A Change of Roles
Chapter 4: The Exam Continues
It was several miles of hiking before they found themselves at their destination. A massive forest surrounded by a large chain link fence.
"Welcome," Announced Anko, "to the Forest of Death."
Most of the Genin stared into the forest as Anko explained the rules. Some made comments, others just stared. But when she was finished one of the sand genin, Kankuro made a comment directly to the examiner. Her response was to smile throw a Kunai at him, a kunai that didn't make it, since it was caught by the blonde sand nin. Who sniffed the blade and then threw it back. Surprised by the boys speed, Anko caught the returned blade, shrugged and turned to her aids who began passing out the forms.
"The Exam begins in one hour. You will be assigned an entrance gate when you get your scroll."
With that finished she made a hand sign, and vanished.
Gaara looked to his team, who had already signed their forms. They went up to the booth where they were given an earth scroll. They then went to their gate to wait for the start.
When an hour passed the exam begin.
Once inside Gaara looked to Hinata, who began using her Byakugan to scan for another team. It wasn't long before they found one. She told them they were arguing over who would hold the scroll.
Gaara looked to his teammates.
"Okay here's the plan. Shino and I each make a single clone. We will have to clones buzz their camp and lore them into an ambush. Then we take them one on one."
His teammates each nodded.
Shino summoned the insects from his body, and they slowly formed into a larger being until they were roughly human shaped. Slowly they took on his form. And with a minor charka manipulation, there stood two Shino's.
Gaara had placed his hands to the ground and began to manipulate the earth into the sand he would need. Much as Shino's had formed. His clone slowly took shape.
Once both clones were complete they were sent off to get the other teams attention while the three teammates remained behind to form their trap. It was a few minutes later that the two clones burst into the clearing closely followed by the other team. Upon reaching the clearing the two clones landed and turned to face the pursuers.
"So. Finally got tired of running huh."
"No."
This did not come from the clones. But from the real Gaara who now stood behind them with his palms to the ground.
The three, now revealed as grass nins, turned to face Gaara. Or they would have turned, but their feet were firmly planted to the ground by sand.
"They're all your's guys. Take them."
Shino and Hinata dropped from the trees onto the trapped three. Shino dropping a kick on one and then spinning a kick to the other. At the same time Hinata brought the back of her kodachi down on her targets head. This rendered all three unconscious.
After a few minutes search they turned up the scroll and moved off to head for the central tower. Not wanting to encounter any of the other teams. They were making good time when Shino called a halt.
"What is it Shino?" Gaara asked, confusedly.
"Something is amiss. That way." Shino pointed off to another direction to the west of their current path.
"Well we may as well check it out. Hinata. Take a look."
"Sure. BYAKUGAN."
It was quiet for several seconds as Hinata began scanning the direction Shino indicated. But suddenly she shouted for them to move and she began racing forward. Shino and Gaara followed quickly after her trusting her judgment. What they found was their friend Kiba. He looked beat to hell and his dog Akamaru was licking the wounds to clean them out. He looked up at their approach.
"Hey, I'm glad someone found me. I was getting scared."
He pulled back his jacket from his legged to reveal a deep wound to his upper thigh.
"I was able to staunch the blood flow, but I had to wait for my team to find me since I couldn't move."
Hinata looked over the wound.
"I can dress it well enough for you to travel. Then we can find your team."
Shino seemed to be looking off into another direction.
"No need. Your team is here."
And as if in response to his words the two black garbed teens landed from the trees.
Sakura looked down at her wounded team mate.
"You idiot, what did you go and do?"
"Hey. Your not the one who got attacked by a snake the size of a building."
"Yeah, well at least you didn't manage to get yourself killed. We couldn't finish the exam without you."
"Oh that's nice. All I'm good for is helping you finish, is that it. So where the hell have you two been anyway."
"We had to take care of that grass guy. He was a pain in the ass but we got the scroll. So we can leave this blasted forest."
"Well that's a plus."
Gaara and his team had been standing on the sidelines watching this bizarre argument between teammates. Finally Gaara decided to interrupt.
"Well if you are good to travel we can probably still make it to the tower before the day is out."
The two arguing seemed to consider this before agreeing. Sasuke who had just been watching the whole time simply looked to Sakura before nodding.
The two teams made good time even with the injured Kiba and were able to reach the tower in only a few more hours. They found that they were not the first teams to arrive. For the team from the sand had already arrived and were lounging around one of the other rooms.
Kiba was dropped off at the med center where one of the med nins began to heal his wound.
Then the teams were shown to apartment style rooms where they could wait out the remaining days of the test. As the days pass they watch several other teams arrive. Until finally the final day comes to a close.
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A total of seven teams made it to the tower.
These teams are all gathered in the main arena. Where, after a speech by the Hokage are introduced to another Chunin.
"I am … Hayate … and I will be … running the next test. But first… we need to have a preliminary."
"What for?" Questioned one of the Sound nins.
"There are too many people here. We simply won't have the time for this many at the final test. From this point out it will be one on one fights, so you no longer need to worry about your team. So if you do not believe you can compete say so now."
"I would like to give up."
Gaara who had been primarily staring at the blonde sand nin turned to look at the voice who had spoken. It was a tall guy with white hair. It took several moments for Gaara to recognize him as the one who had those information cards at the beginning of the test.
"Your name is Yukishi Kabuto correct."
"Yes."
"Very well, you may leave. Is there anyone else?" With no reaction, he went on. "Alright then. These will be… one on one fights. You win …if you knock your opponent unconscious, …kill them, or …force them to give up. If I decide a …fight is over I will end it. Is that understood?"
Fight 1
Akado Yoroi vs Uchiha Sasuke
"The two participants will remain here the rest will move to the balconies."
Sasuke looked at the figure that he had to fight. Then looked to Sakura.
Sakura too examined Sasuke's opponent.
"Have fun with him."
At these words an almost evil look came over the teens face. As he turned to face his opponent his sharingan now active. He grinned a maniacal grin that spoke of pain to come. His opponent chose to ignore it.
"Begin."
Those up on the balcony watched as Yoroi performed several seals that caused his hand to start glowing blue. He then charged to attack with the glowing hand forward. Sasuke crouched ready for the attack. He twisted to one side and sent a driving fist deep into Yoroi stomach, Yoroi however vanished to reveal a piece of stone. Yoroi appeared behind him and dragged his glowing hand across Sasuke's back. Sasuke then leaped forward to make distance.
"So, that hand can drain chakra. That's very intriguing."
The expression on Sasuke's face as he said this was the closest to sane that they had seen yet. But his crazy expression returned as he charged in to attack this time. Yoroi made several thrusts with his blue hand which Sasuke dodged and ducked under. But a sudden uppercut from Yoroi sent him flying to the ground. The moment he landed Yoroi was on top of him with the glowing hand rapped around Sasuke's throat.
"Now I will drain everything you have."
For a split second there seemed to be fear in Sasuke's eyes, but that disappeared to be replaced by that manic grin.
"Proud of this trick aren't you." Sasuke choaked out. Before bring both of his hand together in fists. One above Yoroi's elbow, and one below. The sound of the bone snapping could be heard through the entire arena and several people, as could the scream that closely followed. Though the scream ended when Sasuke's foot connected solidly with Yoroi's jaw.
Sasuke rose from his position on the ground, rolled his neck around, causing a few pops. Then leaped up to the balcony as the medic nins came to take away Yoroi. away. Most were watching as the crumpled Yoroi was hauled away, but if anyone had been looking at the Sound Jounin they would have noticed he was staring straight at Sasuke, and the grin on his face could rival Sasuke's for its maniacal look.
Fight 2
Naruto vs Akimichi Chouji
Ino turned to her teammate.
"Come on Chouji this guy is yours."
Asuma and Shikamaru nodded in agreement.
Chouji grinned at their statements though he still took his time getting down to the ring. His opponent on the other hand stepped onto the rail of his balcony and stepped off. Those watching expected his fall to perhaps damage the floor or at least kick up some dust, but instead he landed amazingly lightly as if his fall was cushioned. It was at this time that many took their first real look at the strange boy from the sand. He was dressed in tan pants with a white shirt. Over the shirt he wore along tan coat that stopped at about his ankles, his arms were completely hidden by the sleeves of his jacket all the way down to his hands. On his feet he wore a simple pair of sandals. And as far as anyone could tell he carried no weapons.
Once Chouji finally made it to the ring the ref started the match.
Chouji began as expected enlarging his body and activating the meat tank. Naruto on the other hand simply leapt backwards making some distance between himself and the rolling Chouji. Once Chouji got to full speed he began chasing Naruto around the room. Naruto continued to simply evade as if waiting for something. Finally he got Chouji positioned on one side of the room as he dashed to the otherside. He then did several quick seals and his right hand began to glow a deep red color.
Chouji still tracking the way he always did couldn't see this all he could tell was the location of his target so he got back up to speed and charged at top speed towards Naruto. Who to everyone's surprise, followed suit charging at Chouji. And just before they collided Naruto sent his blazing fist forward. There was a tremendous release of energy and suddenly Chouji was sent flying backwards slamming into the far wall where he returned to his normal size.
As the medics went to collect the fallen shinobi, Naruto looked to the balcony where his teammates still watched and with a single jump he landed on the rail next to them.
Chouji's teammates stared slack jawed at what they had seen. They new that Chouji wasn't the best shinobi but there were few who could match his pure physical hit power. And they had just witnessed someone who had stopped him with a single punch. The others wondered if this was the norm for the sand nin's or if that boy was simply exceptional. The wonderment may have continued, but then the board displayed the next match.
Fight 3
Tsurugi Misumi vs Rock Lee
"YESSS!" came the shout from the leafs section of the balcony. "I now get my chance to show my true potential."
"Lee, go and prove what hard work can do."
The two green spandex clad nins continued like this for several minutes, while most of the leafs nins ignored them. Finally Hayate called up to Lee for him to come to the floor.
Lee, looked to his opponent who had already gone down to the arena, and much like Naruto before him, came down with a single leap, only unlike Naruto, his landed caused a small indentation in the ground when he landed.
"Begin."
Before the starting command was even finished Lee had shot forward.
"Leaf Spinning Wind." He cried as he struck with powerful spin kick. Expecting this his kick do either be blocked or send his opponent flying, he was greatly surprised when neither happened. He watched as his kick seemed to flow into Misumi's body.
Misumi's body then seemed to collapse and stretch, quickly wrapping tightly around Lee's body.
"I had hoped you would do something foolish like that. Using my chakra I can manipulate the elasticity of my body. Surrender now or I will break every bone in your body." And to prove his point he began to constrict Lee's body.
Lee took the pain well. Not letting out a single sound. Until.
"You think I will give up. Never."
And to people's surprise Lee began to push Misumi's body away from him, showing the greatness of his physical strength. Once lee had enough space he leapt free. With his prey out of his grasp, Misumi returned to a more human looking state.
Lee studied the now reformed Misumi, and realized that with that kind of ability he would have to cause a large amount of damage quickly, otherwise he could simply shift his body around the attack. He looked up to his Sensei, before he began to undo the wraps around his wrists.
Misumi stood ready for an attack, but what came was not what he had been expecting. The strike landed on one to the few places he couldn't protect well… His Head. The kick struck him right under the chin propelling him high into the air.
With the kick connected Lee tucked himself in right behind Misumi on his flight through the air. He shot his hands up and the loosened wraps wrapped themselves around Misumi's body.
"I know, that in seconds you could escape from this, but I am not giving you those seconds."
And Lee, with his considerable strength wrapped his arms around Misumi's waist, and squeezed. Even to Misumi, with his malleable body, this hurt. This pain, combined with the spin that Lee began kept Misumi too disoriented to activate his technique.
"INITIAL LOTUS!"
And that was the last thing Misumi heard.
Lee shot away from the crater he had just put Misumi into. His breathing was a little heavy, and as he began to head back he seemed to be a little stiff, but he had won the fight.
When he got to the stairs leading to the balcony. Gai was waiting for him.
"Forgive me sensei, but I had no other choice but to use the Lotus."
"I understand Lee. Come on, lets go up and get ready for the next fight."
"Yes Sensei."
The two walked up the stairs but stopped to look at the screen when they heard it activate.
Fight 4
Haruno Sakura vs Yamanaka Ino
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Wow, I am actually getting reviews. I want to thank you guys for reviewing. Keep it up and I will do my best to continue. Now for those who had comments.
Dan Inverse: Angst might come later, but I really wrote this to be less angst, I am working on another story that I haven't posted yet, but should meet your angst quota. If I can ever figure out where to take it.
Moon-n-Universe-Goddess: I am sorry, but it will not be Gaara/Naruto. Though I have no problem with those who write slash, I don't write it. Particularly with characters who I don't see as being gay in anyway. And Naruto is about as Hetero as you can get.
Ibozun: The primary focus is Gaara. But the point of view will change around at some times. And Naruto should become more important later on.
For everyone else: Again thanks for reviewing, and if you have any constructive criticism I would be glad to hear it.