Hello guys and girls! Welcome to Chapter 9 of Naruto: The Dark Prince
We are nearly there with reaching the end of the Chunin Exams arc. It's kinda my fault for prolonging it and I apologize for that, so hopefully it won't take long next time in the future
Well anyway let's get on with the Chapter
Chapter 9: Preliminaries begin, part 1
As team 7 were coming through the door, thier Sensei, Kakashi Hatake, was proud that his team had managed to pass this part of the exam, but he felt something was wrong with them, it wasn't just him but the rest of the sensei's, Examiner's and participants noticed the change as well. More specifically Naruto, Kakashi didn't know why but he felt different for some reason and he wasn't just talking about the increase in height and a white cat sitting on his head looking around, he also noticed the mark on Sasuke's neck which looks similar to what Anko has on hers. he was told about this before hand and was asked too pay extra attention to the Uchiha incase anything happened with the curse mark, 'I'll have to seal that later' he thought, he drew his gaze back to Naruto who didn't change his expression, he still couldn't shake the feeling that something happened to him as well,he then looked towards the two Konoichi's of the team and they had thier heads down and looked drained they probably didn't get much sleep but that doesn't seem to be the case as they sometimes looked at Naruto but quickly looked away with pained expressions, something is wrong here
'What exactly happened out there?' Kakashi thought
A guy with black hair and big eyebrows wearing a green spandex looked at Kakashi and then two his team, this was Might Guy (Kakashi's supposed rival)
"I see your team didn't do too bad, Kakashi. They must have gotten really lucky. Of course, with my team still around your team is doomed to failure. After all what matters in the next test is ability and we got you far outclassed" Guy said with a smirk
"Hmm? Did you say something?" Kakashi asked not paying attention
"GAAAH!" Guy exclaimed in shock but then clenching his fist in frustration with a smile making Kakashi sweat drop
Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed the change in Naruto right away. When his team walked through the door he immediately noticed the change in height and the...cat? That was on his head and the lack of expression which worried him, he had been notified that Naruto wanted to speak with him in private by Iruka and he mostly likely had an idea of what it might be about judging on what Anko told him
'Naruto, just what happened to you?' he thought
He was broken out of his thoughts when Anko walked up beside him about too addressed the participant's
Naruto felt the stares of his sensei and the old man Hokage but he didn't care at the moment. He took this chance to count of all the teams that made it. 'All of our classmates made it, so did Lee's, along with the sand team with the crazy redhead and the sound team.' he stopped his observation when the ANBU told all the genin to line up. As they did what they were asked, Anko got thier attention
"Alright brats! First of all, congratulations on finishing the second exam" she announced with a smirk 'There were 78 ninja who took the exam. I'm surprised 21 of them passed. I knew that less then half would make it, but I thought the number would be in the single digit' she thought
"I'm really hungry right now" Choji muttered
"Seriously? You just had something not too long ago, there's still so many left of us 'sigh' what a drag" Shikamaru said shaking his head
Ino glanced at her fellow blond and was glad he was back to normal "Naruto seems to be back to normal, I wonder if he would show off that power again?" she said catching her team mates attention
Shikamaru and Choji looked at Team 7
"Yeah your right. That's good, but things don't seem to be alright for the team as a whole" Choji said
"I hope everything's alright between them, or else they won't function properly as a team" Shikamaru said with his team mates agreeing
'So that's Guy-sensei's old rival, huh?' Tenten thought to herself as she looked at the two sensei's
Meanwhile Lee was having his own thoughts 'Guy sensei's is the coolest teacher ever! His flames of youth are blazing brighter and brighter, you watch Guy sensei, some day my flames of youth will shine bright like the stars!'
Neji glanced around, judging every contestant that passed 'As expected, only the best made it through.' Neji's gaze soon focused on two specific individuals 'Sasuke Uchiha... and Naruto Uzamaki, I'll make sure not to over look you again'
Meanwhile Zaku glared hatefully at Sasuke as he looked pretty beat up and the cast on his broken arm but didn't let that stop him "Sasuke Uchiha... I swear he's going to pay for humiliating me!" he muttered angrily, He then looked at Naruto and frowned in confusion he turned to his team mate Dosu who was staring at Naruto cautiously, he had told him and Kin what had happened and they couldn't believe it, they were'saved' by Naruto or more like they were spared from the rath of the Uchiha, but what confused them was Dosu told them that Naruto had Black hair but his is yellow blond, Zaku probably thought Dosu was just seeing things but seeing him act this way towards the blond made him rethink that maybe there was something towards Naruto Uzamaki that they missed or more like everyone missed
Kiba looked at Akamaru, who was trying to make himself hidden by hiding in his owner's jacket. Kiba understood why he was behaving like this, it was because of those sand ninja, more specifically the red haired guy Garra. He and his squad managed to catch a glimpse of that guys power, how he was able to manipulate sand and kill all three of his opponents in cold blood, even after they attempted to surrender.
Whoever Garra was, something about him just wasn't human
His power however, was nothing compared to what they felt before, There was a huge burst of Power from out of nowhere that they were pretty sure everyone in the forest of death felt it. That power was un describable they never felt overwhelmed by its dark presence, but in the end they had to thank someone for unleashing that burst of power because when Garra was about to do something towards them that was when they felt that burst of power and he stopped and looked in the direction it was coming from after a few moments he was grinning madly, this gave them the chance to flee from the area after they were a good distance away Kiba asked Hinata to use her Byakugan to see what that was but when she used it in the direction they felt that power, she says it was all black so she couldn't see what it was, but she swore thier was a black figure that resembled a male, but what freaked out her out was the figure looked in her direction with its green eyes causing her to deactivate her Byakugan,
Hinata, meanwhile, glance towards Naruto and twiddled her index fingers as she gave a soft and shy smile 'Naruto passed to. I'm so happy but something is not right, I hope everything is okay' she thought worried
"Hey look, all of the leaf village rookies are here to" Sakura whispered
"Looks like nobody got left behind this time" Yukino said looking around
"I don't have a very good feeling about this" Sasuke muttered as he placed his hand on his shoulder
Naruto just stayed quiet as he observed his surroundings, he then felt a gaze coming from both Kabuto and the sound village sensei. Naruto looked towards Kabuto who smiled and nodded at him with Naruto nodded back he then switched his gaze to the sound ninja sensei who just looked at him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes and Naruto narrowed his eye's slightly but then looked away
'I got a bad feeling from that guy' he thought
"Alright, now pay attention! Lord Hokage is going to explain the third exam to you!" Anko announced before bowing to the leaf's leader "Lord Hokage, thier all yours"
Hiruzen nodded before stepping forward to address the teams "First, before I tell you what the third exam entails, I want to explain something about the test itself" This brought everyone on edge as they payed close attention "I'm going to tell you the true purpose of these exams"
The Hokage step up before announcing the true purpose of these exams which was to simulate war between the villages. He explained how they helped build relationships along with showing potential clients with up and coming talent
"Unfortunately" The third began to say. "It seems too many of you have passed, we will need to conduct a preliminary round to reduce your numbers before the finals." This had an instant effect and had the genin yelling in protest. "Enough, people all over the world will be coming and there are simply far too many of you."
The sand ninja Garra glared impatiently before speaking up
"Any test is fine. Just tell what the details of the preliminary round are already. I can handle anything you throw at me"
"Very well then. listen closely because I'm going to tell you what you'll be doing for the second part of the exam" Hiruzen said
Before he could say anything, a jonin with a hidden leaf bandanna and black hair appeared before him suddenly, and knelt down
"Lord Hokage, before you do please allow me, Hayate Geko, appointed as proctor for the third exam, speak first" Hayate humbly requested
"So be it" Hiruzen nodded as he allowed the man to step forward
"My name is Gekko Hayate and I will be the proctor for this part of the exam, from this point on we shall have a series of random one on one fights to cut you in half." The proctor stopped midway through the speech to cough. "Over to my right there is a screen and your names will appear randomly on the screen, those chosen will then fight. Before we begin would anyone like to back out this is your last chance to do so."
Team 10 looked unsure as they had just gotten here and Ino sent a worried glance towards team 7. Yukino and Sakura sent worried looks towards both Sasuke and Naruto, after witnessing what there team mates did and that mysterious power they used on the enemy ninja's they were considering making them both drop out for thier own good
All of sudden, one hand raised up from the crowd of Genin. Everyone looked and were surprised to see that it was Kabuto who raised his hand
"Okay, you got me, I give up" Kabuto said sheepishly
"Kabuto Yakushi of the leaf village, you can step back" Hayate acknowledge
"Gotcha" Kabuto nodded and started to walk to the exit
"Your quitting?" Naruto said stopping Kabuto in his tracks
"Sorry Naruto, but my fight with the sound ninja during orientation caused me to go deaf in my left ear. I'm in no shape to potentially fight to the death, besides I'm still kinda worn out by those clones from before" Kabuto explained with a sorrowful expression
Meanwhile, Hiruzen gave the silver haired boy a critical look. "This isn't the first time this boy has dropped out
Anko looked through her notes "Kabuto Yakushi, average grades and mission standards, but he failed this part of the exam six times" Anko explained
After giving Naruto one last wave goodbye, Kabuto walked back towards the exit. What nobody noticed was the sinister smirk appearing on his face 'Sorry Naruto, wish I can stick around and play a little longer, but if I did...the old me might get stirred up and it might blow my cover. Wouldn't be much of a spy if that happened. Besides, Lord Orochimaru is here to watch you, and I can't wait for him to witness that mysterious power you carry...Naruto Uzamaki'
Sakura and Yukino looked towards Sasuke and noticed that he was clenching his neck more, indicating that mark was getting worse. Not wanting to get hurt, or go into that berserker state again, Sakura was about to raise her hand and inform the proctor's about his condition. but it didn't happen as Sasuke clenched her wrist and stopped her
"Sasuke...?" Sakura whispered in shock
"Don't, Sakura" Sasuke said firmly "I'm going to stay and fight"
"But Sasuke...I can't bare to watch you...go through that again" Sakura whispered with tears threatening to leave her eyes
"Then don't watch, but let me do this" Sasuke said with a firm look "I'm an avenger and I need to live up to that title. The best of the best fighters in this exam are all here, and I want to test my might against all of them. This is the path I walk, and not you, Yukino or anyone else can change that"
Sakura just looked heartbroken that Sasuke was just brushing off her worries just for the sole of proving a point
"What's wrong with you? She's just worried about you just like I am" Yukino said
"That doesn't matter to me now" Sasuke said making Yukino feel hurt at his words
Naruto seeing this decided to intervene
"Hey, lay off them, there just worried about you" Naruto said making his team mates look at him "So why won't you-"
"Naruto" Sasuke interrupted as he gave a determined smirk towards the blonde "You're one of the ones I want to fight the most"
Those words truly stunned Naruto. Was it finally happening? Was Sasuke finally acknowledging his strength and wanted to fight him like a true shinobi? If it was the old him before he awakened, he would've been happy he was getting the acknowledgement he deserved...But now he barley felt anything from that
'A little late for that don't you think' Naruto thought turning back around
"Does anyone else wish to leave before we start?" The proctor waited before he continued. "Very well, all of you go upstairs to your jonin senseis and come back down when your name appears on the screen."
Team 7 ended up standing in between teams 8 and 9.
"Ha! Can you believe all us rookies made it this far." Kiba's boisterous gloat was largely ignored as the first two names appeared on the screen.
Sasuke Uchiha V.S Yoroi Akado
'Right off the bat' Sasuke thought with a smirk
While Sasuke went to the arena, the jonin Sensei's stood right by thier own students while the proctor's and the third Hokage staying along the lower level to inspect the matches closely. Team 7 looked on tensely, Mostly in Yukino and Sakura case as they didn't want Sasuke to over do it, while Naruto just stood by the wall with his arms crossed. Neji, Garra, and the two male sound ninja looked on with intense gazes, wanting to see what Sasuke's power would entail
"So Naruto, you want to introduce me to your new friend you got there?" Kakashi said referring to Catra on his head
Naruto looked at his sensei then to Catra who was beginning to wake up
"This is Catra...I met her in the forest" Naruto said and Catra was now up and stretching on his head
"Oh, well hello Catra" Kakashi said, Catra looked at the man and meowed in response
Catra then was on Naruto's shoulder about to watch the fight
'Catra are you alright?' Naruto asked Catra
'I fine, don't worry' She replied
'Thats good, I'm sorry i lost control' Naruto said looking down
Catra looked at Naruto and then nuzzle against face 'Don't worry, that's what happens when you lack control of your power, especially with darkness' she said back
'Are you okay, did something happen when I was asleep?' she asked
'You...Could say that' he replied
"Hey Naruto do you think Sasuke is healed enough to fight him?" Naruto was broken out of his thoughts by Ino who he turned to and then the arena where Sasuke and his opponent is
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Naruto's response caught Kakashi's attention as he was expecting a more Naruto like response. Ino just nodded as everyone turned to the proctor who started speaking
"If both parties are ready." The proctor paused to make sure both genins were prepared. "...BEGIN!"
Sasuke dashed towards his enemy as soon as the proctor said to begin. He tried to hit him several times with punches and kicks but Yoroi, who was Kabuto's teammate, dodged them before grabbing one of Sasuke's kicks and threw him across the room. Sasuke flipped in the air before landing on his feet
"So this is all the mighty Uchiha clan has to offer huh. This is disappointing. Don't worry I won't make this last too long. I'll finish this with my next attack."
Naruto could see that the remarks angered Sasuke, the Uchiha started going through some hand seals but stopped half-way as he clutched his neck.
"It looks like that mark is still hurting him." Ino's concerned voice was heard over the gasps Sakura was releasing. Naruto didn't say anything as he stared down at the fight going on below.
"Naruto" Keiran said getting the blonds attention
'Yes, what is it?' Naruto asked
"You should be careful around that ninja from the sound, he was looking at you from time to time while watching the fight" Keiran informed
Naruto looked towards the Sound ninja's sensei, who was watching the fight and narrowed his eye's
'Keiran doesn't he look familiar too you for some reason?' Naruto asked
"Well...He does look like that guy from before, the one who put that seal on you, I can tell he's has some dark intentions, im sure you can feel it too" Keiran said and Naruto nodded
'Alright, I'll watch out for him' he said and pated attention to the fight and it seems he missed some of it
"It's over." Yoroi exclaimed as grabbed Sasuke by the face, his hand glowing because of his jutsu
"Sasuke!" Yukino, Sakura and Ino shouted
Sasuke struggled under the bigger man but managed to uppercut him, using the opening he head-butted the older genin and freed himself from his grasp. Naruto noticed that his teammate looked a lot more worn out than he should have. Kabuto's teammate looked slightly rejuvenated. Sasuke glared at the man and the masked genin simply chuckled
"I see you noticed, my Jutsu allows me to drain the chakra of my enemies and add it to my own."
Naruto heard gasps from the other rookies around him and saw that Sasuke glared at the man before grabbing his neck in pain. He looked over at Kakashi and saw he was watching the match intently. Naruto saw Sasuke activate his Sharingan before he moved at a fast paced. 'So you copied Lee's technique back then.'
Naruto heard Lee and his sensei Guy gasp in shock as they looked on. Sasuke had gotten below Yoroi before kicking him up in the air. As Yoroi was hanging in the air Sasuke blurred behind him. Sasuke grimaced in pain as his mark flared before receding back to the seal. He kicked Yoroi's side to maneuver himself above him. Sasuke launched punch to his opponents face before spinning and hitting him with an elbow that made the older ninja hit the ground just as Sasuke landed an axe kick to his stomach that cracked the floor under them. He heard his teammate shout out the name of his new move. "Lions Barrage!" Sasuke stood up and stepped away as the proctor walked over and checked on the downed ninja.
"Yoroi Akado is unable to continue the winner is Sasuke Uchiha." The other rookies, mostly Yukino, Sakura and Ino, let out cheers. Naruto just made a blank face. Kakashi noticed his lack of expression but still made his way over to Sasuke before he took him away. Ino noticed that Naruto's lack of expression as well and called him out on it.
"Naruto, what's wrong? Aren't you happy team mate won?" Her question brought the attention of Yukino and Sakura
"I really didn't care who won the match." His answer made Yukino and Sakura look down in regret. Ino who traveled with team 7 for days knew how high the tension was there, but she thinks it escalated more then before. The conversation was cut short as the Proctor called the next two participants.
The next match was between Shino Aburame and Zaku Abumi while he looked like he had the advantage with his slicing soundwaves, Shino used his parasitic insects to plug themselves into his Air cannons on his arms. The build up Chakra, plus the insects plugging the small holes, caused Zaku's arms to implode, forcing Hayate to call the match in Shino's favor
All around there was a stunned silence, Naruto looked around and saw that Ino looked pale and that every one of the rookies and Shikamaru looked a little green. He looked at Yukino who was beside him holding on to his jacket and had a disgusted expression while looking at shino, which is understandable since when they were little she didn't like bugs or anything that crawls
'I have to be honest but that was creepy and disgusting' Catra said while looking away
'I gotta agree with you on that, I didn't know he could do something like this' Naruto said
"I always thought he was creepy in the academy but that was a whole new level of disturbing." Ino let out a small shudder as she leaned onto Naruto and Sakura nodded along.
Yukino saw the way Ino was leaning on Naruto and her eyes twitched and Hinata had a worried and confused expression as she watched Ino lean on Naruto
'When did they get so close?' She thought
"Could you two get off of me, people are going to make assumptions" Naruto said
"Oh, sorry" Yukino said quietly backing away, Ino let out a frown but complied
"Heh, Shino is always quiet but he's dangerous, he's probably the opponent I would like to fight least out of all us rookies." Kiba's comment was met with silence and a quiet 'troublesome' from Shikamaru.
"That's a scary kid you got there Kurenai." Asuma said to the only female sensei of the rookies who looked at her fellow jonin.
"He has the best chance out of everyone here to make chuunin." Before any of the senseis could repute her comment the proctor had called the match.
As Shino made his way upstairs as his teammates congratulated him, Kiba with a pat on the back and Hinata with a small smile.
Kakashi walked back up the stairs and went towards his team
"Kakashi sensei, Is Sasuke okay" Yukino asked worried
"You don't have to worry Yukino, Your boyfriend is fine there's nothing to worry about" Kakashi teased
Yukino blushed slightly and took a glance at Naruto who didn't change his expression and Sakura let out a sigh
The attention of everyone was once again brought to the screen as it cycled through names as it landed on Kankuro and Misumi Tsurugi who was Kabuto's third teammate. He like his other teammate wore a bandana and cloth that covered his mouth but unlike his teammate, he wore glasses that weren't blacked out.
"Would both contestants please make their way down." The two genins made their way without saying a word and were soon squared up facing each other
"If you're both ready? BEGIN!"
Misumi rushed Kankuro who did nothing but stand there and soon he Masumi wrapped around Kankuro's body with his limbs bending at unnatural angles. "Fool you should have never allowed me to get so close. My Jutsu allows me to dislocate my joints and move my arms and legs so I can perfectly trap my foes. Give up or I'll snap your neck." His tone was sharp and confident.
"I refuse." Kankuro was calm even when in such a position. Naruto narrowed his eyes and noticed that his chest wasn't moving at all. 'He's not breathing.' Naruto paid extra attention to the fight. Then Misumi followed through with his threat as he twisted Kankuro's neck.
"You should have listened." He dropped Kankuro's dead body on the ground and addressed the proctor as gasps could be heard from those around the room. "Call the match." He shouted in surprise when he was suddenly wrapped up by Kankuro's body just like he had held him mere moments ago. He turned to look at him to see his face peeling away to show a wooden puppet underneath. "What!? HOW!"
"From the beginning, you never stood a chance." Kankuro's voice came from the bundled wrap on the ground that his puppet was carrying. Misumi looked stunned before looking to the proctor.
"I giv-" Before he could finish Naruto saw Kankuro clench his hands and soon the sound of bones breaking filled the room as his opponent dropped to the ground unable to support himself.
"Heh, now it's over." The Proctor quickly called the match for Kankuro as medics came in and took Misumi away. Naruto looked around and saw that Ino and Sakura had a sickly face. While Yukino narrowed her eyes
'W-why he was in a middle of giving up?' Catra said
'Thats how people fight in the Shinobi world, it's either kill or be killed, for this case he just did it for sport' Naruto said looking at Catra
'Are you okay?' he asked
'Yeah I'm fine, it just surprised me as all' She replied
"I can't believe he would do that"
"Anything is legal as long as there is no outside help. The only rule is you fight until your opponent gives up, is unconscious or dead. I mean thats what we sighed up for when we entered the Forest of Death right?"
Naruto's hard tone took many of those around him by surprise especially his team sensei who looked at Naruto with his one uncovered eye. The screen soon ran through more names until it stopped on two very familiar names.
Sakura Haruno VS Ino Yamanaka
"Great, of all people she had to face it had to be Sakura? It's just going to be a slap fight" Shikamaru said without thinking making Kiba laugh out loud which resulted Kurenai smacking his head to stop, even Naruto had to hold back a smile at that comment and Yukino awkwardly smiled
Sakura and Ino glared at him and then each other competitively as the proctor called out there names for them to come down
"Good luck Ino." Naruto's remark caused everyone to look at him in shock, Sakura had a look of betrayal but was soon covered by sadness as she made her way down.
"You to as well Sakura" Naruto said and Sakura stopped and turned back around to face him, she then smiled and nodded
"Thanks Naruto, but I don't need luck against forehead." Ino's voice was full of confidence that made Sakura glare at her. Naruto simply shrugged and nodded as Ino was making her way down Kakashi spoke to his most boisterous student.
"Wow Naruto I didn't know you got yourself a girlfriend" Kakashi had purposely phrased his comment as to get a reaction out of his student, he was expecting him to splutter and blush as he denied his claims. but he didn't get the desired effect he wanted but he did get an effect from Yukino, Hinata, and Ino who heard what Kakashi said as both Yukino and Hinata eyes twitched and frowned and Ino was just blushing with a smile on her face
What he got was what threw him for a loop and had him wondering what was wrong with his student. It also got the attention of Ino's team along with Hinata and her sensei.
"Ino's not my girlfriend Kakashi sensei. I was just a being civil with her for helping us in the forest." Naruto's calm response made everyone question if it was actually him and not someone else
Before he could question it further they heard the proctor ask if both fighters were ready and they nodded.
"Begin!" The proctor jumped back from the two girls who simply stared at each other. Before removing their forehead protectors from their individual places on their body and tied them around their foreheads. The two glared at each other before running at each other meeting in the middle of the room engaging in a taijutsu match. The Two began to exchange punches and kicks but neither was landing a blow on the other. Sakura jumped back and created two clones and rushed Ino who merely scuffed and threw three kunai one to each Sakura and saw the middle one dodged and the other two simply disappeared when the kunai went through them."your gonna have to try harder than that forehead." Ino mocked her rival. Sakura said nothing and began an exchange again until Ino overextended a punch and Sakura was able to land a right-handed punch to her face. The two separated after Sakura landed her punch and Ino smirked. "I'm glad you're taking this seriously."
Sakura frowns and tries a new tactic seeing as this was getting nowhere. "I always take things seriously unlike you who spends too much time caring about how she looks."
'Weren't you the same?' Yukino thought with a sweat drop
Naruto made a noise from his mouth as the rookies and thier Sensei's looked at him as he covered his mouth then turned back and looked at them
"Got something stuck in my throat" he said gesturing to his throat as he looked back at the arena while the male members of team 10 looked at each other and nodded
"Fine then. Let me show you how serious I can get!" Ino's voice was full of anger as she brought her hands up into her clans special Jutsu.
"Ninja arts: Mind Transfer Jutsu."
Sakura who knew what the Jutsu did jumped out of the way as Ino's body slumped to the ground.
"Hah! I win Ino-pig." Sakura's celebration was cut short as she felt her get restrained and she looked down to see Ino's hair bind her. "what is this?"
"It's my Hair Trap Jutsu, I knew you would dodge my first jutsu so I faked it. now you can't dodge. Ninja arts: Mind Transfer Jutsu" Ino fired her technique and once again fell limp as Sakura stood up with Ino's hair falling to the ground. Sakura slowly raised her hand and spoke to the proctor."I give u-"Before she could finish speaking she bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. Ino jumped up from unconsciousness as she looked around confused. Both Kunoichi looked to be breathing heavily."I don't know how you managed to escape but it doesn't matter you're going down." Ino's declaration would have been more believable if she didn't look like a gust of wind would knock her down."Bring it Ino." Sakura and Ino then rushed at each other before simultaneously landing punches on each other as they knocked themselves out.
The remaining members of Team 7 and 10 sighed
Naruto turned when he heard Ten-Ten laugh and spotted Kurenai giving both Asuma and Kakashi disapproving looks. The Proctor proclaims the match a draw and soon Ino and Sakura were brought up when the medical team woke them up. Both Ino and Sakura looked happy and determined even though they lost and neither would advance.
You got lucky that you faced each other." Ino and Sakura looked at Naruto with curious expressions."What's do you mean?" Ino said confused."It means if you had faced any of the sound ninja or the red-headed sand ninja you would have died." Naruto's statement sent chills through their spines as they looked at the redhead who was releasing copious amounts of killing intent."GO TEN-TEN, Show them your FLAMES OF YOUTH!" Naruto's attention was brought to Lee and looked towards the screen to see Temari VS Ten-Ten. Both kunoichis were already down the steps. "I'm glad I get to go after the disappointment that was the last match, I can show everyone not all kunoichi are useless fan-girls." Ten-Ten said, Sakura and Ino were offended at that comment "Hmph, well see about that." Temari said and got ready to fight"Hey Yukino" Ino said getting the girls attention "Hey Ino, that was a good match between you and Sakura" Yukino saidIno smiled "Thanks but listen, im not going after Sasuke anymore" she said surprising Yukino
"I'm tired of fighting over him with Sakura, he never even showed any interest in us in the first place, besides he has you with him, that's not all, whenever I think about him it's not the same feeling as before" Ino said with a troubled expression that made Yukino confused
"What do you feel then?" she asked
"I feel...cold...afraid, it's nothing like how I used to feel for him" Ino said and looked at Yukino in the eyes "I'm telling you Yukino something is seriously wrong with him, Its your life, and if you want to continue to be with him that's for you to decided"
"Why are you saying this?" Yukino asked
"I'm worried about you, it's just...what he did to Sakura back in the forest and his way of speaking towards you...It scared me and it makes me glad Naruto showed up when he did to stop him" Ino said looking at Naruto with Yukino doing the same
Yukino thought about what Ino said, she couldn't fault what she was saying about Sasuke. Whatever that mark was, it was changing him and it was worrying her. One thing she knows for sure, she has alot to think about
"Also" Ino began getting Yukino out of her thoughts as she looked at her
"I'm not just worried about you but Naruto as well, he's been acting differently since we've been in the forest of death, The way he handled those Rain ninja for us and...the way he was about to kill one of them I can tell that wasn't him" Ino finished
Yukino agreed with Ino immediately, That Naruto from before was not the Naruto she knew, still this all started when...she abandoned him in the forest, his words from before still echoed through her head, even though it hurt her to hear him say what he said to her and Sakura, it didn't change the fact for what she did
"I agree...Im going to keep an eye on him" Yukino said and Ino nodded
"Did he ever show any signs of that power before?" Ino asked Yukino shook her head
"No, this is the first time I saw that kind of power as well"
"We should watch the rest of the fight" Yukino said and Ino nodded and started to walked towards Naruto
"You alright?" he asked and Ino smiled
"Yes, I am"
"That's good" Naruto said turning towards the fight
"So what's happening?" ino asked
"A disadvantage" Naruto replied
A wind user and a weapon user was severely one-sided,
"If she doesn't have anything else she will lose" Naruto stated
Ten-Ten pulled out two scrolls from her kunai holsters on her leg and jumping into the air as she rained down even more weapons. Temari smirked before unleashing a tornado of wind that picked Ten-Ten up and slammed her unto her folded fan she was holding out. There was a moment as Ten-Ten lay there a when the proctor called the match. Lee quickly went to go pick up his teammate who was then taken away by the medics. "That was most unkind." Lee's voice was hard as he spoke to the sand kunoichi "Whatever kid, she's lucky I went easy on her." Lee glared at the sand team as he made his way up."Poor Ten-Ten she had a horrible matchup." Said, Guy."She wasn't fated to win today." Guy gave Neji a disappointed look before going to check on his student.
This got Naruto's attention 'Fate? Since when did fate control our future's he thought
Naruto felt a tap on his shoulder and looked at Yukino getting his attention
"What is it?" he asked
"Look" She said pointing at the monitor
Naruto looked at the monitor, it seems it's time
'It's about time'
On the screen it showed the next people who were about to fight
Naruto Uzamaki V.S Kiba Inuzuka
Alright that is the end of Chapter 9 of Naruto: The Dark Prince hope you all enjoyed it
So for the harem do you think there should be less Naruto girls like I would take one off and just put another OC in it's place, so 3 Naruto girls and 5 OC's
Anyway guys and girls (Didn't forget about yall) I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and continue to show love and support to my story and I'll see you all in the next one
Bye bye