Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!
Xionremind22; Thanks! Yeah, he could learn that~
danielhaywoodsnow; Thanks very much! Itachi does love Izumi very much, he just finds it hard to express it openly. Ooh yeah, the meeting between Satsuki, Ryouta, Izumi and Itachi is going to be quite the event. I've got some fun ideas for his fight with Kisame. Haku did yeah, she showed her affections for Ryouta. Yeah, we're moving to the Chunin Exams now!
LezarioFanficio; Itachi's got Shisui's eyes in this story, both of them, Danzo never got them here. Ryouta going blind, it certainly could happen, especially if he starts to use them more and more frequently against more powerful opponents. Hmm, that's an interesting idea, maybe he could~
ShadowUzumaki55; Mei's faction surely has done yeah~ The Hozuki brothers still have some roles to play yet. Ryouta will show those during the Chunin Exams. Zabuza eventually will find out about Susanoo. Naruko has yeah, Ryouta definitely supports her. Haku made her move yeah~ Itachi and Izumi will have something's to do~ Izumi might not be a powerhouse, but she has some deadly abilities.
Silver crow; Thanks! Yeah, they had their first kiss. Glad you liked the moments between them. If they did, we'll see how it turns out with the water brothers. It seems that it has yeah. Danzo will do his thing. Yeah, it's been built. Zabuza did yeah. Yeah, Haku and Zabuza had a chance to finally meet again. Yeah, it will help their relationship improve. Ryouta did yeah, Naruko had her Ninja way stated. Karin will be able to at least defend herself. Mei is pretty powerful. That's Mei for you~ Yeah, seems Ao did. Yeah, seems like Mei had quite the condition there to Zabuza who was alright with it, the girls on the other hand wasn't as much. Yeah, it will be good for relations between them. Ryouta's learned a good bit from Mei. Ameyuri and Anko will develop some kind of relationship. Yeah, Kisame and Izumi have quite the friendship between them. Yeah, Itachi and Izumi surely have been. Maybe he could with Mikasa. He's going to have a pretty big target painted on his back. We'll see what happens with Orochimaru. Thanks for the suggestions.
reptoholic; Thanks! Yeah, they're cool. Yup, they're in will be saved. Those would be cool to use. Yup, Mei appeared! Danzo's time will come. He mainly saved civilians and those around or older than Mikoto is. Gaara is alright~ Yeah, Haku surely did. Ryouta will get a sword sometime later on. Thanks very much, glad you're enjoying it so far!
Skull Flame; It seems that they are yeah. Mei is fun~ Ao definitely is yeah. Kisame's friendly with Izumi, as he recognizes she isn't really like any other member of the Akatsuki.
MDM11; He could create some stuff like that as he gets older. Those would be some awesome groups to have. Ryouta creating a technique like that would be awesome. Him learning from Tsunade, and Kakashi like that would be pretty epic. Karin definitely could awaken them sooner than she did in canon. Maybe they could do.
wtfstarftw; Eventually yeah.
The Lord Bread; Glad you liked it.
Guo Yaohui; Kakashi's got some good stuff coming up.
Anime PJ; Yeah, it was nice that they finally got to spend some time together after being apart for so long. Hehe, yeah seems Kakashi did~ It seems to Mei at least, and maybe Zabuza also believes that Ryouta and Mei are engaged. The other girls aren't exactly thrilled about that though~ Ooh yeah, what Ameyuri is doing isn't going to do wonders for him at this stage of his life, it's going to cause a bit of trouble.
War Sage; Thanks. Kakashi's got some good stuff coming up for him. Ao really did seem to suffer, and now is frightened of Ryouta thanks to Shisui. Satsuki is yeah~ Yeah, maybe they could be. Those are some pretty interesting reasons. Kaguya could do. They aren't really bothered about going back to Kiri per-say, they just believe Zabuza should be the one in charge, that working with Mei and anyone else really is insulting, and they hate how Haku is changing Zabuza. Glad you liked the Mei scenes. Haha, I'm sure they'd have a fun reaction. Ryouta's got plenty of time to add Lightning, Earth and Wind Release into his arsenal. Ryouta's got a lot of weddings yeah~ He could be called that as a nickname. Just Fire Release for the moment. Yeah, it seems that Toneri has been, he might have a few things to say about Ryouta. I watch a good few channels, I also watch his channel which is pretty fun. Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Andrew123456; Ryouta wouldn't need to be in the hospital if he overused his Mangekyou, he'd be drained of chakra but not to the point it would put him in hospital. Thanks for the suggestion.
Guest 1; Yeah, I thought it was a fitting name for the bridge. Haku and Zabuza did yeah. Naruko has done and she's gonna keep growing. Satsuki's got some things to think about. Yup, Karin's going to be training under Anko, and learning some stuff to increase her combat ability. Mei is quite cute huh~? Ao definitely has some stuff to overcome. Kakashi will get something's coming up. Mangetsu and Suigetsu definitely will be yeah. That is a pretty good nickname. Glad you liked Haku's speech, and her first kiss with Ryouta. Satsuki could be messing around. Kisame does yeah, it seems he's got a soft spot for Izumi. Itachi and Izumi will have all sorts of stuff going on for them. Their reunion is going to be quite interesting. Samehada could do~ Danzo's still got a role to play in the story. Thanks very much. Thanks for the suggestions.
Death Rapture; Thanks for the vote.
Brainstorm Sorcerer; Thanks! Yeah, I thought it would be a good way to honour both of them~ Hehe, seems Naruko was yeah. It seems that Mangetsu and Suigetsu might try something in the future. Yeah, right now he couldn't really speak about Susanoo to Zabuza, one day he'll understand fully. Kakashi will get some happiness~ Mei made quite the impression on the girls. Anko got a lot of material. Yeah, it seems that Zabuza kinda did that to Ryouta, though it all worked out in the end, though the girls might not be so happy about that. Haha, Zabuza wasn't going to marry Mei, and she also felt the same thing~ Thanks to Izumi, he'll have more stamina since she's treating him the best she can. The rebellion wont last all that long with Zabuza and Mei teaming up. Kisame and Izumi do have a good relationship yeah. His reputation is going to be rather big thanks to Ameyuri, for better or worse. Maybe Ryouta is related to that person~ Kakashi could teach him some lightning releases. I'm sure Jiraiya would question that yeah~ It would be funny if Ao did do that. Danzo in one way or another will be. Yeah, we'll be going to the Chunin Exams now~
Lightwave; Yeah, it's been finished now. Haku has yeah. They have yeah, and they'll be doing their best. Karin will learn some stuff from Anko yeah. Haku will keep improving as the story goes on. The kiss surely shocked the others.
NeoGenesys; Thanks for the vote.
Boku no hero; Yuki will be. Maybe he could have. If he really wished to he could take their Quirks. Yeah, that would be the name. Yeah, Himiko would. He probably would do yeah.
Guest 2; Yeah, he could create that in the future. That would be a cool power for it.
Primal; Thanks for the vote.
Hinata fan; We will do yeah.
Well, with those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Chunin Exam Arrivals!
After the Land of Waves mission, Ryouta and the others in his squad hadn't gone on anything nearly as dangerous as that.
Ryouta right now was laying in his bed, with Satsuki curled up against him on one side, on the other side Haku was curled up against him.
Since Waves, she had decided to stay over more and more.
Satsuki didn't object to it either, understanding something about how Haku felt.
While peeling his eyes open, he saw both girls clinging to his body, his cheeks began to turn red at the feeling.
When Satsuki opened her eyes, she looked towards Ryouta, and wordlessly pressed her lips against his own. Even without saying a word, Satsuki showcased her feelings through her lips and vice versa for Ryouta.
When she broke away, Satsuki began speaking "Good morning..." but that was soon stopped when Haku suddenly pulled Ryouta closer and allowed her lips to press against Ryouta's own, Satsuki stared on, deep in thought.
"Good morning, Ryou-kun. Did you sleep well?"
Ryouta chuckled awkwardly, seeing that Satsuki was looking on with narrowed brows.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine, you okay?"
"Yes, I'm sorry for sleeping in your bed again, I just...felt the desire to, it isn't a problem, is it?"
"N-Not with me, I'm okay with it..."
Satsuki's eyes went between the two of them, neither saying a thing.
"I have to go in a minute or so, Kakashi wishes us to be there early for some reason."
Satsuki said as she began getting out of the bed.
Ryouta stretched, as Haku did the same thing as Satsuki.
"I also should be getting back and getting some fresh clothes, and a wash for the day."
"Okay Haku-chan, see you later~"
Haku smiles as she moves out of the room, once gathering her clothes.
Satsuki's keen eyes go back to see Ryouta hopping off the bed, bending over to pick up some stuff from the previous night, her eyes lingering on his form, before she saw him looking towards her, so she turned her neck away from him.
"Something on your mind Satsuki-chan?"
Satsuki shook her head.
"Nothing."
Ryouta shrugged, standing fully up, and moved to the closet to get some clothes.
Her eyes went towards his broad back, and his lower body, before turning her eyes away with a small pink dusting on her cheeks.
Ryouta didn't notice, and simply got dressed.
"Satsuki-chan want to meet up later on?"
"After training with the others, I don't mind. Lets get some dinner together."
"Great! I'll meet you back here later on Satsuki-chan, maybe around six or something? I know your Mom is also busy..."
"Yeah, it will be just the two of us, that's fine with me."
Ryouta smiled as Satsuki finished getting dressed, and swiftly left after saying goodbye.
When Ryouta came down the stairs that morning, he noticed there was something wrong within the room.
The door, was different colours.
Even if he didn't notice that, he could see several signs of his home being broken into. He could also feel the presence of someone within the room. He knew who it was, so he didn't worry as he sat down at the table, seeing that before she left, Mikoto had prepared breakfast which he did appreciate.
Being bemused, Ryouta takes out some shurikens, casually tossing them for the cloth, pinning it to the wall.
"Eyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
The being behind the cloth cries loudly, Ryouta chortles.
"Better try harder than that Konohamaru-san. Also, don't break into peoples houses."
Hearing his name, Konohamaru pulled his head from under the cloth, revealing his face for Ryouta to see himself. He looked a mixture of sheepish and worried as Ryouta raised a spoon to his mouth, peering into the eyes of the Hokage's Grandson.
"Boss! I didn't have a choice!" Konohamaru cried out. "That Hanabi keeps saying that she's going to learn from you!"
Ryouta raised a brow.
"Is that so?"
Konohamaru nods strongly, and shakes his head side to side excitedly.
"Y-Yeah! So teach me some cool stuff, okay?"
Ryouta shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't mind...but I've got a meeting with my Sensei later on. I'll be at Ichiraku's, maybe around...hmmm, around four, okay?"
"Four, Ichiraku's, okay! I'll be back! Remember, teach me something cool, okay?!"
"Right, okay."
Ryouta gave bemused eyes as he ran out of the house, so he went to go back and eating his food.
Shrugging his shoulders, Ryouta went back to eating his food.
A small time later, Ryouta and the other members of his team met with Anko, and did the usual missions of D Rank.
Though it was peaceful to do them, Anko looked slightly bored with doing them while stretching side to side.
"Aah, I can't believe we do an S Rank, then we're stuck with these D Ranks..."
"An S Rank that was supposed to be a C Rank."
Karin reminded with a playful look to her face.
"Yeah, it should've been...but, it doesn't mean that we have to worry about those details. It ended up S Rank, and it ended up with us kicking some major ass. We even have our cute Ryou-kun here that beat Kushimaru in a fight~"
Ryouta rubbed the back of his head.
"Well, I did what was needed Sensei."
Anko waved her hand at his words.
"Aah, even if it is like that, the fact that you did it already has told me the future of you three."
Ryouta could see how passionate that Anko was being, Haku was thinking about Zabuza.
"I wonder if Zabuza-sama is okay..."
"I'm sure that he is." Ryouta relieved. "He's with Mei-san and the others, they have a good deal of power on their side. Hey, maybe it is even over with now, and they'll be sending word out soon to us to tell us what's going on."
Haku hoped that was the case.
She did miss Zabuza.
But she was content with being with the others.
"Aah, I'm glad that the mission is behind us, but at the same time, I did like what happened in Wave, it put a lot of the Ninja life into perspective, doesn't it Sensei?"
Anko could agree with what Karin was saying.
"Exactly. Lets train for the rest of the day, then you'll be dismissed. We haven't got any pressing missions to do, and it is always good to make sure that you're ready for whatever is going to come next~ Plus, if that Ameyuri shows up again, she's going to be devastated by our attacks and our strengths as well!"
Anko seemed pumped, with the others in awe at her.
Training, getting their teamwork down and making sure that they can work quickly against any kind of opponent.
When the time came for their training to end for the day, they each split off from their respective people, and made their way in different locations.
Ryouta walked to Ichiraku's Ramen, wondering if he'd see anyone, and in fact did see someone coming into the small restaurant. It was Shikamaru and Choji. Choji was eating a good amount of food, while Shikamaru looked lazily on.
Ryouta moved to the side of them, sitting down on the right hand of Shikamaru.
"Hey guys, what's going on?"
"Hey man, heard you did an S Rank, crazy or what."
Choji spoke up, Shikamaru leaned back with his arms above his head.
"It sounds like a drag to me."
"It was yeah~ So what missions you guys been going on?"
Ryouta smiled out as he got some ramen for himself.
"Boring stuff mostly. It always tires me out."
"So, pretty much any mission then Shikamaru-kun~"
Choji let out a small laugh.
"He's got you there Shikamaru."
Shikamaru, as chill as he was, didn't care.
"Have you seen all of the new people coming into town?"
"New people?"
Ryouta wondered.
"Yeah, heard something's going on, don't know what, didn't care to find out."
"You're like the chillest person I know Shikamaru-kun."
"When you spend all day with Ino, you know when relaxing is the best."
Ryouta gave an amused look.
"Ino-chan isn't that bad, right?"
"To you." Choji spoke up before he shivered. "She scares us, right Shikamaru?"
"She's too hyper for my liking, so bothersome. Can't you talk to her or something about it? She listens to you."
"What does she do?"
Ryouta asked, Shikamaru took a single piece of his ramen into his mouth, while looking directly at Ryouta.
"She always tries to make us train, when all I want to do is relax, and take my time."
Ryouta blinked while Choji laughed lightly.
"No, it isn't that bad Ryouta-kun. But she can be scary when it comes to training. If we don't do our best, she yells at us."
Ryouta chuckled lightly.
"I guess...I'll speak to her..."
Ryouta wasn't really sure if Ino was doing anything wrong, at least to Shikamaru and Choji it seemed that she was.
"Speaking of, girls can be troublesome. How do you deal with it?"
Ryouta shrugged at Shikamaru's question.
"I don't think it's bad, the girls I hang out with are cool. Hey, maybe I can get you a girlfriend Shikamaru-kun~"
"No thanks, I've seen how my Mother and Father are, I don't want any part of that."
Ryouta laughed lightly as did Choji.
"I'd like a girlfriend...not sure how I'd get one like, but..."
"But you're really nice Choji-kun, I'm sure you'll get a nice girlfriend."
"Here's hoping!"
Ryouta smiled as he spoke to his friends.
But as he did, he noticed that a certain girl with white eyes was looking in on them.
"Hanabi-san, gonna come inside?"
Hanabi stiffened, and she walked out from behind a wall.
She gave a slightly sheepish look as she bowed her hands and head at the same time.
Peering towards Ryouta, he smiled towards her.
"S-So, you saw through my hiding skills, as expected of my future Sensei."
"I heard that from Konohamaru-san as well, what's this future Sensei business?"
"I need a Sensei, a strong one if I am going to become an heir. Along with my Father of course. I've decided to make that you. You can teach me things my Father wouldn't have much knowledge in, so...you will, right?"
Ryouta gave an amused look towards her.
Shikamaru murmured "What a drag." before following up with a "Good luck." as he patted Ryouta's shoulder.
Ryouta glanced at Shikamaru who was looking away, the same with Choji who kept enjoying his food.
He then turned back to Hanabi who was staring at him curiously.
"Well, if you feel this strongly about it, I don't see why not..."
"Great, then lets begin immediately-"
"Shikamaru! Choji!"
Ino's booming voice came in, the pair of boys cringing.
Ino then came shooting in, but stopped when she saw Ryouta.
He smiled and waved towards her, which she returned with a slight redness on her cheeks.
"Ryou-kun, I-I didn't know you'd be here!"
"Aah, yeah, waiting on Konohamaru-san."
He replied as Hanabi moved closer, something Ino noticed.
"By the way Ryou-kun, I've been training really hard, and learning some of that stuff you've been showing me, you're going to be impressed!"
"Haha, I'm glad Ino-chan!"
"I've been trying to teach these guys, but they don't listen!"
The pair of guys pleadingly looked to Ryouta who smiles back lightly.
"Maybe it would be best to learn at steady paces. Pushing your body too hard can be something that goes against you."
Shikamaru and Choji looked relieved, seeing Ino tilt her head.
"Yeah...maybe you're right, though they're just lazy." Shikamaru was alright with it, since he saw Ino relaxing. "Anyway you guys, Asuma-sensei wants us, lets go."
"Such a drag..."
"But I'm eating..."
Shikamaru sighed as he stood up, Choji didn't want to leave, but Ino pulled his long scarf.
"Sensei wants us, lets go!"
"Okay, okay!"
Choji stood up and left, with Ino waving and smiling, so Ryouta did the same.
He then turned to Hanabi who looked strongly to him.
"I did say that I'd be waiting for Konohamaru-san...actually, I'm surprised he isn't here yet..."
Ryouta said as he checked the time.
"Well, that's okay, maybe he isn't serious."
Ryouta gave bemused eyes, before standing up.
"Anyway, we should go and find him, just in case."
Ryouta stood and left with Hanabi beside him.
Stepping outside of the restaurant, Ryouta suddenly saw a young man with long black hair, and a straw hat on his head, beginning to walk by. The wind however was strong, and blew the man's hat towards him, so Ryouta caught it with a single hand.
"Here you go."
Ryouta said kindly, and gave the hat to the man.
He stopped when he saw the headband the man had on was from a different village.
"Thank you, very much."
The man's words escaped his mouth like a hiss from a snake.
His eyes ran themselves across Ryouta and Hanabi.
The latter looked worried, and hid behind Ryouta, while Ryouta himself looked at the man.
He felt...a certain coldness coming from him.
Ryouta couldn't fathom why that was.
His general demeanour seemed pretty open.
But deep inside, it felt as if this person before him was something...else.
"Excuse me, but why are you in the village?"
Since Ryouta saw he was from a different village, he knew that he'd have to ask about it.
"Hehe, it's alright, I've been allowed to come here."
"You wouldn't mind if I checked?"
The man shook his head.
"By all means. I'm sure you're about to meet a lot of people coming here. Since it is the Chunin Exams."
The Chunin Exams…
Ryouta was quite aware of what they were.
If the man was here for that, it would make sense.
"I see, sorry about that. Always have to be cautious."
"It's quite alright, I understand completely. I'd be the same if I was you, after all."
The man bowed his head, and began walking off.
As he did, Ryouta felt a chill go down his spine.
While he wasn't intimidated by what the man was, there was something about him that definitely wasn't right.
Meanwhile, Konohamaru saw the time, and knew he'd be going to meet Ryouta soon, so he took his stuff, and ran towards Ichiraku's as fast as he could, ready to one up Naruko who he considered as his rival to become Hokage.
However, while running, he came across Naruko who was walking along a street with large thick wooden panels around them, a few trees large enough for them to appear from behind said wooden panels.
"Konohamaru! There you are!"
Naruko greeted, but Konohamaru pointed towards her.
"Big sister! Today, I'm going to be learning a super cool Jutsu from the Boss!"
"The Boss?"
Sakura asked, Konohamaru's eyes went towards Sakura, tilting his head.
"Weren't you the girl hanging out with the Boss?"
Sakura stared at Konohamaru, remembering what was going on and then exhaled slowly.
"The Boss...eeh, ooh, you mean Ryou-kun? Yeah, that's right, I was..."
"But, I heard that he's dating Satsuki Uchiha, sorry about that forehead!"
Sakura's eyes widened.
Naruko's face drained of colour, seeing Sakura's eyebrow twitching wildly.
Konohamaru became frightened as an aura appeared around Sakura.
"W-What did you just...say?"
She whispered it, but because she did, it seemed even more frightening to someone like Konohamaru.
"W-Well, that was...ehehe, I-I just heard that's what was going on with Boss and all...n-no need to become angry..."
"No, you just called me forehead, didn't you?"
Konohamaru's face dropped.
It seemed that Sakura was rather triggered.
When Sakura pulled closer, Konohamaru's face dropped.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Konohamaru retreated while Naruko felt her entire body shaking.
While running back Konohamaru accidentally bumps into a foreign Ninja, and falls back.
Rubbing the back of his head from the ground, Konohamaru gazes up to see a young man with face paint and something strapped to his back that was wrapped up in bandages.
Next to him was a beautiful young girl with blonde hair, tied up into two buns, and a large fan strapped to her back. She wore a white outfit that looked dazzling on her, a small smirk that was neither cocky nor confident was found upon her face.
It seemed more than anything, she looked bemused.
Konohamaru bumped into the young man who was gazing down upon Konohamaru with narrowing brows.
"Watch where you are going, brat."
The man said with a dark tone.
Konohamaru scoffed.
"Geez, you watch it too! Actually, why are you here anyway?"
Sakura, seeing that this could go south quickly, tried to apologize.
"I'm sorry about him, it's kind of my fault that he crashed into you."
"We shouldn't apologize, he appeared outta nowhere!"
Konohamaru yelled.
The man's eyebrow twitched, lifting Konohamaru up by his scarf on the protest of Naruko and Sakura. Naruko went to go forward to attack, but Sakura restrained her before she could get to far, and whispered "Wait, we don't know what they're going to do, be smart about it." and while Naruko was angered, she had to agree with Sakura, and stopped for the moment, but her hand was still clenched tightly.
"I'll go where I want kid, don't get in my way again."
"L-Let go of me already! My Boss will kick your butt if you don't let go!"
"Put him down, you'll regret it later."
The girl with him advised.
But the boy didn't put Konohamaru down.
"So this Boss of yours is going to kick my butt, huh?"
"Y-Yeah! So let me go now!"
Konohamaru kicked out, trying to break free.
He managed to hit the man's side, bringing more anger to the man's face.
"It isn't nice to kick kid. Maybe I should teach you a lesson!"
Naruko, seeing where this was going, began running forward while yelling "Hey! Let him go!" while Sakura wasn't sure what to do. She could see they were from another village due to the headbands that they were wearing, she wondered why they were even there.
The man saw Naruko coming in, and began moving his fingers.
Sakura caught it, and before Naruko could continue on, Sakura grabbed her by the back of the collar, and pulled her back, something the girl with the man noticed, and mentally praised Sakura for seeing that.
"What is it Sakura-chan?!"
"He was going to do something then, I'm not sure what it was...but he was moving his fingers in a very odd way."
The man smirked at Sakura.
"You're a smart one, maybe I should attack you weak Konoha Ninja..."
As as the man was talking big, Konohamaru suddenly vanishes out of his hands, and the foreign Ninja ends up pinned to a wall with several kunai.
Shock came to Naruko and Sakura, along with the blonde haired girl.
"Picking on kids, that isn't very nice."
They heard Ryouta's voice, so they looked to see Ryouta stood there together with Hanabi and Konohamaru beside him.
The man pinned to the wall looked towards Ryouta, and struggled to free himself of the kunai, while the girl with them glanced towards Ryouta. Seeing his speed, and quick technique, she was taken off guard, but murmured "Damn..." showing she was quite impressed at the same time.
"W-Who the hell are you?!"
The man with face paint demanded.
"It's nice to introduce yourself first before asking others their names. Besides, I wasn't the one who was about to strike a child, so you don't have the moral high ground here."
"Thanks Boss! You did it!"
Konohamaru cheered while Hanabi ran a hand through her hair.
"The fact he had to, meant that you couldn't do a thing Konohamaru-san."
Konohamaru scowled as Ryouta just then felt something watching, so he turned his eyes towards a nearby tree.
"You, who's hiding in the shadows, might as well come out."
The man and girl from a different part of the world widened their eyes, as did Sakura and Naruko. Hanabi and Konohamaru suddenly felt a shiver down their spines, and ended up hiding behind Ryouta as the new figure appeared from up above in a high tree.
Hanging upside down, was a young girl that had bright auburn hair. Her hair spiked down, travelling down her shoulders, and down her back, where a large gourd seemed to be. Ryouta noticed that it looked like sand or at least something similar to it.
On the left hand side of her forehead, the word 'Love' was written...no, carved in kanji, and deep black rings were around her eyes.
Her eyes went towards the man and girl, both flinched under her gaze, something Ryouta took note of.
He could see that they seemed...to almost fear her.
Or something about her.
"It seems that you're abusing kids Kankuro. You bring shame to our village."
The newly named Kankuro looked towards the girl and Ryouta saw that he looked intimidated, even scared.
"Gaara...you're right, I didn't mean to bring shame to the village..."
The newly named Gaara cast her gaze towards the unsettled kids and Genin.
Even Naruko felt something was off about Gaara, but she couldn't put her finger on it, and figure out what that was.
The girls eyes went towards each of them, before landing upon Ryouta himself.
Staring at his face, and his eyes, Gaara lowered her brows ever so slightly, but it seemed almost intimidating at the same time.
"Forgive my brother, he doesn't know when to stop."
Her voice was calm, but it felt laced with darker intentions.
He wondered how true that statement was at all.
"That's fine, no harm done. I'm also sorry about Konohamaru-san here."
"Hey, I didn't do anything." Ryouta glanced at him, he bowed his head quickly. "M-Maybe I did kinda act a little bad, sorry!"
Ryouta slowly nods, since he didn't want to cause anymore problems between the villages.
Seeing that Gaara looked a little less angry than before, Sakura did have a question, something Ryouta already knew about.
"So, may I ask why you Suna Ninja are here within Konoha?"
The girl that wasn't Gaara stepped forward.
"Don't you know?"
"Know what?"
Sakura's question was met with a slightly annoyed look from the blonde haired girl.
"The Chunin Exams this time are being held in Konoha, we've come to take part in them."
"Temari." Gaara spoke up in a dull yet frightening tone. "We should leave." As she said it, her hand went out, and sand seemed to bend to her will, something that took Ryouta's interest quite a bit, taking out the kunai's pinning Kankuro to the wall. "Lets go."
Kankuro and Temari didn't complain.
However, Gaara stopped when she looked towards Ryouta.
"...You didn't say your name. You know mine."
"Yeah, sorry about that. My name is Ryouta Uchiha."
Temari's, and Kankuro's eyes widened when hearing that.
Gaara however looked slightly excited.
Almost giving a...bloodlust look towards Ryouta.
"Ryouta Uchiha, the one that took out Kushimaru of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!"
Temari yelled out, Kankuro looked shocked at Ryouta but Gaara at the same time seemed more excited than ever. Her demeanour was changing from how stoic it was before, her hands were twitching and the sand was following after her hand motions.
Sakura was surprised that news of that spread so fast.
Ryouta though remembered the words of Ameyuri, and how she's spread it to other villages, she had kept her word.
"I did kill him since he tried to kill innocent people."
"Wow Boss, you never said you took out someone in the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, now I'm even more convinced that I need you to be my Sensei!"
"He's my Sensei first Konohamaru-san."
The young boy scowled at Hanabi who moved her head right.
Gaara's bloodlust was growing more and more.
Her eyes focused solely on Ryouta's form, Temari and Kankuro could see the look on Gaara's face, and knew that she could do something that neither wished for to happen right now. They knew that if she did go into a murderous state right now, then it could spell disaster for them.
"G-Gaara, maybe we should go..."
Kankuro spoke up, only for Gaara to shoot a look towards him full of intimidation and fear.
"Don't get in my way or I'll kill you."
Sakura cringed, Naruko thought that Gaara was being truly scary, Hanabi and Konohamaru became naturally worried, and stayed behind Ryouta.
Ryouta himself though didn't show any intimidated face, remaining calm and collected.
"Gaara, please..."
Temari tried to persuade Gaara.
But Gaara stared at Ryouta who did the same back.
Peering into his eyes, he could see that the desire to kill was growing, he looked at the others for a split second to see where everyone was, and how quickly he could get them away if she did launch an attack.
Ryouta thought about how Hanabi and Konohamaru could get caught up if Gaara did attack, so he thought in this situation, it would be best if he tried to stop Gaara from attacking rather than having a fight with her right there and then.
Plus, he didn't know what Gaara was capable of, he thought she must be strong, or at least not intimidated by the fact that Ryouta ended Kushimaru's life.
Gaara let out a low growling sound…
But as she went to make a move, four floating glowing orbs appeared around Gaara, pausing her movement.
"Gaara, you aren't causing trouble, are you?"
A new voice made itself known.
It was that of a young woman, with fair skin and pupiless brown eyes. She has green hair that's tied up in a bun at the top of her head. With one short and one long bang framing her face. Wearing the Suna Headband, Ryouta looked at the floating orbs with his Sharingan to see what it was he was staring at.
"Pakura..."
"Gaara, you can't start fights with other villages on the streets like this."
The girl let out a growl towards Pakura who stared back sharply.
Gaara ultimately let it go, and shot a look towards Ryouta as she murmured "This isn't over." and left, with Temari and Kankuro soon following afterwards.
As they disappeared the young woman known as Pakura turned towards the Konoha group, bowing her head.
"Forgive her, she shouldn't have acted in such a manner."
"Ah, no, it's really fine."
Sakura spoke up to try and ease the tension, as Pakura lifted her head.
Her eyes went over the people present, before settling on Ryouta, her eyebrows narrowing ever so slightly, almost disgreetly to the human eye, though with his Sharingan, Ryouta did happen to catch the suble movement of her eyebrows.
"Then, I'll be off. Thank you again."
Pakura took one last look at Ryouta, before moving away.
As they did, Sakura and Ryouta looked on, trying to figure out what had just happened.
Meanwhile, the Hokage had called all of the Jonin that had Genin together. Looking between each of them, he saw Kurenai looking serious, Asuma seemed to be calm, Kakashi was laid back with a book in his hand, and finally Anko was eating some of her dango.
Kakashi noticed that Guy wasn't there, he presumed that he already had spoken to Hiruzen beforehand.
Mikoto and Iruka also had come together, with the Sensei's waiting for the Hokage to begin.
"As you know, The Chunin Exams are going to be taking place within seven days."
Anko, playing with the dango stick in her mouth, began to place it between her teeth.
"Geez, it feels like we only came off our mission the other day."
"It has been a little while since then, Anko-san."
Kakashi reminded, Anko shrugged.
"Even if that is the case, I just thought that it would be best to be spoken about. So, Hokage-sama, are you thinking of having our Genin take the exams?"
Iruka looked between them, and wasn't sure if he should say anything about it.
"That's exactly it Anko, you all know your Genin now. So step forward and recommend any Genin you believe would be fit to take the Chunin Exams."
At that, Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, and Anko step forward.
Iruka looked surprised.
"All of you are stepping forward? But they haven't been out of the Academy all that ling, don't they need more time?"
Despite him saying his thoughts, Kakashi and the others began speaking regardless, and conveyed how they wished to go about it.
"I'll recommend all of my students."
"I'm the same, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji are ready."
"Yes...I also believe my Genin are ready."
"Hehe, my Genin definitely are~"
Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai and Anko all seemed prepared for it, which in turn caused perplexity within Iruka. He couldn't believe that they'd want something like this for their Genin, especially due to how quickly it was coming up.
"Certainly, they might have progressed a little, but the Chunin Exams aren't a joke. They might not be ready for the exams, so shouldn't we wait and see what is going to come of their skills. Perhaps put them forward next year like Guy-sensei did?"
Iruka offered an alternative, but Kakashi gave him a stern look.
"Iruka, I appreciate that you care for them, but they aren't your students anymore. They are Ninja under our command. I can't speak for Asuma or Kurenai's, but I saw both my, and Anko's in action, we have made a decision based on what we know of our students."
Iruka wasn't sure about it, but he didn't have a choice.
He had to see that Kakashi was right in his words, and he couldn't fight against it either.
Even if he truly wished to do that.
"If you're recommending your students, then I agree." Hiruzen spoke up, before looking towards Iruka. "Trust in their decisions, I will do also. The Chunin Exams might be rough, but they will show a good side, and be able to compete against the others." Hiruzen turned back to the Jonin. "Then you're all dismissed. You can find the forms at the entrance for your Genin."
The Jonin bow, and begin to leave.
Iruka, while still unsure, also began to leave.
"Anko." Anko paused and turned to Hiruzen. "I'd like to speak to Karin at her earliest convenience, there's something I'd like to speak about with her regarding a group coming to Konoha."
"Sure, I'll bring her after tomorrow's meeting."
"Yes, thank you."
Anko wondered what was going on, so she asked directly.
"What's it about anyway?"
"It's about someone she'll know, but know that I am taking every precaution to make sure he stays away from Karin."
Anko was intrigued, and Hiruzen offered a quick explanation which caused Anko to nod slowly.
"I see...yeah, alright, that's the best way to go about it if he has to be here. I understand...Karin's tough, she'll be fine, I'll make sure of it."
"Yes...thank you. And Anko?"
"Yeah?"
"It seems, you're growing quite close to your Genin, aren't you?"
Anko shrugged, but Hiruzen could see that Anko had genuine care for them, and was growing closer to them as time went on.
Anko then bowed her head, and left.
When they disappeared, Mikoto walked to the side of Hiruzen.
"You aren't against Satsuki going into the exams?"
"I believe that she already has the skills of a Chunin, so taking the exams would be good for her. I don't have any objections about her per-say...but, there is Naruko who I am worried about. Not that I don't believe in her, but I do worry about her. And I hope they are unfounded worries that I have for her."
"I know of your concern, and I believe that Kakashi would know what's best. Even if they don't reach the rank of Chunin this time, they still will gain much experience, which will help them prepare for what's going to happen next."
Mikoto agreed with what Hiruzen was saying.
She also was interested to see her daughter becoming a Chunin, she knew that she'd be able to do it.
In another part of Konoha, Karin was walking along back towards her place, after picking up some food.
Seeing one of her friends from the Academy, she waved and said "Hey~" while continuing on her way.
However, when she nearly got home...she began feeling something…
She was feeling new chakras.
Chakras from different places.
Chakras that she hadn't felt before.
She paused when she felt a particular feeling of chakra.
It was a chakra that she didn't wish to feel again.
A chakra...that would always be with her for as long as she would live.
"It can't be...but, why is he here…? He can't be...it's a trick, he can't be here now...right?"
She thought to herself, she decided to go and see if it was true or not.
She hoped that her sensing was off in this instance.
She ran all the way to the location she sensed the chakra.
She hid behind a building as she watched people in the street pass her by.
She watched Ninja from other villages go by.
"So this is Konoha?"
"It's huge."
"Damn yeah it is!"
"Wow, so we're having the exams here..."
"Cool!"
Through the gates, and being checked in by the Konoha Ninja. She wondered what was going on, why everyone was already with random Ninja coming into the village. She heard 'exam' but she didn't know what kind of exam that they were speaking about.
"So this is Konoha...heh..."
She then heard a sickening voice.
A voice she didn't want to hear.
Her eyes looked around the people desperately.
Soon, she saw a Ninja that she didn't want to ever see again…
With combed back black hair, eyes that didn't have any pupils. He was even wearing the Kusagakure headband, one that she reviled.
"It's him...Zosui...the man...that killed Mom...and nearly killed me...Mom..."
She bit her lip, and placed her hands to her quivering chest.
Her eyes became heavy, her body also felt heavy at the same time.
She didn't recognize the Genin with him, but she knew who that man was.
Looking into that man's eyes again, brought clear discomfort.
She felt sick, panic was growing more and more within her.
To the point that she nearly was hyperventilating, but she did her best to stop herself from doing that, she couldn't allow that to happen.
Because of the panic she felt she ended up sitting up against a wall, with her knees pressed against her chest, her head on her knees, and wrapped her arms around her legs, and began to breathe in and out sharply.
Karin didn't see since she wasn't looking, was Zosui giving off an evil smile, a smile that he was truly showcasing his evil intentions.
As that was going on, Satsuki and Haku happened to be walking through the village together. Ever since the events of Wave, Satsuki and Haku had been spending more and more time together. Respecting the others strength and seemingly managing to get along better than most others would be able to do so.
"Satsuki-san, do you wish to go for an ice cream?"
"Hm, that's fine. I'll be meeting Ryou at six though."
"I see, then we can go for a quick one."
Haku responded strongly, as the pair kept walking forward.
However, when they got onto a main street, they saw that many people were walking by. Almost as if it was a parade. But at the same time, tensions could be felt by those that were around, Satsuki's keen eyes saw that there was a few different Ninja that was around.
The headbands she saw, was from different villages.
"What's happening here?"
Haku asked Satsuki who scowled.
"Not sure, but it doesn't seem like anyone's being attacked, so this must be planned by the Hokage."
As she said it, she saw a few Ninja that seemed strong gazing in her direction.
She looked back, and scowled at them, while Haku seemed neutral.
"Perhaps something is going on..."
"It's the Chunin Exams."
Both Satsuki and Haku's eyes widened when they heard a voice from behind them.
Shooting their eyes back, they saw a young man with long hair and wearing a straw hat looking towards the pair of them. His eyes went between Satsuki and Haku. Satsuki folded her arms, Haku felt uncomfortable with what she was seeing.
"The Chunin Exams...so, you're here to take part?"
Satsuki asked, while Haku noticed the headband on him.
"You're from Kusagakure, aren't you?"
Haku asked, seeing the Village Hidden in the Grass headband that he had on that was almost hidden under the straw hat that he had on.
The man didn't deny it, and managed to creep Haku out as he stared into her eyes.
For a moment, Haku felt something that she didn't like from him.
"That's right, I'm here for the Chunin Exams." The man's tongue came out of his mouth, and moved across his lips, sending shivers down both Satsuki and Haku's spines. "It's my first time within Konoha, it is a beautiful place to live."
"We like it at least."
Haku murmured, seeing Satsuki staring at the man.
It wasn't quite a glare, but it wasn't a normal stare either.
"I hope that the competition will be good. Well, see you later."
The man pushed between them, his eyes going to the pair of them.
For a moment, both Satsuki and Haku felt...disturbed.
They didn't know what it was, but the way the man looked at them, it wasn't a good feeling at all.
It felt more than simply wishing for a battle at the same time.
"...There's a bunch of people coming here, I hope that I get to have a go. Ryou and I will be able to become Chunin together."
Satsuki was sure of it.
She and he had trained together for a long time.
If they became Chunin together, then Satsuki would be satisfied.
Then, they could become Jonin together.
For now though, she'd focus on becoming a Chunin.
"That's if our Sensei's recommend us. Maybe they wont."
Satsuki hoped they would be, she wanted to try her best.
Haku hummed for a few moments, before shrugging.
"So, ice cream?"
Satsuki shrugged.
"Yeah, to get my mind off that creep."
Haku mentally agreed.
She didn't know what was going to happen though, with many people in the village.
She secretly hoped that maybe some people she knew would be capable of coming.
In the dead of night, Zosui went out of his room, and onto a simple balcony. He stared into the nights sky, seemingly looking as innocent as he could do.
Even though on his face, it looked like a naturally evil expression.
However, from the shadows, a figure began to appear.
"So, you've arrived. Did you see her? I couldn't find her during all of the commotion."
Zosui asked, the shadowy figure began to laugh.
"Indeed, I saw her. She looks to have a good deal of potential. Remember to hold my end of the bargain, and I'll help you gain that little red headed girl for you."
"Naturally, it's thanks to you that I could find her again, and for helping me even get in this village, though it seems I'm being watched."
Zosui kept his voice low, but held a disgusting superiority within.
The shadowy figure began to laugh in a quiet, yet creepy manner.
"Yes...don't worry, when the time comes, the plan will go ahead. They can't see or hear us right now, I've made sure of it. Just remember to do your job when the time comes."
Zosui smirked and then went back into his room.
The figure from the shadows stepped forward, revealing it was the same man that Satsuki, Haku and Ryouta had run into beforehand, tipping his straw hat to the side, as his long tongue went out of his mouth, and smacked his lips together.
"So many to choose from. Ryouta Uchiha, Satsuki Uchiha, Haku of the Ice Release, and now Karin with her special sensing and chakra healing ability. All of them have great potential to be experiments. And the Sharingan...if I can get my hands on that...but, I'm spoiled for choice. Two sets...Maybe I'll be greedy and get both of their Sharingan hahahaha..."
Laughing mentally, the man walked back into the shadows, and vanished...
The next morning, Anko gathered her students to their usual hangout, the Forest of Death. Standing just outside, Ryouta felt eyes on him.
He looked to the forest, but didn't see anything.
Anko saw the look, briefly glancing to the forst.
"See something?"
Ryouta shook his head, but kept his eyes on the forest.
"No, it's nothing Sensei..."
Anko looked back to the forest for a few moments.
Anko eyed up the three of her students. Seeing Ryouta and Haku looking normal was to be expected, but Karin seemed to be...worried about something.
Something the others also had picked up at the same time.
"Alright everyone. I've got a special announcement today."
"Ryou-kun's fiancée is here to take him back to the Land of Water?"
"Pft!" Ryouta did a spit take and saw Haku giggling. "W-What?"
"I'm kidding, I thought your reaction would be cute~"
Anko gave a bemused smile.
Seeing Haku coming more and more out of her shell was truly a delight to see.
"Anyway, it isn't about that. That comes later~" Ryouta gave a baffled look. "No, this is about an exam that doesn't come up many times during the year. One, I think would be the best for you guys to go through."
"An exam huh..."
Haku echoed, believing she knew what Anko meant.
"It must be the Chunin Exams, right?"
Ryouta spoke up, Anko inclined her neck.
"That's exactly it! How did you know?"
"I met some people from a different land that said they were here for the Chunin Exams. But, does that mean...you're really recommending us for the Chunin Exams?"
Anko chortled as a response.
"Honestly, if it was up to me, I'd pass you all immediately. I've already seen that you're ready to become Chunin. But, you have to do the exam, so here are the forms." Anko pulled them out of her pocket, and handed them each to the Genin. "Fill them out, and the exam is in a week. Prepare as you like, train hard, and be ready. Because I will say that the Chunin Exams aren't a joke. They will test you physically, mentally, and even psychologically..." Anko leaned forward, and pulled out her tongue. "But, I believe in you all! So, show me why you're my Genin! My future Chunin and beyond!"
While saying it, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Karin.
"I see, then I'll be taking the exam."
Ryouta began, Haku nodding in agreement.
"Yes, I will also be participating in the exams."
Anko looked towards Karin, who was holding her head down.
"Alright, Ryouta, Haku, dismissed. Karin, hang back, I want to speak to you privately."
Ryouta and Haku looked towards Anko, who nodded, so they walked off.
As they did, Ryouta felt eyes on him from the forest, not seeing the large eyes that appeared ever so briefly before disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
Anko, once confirming that they were gone, then went towards Karin.
"Karin, what's going on?"
"N...Nothing Sensei."
To Anko it was very clear that she was lying.
The way she moved, how she shuffled on her feet, and her general demeanour as well. All of it echoed how she wasn't being very truthful.
"Lying to me, who is used to dealing with liars, isn't going to work Karin. You can tell me, I'm your Jonin-sensei."
Karin gripped her hands tightly, looking left and right.
"...I don't want to cause worry...but, I just...with these exams..."
"You're worried about them?"
Karin was a bit worried about the exams, but that wasn't what she focused on right now.
"Well, yes...but, it isn't just that. Yesterday, I saw someone...someone from a long time ago..."
Karin began to explain.
As she did, Anko could see that she was becoming more distressed.
She was becoming panicked.
Anko reassured her worries however, as she did speak.
"So that's it...huh...right, okay…"
"Sensei..."
Anko waved her hand.
"This guy will be monitored, and as soon as the exams are over, he's being kicked out no questions asked. Hokage-sama did tell me about wanting to speak to you today about this guy, I didn't know it caused you this much worry. He's only here because he's a top Ninja in his village and we've refused him before a few times, this time...could cause more problems than we'd like. But as I said, he can't come near you or it will be seen as an attack and he'll be dealt with, that's the deal we've made with him."
Karin's lips curled upwards.
It felt relieving to know that Anko was looking out for her.
Anko patted Karin's head.
"I wouldn't worry about the exams, just do your best, alright?"
"R-Right Sensei!"
"Also, if you'd like, I'll give you some last minute training. I'll speak to them, but I'm sure that Ryouta and Haku will be alright on their own training methods since those two are already pretty strong, so we can have one on one training. Would that be good for you?"
Anko was surprised these words were leaving her lips.
Something about Ryouta, Haku, and Karin was truly getting to her.
She was seeing them as something more than comrades.
But, she didn't mind at all, in fact, she was becoming more happy in their presence.
"Y-You sure Sensei?"
"Damn straight!"
"Thanks Sensei! I'll see you later!"
Karin nodded strongly, and ran off.
Anko furrowed her brows as she did, she was slightly worried for her Genin.
But at the same time she knew that her teammates would also support Karin, not letting anything happen to her.
The next day, Ryouta began his training by himself, and was happily doing that, when he saw that Hinata was quietly coming over. While it seemed she had developed some confidence, she still was rather shy so Ryouta called her over.
"Hey, Hinata-san!"
Hinata stiffened as she looked towards him.
For a few brief moments, she just gazed at him with some nerves.
But that soon dispelled as she saw Ryouta's smiling face.
Gaining a little more confidence, she walked closer, and stopped just short of him.
"Hinata-san, what's going on?"
"I was j-just seeing what y-you were doing…?"
"Training for the Chunin Exams. What about you?"
"Y-Yes, my S-Sensei also has...put me forward...she believes...I can do it..."
"You okay with that?"
Hinata slowly nods her head, allowing her fingers to come together as she shyly stared at him.
"I am a...little nervous..." She admitted while turning towards the right. "...B-But Ryou-kun...y-you are going...do it, right?"
"Haha, right. I'm sure you've got this also Hinata-san, you're getting stronger all the time."
Hinata smiled timidly at what he said.
It always felt nice that he was supporting her, and believing in her.
She hoped that she'd be able to also have the same confidence that he did in her, to have confidence in herself.
"...Thank you...s-so, d-do you mind...i-if we train…?"
Ryouta chortled.
"Sure, lets train together!"
Ryouta watched as Hinata got into a battle style, and activated her Byakugan. Veins appeared around her eyes, as she charged for Ryouta, who himself watched with keen eyes.
Her swift movement came from the right at first, so he dodged out of the way, only for Hinata to jump up, and come down with a palm strike against him. Ryouta retaliated with his hand moving to the side of her wrist, grabbing it, and then tossed her back.
Hinata wasn't deterred, spinning around, then landed on the ground as she saw Ryouta appear before her.
Gasping, Hinata responded with going low, and doing a sweeping leg.
Ryouta brought his body off the ground, and saw Hinata coming on towards him with two fingers.
He smiled at the sight, seeing that Hinata was adapting pretty quickly.
Bending his body in the air, her fingers missed his body by a few inches, before he landed, and brought his own palm towards her to force her back. She didn't even bat an eye as she crossed her arms over her body, and took the shot itself, forcing her away.
Skidding across the ground, she managed to stay on her feet however, and saw Ryouta coming in with a solid punch.
Using her Byakugan to assist her, she moved her body in time with Ryouta's own and blocked his shot. She was aware that he wasn't going full speed, but she was glad he was pushing her, and moving at a good decent speed.
Her palm hit his closed hand, then she grabbed his hand with her own, tightening it as she used her strength to toss Ryouta high into the air.
Ryouta smiled as he saw Hinata focus on him.
"That's very good Hinata-san, keep me guessing on what you're going to do!"
"Y-Yes!"
Ryouta created a clone within the air, and they grabbed one another.
Using one another, they began to spin rapidly, faster and faster.
Hinata looked with her Byakugan and had to admit that it was difficult on who she was looking at.
But then she saw a Ryouta coming for her like an arrow.
She pondered on what she was supposed to do next…
But then she focused hard, and got into a stance.
Watching where he was coming from, the angle he was going to come down, along with how his general body shape was, she processed this and much more within her mind.
So by the time he came down, she pulled back ever so slightly, and sent a single hand for his right hand side, followed up by a left hand strike.
Hinata watched Ryouta dodge the first hand, but the second one landed, something that Hinata smiled at, so she followed through with a twirl of her body, before landing a palm strike to Ryouta's chest.
Sending all the force she could do, the clone of Ryouta dispelled, allowing the real Ryouta to appear from behind Hinata.
Hinata turned to see Ryouta shooting for her and by the time she went to react, he was already before her.
His hand went for her…
But stopped just short of her face.
"Excellent Hinata-san! You've really improved!"
"Hehehe...t-thank you Ryou-kun...b-but, I'm...the Chunin Exams, I heard...Brother Neji is also...going to be joining..."
"Neji huh. Yeah, he has some...beef with me doesn't he?"
"I-It seems so..."
"Well, I'm sure that it will be fine, whatever happens, happens, we'll be prepared, right Hinata-san? Besides, I've heard you've been practising some techniques."
"Y-Yes, I've been trying hard..."
Ryouta smiled at the young girl, seeing how she was looking on with a mixture of shy and embarrassment.
"Practice makes perfect, right Hinata-san?"
"Yes...you're right. Ryou-kun...at the Chunin Exams...I'll cheer you on, I know...you can become one."
Her gentle voice and words caused Ryouta's face to turn slightly red.
"Aah, thank you Hinata-san. I know you also will do amazing, hey maybe we'll become Chunin together, that would be good, right~?"
Hinata nodded with a cute smile on her face, as they went back to training, Ryouta helping Hinata out with her techniques, and giving her an opponent that would be able to help her adapt to fast moving opponents and he himself also got to see the Byakugan in action, remembering exactly how Neji wished to cause trouble with him.
A few days into the training, Ryouta was working hard out by himself, perfecting his usage of some Jutsu, when he saw walking closer, was Kakashi himself. He was surprised that he was there of all places.
"Sensei, how come you've come here?"
"I was passing by, that's all. That Jutsu, it seems you're talented when it comes to Fire Release."
"Being an Uchiha would do that, right Sensei?"
Kakashi didn't doubt that.
"Still, I'm surprised that you're not training with Satsuki."
"She said that she'd be training with her Mother, who's going to teach her some stuff. So, I came out here to train."
"I see..." Kakashi watched as he pulled closer. "I'm free, want a training partner?"
Ryouta was surprised that Kakashi was even offering something like that.
But he wouldn't turn Kakashi away if that's what he wished to do.
"Sure Sensei! Say, can you show me your Lightning Cutter?"
"You are interested huh? Alright, watch this."
Ryouta watched with his Sharingan eyes as Kakashi weaved through some hand signs, before he placed his hand out. From his hand, lightning chakra began to gather, and a high pitched sound began to erupt from him.
"Wow, I haven't really seen a Jutsu condense Lightning chakra like this before."
"Indeed, it is a good Jutsu for dealing heavy damage. However, it can be chakra consuming. I can only use it four times in a single day. And added onto the power of the Sharingan, it can severely exhaust me."
"Yeah..." Ryouta looked at the covered eye. "The Sharingan..."
"You're wondering, how I got it, aren't you?"
"It's crossed my mind, it's just weird seeing someone that isn't an Uchiha have the Sharingan. Though I have also met someone that has a Byakugan that isn't a Hyuga."
"You must be speaking about Ao, from Kiri, right?"
"Yes, I don't know the circumstances of how he got that...and he seems to be scared of me because of Shi-chan."
Kakashi let out a small laugh.
"Tell me, does seeing me have a Sharingan anger you? I know that some would be angered by it, the Uchiha's power wielded by someone that isn't an Uchiha."
"Eh...no, I wouldn't say that it angered me or anything. I'm just curious how it came about. But I don't believe you stole it, as you wouldn't show it off in front of Uchiha like myself and Satsuki-chan, and I'm sure the village wouldn't be too pleased if you did. So, I can only guess that it was given to you somehow."
"Maybe sometime I'll tell you, but I can say that you are right. The circumstances behind it...I'm not ready to say."
Ryouta completely understood that.
He knew that if it was something difficult to speak about, then he wouldn't push the issue.
Especially since he respected Kakashi quite a bit, and if he wished to share, then he would share.
Otherwise, Ryouta knew that Kakashi would be prepared to say when it came to the time to do so.
"Either way Sensei, I've been thinking about having a signature Jutsu ever since I saw your Lightning Cutter. I'd love to have a Jutsu like that..."
"I see, so I've inspired you huh?"
"Of course, you're quite awesome Sensei! Wielding a single Sharingan so well despite not being an Uchiha, and creating a Jutsu like that. I even heard you've copied like a thousand Jutsu's. I've copied some Jutsu with my Sharingan, like the Water Dragon, and I even got some down from Mei-san as well. But a unique one all my own...that would be awesome."
Kakashi could quite understand that.
He also was happy to hear that even when Ryouta was alone, he was still trying to improve himself more and more.
"Well, if it is a unique Jutsu you're thinking of, how about some tips?"
"Really Sensei?"
Kakashi let out a small laugh.
"Of course, I don't mind."
"Thank you Sensei~"
Kakashi smiled under his mask, and began speaking to Ryouta for a good while.
Each conversation they had, Kakashi began liking him more and more.
Seeing his dedication, hard work, kind nature.
Even hearing that he didn't mind Kakashi having the Sharingan at all with no hesitation showed Kakashi how kind hearted Ryouta truly was.
More than that though, he also felt as if he was speaking to Obito.
A friend of Kakashi's.
He just got that feeling from Ryouta, and he couldn't say he didn't enjoy it once more.
Ryouta also found Kakashi quite insightful, and endearing at the same time.
Kakashi was hard to read, but he also could see that Kakashi was a good person and his knowledge on Jutsu was quite invaluable, Ryouta also felt it nice being able to speak to someone that was older and had different thoughts than he did, he remembered a good time when that did happen...
By the time they were done, all of a sudden, they bent forward as Lee and Guy, came shooting out towards them from behind.
Their feet went above Ryouta's and Kakashi's bodies.
Landing before them, the two did a pose, and Lee stared at Ryouta, while Guy did with Kakashi.
"Kakashi, as always, acting so cool!"
"Aah, my rival is as always on the ball!"
Kakashi raised a brow, as Ryouta waved to Lee.
"You get this as well huh?"
Kakashi murmured to Ryouta who nodded.
"Lee-kun's passionate about training and being rivals."
Kakashi hummed as Guy looked between the two of them, before giving a thumbs up and a wink, Ryouta looked on curiously while Kakashi looked indifferent.
Guy turned towards Lee, and thrust his fist out.
"Lee, I can see why you chose that Uchiha boy as your rival, he's like Kakashi, acting so cool and hip by dodging our attacks as if was nothing and being so youthful at the same time!"
Kakashi sighed while Ryouta chuckled awkwardly.
"Yes Sensei, he's really the best rival because we respect one another, and train and fight to improve all the time! He has got great youth Sensei!"
Guy gained large tears of manly happiness by his eyes, and allowed them to run down his face, while Lee looked up in awe at his Sensei, and began crying happy tears too.
"Ooh Lee, I'm so proud you've got such a strong and trendy rival!"
"Yes Sensei! Thank you! Senseiiiiiiiiii!"
"Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
Ryouta and Kakashi watched as the pair embraced one another, crying together while Ryouta glanced at Kakashi.
"So he's your rival huh?"
"...It seems so. You don't seem surprised by Guy."
"I've met him before...though it makes me feel complicated while watching them."
"I know the feeling exactly."
Kakashi replied in a monotone voice as he and Ryouta watched the pair of men cry and hug one another.
When Ryouta was walking back home that night, he got a feeling something wasn't right.
As if he was being followed.
He believed he knew who it was as well, when he saw a flash of red.
"...It can't be that girl Gaara-san, right? But, I don't know what she want...I wonder what it is that she wishes for..."
He took it slow, to see if he could lure out who it was that was ready to attack.
He'd immediately respond with speed.
Continuing to walk, he felt killing intent directed towards him.
He moved to a side street, so no one would get caught up if he was attacked.
He didn't want innocents to be hurt after all.
Ryouta, once seeing that there was no one around, patiently waited.
He didn't know where she'd attack.
She made sure to stick to the shadows.
But with his Sharingan fully turned on, he was going to be able to react within a moment when he caught the sight of the attack.
Then it came.
From up above towards the right, something came shooting down.
Ryouta's eyes shot up, and saw that it was sand that was going for him.
He went to move, when he saw Gaara's eyes on his form.
She looked excited, murderously so.
Ryouta also saw the rings around her eyes.
Her eyes went to his own.
He thought about using a Genjutsu there and then to put a stop to her…
But he didn't.
Instead, he saw something deep within her eyes.
He couldn't be sure if it was real or if he was just seeing things behind her eyes…
To him, it seemed that she just looked...exhausted.
But something else than that, something else was happening.
Gaara looked deeply into Ryouta's eyes.
Usually, she was filled with murderous intent for a strong opponent.
But she saw something else.
Something she hadn't seen before in many other eyes.
It looked like kindness.
Something...she hadn't really seen before.
"Gaara-san..."
Gaara pulled back, perplexed.
She didn't say anything, looking at her sand with the same perplexity before running off, confusing Ryouta.
But soon, the Chunin Exams were going to be upon him, and Ryouta knew it was going to be a wild ride, he just didn't know how wild that ride was going to be...
End chapter!
So the Chunin Exams arc has begun! With some of the new competitors coming into the village, like the Sand Siblings with Gaara upon finding out Ryouta killed Kushimaru seemed to immediately want to fight him but was stopped by Pakura, what she's doing here and her role in the story is going to be expanded upon as we go forward!
Also appearing is Zosui from Karin's past who's understandably worried about him, Anko helped assure her as did Hiruzen who are taking precautions, but it seems he's also working with a certain snake.
Ryouta's spending sometime together with people such as Shikamaru and Choji, along with Hanabi declaring that he is something of her Sensei now, the same for Konohamaru. Ryouta and Kakashi also spent sometime together, Kakashi might even end up teaching Ryouta a few Jutsu's, with Lee and Guy even making an appearance at the end, as did Hinata and Ryouta, with him help Hinata gain more confidence.
Then at the end, Gaara attempted to attack Ryouta...but something inside stopped her, at least for the moment.
Well, until next chapter, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko, Samui, Hanabi,