How he became the person he is
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 12:
In training ground #1, the genins that passed the first two rounds arrived one by one. There were only seven genins left. Kakashi saw the same group of people sitting upstairs, and he saw his sensei as well. Kaito reached the small group of genins downstairs, and began giving the instructions.
"Today, we're re-drawing. Because there are seven of you, one will win the third round by default. Come and take a number when I call you up."
All of the genins went up, and they got their numbers.
"Kuga Rai, 2. Nakayama Ronin, 1. Uchiha Daiki, 4. Hatake Kakashi, 5. Yamaguchi Shouta, 6. Shimizu Emiko, 3. Matsuki Yuki, 7. There are going to be three matches in the third round. Nakayama and Kuga, stay here. The rules are the same as yesterday." Kaito concluded. The rest of the genins went upstairs.
Both boys started off throwing a pair of shurikens at each other, and dodging them, starting the first match of the day. Their fight was concluded in less than two minutes, when Ronin passed out with Rai's attack after fighthing hand to hand on taijutsu.
The second match ended when Emiko, the only girl left, gave up after receiving a few attacks of Daiki's taijutsu. She was the genjutsu type, but in front of the Sharingan, they were of no use. Daiki was fast, and he didn't allow himself to fall in her genjutsu. The match was easily won by Daiki.
Kakashi's opponent was Yamaguchi Shouta. Once again, his opponent was at least two feet taller. When the starting sign was given, Kakashi threw three kunais apart from each other, so that Shouta would have a hard time dodging them. Shouta jumped close to Kakashi, dodging the kunais and getting closer to the little kid to start a taijutsu fight. Shouta gave a kick in the place where Kakashi's head would have been if he didn't step back. Their arms' and legs' lengths were way different, and Kakashi had to use his small body to increase his speed. After stepping back, he grabbed the leg that tried to kick him, and with his right foot, tried to kick him on Shouta's left side. The older kid intercepted the attack, and with his free hand punched Kakashi in the face. 'Damn!' thought Kakashi as he fell on the floor. He hurried and rolled back to avoid being kicked by Shouta. As he got up, he took a kunai out and intimidated Shouta by throwing it at his face. When Shouta turned his face to dodge the kunai, Kakashi turned back and kicked him in the right side of his face with his heel. He had to jump high to reach Shouta's face, but the attack was succesful. Before Shouta fell, Kakashi kicked him in the chest and Shouta fell on his back. Shouta rolled backwards, stood up, and got into his fighting stance.
Shouta threw a pair of shurikens, and Kakashi did the same. However, when they clashed this time, both exploded. Shouta had thrown shurikens with explosive tags, and using the moment of blindness of Kakashi by the smoke, he threw two kunais. Kakashi sensed the kunais coming, and because he couldn't see them, he dropped in his front, and rolled to his left, as he took out a few more shurikens. When he stopped on his stomach, he could see Shouta's feet between the floor and the smoke, and he threw them in that direction. Shouta wasn't able to see the shurikens coming and by the time he tried to dodge them, it was too late and he got a few cuts on his arms, and one of the shurikens got stuck on his thigh. Kakashi got up as soon as he stood up, and ran to his opponent. When he was in the right distance, Kakashi took advantage of Shouta's lack of defence, and gave a side kick on Shouta's head sending him down. Shouta wasn't expecting none of the things that Kakashi did, and everyone that was watching was surprised to see the little kid's confidence and ability of doing all that.
Kakashi was breathing hard, but he was prepared to attack again at any time. Shouta didn't get up, so Kaito went to Shouta to see his condition, and shouted, "Winner, Hatake Kakashi!". Kakashi shrugged and headed upstairs massaging his jaw, where he had been hit at the beginning of the match. The medic nins came in and took care of Shouta on the side, while Kaito called up a break before starting the next round. Arashi walked towards Kakashi, and ruffled his student's hair.
"Too bad that your next opponent had more rest than you did."
"Doesn't matter. There's time." Kakashi looked up, and smiled.
"Mm... to tell you the truth, I was expecting more from you." Arashi didn't really mean it, but thought that it would be good to motivate Kakashi to do even better on his next match. Besides, he felt like playing around a little. Kakashi's smile disappeared, and glared at him.
"Show them what you're capable of doing, Kakashi. If you keep hiding your skills, you might lose your chance to become a chuunin. Remember that this tournament is to show what you can do."
"I was just leaving my chakra for the other two matches." said Kakashi stiffly.
"If you say so." Added Arashi, playfully and smiling.
"Kuga Rai and Uchiha Daiki, please get ready for the next match!" It was Kaito.
"Good luck. And, watch out for the Uchiha, if you get to fight him." Arashi pinched Kakashi in both cheeks and disappeared. Kakashi saw over to the other side, and saw his sensei waving at him. Kakashi shook his head, and rubbed his cheeks.
"First match of the semifinals! Start!" Kaito shouted after a few minutes.
Rai was the taijutsu type, and he combined both his taijutsu and weapons very swiftly. Rai was trying to keep the distance from Daiki, so that he could use his special moves with the weapons. He had a lot of difficulty doing so, due to Daiki's speed. After a while, he had a chance for his demonstration of weapon attacks. However, Daiki was able to dodge most of them, and Rai ended up fainting from all the pressure that he received from his moves, and from Daiki's direct physical attacks.
Kakashi was next. His opponent was Matsuki Yuki. He had a yellow bandana over his head, and he was standing with his hands on the pockets of his pants, smiling. He had really narrow eyes, almost like a line. He was a little taller than the other opponents that Kakashi had fought, but he looked around the same age as the others. Kaito gave the sign, and Kakashi began, once again, by throwing three shurikens. Yuki still had his hands on his pockets, and wasn't ready. He had time to dodge only two of them. The third shuriken left a cut on his left forearm, when he was taking his hands out of his pockets. Although he had layers of bandages around his arms, it was bleeding.
'Is he serious?' thought Kakashi as he performed his next move. He created a bunshin, and sent it to Yuki, with a kunai ready. Yuki took a kunai from his holster, but he dropped it as he did so. When Kakashi's bunshin swung with the kunai, Yuki dodged it by luck as he got down to pick up his kunai. Kakashi glared at the older boy from a few feet away. He saw Yuki flying in the other direction after being kicked in the face by Kakashi's bunshin. Kakashi decided that it would be better for him to wait a little and see what Yuki was up to. It wasn't possible that Yuki had made it this far in the exam with that kind of skills. Yuki got up slowly, and after putting his holster back in place, sprinted towards Kakashi. Kakashi just waited there; his mind telling him to finish Yuki off, but his body telling him to see what was behind. Yuki attacked with a punch towards Kakashi's left chest, but Kakashi intercepted the punch by hitting Yuki's forearm with his left elbow, and with his left hand, he hit Yuki in the chin. Rather surprisingly, Yuki made no sign of pain, and kicked Kakashi on the right side. No one was able to see it because of the mask, but Kakashi's jaw tightened at the sudden attack. Instinctively, Kakashi raised his left leg and tried to shove it down on Yuki's shoulder. His attempt was succesful, but both boys fell on the floor; one on his back, and one on one knee. Yuki fell because of the attack, and Kakashi, because he had to jump high to reach Yuki's shoulder.
Kakashi jumped away, and took out a kunai. Yuki got up as soon as he laid down, and took out a kunai as well. This time he was serious, although his eyes were still smiling. Both clashed with their kunais in hand, trying to harm each other with the weapon. Their clash included some taijutsu as well. The sound of the clashing didn't cease until Kakashi's fell on the floor, and Yuki made an attempt to stab Kakashi in the stomach. Kakashi tumbled backwards just in time, and on his way, kicked Yuki's hand, and took his own kunai that had fallen before. When he got to his feet, Kakashi dashed towards Yuki, who took out some shurikens and threw them at Kakashi. Yuki hurriedly took out another kunai and got ready for their next clashing. Kakashi intercepted the shurikens with his kunai, and they clashed their kunais once again. Both Kakashi and Yuki got a lot of cuts from the kunais, and bruises from the kicks and punches.
Yuki decided that it was time to finish the match, and with a last clash of the kunais, he jumped back. Kakashi was thinking the same thing about finishing the match, and was startled when Yuki made the first move. Kakashi began performing the hand seals for a ninjutsu. The Goukakyuu no Jutsu. Yuki took out a scroll, and with it, a whole mass of weapons came out. Luckily for Kakashi, his hand-sealing skills were fast, and he outpaced Yuki. By the time the weapons came out, Kakashi had already thrown out the fire flame direactly at Yuki. It happened all in a second. Yuki left the weapons fall from the air, and he crossed his arms across his face and instinctively he gathered some chakra in the front part of his body. The size of the flame was greater than that Arashi had ever seen Kakashi using. Yuki didn't have time to gather much chakra, and he got burned a little. After the flame disappeared, Yuki fell on his knees, and Kakashi was standing with his hands on his knees, breathing rapidly. He didn't mean to make the flame that big. All the bandages in Yuki's arm got burned, and they were bleeding. His bandana fell apart too. Fortunately, the arms were the only part of his body that got injured badly. The flame didn't reach his legs, and it burned his t-shirt superficially. Kaito ran to him, and saw that Yuki was smiling.
"Will you continue?" asked Kaito skeptically.
"Yes." said Yuki, as he got on his feet. He glanced at his arms, and was surprised at the intensity of Kakashi's jutsu.
Kakashi saw Yuki getting up and got ready to continue. Yuki was taking out the pieces of the bandages left on his arm. Kakashi would have taken the iniciative, but he decided to check how many shurikens and kunais he had left. Not to mention that he was feeling guilty from what he had done, and wanted to give Yuki the chance to start off.
All of a sudden, Yuki created at least twenty bunshins (Yeah, with those hands). Kakashi would have made his own bunshins if it wasn't because of the attacks that landed on him. He was busy trying to intercept all the attacks from the bunshins. Two bunshins came to him, and gave a kick to both of his sides. Kakashi intercepted them with his arms, and jumped to give a kick in the face to each of the bunshins. As soon as he was done with those two, other three bunshins came, and Kakashi jumped to give a side kick to the closest one, and when he landed on one foot, he turned around and gave a kick to the second one. He got rid of the third by punching it in the chest. By the time he got rid of all the bunshins, he was exhausted, and saw that Yuki had been looking at him. After Yuki saw that Kakashi was on his feet after taking care of the bunshins, Yuki walked towards Kaito. He murmured something, and Kaito nodded.
"Winner, Hatake Kakashi!" Kakashi stared at Yuki as he headed to the medic-nins. Kaito called for a ten minute break. Kakashi ran to Yuki and asked what that was.
"Come on, kid. There's no way I'm gonna beat you with these arms. The bunshins were my last attempt." he was still smiling. "I'm sure you'll become a chuunin. How old are you?"
"Six."
"Wow. I heard a young kid was in the exam, but I didn't know you were that young. I'm twelve. Turning thirteen in a month." Yuki said, as a medic-nin sat him down in a chair.
"Sorry about that." siad Kakashi.
"Nothing to worry about. I'm glad that it ended at this. See you around, Hatake." His smile was still there.
Kakashi nodded, and went upstairs to meet his sensei. Arashi was walking towards him, smiling.
"That was great. When did you get to make your flame that big?"
"Practicing."
"You never showed me that." He ruffled Kakashi's hair. Kakashi just shrugged. They kept talking about the match, while Arashi took care of Kakashi's cuts. "You don't need to worry about Yuki. Those things happen even between shinobis of a village. And it isn't like he won't have his arms back like before."
Suddenly, Kaito went to the microphone and announced something that was unexpected.
"Uchiha Daiki has just given up due to a family matter. The final won't be fought." Kaito said in a bored tone. He cleared his throat and continued. "Thus, the winner of the tournament of the chuunin exam is Hatake Kakashi." Everyone in the gymnasium let the name enter through their ears and echo for a few seconds, and everyone started clapping.
"Well, that was rather easy, ne?" asked Arashi. Kakashi nodded.
"Your results will be sent to your homes during the week. Good job, everyone."
Everyone started leaving the place. Arashi told Kakashi to come with him, and they went to talk to Jiraiya.
"Sensei!" Arashi called Jiraiya, who was about to leave with the other judges.
"Hey, Arashi. Congrats, kid!" Jiraiya ruffled Kakashi's hair really hard, that Kakashi's neck made a cracking sound, although no one noticed but Kakashi himself.
"So... was that enough?" asked Arashi.
"I don't know, Arashi. See you tomorrow, probably. I'm going to the hot springs. The whole thing got me really tired. See ya, kids."
"That was really helpful, ne, Kakashi?" asked Arashi sarcastically.
"Are we training tomorrow, sensei?" asked Kakashi as they headed out.
"Nah. Take a day off. Oh, and we're starting taking missions. If you become a chuunin, we probably won't need to do as many D-rank missions."
"Good. I don't really like those."
"Heh, I thought so. I didn't like them, either. I don't think anyone does or ever will. By the way, did Tomoko-san scold you for your injuries?"
"Yeah. I tried to convince her that these were nothing, but she almost got mad. Dad stopped me." Arashi laughed.
"Well, go home now. It's been a long day." Arashi smiled.
"Hai. See you, sensei." Arashi nodded.
"Remember we don't have training tomorrow!" he shouted, as Kakashi went running. Kakashi waved to let his sensei know that he understood. Arashi slowly began walking towards his house.
"Mom! I won the tournament." said Kakashi as he entered the living room and pulled down his mask. He didn't bother to knock on the front door.
"That's so great, Kakashi. When are the results coming?" Her eyes shot directly at the cuts Kakashi had in his hand.
"Sometime this week. Heh." Kakashi tried to rub the back of his head with his left hand, so that his mom wouldn't see as much.
"Is your winning of the tournament your excuse for your injuries?" Tomoko was still smiling. Kakashi didn't know if it was because she was happy or because she was trying to suppress her anger.
"Heh. I'll be back in a second, mom." Kakashi tried to run away to his room, but Tomoko was faster and got him just in time. Before Kakashi was born, Tomoko was a medic-nin, and she was a good ninja herself.
"Kakashi, I told you to be careful." Tomoko's voice was soft, and this time she sounded worried. She sat him down in the couch.
"But it's impossible to fight and worry about small injuries like these at the same time."
"Just make sure you don't get grave injuries thinking that they are nothing."
"Hai. Mom, if I become a chuunin, are you going to help again in the hospital?" asked Kakashi, as Tomoko was bandaging his left hand.
"Maybe. Now go and rest until I call you for dinner, okay?"
"Okay." Kakashi got up in a jump and gave her a kiss in the cheek. "Thanks, mom." Tomoko gave a smile, and Kakashi went up running.
By sunset Sakumo was back from his mission, and went straight to the kitchen.
"I heard from Hokage-sama." He was smiling.
"Yes, I can't believe Kakashi has done it."
"Is he badly hurt?"
"Not really. Just a few bandages. Nothing serious. I was patient, and didn't scold him." She smiled, and Sakumo laughed.
"Do you think he will be able to use my tanto?"
"Isn't it too soon? We don't even know if he will become a chuunin. Remember he has to show his ability as a leader."
"I think he will be okay. Hokage-sama was impressed."
"I don't know... Why don't you wait a little longer?"
"Yeah, I probably will. Is dinner almost ready?"
"Yes. Go and change. And bring Kakashi on your way. I think he fell asleep."
"Yes, ma'am."
That night, Sakumo didn't say anything about his tanto, and had a happy dinner with his family. Kakashi was with the sleepy eyes throughout dinner, and he was sent to bed right after.
A/N:
Well, it has been a long time since I didn't update. You may have noticed, but this chapter has a lot of fight scenes. They took me a long time. Besides, I was stuck with summer school. This chapter also turned out a little long. I hope this chapter was worth the time of waiting!
Additional note (8/05): Minor changes in chapters 5 & 6.
HanaTenshiHimeko: Heh, sorry about the late update! I hope you liked it. Thanks!
Kamikaze Hikari: Yeah, I love it when older people get beaten by the younger ones. But, of course, I wouldn't like Kakashi being beaten by the younger ones. lol. Thanks for reviewing!