Chapter 43

Sasuke and Naruto rushed each other, each throwing a punch. They began to throw blows at each other, neither landing a hard blow on each other. Sasuke was relentless in his attack and after a few moments, landed a hard punch to Naruto's jaw. However, Naruto turned with the punch and kicked Sasuke in the chest, hard. Sasuke let out a painful grunt and backed up. This left him open for an attack by Sakura.

Sasuke barely dodged Sakura's punches. They were crisp and he was nearly hit several times. He had to thank the fact that his Sharingan was activated. He dodged another punch and retaliated with a knee to her gut, followed by a shoulder throw. This did leave him open for Naruto to kick him in the back. Hinata rushed in to hit Sasuke with three juken strikes. Sasuke hissed in pain before quickly countering with a fast spinning hook kick, connecting with Hinata's jaw.

Enraged, Naruto pushed his attack, nailing Sasuke with two punches. Sasuke backed up and Naruto slipped into a stance that Anko showed him. Sasuke growled as he charged forward, throwing a kick. Naruto danced around it and struck one of the nerves in his leg. Sasuke ignored the pain and continued his assault. Naruto danced around his attacks and lashed out with strikes, like a snake. Hitting the nerves slowed Sasuke down enough for Hinata to rushed in and strike him again. It spun him around only to meet a punch from Sakura that sent Sasuke flying across the field, bouncing twice.

Sasuke struggled to get to his feet. He could feel his right cheek begin to swell from Sakura's punch. His lip was split but he ignore it and spat out a glob of blood. He got to his feet and glared at the three in front of him, his focus was on Naruto.

"You weakling!" Sasuke spat. "You couldn't face me one-on-one and those two weaklings are the only reason I'm like this! You're a disgrace as a shinobi!"

"Please, we both know I would have laid a beating on you." Naruto stated with a serious tone. "However, you're coming at me with the intent to cause me serious harm. Plus, you posses the Sharingan. I might be a badass but I ain't stupid. Now, are you going to come quietly or is this going to get more violent? Choose wisely."

"I chose violence!" Sasuke roared and quickly did some hand seals. "Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu! (Fire Release: Sage Phoenix Fire Technique)" He fired several balls of fire at the group. Naruto did hand seals of his own, taking a deep breath.

"Suiton: Suijinheki! (Water Release: Water Wall)" Naruto spat out a large volume of water that circled the three and rose to protect them. The fireballs were taken out by the water. The chakra and power Naruto used also stopped the hidden shuriken. Sasuke reappeared behind the group, lightning covering his hand. The noise alerted the blond but he wouldn't be able to defend himself in time.

"Hakke Kusho! (Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm)" Hinata shouted and threw a hard, fast palm strike at Sasuke. Sasuke was hit hard and was in pain, gagging up bile and blood. Sakura let out a roar as she threw an uppercut at the stunned Sasuke. It connected and launched Sasuke into the air. Sasuke could feel the contents of his stomach coming up. Naruto decided to end this.

"Sen'ei Jashu! (Hidden Shadow Snake Hands)" Several snaked shot forward and ensnared Sasuke. Naruto pulled hard and slammed Sasuke to the ground, face first. Sasuke groaned before puking up the contents of his stomach. Sasuke attempted to stand but he dropped to the ground, out cold. The three genin were still on alert as they moved to check on him. Sakura checked him, finding a pulse.

"He's out cold." Sakura said with a sigh.

"Well, I'm going to keep him restrained. Let's get him to the hospital and get word to Tsunade-oba (Granny). She not going to be too happy with him." Naruto said. The snakes tighten around Sasuke as the three made their way to the hospital.

XXX

Tsunade walked through the halls with purpose. She was flanked by two ANBU as she entered the prisoner wing of the hospital. She was just about to finish her paperwork for the day when a chunin came to her to let her know that Sasuke Uchiha was in the hospital as well as being put in the prisoner section. When she asked why, she was told that chunin Uzumaki would explain in person. Tsunade made her way to the hospital and found Naruto with Hinata and Sakura. She demanded an explanation. This only furthered to annoy her as the three explained what happened minutes ago. She ordered that the three be checked out and she made her way to the prisoner wing of the hospital.

She entered the section and made her way toward the room where Sasuke was being held. She easily found it as she could hear the kid shouting to be released. Two ANBU stood at the door.

"So, how long has he been awake?" Tsunade asked.

"Five minutes ago. He has been demanding his release since them." A female ANBU answered.

"Is that so?" she said seriously. Tsunade entered the room to see Sasuke struggling against his bonds. Upon seeing her, he was about to order her to release him. He never even got a word out as Tsunade was quickly near him and struck him in the throat. Sasuke gasped and gagged for a bit before glaring at her. He was about to spew some hateful words but couldn't find his voice.

"Can't speak? Good. I didn't want to be interrupted. Don't worry, you'll get your voice back in a few minutes. What I have to do will not take long. So, you think that just because you carry the Uchiha name that you can act without consequence? Well, that's about to end. After I confirm Naruto's, Hinata's and Sakura's reports, your days as a ninja of this village is over. I'm going to strip you of your hitai-ate (forehead protector) and I'm going to strip you of your freedom. You aren't going to attempt to kill one of my shinobi and walk away free. Also, I'm going to take away your Sharingan and your Ten no Juin (Cursed Seal of Heaven). Maybe that will help in reforming your ass." Tsunade explained before turning around and leaving the room. Sasuke was shouting his head off but no sound could be heard, at least for another couple of minutes.

XXX

Naruto walked out of the hospital flanked by Hinata and Sakura.

"Well, this has been an exciting day. I blame you, as always." Sakura said.

"How is this my fault?" Naruto asked.

"You always attract trouble. I would say it is because of Anko but she only terrorizes poor Iruka-sensei." Sakura informed him.

"You're saying Anko is much tamer than me? Anko Mitarashi is tamer than me? Anko, who wants the national food of Konoha to be dango? Anko, who shamelessly molests a grown man by groping him and chasing him around the village? This is your bench mark?" Naruto asked seriusoly. Sakura opened her mouth to answer but she couldn't refute anything he said. It also didn't help that they had an small audience watching the interaction. Sakura just huffed and walked away, ignoring the chuckles of the audience and the crackling of Naruto. Naruto decided to walk Hinata home.

"S-Sorry that you didn't g-get to speak with your f-friend." Hinata said.

"It's fine. I've got time. I just really had a good sales pitch for the boss. There was no way he could have refused." Naruto explained. Hinata looked at Naruto and narrowed her eyes a bit.

"It doesn't i-include robbing Tsunade-sama's sake s-stash?" Hinata asked accusingly. Naruto suddenly got nervous, confirming her suspicions. The heiress just sighed at her friend. "Y-You do realize she w-would have killed you if s-she ever found out?"

"She would have to catch me first. The only ninja in this village who can claim fame to that is Iruka-sensei." Naruto muttered. "So, how's your home life? I don't need to do anything to Neji, do I?"

"No, you don't need to cut u-up Neji." She said with a giggle. "Life… has improved. F-Father, sees value in my development again. Myself and H-Hanabi are getting along, although she still thinks you're a bad influence."

"Why does she hate me? I didn't do anything to her." He said defensively.

"You did set Konohamaru on her."

"Oh come on, she's still angry about that. The prank was not that bad."

"You dumped tree sap on her. Then there is the fact that you got Konohamaru hurt."

"It was funny. Forgive me for having a sense of humor. Besides, Konohamaru will grow stronger from it." The two shared a laugh before changing the subject. It wouldn't be long before they were close to the Hyuga compound. "Well, this is as far as I'm going." Hinata hit Naruto with frown that was more like a pout.

"You're being ridiculous. My father does n-not have it out for you." Hinata argued.

"I can feel eyes on me Hinata, from a distance. It's either one of your clan members, Neji or the destroyer himself. I remember the look he gave me after the invasion. It promises pain and suffering." Naruto argued back.

"M-My father has nothing against you. W-What would be his reason?" Hinata asked with annoyance.

"Maybe it's a father thing. You see how Ino's dad acts sometimes. It's kinda weird that he does that with only boys but maybe that's a thing with dads. I trust my gut on this one." Naruto said with his stubborn tone. Hinata just sighed and knew that it was the end of things. That's when something happened that she did not expect. Naruto wrapped her up in a hug. Hinata was surprised by this and blushing at the contact. "I'm glad that you're okay Hinata-chan and thanks for having my back today." Hinata relaxed a bit and her blush lessened.

"Anytime Naruto-kun." Hinata said. The two broke apart and smile at each other. Naruto took off, jumping from roof to roof to get home while a still blushing Hinata watched. Unknown to either of them, they were being watched by a pair of Byakugan eyes. While he didn't have too much of an issue with the blond, he was a bit too forward when he hugged his daughter. It seems that he would have to increase his intimidation of the boy. He would be meeting with Inoichi very soon for ideas.

XXX

Sasuke laid in his bed, angry at everything that had happened. He would glare at the ANBU watching him as well as anyone who came in that room. He refused to have any of the nurses check on him, spitting at them or shouting at them if they got close. That bitch of a Hokage had returned a few hours ago to tell him that she was going through with her promise. He hadn't cared at all about it as he was officially done with the village. They were holding him back while others like Naruto and Shikamaru were getting strength, strength that they didn't deserve. If she thought that he would take this lying down, she would be sadly mistaken.

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. The ANBU opened the door to reveal his former masked sensei. The ANBU then stepped out of the room, leaving the two alone.

"What do you want Kakashi?" Sasuke growled. "If you're her to lecture me, then you have wasted your time."

"I can see that now. I'm not here to lecture you Sasuke but I do have one question. Was it worth it?" Kakashi asked.

"What are you talking about?" Sasuke demanded.

"You were the village's golden boy. Praised by everyone for your exceptional skills, named 'rookie of the year', gained your Sharingan, personally trained by me and despite all the advantages you gained, you resorted to a petty, one-sided rivalry with Naruto. You allowed Naruto's success and growth get to you to the point that you would use my own original jutsu to attempt to kill him and, probably, Hinata and Sakura. So I'll ask again, was it worth it Sasuke?" Kakashi asked again.

"You want to hear me say that I regret my actions? That I was wrong in what I did? Well, you've wasted your time. I don't care what you think about my actions, I don't regret them. What I do regret is trusting in you because I'm not as strong as I should be. You sucked as a sensei and did not give me the power I needed to kill Itachi. All your talks were just that, talk! You're a failure Hatake and I want you to know that!" Sasuke spat loudly.

"Disappointing. I guess, that's all I wanted to know." Kakashi started to leave but stopped to give Sasuke one more message. "You know, for all your hate toward Itachi, you sure are following his path." Sasuke activated his Sharingan and glared at Kakashi with hatred. It did not effect Kakashi who just watched out of the door.

"I will get out of here! My ambition will not be silenced by you, Naruto or the bitch! I will get my revenge on all of you! I swear it!" Sasuke shouted. Kakashi just kept walking.

XXXXX

Authors' Notes

Sorry about the lack of updates. I'm busy with some life changes and it has been taking up my time. Still though, I plan on finsihing all of my stories and even start some new ones. Granted, the new ones I'm going to start next year to focus on finishing all my others. Anyway, you guys didn't read this to hear my story. You're here for a new chapter.

Enjoy.