Chapter 9: Preliminaries
Tower
Five days have passed since the beginning of the Second Part of the Chunin Exams.
Now we find all the Genin who survived inside a small Arena in the Tower, hearing the Hokage's speech regarding the Chunin Exams. However, many eyes were observing Naruto, regarding the power output he released. They didn't believe a mere human could release so much power, Jinchuriki or not. Whispers were flying in the air. Naruto paid them no mind, instead he tried to control his emotions. His memories had been fully unsealed and a terrifying fury was dwelling inside him, for the village, for his parents. He didn't know what he would do if he met either of those two, but the biggest possibility is that it would not be pleasant. His sisters, were a complicated matter. He didn't hate them, unless you count how naive they were. However, if they somehow pissed him off, he'd show no remorse. He looked up a bit, seeing that the Jounin Sensei's were in the podium and next to the Third stood Kushina and Minato.
Kushina smiled a bit seeing Naruto looking at her. Naruto simply huffed, as he turned back, just in time to hear the Proctor's explanation. The proctor was Gekko Hayate, a brown haired Jounin that was always sick and Konoha's Kenjutsu Master, since Naruto was an all around fighter. "These are the Preliminary rounds. Due to your numbers, three of you will fight at once. The winner between the three will get a spot in the Finals. There will be 12 matches. This board will draw names at random. Once the first match is selected, everyone except the contenders must go to the Upper floor."
he said, as he nodded to Anko. Anko nodded back and pressed the button. The Board lit up, showing all the contenders in a line. It started going through names, until three popped up "Everyone except Uchiha Sasuke, Akimichi Choji and Ron Konjiki are to leave!" he said, with the Genins clearing out. Before he left, Naruto whispered "Be careful." he said, only for Sasuke to nod.
The Genins stood in a triangle formation, preparing to fight. "Begin!" yelled Hayate. In an instant, Sasuke send 5 Kunai with explosive notes towards Ron, as he rushed at Choji. Choji used the 'Human Bullet Tank' to try and maul Sasuke. Sasuke jumped above it, while slicing with his Jian at him, blood spurting out. Choji stopped the technique as he collapsed to one knee "I know you don't want to fight me Choji. I don't want either. Just give up. No One will accuse you of surrendering to a stronger opponent, or because you don't want to hurt someone you know." he said, pointing his sword at him. Choji looked at him, then smiled slightly and nodded. He turned to Hayate "Proctor I quit!" he said, with Hayate nodding. He send a thumbs-up to Sasuke on his way to the infirmary. Sasuke turned to Ron, only to widen his eyes. Ron's shirt was burned in the sleeves, yet his arms looked fine.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, going through hand seals "Fire Release: Great Fireball!" he said, spitting out a stream of flames, with Ron making a cross with his arms. The fire seemed to be held off by him. Sasuke jumped above the flames, swinging his sword downwards. To his surprise, Ron caught it. Sasuke looked at Ron's arm with widened eyes. It's skin was replaced by black steel, similar to the one Naruto's armor was made of. Ron smiled "Steel Release: Impervious Armor!" he yelled, then used his second steel arm to send a fist Sasuke's way. It hit him in the shoulder, sending him flying. Sasuke stood up, holding his shoulder "What was that?" he asked. "Steel Release: The specialty of my clan." he said with a smirk "We can surround our skin and body in tough steel. It can't be pierced by normal weapons. Sasuke thought for a second then smirked "We shall see."
he said and rushed at him, making hand signs, as Chakra appeared on his arm. He sent his fist forward towards the man's stomach, only for Ron to smirk "Are you stupid?"
he asked, surrounding his stomach with metal, hearing the clang of Sasuke's fist.
Sasuke smirked and yelled "Lightning Release: Lightning Rod!" Ron widened his eyes, then yelled in pain as the metal amplified the electricity and burned his inside. He fell to the ground, as his eyes had rolled back. Sasuke sighed, but fell to one knee, holding his shoulder "Winner: Sasuke Uchiha!" Hayate said, with a medic coming and leading Sasuke to the infirmary to be examined.
The 'Rookie 9' and Team Guy were watching the match with excited looks. Naruto merely stood next to Team 11, his hands folded, leaning against the wall with closed eyes. He was interested in what else Ron's Steel Release could do 'So far, I know it turns the skin into Black Metal. The only weaknesses would be extreme heat, lightning and of course, Weapons made of Ascended metals, like the Raijin or the Kusanagi.' he thought. He opened his eyes, as the proctor announced the next match "Narumi Namikaze, Sai and Darui!" he said. As she passed Naruto she said with a smile "Wish me luck Onii-Sama!" only to get a huff, causing her to sadden a bit, along with her parents who noticed the exchange, if you could call it that. As she entered the arena, she narrowed her eyes at her opponents, observing them 'The Kumo-nin has a sword, so he must be proficient in Kenjutsu and from the looks of it it's made of Chakra metal, thus skill in Lightning jutsu is the most probable. As for him, his Tanto also indicates such, however, I have no idea what that scroll is. Maybe fuinjutsu skill?' she thought, as she unsheathed her Kodachi, preferring to keep her other arm free. Darui slowly took his sword out, as Sai was ready with his scroll.
"Begin!" Hayate called, with Narumi speeding towards Darui, him doing the same, both of their blades coated in Chakra. A loud 'Clang' was heard, as sparks flew from the clash. They struggled, trying to overpower each other but soon had to leap back as a Lion made of ink crashed on their spot. 'He can animate his paintings?' they thought, as Sai drew more and more Lions, the beasts rushing at them. Narumi quickly cut down two, only to do a hand seal "Fire Release: Great Fireball!" she yelled, releasing a large orb of fire on the monsters, melting them. Sai narrowed his eyes, as he continued drawing monsters, but sending them to Darui, before he unsheathed his Tanto and rushed towards Narumi. Darui groaned, stabbing his sword to the ground and did Hand Seals "Lightning Release: Thunderbolt!" he said, both hands surrounded by orbs of light, as he released lightning bolts from them, destroying the beasts. He grabbed the blade and rushed at Narumi, considering her a bigger threat. She narrowed her eyes as she pushed Sai back, then she took out her Tachi, holding both swords in her hands. A Kenjutsu fight ensued, with both sides holding their ground and getting their share of scratches. Narumi however had enough.
She sent a kick towards Sai's stomach, before using it to propel above Darui. She leaped back many yards, sheathing her blades and taking out Kunai and throwing them.
The Kunais had explosive notes, forcing Darui to dodge. Sai wasn't so lucky, getting hit by them, as he was sent to the wall by the explosion. He struggled to get up, only for a Kunai with a tag getting stabbed next to him. The Tag lit up, as a blast of Chakra was released, along with a bright flash and sound that sent him to unconsciousness. Darui went through hand seals, as to Narumi's surprise, black lightning run through his arm "Lightning Release: Black Panther!" he yelled, a panther made of black electricity rushing Narumi's way. She frowned before she did hand seals "Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet!" she yelled, spitting enormous orbs of Wind. A large explosion was set off, as both Genins rushed at each other. Narumi had her arm on her Tachi's hilt, with Darui already swinging his blade. She narrowly dodged it, before unsheathing her blade, running it Darui's side, as blood gushed out. Darui fell to the ground, the pain leading to unconsciousness. Narumi sheathed her blade and wiped the sweat from her forehead "Winner Namikaze Narumi!" Hayate said, with the Genins cheering. She smiled, nodding to her parents, only to frown as Naruto was in the same position. With a sigh she went back to her sister.
"She is good." Haku said, with Yakumo nodding. Naruto didn't respond, but inwardly he was thinking 'Chunin Skills in Taijutsu and Fuinjutsu, while Kenjutsu and Ninjutsu are almost Jonin. Genjutsu mustn't be very high. I wonder what other tricks my…
sister has in her sleeves.' he thought. Hayate announced the next match "Shikamaru Nara, Higurashi Temari and Sabaku no Temari!" he said, the two women coming down instantly, as Shikamaru took his time getting there. When he did, he saw the two women yelling curses at each other. He simply stood to a corner and watched the battle unfold, as the proctor started the match.
Tenten quickly threw Kunai and Shuriken at her, only for Temari to send them off with her fan. She opened it a bit "Do you see this? This is the First Moon. This match will be over on the third move." she said, with Tenten scowling. She took out two scrolls and jumped into the air, opening the scrolls. She started spinning while yelling "Twin Rising Dragons!" she released a hail of hundreds of various weaponry, with Temari blocking them off using her fan, now on the second moon. Tenten smirked, using Chakra strings to control the weapons. However, it wasn't enough. Temari pushed them all back and opened the third moon. "Sickle Weasel!" she said, releasing a large gale that trapped Tenten inside a vacuum mid-air. Hundreds of wind blades sliced her, forcing her into unconsciousness.
Temari went below her and released the Jutsu, wanting her to fall on her fan.
However, she was forced to walk away. She turned, only to see her shadow, connected to Shikamaru's. She cursed, struggling to escape, however, Shikamaru kept forcing her into the direction of the wall. As she was closer to it and he was further, it didn't take her long to face the wall with the back of her head. He then threw his head back with force, her following him and getting her head slammed. He did this, until she fell unconscious "Now you know how it is to show brutality." he said, then turned to the proctor, who nodded "Winner Shikamaru Nara!" he said. No one said anything, but Shikamaru shrugged,going up the stairs slowly. Once he was up, Naruto send him a nod of approval. Shikamaru nodded back and chose to sit next to him. "You waited until one would be defeated once you noticed the sparks in their eyes, then used your skill to put the other down. And because she tried to go for overkill, you did so as well.
A worthy strategy for a Nara." he said, with Shikamaru nodding with bored eyes "Thank you." he said, with Naruto nodding back and turning to the arena. "Sabaku no Gaara, Rock Lee and Kai Konjiki!" he said, coughing a bit, as the Genins moved to the arena floor.
Rock Lee fell into a Taijutsu stance, Kai activated his bloodline on his arms and Gaara started leaking sand from his gourd "Begin!" Hayate said. Rock Lee instantly rushed to Gaara, sending a high kick, only to be blocked by sand. He continued sending a barrage of fists, until Gaara's sand caught his foot and sent him flying back. Gaara blocked a few metal orbs sent to his way by Kai. Kai rushed at him, followed by Lee. Gaara send Lee flying, as he captured Kai with his sand. With a smirk and an outstretched arm, he surrounded Kai in a tight orb of sand, then turned his hand into a fist "Sand Burial!" he said, as the sand tightened.
A crushing sound was heard, along with the cracking of metal and the screams of Kai.
The observers looked with wide eyes, as blood flew out of the sand, with some looking in excitement, like Naruto Gaara let the sand fall, as Guy turned down to Lee "Lee take them off!" he said, causing Lee to widen his eyes "But Gai-sensei, you said only in cases of extreme emergencies!" Gai simply grinned with a thumbs-up. "I will allow it this once." he said with Lee nodding. He removed his weights from his legs and dropped them, cracks forming to the shock of the watchers. Lee smirked, rushing at high-speeds, catching Gaara off-guard. He managed to get a few hits, only for cracks to form on Gaara's face, which slowly healed "You can't pass my second defense." he said, smirking and sending more sand on him. Lee dodged it and muttered "Sorry Gai-sensei, I have no choice." he made a hand seal and yelled "Gate of Opening: Activate!" he said, rushing at Gaara at even more impressive speed and kicked Gaara to the air, to Gaara's surprise. He then appeared behind him, capturing him in a bear hug, then send both of them to the ground hard while rotating. Lee struggled to get up, as Gaara looked pissed. He sent a wave of sand that smacked Lee around. Lee dodged after a while. "Gate of Rest: Activate!
Gate of Life: Activate!" he said. Energy started running off him, as his eyes turned white and his skin red. He disappeared, until Gaara felt a powerful kick, that shattered part of his armor. He was sent flying, only to get kicked again. This continued, with Gaara getting smacked around, until Lee punched him and kicked him at the same time "Reverse Lotus!" he yelled, falling to the ground in pain. He tried standing up with difficulty, feeling the increased fatigue, as Gaara growled, trying to stand up.
On the stands, the Genins looked with open mouths. They never seen such a heated match. Naruto looked with a grin on his face 'This is a very nice battle. Lee has impressed me so far.' he thought. The jounins were also impressed, while Kakashi berated Gai for teaching him so many Gates.
Gaara yelled in pain, a crazed look on his face. He sent Sand at Lee, with Lee cursing and disappearing in pain. He looked at him then yelled "Gate of Pain: Activate!" he said, rushing at Gaara faster, hitting him with everything he got. Gaara kept screaming, until he was sent straight to a wall. Sand exploded around him, a large tidal wave of it going towards Lee. Lee punched through it, as green energy rushed around him "GATE OF CLOSING: ACTIVATE!" he yelled, sending a punch that shattered the ground in Gaara's face, cracking his entire armor and sending him to the ground. He tried standing up, fury in his eyes, as Lee collapsed to the ground. He send his sand at him, surrounding his legs and breaking them, releasing yells of pain. Gaara was gonna crush him, until Gai took him. Hayate shouted "Due to the interference of a Sensei, Sabaku no Gaara is the winner." Gaara scowled, turning one to Naruto, only to get a nod. He nodded back, going up to the stands again. Shikamaru shuddered, as did most of the Genin. He heard the proctor speak "Nii Yugito, Akatsuchi and Haku Momochi!" he said, the Genins going, with Naruto muttering a good luck to Haku, getting a slight nod. "Begin!" said the proctor.
Haku looked at her opponents taking out her senbon and throwing them quickly. She sent a small nod towards Yugito, who raised her eyebrow but nodded back. Haku rushed at Akatsuchi, throwing Senbon, causing the large boy to dodge using Kawarimi. When he reappeared, he had to raise an Earth Wall, courtesy of a Great Fireball from Yugito. He growled then slammed his hands in the ground "Earth Release: Earth Golem!"
he said, sending the Golem towards Yugito. He then rushed, with speed not thought possible for his body, at Haku, throwing punches at her. She blocked one and winced in pain, dodging the rest. Meanwhile, Yugito was battling the Golem. While quite slow, it was durable and strong. It was a stalemate until Yugito had enough. She jumped back a few feet, surrounding herself with Lightning Chakra. She rushed at it, her arm outstretched. "Lariat!" she yelled, tearing the golem's head off. She kept skidding at fast speeds, dispelling the Chakra, then jumped and did hand seals "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!" she yelled, spitting out fire and releasing shuriken at the same time. The flaming Shuriken rushed at Akatsuchi, causing him to raise another Wall, blocking them effectively. He did hand seals "Earth Release: Flying Thrown Stones!" he said the Wall breaking into stones, flying towards them. Haku did hand seals "Water Release: Gunshot!" she said, firing water balls at the stones, destroying most of them, while having to dodge some. At the same time, Yugito sped at Akatsuchi, forcing him into a Taijutsu match. Then, Haku did hand seals "Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!" she yelled, making a water vortex and sending a wave towards her enemy. Yugito smirked, sending a fast punch at a pressure point on Akatsuchi's leg, causing him to fall on one knee. She then jumped above him, then send him in the direction of the water with a powerful step kick. Akatsuchi crashed head first into the wave and when he came out he skidded to the ground, his eyes rolled behind his head. Both women then turned to each other, Haku panting, while Yugito simply smirked, falling into a stance.
Some Genin cheered, other frowned upon the teamwork, but nonetheless clapping ensued. Naruto clapped as well, satisfied at the way this match was going so far 'That Iwa-nin was good. Earth Ninjutsu, good speed and strength, complimenting his all-around style. He was just unlucky. Those two control four of the five elements together. Their teamwork was good, even if they don't know each other. Yugito's close combat kept him at a distance, while Haku's long range skill supported her. Those two are good, however, they both now know each other's perks. And Haku is meant to lose, for despite that Kumo-nin being an all around-fighter, she possesses the Nibi no Nekomata, from what I sense.' he thought.
Yugito looked at Haku "Oh don't tell me that's it. This match is too good for me to win just by you falling unconscious, she said. Haku smirked, preparing herself as White-Blue Chakra was released, the arena getting colder "Don't underestimate me!"
she said, her eyes glowing with an Ice-Blue Colour. Yugito smirked, Fire surrounding her as Lightning cackled, her eyes glowing with Chakra "I could say the same to you!"
she said, rushing at High speeds at her. Haku rose her hand "Certain-Kill Ice Spears!" she said, spikes rising meters in front of Yugito. She frowned and jumped above them. Haku turned her hand into a fist, the spikes blasting off towards her. She widened her eyes "Fire Release: Great Fireball!" she released a Giant Fireball towards the spikes, an explosion ensuing. However, from the smoke came a few, dodging them, but getting a deep scar on her left bicep. She growled, diving into the ground, then with a pulse of Chakra from her legs, she blasted towards Haku, turning her nails into claws. Haku cursed, making a sword of Ice. They clashed, but it was clear Yugito held the advantage. She dodged a swing, to slice at her legs. She then sent a kick at her head, throwing her back. She placed a hand on her hip "Give up!" she said. Haku rose "Never!" then did a hand seal "Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!" she yelled, as Ice Mirrors surrounded Yugito in a dome. Haku's reflection appeared on every mirror "Give up, you can't track my movements." Yugito scanned around, only to get a Senbon at her shoulder. She growled, turning only to get another at her leg. This continued for a minute, until Yugito was a pin-cushion. Yugito growled, Chakra rolling off her "ENOUGH!" she yelled, jumping high into the air, forming hand seals "Fire Release: Intelligent Hard work!" she shouted, sending a small fireball at the ground. As soon as it touched the surface, a large explosion appeared, a fiery blast incinerating all the mirrors. As soon as it was over, Yugito stood, part of her clothes burned, Haku below her, also burned, immobile. Hayate nodded "Winner is Nii Yugito!" Yugito nodded, going up the stairs.
All the Genins were gawking at such a battle. Naruto smirked, his eyes closed 'Oh yea, definitely the Jinchuuriki of the Nibi. Only the Jinchuuriki of the Nibi, Yonbi and Kyuubi, along with Uchiha clan members have shown such power over Fire.' he thought. He soon turned his head to the announcement of the next match "Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka and Inoue Orihime." he said, the girls going down. Naruto looked at Orihime intently. She stood at 5'2, with brown eyes and long- burnt orange hair.
She had a curvaceous figure, but what caught Naruto's attention were her large breasts 'Goddamn, those could only be rivaled by the ones Tsunade Senju has.' he thought. She wore what appeared to be a white battle-dress. Suddenly, she looked at him, he looked back. She blushed slightly and turned back at her opponents. Naruto suddenly felt his instincts growling to tame her but he pressed them down, shaking his head, as the proctor said "Begin!" with a cough.
Inoue looked at her opponents with worry. Ino and Sakura were looking at each other with lightning shooting from their eyes. They immediately charged at each other, starting a Taijutsu match. They fought with punches, kicks and Kunai. They seemed evenly matched, until Ino did a sweep kick that send Sakura to the ground, then jumped on her and kneed her stomach. Sakura yelled in pain and used Kawarimi. Ino turned only to shoot 5 Kunai at 5 Sakura's, with them turning to smoke. She did the same tactic 3 times, until Sakura sucker punched her face. Ino stumbled back, sending a few shuriken at her. Sakura dodged them, as she also went back. Ino then used her family's jutsu, while sending two Kunai her way.
She tried to dodge, but found herself stuck as Ino entered her head, then left just moments before the Kunai struck her. Sakura gasped in pain, falling to the ground.
Ino went her way and headbutted her, only to hold her head in pain as blood flowed from it. She turned to see Sakura unconscious. She then panted, turning to her opponent, only to get hit by a glowing orb of light, right in her forehead. She dropped unconscious, as Orihime had a hand forward. She gasped and approached her, tapping her a bit. She then smiled awkwardly "Proctor-san! I think she's out!" she said, with Hayate nodding. "Winner Inoue Orihime!" he then turned to the Hokage, who nodded. Hayate nodded back and said "There will be a ten minute break, for all those with unfinished business and for refreshments." He said, with the Genins going to converse with the winners.
Naruto looked at Shikamaru, who was asleep. He simply shook his head, closing his eyes, but opening them again at the sound of an "Excuse me?". He turned, only to find Orihime. He looked at her "Congratulations on your match." he said, causing her to smile "Why thank you!" she said, then looked at him with a tilt of her head "Ehm, are you Uzumaki Naruto?" she asked, with him nodding. She raised her arm "Pleasure to meet you! I am Inoue Orihime!" she said. Naruto took her arm and laid a kiss on it, causing her to blush madly "It is a pleasure, Orihime-chan!" he said with a smirk.
She simply nodded, as she poked her fingers together "Ehm… good luck in your match!"
she stuttered out, rushing off, with Naruto smirking. Inside though, he wondered 'Inoue… where have I heard that name before?' he thought. Soon the break finished.
Hayate coughed "Alright. Now, it is the turn of Sabaku no Kankuro, Menma and -"
