Authors Note: We'll we are quickly reaching the end of the chunin exams and man this has been a lot of fun. The last chapter brought my story up to the 100K mark finally and this story is nowhere near done I'm glad you guys are all loving it! Anyways to get on with the next chapter we now have the last battle of the first round Shino Aburame vs Arinori Asari from Earth. Enjoy guys!
The two shinobi just stared at each other on the field, the last two contenders of the first round. The spectators wanted this to hurry up, they were excited for the next round and wanted to see the real fights begin to happen since the only good match even though short lived was the Uchiha match. Nothing really happened and they wanted to see a real match happen. Shino though was being very calculative here though as he watched his opponent. He knew Arinori was going to be using earth jutsu so it would be unwise to leave any of his bugs in the ground. They would just be squished, but he also couldn't attack head on the boy was going to be physically strong. All Shino could think of was making the boy excess a lot of unneeded chakra so that way in the next round he couldn't continue.
Arinori was bored to say the least, he knew he was going to have to fight this bug freak but he knew there wasn't much he could do but long range. He did some research and the Aburame were a formidable opponent, if any of the boys bugs got on him they could start to suck out his chakra. And he couldn't afford to lose too much chakra because the exams were still just getting started and with people like that Uzumaki kid and Takamasa he needed all the chakra he could spare. He had a few good long range jutsu he could use but all in all he was at a loss for what to do. He also knew that the Aburame kid was smart which wasn't good either. Now Arinori knew he wasn't stupid, but he also wasn't the brightest of the bunch either. He knew this was going to be a hard match for him.
Shino made the first move rushing the boy, not wanting to seem weak Arinori rushed back hoping to use his physical strength to quickly beat the boy. Arinori easily caught Shino's weak punched, but quickly let go and backed up when Shino's bugs started racing out at an alarming rate to cover the boy. "Secret Aburame Technique: Insect sphere" Shino said as thousands of bugs came out to surround Arinori.
Arinori freaked out as this happened, no one really likes bugs but this was a lot so now it was his move before he was defeated "Doton: Shinjuu Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Release: Inner Decapitation Skill)" With that Arinori went into the ground effectively getting out of range of the bugs. What he didn't know was that Shino had marked him with a tracking bug and so the swarm was following him above ground, as soon as he came back up he saw the bugs trying to surround him again. Arinori cursed under his breath as this happened, he couldn't keep using the decapitation jutsu because it used up too much chakra and it was meant for pulling the enemy underground. He needed to figure out something quickly or else his efforts would be for nothing including with the Tsuchikage watching him.
"I'm surprised Arinori made it this far with the skills he's showing here, facing an Aburame or not I would think that making it this far he would show some talent of being a chunin, and yet like most of the first round matches this might just be another quick match." The Tsuchikage said out loud annoyed that his shinobi was just running away.
That's it! Arniori thought as he quickly set up his trap, he might as well bring the Aburame underground with him and let him have an explosive time too. Arniori quickly set up a trap with explosive tags before forcing Shino underground. The bug boy widened his eyes even though it was unnoticed because of his goggles Arinori quickly appeared above ground to see the insects still chasing him before they stopped and were replaced with Shino before a loud explosion was heard leaving a crater in the ground.
"Making me sacrifice my own bugs in order to survive, a low bow indeed. It will take time to get my population up to what it was but…" Shino raised his arms as more insects flew out of him. "I am nowhere near done and you have upset my colonies queen." Shino said preparing for a more direct fight this time, knowing there was no way around the confrontation.
Arniori smirked before charging the boy while going through some hand seals "Doton: Ishi Yoroi no Ude (Earth Release: Stone Bracers)" He quickly forced some of the ground up and Shino watched in amazement and worry as the earth wrapped around the boy covering him in a strong layer of pure earth.
Shino knew no matter how hard he hit the boy it would do no damage and all of the boy's attacks would hit harder, he also didn't seem to be moving much slower. That meant the boy was either used to using this jutsu or was adding chakra to his legs to help him move faster. Shino quickly called up more offensive insects and raised his arms as they shot out at the boy to try and do something to slow him down until Shino could think of something. Shino quickly backed up hoping to not confront the boy now that he was covered in a strong layer of earth, his bugs were going for the eyes the only open spot in the boys suit of armour. But it wasn't doing much because Arniori would just shut his eyes. Meanwhile the Tsuchikage was smirking up in the stands to finally see his shinobi on the offensive. Shino was mentally cursing he had no bugs that could successfully break through his dirt and get to the boy because the boy was using chakra to make the dirt stick to him. That made the dirt stronger and thicker so his insects were of no help in this battle, and at the same time he couldn't use any physical attacks he wasn't strong enough.
Shino's eyes widened in realization from his tracker bug that was still on the boy's shoulder, Arinori was burning through his chakra using this. Which meant that if Shino could stall long enough he would be able to win. With that in mind Shino sent out hundreds and hundreds of his bugs to mess with the boy surrounding him and trying to attack him. Arinori got annoyed and activated another jutsu "Iwa Toge Fushido no Jutsu (Rock thorn bed jutsu)" with that sharp spiked rocks shot out of the ground in a 20 foot radius around him. Some of the spikes effectively took out some of th bugs but a majority were still there. Arinori knew he had to take out Shino in order to get the bugs to stop, "Iwa Toge Chakushu no Jutsu (Rock Thorn Launch Jutsu)" With that the spikes shot into the air, taking out more bugs before coming back down hard and fast. Shino quickly tried to dodge the spikes trying not to get hit because even he knew that he wasn't going to survive an attack like that. While Shino was dodging spikes though he didn't notice Arinori's stone bracers fall off of the boy.
Arinori fell to his knees, he didn't have the chakra to use that last jutsu and now he was having a hard time breathing and staying conscious. He watched as Shino continued to dodge the last few spikes and smirked as the last one left a gash in the boys arm. It didn't kill him but the wound in Shino's arm was no joke either, but Arinori knew he couldn't keep going and finally let go as he passed out.
"What a weakling losing in the first round, I can't believe that's all my shinobi has to offer" The Tsuchikage said angry his only shinobi lost.
"I don't know Onoki that was a good fight near the end, both were intelligent and calculated everything they did. In the end your student didn't have the chakra to keep going because that last attack took too much out of him but he did manage to severely wound that Konoha nin. I think that was a great fight and the kid did good. He knew he had to take out the Aburame in order to win the match." The Raikage said while getting a nod from the Hokage.
"What A said is right, young Shino-kun did all he could to stop his own demise from happening and made Arinori-san waste more chakra. Even though he won that gash on his arm will hinder and handicap the boy. So while he may have won the battle he won't win the war" The Hokage said surprising people that he believes that his own shinobi won't win.
"I guess you're right he did try hard, I guess it was my fault I didn't get here sooner to help train the boy. I should have done more to help him, but he did do good on his own" Onoki said in defeat.
The hokage smiled before standing up to address the audience, "With that battle the first round is over there will be a half hour break and then the next round will begin. The brackets for the matches are posted outside. Please go enjoy yourself and hurry back everyone." Hiruzen said before sitting down and watching the crowds of people disperse to get refreshments and use the bathroom and go gamble on round 2.
"So Hiruzen you think any of your ninja can stop Obi?" A asked the fellow kage with a smirk.
Hiruzen hid a smirk knowing that Naruto could beat the boy, "The Uzumaki might be able to" the kage responded.
"That's assuming he beats the Uchiha, and how do you think that will happen. Yes the boy is strong we saw that with his battle against the Hyuga but how do you see the little brat beating the Uchiha?" A asked knowing the strength of the Uchiha first hand from before his time as a Kage knowing how strong those damn eyes were.
"Sasuke just returned from med bay, he's been gone for a while so while he may be able to continue fighting I don't see him winning at all, he was hurt bad while Naruto is still fully refreshed and showed off none of his real fighting prowess just like Obi-san" Hiruzen responded.
"We'll see, hopefully the next fighter will give Obi a real challenge. My shinobi was told that Konoha nin were strong and he seems extremely bored down there" A said trying to keep arguing.
While the Kage kept fighting Naruto smirked as he saw Sasuke appear, "back from the dead are we?"
"Tsk" Was the only response he got.
Kumara let me access your chakra I want to heal Sasuke so that way he can fight me seriously. Even I don't think I could have managed a win against Lee with his gates open, so let's see how strong the Uchiha actually is. Naruto asked his ancient bijuu friend who just grumbled before giving him some. "Sasuke come here a moment I need to tell you something" Naruto said confusing the boy.
Sasuke confused yet intrigued at what the boy had to say came in closer, Naruto put all of Kurama's chakra in his palm and taped Sasuke's arm passing it all through the boy. Sasuke widened his eyes as his body felt at 100% and then some before narrowing his eyes, "I don't know what you did but you're going to regret it"
"We both know I can kick your ass, I just want to see how strong you are after Kakashi trained you" Naruto said grinning, "Now don't disappoint me or else I will make you hurt."
Sasuke smirked before taking his leave to grab some food since he had a few minutes left. Meanwhile Naruto turned his eyes to Obi, something was up with that boy no way was he a genin he was easily at jounin level. So why was he in the exams it didn't add up unless the boy just worked his ass off to get strong as hell, because even Gara was at Jounin near kage level in his original timeline. Mainly because of Shukaku but even still Obi wasn't a jinchuriki so his strength didn't add up to Naruto and that was ok because Naruto knew he would fight the boy in the finals.
The stadium was quickly filling up, and now it was time for the next round to start. Naruto saw as people were running to there seats to watch the Uzumaki and Uchiha fight, Naruto lessened his weights but didn't fully release them deciding to test Sasuke's powers. Naruto hopped down onto the field before Hayate could even call him down. Naruto smiled at seeing Sasuke hope onto the field too.
"Well it seems you too are ready to fight. The rules are the same as the first round, if I see fit I will stop the match now you two" Hayate looked between the two boys before bringing his arm down and yelling, "Hajime" and quickly disappeared from view excited to watch the match. He doubted the Uzumaki kid before and now the kid had his full attention after what he did to the Hyuga kid.
"So are you good to fight now, I know Lee messed you up pretty bad." Naruto said with a smirk watching his rival stare him down. He knew from the start when he first came back in time that he would be better off just killing Sasuke and being done with it, but he could never bring himself to do it. This Sasuke was still innocent, he never committed the atrocities that the future him did. He knew this time, shaping Sasuke's future and teaching him something about humiliation would help stop what was coming. Granted some things would never change, but if he can stop Orochimaru from getting him this time than just maybe he could prevent a lot. Maybe convince Jiraiya to bring Sasuke on the training trip get strong together. But even Naruto knew it was wishful thinking that Sasuke would ever be able to change. Maybe Neji was right to think that fate was real, and maybe Naruto could only change the in between of major events. But he didn't care he saw Sasuke smirk back at him preparing to attack completely ignoring his question.
"So we're really going to do this than kit?" Kumara asked the boy.
"I can't help it, something about all of this just excites me, it makes me feel truly alive. I can't kill Sasuke all I can hope for is that I can stay stronger than him and stop him. I'm sorry Kumara I just can't bring myself to kill him twice, the first time there was a real reason but now… I have no need to kill this Sasuke I can control this Sasuke, I'm stronger than him and if I keep that gap big enough than maybe I can eventually humble him enough, like last time after the war when he was a wanderer, before everything happened." Naruto responded to the fox as he dodged a punch to the face and countered with a leg sweep that Sasuke jumped above and returned at the boys head. Naruto brought his arm up to block the attack.
"Good luck than kit, there's nothing I can do to change any of this but back you up. Also I have good news I finally filtered out all the negative chakra in your body that was left over from my yin half that was in this body before we travelled back. So now there is no worry in using my chakra beside damage it will do to your body, and slow down your healing factor for a short time. Once we get rid of this seal you'll be infinitely stronger, but even I would be wary of doing it. Your body can't handle it yet, you will just have to wait a few more years kit" Kumara said to the boy, Naruto just mentally nodded and cut the connection.
"Come on Uchiha-sama" Naruto said with a smirk taunting the boy. Sasuke finally activated his dojutsu showing off the two tomoe in his eyes.
"Bring it on dobe, with the training I got over this last month nothing you could do would stop me. Kakashi made me even faster than you and stronger" Sasuke said before shooting off towards Naruto who was trying not to laugh. He knew Sasuke wasn't stronger than Kakashi which meant that he couldn't give him a real fight, but with Naruto wearing his weights right now it would look more fair.
Naruto quickly ducked barley blocking a kick to his head but his eyes went wide as he realized he was in a genjutsu. He quickly broke it before jumping into the air barely missing the large fireball Sasuke shot off at him. He's getting better Naruto thought before shooting off a wind jutsu of his own. Sasuke dodged and rushed the boy, Naruto was quickly on the defence blocking every attack he could, waiting for an opening. But Naruto made an opening himself when Sasuke egged him on and Naruto ended up getting punched in the face which knocked him back a few feet but Sasuke grabbed Naruto's leg and slammed the boy into the ground. Naruto got up shakily, smiling as he wiped the blood off his busted lip.
"Heh, that was good duckbutt, but I think introductions are done, let's get serious what do ya say?" Sasuke smirked as his stance got more relaxed instead of firm, Naruto turned his head to the side and a loud defining Crack was heard as he loosened up his neck. Without a word he created 4 clones and shot off towards the boy. Sasuke was on full guard as he accurately dodged and deflected all the attacks from Naruto and his clones. But the orange clad boy was more precise with his attacks and with each passing minute his attacks got stronger, and closer to their mark. Than Sasuke surprised Naruto when Lightning flew off the boy's body in all directions as through his arms out. All the clones popped out of distance and Naruto fell to the ground for a moment as his body seized for a slight moment. Sasuke used this opening to rush Naruto and delivered a powerful kick to the boys chest, Naruto coughed out as he flew backwards into the tree.
"Fuck that was good, I'll give that to you. That was a new jutsu, but it ain't no match for what I can do. I really hope Kakashi-sensei trained you well enough" Naruto disappeared as a pile of dust was left where he was across the arena before he appeared behind Sasuke not even a second later. "Or else my training with Jiraiya-sensei will just put you to shame."
Sasuke's eyes widened not even seeing the boy move until he heard the whisper in his ear. He tried to block the next attack but failed as his body fell to the ground when Naruto kicked the boys legs out from underneath him. Naruto smiled and reactivated his weights to make the battle fair again. He then tried to bring his fist down on Sasuke but the boy timed it perfectly and replaced himself with a branch from the tree above him. Sasuke tried to shoot off another Lightning jutsu at Naruto, this time it wasn't visible to the naked eye so the boy didn't see it coming. So Naruto was surprised when he felt his nervous system get knocked off track and he crashed into the ground when he was rushing the Uchiha. Sasuke quickly went through a couple hand seals and shot off a very tall and powerful fireball jutsu. Naruto widened his eyes knowing he couldn't dodge it and would have to take it.
Many people widened their eyes in shock as they watched the jutsu engulf the young boy and clear out on the ground around him. The protector appeared on the ground ready to call the match if Naruto was dead. The aftermath of the jutsu cleared away and it showed Naruto standing up, his shirt and jacket burned completely off, his pants burned but still holding together. Naruto's arms making an X over his body to shield himself, extremely red and burnt. Naruto shakily dropped his arms to the ground, "That's gonna take more than a few minutes to heal, fuck. Well looks like I'll have to continue without my arms" Naruto said smirking, trying not to wince from the stinging pain in his arms.
"Just give up now dobe, you fought well but you aren't better than me" Sasuke said trying to get Naruto to stop fighting. Naruto just released his weights again just a smidge though, not too much.
"You should know me better than that by now Sasuke, I won't ever quit when it comes to you" The last part was practically spit out and his voice venom filled. Only certain people understanding why that last part was filled with anger. Even they were surprised by the anger though, Sasuke though unintentionally flinched hearing that before he shook his head and raced off to finish the match. Naruto moved faster and shoved his knee into Sasuke's gut, "A ninja always has a move up their sleeve, and luckily for you my sleeves are gone." Naruto said with a smirk before twisting his body and bringing his leg down onto Sasuke's head hard.
Sasuke stood up a little disoriented at first, but that also left him open as Naruto jumped up bringing his knee into the boys face. Sasuke quickly recovered and took out a kunai flowing it with lightning chakra as he slashed at Naruto. He was also trying not to show his horror as he saw Naruto's arms slowly heal in front of him. With his sharingan he could see an abundance of unusual chakra course through his teammates arms, and could see the burn marks very slowly, but way faster than it should be, healing. Sasuke got a lucky hit on Naruto's chest slashing it, sending more electricity through the boys body. Naruto's next kick went the wrong way as his body was thrown off course again.
But his next kick after that connected with Sasuke's neck slamming the boy into the tree where the boy went limp. Naruto sat to the ground and let out a sigh of relief, he could tell that Sasuke wasn't dead. "God that took longer than I thought it would, good job Teme, protector this battle is over Sasuke is unconscious." Hayate appeared and went and checked out the Uchiha.
"Seems like you're right, good job kid no one saw you beating the Uchiha. Good job" Hayate said quietly so only Naruto would hear him before announcing to the audience. "Due to a knockout, Naruto Uzumaki is declared the winner of the match." It was pure silence in the crowd for a minute, everyone was shocked, and than everyone heard it.
"WHOO! THAT'S MY BOY, GOOD JOB MAKING THE GREAT JIRAYA OF THE SANNIN AND YOUR TEACHER PROUD!" Jiraiya couldn't help but cheer for his student, and soon half of the audience if not more started clapping and cheering for the boy.
Kakashi appeared picking up Sasuke, "Good job, don't worry about it though Sasuke you never stood a chance against him" Kakashi said to his unconscious student before grabbing Naruto. "I knew you could do it, good fight now go rest you have an hour or so until your next match" Kakashi told him as Naruto nodded before he spoke up.
"The snake slithered away and the sand is stuck in the mud" Naruto spoke in code as Kakashi nodded before disappearing with Sasuke still on his shoulder. So just like that you give up Orochimaru? I'm surprised, but then again with two jinchuriki here, one who can control his powers plus his brother the Raikage that was smart of you to leave. Now it's up to sand to back out before it's to late. Kakashi thought to himself as he placed Sasuke away in a safe spot before putting on his dog mask and leaving to update the Hokage on the news.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay everyone been busy with work and school. I overestimated two jobs plus school, so I hope you liked this chapter and the fights. Get ready for the next chapter a lot is going to happen… or is it? Find out next time
Updated 10/20/2019