Me no own Naruto

Hotaru's POV

This was feeble-minded, nothing made sense no matter how I thought about it. I knew what flag I needed, and who had it the problem was finding them, unfortunately, I was looking for Shikamaru just about the smartest person in our generation. Reasoning with him wasn't going to be easy either, taking in the fact his clan revolved around shadows meant I was always at the disadvantage especially in the dark. Landing in the open, the sound of someone coming out of some bushes prompted me to turn. It was the very girl that marked me as her rival. There wasn't anything wrong with having a rival, it was something I truly never understood.

Mia didn't waste any time in lessening the distance, her hair blowing back as she quickly delivered a high arching kick to my face. It was oddly gentle and eye-catching. Throwing myself to the side, I narrowly escaped yet another leg strike. It seemed she was quick on her feet, when watching her spar she mostly centered her style around her legs which more or less could work in her favor. The wind blew against my tan skin, Mia's movements didn't cease. She was growing faster, the leaves around her spinning body being pushed away as she stopped only to stare.

I was yet to attack, she was the only one advancing. No words came from her, and I wasn't keen on being the first to break this silence. The hair's on my neck stood, turning I witnessed a lookalike I was a tad slow in reacting; so as I was grabbed by the clone I could only mentally applaud the female for getting the jump on me; she distracted me with her petty attacks but made a clone previously to catch me when I was tunneled on her. Sadly, the academy clones were still paper-thin no matter what one used. Breaking free of the weak grasp, my leg raised heel digging into the chest the lookalike turning into water soiling my shoe. Coming back to the real battle, I exhaled. Mia's hands went to her hips, her body language changing in a swift instance.

Mia with her hands on her hips started, "You have the flag I need...but the more I think about things the less it makes sense." Dark brown hair in its signature ponytail swayed to the side as a gust of wind messed with the hair around her face. "Before finding you I had the luxury of running into that dog person, he was in pretty bad shape." The lack of emotion when she described Kiba's condition didn't motivate me to move at all, "I didn't help him if you are wondering because I was under the assumption it was everyone for themselves..." Pausing she took a step towards me, "Listen, why would everyone tell us teamwork will be vital in this exam if we were put against each other?" Completely disregarding her previous attacks, I found my jaw-dropping figuratively speaking.

She wasn't wrong but wasn't right either. It could've been a slip of tongue for all we knew, but for them to say it multiple times it couldn't have been. She finally caught my full attention, now my brain was moving. "I want to hone my abilities, and test yours out at the same time; sorry for attacking you I had to make sure my decision was correct." Mia took another step, she was growing closer and closer with each sentence...was she expecting me to let my guard down?

"So, why don't we relax and throw theories out there?" Mia was a smart individual, so speaking was the most forward way to go after her little test. I didn't have to resort to violence which was better for me and her, violence was something I never liked anyway. My heel killed the grass, the gap closing as she extended her hand to me. We had a silent handshake as if some alliance was formed for the meanwhile, it was somewhat nice.

"Before we start, if us teaming together puts us in a cell then how about we find someone else? I'm merely spitballing here but Sasuke would be a good fit for us, if not him I can get past Kirayari's rambling to partner with her." I didn't say a thing as to why Sasuke was her first choice it was obvious she wanted only the most fitting beside her, and he wasn't a bad choice. I found myself mentally repressing my voice, why couldn't I agree? Did I want someone on my team? Not finding the answer, another breeze blew by.

"Sasuke seems like a good option...but let's keep our eyes open for anyone that won't resort to fighting right away? I'm not saying he isn't bright, but even I know he wouldn't have thought much about it." It was my excuse and a horrible one at that, luckily she bought it. It hadn't occurred to me that Mia was using me for her own ideas, perhaps I was too caught up in the moment to realize it right away.

Before we could start was a makeshift duo, she set some ground rules in which I didn't reply until she spoke about not allowing anyone that was unsatisfactory on the theories. "Hotaru, I am going to say this solely cause you have a bright future ahead of you...but stay clear of Fukō. He is someone who will weigh you down, and since I am around you, it will look bad on me. His image isn't perfect." Mia failed to mention the time she caught the male speaking up for Hotaru but, that wouldn't help her case.

Bright future? Strange, it seems like everyone has high expectations of me in and out of the clan. No one ever truly, asks what I want. The bright side for helping everyone was I learned more things, would that be enough in the future? What did someone's image have to do with their character? I wasn't sticking up for him, but I was thinking as a whole. It was quite funny, my image wasn't the best inside the clan compound if anything it was terrible. I sat in my room all day studying until it was time to train with the Mitsukaze or until he bothered me. I never cared what teammates I would have, I would work with what was handed to me...now thinking about it, maybe; Mia's voice cut my thoughts she bought attention back to the goal at hand.

"We have no idea where anyone else is, and our flags still come down into the equation. What color were you looking for anyway?" Her question could be something that helped or destroyed me, and I mentally complained about answering.

"Purple." Mia took in my short answer, before ushering me to start moving.

-One day ago-

Shuffling the piles of paper, I used my two fingers to fix the glasses I wore. I was taking the role too far, tossing the pair of glasses off my face I neatly placed the papers on the side. "It seems although you arguing with me about fixing the mess on my desk you did it easily, remember before you court anyone run them by me first."

"Why? I don't have any idea's to be courted or court anyone, as long as I have these books and something to study I can be alone forever." Looking at my grandfather's face I caught the hesitant expression, he must've been wondering how to word whatever he wanted to say.

"We meet with lots of people who said you were cute in a nerdy type of way! One day you'll be coming to me for advice, I was a heart breaker in my younger days." Mitsukaze let out a hearty laugh before patting his grandchild on the back.

"I can tell, you see how many cousins I have? Gosh, I think you used your title to sleep around." My words were enough to break the old man's spirit, and the counter he prepared was enough to silence me.

"I'll marry you off to that Uchiha child when you guys get older! Watch, a mix between blood will make for some interesting combinations." Rolling my eyes, a yawn came out, "The day you do that is the day I expose all of your dirty secrets to the world."

Mitsukaze let the light tone leave the room, many people were spying on them from time to time; they were simply reporting to the older grandchildren. "Hotaru, be prepared for this exam...and those two kids that dropped you off that one time I think you should partner with them."

It was his insight, I didn't even know what would be happening so teaming was something I couldn't think about. "Nah, I don't want to. Seems like too much work."

Mitsukaze knew I was like this, saying one thing but doing another; whether I knew it or not.

-Present-

Coming to a stop, I took in the scene before me. Someone laid on the floor, blood spilling from their leg. The bone broke through the muscle and skin which was now welcoming the world, looking in the sky I noticed a broken branch. They had to fall, but people could easily catch themselves.

Mia moved towards the body, she was curious no noise was coming from the child. Tapping their side with the tip of her boot, it was no reaction. Coming to the opposite side of her, I witnessed the paled skin. They were dead, on a closer look I saw thin lining around their neck; perhaps they were lured onto this branch purposely, and with the lining caught around they panicked? "They are dead...the body is still warm it couldn't have happened long ago." This raised my senses if Mia was right, then whoever killed this child could be stalking us.

Hearing a twig snap, I crouched kunai's flying over my head; light teal strands of hair floated in my eyesight, jumping to the side I rolled before coming back to my feet. In the spot where I was previously covered in thin needles, looking towards Mia I watched her jump back dodging a set that rained on her. They were going to lead us somewhere like the child a few feet away, nibbling on my lower lip time slowed for me as I threw my head back a leg running right past my face the wind hitting my cheek. Mia was too far away to help, and whoever knew what they were doing the close proximity meant my demise. Trying to retreat once again, the figure followed their hand latching onto my ankle swinging me into a tree. I didn't have time to brace for impact.

I didn't feel any pain, not at all; the bark didn't make contact with me. Turning, my hair messed up my view but I could tell who saved me, Sasuke covered me his injury getting blood into my hair.

Mia quickly appeared in front of us taking a defensive stance, "Are you guys okay?" Scrambling off of the male, I did my best to support him in standing. Mia watched as the figure waited, egging them to get ready. "We won't win with injured players...retreating is the best option." She knew they wouldn't allow that to happen, fighting might be their only means to escaping.

"Mia if you take Sasuke, I can stall them and then escape." It was the only piece of advice I could give, I had the best bet at fighting and escaping. Not really waiting for much of an answer, I pushed the male onto my 'rival'. Wasn't people supposed to keep watch of us? Where were they?

Walking in front of Mia, I turned to look her in her eye's my bangs slightly cascading in front of my view; watching her nod and jump away I turned to face the figure. I wasn't trying to play hero, I knew I had the best bet; words wouldn't work on them they attacked before without any thought.

"Girly, you have guts thinking you can come close to defeating me, alone at that." The figure stepped forward, his mask was unlike anything I have seen before but his outfit was familiar.

"I never said I would defeat you, all I need to do is draw out time until someone comes." I had a plan in mind, all I needed was a chance. Bringing my thumb up and biting into it, I pulled away as blood drew. Bringing my other hand in, I quickly marked the blood onto my hand.

The male ran at me, closing the distance with ease his foot came out to end things; jumping back onto a tree, I channeled my chakra into my feet to hold; lunging out I flipped past him. Landing, he charged once again throwing a nice jab into my side; the strength was immense. Rolling off to the side, I came to my feet my thumb still moving around my hand. Standing, his fist hit my face the action causing me to wince; he grabbed onto the ends of my cropped hoodie to keep me in place; it was his mistake.

The singular long sleeve rolled down as I pushed my arm out, the sun reflected as my left hand exposed; the glove around my hand stained red as the tips of my hand sunk into his arm, using his hold I jumped my legs hitting his chest forcing my claws to run through his skin before exiting his hold gone. Catching myself with my right hand I pushed myself back up, blood rolled down the sharp small metal claws that started at my fingertips. "I think defeating you will become memorable." Turning my hand, I revealed the seal in making. It was something of my own creation, using my blood instead of ink I placed my other hand over my arm. It was experimental, smirking I focused my chakra around my body I made this seal for the clan's fighting style; my body began a blur to the male, and out of the blue I was behind him, my light teal hair shot in the air; palm placing against his back I exhaled.

Palm engraving seal: Complete paralysis

The blood on my palm took most of my chakra, his body portion was large, and his chakra pool was bigger; my chakra zapped as I used my remaining strength to jump back. Staring at the male who couldn't move anymore, I found myself wobbling before falling back my vision a blur. The seal was a work in progress, but I was happy it worked.

xXx

No one's POV

xXx

The male couldn't move his arms and fingers, but his legs were working; turning he scoffed at what the brat did to him. She was indeed worthy of living, but he was told to kill them if they couldn't completely stop them. "Sorry bra-" The male looked at the new edition, when did he get here? Fukō caught Hotaru, before setting her on the ground. "Looks like her knight in shining armor came at the right time huh?"

Fukō took note of the injury the older man had, it seemed Hotaru did quite a number on him. "Knight?" He didn't have friends, so she was the closest person he had next to his brother; seeing her hurt made him confused. They weren't friends, nor teammates...after today they weren't even classmates; tossing his bow to the side, he cracked his neck. He used all his arrows earlier, the short bow wasn't needed anymore.

The older man's senses were in a daze, the female did more than he expected; if he didn't do something fast and she woke up, he would regret everything. "Listen, I'll let you live if you leave that girl to me." It was his last words, Fukō had already closed the distance; in his hand a kunai the rest of the metal object inside the male's head, legs around his shoulder he pushed it deeper. Was it anger? Knee's closed in, and as he jumped off he broke the older male's neck. It was overkill. Moving back to Hotaru, he picked her up tossing her over his shoulder. 'Heavy.' The lone thought came and left as he left the bow in the clearing with the two dead bodies, something was wrong.

Kirayari stomped through the thick bushes confrontation a bare memory. The last time she saw someone she was being released into this horrid place, one heel over the other the bandages wrapped around her feet soon colored black. She knew who she was after, the problem was she was lost. Nature usually helped her, but this was akin to a hell forest. Not long ago she ran into a bear twice the size of a normal one, coming up to a cliff she slammed her wooden shafted su yari in the earth her foot wrapped around it as she leaned off the tall scenery. Round olive green eyes squinted taking in everything she could, there was a huge lake not that far, but the most noticeable thing was the tower.

Wind blessed the girl, her dark purple ponytail blowing to the side the right sleeve of her yukata flowing with the wind as she only had the left sleeve on. Pulling herself back up, she took her weapon out of the ground; stationed in her right hand she twirled it around before leaning forward the weapon smoothly sliding into its black sheath that slung over her right shoulder. Hour's had gone by, since the start and she made pretty good progress. She was going to survive this exam, she trained hard for this, and her father even gave her a jutsu which was pretty costly. It was a last resort type of jutsu that could change the tide in battle, with every sixth passing tree she left a slick mark in the bark; it was common so she wouldn't get lost. Kicking through some more of the bushes, she flinched as something wet hit her cheek; wiping it off she looked towards her hand. It was purple, looking upwards she saw the slaughtered beast; its mouth hung open ice shards sticking from all corners of its body. That didn't explain why purple liquid was coming out of it, biting down the puke that threatened to come out the female shook her head.

Death was bound to come for anything, there wasn't any need to get worked up over this. The sound of someone screaming echoed out in the air, it was an exam people were bound to get hurt and scream. Jumping from tree to tree, she stopped as the source of the sound came to light. Someone was standing on Seiko's broken arm, the mask they sported didn't stop the amusing aura they let out. Kirayari grabbed onto the black sheath, her breathing was uneven...if this was part of the exam weren't they going too far? Letting go of the holder, her hands traced to her belt the beige pouch around the brown belt unclamping one of them she took out three kunai before closing the pouch. She had to think this out carefully if she tossed two they'd be forced to dodge, where ever they landed after she'd throw her third one it'll be enough time for Seiko to escape. Sticking one kunai in the bark of a tree she threw the other two before ducking down.

The masked attacker deflected the attempts without looking, the metal around her glove reflecting into Kirayari's face. Panicking she quickly grabbed her last kunai and backstepped, her position was compromised. Jumping from the bushes she threw the last one at the figure, her right hand pulling out her su yari; she moved to the side placing the end of the yari on the ground she jumped and pushed herself into a branch, jumping from branch to branch she caught the attacker blocking the last kunai.

"D-don't come!" Seiko spat out only for the attacker to place her foot against the male's throat, "Utter another word and I will kill you."

Her heart was beating against her chest, how could she call herself a kunoichi if she couldn't protect a fellow comrade. Mentally screaming, she peaked towards the two; using the jutsu she was taught now would work in her favor. Opening a pouch once more she placed three kunai in her hand, one of them had an explosive tag these were costly but another's safety comes before cost. Routing her chakra into the three Kunai, she whispered the technique she learned.

Acceleration

Tossing the three objects, each cut through the wind; the leaves it passed by being blown off the stem, the masked attacker hardly blocked the three, the force and speed pushing her hand to the side and denting the metal plate on her glove. Shortly after an explosion went off forcing her to leave the boy's body, smoke clouded the area. "Did you think that trick would work on me?" Her voice shot out, only for the wind to help move the smoke. The masked female looked directly where Seiko should be only to sigh, "Did you save him with that distraction?"

Kirayari jumped from tree to tree with Seiko, most of his weight was on her which was fine; the voice growing farther and farther away. "What happened back there?" It was the most obvious generic question to ask. Feeling they put distance between each other, they stopped. Kirayari letting the male lean against a tree.

"I-I was roaming around when that p-person got the jump on me, she broke my arm with a kick, a-and without putting up much of a fight she ended up dominating me..." His soft voice hushed out, pushing himself off the wall he picked up a discarded girthy stick stabbing it into the ground he turned to Kirayari, he was the last person to ask for something but this was something he needed help with. "M-miss Kirayari...c-can you please find some lengthy vines and possibly some green little herbs? I-I think we passed some not that long ago." Kirayari nodded before rushing off.

Alone for the meanwhile, Seiko ripped some of the white fur trimmings that went around the wrist section of the jacket his purple eyes taking in all he had present. Sitting down, he placed the white fabric next to the wood his chaotic wavy grey hair tickling his ears. Watching as his savior returned, he took the item's bidding a meaningful thanks when he started working.

Kirayari watched amazed, he placed the fur around his broken arm and placed the stick underneath, the vines were used to tie the makeshift splint together the little green herbs grinding in his hand before rubbing it against his arm. "A-amazing! You did all that in a short amount of time!-Kira." It was something she was working on, people often bullied her about her speech so when caught up in the moment it naturally came out.

Seiko found himself smiling underneath the surgical mask he had, "T-thanks..." Picking himself up, he found himself groaning from the pain. The first day was this tough, how hard would the rest be? Using his only good hand he checked himself for his flag only to mentally curse himself, 'You fucking idiot!'. Kicking some dust off the ground, the male let out a low sigh.

"I-I don't know why are you angry at the earth but please save that anger for that person.-Kira." Even if they happen to get away, it wasn't likely that they'll be free; they would be chased until they died. "I say we keep moving, standing still only makes us a target." What was going on couldn't be explained, it could've been a random attack and help was on the way? Moving was the only option they had, if it came down to it she was ready to fight to let Seiko escape.

The daylight cycled continued and the forest only got worse, it was around midnight, and Kirayari was huddled up against a tree forcing herself to stay awake; moving for ample time was consuming Seiko was struggling to stay awake on the other branch. They haven't come across anyone yet, luck was against them. The prolonged fight was coming to an end, her eyes shutting as her body shut down. Seiko forced himself to stay awake, seeing as the only person in the vicinity was now resting. His body gave out soon after.

Masuo held the stick in the air, blood ran down the wood and onto his hand; catching fish was harder than it seemed. Making tracks back towards Sakura, he took notice of the damaged bushes. Either some animal was around or someone did it, there weren't any tracks or previous sightings of animal droppings or nutrients nearby which left only one option. Moving, his feet cut through the grass, the female's firepit coming into view. "She didn't even start on it." A couple more feet and he stopped, his gaze transferring from the horrible attempt at creating warmth to the shadow dangling to the side, blinking the male processed everything one at a time.

Sakura was hung upside down, her hair dried with blood. He was only gone for an hour or so right? Cut's labeled her legs, luckily she was breathing still her outfit was rolling down her stomach available for the naked eye. 'She's alive, which means they didn't intend to kill her...because they were watching us from the start. I didn't pick up on them cause my range for chakra echolocation wasn't great, they stayed out of range. They haven't attacked me yet, which means they are either waiting or have a trap set up.' Masuo's mouth parted sweat rolling down his head in an act of nervousness. "S-Sakura!" Taking a wobbly step the male dropped to one knee, 'My acting may not work on them, if they are watching me then it'll seem like my guard is down.'

Playing into the role, the male began to hyperventilate his eyes growing big before standing up. Adding in a sniffle, on the ground laid a shuriken, Sakura would have taken it out as a mistake after seeing the attacker. Bending Masuo picked the sharp throwable, if he was right the second he got her down something would happen. The possibilities were endless, he didn't have to save the girl but people saw him waiting for her and on the off chance, there were spectators he would look like someone unworthy of graduating. His next actions were quick, the shuriken leaving his hand, the female's body falling, catching her mid-air he watched as the action caused the bark on some trees to move; the painted explosive tags reflecting in his eyes. Whoever planted this trap was slimy, pushing his head forward the explosion came.

The burst of firepower destroyed the trees, the blinding light scaring away most night critters, the life around was soon destroyed; the air seared along with the earth, a piece of red cloth floated to the crater landing around the edge. Masuo held the girl close, his heart beating rapidly in his chest, his legs were numb from fear the tree trump he hid behind burnt. It was lucky they were still alive, the top portion of the tree was gone. It was sheer dumb luck, how he was able to get behind a random tree. The explosion was enough to alert anyone, the attacker didn't have to watch them in order to know if the trapped worked. "I would've never guessed someone would set something like that up."

The kid didn't feel any pain, the adrenaline was blocking it out. Splinters stuck inside his back and right arm, he was in a decent state compared to Sakura; half of her outfit was burnt off but her skin was safe, he was glad she wore biking shorts otherwise he'd see something he didn't want to. The cuts on her legs were deeper than they looked at first, she'd need treatment, and maybe with luck, it wouldn't leave a scar. His senses came back to him, the feeling in his legs gone as he stood; the previous feeling washed away as his body ached, he felt himself losing consciousness. It was bound to happen, he survived an explosion while keeping someone safe. His hold on the girl was gone, dropping her onto the charred ground he fell right after. He felt something wet run by his eye, it wasn't raining so what could it be? Twigs snapping caught his attention, his body finally tapping out before he could see who it was.

xXx

Kiyoshi dragged both of his classmates to the safe spot, well it wasn't safe more so it's where everyone was located. Placing them with the rest of the unconscious or injured the male took a deep breath, whatever was going on was torture. He was one of the few remaining, everyone else was injured or resting. Looking at the few who remained the young man took note: Mia, Shinobu, Aju, and Fukō the last one was Naruto and he was scouting making sure they weren't in dire need of changing locations.

Naruto jumped down from a tree, his clothes had tears and dirt all around his blonde hair had grime smudged into the roots. "G-guys! I found Iruka..." Catching his breath the male placed his hands on his knees, "He standing at the exit northwest? He said we can leave the exam has been halted for internal reasons."

Mia was happy at the good news, the problem still remained though. "If they aren't coming inside, it means something is stopping them...moving all these people will take too long, plus we have to factor in the attackers in the forest." She wasn't pleased with the odds, even if they found some way to move everyone keeping each other safe was another problem.

"Well, we can't exactly wait here! Some are critically injured and others can hardly stand!" Aju raised her voice, she knew Mia was only stating the obvious but it wasn't helping. She was cranky, there was no stopping it. There wasn't a solution to the situation, the northwest exit was a nice distance away.

"If it's to save everyone...I will gladly carry them all to my best ability!" Naruto's frantic blue pools made everyone stare at him in disbelief, "I was holding out on all of you from the start of this thing! Let me show you my secret trump card!" Placing his hands together the area was engulfed in smoke.

Tiger: Clone Technique: Kage Bunshin

Mia watched as a bunch of ramen-smelling brats filled the open area, it gave her some hope. "Aren't they simple clones?"

"NO! These are special clones! They can do everything, they even have chakra and can do everything I can do alone!" After raging and praising himself for learning such an advanced technique the blonde brat ordered everyone to pick up his friends, it solved one of the problems.

"Well, there goes one of the main issues plaguing us." Shinobu turned to the group that stayed up, "Now here comes the important decision, I know everyone is thinking it now...but in order for our friends to get out safely we must buy them time...we don't have to engage in battle just run until everyone is safe and then escape." Looking at the reactions, he waited for some answers.

"Sure." Kiyoshi stretched getting ready for whatever was to come.

"It's the only responsible thing to do," Mia added.

"I owe someone, this is what I can do to make it up." Fukō more or less stated.

"It's settled, Naruto while you run with everyone we will keep these bastards busy!" The blonde didn't say a word, nodding the little army began running Shinobu's happy expression changing as soon as Naruto left his view. "That's the plan...we don't know how many of them are out and nine times out of ten we won't survive but it's the only thing to do." He kept his voice low so the others wouldn't hear him, "We split up and make as much noise as we can to separate them, it shouldn't take him that long to get everyone to safety then we make a run for it." No one said a thing, the silence enough for them to agree. The five children disappeared, each heading off in a different yet similar direction, making some noise.

Kiyoshi was the first to come into contact with someone, the ninja standing on the branch away from him wasn't wearing a mask there face exposed against the cold air. "Nice plan you have there, but if you think you can survive long enough for your friends to get away then I commend you for your balls kid." Tossing the toothpick out of his mouth, the bald man snapped the branch Kiyoshi stood on exploded; the young boy jumped out of the smoke and stuck himself to a nearby tree.

"They aren't my friends."

xXx

Aju stood in an open field fire raging behind her, the light illuminating her figure. The heat in the darkness gave her green eyes light, a feminine figure appearing away from the flames a grin on her face. "I was looking everywhere for people, to think you'll draw me here with this fire of yours." The dented metal she had on her glove reflected the moon as the two glared at each other.

"Why...did you ruin this day for us?" Aju let the anger roll off her tongue, she was pissed.

xXx

Mia followed behind the army of Naruto's, despite being so many he was drawing in the most attention. Catching a figure following from the side, she cut the figure off appearing in front of them in a sudden move. "Looks like you're my challenger." Mia watched as the figure sighed, Shinobu appeared behind the figure.

"You are cornered give up now." Stepping to the side, the moonlight highlighted the ash-grey hair they had; it was the only thing they could make about the male underneath the mask.

"Geez, Mia Kobayashi and Shinobu Asobiemu look like you two plan to work together to get rid of me." The figure didn't sound that old, but the fact they knew names was bad enough. "I guess, I can test the waters. My target is gone anyways."

xXx

Fukō leaned against a tree, the cloak he had blowing with the harsh winds. The moon was abnormally pretty, it was one of those moments. He didn't want to be a ninja, but here was life leading him this way.

Mizuki stepped out of the bushes dusting himself off, "Child where is everyone else? Come on I will lead you to safety."

"They already escaped," Breaking his gaze away from the sky, silver eyes darted towards the poor excuse of a leaf ninja, "This village is really clouded by despair." Pushing himself off of the tree, both looked at each other one sleazy while the other was neutral.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, everything that occurred in the last couple of hours was his fault. Everyone in the room was put to sleep including himself, but he couldn't figure out how; whoever put each of them to sleep had to be nearby, but no one saw a thing. The drug that put them under kept them down for quite some time, the crystal eyes that spectated over the children broken. He wasn't the first to awake nor the last one to awake, but that didn't change the problem at hand; everyone tried entering the Forest but some barrier prevented them, one could only exit until it was broken. Obviously, there was a spy among the ranks, but their goal wasn't to take anything but keep the future generation company? The old man was missing something, he had to overlook a vital aspect.

Reina fiddled with a random shuriken, her index finger twirling the sharp object around her finger. She hardly remembered anything before knocking out, how they all went under at the same time was the true question; after chatting with Asuma and Gai about the issue they equally agreed something was wrong, to make matters worse the students were stuck inside the training grounds with god knows who. Lavender eyes turned only to catch a snake slithering away, before she could investigate Iruka's voice got everyone's attention. A group of Naruto's rushed out of the exit with most of his classmates, "Everyone attention to the students!" Reina's voice shot out, gathering nearby medics to tend to some of the injuries.

Iruka took count, "We are missing a few," Recounting, he mentally made note of everyone who was here. Turning to get a good look at Naruto, questions about how the clones came to be was discarded for now. "Where are the others?"

Naruto looked the Chunin dead in his eyes, "They said they were going to draw me enough time to get everyone to safety." Time slowed for the instructor, and he wasn't the only one to feel this way. The blonde jinchūriki found himself looking away from Iruka, the ninja world was cruel. If this was the start, what would happen after...would things progressively get more difficult?

Iruka bought his hand up to rub the blonde's hair, yet he hesitated. If blame was to fall to anyone it would be himself, he knew something new and out of the ordinary would only have trials and tribulations; he already figured he lost a couple of students anymore and he couldn't take it.

xXx

Kakashi stepped on the slithering reptile, he waited until it moved a bit away before intercepting it. Rubbing his heel against its skin, the Jonin watched as it turned into black ash. Closing his book, the male looked around the alley. If it was heading back to its owner, it would've taken a while which means someone was supposed to meet it here. Looking top to bottom, he scaled the wall and ended up on the rooftop. Nothing was adding up, who was capable to render everyone unconscious and leaving not one trace? Had the ranks been compromised? Someone was pulling the strings but from where. More importantly, why were they after the children?

These questions wouldn't be answered anytime soon, and Kakashi knew this. Leaving the rooftop, he made his way back to the accident.

Wasn't what you were expecting, at all. Nothing can ever go right in the Naruto verse, don't hate that the students didn't get to fight each other yet, this is merely the beginning lol. We had brief action between Mia and Hotaru which more or less was amusing, the question is who and what is going on and why. Though, I think it is pretty obvious. I turned up the difficulty, Masuo got an explosion to the face and Sakura just got hung. Such extremes can only have an effect on kids, and what happened to Sakura maybe we'll see some growth from her canon version.

Team's I put hints here and there, and I purposely mislead some parts I wonder who'll go to who. Maybe the wonder team Hotaru, Mia, and Sasuke will work anything is possible. Trust me, the people left alone to fight won't be the only ones suffering.

How the exam should've gone, will be explained soon; I mapped out everything about the exam and the color flags. Generally speaking, why would the Hokage put the students against each other to graduate the academy? I understand to rank up after becoming a Genin, but you're supposed to form bonds and teamwork in the academy; Iruka wanted to pass down the Will Of Fire which gratifies teamwork and love is peace. Thanks for the feedback, let's say he is testing both sides of the coin.

The confrontation between Mia and Hotaru was somewhat less action-packed, they both are smart individuals ranking high in the class and one is keen on rules while the other is less into violence to a degree; once they met all it took was one of them to have doubts to spark a sort of questioning atmosphere. I think Masuo and Fukō can always have some interesting interactions, both are different but the same in some sense. Thanks!

Each character is definitely unique in their own light, it only makes the team picking process better, the three-way tie could be foreshadowing since it's a first who knows! Sasuke and Hotaru are soon to have some better interactions, lots of questions in the air. The Hokage was planning something, who's to say that this isn't what he is planning? Nah, thank you! Really, thanks! Cliffhangers are our worse enemy and our best friends!

Aju's taijutsu is what carried up to the top ten! Sasuke vs Kiba, if Sasuke had his Sharingan the fight would've been different. Very different, but as it stands Kiba should and would rock him and just about any canon character at the moment. The show didn't do my man well especially how he lost to Naruto in the Chunin exams! For a cell, who knows. Maybe it'll be Aju, Kiyoshi, and Ino! The fight between them was short, but don't worry. You will see some fights with these kids soon!

Thank you all! That Hotaru fight though, using something she is trying to master/create, and Masuo saving Sakura. Can't forget how Kirayari saved Seiko's small interactions. Wonder, what happens next.