Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto Masashi.

Thanks to my reviewers:

Gopu: Thanks! You're my first reviewer and I hope you keep reading.

DeathWorks4Eva: Thanks! I hope you like this chapter.

Kashisenshey: I'm glad you like my idea. Sorry for such a long wait, but here's the update.

A/N: Sorry to my few reviewers for not updating for so long. We just moved, and I didn't have anything for like 2 weeks. No internet, nothing. Plus, I had volleyball camp and stuff, which takes up time and a lot of energy…so yeah, sorry…

Chapter 3: The Hunt Begins

Naruto lay panting, staring at the noon sun, his training evident in the trees and ground around him. Kakashi had taught him some more Jutsus, and he had practiced incessantly, hoping that he would be able to use these techniques in his upcoming battle. One of the attacks that Kakashi had taught him was the one that Sasuke had used on him during their most recent battle. Smiling at the memory, he dragged himself to his feet, determined to use that attack one more time, before he rested up for the battle tomorrow.

"Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!"

Fireballs sprayed from Naruto's mouth and dug up the dirt where he aimed. Grinning despite his fatigue, he stumbled towards the Ichiraku, confident that a nice hot meal of ramen would motivate him to train some more.

"Welcome to the third and final part of the Chuunin Exam, where the best and the brightest will be chosen from among the Genins, and promoted!" Tsunade grimaced inwardly at the extravagant words that the Council had made her say. "The first match of the day will be the Hyuuga genius, Hyuuga Neji, versus Inuzuka Kiba. Will the combatants please enter the arena?"

With a hint of his old arrogant smirk, Neji stepped into the arena, from the ground level doorway that he had been standing in. Kiba grinned toothily at Akumaru. "Ready, Akumaru?" Without waiting for the answering "Whuff!", he leapt down, closely followed by his faithful dog.

Genma casually appraised the two Genins. "Battle, START!" he announced, as he leapt away from between the two opponents.

"So Hyuuga, ready to get your ass kicked?" Kiba decided that it'd be better if he could unbalance his opponent. "'Cuz that's what's gonna happen right now!"

In the middle of the last word, he dashed head-on at Neji. "Hn. Useless." Almost haphazardly, Neji lashed out with one arm, clipping the charging Kiba's jaw, and knocking him back. "Is that the best you can do?"

Meanwhile in the stands, Hinata was torn by indecision. Should she root for her teammate, or her newly declared nii-san? Sighing, she just sank into her chair, and elected to keep her mouth shut, and watch the match.

Kiba had gotten up, wiping blood off the corner of his mouth. "Confident aren't you?"

Neji only smirked.

With a swift motion, Kiba flung something past Neji. With the Byakuugan, Neji saw with trepidation that it was a soldier pill. It was Kiba's turn to smirk.

Akumaru blurred past Neji in a streak of white, metamorphosing into a replica of Kiba as he did so.

"Gatsuuga!"

Kiba launched himself at Neji, coordinating perfectly with Akumaru who had turned, and was also charging Neji.

This time, Neji had almost no time to react, forcing him to use the trademark Hyuuga absolute defense.

"Kaiten!"

Chakra rushed out of Neji's opening points as he spun, creating an impenetrable dome that Kiba and Akumaru crashed right into. "Argh!" Kiba and Akumaru flew back, and landed, winded, from the counteroffensive. Damn his absolute defense!

This time, Neji took the initiative, and rushed at Kiba, while implementing the other signature Hyuuga technique, the 64 Opening Points attack. "Two! Four! Eight! Sixteen! Thirty-two! Sixty-four!" Neji called out, as his hands blurred towards Kiba's chakra points.

Having finished the attack, Neji leapt back to examine the effects of his attack. To his surprise, Kiba stood up, though rather shakily. Could it be? Could he be like Naruto? However, with a closer look, he saw that Akumaru was lying near Kiba, unmoving. Neji's eyes widened in understanding. Such loyalty!

Akumaru…thank you…I won't waste this chance. Kiba turned his furious eyes towards Neji.

"Bastard….I'll make you pay for that!"

Pulling out two kunai, Kiba once again ran at Neji, who stood confidently, his hands at his sides.

"You can no longer use your chakra. None of your Jutsus will work. Even though your pet may have stopped me from totally incapacitating you, at this point, you are completely worthless."

"SHUT UP!"

Kiba had reached Neji, and sliced at his throat. Tutting, Neji ducked it, and kicked up, sending Kiba flying once again.

"Your reflexes are also slower than they would be. Give up now, while you have the chance."

"NEVER!" Kiba was knocked into the wall, as he attempted to attack Neji again.

Neji kept up his onslaught, never giving Kiba a chance to think of a strategy. At last, Kiba could no longer stand up, with barely enough strength to lift an arm. Neji walked over, and stood over him.

"And thus, you lose."

With one last snarl, Kiba flicked a kunai with his last ounce of strength. Caught completely by surprise, Neji barely managed to avoid the kunai aimed at his face. As his head flinched back, a deep gash appeared on his left cheek.

Before he could retaliate, Kiba had collapsed into unconsciousness.

"Winner is Hyuuga Neji." Genma's announcement of the winner was filled with his usual lack of enthusiasm. Neji leapt up to the balcony as medical ninjas rushed into the arena to carry out Kiba and Akumaru, and tend to their wounds.

"Next fight: TenTen versus Touki Yosuke!"

Nervously, TenTen stepped into the arena, looking at the crowd for a familiar face. Her opponent, like Kiba, jumped into the arena without hesitation, an arrogant smirk on his face.

"Ready to get beaten, hime?"

At once, TenTen's shaky demeanor changed into one of determination.

"Bug off, you creep." The only response she got was another smirk.

"Ready, begin!" Genma started the match.

TenTen immediately took the offensive, launching a rain of shuriken at her opponent. Yosuke stood there and let them hit him, for he had just completed some hand seals, and a mist started appearing. The body turned into water, and splashed onto the ground. A Mizu Bunshin? As she thought it, a fist came from her side, straight at her face. Quickly, she brought up a kunai, to let the fist hit. The severed fist also melted into water. Nani! She fell into a defensive crouch.

"Mizu Shuriken no Jutsu!"

From my left! TenTen rolled, and countered with real steel shurikens. The steel sliced through the water, and headed towards Yosuke – she hoped.

Suddenly, a torrent of water shot at her from behind. She stiffened, having no time to react, and the water stream hit her dead on – only to have her disappear in a puff of smoke. There are some advantages to having Naruto as a teammate after all.

From the stands, Naruto grinned proudly, telling anyone who would listen that it was he who had taught TenTen the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. Kakashi, standing nearby, sweatdropped and sighed. Turning his attention back towards the arena, he noticed that this mist could not be controlled by its caster, unlike Zabuza's. However, it still restricted vision, albeit for both parties.

The vision restriction was growing to be a real pain for TenTen. It was very difficult for her to use her exceptional accuracy on something she couldn't see. Growing desperate, she decided to use the special technique that she had developed while working with Naruto and Neji. Grinning to herself, she let loose twenty kunai all in one direction.

Yosuke, standing far to the left of TenTen, snorted. As if that would get me. Try again. Scarcely had he finished the thought, the kunai suddenly separated, splitting off into two different directions, and continued to sweep back and forth, expanding gradually outward. TenTen had now launched even more kunai, and they were forming a vicious cutting dome around her.

Yosuke cursed under his breath. He would soon be caught. He tried looking for a hole in which he could slip in, but TenTen's relentless weapons were moving too fast for him to risk it. TenTen, knowing that she had him caught, called out.

"You want to give up now? Pretty soon, you'll be cut to pieces."

Yosuke cursed again. He searched desperately for a way to stop the attack. There! Chakra strings! He flung out five chakra enhanced shurikens, in hopes of cutting through some of the chakra strings, thus leaving a hole for him to run through. Lucky for him, the shurikens cut through a couple strings, and soared straight at TenTen. Kuso! She ducked for a crucial moment, and all the weapons, without a controller, fell to the ground.

YES! Yosuke saw the weapons fall, and dashed straight into the heart of the mist, following the path of his previous shurikens – Only to fall straight into a trap. TenTen quickly recovered from the surprise shuriken attack, and 'picked up' her fallen weapons, maneuvering them so that they now converged upon the approaching Yosuke.

Without a second thought, Yosuke threw himself at the barbed wall of kunai, and once again melted into water, as another Yosuke stepped up behind TenTen with a kunai at her throat.

"It's ove-" Shurikens slammed into his arm from behind, as TenTen turned and gave a cheeky grin.

"For you."

She jumped away from him as she made her chakra-controlled kunai circle around Yosuke. In seconds, he couldn't move at all. Gritting his teeth, he rasped out, "I forfeit."

The mist dropped, revealing a victorious TenTen and a tied up Yosuke.

Genma stepped forward. "The winner is TenTen, of Konoha."

Yosuke staggered out of the arena with med-nins supporting him. He was losing a surprising amount of blood from his arm injury.

"Next match: Uzumaki Naruto versus Aburame Shino."

Naruto strode confidently into the arena. After all, his two teammates won their matches, didn't they? He would get through with no problem. Grinning almost maniacally, he waved at the crowd. His team could hardly suppress groans and sweatdrops.

Shino was as mysterious as always, his expression indecipherable from under his sunglasses. He did not seem to have Naruto's enthusiasm or drive, but he was nonetheless a difficult opponent.

"Battle, begin!"

Surprisingly, Naruto did not immediately take the offensive. He seemed hesitant as he stood there, quite unlike the Naruto that had ostentatiously entered the arena.

His head lifted, and all doubts about his mood evaporated. Determination glinted in his eyes, as he glared fiercely at Shino.

"You're going down!"

Shino calmly ducked the fist approaching from behind him, his surprise hidden from the crowd's view. He flung his arm out, spreading the bugs that had been clinging to his sleeve. Two landed on the Naruto behind him, and more destruction bugs instantly covered the clone. It vanished in a puff of smoke.

Looking around, Shino spotted Naruto, hiding in the shadow of a tree, performing hand seals.

"Let's see how many bugs you have. TAJU KAGE BUNSHIN NO JUTSU!"

The whole field filled with Naruto clones. There wasn't room enough to throw a decent punch. The waves upon waves of Narutos charged at Shino, vanishing into smoke as he either physically destroyed them, or his bugs ate their chakra. Soon, Narutos in the middle of the crowd also started puffing out of existence, due to the infiltration of the bugs. Still the clones pressed their relentless attacks. A gradually tiring Shino was starting to get hit – a punch here, a kick there, and the occasional cut, not seriously damaging, but the hits kept landing.

Suddenly, he started spinning, much like the Hyuuga Clan's Kaiten. Bugs flew out from his sleeves, his collar, his pant legs, and all openings in his clothing. They formed a whirlwind of insects, eating away at the Naruto horde.

The real Naruto, hanging back, watched with growing trepidation at the approaching storm of destruction bugs obliterating his clone army. Kuso! I used so much chakra on that attack too!

When the smoke created from the disappearing clones was blown away, the audience saw a worn-out Naruto, barely managing to kneel, and a collected Shino, still the same as when he first entered the arena, except for the odd bruise and scratch. Shino approached Naruto, his destruction bugs completely covering the ground around him.

"Uzumaki Naruto. You wasted all your chakra on that useless jutsu. Now I will show you the error of your ways."

With a flourish, he sent all his chakra bugs at Naruto, commanding them to feast upon the tired boy's chakra.

"Bastard! You think you can beat me this easily! In your dreams!"

The bugs reached him just as he finished his sentence – and vanished. Despite his sunglasses and high collar, Shino's shock was very evident. What the hell just happened!

Before Shino had time to react, he heard a snarl behind him.

"Where are your precious bugs now? All gone to the 'feast' eh? Well, I'm here to crash the party! KATON: KARYUU ENDAN NO JUTSU!"

Flames poured from Naruto's mouth, completely enveloping the insects that had been about to eat his chakra. Shino could do nothing but watch helplessly as his bugs were fried to a crisp. Dammit! It'll take a long time to replenish that many bugs! Damn that Naruto!

The fires were still burning, refusing to go out. Shino, concealed in the dark smoke, snuck up behind Naruto.

"This is for my bugs!" With a vicious backhand, he knocked Naruto straight into the raging inferno. His lips curved into a satisfied smirk – but only for a moment.

"SUITON: SUIJINHEKI NO JUTSU!" A water dome expanded from Naruto's position, instantly dousing the flames, and putting up a fine mist of steam. Shino looked desperately around, hoping to catch some sign of Naruto.

Hearing a small noise behind him, he whirled, kunai in hand, and sliced a surprised Naruto across his right eyebrow. Naruto quickly flipped back and melted into the steam.

Knowing that he did not have much time left before the steam disappeared, Naruto decided to use a tried and true method of getting close to an enemy. At least, it was tried. He could only hope that it was true as well. Hmmm…I think I'll do a little variation, just in case…

Tossing a kunai high into the air above Shino, he charged straight through the cover, making as much noise as he could. "YAAAGGHHHH!" It was impossible to ignore. Shino heard the yell long before he saw the body. Looks like he's finally cracked. Time to finish this. Pulling out two daggers, both with poisoned tips, he smirked. The poison won't kill him, but it'll freeze up his muscles, giving me the victory.

Viciously, he stabbed at the charging Naruto's stomach. He heard a satisfying clang. Wait. Clang! Naruto had suddenly turned into a kunai, flying straight at his face. He leaned back, barely avoiding the kunai, and came face to foot with the bottom of Naruto's sandal. "ARGH!" Shino's head was smashed straight into the ground, the rest of his body quickly following.

The steam had finally cleared, revealing a jubilant Naruto doing a little jig around the small crater where Shino was. "I WIN!" Grinning and dancing and cheering almost to the point of obscenity, he jumped around like a crazy monkey who had just found a banana.

Genma strode over, and looked into the hole, though there was little need for even that bit of assurance. "Winner is Naruto!"

Med nins rushed to the hole where Shino lay, and carefully pried him out. Wincing in sympathy, the head nin gave some orders, and they carried Shino to the hospital. That last attack was certainly brutal.

As Genma announced the next match, Naruto danced up to where Neji, TenTen, and Kakashi were watching. Giving the "V" for victory, and his trademark Naruto grin, he decided that he couldn't wait to celebrate.

"Let's all go to Ichiraku's right now!"

Kakashi, who hadn't yet eaten anything yet, heard his stomach growl at the mention of food. "Let's go then. I could use the food."

"Kakashi-sensei's treat!" Laughing insanely, Naruto dashed off, with the rest of his team close behind.

How does that boy have so much energy? Three big sweatdrops appeared simultaneously on three heads. Sighing resignedly, they followed after the Number 1 Loudest and Hyperactive Ninja of Konoha.

"We have received some information about his whereabouts. An informer near Hidden Stone said he saw a group of four ninja pass through. He said one looked really creepy, one had glasses, and the other…was him."

"I see. Do you have the list of the Genins who passed the Chuunin Exam? Perhaps there is a chance to subvert him back to our side if he met a previous classmate." Tsunade looked thoughtfully out the window. "It would be a pity to lose ALL the Uchihas."

The other ninja rummage through some papers, and came up with a list. "Here."

Tsunade perused the list, a smile suddenly appearing on her face. "This is perfect. Two rivals for him…he never could resist a challenge. Summon Naruto and Neji to my office. I have a mission."

"Hai."

"Oh, and by the way. Send for that lazy bum Kakashi too. I think he should be delegated the task of chaperoning them."

"Consider it done, Hokage-sama."

"You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama?" Kakashi was slouched against the wall. "Or did you just want me here to make sure Naruto doesn't try any tricks?"

An indignant Naruto leapt up off the chair that he was sitting on, immediately changing from eagerly anticipating an exciting mission, to boiling mad at his sensei. "NANI! Would I do that?" Putting a misunderstood expression, he glared at Kakashi, while still trying to maintain his innocent appearance. Kakashi stuck his tongue out at Naruto.

Sighing, Tsunade decided to get to the point. She directed her words at Neji, knowing that the other two would be keener to listen in if they thought they were meant to be left out.

"You are going to get a mission." Duh, Tsunade mentally slapped herself. The Hokage did not need to state the obvious. Seeing the look of amusement on Kakashi's face, she planned to teach him a lesson…after he got back from the mission. "You will be sent to retrieve Sasuke."

At this, even Kakashi's eye widened. Retrieve Sasuke? Jounin teams had failed many times before. How would two Chuunins and one Jounin have a chance? Before he could voice his protest, Tsunade started talking again.

"It is my opinion that if Sasuke is confronted with a suitable challenge, he will leave Orochimaru, seeking the new challenge which may help him acquire the power he seeks. Therefore, Neji, being the Hyuuga genius, and Naruto being his old team 7 rival, are perfect for this mission. Any other objections?" Her voice was sweet. Her glare was anything but.

Nervously, Kakashi raised his hand.

"Yes?" Tsunade leveled her best death glare at him, hoping he wouldn't give some half-ass excuse to get out of the mission.

"Uh…only one teensy request, your most noble, honorable, glorious, Ladyship. If I may, I would ask a tiny favor of your most beautiful self. You see, it's not a big dea-"

Tsuande growled threateningly. This man really tried her patience sometimes.

"Cut the crap, Kakashi. What do you want?" Naruto sniggered in the background. Tsunade vowed that she would get HIM too, after the mission. Thankfully, Neji hadn't laughed at her yet, but maybe that was because he was a Hyuuga, who were so goddamned arrogant that they never showed emotion. Except for that one girl…what was her name? Hino-, Hina- something….Hinata, yes that was it. Shaking herself from her random thoughts, she refocused on the situation at hand.

Neji was now barely containing a smile. His Byakuugan skills allowed him to see that her mind was wandering, by the expression on her face, and the look in her eyes. The situation IS humorous, he mentally excused himself. Kakashi was talking at a Hokage who was lost in thought, while Naruto looked on the verge of laughing his ass off.

"—well, you see most honorable Hokage-sama, the small request I have is for Nara Shikamaru to join our team. He's one of those people who you never know when will come in handy." Nervously, he poked his fingers together, looking at Tsunade for approval – and who had just snapped out of her reverie.

"Wait, say that again? I'm not sure I understood correctly." There. That should cover up my lapse, she thought, satisfied.

Sweatdropping, Kakashi repeated what he had said. Damn, Tsuande thought. My cover made me sound retarded. Kakashi's REALLY going to get it when he gets back. She knew she was being unreasonable, but what the hell. She was the Hokage.

"Yes, you may have Shikamaru on you team. Anything else?"

"No."

"Dismissed."

With a sigh of relief, Kakashi left the room, followed by a quiet (as usual) Neji and a gleeful Naruto.

"YES! AN EXCITING MISSION! I'm going to pack!"

He ran off towards his apartment, singing "Ramen, Ramen, Ramen, time to pack my Ramen!"

Neji shook his head and headed for the Hyuuga estates, while Kakashi left to inform Shikamaru about his upcoming mission.

A/N: Once again, sorry for the very slow update. I hope it won't happen again, but school's coming up, and I really dunno how much time I'll have for writing. Still, I'll update as much as I can, and I hope you'll stick w/ me. Thanks, and please review!