." Kakashi shakes his head saying "Being Einjeru's father and sensei helps out a lot. Something tells me that you're not here for idle conversation. I do have to meet my squad early." Jiriaya then says "I want to take Naruto under my wing." Kakashi looks at him wide-eyed and says "You'll be fighting with Einjeru for that right."
Jiriaya replies "That brat! I've beaten kids like her before breakfast." Kakashi shakes his head and says "She's closer to Naruto than most. I don't think you want to cross her when it comes to him." Jiriaya then says "What were you going to teach them?" Kakashi said "I was going to introduce them to elemental jutsu for their affinity." Jiriaya then said "I was going to teach him how to use the nine-tails chakra and how to summon toads." Kakashi then says "I don't see why we don't collaborate. Naruto is able to use the shadow clones to their full effect. Now that I think about it, I could be teaching Einjeru how to summon the ninken."
Jiriaya smiles and says "You already figured out what Einjeru's nature is already, didn't you?" Kakashi nods and says "She's a chip off the old block. She's got the lightning nature." Jiriaya smiles and says "Well Naruto is going to be an enigma." Kakashi then says "Why don't you observe your godson in action tomorrow?" Jiriaya smirks and says "Is this a challenge brat?" Kakashi nods smugly and laughs saying "He and Einjeru are close knit and push each other to work harder."
Jiriaya replied "I'll just have to see how close-knit they are." Kakashi then says "I need to get some sleep." Jiriaya nods and says "Which training ground?" Kakashi smiles and says "Seventh." Kakashi goes to bed and Jiriaya lets himself out.
The next morning, Einjeru drags Kakashi to the training grounds as he requested. Jiriaya was hidden in the trees and the Hatake duo waited for the rest of squad 7 to get there. Naruto was the first and he was rubbing his eyes to make sure that he wasn't seeing things. He then says "No way! Kakashi sensei's actually on time today." Sasuke and Sakura soon followed having similar reactions.
Kakashi started off giving a lecture about the elemental chakra which Einjeru dumbed down for Naruto. Kakashi then handed three of them slips of paper and told them to let their chakra flow through it. Sakura's paper got wet, Sasuke's crinkled and Naruto's split. Kakashi faced the four of them and said "Two of you have lightning, one has water and the other has wind. Einjeru and Sasuke I'll be able to help the most. Sakura and Naruto: water and wind aren't my strong points but I can help you guys make your elemental chakra stronger."
Jiriaya smiled thinking "These guys are the perfect combination squad. Water and fire enhances the lightning attacks. Wind accents water and fire attacks." Kakashi then said to Naruto "To start off changing your nature, you'll be cutting a leaf using only your chakra. The best thing to speed up progress in your case is to use shadow clones." He then says to Sakura "For you since your chakra control is perfect, you just have to visualize the flow of water within yourself." Kakashi proceeds to make two shadow clones to monitor Naruto and Sakura, so he can focus on the two lightning natured students.
Kakashi says to them "The lightning nature allows for you to paralyze or potentially electrocute someone in battle. To make the nature stronger you need to increase the vibrations of your own chakra. After that visualize an electrical current." Einjeru asks "How do you increase the vibration of your own chakra?" Kakashi smiles and says "You're my kid. Figure it out." Einjeru thought to herself "Oh I'd love to figure it out while I'm shoving my foot up your behind dad."
Meanwhile Jiriaya is laughing in the tree thinking "I should've known he was going to leave her to her own devices." Einjeru sits and meditates. A few moments later, the wind was blowing and clouds were circulating. Einjeru bares her teeth and lightning starts erupting from her. Sasuke was doing the same thing. Kakashi was silently observing them.
Einjeru opens her eyes to shock herself. She howled in pain thinking "Ouch! That hurt so freaking bad." As the lightning receded, so did Einjeru's pain. She made some chakra flow to her hand and saw an electrical spark. She grins thinking about an awesome prank to pull on Naruto and Sakura. She decided to sneak over to Sakura. Kakashi's clone looks intently and thinks "What is that girl doing?"
Einjeru holds her hand up and lightning sparks from her fingertips. She then touches the water slightly, shocking Sakura. Einjeru fell on her butt laughing just to abruptly stop when Kakashi and his clone appeared in front of her. She chuckles nervously and Kakashi grabs her by the collar. Sakura came out of the water furious. Einjeru apologized and Jiriaya comes out laughing and saying "Naruto's going to love this." Kakashi gives a look that says "Don't encourage this."
Naruto in the meanwhile was struggling to cut the leaf. One of the clones asked if there was another wind style user in the village. Kakashi's clones says that the only other one that he knows of is Asuma. He sighs because of the fact that he caught on that his main self and the other clone had to stop Einjeru from committing a lightning enhanced prank.
Jiriaya appears behind Naruto holding the pictures of Einjeru's prank. He puts them in front of Naruto and says "Someone out-pranked you Naruto. I thought you were the king of pranks." Naruto turns around saying "Pervy-sage! I was wondering when you were going to visit!" Kakashi's clone walks over to him and asks about that nickname.
Naruto looks through the pictures and laughs his behind off. He then says "For every king there's a queen." Kakashi then says "Maybe I should ground her from hanging out with you and make the only time she sees you is when we go out for missions and training." Jiriaya says "You've become a bad influence on her if she can pull off a prank like this." Naruto then begs Kakashi to not do that.
Back over with Einjeru, Kakashi was using his lightning chakra to ensure she didn't move. "This stinks." She says. Sakura chuckles saying "This suits you Einjeru." Kakashi then says "Now you understand why you shouldn't go pranking people with lightning chakra. It can be used against you." Einjeru huffs and Sasuke comes along zapping Sakura. Kakashi's clone started to do the same thing to Sasuke as he did for Einjeru.
Naruto rejoined them and saw Einjeru in one of her fits. Both her and Sasuke were partially paralyzed from the surge of lightning chakra. Naruto said "I found out how to cut the leaf." Kakashi nods and says "Well you guys have started getting to make your elemental chakras stronger. I entrust you guys will do your best when you're not working with me one on one or working together, and not pranking someone." That last part was directed at Einjeru who was sheepishly looking at the grass.
After the squad splits and Kakashi stops his flow of the lightning chakra through Einjeru, he starts off saying "Because your lightning chakra is still being warmed up, I'm not going straight into chidori, but I'll teach you another technique that can help you in case your sense of smell fails. It's called the summoning technique." Einjeru who was still trying to regain feeling asks "How would it help me when my nose fails?" Kakashi smiles behind his mask and says "It will be better to show you."
He cuts his finger revealing a sliver of blood and runs through some hand signs calling out the summoning jutsu. A brown pug with a hidden leaf headband and a vest with heno heno moheji on its back appears. It starts off saying "What's up?" Kakashi smiles and says "Recognize her?" The pug looks at Einjeru and smells her saying "This isn't the little girl that you'd summon me to watch." Einjeru waves saying "Pakkun? Right?" Pakkun nods and says "What'd you summon me for Kakashi?" He smiles again and says "I'm teaching Einjeru to summon."
Pakkun gives a toothy smile and says "You're in luck. We have a new litter of pups. One of them will probably imprint on her and follow her. I'd have to reverse summon her back, but first I have to bring the summoning contract here. Summon me back in five minutes." Kakashi nods and Pakkun disappears.
Five minutes later, Kakashi summons Pakkun back. He has a giant scroll on his back. Pakkun faces Einjeru saying "Sign your name in blood and put your fingerprints below it." Einjeru bit her finger and drew blood, doing exactly as she was told. After she finished, Pakkun said "Hang on." Next thing anyone knew, Einjeru disappeared. Pakkun said "She'll be back with a pup that she'll be able to name."
Meanwhile, Einjeru lands in the area where all of the ninken summons live. Pakkun appears behind her saying "You've grown so much. Makes me feel so old." Einjeru smiled and said "Aw come on Pakkun. You're not that old." Pakkun smiles and says "Follow me. The nursery is this way." Einjeru followed and looked around. Biscuit comes to Pakkun saying "New summoner?" Pakkun nods and says "Guess who she is."
Biscuit looks at her and says "This isn't the brat that Kakashi summoned us to keep an eye after, is she?" Pakkun nods and says "She's really lucky that she's learning how to do this now. The new litter of pups is ready to be trained." They get to the nursery and Einjeru sees the pups. Pakkun says "These guys are a whirlwind of trouble. Be careful." Einjeru smiles at the pups and cautiously approaches them.
The pups look at her and come up to her with toothy smiles. There was a runt of the litter whose color scheme was the opposite of Einjeru's wolf form. A little gray pup with black tips and paws. Einjeru came up to her and she barked excitedly. Einjeru held her hands out and the pup jumped into them. She faces Pakkun and says "She's the one." Pakkun smiled saying "I should've known you would go for the runt of the litter." Einjeru replies "Size isn't everything." Pakkun nods saying "You have free reign of naming her. They haven't been named yet, and it will be a great bonding experience."
Pakkun and Einjeru returned to the training field having left Einjeru enough time to think of a name for her. Kakashi sees the little gray bundle in Einjeru's hand and says "So what are you going to call her?" Einjeru smiled saying "Shiruba." Kakashi says "As in the color Silver?" Einjeru nods. Pakkun says "Not a bad name." The pup raised her head and Einjeru said "Shiruba?" The pup licked Einjeru's face and everyone acknowledged the name.
Pakkun then takes Shiruba back to their origin space. Kakashi says "In about a month that pup will be full grown and ready to take your commands. You are lucky." Einjeru then says "So ninken are different than normal dogs?" Kakashi nods and says "Shiruba might talk as well. The ninken are smarter, have a higher sense of smell and are much faster than normal average dogs."
Einjeru then says "That's good and all, but how will that help me in battle?" Kakashi said "You were paying attention when Naruto was fighting Kiba, right?" Einjeru nods and says "It was used against him though." Kakashi then said "The summoning ninken can be used in collaborative attacks as well." Einjeru smiles and falls into Kakashi. He notices her legs looking like jelly and said "Maybe I forced too much lightning chakra into you." Einjeru smiled and said "Looks like you're stuck carrying me dad."
This same camaraderie and harsh training happened for a month. Jiriaya and Kakashi would decide on combined training days sporadically. Naruto was trying to tap into his vast reserves and learn the summoning jutsu. Einjeru would practice the hand signs some days and Kakashi would ask Pakkun if it's safe for Einjeru to summon Shiruba yet. Days when Einjeru wasn't practicing her summoning signs or the chidori, she was training in her wolf style.
Sasuke was looking at basic lightning jutsu and Sakura was looking at basic water style jutsu. Naruto would try looking for basic wind jutsu when he wasn't being harassed by Jiriaya on how to avoid Neji's gentle fist blows. The week before the final rounds, the squad met as a whole to see how much everyone progressed.
