Naruto had meant it when he said hibernation. So much so that he hadn't noticed the times Ino and Hinata had come into his room while no one was around to give him a good night kiss. Well at least Ino thought he didn't know. Hinata knew Naruto knew because when she went to leave after the kiss she felt a hand grab her arm and pull her into a tight hug with a light peck on her cheek. Naruto then grabbed Hinata's chin and got real close to her so much so Hinata subconsciously got closer to him but Naruto stopped her and said good night before turning away from the red Hinata.
—-
Preliminary contestants:
1. Naruto Uzumaki
2. Sasuke Uchiha
3. Sakura Haruno
4. Shikamaru Nara
5. Choji Akimichi
6. Ino Yamanaka
7. Hinata Hyuga
8. Kiba Inuzuka
9. Shino Aburame
10. Rock Lee
11. Neji Hyuga
12. Tenten
13. Sabaku no Gaara
14. Yugito-nii
15. Karui
16. Omoi
The numbers are for me when I do a random number generator. Most matches will adhere to the generator of fate. If the generator picks a match that I need someone to pass but can't win, I will reroll. Like (sane) gaara vs almost everyone. I know right now Naruto isn't the ninjutsu specialist he's supposed to be but I plan to fix that soon. I want Naruto to learn Jiraiya's hair jutsu but that means long hair Naruto and that takes time.
Naruto was awoken by Sasuke and Sakura yelling about being late and that the Hokage needs them and stuff. It was a blur for Naruto sleeping for 3 days does that to you for a couple minutes.
Team 7 walked into a massive room with a set of balconies along the wall and a statue, a set of large arms and equally large hands in the ram seal. Behind was a board or screen of some sort. After it was explained that they needed to do a preliminary round some people were a bit unhappy.
"What do you mean a preliminary round?! We passed the second round, we all deserve to go onto the third!" yelled Karui
"Yes yes I understand that. That's why an evaluation from your sensei and a team here will be sent with your group to your kage and/or council to make a decision on your promotion." said the Hokage
"Oh well i guess that's fine." said Karui a little red from embarrassment
"It's no problem at all. We just need a shorter third round so diplomats, daimyos and other potential clients don't get bored and leave. They need to see the power and potential each village has. The Raikage and Kazekage have been informed and have agreed." finished the aged kage
Some would notice the near mirror image of the Hokage's and Naruto's smirk things were going as planned and right now he needs to put on a show while miss leading people about his abilities. He needs to show off but not give away so much that it'll lead to people making a plan on how to fight him.
"Im *cough* Hayate i'll be the *cough*proctor for this round. If your name isn't on the screen please go to your balcony with your sensei's."
On the screen two names were displayed in big bold words.
Sasuke Uchiha vs. Neji Hyuga
Naruto snickered about the field day the old kage was gonna have in the council meeting either from the hyuga or the civilian council depending who won. However it was undeniable that back and forth banter was going to take up most of the meeting and Shikaku, although usually reserved, was gonna egg it on.
Neji walked down the steps with a smirk on his face. Fate had already been decided and nothing could change that. Sasuke was stoic but inside he was already annoyed he knew he was gonna get an ear full once they were face to face. Then they were at the stage and Sasuke could see Neji's gears turning.
"So the last Uchiha has made it past the second stage. I'm honestly impressed."
Sasuke was really annoyed now.
"Although from what I hear your teammate had done all the work. The Uzumaki if i believe. Although I guess it's fitting that the members of two dead clans that no one will remember are on the same team."
"Oh there goes the mighty Hyuga can't claim you founded the village so you have to be the strongest. However, even that doesn't make sense as a Hyuga generation prodigy from a clan of taijutsu users. It's weird you're not the best in this arena." retorted Sasuke with a smirk
Now Neji was pissed and it was blatant. All that was left to emphasize his rage was growling but a Hyuga wouldn't go so low.
"Lee is no match for me in taijutsu. He, like the rest of you, are failures." said neji a little less angry
"Oh Lee's a taijutsu specialist?" Sasuke said with a questioning look
Neji then felt a strong punch on his left cheek. He was sent flying by the force. Getting to his knees, Neji looked at the proctor.
"I said "begin" a long time ago."
Neji then noticed that there were 2 Sasuke's. Neji activated his byakugan then realized that he had been talking to himself. The whole time he was in a Genjutsu.
"Could you imagine that a Hyuga was in a genjutsu for the last 2 minutes and he didn't notice. I think a dead clan is better than a clan with eyes that are weak." Sasuke said with snickering
Most of the crowd has also been chuckling. So was Lee but he wished he could be down there fighting Neji but the unyouthful display Neji gave was deserving of this.
Neji stood up and went into his stance preparing for Sasuke. Sasuke had a smirk on his face and dashed at Neji. In a blur Sasuke was to Neji's left, the weak side to Neji's stance. Neji was shocked by Sasuke's speed; he hadn't even thought that Sasuke was as fast as Lee.
(with his weights)
Neji had to keep his guard up Sasuke couldn't hit like Lee but it still hurt.
"Oh such a youthful display of speed!" shouted Lee as Guy had a big goofy grin.
Neji stood up and immediately jumped to his right dodging Sasuke's kick. Sasuke got back to his feet and saw Neji preparing to dash forward. Flowing through hand seals Sasuke prepared a jutsu.
"Fire style: Great fireball jutsu"
On seeing the fireball, Neji jumped left but didn't see Sasuke behind his jutsu. Once again Neji felt a strong punch on his left cheek. Now it was bruised and sore. Neji could swear some teeth were loose. Standing back up, Neji scowled at Sasuke.
"Oh is the cute little princess all hurt. Is she angry at not winning?"
Neji was fuming and dashed forward. Sasuke was smirking and waited for Neji to get closer and launched a heavy spin kick to Neji's left cheek. Neji went tumbling to the ground out cold and the match was called.
"Winner Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke went back to his team where Sakura and Naruto greeted him with a smile and thumbs up. Kakashi gave his signature eye smile. Sasuke at that moment felt pride, he just wondered how it would feel to win the whole thing but first he needed to determine just how strong the competition was. Mainly Naruto, Gaara and Yugito.
Shino Aburame vs. Kankuro
When the opponents immediately reached the bottom and were face to face the match was called.
"Begin"
Immediately the cat man dashed forward and was dodged. Shino brought his hands up and Kankuro jumped back expecting a jutsu of some sort but none came. Then kakuro immediately remembered the clan name. Jumping far to the right and looking for the bugs.
"There's no point in looking for the bugs. Why do you ask because they're already on you. At Least the real you and are sapping your chakra. It'll take 1 minute at this rate for you to be depleted or i can make 5 secs. Puppeteers tend not to have a lot of chakra." Explained shino
Kankuro knew this wasn't a bluff; his chakra was draining and fast. He would be dead in real combat. He threw his hands up.
"I give up, I've lost and I'd like not to go to the hospital."
Shino adjusted his places and a small smirk was on his face not that people noticed. Then walked away to the balcony to join his team. A Lot like team 7 Shino was greeted with a warm smile and thumbs up. Which gave way to a bigger smile but only kurenai could tell.
—-
Kiba Inuzuka vs. Temari
Kiba was too excited so he jumped off the balcony waiting for the sandy blond to get down. He was basically bouncing around and Akamaru was yapping up a storm. Temari was already annoyed by her brother's performance; she just started to curse her luck.
"Begin"
"Alright Akamaru we got this."
Said dog jumped on a kiba's back who was on all fours and poofed into a kiba clone in a similar looking pose.
"Gatsuga!"
Kiba and his clone started to spin violently in the air toward Temari. The blonde just smirked and opened her fan to the first star and swung. It didn't stop Kiba but it put him off course and hit a wall. Hitting the wall, Kiba was out cold. Temari just scoffed and walked away. Akamaru was licking Kiba's ear and tapping his paw on his partner's cheek. Until the med nin got there.
Temari went back to the balcony to see Gaara giving her a smile and praise.
—-
Choji Akimichi vs Hinata Hyuga
Choji was stunned he didn't think he'd fight a comrade. He was already thinking of dropping out but his team and sensei wouldn't be happy about it. The foreign shinobi were already preparing for a bunch of shit talk to come from the Hyuga. Then they saw Hinata walk down with a perpetual small smile on her face, mainly from Naruto having kissed her cheek but no one needed to know that.
When the competitors were face to face Hinata could see the worry and strain in Choji's face. Hinata felt a lump in her throat. But she needed to say her mind she needed her comrade to try and pass knowing he was too kind hearted to hurt her.
"Choji I know you don't want to hurt me but you need to try and pass."
Choji had a reluctant look and Hinata knew that wasn't enough to push him. Then it clicked if there's one thing Choji put above protecting his friends it was the friendship itself.
"Choji if you don't try to win here… i dont know if i can be your friend."
Immediately Shikamaru smirked even he hadn't threatened Choji like that. Mainly because the conversation Choji would want to have after would be troublesome.
Choji felt ashamed how he could not think of Hinata's feelings about this. If he didnt at least try to win she would feel embarrassed that her match was free let alone what her family would say to her. So he grit his teeth and steeled his resolve. Hinata felt relief through her soul for helping Choji.
"Begin!"
Choji immediately grew to great proportions and tucked his arms, legs and head into his body backing a perfect ball and used it as chakra exhaust pipes. Using his chakra he propelled himself forward. At great speed the human bolder dashed at Hinata. She was shocked at the speed but she had a plan to keep to so she immediately jumped back. Choji picked up more speed in order to catch up and then Hinata did it again. Choji gained speed at Hinata who was against a wall and she waited, then she rolled left and choji slammed into the wall.
Choji immediately deflated and was on the ground laying still with swirls in his eyes a lot like the ones on his cheek. Hinata immediately walked over to Choji to confirm to herself he was okay and he was. The medic nin also confirmed this and took choji away, almost falling along the way but NOT because he's a little heavy.
'Hey, these walls are a little sturdy. I might want to include it in my plans.' thought Shikamaru
Rock Lee vs Sabaku no Gaara
Lee immediately jumped to the arena floor. Gaara appeared there in a swirl of sand. Lee was stocked and hoping in place to warm up his muscles.
"This battle will show the flames of our youth in their most powerful form!"
"Indeed Lee lets show what real power is."
"Begin!"
Immediately sand shot out around Gaara like tendrils ready for defense. Then more shot out from his feet toward Lee. The sand technique shocked Lee but he recovered and jumped out the way and continued to race around waiting for an opening. This continued for 20 more seconds until he saw it and dashed in, striking Gaara. Or so he thought he felt contact but it was with sand not a body shocked by this he didn't feel the sand wrap around in ankle and fling Lee at the floor. The bowl cut boy slammed hard into the ground but recovered and jumped before a wave of sand crashed on him.
"Lee, do it!" Yelled a bigger Lee
Lee looked at his sensei and nodded. Jumping to the stop of the ram seal statue he removed his leg warmers and unwrapped his weights that clang and they were being held up. Sasuke was shocked Lee had been moving that fast without his weights on. Naruto had a smirk on his face.
"Now it begins" said Naruto
Lee immediately disappeared from sight for most people and dashed at Gaara. Gaara's sand defense was punched threw but he moved his head to dodge it in time. This led to the shock of Temari and Kankuro. Never has anybody penetrated the sand defense before other than their father. Lee was dashing at high speeds and left after images of himself. Running in a circle waiting for a good moment to dash in and attempt the hidden lotus.
In a blur of motion Lee kicked Gaara into the air and Kicked again under the strain of the lotus. Lee winced in pain but continued to kick and kick. Then appearing behind a falling gaara wrapped him in bandages and dive bombed into the ground sent chunks of earth flying. When the smoke cleared Gaara was lying on the ground seemingly in pain but his skin cracked and cracked until it gave out and the sand shell collapsed.
Lee was shocked he had given it his best and was injured because of it. Gaara however appeared in a whirlwind of sand. Gaara could feel the sudden chakra increase in Lee and knew this was bad news. Gaara shot tendrils out to wrap Lee thankfully Lee was too concentrated on opening the 4th gate that he was caught but that was fine he didn't need to run. Once the 4th gate was open he tried to run but couldn't move.
'The sand shouldn't be able to hold me back' thought Lee with a shocked expression
Gaara smirked and knew what Lee was thinking.
"Your right my sand isn't strong enough to hold you back but people always forget…"
Sand started to pull back and all there was left was a black and like material but it was noticeably shinier.
"My kekkei genkai isn't sand release its magnet release. That material holding you down is iron and very heavy compared to sand. So I mix it in with my sand for capturing stronger opponents."
Lee was struggling and trying to open another gate but the iron wasn't letting him breathe. He could see darkness creep up and the match was called.
"Winner Sabaku no Gaara!"
The aged kage and Naruto were Smirking the plan was going well. Lee was released and was catching his breath. Gaara walked up to the boy and extended a hand. Lee immediately gave a wide smile and grabbed the hand, shaking it.
"You did well Lee. Don't worry about not hurting me no one has."
"What about when i kicked you in the air didn't you switch when i winced?"
"No, that was a sand clone the entire time till the end."
Lee immediately felt down but recovered just as fast.
"YOSH! Then the next time we meet I'll be able to damage you. And if i can not do that then…"
Tenten grabbed Lee by the ear and started to drag him giving incorent apologies.
Omoi vs Sakura Haruno
Omoi was walking down the steps of the balcony muttering about causing the 10th great shinobi war that ended all of life something like that it got weird and everyone tuned him out. Sakura and Omoi met at the center and Omoi was getting pretty confident. Sakura was a little annoyed at having to look more timid than she actually was. She needed Omoi to welcome a taijutsu fight.
"Begin!"
Sakura started by giving a startled face. Omoi smirked and dashed in trying to end the fight fast but the unexpected happened. Sakura caught his fist and pulled him closer giving a wide smirk and punched her fist into Omoi's stomach. Slamming him to the ground and a wide spider web like cracks erupted from the ground. Sasuke and Naruto were grinning widely at the show of strength. Sakura really was the student of the legendary sannin Tsunade.
"Winner Sakura Haruno!"
Tenten vs Ino Yamanaka
Tenten was excited it was finally her turn and such bubbly excitement was contagious. Every konoha nin had a smile. Ino however was trying to think she was part of a well known clan so her choice in ability and jutsu were obvious. However Tenten was unknown her abilities could be anything and everything. Ino would need to poke and prod hopefully she was given enough time.
Tenten however knew her abilities were limited so she needed to keep the big stuff secret. She also was the only member of team Guy left; she needed to do this for her sensei. In her heart she wouldn't let him down but she knew he'd be proud of them anyway but she needed to exceed expectations.
"Begin!"
Immediately Ino backed up, thinking long distance was better for her ability and might limit Tenten. However Tenten brought out a scroll and unsealed a plethora of kunai and shuriken. Ino was getting over whelmed to say the least. She wasn't given enough time to use her mind transfer jutsu. Her only hope now was to get in close.
Dashing forward and being cut by a kunai or two, Ino got into Tenten's guard or so she thought. Ino was surprised to see Tenten poof out a staff and smack it with it. Tenten didn't let Ino tumble away for long and she stood atop Ino staff at her face. Ino knew she lost and it wasn't even a good fight. How could she dream of being a good kunoichi let alone a clan head like this.
She was mad at herself but not again she'd train harder than before.
"I forfeit!"
"Winner Tenten"
Tenten bubbly cheers were heard again. She looked up to see a smiling Guy and Lee in their good guy pose and shining teeth. It honestly might have been the first time she felt happy at seeing the duo doing that pose.
Shikamaru Nara vs Yugito-nii
Shikamaru was muttering stuff about troublesome blondes and fighting women. Yugito could hear him and was snickering to herself. She already had a plan and it was so simple that the Nara might overthink it. Reaching the center stage Shikamaru had the same bored and tired expression as always. Yugito looked blank and Shikamaru didn't know what to think. That scared him.
"Begin!"
Shikamaru immediately threw his shadow out and caught Yugito who looked a little shocked. He reached for a phantom kunai pouch and then realization hit him. Yugito wasn't mimicking him, she wasn't moving. How could he be such a fool? Yugito knew how to counter his Shadow Possession.
"Oh so you realized?" asked Yugito
"Yeah that's such a drag, such a simple tactic and I fell for it."
"Do beat yourself up. You're a Nara , you'll learn from this."
"So did you know resisting my jutsu causes more of a chakra drain or the assumption that my jutsu would eventually wear me out?"
"The former. Kumo doesn't know exactly how your jutsu works but it has note's and theories."
"Damn so troublesome. Whatever I forfeit."
"Winner Yugito-Nii!"
Shikamaru released his jutsu and looked up to see Naruto at the balcony who gave a small smile and a thumbs up. Shikamaru smiled and walked to the stairs to join his team.
"Okay somethings going on between you two whats happening?" asked Sasuke
"Oh nothing really." said Naruto
"You're not giving me a half answer."
Naruto slowly looked over to Sasuke "Troublesome. Well after the oldman told me about our situation I immediately thought of who to be my advisors. The first person to mind was the hidden genius. His father is clan head and jonin commander so he has someone to teach him the political sphere and its happenings let alone his potential. He agreed and didn't even say 'troublesome' once he honestly looked like he was expecting it."
"Oh that's smart not just thinking ahead but also in pick of council." said Kakashi who they honestly forgot was there.
"People like to think it was the Yondaime, me and other notable shinobi who won the war through combat but the kage, and council of other villages, knows it was Shikaku who put us there." continues Kakashi
Sasuke was shocked at how far ahead Naruto was thinking. He just wanted to know what role Naruto had for him. No he couldn't think like that they would be orders that's it. He didn't want to make the work easier,NOT AT ALL!
Kakashi seeing Sasuke worry decided to ask
"If you were made Kage right now, how would you plan the future of your team and Konoha?"
Now Sasuke had his interest peaked.
"Well that's easy. Tsunade would head the hospital and research and develop new medical techniques and jutsu with a team of course. Obviously she would need time to teach Sakura. Shizune could teach the new medical staff. When Sakura is deemed ready she will join shizune for experience until tsunade retires as head of the hospital. I'd like her to continue on research and development however experience like hers can't just retire."
Shikimaru was very interested in this conversation. It was his job to stay up to date on his Kage's future plans after all.
"And the rest of your team or classmates?" Kakashi asked
"Well naturally there's jiraiya and his spy network can't just end that and i can't take it over. A wandering kage isn't a good look. So maybe Sasuke or Kakashi. Depends when kakashi wants to retire or just be an advisor. Or maybe teach jutsu at the academy when I make the requirements higher and training more brutal."
"Really you want to make the requirements higher?" asked Sakura
"Yes, I'm more of a quality over quantity kind of person. For example, I chose to master the jutsu I already have rather than make Kakashi teach me a thousand jutsu."
Shikamaru walked into the group and smiled.
"You covered some good bases but what about the most important?" asked Shika
"I won't have to worry about that for a while. I am an Uzumaki."
"What does that mean?" asked Sakura
Now it was Sasuke "You've never heard of the Uzumaki? The clan of longevity?"
"Well I heard of the clan but none of their monicers or abilities."
Now it was Kakashi "Well the Uzumaki are known as the clan of longevity for their physical prowess that matched the Hyuga and Uchiha in visual prowess in fame and glory in battle. The Uzumaki are known for having bodies of steel and having chakra in spades…"
"As much as I love the flattery, the basic idea is as an Uzumaki my average life span is 120 years give or take a year. But my body won't start to fall apart and deteriorate until I'm 65 and it does so at an incredibly slow rate but it can't do anything to dying of old age."
"Woah, that's incredible!" said Sakura in astonishment
—-
Naruto Uzumaki vs Karui
Naruto and Karui met in the center. Karui looked a little too confident and antsy.
"You seem to be sure of yourself."
"Well you're nothing like I was warned about. I was told about a chakra monster someone I should not try a ninjutsu battle with. But I'm not seeing much. I'm not that much of a sensor but what I'm seeing is a kid with a little more chakra than usual."
"What does she mean? Naruto chakra is monstrous." asked Sasuke
"Your sensory ability is your sharingan which allows you to see his chakra at least on a more basic level than the byakugan but she can't see it. She can only feel it so if he's holding his chakra in she can't feel it. She's making assumptions due to arrogance." responded Sasuke
"You want chakra, I'll show you real chakra!"
With that an orange aura flowed out of Naruto and the ground cracked and tiles broke and erupted from the ground.
Then it hit karui like a bag of bricks. She felt a massive spike in chakra. The air got thick and breathing was getting hard. The fear of moving in case of spooking a predator was real and blasting through some of the Genins minds. Karui was at the kunai end of it. She felt it directly. Gravity felt like a whale slamming on top of her.
Frozen like a deer in headlights, she stared at Naruto who looked as relaxed as ever. The killing intent was like a tsunami rushing toward Karui. None of her training prepared her for this. Her mind was going wild, while she was being forced to live her nightmare. Her death, the death of her team and friends. Inconceivable acts being done to her and Yugito with that she started to cry. She began to stutter out.
"I… i… quit please make it stop. End this i can't take it anymore." begged Karui
Naruto pulled his chakra back in and Karui fell to her knee's tears running down her face then it turned angry.
"Did you put me in a genjutsu? Did you make me see those things?" Karui asked in a scowl and threw grit teeth.
Naruto narrowed his eyes and began to speak.
"No whatever you saw was your own doing. I only flooded your senses with killing intent. It throws your mind into a frenzy and prevents you from running. Next time counter it with pain, resolve or you on killing intent." said Naruto
Turning away trying to give a stoic expression but most of his friends could see the small smirk on his face. If passing the 2nd round in record time and beating an opponent without moving isn't making a statement then nothing else will. Until the 3rd round of course but Naruto still needed a plan he needed big and flashy that's not something he really has. Other than wind jutsu and summoning be he would need more jutsu if not more destructive. Maybe Kakashi would help but he'll be teaching Sasuke. Might be a conflict of interest. Maybe Jiraiya but Naruto would still need to wait.
—-
"Will the winners of each *cough* match come done *cough* here." said Hayate
The winners of each match met at the center stage in front of the sensei's the hokage and past proctors. Unless you knew the Hokage you wouldn't see him glancing at Naruto and standing a bit straighter.
The aged kage then put a smile and began speaking
"You should all be proud amought the hundreds of contestants you nine have made it to the final exam. You should feel pride and joy as your village does in you. That being said, the next portion of the exams will be held in one month for us to send invitations and rosters to people of interest and to your village's. Use this time to train and grow. As a ninja , to stay stagnant is death and weakness."
"This is the lineup for the 3rd exam." finished Hayate
1 Sasuke Uchiha vs Temari
2 Sakura Haruno vs Hinata Hyuga
3 Naruto Uzumaki vs Yugito-nii
4 Shino Aburame vs Tenten
5 Gaara fights winner of match 4
"Now meet up with your sensei's plan for your battles and hone your skills. Your dismissed." said the smiling kage
Back in Konoha Naruto was searching for Jiraiya. Naruto needed more training and a way to be flashy to the kage. How could he send them a message? He was baffled by this. Walking behind the hotsprings he saw the long white haired toad doing his important research.
"Hey pervy sage, how are we gonna train? Sasuke and Kakashi have already taken off and I don't want him catching up so soon."
"Well gaki go find a teacher." said Jirayai not taking his eyes away from his targets
"What?! But you've already been training me what's the problem now?"
"Well Gaki I've already given you some of the most versatile and quality jutsu now you need for other things. *looking back at Naruto* Our training isn't done but my training is going to take much longer than a month that isn't physical based."
"So instead of quality I need quantity? But I won't be able to get Kakashi to teach me. He probably has the most diverse ninjutsu repretar in Konoha."
"Oh naruto-kun you hurt me." said a familiar voice behind naruto while Jiraiya smirked
Naruto immediately smacked his forehead with his right palm.
"How could I forget the professor god of shinobi?"
"I did forget about shadow clones for the last 40 years. I think I get the feeling."
"So what exactly is your plan?"
Saru looked at the young boy and smirked.
"Remember when you were a kid and wanted to learn as many jutsu as you could with your shadow clone?"
"Uh yeah, still kinda disappointed… wait!"
Then from a shadow in the tree a heavily bandaged man walked out. The Kage looked back and then at Naruto who had a confused face.
"This is Danzo Shimura also known as the 'the darkness of shinobi'. As much as I don't like Danzo's political views, he's still the best wind style user I know. He also doesn't have anyone to pass his jutsu to. He saw your ability with wind and thought youd be perfect. We're going to teach you jutsu and not the theory behind it. You'll learn that yourself. The plan is basically that by the end of the month Kakashi and I won't be the only ninja with a moniker for the amount of jutsu we know." answered the old monkey
