Disclaimer: Me am not in process of owning Naruto, or anything else I write stories on.

Man, I just dl'd my story, and it's 106.5 pages with notes and 101 without. 10 pt font. That's absolutely terrifying to me.

Hi all, sorry, for whatever. As to why certain characters, (Takame, Gaara, Nhaki) didn't make it to the finals, there will be some explanation this chap. As to how Nazo got his hands on the Monkey contract, well, you'll see eventually (I've got this under control, I have two ideas that I may combine). If I give away how Nazo got the contract, it'll ruin a lot of story elements.

Timeshifter: Actually, it was Buradi (Tsuchikage's nephew) who was the big local favorite. Takame was considered very likely to make it, but everyone in Stone was rooting for big bad Buradi. These next chapters won't be quite as long as the last, as each one primarily covers one fight. And, in response to your request about Deidara, I will probably use her now. Congrats, you win. I'll need to do some research on her, but I'll do it.

LittleShadow: You're not bad, you're just an evil demon from a parallel world of...candy corn? Like I said, people, just email me if the OC's are confusing. Just email me and I'll send you the guide to the characters. I like e-mail...most of the time. Please, everyone, don't hesitate to email me if you have questions.

Dragon Man 180: I am very much considering having Gusuta make an appearance much later in the story and have a fight with Chouji, perhaps during the third act.

Chapter 13: The First Match: Naruto vs. Buradi

"Man, how long were we down there?" Naruto asked, staring at the setting sun.

"Long enough," Shikamaru kicked at a rock in the path. "Man that was such a bothersome thing."

"Tell me about it," Naruto leaned in towards Shikamaru and whispered. "Ne, can you believe that our group did better than all the others?"

"Mm?"

"I mean, two of us got in, but everyone else is the only representative of their team."

"I guess so, who cares?"

Naruto frowned, then suddenly looked worried. "Hey, what about Sakura-chan? Weren't you together?"

Shikamaru opened one eye. He yawned. "We got separated."

Naruto blinked. "?"

"That big fat Rain guy attacked us, and Sakura decided to fight him on her own."

"On her own? Hmmm..."

"She's probably fine. You've been gone so long, that you don't realize she's totally different. She's strong."

And just as crazy as Ino and Temari, he thought internally.

"So, the two of you made it. Interesting," came a voice from behind. Naruto turned around to come face to face with a snarling feline mask.

"GAH!"

"Oops, sorry," Edo backed up. He seemed to be trying not to laugh.

Naruto scowled. "What happened to the old guy?"

Edo snorted. "Didn't kill him. Just washed him away." He glanced at Naruto. "You're pretty interesting, kid. You remind me of myself in some ways."

"Don't call me kid, I'm 15 and I have a name."

"Besides, aren't you too young to be calling anyone a kid?" Temari chimed in, joining the conversation.

"You're right, I'm only 19," he leaned back, whistling. "But I've still got years on you lot."

Naruto was looking at the heavy statue on Edo's back. "Why do you carry that thing?"

Edo glanced back. "This? Well, ki...er, Naruto, it's sort of a reminder..." The tone of his voice stated that he did not wish to discuss it further at the time.

Changing the subject, Shikamaru pointed ahead. "We're back."

True enough, they had reached the entrance to Stone village. By the gates were at least a dozen people, standing in several groups. Edo moved off towards his own group, Naruto spied a familiar pink-haired head.

"Yo, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura looked up from where she sat. "Naruto, Shikamaru!"

Gaara looked up from his spot against the wall. He nodded at his sister as she arrived. Kankurou was sitting beside him, cursing. He was looking at one of Karasu's left arms, a look of annoyance on his face and a bandage around his head.

"What happened to you?" Temari asked him.

"Damn! That bastard! Look at what he did!" Kankurou revealed that Karasu's entire forearm had been severed. "Man, damaging a high quality puppet like this...it's almost like he cut my own arm off."

"I wasn't talking about that," Temari pointed at Kankurou's bandage. "When did that happen?"

"After you went through the exit I went looking for a key. It's nothing, a scratch," Kankurou shook Karasu's arm angrily. "This, however, is an ATROCITY!"

Everyone jumped at Kankurou's outburst. Gaara sighed and shook his head.

"And as for you, Gaara," Temari put her hands on her hips. "Why didn't you get a key?" Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"It should have been easy for you," said Naruto.

"I suppose there's a number of reasons. Nyurr wandered off and I got lost following him," Gaara shrugged, jerking a thumb at a slumbering tan blob on his shoulder. Nyurr protested sleepily at the motion.

"I suppose even then, I could have found someone with a key and taken it for myself. The old me would have done that, without worrying about the dangers or consequences."

Naruto squinted. "Consequences?"

"If I were to get into a one-on-one tournament situation like that, I might lose it again." Gaara looked at his hands. "I've made a lot of progress with Shukaku, but his bloodlust has not completely been squelched."

Edo leaned in slightly from where he stood.

"If he awakens in his mad state-"

"He has another state?"

Gaara nodded. "He's not quite as mad as people think. From what I've seen, his madness isn't quite natural..."

Just like Kyuubi, Naruto realized. He seemed completely evil and crazy at first, but as time went on, he became less so...I wonder why that is.

(Couldn't tell you kit. A lot of my memories are really fuzzy. I mostly remember fighting, 'cause that's fun.)

(I wasn't talking to you.)

Gaara was still talking. "If I were to lose control, I might hurt innocents," he looked significantly at his brother and sister. "I cannot risk harming my precious people through my own foolishness."

They blinked at him. Kankurou gave him a big smile and patted his arm comfortingly. Temari just looked at him.

"Gaara," she murmured.

Gaara collected himself. "So you won," he smiled at Naruto and Temari. "I'll be rooting for you." He glanced at Shikamaru. "You too, I suppose."

"Thanks for the support."

Naruto looked to his female teammate, noticing her heavy breathing and large number of bruises. "You alright, Sakura-chan?"

"I'm fine, Naruto. I just did a lot of fighting that's all."

"Oh, who?"

Sakura pointed at Gusuta, who noticed the motion and attempted to hide himself behind Tetsu.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Gusuta?" Tetsu snarled.

"That girl's scary, big brother Tet-"

CRACK!

"I'm not your brother," Tetsu snapped, lowering his staff. The iron staff had made quite a delightful sound against Gusuta's jaw. "Maybe you'll stay quiet for a while this time."

Edo approached Nazo and Maiyuu and gave them a little wave. "Hi."

"Looks like you won, Edo."

"Guess so."

"So, who're you fighting?"

Nazo looked to the group of Cloud hunter-nin. "I see."

Edo shook his head. "I still say you two should have tried. I think you could have made it easily."

Nazo smiled. "No thanks, this exam thing is your trip. We'll only follow you so far." He tapped Edo with his staff. "Besides, you wouldn't want me to have to kick your ass, would you?"

Edo dropped into a mock battle stance. "You wanna go, monkey boy?"

WHAM! WHAM!

Edo and Nazo both fell to the ground, stunned. Maiyuu sheathed her bouken.

"No fighting."

Kaigen gazed irritably at the exchange. "Disgraceful."

Takame glanced at him. "How's that?"

Kaigen could practically hear Takame's smirk from under the mask. "I failed Raikage-sama. I was to bring the fugitive to justice and I failed." Kaigen began getting to his feet. "I'll take him now."

"Too many witnesses," Takame told him. "You wouldn't last a minute against his team. And I'm sure some others might take exception to your attacking at this time."

"Would you not back me up?"

"No, that's not the plan. Besides, Raina made it into the finals, and she's fighting him in the first round," Takame popped his neck. "And with regard to 'failing' the Raikage, I failed too, and you don't see me getting all bent out of shape about it."

"That's different. You're his son."

"Are you two all right?" Raina asked as she approached.

"I suppose so. Ready to head back?"

"Yes."

Kaigen removed his mask as the other two left him behind. He spat.

"Disgraceful."


That night, Hida Dajan paced through the city. He was getting closer to the answers he sought. He had found another body, this time it was one of the registrars for the exam. He had found her in her room, drained of blood and chakra, surrounded by strange silken fibers. Dajan was not completely sure if the killings were connected, but one thing was certain. The killers were certainly not of Stone village. The best place to find foreigners would be at the Dragon Exam finals. Dajan would be there, watching.


Knock, knock.

"Get in here," the rasping voice growled.

The door was opened by an old man dressed in a uniform of an elite Sound shinobi. He had a pair of rose-tinted glasses on, and his head was topped by a tall hat. In his arms he cradled what looked like a small doll, less than two feet high. The doll almost seemed to be an idealized younger version of its holder.

Orochimaru's guest stared at the man. Bunraku was so old, it seemed as though he could drop dead at any moment. Each movement he made was accompanied by pops and clicks, his bones were old indeed. Why Orochimaru had bothered to give the curse seal to the man in the first place was unknown. Bunraku stepped aside as the young man entered.

"Bunraku, Chieko. Leave us."

Orochimaru's servants bowed and left. Orochimaru's visitor stood silently, his breath amplified by the mask he wore.

"Take that ridiculous thing off."

He complied. Tossing the mask aside, Yogo Nhaki crossed his arms and leaned back.

"Nameless informed me of your little adventure in the Labyrinth."

Orochimaru stood and stalked over. Without warning, he lashed out with his fist, striking Nhaki brutally.

"You idiot!" Orochimaru growled. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Nhaki rubbed his bleeding lip and glared balefully at Orochimaru in the darkness.

The Sennin glared back.

"After everything I have risked, everything I have done for you, you would risk losing everything?" The leader of Sound village narrowed his yellow eyes and hissed.

"My business is my own."

"You are mine. Do not let nostalgia confuse that fact in your mind."

Nhaki stood. Snakes shot out of Orochimaru's sleeve, pulling him in. Yellow eyes met black.

"You want to kill me, don't you?" the older man sneered. "Many people do, but you are special. I cannot risk harm to you."

His only answer was a glare.

"Get out of my sight."

The young Sound-nin replaced his headgear and left.

"You're not quite ready yet," Orochimaru mused, gazing after him.


Hinata couldn't sleep. She lay on the futon facing towards the other room, where her father too had a visitor.

"Well now, Jiraiya-sama. How goes the exam?"

"Quite well," the white-haired man responded. "Both Naruto and Shikamaru were able to make it to the finals."

"The Uzumaki boy and the Nara, excellent. And what of the Sound?"

"We still don't know the true purpose of Orochimaru's visit," Jiraiya said soberly. "But there is another incident that disturbs me."

"That being?"

"A strange shinobi attacked my apprentice and his team during the first exam."

Hinata's eyes widened. She strained to listen more closely.

Hiashi did not answer immediately. "Strange, you say..."

"He seemed to specialize in plant-based techniques, and..." Jiraiya paused. "His skin was two different colors. Half white, half black."

Another pause.

"Haejigoku Aira...I thought he was dead."

"As did I. An S-class criminal of Hidden Grass, believed killed during a battle with the leaders of the Kagerou clan."

"That information is apparently false, if the report you received is accurate."

"I am inclined to believe that it is. Something about what Naruto said. He said that Aira seemed to know exactly who he was, and made a few strange comments."

"We believe he may be with Akatsuki."

"...so, he's after the boy?" Hiashi sounded stern.

Naruto-kun, Hinata thought with worry.

"It's very likely."

"We'll have to be careful then. With both Akatsuki and Orochimaru running around, things could become very dangerous," Hinata heard a sound, as if her father and his guest had just stood up. "I'll show you out."

"Thanks."

The door closed quietly.


The next night...

Clouds obscured most of the sky over the village of Hidden Stone. On the roof of one of its hotels, a shinobi ducked and twisted, training. On one side of the roof stood a feline idol, a black overcoat draped over it. A feline mask rested beside it.

Nekoarashi Edo slashed and leapt in his black and green uniform, running through intricate routines with his claws. His black and blond hair whipped around as he lunged on all fours like a beast. Crouching into a roll, he leapt straight upwards, slashing upwards like a helix. Landing in a crouch, he stopped and glanced up. Someone was watching. He looked around narrowing his eyes. Spotting a movement, Edo approached the edge. Then he saw it. A pair of bright yellow-green eyes glowing in the last vestige of moonlight.

Edo blinked. Now there were two pairs.

He blinked again. Now five.

One more blink. Twelve pairs of eyes stared back at Edo from the shadowy rooftops.

Edo closed his eyes and shook himself. When he opened them the eyes were gone. With a sudden crack of thunder and flash of lightning, it began to rain. The former Cloud shinobi gazed up unblinking towards the sky.

"Rain again," he breathed. "Just like that night..."

Edo grimaced in agony as a wave of pain struck him. He clutched his head and gritted his teeth as his vision blurred. Memories of that night on Aeril flooded back to him.

"How does it feel, Edo? How does it feel to be absolutely helpless...to be unable to do anything as I kill this one right in front of you?"

"Let her go! Damn you...I swear I'll...kill you!"

"Heh. Kill me? A wretch like you cannot even touch me, much less understand me."

"I never...pretended to (cough) understand you...Just let her go..."

"You're bleeding Edo, you won't last long. Tell you what. I'll send the girl's soul along before you to be your guide in the underworld."

"Don't-!"

"NO!" Edo bellowed aloud, swaying on his feet. His head was splitting now, the pain overwhelming. Part of him was simply telling him to release all his rage and frustration, to go kill and destroy everyone and everything he could find. The sound of a thousand storms tore through his skull. He gripped the edge of the roof, so hard that the stone cracked. His hands bled. Suddenly, he fell to his knees, agony abated.

"No," he said again, quieter this time. The storm had died down somewhat, the lightning was gone and the rain had slowed to a mere drizzle.

Edo looked down at his arms, shaking.

"Savior or destroyer...which is it, mother?"


The next morning was still fairly cloudy after the storm the night before.

Naruto looked around at the arena.

"This is different."

Indeed it was. The arena of Hidden Stone was wide and rectangular, surrounded by 20 foot walls. A number of rock spurs and pillars jutted out of the ground, and a small plateau rose in the middle, forming a sort of dividing line. Naruto and the others now stood atop this plateau, looking up at the crowd that had gathered. Spotting Hinata and her family in the front row, he gave a friendly wave. Hinata hesitantly waved back. Neji gave a small smile and a nod. Hiashi seemed not to notice. He then noticed Sakura, Gaara, and Kankurou up in another section of the stands and waved again. Shikamaru sighed at Naruto's exuberance.

"Aw, man. How did I get into this?"

At that moment, Kaiu Yashiko's voice echoed throughout the arena.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Distinguished guests! Welcome to the Dragon Exam finals!"

The crowd cheered at the announcer's words

"We'll be beginning shortly, but before we do, I would like to thank the dignitaries from the villages of Cloud, Leaf, and Sound for being here today!"

From his position on the Tsuchikage's dais, Jiraiya waved slightly, glaring sidelong at Orochimaru. The black haired Sennin smirked at his old teammate. At his sides were his four bodyguards, heavily cloaked. One was sitting on a stool, the other three were standing. One of those who was on his feet was bouncing on his heels, his headphones in his ears.

Orochimaru glanced at the seated shinobi, gesturing lightly at the remaining two bodyguards. Bunraku nodded back. The old man flexed his fingers.

Everything is under control, Orochimaru thought. By the end of the day, Antan's scroll will be mine. And who knows, with any luck, that meddling fox brat will be out of my way, permanently.

Next to Orochimaru on the dais was Duragu Zanako, the Tsuchikage. She looked intently down at the eight finalists. Her gaze lingered especially on her nephew Buradi and also on the young boy from Konoha who would be fighting him. Zanako chuckled. If Buradi lost this match, he would never live it down. Big auntie Zanako would make sure of that.

On the Tsuchikage's other side was the Raikage, Sorasento Ryouji. He gazed down dispassionately at one of the figures below. Nekoarashi Edo returned the glare through his mask.

He still hates me, Ryouji thought. After what I've done to him, it's hardly a surprise. I suppose I deserve it.

The Raikage flicked his gaze to the stands. He spotted his son and Onoeka Kaigen almost immediately. Takame's eyes were fixed on his father's, a smirk playing about his lips.

Spiteful. He claimed he never saw Edo in the maze. A lie if ever I heard one. He failed just so he could spite me.

"Now the rules. The two combatants will fight until one is unable to fight. If both combatants fall, the first to rise is the winner. A tie shall be declared if neither fighter is able to get up after one minute. No holds are barred, but please remember that damaging spectators is frowned upon."

A few titters ran through the crowd, but most people simply looked a little bit worried. Yashiko grinned, brushing her black hair out of her eyes. Yashiko did like her little jokes, but it was difficult to tell if she was being serious or not. She turned to the finalists.

"Well," she said in a normal voice. "It's time."

The group of shinobi began making their way towards the door in the wall that would lead them to their waiting area. Two were left, Uzumaki Naruto and his hulking opponent Duragu Buradi.

"It's time, little boy," Buradi grunted.

Naruto scowled.

"Take your positions!" Yashiko called, gesturing from her position safely out of the way. "I hope we're all ready for the first match of the day! Uzumaki Naruto of Konoha versus our own Duragu Buradi!"

The crowd cheered lustily.

"That kid doesn't stand a chance," a Stone nin in the audience told his buddy. "Buradi's gonna smash him."

"You don't have to tell me twice. The kid's just a genin." He pulled out a wallet. "Wanna bet on how long it takes Buradi to put him down?"

"Five minutes."

"You're too generous. Two, tops."


A group of three shinobi were watching the exam, hidden in a shadowy corner of the stands. They were using the transformation technique, and were wearing their cloaks inside-out, to obscure the red cloud pattern that would identify them as members of Akatsuki.

"Well, Itachi-san?"

Itachi opened his eyes. "Well what, Aira?" He looked at the ex Grass-nin.

"We get to see more of what the boy is capable of."

"Indeed. But, Aira, you've already seen some of what Uzumaki Naruto can do, haven't you?" His eyes bored into the madman.

Aira blinked his white eyes.

"You were careless, Aira," Kumonosu added. She glanced down at the arena floor. "We'll be lucky if your bloodlust doesn't ruin everything."

Aira clucked his tongue in mockery. He cocked his head.

Itachi turned his gaze on Kumonosu now. "You're hardly one to talk. You killed someone too, and it was discovered." He turned back around. "From now on, we'll be cautious. I've sent Zeka with a message to Kurohigure-sama informing him of the situation and requesting further instructions. Until then, we wait."


"Fighters ready? Begin!"

Naruto moved in quickly, kunai at the ready. Buradi simply smiled. Leaping into the air, the Stone-nin smashed downward spear-first.

"Yari Gatchan no jutsu!"

Naruto leapt back, barely avoiding Buradi's attack. However, in a ten-foot radius around where Buradi's spear struck the ground, spikes of earth blasted upward, catching Naruto and flinging him back. Buradi pursued, jabbing rapidly at the young Leaf shinobi. Naruto retreated towards one of the pillars. Buradi swept his spear in an arc, the haft smashing Naruto into the pillar, snapping off a section. Jabbing again, Buradi smiled as his spear impaled Naruto through the back. He whipped the spearblade over his shoulder and spun, flinging his opponent away. His smile vanished as Naruto vanished in a puff of smoke, replaced by a broken section of pillar.

"What the?"

The crowd was shouting now. "Behind you! He's behind you!"

Buradi spun again, his spear resting on his shoulder. There was no sign of the blond child.

Where is he? And why does my spear feel...so...heavy?

Turning his head, he noticed Naruto, clinging to the end of Buradi's spear.

"Hi!" Naruto said brightly, kicking the bearded man in the face. Most of the crowd groaned.

As Buradi staggered back, Naruto followed him, punching and kicking the older man. Grabbing onto his beard, Naruto yanked Buradi's head down, kneeing him in the chin. The crowd favorite went down.

"Nice, Naruto!" Sakura crowed.

Kakashi smiled from his position next to her. "Unorthodox but effective."

Up in the waiting area, Shikamaru winced. "That looked painful," he grunted.

Temari laughed. "Believe me," she gave a wicked grin. "There are far worse things you can do to a man."

Shikamaru shuddered. "How troublesome."

Oh, no, the Tsuchikage groaned. He messed with the beard. Poor kid.

Buradi stood, bleeding slightly. He grabbed his pleated beard and stared at it. His eye fell on Naruto.

"I think I'm going to kill you."

He smashed his spear into the earth, sending a heavy shockwave towards Naruto that tore up the earth. Naruto skidded aside.

"Kage bunshin no jutsu!" a number of doppelgangers appeared, charging straight for Buradi. With an intricate set of spinning attacks he blew them all into nothingness.

Buradi, roaring, sent several more shockwaves tearing towards Naruto. The plateau on which they stood now looked less like a platform and more like a rock quarry. Naruto tripped on a loose rock. Buradi flung himself into the air again. Naruto desperately flung a kunai at the Stone-nin. Surprisingly, the giant accepted the attack, taking it in the side. His attack was still thrown off, and he missed.

"Grrrraaaaaagh!" Buradi lunged forward, smashing Naruto heavily with his knee. Naruto flew backwards, blood trailing from his mouth. The immense lancer did not follow. Rather, he planted his feet and went into a defensive stance. Naruto crashed heavily into a spur of rock. He struggled to his feet, hands forming seals.

"Kage bunshin no jutsu!" Two dozen more clones formed. Naruto had them encircle his opponent.

Let's see, I know I can hit this guy, but to do that I have to get through his guard.

Naruto thought back to when he had struck Buradi with a kunai.

He doesn't seem to be any good a protecting himself in the air, so if I can catch him off guard and knock him into the air, he's mine.

Naruto took an inventory of his clones. He gave a foxlike grin. He knew what to do.

Several clones moved inward slowly. Buradi let them come, but when they got within a certain range he spun quickly, his weighted spearhead screaming. The Narutos were knocked back, bursting into smoke. Naruto nodded, then all the Narutos began running quickly around Buradi, just out of range.

Buradi snarled. What was this annoying brat up to? He gripped the shaft of Breaker tightly as several more of the boy's bunshins charged. He spun in a circle, knocking all of them back again. Buradi smiled as one of the Narutos crashed into another, destroying them both in a puff of smoke. A number of loose rocks rolled about, one knocking into Buradi's sandal.

The kid wasn't bad, he'd give him that. But he was in the big leagues now.

"Is that all?" he asked his opponents. The number of Narutos he faced was now down to nine.

"Hardly."

Buradi gaped as the rock at his feet burst into smoke, revealing Uzumaki Naruto.

"Gotcha," Naruto told him. The genin punched Buradi in the face. "U-"

From his seat in the crowd, Onoeka Kaigen scowled. "That move again."

Three clones moved in, kicking Buradi into the air.

"-zu-"

"-ma-"

"-ki"

The big man flew in the air.

Three more leapt up.

The first kicked him down at an angle. "Na-"

"-ru-" the next grunted, meeting the falling shinobi with a rising knee.

"-to" the third sprang into a handspring kick, launching Buradi back upwards.

Flipping of the backs of the first three clones, the final three leapt even higher.

"Ren-" the clone unleashed a flying uppercut.

The next clone simply used his entire body as a weapon, spinning into the battered shinobi's chest. "-dan"

The last was above them, he brought his full weight to bear with a brutal elbow drop into Buradi's solar plexus.

"Mark-"

Buradi plunged towards the ground at high speed. The real Naruto, who had been the first to strike, would also be the last. He met the plunging Stone-nin with an absolutely brutal uppercut to the kidney.

"TWO!" he bellowed.

Buradi flew up, came down and lay still. A groan ran through the crowd.

Jiraiya smiled.

Coughing weakly, Duragu Buradi struggled back to his feet. Picking up his spear, he got into a very unsteady battle stance. His eyes looked unfocused.

Naruto growled, then ran towards Buradi at full tilt, leaving his clones behind. "Stay down!"

Buradi watched Naruto charge. Though he was alone, his vision made it look as if there were seven Narutos. He raised his spear unsteadily, then brought it down.

...missing Naruto by at least two feet. Naruto punched Buradi squarely in the jaw, knocking him back and into unconciousness.

Naruto stood, dismissing the clones.

When it became apparent that Buradi was not getting up, Yashiko rose. "Winner: Uzumaki Naruto."

Most of the arena erupted into boos. After all, Naruto had just beaten the crowd favorite. However, there were those who applauded his victory, appreciative of a damn good fight. Naruto and many others were very surprised to see the Tsuchikage applauding heavily. After all, wasn't the defeated her nephew?

Hinata watched Naruto stand there, arms raised in victory. She smiled shyly and applauded.

You're still so strong and determined, she thought happily.

Neji watched her and smiled knowingly.

Naruto headed for the door, massaging his aching ribs. He was hardly listening as Yashiko announced the next match.

"I can hardly believe it! The young Genin from Konoha manages to beat the favorite! Oh well. Next, Temari of Hidden Sand versus Sakebu Discorujia of Hidden Sound!"


Temari smiled. "Be back in a bit."

"Don't get killed."

"Worried about me?"

Shikamaru frowned. "Hmmph."

The Sand-nin smiled. "That's what I thought."

Temari unfurled her fan. She waved it, creating a gust of wind, which she rode down to the arena floor. Her smaller fans rattled as she landed lightly.

Shikamaru stared after her, then smiled and shook his head.

Shosuro Tetsu watched the Leaf-nin appraisingly.


Naruto trudged up the stairs. Hearing footsteps ahead, he glanced up. There at the top of the stairs stood Sakebu Discorujia. The lavender-haired girl smiled at Naruto, a cruel, taunting smile.

"Don't feel too safe just yet," she told him as she passed. "You've only got a temporary reprieve. Once I've dealt with the Sand girl I'll kill you."

"You talk big, but you know something?" Naruto looked back over his shoulder at her. "I don't know what it means to give up."

"You will learn fear and despair, Uzumaki Naruto. I'll teach you everything I know before you die." That said, she emerged into the arena, making her way to her side.

Naruto frowned, then continued his ascent.

"You won," Nekoarashi Edo told Naruto as he entered.

Naruto grinned. "What did you expect?"

"So, Shikamaru, how'd I do?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "You won, idiot, that's what counts."

"You're more strategic and resourceful than you look," Edo added from the side.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing at all."


"So he won," Kumonosu rasped.

"To be expected," Aira giggled. "That Buradi possessed strength, but had too many fundamental flaws. Being practically unable to defend yourself in the air is inexcusable."

Itachi spoke next. "Still, beating that one without calling upon Kyuubi's power is impressive. I only hope that his other opponents are able to push him more."

Kumonosu cracked her knuckles. "Indeed. I wan't to see just how far you can bend a demon child before he breaks."

Temari and Discoruji faced one another, slight smiles on their faces.

"Begin."

Next Chapter: Temari's Worries: Temari vs. Discorujia

Thanks for bearing with me this chapter. It's just one of those things I had to do to advance the story.

Me: Naruto is victorious!
Naruto: Of course I am! What did you expect?
Me: ...anyway, that means Naruto goes on to the semifinals to fight the winner of the Temari/Discorujia fight in Chapter 17.
Jiraiya: (Kabuki dance!) What about me, what am I doing?
Me: Interrupting me. Nyurr, deal with him.
Nyurr: Nyurrr (Does crazy eye thing again)
Jiraiya: (Runs away)

Yari Gatchan no jutsu : Spear Crash

Well, in addition to the fight, I guess I also gave you a little Sound-ninnery, and a little piece with good old Nekoarashi Edo. As well as a little bit of other stuff.

Just thought I'd mention this, I already know how I'm going to end this story. I haven't decided on all the details, but I know how things'll happen. It'll be a long time before I finish this story, but I promise I'll get it done. If I had to guess, I'd say the story will end up being well over 100 chapters.

I've got a weird little idea for a humor story. I'll probably post it sometime around the time I finish chapter 23 or 24.

If you don't feed me reviews, I'll starve. Lots of big tasty meaty reviews. Reviewing my story is the best way for me to find and review yours. Everybody wins.