Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters created by Kishimoto-sensei.
Naruto had considered many things on his journey back from the country of Waves. He thought about his first kill, a boy not much older than himself. He analyzed his Taijutsu against that boy. In truth that boy never stood much of a chance against Naruto in a Taijutsu fight even if Naruto had used a medic Taijutsu. Naruto also thought about the training he'd have to do once he returned to Konoha.
He needed to get faster and a lot stronger. He'd almost improved his Kirameki now to where it almost didn't require hands seals any longer. Well, it didn't require hand seals about 90 of the time now anyway. And then there was also water walking which was several times more difficult than climbing trees. But it was excellent training for him.
The one thing that didn't cross Naruto's mind until he saw the village gates was Hinata. In all the time he'd been away from the village he hadn't once thought of the girl. And yet now as he approached the village gates he couldn't seem to think about anything else. The problem was that he didn't know how to feel about her. She was his friend and that was very important to him. On the other hand she was very pretty even if she didn't show it very much. As the gates now loomed fifteen feet in front of him he decided that he would just wait until he next saw her to decide on his feelings.
"Well, mission successful," said Kakashi before they entered the gates drawing Naruto out of his reverie. "You've got the next two days off to recuperate. I'll meet you all in the usual spot then."
With that Sakura followed after Sasuke like a little lost puppy. After Sasuke had been injured in that fight with Haku, she just wouldn't leave his side no matter how many times she was asked to do something else. Naruto had to hope that now that they were back in the village that she would finally calm down again, but his hopes of that happening weren't very high.
Naruto had one destination in mind now that he was free for a few days . . . Home.
Kakashi meanwhile had another destination. Kakashi lazily walked through town reading his favorite dirty book. After a while he finally arrived at the Hokage tower to deliver his report to the Hokage.
"Ah Kakashi-san," greeted Sarutobi, "Good to see you back safely."
"We got lucky in that regard," said Kakashi with a neutral expression. He then proceeded to relate the story of the mission to the Hokage.
"How skilled then would you say that hunter-nin was?" asked Sarutobi at the end.
"At least Chuunin, pretty close to Jounin," said Kakashi, "The way he picked apart Sasuke was efficient."
"I see, and you say that Naruto defeated him?" asked Sarutobi.
"Yes, from what I could tell after examining the body Naruto delivered a very clean hit directly to the chest. It was a perfect strike on Naruto's part that broke all of that boy's ribs effectively puncturing his lungs and leading ultimately to his death," explained Kakashi, "This was after he removed his weights I should mention. But the thing that really bothers me about this. Naruto could have removed his weights from the beginning to help Sasuke but he didn't. He waited until Sasuke was unconscious."
"I see, perhaps he felt that Sasuke would have gotten in his way," suggested Sarutobi.
"If Naruto could have taken the boy one on one then there is no way Sasuke would have been a hindrance," said Kakashi, "I think Naruto might have wanted to use his true Taijutsu form without it being observed by anyone."
"You didn't see it?" asked Sarutobi.
"No, after Sasuke fell Zabuza intensified the mist in the area so I couldn't see what happened," explained Kakashi.
"Well, I guess Naruto is just trying to protect his secrets until he is ready to share," said Sarutobi, "For now he is not a danger."
"As you say," said Kakashi with a bow.
"Before you go, tell me, has the Uchiha boy activated his Sharingan yet?"
"Yes, that very battle," said Kakashi.
"Then Naruto was definitely trying to protect his style from being stolen," said Sarutobi knowingly.
"Do you know what his true style is?" asked Kakashi.
Sarutobi just puffed on his pipe without answering, "You're dismissed."
Kakashi left but his mind was a buzz with what Sarutobi revealed or rather didn't reveal. Based on the last question Kakashi asked he determined that the Third either knew the style that Naruto used or at least suspected the style he used. He also was able to determine based on Sarutobi's confidence in Naruto that there was some very special about that boy. Most importantly though it signaled to Kakashi that it was very important for him to find out what Naruto's secrets were.
BREAK
The two days off passed by quickly enough. Naruto spent his time with his Kaasan and Nechan talking. Naruto was having trouble dealing with the fact that he killed someone and his family was counseling him as a result. Naruto spent his other time training to keep his mind clear.
Naruto arrived to the bridge where his team normally met. Sasuke and Sakura were already there.
"Morning Naruto-kun," said Sakura as he walked up. Naruto took that as a good sign that Sakura was getting back to normal. The first thing Naruto noticed was that Sakura now had two bracelets on each wrist as well as two anklets on each ankle.
"Morning Sakura-chan," said Naruto with a yawn, "I see you've upgraded already."
"Yeah, well that month of training in Wave country really paid off," said Sakura.
"Also there is the fact that you're older now then when I started so I imagine you'll increase pretty rapidly for a while and then level off," said Naruto.
Sasuke was giving both of them a confused look but eventually snorted in disgust and turned away from them.
"Sakura, Kakashi showed me another exercise while we were in wave that I think you might like," said Naruto. He figured that as long as there was still a lot of time before Kakashi actually arrived then they may as well make use of it.
"Really?" asked Sakura.
"Yeah, it's another control exercise but it's a lot harder than tree climbing," said Naruto excitedly as he jumped off the side of the low bridge.
Sakura screamed at first as she rushed toward the edge in the hopes of catching him. She was slightly surprised to look over the side and see Naruto was literally standing on top of the water.
"Water walking," said Naruto with his trademark fox-like grin, "You have to use more chakra than for tree climbing and you have to continually adjust how much chakra is coming out of each part of your foot at the same time."
Sakura walked around the edge of the bridge and down toward the water. She focused the Chakra to her feet and then tentatively tested the water surface with one foot. When she decided it felt like she was stepping on solid ground she put all of her weight on the one foot. Finding it solid and holding her weight she stepped completely onto the water with her other foot.
"Now stay near the edge because you'll run out of chakra quickly with this exercise because your limit is so low," said Naruto in a friendly warning.
"You're right," said Sakura, "I can already feel my chakra draining quickly."
"Just step off before you're completely empty and give yourself some time to let your chakra regenerate a bit and then do it again. It will keep forcing more chakra out of you to make you stronger," explained Naruto.
Neither Sakura nor Naruto paid much attention to an angry Sasuke who was listening to everything they said. He would be walking on water later just so he could out do them. He was starting to get really pissed off with himself, especially since the events in Wave country. Sure, he'd finally activated his Sharingan but he wasn't improving at anywhere near the rate Sakura was and Naruto, it seemed, was already far above him. Sasuke was supposed to be the class genius and yet this outsider who came in the last six months of the academy was repeatedly out-doing him in everything. It was getting really old. If it kept up much longer then Sasuke knew he'd be forced to swallow his damn pride and actually ask Naruto for some help with training.
After nearly two hours of water walking Kakashi finally arrived, "Yo."
"You're late," called Naruto and Sakura from on top of the river.
"Naruto, did you teach Sakura water walking?" he asked.
"Yes sir, I thought that since she was doing so well with tree climbing that this would be a better way for her to build her chakra capacity as it uses so much more," explained Naruto.
"Why didn't you teach Sasuke too?" asked Kakashi.
"He wasn't interested," said Naruto simply.
"You didn't really ask," said Sakura.
"Okay, so I didn't ask," said Naruto guiltily.
"Well, after training today you can stay after and teach Sasuke if he wants to learn a new skill," said Kakashi knowing that his last few words would have Sasuke hooked.
Naruto and Sakura returned from the water to the bridge to find out about today's mission.
"So, we won't have any missions for a while," said Kakashi, "In one week the Chuunin exams begin and I've nominated all of you for it. So, for the next week we will be working on some team building exercises."
The three nodded, well Naruto and Sakura nodded, but Sasuke sneered as he was prone to do. Kakashi's idea of team building was to work through several team combat simulations. Situations like ambushes, open field combat, forest combat, and a few other simulations including freeing a captured teammate. The rescue missions were not Sasuke's best. In fact, they were his worst for the simple fact that he didn't like either of his teammates. Even if Sakura had improved tremendously she was still below him and not worthy of his time, even if she was pretty, not that he would ever admit that he thought so to anyone.
That first day was spent discussing strategy for each of those situations. Kakashi promised that they would begin practicing those situations the next day.
Training ended that day leaving all three Genin standing on the bridge.
"Teach me this shit so I can leave," ordered Sasuke coldly to Naruto.
"Man," said Naruto angrily but held back from saying anything else as he walked around the bridge and down to the waters edge followed by both Sakura and Sasuke. Naruto quickly explained the basic principle behind water walking to Sasuke including giving him a demonstration with Sakura.
Sasuke confidently walked out on to the water. He got about three steps before he plunged into the water.
Naruto rolled his eyes and pulled Sasuke back out and set him on the shore. "Try it again."
Sasuke snorted angrily before standing and trying again. This time he got about four steps out toward the center before his lost his balance and fell in again. Once again Naruto pulled him out and set him on the shore.
"Idiot, why do you think I told Sakura to stay near the shore?" asked Naruto not wanting an answer. Naruto turned away from him and moved into the center of the river where even his balance was a bit off. It was then that Sasuke saw that Naruto was starting to move downstream even though he was standing still. Naruto moved back toward the edge of the river and stood still again but this time the river didn't carry him downstream. "Do you see it?" asked Naruto knowing that Sasuke wouldn't answer.
Sakura did though, "You have to use more chakra to stop yourself from being carried by the river. The river is fastest in the center and even using chakra you can't completely stop yourself from moving. But at the edge it is slower and easier to compensate for the flow of the water. You have to build up to being able to stand in the center as the level of control and amount of chakra needed increase exponentially."
"Exactly," said Naruto smiling at his friend.
Sasuke snorted angrily and turned his head away from the pair. "You two just slow me down," said Sasuke angrily.
"We slow you down?" asked Naruto in disbelief, "I don't know if you've noticed this yet Sasuke but you're the one slowing us down because of your lack of teamwork. Sakura and I happen to work together very well and have been improving steadily and quickly because of it. You though . . . you just have to be mister big shot 'Uchiha don't need help for anything they do'. Sure you're improving but your rate of improvement is exaggerated. You either improve a lot in a single shot or almost not at all. If you would just stop being such an arrogant prick you'd find that by working with a team and learning from them then you would improve even faster just as Sakura and I have done."
Sasuke snorted angrily. He knew that Naruto was probably right but he'd be damned if he was going to admit it now, especially after that lecture. As such he stood up and was now determined to prove Naruto wrong about the water walking. Ten more time Sasuke would walk out to the center of the river only to fall in and have Naruto pull him out again. He was making no progress and he knew it was because he never took time to learn to adjust to a slower river first and then work his way up. In that time Sasuke was even angrier to see that Naruto was now able to stand in the center of the river without moving an inch or even wobbling a bit as the water rose and fell. Worse yet Sakura was getting to be really efficient in such short order. She was able to use less and less chakra to maintain herself on the water because she was using in such an exacting way.
"Enough," yelled a voice from the bridge above the trio.
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke looked up to see Kakashi watching them.
"I've watched you three for the last two hours waiting to see what would happen," lectured Kakashi, "I've seen enough of this. Naruto, Sakura you two can go home now."
Naruto and Sakura nodded. Naruto left without giving it a second thought but Sakura stayed a moment looking sympathetically at Sasuke before she too left.
Once they were out of sight Kakashi sat down next to Sasuke on the water's edge. "You don't like him much do you?" asked Kakashi.
"He thinks he's so smart and that he knows everything," said Sasuke angrily.
"That sounds like someone else I know," said Kakashi lightly. He noticed out the corner of his eye that Sasuke flushed with slight embarrassment. "I don't think Naruto knows everything. But he's confident about what he does know. Did you know that Naruto has problems with his chakra system?"
Sasuke looked at Kakashi in surprise.
"It's true. Because of that Naruto has had to practice his chakra control and manipulation since he was very, very young. As a result he really does know how to help you improve on your chakra control and manipulation."
"But what about everything else he does?"
"So what about it?" asked Kakashi, "So he knows a few techniques? Rather than fight with him all the time why don't you see if you can't learn something from him. He is strong and has enormous potential . . . but then so do you. Imagine how much stronger you could become by actually teaming up with him. Do you know that he's only taught Sakura three things now? And I know you can see just how much she's improved in such a short time."
"I have to kill my brother, I don't have time to waste on . . ."
"Sasuke, you will be dead before you ever have a chance to kill your brother if you don't improve on your teamwork," said Kakashi cutting the boy off. "I'll make a deal with you. If you make an attempt at improving your teamwork and just try to listen to what Naruto has to teach you then I will teach you my best technique. Deal?"
Sasuke looked at Kakashi cautiously as though he didn't dare to believe him. "What technique?"
"The same one I used to kill Zabuza, the Chidori," said Kakashi with a grin that was barely recognizable through his mask.
"Alright, I'll try but if I don't improve in this next week then you'll have to teach me that technique anyway," said Sasuke calmly.
"As long as you make an attempt," said Kakashi with a smile now.
"Deal," said Sasuke as he stood and stepped onto the water but stayed near the edge. He wobbled a bit but soon found exactly what Naruto and Sakura were talking about when they mentioned having to compensate for the current.
"See, you're already improving," said Kakashi before he left.
BREAK
The next week of training proceeded rapidly and the level of teamwork exhibited by the youths was a remarkable improvement. Sasuke actually took to listening to Naruto's advice and eventually started to ask questions of Naruto and even improve upon some of what Naruto suggested. Once Sasuke got the chip off his shoulder he actually found that Naruto was someone he could learn to respect, maybe even call a friend.
Naruto and Sakura didn't know what Kakashi had said to Sasuke and they didn't really care. They were just happy that he was finally acting like he was part of the team. Naruto and Sakura even learned a few shuriken and kunai tricks from Sasuke.
"Now, you are a real team," said Kakashi, "You're ready for the exam tomorrow morning. You need to report to room 301 in the academy building. Here are your entrance forms," said Kakashi as he handed over three sheets of paper.
"You guys up for a bit of celebratory dinner?" asked Naruto, "My treat."
"Sure," said Sasuke much to the shock of the others.
Naruto had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"Naruto-kun, pinch me," said Sakura.
Naruto pinched her and himself kind of hard.
"Ouch, that hurt," complained Sakura as she bashed him on the back of the head.
"Hey, you told me to pinch you," said Naruto in his defense.
"Let's go," said Sasuke leading the way into town. Neither of his teammates saw the slight smirk on his face from their antics.
They ate at a small yakitori shop that Sasuke preferred but didn't often eat at. Naruto and Sakura joked a bit but Sasuke mostly kept silent and just enjoyed the company. He had to stop himself several times from smirking in happiness. It just wouldn't do if he completely let down his shield around his teammates, especially around Naruto or he'd never live it down.
BREAK
The next morning Team 7 all met to eat a small breakfast before they headed to the exam. Breakfast itself was small and very quiet with little more than a 'good morning' exchange in the group.
After that they walked together towards the academy. They entered the building and went towards room 301. They eventually reached an area crowded with Genin trying to enter a room labeled 301 but Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all saw through it right away.
"Would you all move?" asked Sasuke, "I'm going up to room 301."
The other Genin all looked at Sasuke in confusion as he and his teammates walked past the crowd and continued towards the stairs up to the third floor.
Naturally nothing could be that easy.
"You Genin are unworthy of taking this exam," shouted one of the Chuunin guarding the door.
Sasuke dropped into an attack stance as the Chuunin charge forward. They both moved to kick each other when they were both suddenly stopped by a green blur.
"Stop this now," said a boy with huge eye brows and bowl hair cut but worst of all was the fact that he wore a skin tight, green spandex suit. Then he smiled and winked at Sakura.
"Ewe, get away," shouted Sakura hiding behind Naruto.
Naruto and Sasuke however were analyzing the boy's strength. They were also trying to determine how the boy caught Sasuke's kick because it shouldn't have been possible.
"Lee," shouted an angry girl, "You were the one that said we shouldn't show off our strength."
"Sorry Tenten-chan," he said bowing to the girl.
Sasuke snorted before turning, "I'm leaving."
Naruto and Sakura followed Sasuke out of the hall which led them to an even larger room.
"I want you to fight me," called a voice from behind them.
They all turned to see the boy from before.
"I am Rock Lee and I want to fight you Uchiha Sasuke," he said as he jumped over the balcony above them to land on the ground in front of them.
"Fine," said Sasuke.
Before Sasuke went forward Naruto stopped him for a moment and whispered in his ear, "He's Taijutsu expert, use your Sharingan and try to copy his style. I get the feeling it will be worthwhile."
Sasuke nodded and activated his Sharingan before moving to face the boy.
It was clear from the start of the fight that Lee was the better fighter. Naruto had never seen someone that fast before. Lee was so fast that he was making Naruto feel slow even without his weights.
It looked like Lee was about to unleash an attack of some kind on Sasuke when the fight was interrupted by a giant turtle . . . giant, talking turtle.
"Lee," yelled the turtle, "Stop this at once."
"Gai-sensei," said Lee as he dropped to his knees bowing to the turtle.
"Gai-sensei?" asked Naruto and Sakura as they looked at the turtle. Then there was a puff of smoke revealing a man that was a mirror image of Lee but older. It would have been more accurate to say that Lee was a mirror image of Gai.
"You're interrupting our fight," yelled Sasuke.
"Let it go Sasuke," said Naruto, "We'll meet him again in the exam."
Sasuke snorted but he relented and joined his teammates. The three completely ignored the spiel that Gai and Lee were going through as they left the two behind.
Naruto briefly heard Gai complain, "Damn Kakashi and his cool, hip ways and teaching his students his cool, hip ways."
Naruto shook his head slightly in disbelief.
"Good, you all came," said Kakashi, "I'm glad to see that."
"What do you mean?" asked Naruto.
"Well, this exam is optional but it must be taken as a team of three. If one of you chose not to come the others would be prevented," explained Kakashi.
"You didn't mention this exam was optional," said Sakura.
"I didn't?" asked Kakashi, "Oh well, now that you're here you may as well just take it."
Naruto and Sakura grumbled slightly at how ridiculous Kakashi could be.
"Anyway, good luck," said Kakashi as he pushed them into the next room. Inside there were a lot of Shinobi from several different countries.
Naruto looked around and sized up the competition. There was one person among all the Genin that had a chakra signature that really stood out to Naruto. It belonged to a boy with red hair and black rings around his eyes. Naruto could see signs of extreme sleep deprivation as well as a touch of insanity in the boy's eyes.
"I wouldn't stare at that one too long," said a kind voice from behind them.
Naruto turned to see a boy that was several years older than him. He had silver hair tied in a pony tail and round glasses.
"Who is he?" asked Sasuke.
"His name is Gaara of the sand and this is his first time taking the exam," said the boy.
"Who are you?" asked Naruto.
"Kabuto," said the boy, "and you're team 7. I've heard about that mission to Wave country."
"How do you know it his first time?" asked Sakura.
"This is my seventh time taking the exam," said Kabuto with a smile, "It's really difficult and most of these Genin won't pass. But, I've gathered a lot of information on the different students using my nin-info cards." He then held up a card with a small picture of Gaara on it.
Naruto examined the card closer to see that most of his stats were question marks. But his mission list was fairly long and extremely impressive for a Genin.
"I collect cards on every nin I meet," said Kabuto.
"Do you have a card on Rock Lee?" asked Sasuke.
Kabuto produce a card and handed it to him. Rock Lee was off the charts on Taijutsu but his Ninjutsu and Genjutsu were non-existent.
"Told you he was good at Taijutsu," said Naruto, "I hope you were able to copy it."
"I was," said Sasuke, "But I can only use it while my Sharingan is activated."
"Take what you can get," said Naruto with a shrug.
Movement out the corner of Naruto's eye caught his attention. Apparently one of the shinobi from a visiting village didn't care for Kabuto's nin-info cards. He was airborne in an attempt to hit Kabuto, but he never got close enough as Naruto intercepted him with a heavy kick to his gut sending him crashing back into the desks.
"The exam hasn't even started yet," said Naruto, "Have a bit of patience."
Naruto could see that Kabuto was surprised as were the attacking Nin's teammates. Naruto could see Kabuto search his stack of cards quickly.
Sasuke looked at what he was doing. In Kabuto's hand was Naruto's info-card, which Sasuke quickly took to look at himself.
Naruto turned to see and look at his own stats. He was much like Gaara in that his abilities were listed as question marks. The only difference was that Naruto's mission history was much less impressive.
"What's this all about?" asked Sasuke with a hint of jealousy.
"This is the first time I've met Naruto," said Kabuto, "I have many cards with question marks like that. This is only a little unusual as Naruto was an academy graduate."
"I wasn't at the academy long," said Naruto, "I was mostly there just for the exam."
"See, so I would guess that by the end of this exam those question marks will have filled in," said Kabuto with a smile. Naruto thought he detected something else but his thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the examiner.
"My name is Morino Ibiki," said the examiner harshly, "Now all of you will come forward, collect a test and then sit in your assigned seat."
Naruto collected his test and took his seat. He was surprised when Hinata sat down next to him. He didn't even know that her team was taking the exam.
"Hello Naruto-kun," she said shyly.
"Hello Hinata-chan," said Naruto softly, "good luck."
"You too," mumbled Hinata.
Naruto quickly went to work answering the questions. Most of them seemed a bit difficult for a Chuunin exam but then he took note of the people around him and the fact that they were almost all attempting to cheat in some way.
Understanding this Naruto just continued with his test as he didn't need to cheat to answer the questions. As Naruto reached the end he noticed that the tenth question was blank which made almost no sense to him.
"Time for the tenth question," shouted Ibiki, "You now have a choice. You can quit now and try to take the test again at a later date. Or you can try the tenth question. But be aware, if you fail the tenth question you will remain a Genin forever."
This caused a lot of students to look panicked. Naruto could see that Hinata was about to put her hand up and quit.
Naruto stood and shouted, "I'll take your damn question. I don't care if I have to remain a Genin for the rest of my life if I get it wrong. A shinobi cannot live his life in fear of a challenge."
Naruto's only hoped to encourage Hinata to stay. His words though had the unfortunate side effects of causing several others to sit back down as well. Naruto caught a hint of respect mixed with anger in Ibiki's eyes.
Once the last student left the room Ibiki smiled, "Those of you who stayed . . . pass."
That confused a lot of Genin. It looked like Ibiki was about to explain when the window burst open and a purple haired woman appeared.
"Geez Ibiki, could you have left a few more students?" she asked sarcastically as she observed the remaining students.
"It's not my fault," mumbled Ibiki with a slight blush.
"Well . . . no worries by the time they finish with my exam there numbers will be cut in half," said the woman, "I am the beautiful Mitarashi Anko and now you're all mine."
BREAK
Not much later Naruto and his team were moving through the forest of death with Naruto grumbling about stupid arrogant women and their damn kunai. His face still itched from the small cut that Anko woman gave him.
More than that, he was complaining about the stupid Mist-nin that attacked him already but didn't have his teams scroll. Worse though was that the Nin got away.
"If I see that bastard again . . ." Naruto threatened no one in particular. He was not having an enjoyable afternoon.
It was nearing dusk when the team decided to stop and rest for the night. "This sucks," complained Naruto loudly.
"Shut up idiot," hissed Sasuke, "We don't want the other teams to ambush us in our sleep."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Naruto waving him off.
"We need to get food and collect some fire wood," said Sakura logically.
Naruto was about to volunteer to get the firewood when everything felt off. Naruto quickly shoved Sasuke and Sakura towards a tree. It was just in time for Naruto to get hit by an enormous blast of wind.
When Naruto finally came to he wasn't happy, "Oh shit that hurt." It was then he heard slithering. He turned to look up at a snake the size of a house looking at him like he was dinner. Naruto didn't even have time to react before he became that snake's dinner anyway.
"Shit," complained Naruto, "This just isn't my day." He was getting squeezed on all sides of him and he couldn't honestly think of a way out at the moment.
He could get his hands together and form hand seals alright so he just had to work from there. His first though was to use a Katon Jutsu but the fact that he couldn't fully expand his lungs destroyed that idea.
"What the hell can I do from inside this things stomach?" asked Naruto to himself. "Great, now I'm talking to myself. Might as well make a Bunshin to talk . . ." but Naruto stopped as a plan formed.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," yelled Naruto creating a lot of clones inside the snake causing it to burst open.
"That was disgusting," complain all the different Naruto's. The clones all popped leaving behind one winded Naruto. A few minutes later when Naruto had regained his strength, or least some of it, he went to find his teammates.
Naruto found them quickly enough but by then things weren't good. Naruto wasn't close enough to stop Sasuke from giving the man their only scroll. Naruto watched in horror as the man burned the scroll. The he watched in further horror and the man's neck stretched and bit into Sasuke's neck after the man did a few hand seals.
Naruto got to the man just as he released Sasuke's neck. The man's head was still returning to his neck when Naruto hit the man harder than Naruto had ever hit anyone in his life. Naruto had never in his past been consumed in rage the way he was now. Red chakra was leaking out all around him as he proceeded to attack the man in a frenzy.
Naruto delivered what should have been several killing blows only to have the man laugh at him.
"My, you are a strong one," said the man with a twisted laugh. It was then the man countered and started pounding Naruto.
Somehow Naruto ended up pinned to a tree. Everything that had happened was a blur all around him. Before he registered anything he felt a horribly sharp strike to his stomach. It felt as though his skin was on fire and then he felt all of his strength leaving him. Before he knew all he saw was blackness.
BREAK
Naruto thought that heaven was supposed to be blissful and happy. At the moment all he felt was cold. Then he felt like someone was poking him which served only to piss him off.
"Stop poking me," he finally yelled as he sat up. He felt it right away, something was wrong with him. There was something very wrong with him but what it was he couldn't really tell. He looked at the ones poking him and recognized them as two of the other Genin from another team.
"What the hell?" asked Naruto as he looked from one to the other.
"He's alive," said the lazy one, Shikamaru.
"Hey, Sakura, he's alive," yelled the fat one.
Naruto looked to where he was yelling only to see Sakura with really short hair. Then he saw that Sasuke was standing but looked bothered by something.
"You okay dobe?" asked Sasuke to Naruto.
"Yes and no," said Naruto as he checked himself over, "Physically I seem okay but there is something wrong with my chakra system."
"That man hit your stomach with some kind of seal," Sakura yelled over to him. It appeared that the blond girl was trying to fix her hair.
"That's not good," said Naruto as he checked his stomach, "I already have enough problems with my chakra flow, I don't need this too."
"What are you talking about?" asked Sasuke, "I don't see anything."
"Don't worry about it," said Naruto, "It can be fixed later but for now it'll have to wait."
"Well, we've recovered at least one scroll," said Sasuke holding up a scroll of earth.
"Great, only one more to go," said Naruto.
"We've only got a day left," said Sakura, "You two have been unconscious for a while."
"Then we have to hurry," said Naruto standing up and putting his shirt and vest back on. Then he noticed his forearm guards and shin guards were missing. "Sakura, where's the rest of my gear?"
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun, I had to dump it," said Sakura, "I couldn't pick you up with them on."
"Don't worry about it, I'll just have to replace them when this is over," said Naruto.
Sasuke looked between Naruto and Sakura more than a little confused but decided to let it go. "Come on, let's move."
Naruto had to put effort into slowing down around his teammates. They traveled fast heading for the tower. It was a safe assumption that most of the teams would have gotten that far. Naruto didn't like this much as his chakra was so messed up at the moment. Whatever that seal was, it totally messed him up. It seemed to have cut off some of his chakra and then disrupt his flow and then to make it worse it completely threw off his ability to sense chakra around him. The seal on Sasuke's neck wasn't much better as it was just causing him a constant amount of pain and distracting him too much. Because of this Sakura was distracted with trying to care for the both of them.
It was these distractions that caused them to get caught in a genjutsu. They felt as though they were going toward the central tower but were in fact just going in one giant loop.
Finally they stopped to rest, "How is it we aren't any closer?" asked a tired Sakura.
"I don't know," said Naruto, "My senses are all screwed up so don't ask me."
"I check with my Sharingan," said Sasuke knowing how much it would hurt to do so. "Shit, we're caught in a Genjutsu."
"What?" asked Naruto.
"Lucky," said a voice somewhere near them. Then out of the ground all around them came several clones of a mist-nin.
"Well this sucks," said Naruto as he observed the scene before him, "Alright, no more, now I'm pissed off." Naruto then began a long series of hand seals before he hit the ground hard, "Doton: Doroku Gaeshi," Naruto then pulled up a large wall of rock which he quickly pushed over to land on all of the clones smashing them and cutting of the water that created them.
"Take that," said Naruto breathing heavily.
It was then the three that created the clones made their appearance, "Lucky."
It was unfortunate for them that Sasuke was standing behind them preparing, "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu," Sasuke then set loose a barrage of small fire balls.
The three mist-nin were overconfident and thus were caught completely unaware until they were nearly incinerated. Naruto had to use a small dousing of water to keep them from burning to ash and destroying the scroll.
"That sucked," said Naruto as he sat down heavily. Sakura was digging through the bags of the mist-nin in search of their scroll. Sasuke sat down heavily next to Naruto.
"Nice teamwork," compliment Naruto.
"Nice earth wall," said Sasuke actually complimenting Naruto.
"You must be really wiped out," said Naruto with a grin, "You just gave me a compliment."
"Shut up dobe," said Sasuke not actually able to hide his smirk.
"Yes," shouted Sakura as she produced a scroll of Heaven, "Now we just need to get to the tower. Do you think you two can make it?"
"Yeah, let's go," said Naruto as he and Sasuke stood.
The last part of their journey to the tower was grueling but they made it all the same and just in time too.
After a quick 'congratulation' from Iruka-sensei the three had to hurry to assemble in a large combat auditorium.
"From here on it will be one on one fights," said the new examiner, "If you wish to quit it will not affect your team."
"I quit," said a voice behind Naruto. It was Kabuto. Naruto then witnessed a hushed conversation from the Jounin and the Hokage before Kabuto was dismissed.
"This computer will choose the opponents randomly. Those who are not fighting may watch from the balcony above," instructed the examiner, "First match, Uchiha Sasuke vs. Akadou Yoroi."
"Good luck Sasuke," said Naruto.
"Thanks," said Sasuke.
Naruto and Sakura climbed up the stairs to watch.
Kakashi came up next to them, "Glad you all made it here."
"Us too," said Naruto tiredly.
"You okay Naruto, you look a bit off," said Kakashi.
"No, this snake freak put some kind of seal on my damn stomach," complained Naruto softly so only Kakashi could hear.
"Really?" asked Kakashi, "We'll have to take you to Tsunade as soon as you fight."
"Okay, just make sure you take Sasuke too," said Naruto.
"Winner, Uchiha Sasuke," was called from the arena catching both Naruto and Kakashi by surprise.
"That was fast," said Naruto, "I didn't even watch."
"I know," said Kakashi who was slightly worried. He went down to collect Sasuke who dropped to the floor in exhaustion.
A moment later they were both back and Sasuke sat down next to Naruto.
"That was fast," Naruto said again.
"I wasn't in the mood to drag it out," said Sasuke nearly falling asleep next to him.
"Hyuga Hinata vs. Hyuga Neji," called the judge. Naruto wasn't sure at this point how many fights had passed but he felt this was one to watch.
"Do your best Hinata-chan," shouted Naruto as she walked out onto the floor to face her cousin who looked at her with great disdain.
Naruto grew more and more angry as Neji repeatedly belittled Hinata. "Shut up idiot," yelled Naruto at him earning him an angry glare. "Don't listen to him Hinata-chan, you made it just the same as he did. Now show him that you're worth a hundred of him."
Hinata smiled at Naruto before she attacked using a style Naruto had become slightly familiar with in the time that he'd known her. Naruto could see that Neji was definitely a better fighter but he fought coldly and had no desire to win. Naruto could see the desire to win in Hinata's eye as she tried her very hardest to beat him but it was a losing battle for the poor girl and everyone in the place knew it.
Hinata was finally hit with a near fatal strike and collapsed. She tried her hardest to get up again and in that moment Naruto found a respect for her that he'd never had before. In that instant his mind flashed back to that simple little kiss she'd given him. He now knew exactly how special that kiss had been. She cared for him very much but sadly he could not say that he cared for her as more than a friend. Unfortunately for Hinata the judge ended the match.
Naruto was very tired but he still went onto the floor to check on Hinata.
"Naruto-kun," she mumbled, "I'm sorry I failed you."
"You didn't fail me," said Naruto, "You've inspired me. You rest and feel better." Then he did something he didn't plan on and kissed her forehead.
"Trash always attracts more trash," said Neji to Naruto.
Naruto didn't respond as he knelt and rubbed his fingers in some of Hinata's blood. "By the blood that Hinata-chan shed today I swear that I will defeat you before this exam is over," said Naruto coldly to Neji.
"It's destiny for you to lose," said Neji, "Just as my destiny is set so it yours."
Naruto was about to go after him but a hand on his shoulder from his instructor stopped him.
The floored cleared quickly before the next match was announced. A few matches passed in a haze to Naruto as he was simply trying to conserve his energy and maybe get back some of his chakra. Sakura faced off with Tenten and ended up a tie disqualifying both of them. Unfortunately Naruto slept through that match unintentionally. From what he heard later, she'd done very well against Tenten but in the end they knocked each other out at the same time.
"Uzumaki Naruto vs. Rock Lee," called the judge.
Lee appeared on the stage but Naruto didn't.
"Uzumaki Naruto," called the judge but there was no answer. Suddenly there was an airborne shinobi coming into the arena. On second glance it could be seen that he was asleep.
When Naruto landed he barely stirred, "Huh?" he questioned sleepily before just rolling over.
Kakashi did the honor of dousing him with water to wake him up.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" he demanded angrily then he looked at where he was and blushed heavily, "Oops." Naruto picked him self up and dusted himself off before he faced Lee.
"Oh, so I'm fighting Geji-Mayu," said Naruto causing the boy to sweat drop. Naruto stretched himself as best he could, "Boy that nap really helped. I was so tired and my chakra was pretty much gone."
"I was hoping that my opponent would be a good challenge but I must say that I am disappointed by your lack of enthusiasm," said Lee energetically.
"Don't worry, I'll challenge you just fine," said Naruto, "Just give me a second to wake up completely. I've had a rough couple of days you know."
"If you promise me a good fight I will give you the five minutes you ask," said Lee with way too much energy and even more loudly.
Naruto continued to stretch and loosen up his body taking full advantage of the five minutes that Lee gave him. Finally Naruto faced the boy cracking his neck once. Naruto knew after seeing this guy fight Sasuke that he couldn't afford to play with him using the medic-nin Taijutsu. With Sasuke asleep the only one he had to worry about copying his technique was Kakashi and at that distance it would be much more difficult and as long as Naruto activated his Kirameki no Jutsu first then he'd be untouchable.
"I guess I've kept this secret long enough," said Naruto, "I hope you are ready to lose quite badly in a purely Taijutsu fight."
"Ha, you are a spirited youth after all Naruto-kun," said Lee, "I look forward to this fight."
Naruto grinned before he dropped into first position of a fighting style that had not been seen since the days of Yondaime.
Up in the stand Naruto could hear Kakashi say, "No, it can't be."
"Kirameki," shouted Naruto activating the skill without hand seals. The entire audience simply saw a bright yellow flash of light in which the image Naruto froze for a moment before they saw Naruto moving somewhere else before another flash froze his image before once again they saw him moving elsewhere than the image.
Lee was confused as Naruto hit him harder than anyone had ever hit him. Lee doubted whether he could hit someone that hard. Lee actually saw the hit connect after he felt it.
"Kakashi, how could you teach him . . ." Gai began to complain but was silenced when Kakashi revealed his Sharingan eye. When he looked at Naruto with his Sharingan eye he looked directly to Naruto's eyes to see if it really was. Through his Sharingan eye he could see the whites of Naruto's eyes were actually glowing with yellow chakra just as it had when he saw the Fourth use the technique on several occasions.
"Lee will lose this fight," said Kakashi, "There is no way for Lee to see through the Kirameki and he is not fast enough to react to the flashes of light."
Gai though smirked and turned to the ring, "Lee, remove your weights."
Lee looked up and smiled before he leapt away from Naruto. Then he undid some weights around his ankles and dropped them to the ground causing a small crater to appear.
"I was wondering when you were going to take those off," said Naruto with a grin, "I guess I can stop holding back."
Then both Lee and Naruto disappeared in a blur of movement. Occasionally there were be a flash of light signaling that Naruto was moving again.
Lee was doing much better now. He was actually able to block most of the strikes because he was so much faster than Naruto but the strikes that did get through were harder than anything Lee could give back. Lee was actually able to get in the occasional hit on Naruto.
"They are both monsters," said another Genin as he watched the pair fighting in the arena.
"What is that technique Naruto is using?" asked Sakura.
"It's called the Kirameki," said Kakashi, "but it is a lost technique and style."
"How did Naruto learn it then?" asked Sakura.
"I don't know but I intend to find out," said Kakashi as he walked to where the Third was sitting.
"Hello Kakashi, quite a fight we're witnessing eh?" asked the Third.
"Indeed," said Kakashi a bit darkly. It was difficult to keep the edge out of his voice.
"Relax Kakashi," said Sarutobi, "Enjoy the fight, we can talk later."
Kakashi nodded before he returned to his other students. When he returned he noticed that Sakura had awoken Sasuke to watch the fight. Sasuke was straining to activate his Sharingan.
"You can't copy it Sasuke," said Kakashi, "Don't waste your chakra trying."
"How is he doing that?" asked Sasuke in wonderment.
"I wish I knew," said Kakashi. He was desperately trying to figure out how his pupil could use this ability when it was limited to a very specific bloodline, a bloodline that died out a long time ago. He was slowly putting the pieces together but it just didn't make sense . . . unless . . .
Naruto had truly met his match. This guy was an amazing Taijutsu specialist. Naruto was certain that if he didn't have the Kirameki then he would have lost a long time ago.
The sad fact was though that Lee was beginning to wear down at last even after three very large chakra surges that Naruto couldn't explain for the life of him. Naruto also noticed though that the boy was causing injury to himself every time there was such a large chakra surge.
Naruto's thoughts were interrupted when Lee's bandages wrapped around him.
"Ura Renge," the boy shouted as he began to spin very quickly.
"Ha, Kakashi, you're boy has lost now despite the fact that you taught him . . ."
"I didn't teach him and I'm sorry to tell you that that will be Lee's last move in this tournament. Look over there," said pointing to were Naruto was standing in wait for Lee's move to finish.
"But how?" asked Gai.
"Kage Bunshin," said Kakashi calmly pointing at the spinning Lee.
"It was so fast, I never saw it," said Gai.
"You weren't supposed to," said Kakashi, "He did it during one of the flashes."
"Truly an excellent fighter to be able to handle Lee so well," said Gai in awe.
"This can't be the same Naruto," said Sasuke, "I knew he was holding something back but I never imagined."
"None of us did," said Kakashi. The same blond hair and bright blue eyes had been in front of him this entire time and he never even noticed the similarities. He never took note of the similarities in attitude either. How could he have been so blind?
Lee finished his move feeling confident. When the smoke cleared he was pleased for a moment until Naruto burst into a puff of smoke.
"I'm sorry Lee," said Naruto's voice from behind him. The next thing he saw was blackness. "You are a worthy adversary and a great fighter."
"Winner, Uzumaki Naruto," said the stunned judge.
Naruto gave him the thumbs up only to fall backwards unconscious.