Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters created by Kishimoto-sensei.
After Naruto's 'date' with Hinata he threw himself into his training for the tournament in an attempt to put her out of his mind. He couldn't afford to be distracted before such an important event. One bit of training that Sarutobi-sensei encouraged him to take part in was one that Naruto was having more difficulty with than he would have liked.
"Damn it boy," yelled a frustrated Enma, "That's the seventh time you've dropped me."
"I'm not used to using a damn stick," Naruto yelled back equally frustrated.
"I'm not a damn stick in this form. I am a Thunderbolt Staff capable of changing length and thickness to suit your needs in combat," explained Enma angrily.
"I know," yelled Naruto.
"Then start acting like you know," returned Enma, "Let's start again."
Naruto picked up Enma again in Thunderbolt Staff form. Enma was a genius in his own right. After watching Naruto's fighting style and studying the way Naruto moved without the Kirameki activated he was able to determine a method for Naruto to use the power poll with his Taijutsu form. So far it wasn't going very well . . . for either of them.
Naruto got into first position again for his Taijutsu. He was holding Enma out behind him parallel to the ground. Naruto graceful turned Enma straight forward in jab in which Enma elongated. Naruto then swung Enma in a wide sweeping arc around his back only to have Enma shrink and then have Naruto put the end in the ground while Enma extended push Naruto through the air to deliver a series of kicks.
It continue this way for a while very slowly just trying to learn the basic movements and attacks and defenses while using Enma in his power poll form.
"That was much better," said Enma, "You made it through the first Kata finally."
"I'm trying you know," said Naruto, "It's not easy and I have to remember to think the commands for the power poll while I'm doing them so you know what I want. You've helped me so far with that because I'm still learning and it's just Kata but if I use you in a real combat situation then I'll be in real trouble."
"Don't worry so much kid," said Enma, "You won't be ready to use me in a combat situation for a long time."
"Hey Enma," said Naruto as a thought occurred to him, "How come you're only marginally larger? I mean, Gamabunta is huge, but . . ."
"I don't need to be large. Different summons serve different purposes," began Enma in lecture mode, "Frogs, Slugs, and Snakes are all large type summons. They are used in major warfare when fighting large armies or even when fighting against other summoned beasts. You wouldn't summon Gamabunta to fight against just one person. Sure there are smaller forms of those summons but they are not very useful in their smaller forms. The Apes, the Dogs, and the Falcons are all smaller type summons. We are good in smaller battles, like when fighting against someone one on one or two on one or even five on one. We aren't as useful in those larger battles as we don't cause the general mass destruction that the larger types do. Each summon type has its uses. The dogs are amazing at tracking which is great for hunter-nins. The falcons are great for reconnaissance mission as their eyesight is unparalleled. Us apes are the best for assassination because we can move easily in enclosed spaces, which is typical of assassinations and we are very intelligent as to surpass security. Got it?"
"I think so, you know, I never thought about that before. I always thought that a summon was a summon you know," said Naruto.
"Most don't think about it," said Enma, "The most important weapon any shinobi possesses in their mind. While you may not be considered a genius you are quite intelligent when you put your mind to it, just like Yondaime."
"Is it possible to summon two different summons at one time?"
"If you have enough Chakra," said Enma, "and with Kyubi you do."
"I figured that I would have enough Chakra but I didn't know if it was possible," explained Naruto.
"Well, now you know," said Enma, "That's enough rest, let's get back to work on that Kata, this time lets try to pick up the speed."
BREAK
Naruto was only a few days away from the start of the finals and in the three and half weeks that passed Naruto had hardly seen his Kaasan or Nechan at home or anywhere else for that matter.
But Naruto knew that his training needed to come first.
"You've improved greatly on your Kata," said the staff in Naruto's hands.
"Thank you Enma Daimyo. I couldn't have done it without your help," said Naruto as he sat down heavily having finished the form.
Enma changed back into is Ape form with a loud pop of smoke. "So, the finals start in three days huh?"
"Yeah, it should be fun," said Naruto.
"Let's hope so," said Enma, "But don't forget that there will be fighters at the tournament looking to kill their opponents. You must always be careful not to risk your life too much or you risk letting Kyubi's rage overtake you."
"I know, I still can't believe I did that again while just training with Sarutobi and Jiraiya together," said Naruto shamefully. One week prior, Naruto was sparring with Sarutobi and Jiraiya together. Naruto asked Kyubi for Chakra in the heat of battle and Kyubi gave it to him but in such an amount that he was blinded by fury and rage. Luckily, as soon as it happened Jiraiya knocked him out. Since then Naruto has been much more cautious with asking for chakra from Kyubi and even when he did get chakra from Kyubi he was very careful to control it as much as he was able to, which wasn't very easy.
"Don't worry about that," said Enma, "You've learned since then. Now make sure you can keep yourself under control."
"I will Enma-sama," said Naruto, "I think I'm about ready to try again."
"I think that's enough training. I want you to relax and recuperate for the next three days. So every morning just stretch and go for a short run to keep you muscles from getting tight and knotted up," instructed Enma, "And go see your family, try to get them out of the hospital for an evening or something. Maybe treat them to a flower to remind them you care."
"Flowers?" asked Naruto in confusion.
"Haven't you ever bought your Kaasan flowers before?" asked Enma.
"Well, no but . . ."
"Go," instructed Enma trying to look serious.
"But . . ."
"Go and buy your kaasan flowers or so help me I'll never train you again," said Enma.
Naruto's eyes widened from that threat but rather than risk it he took off running toward town to rectify his grave oversight.
Naruto slowed to a walk once he reached town. He decided to go home and shower before he visited his family. A short while later Naruto was once again walking through town, except this time he was clean and not sweating like a pig.
"Where was that flower shop Sakura-chan said was best?" asked Naruto to himself. A bit later he spotted the shop and entered.
"Welcome to Yamanaka Flowers," said a bored female voice.
Naruto looked at the source of the voice. It was a girl with platinum blond hair and bright blue eyes not entirely unlike his own. Naruto had seen her a few times before but had never been properly introduced before. Naruto noticed that she looked very different from when he had seen her previously. Her hair was much shorter and she had a lot of little scratches on her face, arms, and legs. "Hello," Naruto finally said.
"You're Naruto right?" asked the girl.
"Yeah, I don't think we've been properly introduced before," said Naruto, "You're Ino right?"
"Yep," said the girl, "So what can I do for you today?"
"I'm looking for some flowers for my Kaasan," said Naruto as he browsed the different flowers, "Sakura-chan said that this shop had the best flowers in town so I thought this would be the best place to start."
"Big-forehead girl said that?" asked Ino in surprise.
"Yeah, but she also said that she'd never tell you that," said Naruto with a grin.
Ino too laughed, "Well, let's see what we can find. Is this for any kind of special occasion?"
"No, she's been working a lot lately and I haven't seen her so someone suggested that I give her some flowers and try to convince her to leave the hospital to have dinner," explained Naruto.
"That's really sweet of you," said Ino giggling madly, "Most boys would never even consider such a thing."
"I never did either until someone suggested it," Naruto said with a smile. He didn't feel the need to tell her that he was actually threatened to do this.
"Typical," said Ino with a scoff, but Naruto could see the smile at the corner of her mouth signaling that she was joking.
"I know, I'm a horrible son," said Naruto shaking his head and looking at the ground.
"Don't let Ino-chan fool you, she's just as bad," said a male voice from the back of the shop.
Naruto and Ino both turned to see a tall man with sandy blond hair and the same blue eyes as Ino.
"Tousan," screeched Ino with delight, "When did you get back from you mission?"
"I just got back now," said the man that Naruto now knew as Ino's father.
"I thought you weren't going to be back for another week?"
"Mission ended early," said the man. Naruto got the impression that the man had other reasons but he wasn't about to question it.
"So you'll get to see my match," said Ino excitedly.
"I will," said the man, "Congratulations again."
Ino blushed from her father's compliments.
"So, who is this?" asked the man looking at Naruto.
"This is Naruto," said Ino, "He's a Genin like me. He is teamed up with Sasuke-kun and Big-forehead girl."
"Still a rival with Sakura then?" asked the man causing Naruto to have to stifle a small chuckle.
"Daddy," said Ino slapping his arm, "You know that Sasuke was meant only for me and that . . . that . . . that 'thing' isn't worthy of the last Uchiha."
The man apparently didn't like Uchiha much, "I happen to think you could do much better than the Uchiha. What about Shikamaru?"
"Daddy, you only like Shikamaru because he is the son of your best friend," said Ino.
By now, Naruto was starting to feel a bit out of place.
"Anyway," said the man, "I'm Inoshin, this little troublemaker's Tousan."
"Pleased to meet you sir," said Naruto bowing properly, "Uzumaki Naruto."
"Ah, so you're the boy the Jounin have been in a buzz about," said Inoshin looking very interested suddenly.
"Really?" asked Naruto, "I don't know why."
"Probably that technique you used to stomp Rock Lee with," snorted Ino in a very un-lady-like manner.
"I've heard that you inherited Yondaime's techniques," said Inoshin, "I must say that I am impressed and very pleased that the techniques were not lost to our village."
"I'm just honored that Yondaime chose me to learn them," said Naruto.
"I think he would be very proud of you," said Inoshin, "You seem to be fine young man. I don't sense any of the troublemaking spirit in you that Yondaime was famous for."
"Oh, I have plenty of that," said Naruto foolishly, "I'm just pretty good at hiding it from others."
Inoshin laughed heartily from that comment, "That's the damnedest echo I've ever heard. You know, Yondaime once said the exact same thing to me, but that was a long time ago."
"Really?" asked Naruto excitedly. He was always thirsting to learn more about Yondaime than just what the textbooks say.
"Yep, but I think I've taken enough of your time today," said Inoshin, "I've got some more work to do today before I can relax."
"I was nice meeting you," said Naruto with a foxy-grin that caused Inoshin to pause for only a second in recognition.
"You too," said Inoshin, "Good luck at the finals."
"Thanks," said Naruto. With that Inoshin departed.
"My Tousan seems to really like you," said Ino.
"I think he's really nice," said Naruto, "He also knew Yondaime. I wish he had more time to talk, I really would like to hear more about what kind of person Yondaime was."
"You are really interested in Yondaime huh?" asked Ino as she began to pick out some different flowers.
"Yeah, he was a hero and the strongest Shinobi in the village. He gave up his life to defeat Kyubi and save the village," said Naruto, "I'm honored that he chose me to carry on his fighting style and Jutsu."
"So, Yondaime really passed that technique on to you?" asked Ino.
"Yep," said Naruto proudly.
"So, why you? Or do you not know?"
"Well, Kaasan said that Yondaime felt responsible for me since I lost both of my parents to Kyubi. He was friends with my parents I'm told," explained Naruto.
"Really?" asked Ino, "Do you know your parents names?"
Naruto stopped for minute to consider, "You know, I've never asked my Kaasan what my parents' names were?"
"Maybe you should ask," said Ino, "The library keeps archives on all the families in Konoha. There are even more archives on all the families lost to Kyubi."
Naruto seemed to be thinking. He'd always had these resources available to him and yet he never once bothered to check on his family history. "I will have to do that after the tournament then. Thanks Ino-chan." Naruto felt that he'd made another friend.
"Did I say it was okay for you to call me Ino-chan? Just because my father can get away with it doesn't mean you can too," shouted Ino at him holding a rose out toward him in a threatening manner.
"I call all my female friends with 'chan' or are saying that you don't want to be my friend?" said Naruto defensively. She's just like my kaasan Naruto thought in his head.
Ino softened a bit, "If we are friends I guess I can let it go."
"Great," said Naruto with a hint of sarcasm.
"All finished," said Ino handing him an arranged basket of flowers snapping him back to attention.
Naruto looked at the flowers, "This is very nice Ino-chan, thank you. How much do I owe you?"
Ino just smirked devilishly at Naruto.
Not much later Naruto was once more on the streets but this time his destination was the hospital.
"Hello Kaasan," Naruto greeted the woman who was deeply involved in a text behind her desk.
"Naruto-kun, what are you doing here?" asked Tsunade.
"I haven't seen much of you this month so I thought I would kidnap you tonight for dinner," said Naruto as he handed her the flower basket.
"Flowers?" asked the surprised Tsunade, "You've never given me flowers before."
"Someone suggested that you might like them," said Naruto nervously.
Tsunade smiled warmly at her son before hugging him fiercely, "Thank you very much for the flowers. They are very nice."
"Your welcome," said Naruto with a sheepish grin.
"Did you arrange them yourself?" she asked only too happy to take a break from her book.
"Of course not," said Naruto with a disgusted look on his face, "The flower shop girl did."
"Ah, well she did a good job," said Tsunade.
"That's what I told her," said Naruto, "She's a Genin like me. Yamanaka Ino, she kind of reminds me of you."
"Oh, and how's that? Is she smart, beautiful and intelligent?" asked Tsunade with a smile.
"No, she's loud, pushy and dangerous," said Naruto without considering what he'd just said.
When Naruto woke up a few minutes later he apologized profusely to his still angry mother.
"I didn't mean that was a bad thing," said Naruto nervously, "I like you just the way you are."
That seemed to pacify Tsunade for the moment.
"So, can I convince you to take the night off to have dinner with me?" asked Naruto.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun, I have to be in surgery tonight. If this works then Kiba might be able to continue his life as a shinobi, but if I fail then he will never walk again, let alone be a shinobi," explained Tsunade with a sad frown.
"That Gaara guy really did a number on him huh?" asked Naruto.
"Naruto, if you have to face him tomorrow, you will probably have to kill him," said Tsunade, "There is something very wrong with that boy and he is a danger, not only to the Leaf but also to himself."
"Do you think I can do that?" asked Naruto, "If this guy is really that strong."
"You might have to let him out to play more than usual," said Tsunade suggestively.
"Are you seriously advising me to let him take control?" asked Naruto.
"Only as a last resort," said Tsunade.
"I don't like it but I'll keep it in mind," said Naruto.
"Just be safe," said Tsunade.
"Will you be at the finals?" asked Naruto hopefully.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Tsunade giving Naruto a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
"Thank you," said Naruto, "Oh, Ino-chan gave me a really good idea."
"What's that?" asked Tsunade.
"Well, we got to talking about Yondaime and then we talked about him being friends with my parents. Anyway, she told me that the village has archives of all the families in the village so I could maybe look up and see who my parents were," said Naruto quickly in one breath.
Naruto was so excited about it he failed to see the expression of worry on Tsunade's face. She knew she would have to tell him eventually but she never imagined he would try to find out on his own. She also realized that it might have been best for Naruto to find out on his own rather than just being told.
BREAK
"First match, Yamanaka Ino vs. Kankuro of the Sand," said the judge signaling the other participants to go to the waiting area.
"I still can't believe that my sister forfeited against you," said the boy with too much face paint.
"What can I say?" boasted Ino, "I have a convincing personality."
"Maybe but you've run out of hair with which to hold me down and force me into submission," said Kankuro calmly.
"That doesn't matter," said Ino. She knew that she was easily out classed in this fight but that wasn't going to stop her from trying her best. The one thing she had working in her favor was that he didn't understand the Shintenshin. The one problem with that was simply that she didn't know whether she was talking to him or to one of his puppets because without knowing that fighting him was useless.
"Begin," ordered the judge lazily. He was more interested in chewing on his new toothpick than the fight.
Kankuro made the first move when he charged quickly forward throwing several shuriken at her. Ino was quick to deflect the shuriken with a kunai but while she was busy with that someone grabbed her from behind and wrapped her in a vice like grip.
"Ha-ha, you've fallen so easily into my trap," said a third person. There were now two puppets for her to face and him.
"Heh, I was wondering if you were ever going to show yourself," said Ino as she went completely limp in the puppet's arms.
"That was pitiful," said Kankuro, "I thought she was tougher than that."
Suddenly he froze and closed his eyes. After a moment of stress on his face he calmed down and opened his eyes again. He experimentally moved his fingers until they released Ino to the ground. Then he tried to bring his puppets back to him. Without any explanation he tangled up all of the chakra strings before cutting them all. He was about to raise his arm in the air but stopped halfway once again donning a face of stress as if fighting with himself.
Suddenly he dropped to one knee panting while Ino picked herself up off the ground.
"I guess I wasn't fast enough that time," said Ino, "But at least your puppets are trashed."
"What the hell was that?" asked Kankuro as he stood up.
"Shintenshin no Jutsu," she answered, "My clans ability is to take over the body of another person. You gave away your position too soon and I was able to get in."
"You're going to pay for that," said the angry Kankuro.
"I don't think so," said Ino as she began a set of hand seals.
"How much do I owe you Ino?" asked Naruto.
"Not much," replied Ino with a wicked grin, "I just want you to teach me something to use against that Kankuro guy."
"What?" asked Naruto in surprise, "I don't have time for that."
"You do or you don't get the flowers," said Ino, "Besides, I only want you to teach me one technique that will be useful against that guy."
"Fine, but my Kaasan better love these flowers," ended Naruto.
"Doton: Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu," she whispered before vanishing from sight.
"What the hell, where did she go?" asked Kankuro stupidly.
Without warning something grabbed hold of his ankles and pulled him into the ground. As a result he was now buried up to his neck in dirt, "Inner Decapitation," boasted Ino before she landed a few swift kicks to his head relieving him of consciousness.
"Winner, Yamanaka Ino," said the judge as he walked over to pull Kankuro out of the ground.
Ino was jumping up and down excitedly giving the peace sign to the stands where Sakura was sitting as if to brag.
BREAK
Up in the stands a few people were shocked.
"When did Ino learn that?" asked Inoshin to Asuma.
"I don't know, I didn't teach it to her," said Asuma as he chewed a bit more on his cigar.
"It's almost time for us to take our positions," said Inoshin as he checked his watch.
"I know," said Asuma, "Let's go." With that the pair vanished in a puff of smoke as did a few other shinobi not that anyone paid much attention to it.
BREAK
"Nice Ino," said Naruto as she joined the other in the waiting area, "Maybe you should fight Gaara too, you seem to be on a roll with the Suna Shinobi."
"No thanks," said Ino looking fearfully towards Gaara.
"Ino, where did you learn that technique?" asked an annoyed Shikamaru.
"Oh, I just picked it up," said Ino proudly earning a slight glare from Naruto but he dropped it soon enough.
"Nara Shikamaru vs. Aburame Shino," called the judge.
"This is just too troublesome," said Shikamaru as he made his way down the stair to the arena.
"Shut up Shikamaru," yelled Ino angrily, "Get your ass down there and fight your hardest."
Shikamaru scoffed at her and walked back up the stairs to the balcony and then yelled over the edge to the judge, "I quit."
"What?" demanded Ino angrily.
"You heard me," said Shikamaru, "This is too troublesome. Shino is an ally and I don't want to hurt him or risk getting myself hurt for something so troublesome."
"Winner by forfeit, Aburame Shino," called the judge to the angry crowd.
Shino just shrugged as if it wasn't a problem.
"Hyuga Neji vs. Uzumaki Naruto," called the judge.
Naruto hopped right off the side of the balcony landing deftly on the stadium floor.
Neji however took his time to enter.
"Uzumaki Naruto," said Neji coldly, "You're a loser just like Hinata. You cannot hope to compete with a genius."
Naruto raised an eyebrow at Neji, "You have some hostility issues. You need to learn to relax and enjoy life a bit. Maybe you should take Tenten out on a date or something. I know she'd like that."
Neji actually blushed a bit at the suggestion.
"See, you're already starting to relax just thinking about her. The two buns she puts her hair up in everyday. I wonder if her hair is long or short when the bun is undone? What do you think?"
Neji was starting to get distracted by Naruto's suggestive questions.
"Do you think she kisses well?" asked Naruto with his fox-like grin.
At this Neji was as red a cherry tomato.
"Maybe I should ask her out? What do you think?"
"Touch her and you're dead," said Neji acidly as he stepped back into a fighting stance.
"That's right Neji," said Naruto seriously as he stepped into his own fighting stance. "Show me how strong you are."
With that suggestion Neji charged forward quickly. Just as he was about to hit Naruto there was a yellow flash in his eyes and then he was being hit hard in the kidneys sending him hurtling across the stadium floor.
"Ouch, that one had to hurt," said Naruto with a chuckle. He didn't feel the need to injure Neji or kill him but he did feel the need to teach Neji a lesson for his treatment of girl that looked to him as a brother.
Neji picked himself up off the ground coughed up a little blood before resuming his fighting stance. This time Neji chose to wait for Naruto to attack but Naruto just stood there smiling at him.
"You going to stand there all day or are you going to fight me?" asked Neji angrily letting his defenses drop slightly. Suddenly there was another flash and he was being receiving an uppercut from a Naruto bursting out of the ground. Neji landed heavily again but managed to pick himself up again.
"I guess those eyes of yours don't see everything do they?" asked Naruto, "So even genius' have their limits."
"You don't know what you're talking about," shouted Neji angrily.
"Don't I?" asked Naruto, "You're fighting hard against what you believe to be your fate aren't you. Isn't that why you attack Hinata so viciously, because you were trying to fight against the main house?"
"We all have our destinies," said Neji not quite so confidently.
"We do," agreed Naruto, "But even destiny gives you the right to choose and to change, just like Hinata is trying to do." Naruto was bit solemn after saying that.
Neji seemed to be fighting with his conscience. Another bright yellow flash announced another attack on Neji. This one landed center mass sending him to the ground hard.
"Here ends the lesson," said Naruto before he hit a minor pressure point knocking Neji out.
"Winner, Uzumaki Naruto," said the examiner.
Just after he said it Sasuke and Kakashi appeared with a whirl of leaves and wind.
"You made it," said Naruto with a grin, "You're just in time for your fight too. I'd be careful though Sasuke. You're starting to pick up sensei's bad habits."
Sasuke smirked, "Whatever, how was your fight?"
"It was alright," said Naruto, "I wasn't very friendly with him." He then thumbed over his shoulder to the boy being carted off by medic-nins.
Sasuke then studied Naruto up and down, he didn't have a scratch on him.
"Good luck with Gaara, and be careful. There is something wrong with his mind. He keeps talking to himself about giving his mother blood or something like that," whispered Naruto as Gaara entered the field.
"Thanks," said Sasuke as he focused in on Gaara.
"Come on Naruto," said Kakashi as he took Naruto's shoulder and vanished in a puff of smoke. Naruto was deposited with the other Chuunin hopefuls before Kakashi vanished again.
"I hate when he does that shit without warning me," complained Naruto as he stood up.
"Stop whining you big baby," yelled Ino at him.
"Her yelling is just too troublesome," said Shikamaru as he turned to look at different clouds.
"Stop yelling at me," yelled Naruto, "Or you can forget me ever helping you with anything ever again."
"Don't you yell at me," yelled Ino, "And you'd damn well better help when I ask or I'll have to do something drastic."
"Oh yeah, what the hell do you think you could do?" asked Naruto haughtily.
Ino leaned in close and whispered in Naruto's ear.
"You wouldn't," said Naruto as his eyes widened.
"You bet your ass I would," said Ino with a devious little smirk that caused Naruto to swallow nervously.
Shino and Shikamaru were smart enough to continue looking out at the fight.
Naruto's nervousness vanished in an instant, "Oh yeah," he said with a sneaky smirk before he leaned in close to her and whispered in her ear.
"You wouldn't," said Ino looking at Naruto in shock.
"Wanna bet?" asked Naruto with a grin.
Ino paused and considered for a second, "Okay, why don't we call a truce?"
"Deal," said Naruto confidently before he looked back at the fight.
BREAK
"Yo," said Kakashi as he appeared next to the Hokage.
"Could you arrive a little later next time?" asked the old man.
"You see, we got lost coming here," began Kakashi but he could see that it wasn't going over very well.
"You missed your other student fight," said Sarutobi, "He beat the Hyuga genius rather easily."
"He is full of surprises isn't he?" asked Kakashi.
"Indeed," said Sarutobi.
"Is there a reason that you didn't tell me about his bloodline?" asked Kakashi in hushed tones.
"I knew you'd figure it out eventually," said Sarutobi, "On the other hand I did think you'd figure it out much sooner."
"I didn't even know to look for it," said Kakashi.
"Never forget Kakashi that a shinobi must always look underneath the underneath to see what is truly there," said Sarutobi, "Anyway, you're not supposed to be up here. Go down to the stands and enjoy the matches from there."
Kakashi bowed and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Is there trouble?" asked the Kazekage.
"No trouble at all," said Sarutobi smiling at the imposter. In his head he was still trying to figure out what Orochimaru had planned that he assumed the identity of the Kazekage.
"I am most interested in this last fight," said the imposter.
"As am I," said Sarutobi.
Sarutobi calmly watched the fight between Sasuke and Gaara as it went through several twists and turns.
Sarutobi hardly noticed as out of the corner of his eye Orochimaru killed his personal guard and then just as quickly grabbed him around the neck before jumping to the roof.
Sarutobi watched in horror as sever large explosions rocked the stadium and the village walls. "What is it you want with me?"
"I want you to die and your precious village to be destroyed," said Orochimaru.
"You know that you're going to fail?" asked the old man, "Your scheming will not prevail this day Orochimaru."
"Ha ha ha, so you knew it was me? Wonderful, what do you intend to do about it? You know that you cannot defeat me," said the man as he shed his disguise.
"Maybe, maybe not," said Sarutobi as all around him a barrier went up keeping the ANBU out. Then he had to watch as the ones that put up the barrier put up a second barrier to guard themselves.
"You will die in here," laughed Orochimaru as he shoved the man forward to the ground.
"Maybe, but I'm going to do my best to take you with me," said Sarutobi as his battle gear appeared.
"I see, then you were expecting me?"
BREAK
"Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru" shouted Kakashi, "go after Gaara and stop him. He is central in some way to this plan and must be stopped."
"Yes sensei," the pair called back as they were already chasing after Gaara and his siblings.
"Sakura, Ino, try and wake as many of the shinobi in the stadium as you can," Kakashi ordered as he began fighting off the different shinobi, "I'll cover you."
"Yes sensei," said Sakura as she quickly went around waking the other Genin and Chuunin.
"I have to stop that boy," said one of the masked Shinobi that was invading the stadium as he started to chase after Naruto and Sasuke.
Kakashi moved to intercept him but was cut off by six more Sound shinobi and engaged in a fight for his life.