Naruto Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Author's Note: Battles, battles, battles... Rough draft… I re-wrote this entire chapter, because I kinda screwed up first time. I'm still not satisfied with the results actually. It may seem a bit rushed too. Well, if I see too many errors, I'll just upload the first version of this Chapter, which is very different… Anyway, hope you enjoy!

---

The opening sequence is divided for any single mind
A sweet connection between the sensation satisfaction
and apparent, ever so distinct feeling disappointment
Almost introducing the opposite flow of what it consists
Knowing this, still we find boundaries of our knowledge
and ultimately deny the truth of the fact we always fail

A new day, the same faces, the same conflicts and the same eerie sense of being watched. Naruto stepped out of his small apartment and ignored the seemingly happy birds as they jumped around, eating small bits of food on the ground. He simply walked through the small group of birds, making them scatter, but he didn't seem to notice at all.

"Ah, awake already?" A voice suddenly let itself be heard.

Naruto continued to walk, not bothering to turn around. "Hatake, you're very early…" He said.

Kakashi jumped next to Naruto and joined him in the walk. "I have some things to do before I come to Team 7's meeting place."

Naruto regarded Kakashi with a short glance. "What do you want to tell me?"

"Actually… The Chuunin Exam is rapidly approaching. You think your teammates are ready for it?" Kakashi asked as he himself seemed to wonder about it, looking up at the sky with his right hand under his chin.

Naruto sighed. "You should spend some time on the pink-haired girl… The Uchiha is progressing a little less slow on his self."

Kakashi nodded, but frowned at Naruto. "Do you know your teammates' names, Naruto?"

Naruto frowned back and didn't answer the question. "The Uchiha and I are ready for the Chuunin Exam, the pink-haired girl isn't yet."

Kakashi nodded. 'In one week, I'll have to train Sakura so she'll be ready for the Chuunin Exam…'

>

The Clashing
- Chapter 2: The First Clash

>

Naruto was seated against a tree, while Sakura and Sasuke were hanging over a railing of a small bridge. They were at Team 7's regular meeting place. Kakashi was, as usual, very late. Naruto was actually asleep, which made Sasuke and Sakura rather annoyed, but they didn't dare say something about it.

"Yo!" Was the announcement Kakashi gave as he arrived.

Naruto opened his eyes and stared, not glared, at Kakashi. Sasuke and Sakura did glare. "You're always late, Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura screamed. "You should be our role-model and always be on time!"

'Role-model?' Kakashi coughed. "Ahm… Anyway, I came to give you guys these…" He said as he handed over three small scrolls. "These are for signing in at the Chuunin Exam. Sasuke, Naruto, you can leave and go train. I need to talk to Sakura."

Sakura, whose eyes were slightly widened at the mention of 'Chuunin Exam', was clearly upset. As Naruto and Sasuke were gone, she looked at Kakashi. "I… I'm not ready for this, am I?" Sakura let out.

"Sakura." Kakashi smiled. "We'll help you get ready."

Sakura doubted if she'd ever really be ready for something like this as she stared at Kakashi.

Kakashi reassuringly smiled, reading Sakura's insecurity. 'Confidence isn't her greatest weakness. Her goal is her weakness, but how can I show that to her?'

---

Sasuke was practicing a new Fire Technique against a huge boulder, which was already quite scorched. 'The Chuunin Exam… This might be very interesting.' He thought as a huge stream of fire collided with the boulder again.

He had his doubts from his team from the start, it grew even more when he knew Sakura was to be in his team. But when Naruto, the stranger got in, he felt unsure of it. Then, the boy showed what he was made of against Kakashi and on the mission. Yes, Naruto was stronger than him… 'I'll have to become stronger than Naruto. Otherwise I won't stand a chance against Itachi…'

Sakura had proven to be nothing but a nuisance on missions. As Sasuke had expected, she usually got in the way. 'No, she isn't ready for the Chuunin Exam.'

But thanks to some vigorous training during their first C-Rank Mission, he had gained the Sharingan and had used it against Haku. His Sharingan was well-trained and ready to be used again. Other than that, his arsenal of techniques was growing as well. Finally he was ready for some of the more powerful Fire Techniques.

"Katon, Ryuuka no Jutsu!" Sasuke yelled as he attacked the huge boulder again.

'This Chuunin Exam will be good for me… I'm sure there will be very interesting people participating.'

---

Sakura was walking towards where the First Test of the Chuunin Exam was to be held. In front of her, a confident Sasuke was walking. It didn't take long before a menacing aura was felt behind them. They turned around to confirm their thoughts; Naruto was walking behind them, with his arms folded.

Sasuke and Naruto hadn't spoken to Kakashi for days and both of them wondered how far Sakura had come in those few days. She didn't seem so afraid anymore, but insecurity still danced on her features.

As the trio walked through a door and was met with a large group of Genins, they shook their head. Even Sakura frowned as she put her hands in a seal and whispered "Kai!"

Sasuke smirked as the Genjutsu two Shinobis put up disappeared. He narrowed his eyes at the boy on the floor, who seemed to be hit in the face. 'He seems rather weak…'

All the other Genins looked a bit surprised but stepped up to the next floor. The Genjutsu made it appear as if it was a floor up.

"Don't underestimate them…" Naruto suddenly spoke up. "Most of them are weak, but a few of them are… not as weak."

---

"Hey… You with the dark eyes!" Someone screamed as Team 7 made his way towards the Entrance of the Chuunin Exam. "Fight me!"

Naruto snarled as he looked at a young boy jumping down to be face to face with his team.

Sasuke grinned, knowing it was him he meant. Naruto walked over to a wall and leaned against it. Maybe the other kid wasn't that talented, but there was something about him that Naruto wanted to see. "Go ahead and fight, we have plenty of time."

The boy introduced himself. "My name is Rock Lee. You don't have to say your name, Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke heard Naruto, but all of his attention was on his opponent now. "Hn, knowing I'm an Uchiha and still challenging me… I'll show you what this name means…"

Naruto rolled his eyes as Sasuke got pummelled seconds later…

---

As Team 7 walked towards the real entrance of the First Test, Sasuke looked on intrigued as he saw Kakashi in the distance, in front of the entrance. Sasuke was trying to forget his loss against Lee and also the words Naruto spoke afterwards.

"To think an Uchiha lost against someone who can only use Taijutsu…"

"Ah, you've finally arrived. " He said as his three students stood in front of him. "Well, I've said it many times, but you three will need to work together from here on in. That includes you, Naruto."

Naruto's response was a glance at Kakashi's face, before he closed his eyes again. "That won't be necessary at all…"

Kakashi's head dropped a bit, but a smile returned. "Well, in any case… Good luck!" He said, looking at Sakura and Sasuke as he opened the door for them.

Sakura uncertainly followed her two teammates through the door.

---

As they entered the room, they met some familiar faces. "Hey Big-Forehead Girl!"

"Hey Ino-Pig!"

Naruto seemed to wake up from the shrill screams and he glared at the blonde who greeted Sakura, only to close his eyes again. 'There are a few powerful Chakra presences here… Interesting…'

"So, who's your teammate?" A boy with a red stripe on each cheek said as he approached Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto.

Even though it was obvious Naruto was uninterested, Sakura chose to introduce everyone. "Our teammate is Uzumaki Naruto…" Naruto stared at Sakura but didn't listen. Instead, he was trying to figure out who the more powerful ones in the room were.

After introductions stopped, an older man stepped up to the group of nine rookies. "Hey, you guys should be quieter. There are Shinobis here known for their short temper. Notice your surroundings?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes at the older man. "Who are you?" He spoke, ignoring Kabuto's warning.

The man seemed to wink as he smiled. "Yakushi Kabuto, nice to meet you." Kabuto analyzed Naruto as he stared at him. "And you are?"

"Uzumaki Naruto." He answered, not really caring. His glare at Kabuto grew in its intensity.

"Kabuto-san, you've taken the Exam before?" Sakura asked as she stared at the taller and older man, destroying the tense atmosphere between Kabuto and Naruto...

"Actually, this is my seventh time." His answer earned him a few frowns. "I know a lot about this Exam, too. I gather information through a skill of mine… Nin-Info Cards."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "What kind of information?"

"Well, as you can see…" Kabuto began as he grabbed his cards. "They seem empty. Only MY Chakra can reveal the information on them."

"You haven't answered the question." Sasuke pointed out.

Kabuto grinned. "Well, what kind of information are you interested in?"

"You have information on individuals?" Sasuke asked as he stepped a bit forward to look at the cards.

Kabuto grinned. "Yes, if you have a name, or appearance?"

"Rock Lee and…" Sasuke looked at Naruto for a while as if he was hesitating. "Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto's right eye twitched.

Kabuto grinned as he gathered a bit of his Chakra and put it on his cards. "Rock Lee… You guys are rookies, so he's a year older than you. He's had 20 completed D-Ranks and 12 completed C-Ranks. His Ninjutsu and Genjutsu seem low, but his Taijutsu is very high... His teammates are Hyuga Neji and Ten-Ten."

Kabuto took a look at his second Nin-Card. "Ah, you two are teammates? Seems odd to ask about him…" Kabuto shrugged as he continued. "Naruto has had 16 completed D-Rank Missions and 3 were recently. 33 Completed C-Rank Missions and 5 B-Rank Missions, 4 completed… Impressive, Naruto-kun, B-Missions as a Genin… Hmm… You had an earlier Genin Team with the Jounin Instructor Aoba… Interesting." He said as Naruto watched Kabuto read some more on the card.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "You seem to have too much information about others." Naruto tilted his head dangerously as he was about to release a bit of his Killer Intent, but stopped shortly after. "Be careful where you put your nose…"

Kabuto simply grinned at the warning. "Well, I also have information about the participants. You see, there are Shinobis from every Country. Stone, Lightning, Fire, Water, Rain, Grass… Sound is a newly established Country, so I don't really have that much information about that one. Sound is new, but the other Villages have talented youngsters."

Naruto leaned against a wall and ignored everyone. But after a minute, he heard swift movement and looked up to catch up with the movements of three Sound Shinobis. 'What are they up to?' Grinning, Naruto released a bit of his Chakra and made it move underground. As one of the Sound moved forward, he pulled his leg from underneath him, making the bandaged Sound Shinobi fall on his face.

Kabuto's eyes widened. 'What? He's too skilled to fall like that! Who did it?' Kabuto did feel some Chakra, but it dissipated as soon as it had come. The other two Sound Shinobis who had been moving came to their friend's aid. 'Mhm… I wanted them to attack me, actually. Who stopped their movements?' Kabuto thought as he looked at the three Sound-nins.

The bandaged Sound Shinobi was a bit annoyed as he stared at his teammates. "My leg almost got pulled through the ground…" He whispered as he motioned to a hole in the ground, beneath his right foot.

His two teammates looked a bit nervous as they saw it.

---

Naruto decided to sleep a bit as the paper test started. Morino Ibiki was observing the classroom as every Genin was writing down answers. Naruto wouldn't admit it, but it did help him that Morino Ibiki was one of the few Shinobis in Konoha he could get along with. A B-ranked mission in the past put the two of them together against an A-Rank Missing-nin.

Naruto easily figured out the purpose of the Test at the start and Morino let him have his rest.

As he slept, he didn't notice the dozens of techniques being flung around in the classroom.

Later, he woke up as Ibiki mentioned a Tenth Question. Naruto, who had easily figured out the purpose, knowing Ibiki better than the other Genins, chose to ignore this as well…

Then, he sensed a familiar Chakra Signature approaching. 'He chose her to be the Second Examiner?'

---

Naruto followed his two teammates, who followed Mitarashi Anko to the Forest of Death. This was to be the Second Test. The more interesting one, Naruto hoped. He glanced around to see which Shinobis were still left after the First Test. Rock Lee's team was there. That dog boy's team and the fat guy's team too. 'Not worth mentioning really.'

"Alright!" Anko suddenly screamed as they stood in front of the gates of the Forest of Death. "Here the Second Test will commence! I need all of you to sign agreement forms." She said as she made Chuunins hand out forms. "There will be a possibility you will die, so… I don't want to have the responsibility."

After everyone had a form, Anko continued. Naruto seemed bored and closed his eyes, deciding to sit against a tree.

Anko's eye's narrowed at this and she instantly threw a Kunai at Naruto. Naruto was hit and then replaced by a log. Anko didn't show it, but she was surprised. 'In that short time he noticed my attack and used Kawarimi? Interesting… Well, it seems you're getting better and better, Naruto-kun…'

Behind Anko, Naruto stood with his arms folded. "I maybe ranked Genin, but to do something like that… to me… is rather foolish, Anko-san." He smirked as he walked away, to lean against another tree and close his eyes.

Anko shook her head with a grin. 'That's just like him... Should I throw another Kunai?' She shrugged and continued. "This will be a scroll battle. There's a heaven and earth scroll…" As she continued, Naruto zoned out again.

---

Entering the Forest of Death, Naruto took a look at his surroundings. "This might get interesting…"

Sasuke nodded his head. "There are some strong Shinobis in here…"

"From here on out… We have a few options, but two come more clearly to mind… We finish this as fast as we can or… we gather as much scrolls as we can." Naruto said coldly as he stared ahead, daring anyone to attack him.

Sasuke seemed to consider both options and couldn't answer immediately. Sakura, on the other hand: "Finish this Test as quick as we can, of course!"

Naruto seemed disappointed with her, not that he wasn't already. His response was a sigh as he folded his arms.

Sasuke grinned. "Let's go on the hunt. We'll take the scrolls of every team we meet."

Naruto nonchalantly nodded his head and the two headed off, ignoring Sakura, who was forced to follow. "I sense a powerful Shinobi up ahead, we'll have to move faster, his Gate was pretty far away from ours, it seems."

"This one, is he more powerful than you?" Sasuke asked, assuming it was indeed a male Shinobi they were heading for..

Naruto regarded him for a second, before he smirked. "Maybe… But I am often disappointed…"

Sasuke frowned and Sakura was close to despairing…

---

Gaara, Kankurou and Temari, the only Shinobis from the Sand, were jumping from tree branch to tree branch in a very fast rate.

Kankurou was looking rather worriedly at his younger brother when Temari chose to speak. "Someone is approaching us. Their direction is exactly our way. Do we set traps?"

"No, we'll confront them without traps." Gaara stated.

Temari and Kankurou looked at each other as Gaara stopped on a tree branch and jumped down to the ground. "She's rather… thirsty today." He said as he licked his own bottom lip. All three of them noticed the sudden change of atmosphere. Someone with a large Chakra Capacity was very close… Suddenly, behind them, a Leaf team appeared.

"Ah, A Suna Genin Team." Sasuke said as he braced himself. 'Naruto said these guys were good…'

Sakura was trembling in slight fear. 'These three look pretty skilled…'

"Konoha Genins…" Kankurou said as he looked at Temari with a grin. "This shouldn't be too hard."

Temari shot a warning gaze back. "Don't forget that incredible Chakra Surge you just felt seconds ago!" She whispered.

Sasuke smirked. "So, which scroll do you guys have?"

"It doesn't matter." Gaara answered. "We will fight anyway."

Naruto glared at Gaara. 'He's the one who has a similar Chakra presence as me. This will be very interesting…'

Sasuke was shaking from excitement and rushed forward, too fast for Kankurou and Temari, to react, but he wasn't heading for them. Gaara had no worries as Sasuke's attack got blocked by sand. Instantly, the Sand grabbed Sasuke and threw him into a tree. Sasuke recovered in a split second and had his Sharingan activated. 'An automatic defense… How do I get passed that?'

"A Doujutsu, eh?" Kankurou said as he released his Puppet, making his opponent frown. "Kugutsu no Jutsu."

Temari grinned as she readied her fan. "You guys won't be able to defeat Gaara, but… maybe we'll have some work on our hands as well."

Naruto stepped forward and released some of his Killer Intent, making Temari and Kankurou back off. 'He… he's just like Gaara…' They both thought as they stared at his cold eyes. Gaara's reaction was confusion, until he grinned and stared at him. "Your blood… She's screaming for your blood!" He whispered uncanny as his eyes widened in a very frightening way…

Naruto and Gaara both glared at each other, Killer Intent still rising… They were both itching to attack. "You're very interesting, Suna Genin… I'll enjoy killing someone as powerful as you…"

'The Shinobi with that Doujutsu is no match for Gaara and the female in their team doesn't seem strong either…' Temari thought as she observed the Konoha Team. 'The blonde however…'

Sasuke was tensing as he watched the Chakra around Gaara and Naruto with his Sharingan. 'They're both gathering so much Chakra… I will learn from this battle.'

Before the two teams could square off, another large Chakra Presence was felt. 'What's happening!' Sakura thought as the ground trembled.

From out of the ground, a long-haired Grass Shinobi appeared. Sasuke looked intrigued while Sakura was very frightened. "Hooo… Looks like I am intruding here…" He grinned.

Naruto glared at the newcomer. 'He's not a Genin…'

"How about I kill all six of you and take all of your scrolls?" The Grass-nin said as he chuckled. 'Sasuke-kun's team and Gaara's team, facing each other so soon after the start… How odd.'

"Katon, Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" Sasuke screamed as a huge Fireball made its way towards Gaara. Again, sand blocked the attack.

Naruto had steered his attention from Gaara to the Grass-nin. 'He's the bigger threat for sure… He seems too controlled to be a Genin. And he's obviously holding back his Chakra Amount.'

The Grass-nin frowned, as if trying to decide whether to be annoyed at the fact that he was being ignored by the fighting Genins..

Suddenly, Gaara's Killer Intent swam over everyone. Temari and Kankurou's eyes widened, but they were ready for any incoming attacks. Naruto was impressed but he didn't show it. Gaara made a grabbing motion, which made Sand rise from the ground towards Sasuke.

Sasuke jumped backwards and landed next to Sakura. 'Damn, his attitude… It's just like Naruto's…'

Suddenly, the grass-nin cackled madly with his arms in the air. As his chuckling stopped he stared at the Genins around him and released his own Killer Intent… It surpassed Gaara's. "Kids, radiating Killer Intent like this…"

Temari's and Kankurou's eyes widened at the power of the Grass-nin. "Kankurou, this guy is something else!"

Kankurou nodded dumbly. "Yes, perhaps fleeing is the best option here…"

Gaara chuckled evilly as he stared at the Grass-nin. "Are you scared… coward?" He said, not looking at Kankurou. "This guy… She wants his blood instead!" He grinned darkly as he turned to the Grass-nin. Sand from the ground floated around Gaara as if it were his Chakra.

Kankurou despaired as the Grass-nin's Killer Intent grew even more, freezing them in their tracks. 'C-Crap!' Temari gritted her teeth and tried to move. Sakura and Sasuke were in the same predicament. Gaara and Naruto however…

"Interesting… To freeze your opponent with your Killer Intent…" Naruto grinned as his eyes widened and he released his own Killer Intent. He laughed like a demon as his Killer Intent made Sakura faint. "That won't work on me, however…"

The Grass-nin's eyes slightly widened as he felt his own Killer Intent being surpassed by the Leaf Genin. 'That's very interesting, although I'm not even trying…'

Gaara joined in on releasing his Killer Intent… Three monsters were facing each other. The Grass-nin chuckled as he looked at his two opponents, who were also each other's opponents. "This will be very interesting… My name is Orochimaru! I will be the one who will easily deal with the two of you."

Naruto's eyes immediately narrowed. "Ah, so you're in disguise? Legendary Sannin from the Leaf…"

The Grass-nin did a handseal and smoke embraced him. Through the little smoke, Orochimaru, his true appearance, was revealed. "Ah, so you know who I am…" He answered with a chuckle. "It doesn't really surprise me… Now then, your names?"

"Gaara of the Desert…" Gaara answered as he prepared himself. His eyes were widened and his mouth was open, set in a horrid laugh. He was ready to create carnage.

"Uzumaki Naruto…" Naruto replied, calmer than Gaara as he started gathering more and more Chakra. 'This is a Sannin… Perhaps I'll have to use it…'

"So he's the Kyuubi's vessel…" Orochimaru thought as he observed Naruto. He already knew of Gaara. "Let me see how you control your own power… With Kyuubi and Shukaku!"

Gaara's eyes widened in anger. 'He knows my secret yet he isn't afraid?' Gaara suddenly screamed as he fell to his knees, a huge Sand Dome suddenly surrounding him.

Naruto's eyes widened a bit as he saw that. 'He's…' He turned his attention back to Orochimaru. "Hm, to think a Sannin like you is in a Chuunin Exam." He growled. "You're making this Exam a lot more interesting…" He said as Red Chakra surrounded him and hardened in a red glowing Sphere…

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes as he observed both of them. 'They're going to release their full power using a very difficult sealing process. It takes long, so they have activated their absolute defense at their fullest.' His thoughts got interrupted as a Kunai was approaching him. He caught it easily and saw the Uchiha jump away with Sakura in his arms.

'Ah, the Uchiha freed himself from my bind… He clearly sees that he's not strong enough to deal with this situation…' Orochimaru thought, before he saw Gaara's teammates moving again. They, too, jumped away to safety. 'Yes, let them observe this battle…'

Orochimaru watched as Gaara's Sand Dome crumbled to the ground to reveal Gaara, still in his normal state. But something was different. 'Ah, his Chakra Presence has changed a bit… Shukaku's influence…' Orochimaru thought as he grinned.

Then, Naruto's Chakra Dome crumbled as well and revealed Naruto, also still in his normal state. 'Him too… You can definitely feel the Kyuubi's Chakra through him…' They were both very similar now… The two half-demons looked at each other, understanding that Orochimaru was the bigger threat now.

Gaara was confused, but anger radiated through his entire body. 'Another demon-keeper like me… And this man, he seems to know everything…' He thought as he let his Chakra plummet sky-high.

Naruto was doing the same, Red Chakra pulsing around him like a mad inferno. "Orochimaru-sama… To think I'd meet you like this." His blue eyes changed red, while Gaara's green eyes changed yellow…

And then, both of them charged forward in awesome speed. Sasuke, with his Sharingan, was unable to follow.

Temari, Kankurou, Sakura and Sasuke were observing the fight and were too afraid to move. Their Chakra Amount kept rising. Naruto and Gaara were both so powerful. But what seemed more frightening was the fact that their opponent was actually dodging and blocking their attacks.

'That Leaf Genin… He is so similar to Gaara.' Temari thought. 'And their opponent, his name was Orochimaru, right? I've heard that name before…'

Kankurou's eyes were trying to follow every movement the Shinobis in front of him were making. They were all in a tree overlooking the area they were fighting in. 'I bet the entire Forest is feeling the Chakra being displayed here…'

Sasuke was too confused to really be angry at himself for being too weak. 'Naruto… He said Shukaku and Kyuubi… What did he mean by that?'

Sakura was still affected by the Killer Intents in the area, but she could at least move now. 'Orochimaru… One of the Three Legendary Sannins of the Leaf. He's stronger than Kakashi-sensei! Yet, Naruto is fighting with him and is actually keeping up!'

The entire area trembled as Orochimaru's fist connected with Naruto's face. The same happened as Orochimaru's foot penetrated Gaara's defense and sent him into a tree.

The observing Genins were amazed at the display of power. This Sannin was defeating two monsters as if it was nothing… 'He… he just hit Gaara!' Temari thought. 'This is all so… unreal.' She thought as she saw the battle being continued.

Sasuke's eyes widened as the Red Chakra around Naruto seemed to harden a bit. But when he looked ahead a bit, he saw the transforming Gaara… 'What are they!'

Orochimaru chuckled again as he watched Gaara's face. 'So, he's letting Shukaku take over…'

Naruto's hands were now claws and his teeth were fangs. Orochimaru was standing on front of two demons… "Come, Naruto-kun, Gaara-kun…"

Gaara rushed forward like a real monster, screaming all the way, only to be countered by Orochimaru. He found himself flailing towards a tree. "What an obvious attack pattern. Don't disappoint me like this…"

Naruto was calmer as he glared at Orochimaru. He grinned and performed a handseal. "Youkon, Yaribusuma no Meppou!"

Orochimaru looked intrigued as Naruto was surrounded by red Chakra with a life of its own. In a matter of seconds, the Chakra divided into nine separate parts of Chakra, or rather, nine spears... "Ah, obviously a technique coming from your… tenant, I should say?"

The Snake Sannin easily dodged the swift Spears of Red Chakra and the constant physical attacks from Gaara. "You two attack too obviously. You're not facing a Genin here, you're facing a Sannin!" Orochimaru chuckled as he released all of his Killer Intent, effectively stopping both Naruto and Gaara in their tracks.

But then, Orochimaru's head whipped over to Gaara and saw that he was transforming. 'Oh! He's becoming Shukaku!'

Before Gaara could continue however, a hand hit him in the neck, forcing him to go unconscious… To Naruto, the same thing was done a second later. Orochimaru's eyes widened as he saw the great Sandaime stand before him, with next to him Mitarashi Anko, Morino Ibiki and Hatake Kakashi. "Orochimaru…" The old Hokage began. "What are you doing here?" He demanded in a cold tone.

Orochimaru bowed in mock respect and chuckled. "Ah, Sarutobi-sensei. Just… checking on something. These two got in the way, though." Orochimaru then slowly sunk into the ground. Anko wanted to rush forward, but was stopped by the Third's hand on her shoulder. "I will come back…" Orochimaru whispered before he disappeared.

The Sandaime sighed. "Orochimaru is already far, far away from here. This was probably just a Kage Bunshin." He explained. He turned to the Genin Teams and the unconscious demon-vessels. Sasuke, Sakura, Temari and Kankurou had already landed next to their teammates. "They should be up and about soon. I suggest you take them away from each other."

Kakashi sighed as he carried Naruto. "I'll take you guys back a bit." He said. 'To face another demon-vessel and Orochimaru. This was too much for my team.' He thought as he saw how frightened Sakura was.

Kankurou picked up Gaara and then the Sand Team left as well.

The Sandaime, Ibiki and Anko waited for them to leave. "You think Orochimaru will come back again?" Ibiki asked.

Sarutobi shook his head. "Perhaps, but we now know he's here and he knows we'll keep a close eye on everything…" With that, the trio left.

---

As Naruto woke up, he saw Sakura sleeping a few meters next to him. He rose and checked himself for any injuries. 'So someone interfered…' He found himself in a small cave and walked outside to find Sasuke keeping watch.

"Go sleep." He said as he walked up to him. "I'll take over."

Sasuke regarded him for a second, but then turned and went inside.

'Gaara was his name and he has the Shukaku sealed inside of him. Who interfered and why was Orochimaru here?' Naruto thought as he folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. Looking in the distance, he saw silhouettes moving around. But they were not skilled enough to detect him, he noted.

The next morning, Naruto and his team were on the move again. "We'll attack the first team who has our scroll and finish this Test as soon as we can…" Sasuke suddenly said. "Kakashi told me we should finish this as fast as we can. That Orochimaru was a Legendary Sannin." He explained.

Sakura nodded. "Yes, we'll finish it as fast as we can! I just hope we won't come across any more powerful opponents."

Naruto wanted to kill the weak female in his team, but decided against it. They would be disqualified then. "I doubt there's anyone more powerful than Gaara in here… Besides me." He stated. "Who interfered?"

"The Third Hokage." Sakura answered quickly.

Naruto nodded his head. "That, I can accept." Naruto suddenly grinned as they were jumping from tree to tree. "There's a team observing us. They've sent one of them ahead, who'll probably set up traps for us." He whispered. "Don't let them notice we know they're there."

Sasuke and Sakura nodded their heads.

"I want to kill them. I need to vent my anger out on them…" Naruto whispered coldly…

---

TBC

So? Too rushed? Too little words used? Anything?