The Chuunin exam continues.
Written by: Kin-Ryu Chikara
I don't own anything from the manga/anime Naruto. It is Masashi Kishimoto that owns Naruto. This is a fan fiction based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga and anime: Naruto. It really doesn't have much to do with the story, other than some events. Warning, does involve spoilers to things that happens in the anime and manga.
"Ordinary conversation"
'thought'
"Kyuubi speech"
'Kyuubi thought'
Scene change and story perspective. Example: Tsunade's POV (Point Of View): Tsunade is telling the story. Hinata's POV: Hinata is telling the story.
Golden dragon speech
Authors note: a comment from me about the story.
Wordlist: Konoha one of the ninja villages, Suna another ninja village, Hokage leader of Konoha, Kazekage leader of Suna, Sandaime Third, Yondaime Forth, Godaime Fifth, kage shadow, bunshin clone, jutsu technique, Hijutsu secret technique, Katon fire element, Suiton water element, Doton earth element, Fuuton wind element, Raiton thunder element, Iton healing element(my creation), kawari replacement, shinobi ninja, Jounin high ninja, Chuunin medium ninja, Genin low ninja, henge transformation, KAI undo/cancel, shuriken throwing star, kunai throwing knife, Hai 1. yes 2. here, Yatta I did it, Honto really, Īie no, sugoi 1. amazing/wonderful 2. awful/terrifying, Nani what, baka idiot, dobe moron, gambatte do your best/try your best, obāsan grand mother, otosan father, okasan mother, onesan Big sister, 1.onosan 2. nii-san big brother/brother, imoto-san little sister, ototo-san little brother, sama/san Mr, Mrs, or Ms (formal), nesan elder sister(familiar form), Ero gaki perverted brat, Ero-sennin perverted hermit(Jiraiya), tenketsu chakra holes, Jyuuken gentle fist, Gouken iron fist, Katon, Goukakyuu no jutsu Fire element, Grand Fireball technique, Katon, Karyuu Endan no jutsu Fire element, Fire Dragon Flame missile technique, Katon, Housenka no jutsu Fire element, Phoenix fire technique, Katon, Ryuuka no jutsu fire element, Dragon Fire technique, Katon, Gamayu Endan Fire element, Frog Oil Fireball (can only be used together with a frog summon).
(A/N: I am not going to write down every jutsu name in Japanese. That will be too troublesome. So I'll only write down some of them, the rest I'll use the English translation.)
Ryu-ichizoku the dragon clan, Ryu-kuni the dragon country, Kin-ketto golden lineage, Infomeshon Information, Cymer Chikara's ninja helper, Mujaki Chikara's adoptive daughter, Namida-chan Chikara's pet name for his adoptive daughter, Taiyo-kun Temari's pet name for Chikara.
Chikara's summons(all are dragons): Kaji (fire), Chikyu (earth), Kaze (wind), Mizu (water), Kori (ice), Raimei (thunder), Seibutsu (life), Yugure (darkness). Chikara in his dragon transformation is called: Kin-Ryu.
Continuation from "The Chuunin exam begins"
The tower in the middle of the forest of death
About an hour and half after we had obtained the last scroll, Naruto, Sakura and I had passed, and were in the waiting area. We had spoken to Iruka, and were now seated in the waiting area, having left everyone in dust. We weren't the first team though. The sand siblings were first, but we weren't long after.
"Chikara-san. You have become serious in this exam, right?" Gaara asked me, making Temari and Kankurou wonder. 'Chikara-san?' they thought and stared at me
"No, I haven't, but I was tired of being blind. So I used my eyes. I didn't become serious though. We didn't even fight. Just a simple diversion and then we had the scroll." I replied boringly.
"So you had luck like us, and the first team you meet had the scroll you were after?" Temari asked. Like most girls I talked to, she had a slight blush on her cheeks. It was kind of annoying.
"No, we passed two teams before reaching the one with the scroll we needed. Naruto and Sakura didn't know, but I could smell them, and used my eyes to see their scroll. When I saw that they had the same scroll as us, I just kept quiet. No need to fight when you don't have too." I said, noting the slight intake of breath from the girl in front of me. As I heard her thoughts, I almost laughed. 'He could see that without physical contact. I hope he doesn't sense nervousness as easy. Then again probably he does. What should I do? Perhaps I should ask Sakura. They seem to get along fine…'
I mentally shock my head and sighed: 'girls.' And I turned away towards the entrance when another team came in.
The
third day of the Chuunin exam
Konoha's team 8 came in about two days after us. I was relived as I didn't have to keep up the bunshin tailing them. But there were still two teams I had to watch.
"So guys. How was your trip?" I asked with a grin as they approached us. Shino just shrugged, and sat down besides Naruto. Kiba was talking to Akamaru.
"We had a little hard time getting the scroll. Our ambush didn't work, so we had a tough fight. But we won anyway. How about you?" Hinata replied, shyly playing with her index fingers.
Naruto pouted at first but then he said: "It was really amazing Hinata-chan. We got the scroll without fighting. I created a diversion with kage bunshin, and Chikara took the scroll without the enemy noticing. We didn't even get seen by the enemy, just my kage bunshin. It was really amazing." Hinata looked at me curiously. 'How did he do that?'
I pretended I didn't hear that, and looked at the ceiling, but then Kiba spoke up. "How did you do that?"
"Silent killing. It's something a ninja should know how to perform. It allows the ninja to move without a sound, and kill or immobilise his opponent silently. I snuck up to the one with the scroll and made him faint by touching a spot on his neck. Then I took the scroll and got away. Simple really." I said with a slight grin. "Now let's go get some food. Yes, I'm sure they have ramen, Naruto." I said, halting the question the blonde boy was about to ask, making him pout and the rest of us laughing at him.
The food was pretty good, and Anko even came over to congratulate us on passing. She sat down and ate with us also, wanting to hear about how we handled the exam. When we had explained, she shook her head and said: "For some reason I have the feeling that you could kill all in this room without us even knowing it."
I shrugged and said: "Probably, but I wouldn't worry about that. I don't harm friends."
Sakura, who sat next to me, said: "that's Chikara for you. He cares a lot for his friends." making me snort in reply. "Eh, Sakura-chan. He only just told us that" Naruto said and quickly dodged a chop stick flying towards him. Anko chuckled: "Sakura needs to practise her throwing techniques. But good reflexes Naruto." Naruto looked proud, but Sakura looked angry and sad. I kept my mouth shut tight.
Two
days later
Tsunade was standing in front of all the Genin teams that had passed. She had explained about this exam being a matter of choosing Chuunins, but also shows the power a village had. She was now talking about how she was proud of us all, and that the fact that there had to be a preliminary showed that many powerful people was here now. Then the examiner stepped up, a man named Genma. He looked around and said: "The drawing for the matches has started. The first match will be Uzumaki Naruto vs. Kankurou. The rest of you, move up to the second level."
As I walked past Naruto I ruffled his hair and said: "Good luck. Do your best."
He grinned and focused on his opponent again. Kankurou didn't look so good. I don't know what he was thinking, but he looked like he was about to give up. Temari looked really worried for her little brother, and Gaara had his unreadable expression on. I decided to talk to them, and said "see you in a little while" to Sakura, and walked up to Gaara and Temari. Gaara actually smiled at me, while Temari blushed again. I resisted the temptation of reading her mind.
"So, why is Kankurou so nervous? He looks like he's about to faint." I asked, while looking down on the two before me.
"He's scared because he has to fight the one who beat me. He knows he can't win." Gaara said, making Temari nod. "Yeah, he should give up to stop himself getting hurt." She said sadly.
I didn't reply but watched the match begin. Naruto used a kage bunshin to start. He then was about to engage Kankurou, but stopped. "So, one of you is a puppet. Heh, I guess I just have to use the Rasengan then." As he said that he began forming his attack.
"What? That attack…" I said and immediately activated my eyes to see the attack better and perhaps to learn it. Naruto then created another kage bunshin and that one also made a Rasengan. Moments later, Kankurou were defeated.
"Wow, that attack was extreme. Rasengan was it? What is it?" Temari asked me. Gaara also wondered.
"The Rasengan is an attack that requires extreme control over ones chakra. It is able to penetrate Gaara's sphere of sand easily. Much more easily than the Chidori that Sasuke used. But I don't know anything else except that it was developed by the Yondaime Hokage."
A couple of matches later it was Temari's turn. She was against a Grass ninja, who was defeated, relatively fast by her fan.
Gaara also won his match fast. He was against Tenten, who gave up when she saw she couldn't get past his defences.
Lee had to go against Ino, and he beat her as gently he could.
Sakura lost to Neji, although he didn't create any serious damage on her.
Kiba fought a grass ninja and won
Chouji lost to a grass ninja
Shino fought a stone ninja, and won.
Hinata had real trouble with her stone ninja, but managed to defeat him by using her chakra to puncture his lungs.
Then it was my turn. I had to fight a huge ninja from the Stone. When the fight began, he made stones come at me, but I dodged then. Suddenly I felt him behind me. He was really fast for someone so big. Suddenly I was enclosed in a sphere of mud, only my head showing.
"Heh. Look at you. Give up, or else I'm going to crush every bone in your body." He said, laughing at me, but he shut up when I smiled.
"Go ahead. Crush me if you want." I said with a smile. When they heard that both Naruto and Sakura yelled: "No, give up Chikara."
"Well, I warned you. Now it's too late." He said and formed some seals. Then I felt the pressure. One by one my bones started to break, and I allowed my self to scream. The stone ninja looked pleased, and the examiner was about to stop the fight, but then I started to laugh. "Is that all you can do? You only broke five bones. Pathetic" I said, making the stone ninja angry and he increased the pressure.
"What is Chikara doing? Gaara, it looks like your new friend has gone crazy." Temari said
"My new friend? You weren't complaining about talking to him a moment ago. But anyway, I don't think he has showed us his strength yet."
Temari managed to blush and frown at the same time, and she was about to say something but her attention was brought back to the fight again.
"What's going on? How? How did you stop my attack?" the stone ninja said
"I haven't stopped it. I simply refuse to be stuck here anymore." I said calmly, and then I gathered chakra and said: "Ryupou: power sphere" and the sphere of mud was ripped to shreds around me. In the middle of a field of light, I stood, with arms and legs in odd angles.
"Hm, I can't fight in this state." I said and five kage bunshin appeared besides me. Each took hold of a body part and pulled. A real nasty breaking sound was heard, and my face contracted with pain. Then the clones repositioned my bones and began healing and bandaging.
"You see, when a bone is out of place, it has to be repositioned for it to heal properly. Now I can move again. Do you want to continue this fight, then be my guest." I said, and took out six kunai, and some shuriken.
"Give up? So far you haven't given me a reason. Now, shut up and attack." The stone ninja said, gritting his teeth.
"Very well. You asked for it. Supersonic shuriken." I yelled and suddenly he had three shuriken sticking out of each of his arms.
"Supersonic kunai" I yelled, and he had six kunai in his chest. I then brought out more kunai and shuriken. "If you don't give up now, I will kill you. Which is it?" I asked, putting more and more killer intent into each word. My opponent shivered and said: "You win. I give up."
I smiled, but realised the fight had taken its toll. Breaking and healing bones like that was bad and very chakra consuming. I was a short on breath, but managed to not fall down exhausted by pure stubbornness.
"Congratulations to everyone who passed. Now everyone draw a number, and we will put up the matching for the tournament in a month." Tsunade said to those of us that passed.
Everyone drew and the matching was:
Me against Lee
Temari against Naruto
Neji against the grass ninja who beat Chouji
Gaara against Kiba
Shino against Hinata
After the matches were decided, we all went our separate ways. I went to get something to eat, before I was stopped by Shizune and some medics. They insisted I go to the hospital. I could do nothing to change their minds. I spent the next two days in the hospital.
Konoha
hospital. The day of my release
"Come in. No need to knock. I know your there. Six people." I said, and heard the door to my room open. In came Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Neji, Tenten and Lee.
"So, what brings you guys here today?" I asked
"Well, visit of course. Why else?" Tenten said, and gave me a bouquet of flowers. Hinata also handed me one.
"Thank you, but I will be going home in a couple of hours. But why not stick around and later we can go out for dinner. Hospital food really sucks." Everyone laughed but then I saw something. Neji's forehead protector had slipped a bit, revealing… something.
"Neji. What's that on your forehead?" I asked, making said Hyuuga flinch. "Show me" I commanded. He hesitated a bit, but showed it anyway.
I stood up from my chair and walked over to him. "This is the cursed seal of the Hyuuga family. Every branch member has it."
"Don't say anything else. I know what it does. It seals away the Byakugan when you die, right? And also helps keep the branch house in line?" My questions didn't really need answering, but Neji nodded anyway.
I then stood up and said: "every branch…" my voice trailed of, and they didn't catch the last bit of what I said. I walked over to the closet and took out my clothes, and got dressed, mumbling to myself. "Neji, how is it to live with that seal on your head?" I asked
"It's hell. We are always afraid of getting it activated, and that fear results in hate for the main house. It's a vicious circle that never stops."
"Alright. I have heard enough." I said and took out a scroll and wrote something on it. 'Damn, they are just asking for a war between the main and branch house. What will that do to…?' I thought. "Hinata, take this to your father. And I'm sorry you guys, but I have to cancel that dinner invitation. I have something I need to talk to Hokage-sama about." With that I left six very puzzled kids.
"Hey Hinata. Open that scroll and see what he wants with your dad." Kiba said
"No Kiba-kun. That's not right. We can't do that. I'll go and give this to father right away." Hinata said, and she took of to Hyuuga mansion with Neji trailing behind.
The
Hyuuga mansion, later same day.
"So Chikara-sama. Why have you asked for this meeting with us, the elders of the Hyuuga family and Hiashi, the head of the family?"
I was sitting in a meeting room full of Hyuuga's. I had seen enough of the hatred that split the Hyuuga.
"I am going to assume that you know who I am, and what rank I have. I may only be a Genin here in Konoha, but I still am the third highest ranked person in Ryu-kuni. I suggest that you listen to what I am here to say." I said with authority.
Hiashi looked at me and asked: "So what do you want with us?"
I took my time, and looked around and focused on every person present. "I now have two friends from the Hyuuga family, Hyuuga Hinata of the main house, and Hyuuga Neji of the branch house, and I am tired of the hate between those two houses. I am here to mend that."
Everyone looked confused at each other. "And how are you going to do that?" an old Hyuuga asked. Meanwhile, Hinata's little sister Hanabi had listened and were now running to get Hinata and Neji.
"Hinata-onesan. Come quick. A Genin is here and is having a meeting with father and the council." Hanabi told Hinata, and they went to get Neji. The three of them arrived outside the meeting room a couple of minutes later, only to be meet with a yell. They sat outside the meeting room and activated their Byakugan. Hinata and Neji gasped when they saw me.
"WHAT? You would have us remove the ancient tradition of use the cursed seal on the members of the branch house?" the three kids looked at each other with wonder in their eyes. Hinata leaned in to Hanabi and whispered: "Hasn't father tried to remove that rule for a long time?" Hanabi just nodded and was about to say something when I continued
"I don't see why not. As far as I can tell the reason for the cursed seal to exist in the first place is to make sure the Byakugan remain in the family. The members of the branch house receive the seal because they're duty is to protect the main house. The reason that the cursed seal is also used to evoke death is because the head family wanted control. This resulted in the hate between the main and the branch house. And so the main house didn't trust the branch house and thought they had to use the seal to protect themselves. And so the circle has kept spinning for many years."
"You can save yourself the effort. Hiashi-sama here has tried to remove the cursed seal for many years." Someone said.
Anger flashed inside me and some of my clan's special chakra showed, drawing intense killer intent with it. "It looks like you guys think you have a choice in this mater. Let me state this clearly: YOU-DO-NOT!" I said angrily. "I'm here to mend the hate between the man and branch house. As I was saying, the hate between the two houses comes from two tings: firstly the fact that the main house is prioritised, and that the branch house is the one who has to make the sacrifices.
Secondly the cursed seal. The branch house members hate the main house because the fact that a main house member only have to use a hand seal and extreme pain is experienced. I have the answer to both those problems."
After a short break where everyone was watching me expectantly, I said: "Hiashi, bring in the three kids that are listening. Two of them are the reason I bother try with helping this pathetic clan." Hiashi rose, (ignoring the insult to the Hyuuga clan) clearly confused. When he opened the door, Hinata, Hanabi and Neji simply stared up at him. He didn't know what to do. Be mad or not. Then I spoke again: "Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi. Come here." They walked up to me, all of them a little nervously.
They bowed to me and to the council and finally to their father/uncle when he sat down again. Hinata and Neji apparently were amused by my clothes. I was wearing a white kimono with a golden dragon on the back. On the front were the names of every dragon I could summon, which is every dragon there is. I also had a katana laid behind me. Its sheath was golden.
"Neji, show us your seal." I said. When he looked shocked at me, I smiled in return. He hesitantly removed his forehead protector, and shoved the seal.
"This seal is the cursed seal, right?" a confirmative mumble came from the council.
"And this seal is impossible to remove, right?" another confirmed mumble.
"Here are the answers I propose for this family:
The main and branch house is no more. The cursed seal is to be forgotten, and never used again. There will only be Hyuuga. And the Hyuuga family is to be lead by a head chosen by a council that is made up of the strongest and wisest of the Hyuuga. I propose an election every two years or so to chose new members of the council. The head of the Hyuuga is chosen and sits for life. However, the details I leave up to you to decide, but with this way there will be equal rites for everyone in the family."
The council seemed to like what I said except one who said: "What about the seal? We have the seal so that the secret about the Byakugan stays inside the Hyuuga family."
"I know about that. I only said 'no cursed seal'." I replied almost bored
Hiashi looked at me and asked: "What do you mean?"
"You don't get it? You should be damn thankful towards me and my family. I have spoken to my father the King, and he has agreed to help. I will explain and then summon my father to help me. You see, we in the Ryu-ichizoku have a similar problem, only much bigger than yours. The abilities of the Byakugan is dwarfed by the eyes my family has and the abilities our blood caries. To stop these secrets from being used against us, we made a seal. The heavenly seal. That seal works that it is placed on a person, and when that person dies, all abilities, all jutsus, all bloodline limit and everything that person knows or has experienced, gets sealed away. The seal works with the soul of the person. If that person is captured by an enemy, and the enemy is going to find out the secrets without killing the person, everything gets sealed away also, and is forever lost. However for the seal to work before a person is dead, the soul needs to acknowledge the danger and activate the seal that way. This seal don't do anything other to the person. At all. It only seals away the secrets. It is also passed down from a generation to another. But it is important to use it on a newborn anyway, since the seal passed down from parent to child is weaker. I propose to give the Hyuuga a gift. The scroll with the heavenly seal on it. That is why I will summon my father shortly. That will be his gift. My gift will be this." I said and stood up next to Neji.
"Neji, face me" I commanded. He did so and I formed a lot of seals, and laid my hand on his forehead. "Ryupou: curse remover" with that a golden light appeared under my hand, and shone trough Neji's body. He didn't scream, since it didn't hurt, but he was scared. Then the light went out and Neji slumped to the floor, panting heavily. "What did you do to him?" Hinata asked as she helped him on his feet. Hanabi glared at me, a long with the council.
"That technique. It removes the cursed seal. The more difficult version is even able to remove Orochimaru's cursed seal. Just take a look." I said as I pointed to Neji's forehead. The seal was gone.
"What? That is impossible. That seal can newer be removed." Hiashi said, although he was happy for his nephew.
"It can't. Not without holy chakra anyway. I happen to posses that. You can try to activate his seal if you don't believe me." I said boringly. Neji looked at me in disbelief. Hiashi didn't want to, but an older council member did, and used the seal for the activation. Nothing happened. Neji visibly relaxed, as did Hiashi.
"See. The seal is completely gone. Now, summon every Hyuuga to the biggest place of the estate. I will remove the seal form the former branch members, and my father will place the heavenly seal on everyone afterwards."
"What? Everyone?" Hiashi asked
"Yes. As of now there is no main and branch house. The only difference between different Hyuuga members now is their power and knowledge. Everyone of will get the seal. Don't worry. It's not dangerous. "I said to Hanabi, "I have the heavenly seal my self. It doesn't show, except on the person's birthday. Then it appears. So, what do you say? Do you accept these gifts, or am I wasting my time?" I asked
The council looked at each other for a while, and then Hiashi said: "can we think about it a little? I would like to ask my daughters to, if they would be willing to bear that seal."
"Of course. Call me when you decide." I said, and walked out.
A little later Hinata came out and fetched me. They had reached a decision.
"We accept. This will help everyone in this family. We will become one family, instead of two. Please, while we gather the rest of the Hyuuga, you call your father." Hiashi said happily. Neji also looked extremely happy.
"Alright. Then it's settled. No longer Hyuuga main or branch house, just Hyuuga, bound together by the Byakugan and the heavenly seal. I think we should call the Hokage for this as well." I said.
Later
same day. Hyuuga mansion. Chikara POV.
"Today the hate between the Hyuuga main house and branch house will be no more" I said to the people in front of me. When I saw their expecting faces, I started to explain. Everything I had told the council, I told the rest of the Hyuuga clan. At least almost everything. When I was done, Hiashi stepped up and said: "I will continue my role as head of the clan, and we will keep the council also. In two mounts we will hold an election, to choose a new council."
Father then stepped forward and said: "Now everyone. Those that have the cursed seal go to Chikara, and he will remove it. Everyone else come to me, and I will give you the heavenly seal. Once those of you that has removed the cursed seal, come to me also."
"We would appreciate that you give your name, so that we can cheek if we have everyone." I said and prepared myself for a long day.
Several hours later, I stood in front of a newly reunited Hyuuga family who all had a seal shining on their heads. The seal would disappear tomorrow though. My father and I had been working for hours, removing and placing seals. We had received a list with the names of all the members of the Hyuuga, and all of them now had the heavenly seal on their foreheads, and all of them looked happy. Well, most of them anyway. "You did good, son." My father said, he was also tired. We had used a great deal of chakra, and both of us were drained a lot. In a fight, we would lose against a Genin now.
Hiashi stepped forward and said, both to me and dad, and to the rest of the Hyuuga: "Now we the Hyuuga are united once again. Never again shall the cursed seal divide us. Together we are strong, and we owe it to this young man. He showed us, and nudged us in the right direction. No, more than nudge. He brought us here, out of the past and into the future. We all owe Chikara-sama greatly for this." When he finished, everyone cheered and my father stepped forward and said: "It was a pleasure. Now I have to go, but I hope that the Hyuuga and the Ryu will continue the friendship that Chikara, Hyuuga Hinata and Hyuuga Neji has started. Now, everyone. Goodbye." With that father left in a cloud of white smoke.
I also took my leave shortly afterwards. "Jeez, if having meetings like that is daily basis for a King, I'm not sure if I can handle it." I said out loud. I was really tired. Politics are not a walk in the park.
"Oh, you'll be able to handle it. I have faith in you." Some one said behind me.
"Tsunade-onesan? You left also? I thought you would stay behind to celebrate. This is the first time I have seen you pass up an opportunity for sake. Are you sick?" I asked, turning around to face the woman I referred to as big sister. Along with her was Sakura. "Ah Sakura-san. What are you doing here?"
"Chikara-san. I came to fetch Hokage-sama. Shizune said she has some work to do. And just now I heard that you single-handedly changed the Hyuuga. That's amazing." Sakura said to me with the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face.
I shrugged and said: "I didn't do it alone. If the Hyuuga didn't already want to change, then I could have done little. So don't make it sound so great."
Tsunade looked at me and said: "Don't act so modest, little brother. You came up with the perfect answer to the Hyuuga situation. I would never have thought about that."
I just shrugged and continued to walk home to my apartment. I needed my rest, since I had training to do next day. "Hey you two. I'm heading home to sleep. The training starts tomorrow and I need my sleep."
Tsunade nodded her head, but before I could jump towards home, someone took my arm. I turned to look down at Sakura. "Sakura-san? What is it?" I asked
"Can I stay the night in your guestroom? My parents are out of town, and it's so lonely back home." She asked with her ultimate begging style: puppy eyes no jutsu. I sighed and looked at Tsunade for help. She grinned and stuck her tongue out at me, thinking: 'you're on your own kid'
I sighed. There is no way to resist that jutsu. Not without killing your hearth any way. "Alright. But I don't like you asking me at the last minute. Ask a little earlier in the day next time." I said and ruffled her hair. Tsunade said good night and left for the Hokage building, while Sakura and I went to my apartment.
Once inside I felt something, and directed chakra to my nose and smelled a familiar sent. "Naruto is here. Jeez, another 'last-minute' guest." I said making Sakura laugh before she yelled: "Oy, Naruto. Where are you?"
The blonde boy appeared from the guest room and stared at Sakura. "Sakura-chan? What are you doing here?" He asked. Before anything could be said, I walked to the kitchen and said: "You two can talk tomorrow. Since there only are two bedrooms in this apartment, and Naruto already has one, I think Sakura should sleep in my room. Now, both of you. Go to bed." My tone stated that I didn't want any discussion.
They nodded and went to bed. I made myself some food, and left for the apartment roof. Once there I ate, and used a jutsu to make a bed of leaves, and a roof. I laid down and slept soundly until the sun came up and woke me. I then headed down and made breakfast for my two guests. After a while Sakura came into the kitchen and asked where I had slept. I simply pointed to the roof, and used the jutsu again, this time making the leaf bed appear besides the couch. When she saw it, she blushed and said: "So Naruto and I made you sleep on the roof on some flimsy bed of leaves?" She said with a sad look on her face. I simply shook my head and went back to cooking, smiling at her concern.
A month
later at the arena where the Chuunin exam was taking place.
"Well, start the first match, Chikara vs. Rock Lee." The examiner said
"I know you did a real good thing to the Hyuuga family and Neji has become a lot happier after that, and I am grateful. But I won't hold back. And I don't want you to either." Lee said
"Very well. If you want me to be serious, then I suggest that you take of your weights right away." I said, and strangely Lee did so. "Okay. Now I'm ready. Let's go" he said and was instantly behind me, and hit me on the head. His eyes widened as his hand sunk into my head, but he couldn't pull it out. I appeared behind him, and said: "Sorry Lee, but I don't want a long fight. So I asked you to take of your weights so I had time to make this. It's a replacement of mud as you have guessed, but the mud instantly traps everything inside it. So you lost before you could even begin." With that I hit his neck, and he was out.
"Winner Chikara" the examiner said, and I picked up Lee and appeared beside Gai. He jumped from surprise, both in my sudden appearance, and also from my quick victory. "Lee will be alright. He only felt the need for a little nap. He'll wake up soon." I said, and walked down to the waiting room. I didn't need his eventual rambling.
"Amazing. Chikara knocked Lee out with a single punch. No one has ever done that before." Neji said, and Gaara nodded in agreement. "Even I had a hard time against him. Chikara must be extremely strong. I can't wait to fight him."
Then it was time for Naruto against Temari.
"Go nicely on me will you? I am a girl you know." Temari said
"I won't fall for that. I'm not that stupid. Let's just fight." Naruto said and prepared the kage bunshin.
After a while, Naruto laid on the ground in front of Temari, panting with several cuts on him.
"I can't believe my brother lost to you. You can't be serious now. Uhh" Temari said as she felt a kunai pressed towards her throat.
"You're right. I wasn't serious, but I am now. Move and you're dead. Give up or I cut your throat." In front of Temari, the kage bunshin she saw vanished, and she recognised the one behind her as the real Naruto.
"Fine. You win. I give up." She said with a sigh.
"Winner Uzumaki Naruto." The examiner yelled and many on the stands cheered.
On the
stands
"That was a really good strategy Naruto came up with. He has really grown." Shikamaru said, and Kakashi nodded in reply.
"Yes, Chikara really has had a positive influence on the loud boy. But now is the next match. Let's just watch it."
In the
arena
Neji was preparing to face of against a grass ninja. The fight was really fast, Neji struck his enemy three times, and the grass ninja fell down, making Neji the winner.
Gaara against Kiba also was pretty boring, Kiba not having the speed to get past Gaara's defence, and Gaara simply knocked Kiba unconscious with a miniature hand of sand.
Then it was Hinata against Shino. Hinata looked really sad since she had to fight her friend, and he also looked a little sad. "I'm sorry Hinata, but I will win. Please give up before I hurt you." Shino said. In the waiting room I shook my head and sighed. "When will people stop underestimating Hinata? She is strong enough to take Shino down, if she finds the courage." I said and Neji turned towards me with a frown and said: "True. Hinata-sama is much stronger than I thought. But is it enough in this fight? I mean, Shino has his bugs, and he doesn't have the same type of chakra pipes a normal person has."
"It doesn't mater. Hinata has grown since you two fought, so there really isn't anything to worry about. Now just shut up and watch the fight." I said sternly.
In the fight, Shino had attacked Hinata and found that she knew the kaiten. Before he knew it, he was attacked. Soon he had to fall back. "How did you get so strong, Hinata? Last time we fought, you didn't have that movement. You must have doubled your speed. How did you do that in a month?" Shino asked, but suddenly he had a fist in his stomach and doubled over in pain. Before he could react, Hinata had placed a fist on his neck and he was out.
"See? I told you Hinata was stronger. She beat Shino. I wonder how she would do against you Neji." I said, making Neji frown. Naruto looked at Neji and laughed.
"We will now draw the next match. The first match of the semi-finals is: Chikara vs. Hyuuga Neji." The examiner announced. I and Neji looked at each other, and laughed before we jumped down to the arena. From the stands I could hear: "Do your best Neji." And "show him that Hyuuga is best" and things like that. But some were rooting for me also, but I didn't hear what they said, since the others were louder.
"Now I will show you how strong I am. I who have inherited the Hyuuga bloodline stronger than any other." Neji said as he was slipping into the Hyuuga fighting stance
"Still being bold I see. How will you cope with a person that doesn't have the Hyuuga bloodline, but is able to use the Jyuuken anyway?" I asked, making Neji and many others gasp as I also slipped into the Hyuuga fighting stance, with my eyes activated, brown and golden clashing. Neji didn't really know what to do, but he attacked none the less, thinking I was bluffing. His eyes widened when he felt three hits, all just like the hits from a Hyuuga attack. "You see Neji? I'm not bluffing. I know the Jyuuken style, and I will not lose so easily. Now stop toying and be serious." I said to the dumb folded Hyuuga in front of me.
"How do you know the Jyuuken? Your not a Hyuuga." He asked while trying to asses the damage I had inflicted.
"You're right. I'm not a Hyuuga, but I have this eye you see. My family's eye. It is almost like the Sharingan, only I can't copy jutsus, but I can learn taijutsu by watching closely. I have to practise it of course, but I have used this month to perfect it. Now I can rival a Hyuuga with the Hyuuga's own special fighting style. Not that I have anything against the Hyuuga, quite the opposite, but I think this style is pretty good, so I decided to use it. Now quit babbling and fight. I already have five ways to beat you. Move." I said commandingly.
Neji just stood there, before he jumped backwards. I looked at him and said: "So, you choose way three then. Fine" at that I vanished and Neji looked furiously for me. Then the public gasped and Neji couldn't understand it. He saw nothing suspicious, but he didn't see me either. Suddenly he felt like sinking, and when he looked at the ground he saw chakra flowing around him. "What is this? I can't move" he said looking wildly around him.
"This is the earth prison. It traps a person and blocks movement. It is almost the same type of attack as the trap I pulled on Lee. Now you are finished, without unnecessary injuries." I said, appearing next to him, and knocking him out.
"Winner Chikara. Next match will be Gaara vs. Naruto" the examiner announced.
"Oh crap. Those two. This can become dangerous for everyone in the crowd." I said as I appeared in the waiting room. Hinata was the only there and she looked at me wondering what I meant. "What do you mean?"
"I can't tell you all the details but let's just say that both of them have enough power within them to destroy this village. Luckily they both cannot bring all that power out yet, but if one of them tries, I have to stop them. If I can." That last part I mumbled so she didn't hear it.
"They are that strong? How can that be?" Hinata always thought that Naruto were strong, but not that strong.
"I told you. I can't tell you all the details. Actually I can't tell you any more. Let's just watch the fight." I said, trying not to sound impatient.
Down in the arena, Naruto and Gaara had thrown some attacks at each other, and Gaara was sealing himself in that sphere of his. Naruto didn't want to wait for his opponent to do something, so he created three kage bunshin and made them create a Rasengan each. The bunshins jumped at the sand sphere and unleashed their Rasengan at the same time. Moments later Gaara lay on the ground panting heavily. "Uzumaki Naruto, I cannot defeat you without unleashing the Shukaku." Gaara said, making me tense up. Hinata looked at me, and saw I was preparing to jump into the fight when Gaara spoke again: "But I won't do it. Too many innocent people would die, so I will lose this time. I give up!"
Naruto looked surprised, but nodded and helped Gaara up again.
"Winner Uzumaki Naruto. Now we must draw for the last match before the final. If Chikara and Hyuuga Hinata would come down here please?" the examiner said
When the three people stood in front of him he said: "Since we have three people left, we will draw over who will fight Hyuuga Hinata. Can you draw Gaara?" he asked. Gaara had begun walking towards the waiting room, but turned and nodded, and reached his hand into the box the examiner carried. He pulled out a note and read the name. "Chikara" he said and showed it to the examiner. "Alright, the next match will be Hyuuga Hinata vs. Chikara." The examiner said and Naruto and Gaara walked up to the waiting room.
"Hinata, don't hold back because we are friends. In a fight we have to fight with our greatest efforts to survive." I said. Hinata looked sad, but nodded.
"Alright, begin!" the examiner said. Hinata activated her Byakugan and slipped into her fighting stance, which were slightly different from the normal Hyuuga stance.
"What is that? You have your own style?" I asked
"Yes. I developed it on my own, with the help of Shino-kun and Kiba-kun." She answered. "It's called…"
"Please, don't tell me what it's called yet." I said and waved a hand in frot of my face. "In a fight you have to keep your secrets safe. If I knew the name of your style, I might figure out more than you want. Now show me." I said and threw a shuriken at her. She deflected it with chakra that looked like a needle sticking out of her hand. I then threw another and formed some seals. "Kage shuriken no jutsu" I yelled and suddenly fifty shuriken flew towards her. Everyone was being deflected. Then more appeared, so many that they completely surrounded her. A minute later she stood there with a lot of shuriken lying on the ground around her.
On the
stands
"Is that really Hinata?" Hanabi asked her father who sat next to her. He didn't answer, instead he looked at the girl he had thought weak. He saw that she had potential, but not with normal Hyuuga techniques. "I know now why she always was weaker than you, Hanabi" he said. "She needs her own style. Her personality doesn't mix with the Hyuuga style, she just needs to find her own." Hiashi said, looking in awe as his daughter deflected hundreds of shuriken
Back in
the fight
"I see. That is an absolute defence you have there. And I also see why you didn't use it against Shino. He knows it already so he thought you would use it, but you surprised him by using Hyuuga techniques. Good strategy. Now let's start this match for real." I said and disappeared. I appeared on her left and threw a shuriken. She deflected it, but I was on her right and threw another. She deflected that too, but I continued to move and throw. Suddenly the attack stopped and Hinata looked confused.
"Why did you stop attacking?" she yelled, not knowing where I was. Well, more asked loudly, but anyway she was heard by everyone.
"Look around you." I said and revealed my plan. The shuriken I had thrown lay around her, and every one of them was melting. She was surrounded by molten metal, and I appeared in front of her again. "Ninpou: metal sphere" I said and the metal stretched and made a sphere around her. The only opening was in front of me. "This is another jutsu meant for trapping the enemy. I can make the sphere collapse around you, crushing you with it. Please give up. This situation is hopeless." I said, and after she saw that I was right she gave up.
"Winner Chikara. We will go on to the final match right away, unless Chikara needs a break." The examiner said as I melted the sphere to let Hinata out.
"Five minutes would be nice." I said, and the examiner nodded.
After five minutes, Naruto and I stood face to face, ready to fight. In the stands Hinata, Neji and Gaara had sat down together. "Who do you think will win, Neji-nii-san?" Hinata asked
"I don't know. I have been beaten by them both, and both are so strong. Chikara is strong, but he also is a good strategist, while Naruto is strong and is good at figuring out what to do in a fight. It could be a draw."
"I don't know about that. I know that they both are strong, but Naruto has something that Chikara doesn't. I think Naruto will win." Gaara said. Hinata nodded in agreement.
"Final match. Both fighters are ready, begin." The examiner yelled. Naruto started right away with kage bunshin and tried his Uzumaki Naruto rendan. But I dodged and destroyed the bunshins with some kunai. Naruto himself found that he had a fist in his stomach and that he didn't like the feeling of it.
"Chikara. I'm sorry but I don't want a long match. I'm ending it here." Naruto said and made a Rasengan, and attacked me. He hit me, and I flew into the wall, making a huge dent.
Naruto almost popped his eyes out when I stood up, and walked towards him, although limping horribly. "Sorry Naruto, but you have to do better. I have two ways of beating you. I will choose way two." I said and stormed towards him. He used kage bunshin and they attacked me. Suddenly Naruto was grabbed behind and thrown hard into the ground. When he lay there, mud flowed over him, and he only had time to get away before he was trapped.
"It looks like I can't beat you like this." He said, and red chakra surrounded him.
"No, Naruto. Don't use that chakra." I said, but too late. He had brought out some of the Kyuubi chakra. It was now surrounding him, and also moving and attacking me.
"Sorry Chikara, but you lose here. But don't worry. I can control this chakra. It doesn't take over my brain or anything. But now let's fight." Naruto said and launched what looked like hands of that chakra. I dodged a few, but was grabbed and slammed against the floor. When another fist came down towards me, I used my own chakra to get out, and I started fighting the red chakra with Jyuuken attacks. The air around me was now filled with red and blue chakra.
On the
stands
"Kakashi, is this alright. Naruto fighting with the Kyuubi's chakra?" Asuma asked his fellow Jounin.
"Yes, he can control it. The one I'm worried about is Chikara. He's facing something greater than he knows." Kakashi answered, before spotting Hinata walking up to him
"Kakashi-sensei. What is that chakra. Chikara said that Naruto-kun has some amazing power, but that he can't use it. Is that chakra that power?" Hinata asked
"Yes, that is the power Chikara spoke of, and if you are worried about Naruto, don't. The one in danger now is Chikara." Kakashi said. Hinata nodded and sat down on a empty seat.
"Gaara. What should we do? Is Naruto losing control?" Kankurou asked his little brother, but Gaara just shook his head.
"Naruto is in perfect control. We are just going to sit here and watch." Gaara said and his two siblings nodded and didn't say anything against the younger boy.
'I hope Naruto uses that chakra better than he did in his fight against me. If he doesn't he will lose.' Neji thought to himself, referring to when Naruto beat him in the last exam.
"Sakura. What's up with Naruto. What is that power?" Ino asked, but Sakura was staring wide eyed at her team-mate. She was in no condition to answer questions.
"I'm amazed at that boy. No one should be able to deflect that chakra like Chikara does. I can't, Neji can't, yet that boy does it with his own chakra just as if he was fighting real hands. How much power does that dragon clan have?" Hiashi said, mostly to himself but his youngest daughter heard and said: "that dragon clan? What about Uzumaki Naruto? How much power does he have?" she asked, but her father was silent.
Then a change happened down in the fight.
Back to
the fight
Naruto had gotten past my defences and had grabbed me again. But before he could slam me into the ground, I destroyed the chakra hand holding me and I jumped back, launching fire, ice and water jutsu at the same time, and using the kage shuriken much more than in my fight against Hinata. Naruto had taken some damage also, but he was healed by the Kyuubi chakra. I looked at him and saw an opening. I rushed and got in close with Naruto and punched so hard he flew across the arena and was stuck halfway through the wall. When he climbed out, he was hurt, but as always he was healing fast.
"Sorry Chikara, but you can't beat me. Any damage you inflict is healed right away." Naruto said smiling
"Naruto. Never laugh at your opponent before he is beaten. You are wrong, I have eight ways of beating you, but I can't use them here. If I use them, I put all these people at risk, and I can't do that. I can't jeopardise people's security by fighting when it's not really necessary. I can't beat you without my most powerful jutsu, so I give up. You win." I said soberly.
"Chikara has given up. Winner of this tournament is Uzumaki Naruto!" the examiner announced. The crowd was silent, before huge cheers erupted and it seemed that everyone was happy for the blonde boy.
I smiled as I watched him jump up and down, enjoying the cheers. I started walking towards the hospital, since I was seriously wounded, but I was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. "You did the right decision in that situation." The examiner said to me quietly before he yelled: "Will everyone that was part of the third exam come down here?"
"Are you serious? I have to get to the hospital." I asked. The examiner just shrugged and I sweatdropped.
When all the Genin came down, Tsunade stepped forward and said: "Congratulation Naruto. And the rest of you Genins also. As you know it's not the win in this match that decides if you become Chuunin. You all still have the chance, even if you lost your match. Come back here in two days to hear who has become Chuunin. Those that aren't here, is disqualified and will still be Genin. You are dismissed."
Two days later, everyone was present again. Tsunade stepped forward again and said: "We will now announce who has become Chuunin. Those whose name is called, step forward. The rest is still Genin and must try again another time. The new Chuunins are:
Hyuuga Neji
Aburame Shino
Gaara of the desert
Ryu Chikara
Kusa Shibafu (the grass ninja Neji beat)
The rest is still Genin. I hope our new Chuunins will work hard, and be a positive asset to their village. The Chuunins must report to their superior as fast as possible. Now you are dismissed."
I could hear Naruto complain before Temari told him that perhaps he wasn't ready to be Chuunin yet, and he shut up after that. I walked with Neji and Shino to the Hokage tower, and when we arrived, we was meet by each our Jounin sensei. We were sworn in, and received the Chuunin vest. "Now you three be good Chuunin, and work hard. And in case some of you want to try, there is a Jounin exam in two months. I can take registrations now." Tsunade said. Kakashi, Kurenai and Gai looked at each other and said: "Is that wise. They just became Chuunin. The record for graduating to Jounin after becoming Chuunin is half a year. Two months seem a little soon." Kurenai said to the older woman.
"I know that it may seem like that. But if they feel they can do it, I see no reason why not letting them try. So, do you want to try?"
Neji looked like he wanted, but was unsure, but Shino shook his head. "I am in no hurry. I will serve some time as a Chuunin before becoming Jounin." He said
"What does this exam involve?" Neji asked
"I can't tell you, but think of it as a harder version of the Chuunin exam." Tsunade answered while locking her fingers together and resting her elbows on her desk.
"I will take the exam." I said, making the Jounins of the room spin around and look at me.
"You do understand that you could get killed in this exam?" Kakashi said.
"Are you so hungry for power and rank?" Kurenai asked
"Hungry for power and rank? If I was that, I would live in my own country, and continue being the prince. Instead I am here, and the reason I want to become Jounin is simple. As a Jounin I can help this village better by taking more difficult missions, and also by forming and training young ninjas so that they become strong and in time also an asset to this village. That is my reason. And I am not afraid of death either. Sign me up." I said and turned to leave.
"Wait, we aren't done. We still need to discuss missions. Since you will take the exam, you need to train and study. I would feel better if a elite Jounin watched over you, like Ebisu. Then you two(Neji and Shino) will begin with missions the day after tomorrow. I have a feeling your friends will hold a party for you guys, to celebrate your promotion. Now get out of here." Tsunade said and took out a paper and wrote down my name on it.
Kakashi stayed behind, and he grabbed my shoulder, making me sit down in a chair. The others looked curious, but left the room anyways.
When the door shut behind the others, Kakashi turned to Tsunade and said: "I don't know Chikara as good as you do, but based on what I saw in this exam I don't think he is ready to take another."
"That is because I held back. If I went all out, I would have won my matches twice as fast, but I would also hurt my friends more. I would also make Naruto bring more of the Kyuubi out, and that would have been a disaster. He would be in danger of hurting innocents, and the villagers would be reminded that he has the Kyuubi and they would hate him more if they got confirmation about he being able to use the demons chakra. So I held back, despite the fact that I was almost killed. So don't worry about me." I told the older man, but he didn't seem satisfied.
"It doesn't mater anymore. Chikara has entered the exam, and that's final. Now get out of here. I want to finish my work, so that I can come to the party. I really need to relax." Tsunade said with a sigh and both Kakashi and I left as quietly we could.
When we came out of the Hokage building, Kakashi turned to me and said: "I still don't think you are ready, but I make you a deal. If you can take my bells from me before I reach the party place, I will acknowledge that you can become a Jounin at this exam. I will then help you, along with Ebisu. Deal?" Kakashi said
"And what if I don't get the bells?" I asked
"Then I will think of something nasty" Kakashi said sadistically
"Deal. Now get a move on." I said, and Kakashi took out two bells and hung them in his belt. He then revealed his Sharingan and took of.
At the
entrance of the party building
"I hope Chikara comes soon. We should get this party started." Ino said, and continued to look for me. She and Sakura had stood there for about five minutes. Then suddenly Kakashi landed in front of them.
"Yo" he said and cowered his Sharingan. I then landed behind him and he turned to me and grinned. "I guess I win" he said
"You win? What do you mean?" Sakura said
"Chikara and I had a bet. If he could take my bells before I reached this place, I would acknowledge that Chikara can become Jounin in the next Jounin exam. But he lost so now I have to think of something nasty to him." Kakashi said and grinned, before he saw my grin.
"I don't think so. You see, I have the bells. You have a couple of stones on strings, with a jutsu on them" I said, and held out two bells. Kakashi's eye widened and he looked at the bells in his belt. Smoke came from them and he held two stones.
"I win" I said and walked past him into the building, leaving a dumbstruck Jounin.
The party was fun, and especially when Tsunade hit Jiraiya so hard that he flew out through a window. He didn't walk straight for two weeks.
