Chapter 38
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" a voice roared. A huge ball of flame destroyed the three post that was in the area. The area itself looked like a warzone. Standing in the middle of it, Kakashi was trying to get his breath back. The anger from earlier still did not fade through this release of jutsu. While he knew he would pay for the damage to the area around the memorial, he couldn't bring himself to care.
He had lost his team. Correction, his team was taken from him. It was taken from him because he did not treat his students with respect. While Kakashi could admit that, he still believed that he was disrespected first. He only focused on Sasuke because he was further along than the others. Neither of them followed his advice to get better. They disregarded his wisdom and seeked out others, undermining his authority. Yes, he was a bad sensei but they were bad students.
Kakashi took a few more calming breaths. He didn't need his anger to cloud his training of Sasuke. Seeing that he was his sole responsibility, he would make Sasuke as strong as he could. Sasuke will also be his payback against Naruto. In his mind, Naruto was to blame for everything that happened. He was disrespectful the most toward him. He ignored his help and was openly hostile toward him. Naruto started his downfall and he needed to be taught a lesson. Cruel as it sounded, Kakashi was going to make Sasuke truly hurt Naruto.
XXX
Jiraiya duck and dodged the three copies of Naruto. He was impressed at the way they tag teamed him but he wasn't a Sannin for nothing. He eliminated them quickly and substituted with a log before the explosion occurred. Reappearing, he felt two jutsu coming at him. He quickly raised a wall to protect him from the fire jutsu and jumped in the air to avoid the wind jutsu. He once again landed and two copies were closing in on him.
Jiraiya caught their wrist and flipped them both on the ground. He stomped on the one to the left, dispelling the Shadow Clone. He twisted the others wrist, gaining a cry of pain.
"Not bad brat. You almost had me a couple of times." Jiraiya said and released Naruto's wrist. Naruto pouted as he rubbed his wrist, making Jiraiya laugh. "Don't be like that. I'm just preparing you for the finals. Everybody won't be as easy on you as I am, especially Kakashi's brat."
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto said. He stood up and faced his sensei for the exams. "Thanks for training me for the whole month, Pervy Sage."
"Are you still calling me that? After all that I have helped you with?" Jiraiya said with a whine. Truth was, Jiraiya wasn't really going to train Naruto this much. He only planned to teach him the Summoning Jutsu and to help him tap into the chakra of the nine-tailed fox. He managed to this within the week of meeting him. It was after his test with Gamabunta, which he almost won, did he have a change of heart.
Instead of taking him to a hospital, he brought him home. As he laid him to rest, he caught sight of his table. It was scattered with notes, manuals and books of the sealing arts. Curious, he looked at all his notes and was very shocked. Despite the dopey attitude, Naruto was a genius, just like his father, mother and clan. Some of his work, he could have never thought of. He was truly his mother's and father's son.
The next day, he had Naruto checked out by doctors and began to really train him. He mostly focused on the nine-tails' chakra, which Naruto had reservations about but Jiraiya calmed his fears. He helped him create two new jutsu. The first was a new clone based off a fire style jutsu and the second was a fire style called the Burning Snake. He also taught Naruto his Needle Jizo and trained him in the first step of his chakra nature, which happened to be wind. When they weren't training physically, Jiraiya helped him with his sealing and battle awareness. In all, Naruto was a hell of a lot stronger.
"Helped me huh?" Naruto said and glared at Jiraiya. "You disabled all of my seals in my apartment and told Anko. I was lucky to escape with my life." Naruto argued.
"Come on, you redid the security and you got her back, worst even. Nice job by the way. I didn't peg her for silky undergarments." Jiraiya said with a stupid grin. Naruto just sighed at his sensei.
XXX
Haku and Sakura were engaged in a furious exchange of hands. Each was attempting to stick the other with senbon. A game Haku called 'push hands' was also a form of training. Both of their hands were moving at crazy speeds as they drew a senbon, tried to stick each other and draw another. After a while, the two separated, senbon falling to the ground. Sakura suddenly felt her left hand go numb. She saw where the senbon was and cursed.
"Damn it, I lost again." Sakura said with a pout.
"I think was can call it draw." Haku said. Sakura looked at Haku's shoulder and saw that she was able to stick him with one of her needles. She cheered at her accomplishment, especially since the finals were just a week away. Haku smiled at her, happy for her improvement.
"I believe that this ends our training." Haku said. That stopped Sakura's cheering to look at him. "I mean training for the finals. I think that you should do some light training from now on and review your jutsu. The finals are a week away and your don't want to overwhelm your body."
"Right. I don't want to hurt myself. Hinata is going to be a dangerous opponent." Sakura said.
"Not to mention everyone else. Use this time to think of some strategies." Haku said. Sakura nodded and began to pick up the senbon. Haku helped her and the two fell into a comfortable silence. Sakura would steal glances at the older teen, not really understanding why. She wasn't really trying to crush on any boy right now as she had let go of her crush for Sasuke. However, she couldn't help but find Haku attractive and was curious. Sakura decided to do something different this time.
"Hey Haku," Sakura called out, getting his attention. "Are you busy right now? I wanted to thank you by offering you tea and sweets."
"Sure, I'm free." he said. Sakura smiled, mentally jumping for joy. They finished collecting their senbon and left the training grounds.
XXX
For the rest of the week, the rookies were doing light training like they were taught in the academy. They were keeping themselves in shape for the finals that were coming up. They all were nervous and excited for the chance to become chunin. As the rookies enjoyed their light training, a few continued their training.
The first was Rock Lee. Being the carbon copy of his sensei, he did not know the meaning of the word 'light'. He continued to push himself in order to face of against Gaara. The second was Neji Hyuga. He was going to show everyone at that stadium his power. He knew that 'he' was going to be there and he wanted to watch him crush his daughter. The final person,
"I can't believe what he is doing." muttered a Tiger-Masked ANBU member.
"What is it?" asked a Eagle-Masked ANBU member. That's when he heard the sounds of something like screeching birds. Looking, he saw that Sasuke's hands was surrounded in lightning. This shocked the ANBU member.
"Is that,"
"No, it's the first version of the Lightning Blade. I believe that he called it the Chidori. I can't believe that he is teaching Sasuke that."
"Should we inform the Hokage about this?"
"No, we won't informed the Hokage."
"But what about Naruto? What if that jutsu is used against him?"
"I have faith in Naruto. The boy is much more skill than you think. Besides, with who Naruto is learning from, Sasuke is one who should be worried." Kakashi was listening to the two using chakra in his ear. He narrowed his eye at what was being said.
'Who has Naruto been training with that they would be so confident?' Kakashi thought. He turned his attention back to the sound of an explosion. He looked to see that Sasuke had finally gotten the hang of his jutsu.
"Very good Sasuke. Remember, this jutsu is used to protect your comrades. This jutsu is not to be used against them. I've taught you everything I can in the time. You can use that to take out Naruto." Kakashi said.
"Don't worry." Sasuke said, ignoring the pain he was feeling his. "I'll definitely show that loser whose great."
XXX
Baki was glad to be back in the Hidden Sand Village. It was good to finally be from under the Hokage's surveillance. He nor his team could make a move until now. With only three days left until the invasion, he needed to speak with the Kazekage, Rasa, and informing him to consider backing out. It was obvious that their plot had been discovered. It was something he explained to his leader.
"Are you losing faith in our survival Baki?" Rasa, who was in his Kazekage's robes, asked.
"That is not it Lord Kazekage. It is obvious that the Hidden Leaf is aware of our betrayal. They might be ready for us." Baki said.
"Don't worry. I have taken precautions to stem the tide in our favor. I only need you to do one thing." Rasa said.
"What is that?"
"Whatever you do, kill Naruto Uzumaki. Orochimaru has informed me of the boy's skill in the sealing arts. Should he get the chance, he might stop our plans that include Gaara. Kill him and make sure that he does not get to Gaara. Relay this to my children and Gaara."
"Understood." Baki said and vanished from sight. He missed the evil glow coming from his kage's eyes.
XXX
It was finally the day of the finals. Everyone gathered into the stadium, excited for today's matches. All fifteen competitors were standing on the field with the referee, waiting for everything to begin. Hiruzen sat above it all with two guards to his side. He then got a nod from one of his guards, making him stand and turn to his right. Three figures entered the private box.
"Lord Fourth Kazekage, welcome to my village." Hiruzen greeted.
"Thank you for having me Lord Third Hokage." he said. Hiruzen led him to his seat and the two sat.
"I am sure that you are proud that your children are in the finals." Hiruzen stated.
"It is expected of them. I am more curious as to the skill of your genin. From what I've heard, your batch of rookies are quite good." the Kazekage said. Hiruzen chuckled at that.
"You will witness it first hand." Hiruzen said, ending the talk. Meanwhile in the stands, three jonin were standing against the wall, also waiting for the finals to begin. They were making small talk as they waited.
"So, which match are you looking forward to?" Asuma asked.
"I'm interested with all my charges but I won't lie and say that I am very interested in Hinata's match. I wish to know what she learned from her father." Kurenai said. "You?"
"Shikamaru's and Choji's matches are what I am looking forward to. Choji is going to give your kunoichi a run for her money." Asuma said while looking at Guy. This made the man bellow in laughter.
"This I would like to see! However, my students will stroke the fires of youth in these finals!" Guy exclaimed, making people around them back away. Asuma and Kurenai just chuckled when they noticed Kakashi in the far corner. Guy saw where they were looking but did not turn to look at him. The noticed this and were concerned.
"You two not speaking?" Asuma asked.
"I have nothing to say to Kakashi. He has allowed his fires to dim and he does not seem remorseful about it. Perhaps when he realizes his actions were wrong, then we may talk again." Guy said calmly. Kurenai and Asuma just nodded and did not pry. While far away, Kakashi did hear Guy's words but ignored them to focus on the beginning of the finals.
Down on the field, Hayate finished giving everyone last minute instructions. When he finished speaking, he looked at all the competitors.
"Everyone but Kiba Inuzuka and Neji Hyuga exit the field." A few used the Teleportation Jutsu to leave while the few walked off. As Hayate waited for the field to clear, Neji watched as Kiba and Akamaru loosen up. This amused him greatly. Seeing the smirk, Kiba narrowed his eyes at him.
"Something funny?" Kiba asked.
"Just you and your confidence. I know that you and your fellow rookies are considered the best but it makes no difference. Against me, you are destined to fail." Neji said.
"Is that a fact? Well, I'm going to enjoy proving you wrong. You might be a prodigy but that title is overrated. You'll witness that today Neji and watch you fantasy crumble." Kiba said. Neji scoffed at him and readied himself. Seeing that the talking was over, Hayate got in between the two and prepared to start the match
"The first match of the Chunin Exam finals, Kiba Inuzuka versus Neji Hyuga, begin."
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Authors' Notes - Sorry that this was late guys. I just recently brought a Chromebook and I am still figuring it out. Either way, I just finished this new chapter and I hope you like it. Oh, just to answer the question if it comes up, no, Kakashi is not going to become an antagonist. He's definitely not going to be on Naruto's side but he isn't about to let Konoha just be destroyed. He's kind of going to be an Antihero type character from now.
