Here's the next chapter as promised.
Sorry it's taken so long to update, the next chapter has unfortunately been split into three separate chapters which will be posted all on the same day. I'm also rewriting a chapter that it turns out I have written twice now, it's important I get it right as it is a important point for Naruto, (that's the only hint I'm going to give you about what happens after the chuunin exams).
I hope you find it enjoyable, and let me know what you think.
Please enjoy it, lol.
Thank you for the alerts and reviews.
Naruto = flash back
'Naruto' is thoughts/thinking
"Naruto" signing/sign language
"Naruto" speaking.
"Naruto" Demon
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.
Chapter 38.
Naruto walked with the Hokage as they approached the stadium, he could hear the voices of the gathering crowds as they drew near.
"Stop looking so worried Naruto." The Hokage sighed.
"Can't help it. I've got a bad feeling like something terrible us going to happen."
"I won't let anything happen, Naruto." The Hokage stopped resting both hands on Naruto's shoulders.
"But what if the terrible thing happens to you?"
"I'm the Hokage it's my job to make sure nothing happens to others; I must protect my village Naruto."
"But you're our grandpa too,"
"So that's why you and Konohamaru keep looking at me that way. I will always be your grandfather no matter what, if anything was to happen to me I have made plans, don't worry both of you will have each other never forget that."
"Okay," the Hokage pulled Naruto and the recently revealed Konohamaru into a hug holding them both tight.
"Now you should be at the academy, and Naruto you better win," he smiled down at his grandsons proudly.
Both nodded up at him, Naruto splitting into two, one taking Konohamaru's hand and walking off in the direction of the academy, the other turned and headed into the stadium. The Hokage watched after them both he reached up on top if his hat finding Nami, carefully he took the hat off a solitary blue eye opened.
"It will be better for you around my shoulders I think." He watched as the cat stretched languidly before slinking onto his shoulders, placing the hat back on his head he turned to the turtle masked ANBU that stood next to him.
"You can return to your team now, and have access to Naruto; he'll appreciate your support today."
"Sir?"
"You understand what to do if everything happens today right?"
"Yes, but are you sure?"
"Not entirely but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough." The Hokage smiled.
(Line)
Naruto looked up into the stands his face lighting up as he saw Hinata being helped to a seat by Kiba, he glanced back seeing that Genma hadn't arrived yet and jumped up to greet her. She smiled shyly at him as he stepped forwards pulling her into a hug.
"You okay?" he whispered.
"Nothing I can't handle."
"Liar."
"You can talk when are you going to tell people the truth about you?"
"When I know, I'm not going to be held accountable for others actions." He replied a hard line appearing across his face.
"Ume's still out, are you okay?" she glanced at his bandaged arm. "You're handicapped again?"
"I'm fine, how bad do I need to beat sense into him?" Naruto asked looking over his shoulder at Neji.
"Badly." She smiled. "Don't hurt the family too much though.
"Try not to humiliate the family, Neji needs to be taken down a peg or two I agree but you cannot do it at the expense of the family." Hinata adjusted Naruto's scarf as they spoke together.
"I'll try not to, but I won't make any promises. You sure you'll be okay here? I don't want you to worry because of me or Shino, you're our friend and your health comes before us."
"Naruto, I won't be moving from this seat hardly the most tiresome activity." Hinata smiled.
She frowned as his head turned his expression taking on a faraway look.
"Ume's awake." He smiled.
"That's good I know you were worried about them."
"Yeah I suppose if she's going to make them come and watch I can't really moan about you being here."
"At least your sensei will be here," Hinata smiled whimsically, glancing at the assembled senseis and team mates all gathered here.
"Where's Sasuke?" Sakura asked.
"Probably with Kakashi sensei," Naruto answered. "He's not here either."
"He'll be here Naruto, don't worry." Asuma reassured him.
"I, he doesn't have to be, but it would be nice if he was here. Are you still going to cheer for me right?"
"Of course. Shikamaru too." Asuma smirked pulling Naruto into a hug. "Stop feeling so down, you deserve this, get down there and show the people who you really are." Naruto tightened his grip on Asuma's jacket before letting go nodding and jumping over the banister moving back towards Shikamaru and Shino.
Genma snorted as Naruto joined the other competitors.
"Smile and wave boys, and girls, show the audience just what their looking at." He smirked, glancing at the empty gap where Sasuke should have been.
"Lord Hokage Sasuke hasn't arrived yet." Radio stated.
"The entire audience has come to see our Uchiha against you're Gaara," he turned to the Kazekage who had just arrived.
"Yes there is much anticipation for that match; perhaps we can allow some leeway?" The Kazekage suggested.
"Gaara's match will be delayed to the end, but Sasuke will forfeit the right of advancement as he was unable to turn up on time or to follow orders telling him so."
"A fair exchange my lord." The Kazekage hissed.
The Hokage frowned, telling his ninja to pass on the information to Genma, he felt Turtle settle behind him, he must have felt the Hokage's unease if he hadn't returned to Naruto just yet. Nami's tail twitched in agitation.
Naruto looked up at the stands as Takeru carried Ume in followed closely by Riku he smiled glad that his team was here. His smile became wider when he saw Kakashi at the top of the stairs, walking down to the others.
"Where's Sasuke sensei?" Sakura asked as Kakashi joined his fellow senseis sitting in between Asuma and Takeru.
"I haven't seen him today, I told him to rest up for his fight with Gaara." Kakashi frowned at the blatant disregard Sasuke was displaying. "Why's Naruto's arm bandaged up?" He asked noticing what many of the others had missed.
"Did I do that?" Ume whispered sadly.
"No!" Both Takeru and Riku shouted to reassure her.
"His chakra blade broke, when he was pushing chakra into it. His doctor had to get the Hyuuga Lord to help him fix it. Even Naruto was surprised at the damage inflicted." Riku explained.
"So I didn't hurt him?" Ume pressed.
Riku hesitated. "We all got burnt Ume, Naruto jumped into your vortex he saved you. But there's not a sign of his burns, he's fine Ume."
"But..."
"Trust him." Kakashi said. "That's one thing I've learned. Naruto knows what he's doing, just trust him."
(Line)
"Due to Sasuke Uchiha's tardiness, his battle has been pushed back till the end; he has also forfeited the right to advancement. The beginning match will now be between Neji Hyuuga and Naruto Uzumaki." Genma announced to the stadium. "You sure you're well enough to go through with this?" Genma asked Naruto, his eyes drawn to the bandages wrapped around his arm.
"Sometimes we have to fight when were handicapped. I'm fine; Neji and I need to have this fight." Naruto nodded.
"Fair enough." He nodded. "Would all other competitors make their way up to the upper level, the first match of the third stage of the chuunin exams is due to begin." Genma announced.
"Naruto." Naruto turned seeing Gaara stand behind him. "I wish to fight you in the end." He turned and walked up the stairs standing behind his siblings.
"Looks like that's the closest I'll get to a good luck from him." Naruto smiled.
(Line)
Shikamaru shared a look with Shino as they made their way up the stairs, strange that Gaara was obviously becoming more interested in Naruto than Sasuke, neither of them was sure it was a good thing, leaning on the railing wondering how Naruto would teach Neji a lesson, as they looked down at the two.
(Line)
"You cannot hope to win forfeit while you can." Neji glowered at Naruto.
"I told you I will make you see us for who we are not what we are." Naruto spoke icily dropping in to a stance few recognised.
Asuma sat forward in his seat recognising that style having fought alongside it for years as a guardian, a smile lit his face; this was going to even more interesting than he first thought.
"Asuma sensei what's that style Naruto's in, it's not one I recognise." Ino asked.
"It the fire monks style Naruto was beginning to learn it when Konohamaru was born." Asuma replied. "He spends a week at the fire temple every year; I wonder how far he's progressed."
"He's been holding back all this time?" Ino asked.
"Yes, I don't know why he would but it looks like he's finished playing pretend."
"What are you guys talking about? Naruto's always been an idiot that got through everything on luck alone." Sakura snapped.
"That's where you're wrong Sakura; you have been looking underneath the underneath, like I wasn't." Kakashi sighed.
"Look at Naruto's arms; you can see the muscle definition from here. Look at what he's wearing, blue like other ninjas." Ino stated, a blush starting to appear on her face.
"Look what he's done with Neji. He's created space because he knows Neji is a close range fighter." Riku noted.
"Doesn't mean he can win though." They turned to see Tenten stood on the stairs watching the fight.
"Naruto knows how the Hyuuga style works, doesn't mean he can beat Neji. Neji's a genius he's figured out a lot of things on his own." Tenten defended her team mate. "But Naruto's going to win this fight isn't he?" She asked turning to look at the senseis.
"Yes, not before he knocks some sense into Neji's thick head." Takeru nodded, getting a chuckle from those that knew Naruto well.
"He does need to be knocked down a peg." Tenten nodded turning back to the fight.
Naruto waited as Neji studied him, he knew he could beat Neji he promised he would, there was no going back he wasn't the scared little boy anymore he was going to be the person Hinata saw and believed in.
"Come on caged bird; let's see what sort of genius you really are compared to my foolishness." Naruto goaded, his eyes flicking up to Hinata.
He was rewarded by Neji falling into his stance byakugan activating. Naruto's eyes hardened becoming steel blue in colour. He would not hold back. Naruto shot forwards surprising Neji and easily getting three hits in, before Neji was able to counter attack, several strikes were exchanged before Neji landed a rather vicious blow on Naruto's bandaged arm. Naruto released a hiss and used a body replacement jutsu to move back to a safer distance. He rolled his shoulder rubbing his arm.
"You are weak you cannot expect to win."
"On the contrary I know I will win. It's deciding which way that I do defeat you, that's interesting." Naruto shrugged.
He dropped back into the fire monks style and shot forwards again, he knew Neji was a close range fighter and he was better as a mid range fighter but he needed to get in close. He rolled his shoulder back as Neji aimed for that side of his body more, Naruto blocked and dodged searching for the openings he needed, slipping seals onto Neji's person. Needing space Naruto flashed through hand seals and created a gust of wind aimed straight at Neji. Neji spun in place negating the effects of the wind barrier, but Naruto had accounted for that using the wind to propel him backwards, giving him the distance he needed.
Hiashi and Hanabi who were sat in the crowd were shocked. Hiashi couldn't believe that Neji had learned that technique all by himself. Hanabi looked at her father questionably; no member of the Branch house should be able to perform that move.
"Strange how when it was myself against Hinata you told her to get space and yet you keep charging at me, like a fool."
"Maybe there's a reason for me getting so close to you." Naruto cocked his head to the right as the seals he had planted on Neji released.
Exploding tags knocked Neji's body one way only for another to send him off into a different direction, this happened at least six times till Neji landed face down a few feet away from Naruto. Naruto cocked his head again waiting as Neji on shaking limbs slowly pushed himself up, his head tilting to look at the frowning Naruto in front of him.
"Funny how a fool brought you to your knees huh?" Naruto said, as Neji pushed himself to his feet glaring at Genma who had stepped forwards to call the fight.
"This fight is not over." Neji growled falling into his stance.
"You will know when this fight is over." Naruto turned his head to Genma who stepped back, at the stare Naruto was sending him.
Genma shivered at the intensity of the raw power hidden in Naruto's cold steel blue eyes. His eyes darted up to the crowd where the senseis and the Hyuuga lord were sat his eyes settled on Hinata, the reason Naruto was fighting so hard against Neji. Most people knew Naruto could have ended this by now, not putting full power into those exploding tags was one way to draw it out. He really was out to teach Neji a lesson.
"What are you a one trick pony; you used tags against that dog boy in the preliminaries." Neji ground out.
Naruto pulled out a scroll releasing the seal and grabbing the staff that appeared from the smoke, he tucked the scroll away falling into a stance, as a second version of himself appeared to his right and another to his left each holding a staff. Neji glared as the middle Naruto attacked the staff hitting him on the cheek as the second Naruto's staff hit him in the stomach and the third hit him in the back. Naruto glanced at the clones as they stepped back leaving him to knocking Neji's attacks back.
"That's clever he's using the extended reach of the staff to keep Neji at bay, and switching out with the clones to keep him guessing." Riku smirked looking at Ume.
"But he's still too close to Neji." Ume commented.
"True but that's pretty incredible, I only started showing Naruto how to use a staff about a week ago and look at his ability with it already. I can't wait to properly train with him, it's going to be awesome."
"But he fought you using the gentle fist style didn't he?" Hinata voiced, seeing Tenten nod. "So he knows where best to attack by mirroring that fight." They all looked at the way Naruto was attacking Neji. He didn't have Tenten's fluidity with the staff but Hinata was right he had turned it into an exact mirror of when he and Tenten had sparred during one of his staff training lessons.
"He's smarter than you think huh?" Tenten laughed, which quickly turned into a wince when Neji over charged a strike and hit the staff dead centre splitting between Naruto's hands. "That's still impressive though." She smiled as Naruto spun the two halves turning them so he could use them as two separate weapons.
Naruto felt the impact of Neji's strike as it shattered the centre of his staff, turning his wrists he hit Neji's arm away with his right stick and landed a hit to his chest with the left stick. He spun down attacking at Neji's legs and feet catching them as Neji went over spinning on his knees he knocked Neji's advancing jabs away as he lunged to his feet. He knocked Neji back hitting the centre of his chest with the blunt ends of his halved staff, watching as he skidded into the reach of his clones, he sighed as one clone took an unfortunate hit to the face and popped leaving the staff wielding clone and Naruto with his two halved staffs.
Naruto looked up at Hinata, as she started coughing she rose from her seat and moved up the stairs waving off the others as she moved up the stairs.
"That friendship you value so much is your greatest weakness." Neji smirked as he managed to wrong foot the clone and pop it heading for the real Naruto knocking the broken halves out of his hand when he landed a strike to Naruto's chest.
"You're in my field of hakke." Neji moved into the gentle fist stance and hit forwards.
"Two palms."
Hiashi leant forwards horrified that Neji knew this move.
"Four palms," Neji continued to strike Naruto, "Eight Palms," Naruto staggered back, "Sixteen palms," another set of consecutive strikes landed, "thirty two palms" and then the final succession of strikes made contact with Naruto's body. "Sixty four palms." Naruto fell down gasping for breath as blood dribbled from his mouth. "In the end you and Lady Hinata shared the same fate, as we all do in the end." Neji strode over to Naruto.
"We all die in the end that's the only fate we share." Naruto coughed, "tell me something do you blame Hinata because she's from the main house?"
"The Branch house is only there to sever the main house, till we are no longer useful. Much as my father was."
"You're referring to the Hyuuga incident with Cloud right?" Naruto sat back, wiping the blood from his chin.
"The main house killed my father because he was Hiashi's twin. You have no idea what it's like to be burdened with a symbol you can never get rid of."
Naruto threw his head back and laughed, a full on laugh. "Yeah I do. But so what, you're not the only person burdened, Hinata is looked down on as not having the potential to be the clan head, yet she stopped you remember took out you're opposite arm and left during your fight. As a member of the branch family you're supposed to protect her yet during that fight you turned against destiny turning to hurt her. Talking about burdens," Naruto rose to his feet hands slipping into a seal to gather chakra. "Think about Sasuke for a minute he's burdened with being the last member of his clan, or Lee who can't use chakra how far he's come." Naruto pulled chakra tinted with red around his body, Neji's eyes widened as they watched Naruto's chakra pathways reopening. The older members of the crowd watched in fear and worry as the Kyuubi's chakra exploded out of Naruto.
"Do you know how much of a burden it is having the fate of the entire village resting on your shoulders? Taking on the symbol of Hokage is the greatest role a ninja can take but it's a heavy burden." Naruto's skin hissed as it healed and the red chakra swirled around him. "You know I said I wouldn't let this control me again. I can see you're scared don't worry everybody in the stadium is, except my counterpart up there." He pointed to Gaara who had moved closer to the edge staring down at him with his eyes more open than they had ever been before. "Remember I told you that I'm a monster, the scary stories parents tell their children about, this is only a small part of that terror." Naruto cracked his neck the red chakra disappearing. "Hmm seems that chakra affects my clones differently." Naruto popped out of existence leaving a hole behind. The whole stadium sat back in one breath trying to find air as the overwhelming chakra left the stadium. Neji glanced around the stadium trying to locate the real Naruto; Naruto erupted out of the ground pressing a kunai to the base of Neji's spine and another to his throat.
"You can't base your hatred on that. Do you really think the Main house would have killed you're father. That he could willingly give up his brother like that? I would fight with everything in my being to protect my brother. Did it ever occur to you that maybe you haven't been told the whole story. Adults lie, Neji-san, especially when it comes to children. They do it to protect us, because we can't understand."
"What would you know?" Neji growled attempting to move.
"I know that I have two kunai pressed to vital points of your body and that it might be in your best interest to listen for once." Naruto pressed both kunai tighter, drawing blood. "When my mother was dying she lied to us saying it was just a cough, as it got worse she said it was just a cold. I found out the truth. I found out she was dying, and I was so angry at her for lying, for hiding it, for leaving us. But I was scared too. I didn't want to lose her. She was the kindest person in my life, the bravest and the strongest. She lied to protect us, so we could enjoy the time we had left with her, so we couldn't see just how much pain she was in or how scared she truly was. But she loved us, loves a funny thing it makes you do things, you maybe wouldn't do normally. Adults lie, to protect us because they think we won't understand, but sometimes it's better if we know the truth rather than letting that lie fester and eating away at us. Parents do noble acts to protect those they love, Neji. Anger doesn't make you stronger holding on to that rage just makes you weak." Naruto slammed down into the back of Neji's knees closing the chakra points. "Learn to let go of your anger and hatred. You're not the only one it's hurting in the end." Naruto stood above the fallen Hyuuga. "Maybe you father took Hinata's father's place because he loved his brother. It's what I would do."
"Destiny doesn't work that way." Neji cried spinning to attack Naruto.
Naruto moved fast, hand on the ground and kicking up at Neji's chin, blood sprayed out as Neji landed on his back staring up at Naruto.
"Then change destiny," Naruto looked down at Neji. "Here I am standing over you, the genius, and the prodigy. I was always treated as a dead last yet I had over two dozen different ways I could have beaten you. I needed to drive a point home, you are not born into a destiny, you make your own. I know when Hinata becomes clan head she wants to change the way the Hyuuga clan is run, no more caged bird. Spread your wings Neji, learn to fly, I'm sure the truth will set you free, or at least onto a better path one with less anger and hatred." Naruto finally smiled down at Neji. "Would you like to get up and see how long it takes me to knock you on your back again?" Neji shook his head, as Naruto held his hand out helping him up.
"Winner Naruto Uzumaki."
The entire stadium burst into applause, with shouts of enthusiastic excitement and awe being screamed at Naruto as he walked over and collected his broken staff from where it had fallen. He watched as the medics came out to take the battered Neji to the medical bay here in the stadium.
Genma turned to Neji. "Even a captured bird, if it's clever enough will try to open the cage with its beak. Never giving up its desire to freely fly in the sky. This time you have lost." Genma watched as the medics arrived. Naruto walked over to Genma and stopped.
"Thanks for understanding."
"You really know what it is to overcome things kiddo. You drew it out a bit long though."
"Some lessons are harder to teach especially if the person you're teaching is extremely stubborn." Naruto waved to the crowd his broken staff in one hand.
"And you know all about being stubborn."
"Naturally." Naruto smiled as he moved up the stairs.
(Line)
"You know Hinata's been a long time, we should really check on her." Choji supplied, looking round for their wayward friend.
"I'll go; I knew I shouldn't have let her out of my sight." Kiba growled rising from his seat.
Kiba walked with haste up the stairs, he quickened his pace when he saw Hinata crumpled on the floor holding her chest coughing up a storm.
"I knew I shouldn't have let you go off alone, you still haven't recovered from your fight with Neji. Naruto was right to worry." Kiba rushed over holding her as she tried to draw breath.
Akamaru barked, making Kiba turn his head as an ANBU in a white cloak walked over and crouched down next to them.
"Relax I'm a doctor." The ANBU's hands began to glow, as he replied seeing the suspicious look both Kiba and Akamaru were giving him.
(Line)
On the opposite side of the stadium to the senseis and their students were sat two chuunin that had been looking forward to Naruto's fight more than anything else.
"Told you Naruto's match would be worth the wait." Kotetsu smiled turning to Izumo.
"Yup, who knew the kid could use a staff like that." Izumo agreed.
"And the way he used his clones, he just is on another level completely with those." Kotetsu nodded. "I'm so glad I bet on Naruto to advance."
"Are you crazy? Naruto will kill you for betting on him like that!" Izumo shouted at his friend as they both glanced around waiting to see if he'd appear out of nowhere.
"Maybe but I'd always put my money on Naruto." Kotetsu shrugged.
(Line)
"That was pretty amazing how Naruto did that right, such a sad story about his mother though, did she really do that?" Ino asked turning to Asuma.
"Yeah she did. Naruto understands it a lot better now he's older, but he hated her for hiding it. As he's got older he's started to understand things more, become more forgiven of choices adults in his life have made. It still astounds me some of the things he comes up with, actually, like Kakashi for instance or Cat. I actually heard him talking to the mask the other day, I know he misses him more than anyone, I'm not sure if he's forgiven my father for sending Cat out on that mission. But he's right sometimes we adults shouldn't hide the truth from you children, it's hard to think that you might be able to understand and see it our way."
"But what did he mean he had over two dozen ways to beat Neji I don't understand?" Sakura asked wiping a tear from her eyes.
"Naruto thinks ahead much like Shikamaru does." Asuma shrugged.
"He has a plan, even then he has another and another. He comes up with most of the plans on our missions. You should see it when he doesn't though, that's when you get to see his natural talent come out." Riku stood up stretching.
"Natural talent?" both Ino and Sakura asked.
"Naruto's book smart, he's learned everything and then had to work harder at something's than others, planning doesn't come naturally to him, he's trained himself to think first, rather than act first. The moment of the staff breaking is a perfect example, as soon as it snapped his natural instincts kicked in, he was on the fly, he hadn't planned for that inevitability unlike Shikamaru who will always be twelve steps ahead of you Naruto will only ever be five. Yeah he has all the knowledge and the ability but it takes a whole load of practice before he's comfortable enough to use it. But he knows that about himself, he's starts everyday training with Hinata did you know that? Every single day. He doesn't always sleep either so he'll find something to tide him over till he has to meet up with her again. Naruto practices everything he does constantly."
"But he can look at a jutsu being performed once and then work out how you did it and slowly start to recreate it." Ume added. "But that's not his real talent. His real talent is reaching people's heart's there's just something about him that draws you in, makes you want to know him, to better yourself." She smiled.
"Like the sun." Ino blabbed, causing all eyes to turn to her.
"He's like the sun, warm and inviting, 'till you make him angry or remind him of something he doesn't approve of." Choji nodded in agreement.
"Pretty amazing kid huh Kakashi?" Takeru smiled turning to the older jounin, who was manhandling that tiny scarecrow he always carried in the village, nodding along to every word as he looked out at Naruto.
(Line)
Naruto walked up to the observation deck, Shikamaru and Shino greeting him warmly as he made his way up.
"Nice going Blondie." Temari winked at him, Kankuro sent his sister a dirty look.
"Thanks, take it Sasuke hasn't turned up yet then?" he asked glancing round.
"No, could he still be with your sensei?" Shikamaru asked.
"No Kakashi's already up in the stands, he'll be angry when he finds out he forfeits the right to move up ranks though." Naruto shrugged. "Sorry you have to wait like this Gaara; Sasuke's not normally like this."
Gaara glowered, making everyone uncomfortable.
"If his match got moved to the end doesn't that mean that your match is up next Shino?" Shikamaru turned to look at the sunglass wearing genin.
"Hey Naruto what was with that weird chakra early and comparing yourself to Gaara," Shikamaru whispered. "You're nothing like him."
"I thought you'd figured me out by now," Naruto laughed. "I got a better start in life than Gaara that's the only difference between us." Naruto looked over at Gaara.
"Kankuro and Shino Aburame are the next to compete, come down!" Genma's voice rang round the stadium.
The three leaf genin watched as Kankuro paled in colour and turned to his sister a brief conversation obviously passing between them before Kankuro turned back towards Genma.
"I forfeit!" he called out.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he glanced at his two friends his chakra pulsing as he signed out a message to them.
(Line)
Hikaru frowned feeling Naruto's chakra pulsing he stayed where he was knowing he was completely hidden. He glanced at the Hokage who had also frowned, a subtle glance to his left hand Hikaru dropping his hands into his pouch, as Raido returned to the Hokage's side.
"Still no sign of Sasuke, Lord Hokage, but Kakashi has been in the stands since the beginning of Naruto's match, and he has no idea where Sasuke is either, he's sent his nin dogs to look for the boy as well as a clone, Sir should we be concerned if Orochimaru has taken Sasuke already?" Raido whispered.
"No, Orochimaru hasn't taken Sasuke yet, keep looking and get Sparrow and Fox on the roof of the stadium; I want them nearby, quietly." The Hokage whispered back.
"Problems?" the Kazekage sighed.
"None that should cause you any concern, so what did you think of that last match?" the Hokage turned watching the Kazekage carefully.
"It was an unexpected victory, for some. A lot of the crowd were sure that Naruto would win, which seems hard to believe when you consider what we know about him. Neji Hyuuga, however as a genius and prodigy along with his bloodline was the logical choice to win. I don't understand why so many people believed that Naruto Uzumaki would win."
"You need to look underneath the underneath with Naruto; he's not all he appears to be."
"He's a very intriguing young ninja." The Kazekage's gaze drifted to Naruto.
(Line)
Temari sent a dirty look back at Kankuro grabbing her fan off her back and opening it up sending a gust of wind out over the balcony, standing on her fan and floating down. She landed an annoyed look on her face leaning against her now closed fan.
"You're pretty eager, Shikamaru hurry up and get down here!" Genma called out turning to look at Shikamaru.
"No, I can't fight her she looks pissed. Why is it always my fights that get changed and why do I always have to fight girls, I can't do this Naruto." Shikamaru looked at Naruto backing away from the edge.
"Because out of all of us you're the one that will come up with the plan to beat the change in scenario, you have the ability to be a chuunin, so use it to your advantage, so what if she's a girl, some of the best ninja are girls, don't underestimate her, that's what will always lead you to lose, never underestimate your enemy. Now get down there and fight that awesome wind user female ninja!" Naruto clapped Shikamaru on the shoulder.
Shikamaru nodded jumping over the balcony and landing nimbly on his feet, "Jeeze what's the rush you know everybody here is more interested in Sasuke's fight."
"Actually there's a bet on you, and a lot of people what to know the outcome." Genma shrugged.
Shikamaru turned glaring up at Naruto. "You put a bet on me?"
"I'm not old enough to place a bet, I might have allured to it though. Only fair there's a huge pot on me too, even Shino has a pot, not as big as ours though, sorry Shino." Naruto turned grimacing at Shino.
"I'm seriously going to hurt you Uzumaki."
"If you and your girlfriend are quite finished, I'd like to get on with this fight." Temari slammed the bottom of her fan on the ground.
"We're not dating, I'm not his type!" Shikamaru growled turning to face Temari.
"But you like him how quaint."
"No! I like blondes!" Shikamaru went bright red as he realised he shouted that in front of a crowd of people. "And of course I like him, he's my friend." Shikamaru slipped into a loose stance.
Temari took a while to consider what he said, remembering that she had blonde hair. "Don't take it easy on me just cause I'm a blonde girl." She charged at him.
"Hey I haven't started the match yet!" Genma shouted after her.
Shikamaru spun two kunai into his hand as she charged, slamming them into the wall as she fanned her wind attack at him, she looked up to see him stood on the two kunai. "I'm not going to, I always have to work harder when I fight a girl, besides my friend up there thinks I have what it takes and I believe him." Shikamaru smiled disappearing as she sent another wind attack at him.
Temari turned finding him in the trees she glared glancing up at Naruto as Shikamaru did. She growled opening her fan fully and releasing a massive gust of wind. "Ninpou Kama Itachi!" Shikamaru quickly ran through seals sending his shadow towards her, the cloud of dust she sent up hiding his advancing shadow. She darted back watching as it shrunk down and elongated following after her she jumped back again the shadow becoming thinner but still following her, she jumped back again watching as the shadow stopped. She drew a line in the ground with her sand.
"Looks like there's a limit to how far you can reach through stretching and shrinking you're shadow. You can't stretch it any further than the surface area of your own shadow can you?" Temari called across.
"Heh that's right." Shikamaru sat back on his haunches, his hands falling into a familiar sign.
"What's he doing?" Kurenai asked.
"That's a habit of his," Asuma explained, "when he's backed into a corner like that, he always does that. It's a sign that he's working on a strategy, it's why I've never won a game of Shogi against him."
"That's clever." Kakashi commented.
"What is I don't understand. Shikamaru is a lazy arse who normally would give up by now." Ino replied turning to the teachers.
"Just because he couldn't be bothered to answer the written exam or sleep through his tests doesn't make him an idiot, look at Naruto, he answered every question put in front of him yet somehow he always managed to fail. Shikamaru knew Naruto knew all the answers he didn't see the point of answering if someone was just going to change what he said." Choji munched on his fifth packet of crisps.
"Naruto suggested I give Shikamaru an IQ test disguised as a game, when he found out I was playing shogi with him. I've never been more surprised in my life. He's a diamond in the rough. His IQ is over 200!"
"That lazy ass is a genius!" Ino shouted.
Asuma chuckled, "slipped through the net just like Naruto did. Probably helped that everybody was always more interested in Sasuke." Asuma shrugged sending a glance at Kakashi.
"Finished?" Temari snarled, swinging her fan sending Shikamaru to seek shelter behind the trees lining the edge of the grounds.
"He's come up with a plan hasn't he?" Shino asked Naruto.
"Of course he has, he's a strategic genius." Naruto smiled even as Shikamaru was buffeted by another swing from her fan. "And he asked for my lantern tag. So it's bound to be good." Naruto laughed.
Shikamaru slipped his shirt off bringing out two kunai and Naruto's lantern tag, quickly attach the tag to the inside of his jacket and tying the loose corner of his jacket to the kunai, he released it up into the air like a balloon and sent his second kunai flying at Temari, watching as he moved back behind her line, and batting the kunai away, it landed point down in the ground. Her eyes widen as his shadow kept coming past her line, she darted back twice landing in a safe spot as his shadow stopped.
"You saw through that huh? You're a lot smarter than I would have pegged." Shikamaru smirked.
"You were waiting for the sun to become lower in the sky, so the shadows of both the wall and yourself would grow larger. The closer to sunset the longer the shadows are. Nice, even if you are an insolent twerp." She smirked, marking another line in the sand.
"Temari above you!" Kankuro shouted from the balcony.
"NO HELPING!" Naruto shouted hitting Kankuro on the head with his broken staff.
Temari looked up to see the makeshift parachute Shikamaru had constructed and the shadow it now created. She jumped back, as Shikamaru's shadow joined with the shadow of the parachute and started to advance towards her. She darted backwards and to the right his shadow following her as she moved backwards and to the right. She brought her fan out hoping to mark his new extended reach.
"You should look up more often." Shikamaru called out.
Temari looked up at his shirt again spotting the tag hidden on the inside, her eyes widen as she realised she couldn't move. The tag went off blinding her as she was finally caught in his shadow.
Naruto laughed as he realised what Shikamaru had done. Shino, Kankuro and Gaara all turned to him. "Shadow copy no jutsu complete." Shikamaru smiled up at Naruto standing and walking towards Temari, he turned his head so that Temari could see behind her.
"Shall I tell you why he's laughing? He created that hole earlier, and realised what it was I was going to do." Shikamaru shook his head. "Wasn't till he saw the shirt that he figured it out though." He sighed.
"You distracted me with the attack from above forcing me to move here, the light disoriented me long enough for you to capture me by sending your shadow down along the tunnel."
"Actually I'd already captured you I was just wondering if you'd listen to me if I told you to look up, its quite a flashy end don't you think?" Shikamaru said walking closer so they were close to one another.
"Ass." Temari sighed.
Asuma face palmed, as Kakashi and Takeru shook their heads.
Shikamaru stopped a few paces away from Temari, slowly raising his hand as she mirrored his movements. She shook as she tried to fight it. Shikamaru smirked, his hand now in the air.
"That's it I give up." Shikamaru stated.
"Knew he'd give up." Choji smirked turning to Ino.
"What! Why?" Temari stuttered.
"The continuous use of my shadow copy jutsu has drained my chakra, I can barely hold you for a few more seconds. I had thought up about two hundred more moves, but it appears I'm out of time."
"Winner Temari."
Shikamaru's shadow retreated as he slowly made his way up the stairs. "I can't stand the fact that you placed a bet on me winning."
"Never said it was a bet that you would win, always knew you'd give up in the end, you have no motivation, doesn't mean you don't have the qualities of a chuunin." Naruto bumped shoulders with Shikamaru as he made his way up to the balcony.
Izumo turned to Kotetsu, "Naruto was right, if you consider the ability of a leader for a small unit, protecting the team from danger is usually more important than completing the mission."
"In information gathering, you need a guy that can balance the risks' sacrifice and the mission on a scale. If you can't act and think with the lives of the team as the top priority, then you don't have what it takes." Kotetsu agreed.
The Hokage turned to Raido, nodding his head as Raido disappeared off, returning with news that Kakashi had found Sasuke.
"But Naruto, used three different styles showing his ability to adapt as we as proving that he had thought out how to battle the Hyuuga in a way to enforce him to acknowledge him, the fact that he could have ended it sooner doesn't matter." Kotetsu sighed.
"Naruto did say that Shikamaru Nara had the best chance of becoming a chuunin." Izumo agreed.
Lee and Gai walked down the stairs slipping into the seats next to Kotetsu and Izumo.
"What fight are we on?" Lee asked.
"Hey you're feeling better!" Izumo smiled.
"Sasuke's match got pushed back to the end as he's gone missing; he's forfeiting the right to advance for being late of course. Kakashi's been here since Naruto's match."
"Amazing match that was too, Naruto easily won against the Hyuuga." Izumo interrupted.
"That Kankuro guy, forfeited his match so we've all just been astounded by the Nara's match."
"Technically he forfeited but only because he ran out of chakra, he caught her and could have done anything too." Izumo finished explaining, as Lee and Gai settled into chairs.
"Hey Sasuke still hasn't turned up." Shikamaru turned to Naruto.
"He'll come; he wouldn't miss a chance to test his strength." Naruto frowned.
"It's not the fight he's interested in, but the person he fights." Shikamaru asked.
"Gaara's the same. It doesn't matter who he fights as long as he gets to test his existence." Naruto shrugged as leaves began to spin in the middle of the arena.
There stood Kakashi with his hand gripping tightly around Sasuke's arm, his body radiated anger. Sasuke was sporting a new look, gone were his blue shirt and white shorts, in their place was a black one piece suit with bands criss crossing his arms and legs. His hair looked longer too. Kakashi pulled him close growling in his face.
"You've wasted resources as well as time and energy of this village, you're disregard for the orders you were given have cost you the right to advance Sasuke, that extra day of practice and tardiness means you can't advance, how do you expect to get better if you can't advance."
"I'm just here to fight him; I don't care advancing, the sooner I beat him the closer I am to beating my brother." Sasuke snatched his arm out of Kakashi's grip.
"That's not what being a ninja is about Sasuke."
"You'd know all about that wouldn't you? I'm not the one sucking up to a dead last loser. Like you said I have a fight to get to." Sasuke turned his back on Kakashi.
"Take it you found him then?" Genma turned to Kakashi. "Hey kid, state your name!"
"Sasuke Uchiha!" Sasuke smirked. "Hey dobe what was your result?" Sasuke asked, his attention flickering to Naruto.
"Konoha is two for three, so far." Genma sighed.
"You all won. How pitiful, must not be as tough as first thought."
"Technically two forfeited," Naruto muttered.
Gaara slid past Naruto hopping over the balcony and drifting down on a cloud of sand, he landed his sand reaching out into the stairway where two ninja had been hoping to force him to lose, the sand drifted back oozing blood as he finally stood in front of Sasuke.
Genma grimaced but called the fight to begin as he noticed the blood soaked sand. "Begin."
"Don't get so angry, soon he'll be dead." Gaara muttered holding his head as his sand poured out of his gourd.
"Hey Shikamaru I have to go see Sensei, I'll be back." Naruto stopped as Shikamaru grabbed his wrist.
"I'm coming too," Shikamaru nodded.
Naruto darted down the stairs turning left into the corridor Shikamaru on his heels, a second Naruto peeled off heading right up the stairs towards the roof, Shikamaru frowned but continued following after Naruto.
Lee gasped watching as Sasuke's speed matched his along with his taijutsu style. Gaara's sand was struggling to keep up with how fast he was now. He turned to Gai who shrugged turning to look as the Kakashi clone walked over to them.
"Sasuke had been out training, even after I told him to rest."
"But that's Lee's speed and techniques he's using." Gai turned frown at his friend.
"He copied everything with his sharigan, I suggested he work on his speed but using Lee's style was his idea. He needed to match lee in speed in order to land a hit."
"You have something up your sleeve don't you old friend."
"He needed Lee's speed for something." Kakashi allured.
(Line)
Naruto made on to the roof top as Gaara surrounded himself in sand, he carefully walked over to the black bird watching the match intently.
"Hello rabbit."
(Line)
"You realise that Gaara's not going to stop right?" Naruto said as he found Kakashi's clone speaking to Gai.
"He knows what he's doing." Kakashi shrugged.
Naruto and Shikamaru turned feeling the chakra become denser as Sasuke rested on the wall. The chirping sound had Naruto gasping.
"I see that's why you had him only train in speed and taijutsu." Gai commented.
(Line)
"What is that?" Sakura asked.
"You taught him that technique?" Asuma leant forwards astounded.
"What is it?" Ino asked turning round.
"Kakashi's one and only original technique." Riku uttered.
"It's a technique designed for assassination. The speed of the stab and the great amount of chakra that is concentrated to that one point makes that chirp sound like a thousand birds moving towards you." Gai explained the same time as the real Kakashi.
(Line)
"You know I really hate you sometimes." Naruto glared at Kakashi, turning away.
"Naruto?" Gai turned looking after Naruto.
"You gave Sasuke the tool to hurt Gaara, but Gaara's never been hurt before no one knows how he'll react; even his siblings down there are worried. If it was me in his shoes I'd probably go mad at the sight of my own blood." Naruto paused remembering how unstable Gaara was. "If Sasuke hurts Gaara he'll go on a murderous rampage, which we won't be able to stop." Naruto stopped. "That's the point, Gaara's the catalyst, he's not supposed to wait for a signal he is the signal." Naruto ran to the railing, looking up at the Hokage.
"Chidori!" rang round the stadium.
An almighty scream echoed from inside the sand dome, Temari and Kankuro almost jumped over the railing at the sound of Gaara's scream. Never had they heard that sound before. Sasuke's arm was stuck as he tried to pull his arm out of the sphere as his elbow came out so did the sound of the birds and a gnarled sand arm, gripping on tight.
Naruto turned and ran along the railing Shikamaru trailing after him as he ran back towards their box; he needed to speak to Temari and Kankuro badly. Kakashi reached out for him but he had already slipped past. Naruto skidded into the box slamming Kankuro up against the wall.
"You've seen this before right? Tell me how to stop it." Naruto growled.
"Once he gets like this there is no stopping him." Kankuro spluttered.
"Naruto there's a plan." Shino advised.
"It's an invasion, with Gaara as the diversion." Naruto twisted his head to see the feathers falling from the sky.
"If you love your brother get in him out of the middle of town, I know he's not a monster but innocent people will die if you don't help him!" Naruto threw Kankuro away.
"Did you know about the plan did Gaara tell you?" Temari asked helping her brother up.
"He didn't have too, Orochimaru left plenty of clues. Naruto turned smiling at his two friends. "Hey Shikamaru, wake me up. I'm not great at breaking out of genjutsu."
"That's not a good weakness to have!" Shikamaru shouted at Naruto.
"I'm working on it!" Naruto snapped back as the feathers affected him dropping to the ground.
"Don't you fall asleep on me, you ass, wake up damn it!" Shikamaru screamed.
Don't forget to review, hope you enjoyed it.
Thank you for reading.