chronical199: I'll take that as a compliment.

marquis: I don't understand what this has to do with relationship to chapter 12, but yes Kakashi knows Naruto has the Kyuubi in him. Also, because who the hell wouldn't freeze up at finding out they have a giant, nine-tailed chakra entity in their gut that is only held back by a seal, even if you know what those do! The first time you see it, you're damn near pissing your pants. And also, making a Jinchuriki with seals is not basic level fuinjutsu. That's some master level ish.

IAmAGuest: Why would I give it to him?

NamikazeNatsu303: Gaara's didn't take a direct hit though.

Guest: I'm gonna do it. It's just a habit. Plenty of other authors do it also.

Roxie: Hiashi is supportive of it, in more ways than one. He also does still want to manipulate Naruto for extra power for the Hyuga, but he does want Hinata happy. In his book it's a win-win. He also has a pretty good idea Naruto is Minato's son.

CainOmega106: Thank you. Hinata, at least the level we saw her in the anime, cannot curbstomp Neji with a month of training. She needs a trump card. Otherwise she'd lose. The one I made actually comes from her originally though, from the one she used on Nagato...or Pain...whichever you want to call him.

AvidReader: Thank you. And the Disneyland comment is spot on...although I wanna see the city underneath.

YamiChaos27: Hanabi's like 7 or 8 now...why would she know about one of the darkest secrets in the clan. And Hinata isn't approved of by the elders.

Wolvmbm: There's gonna be conflict over that. And yes it will improve, with rough patches, a lot caused by the Hyuga, but it will improve.

marquis...again: As I tried to explain Hinata does not specifically care about what Sasuke thinks about her. She cares about what everyone thinks about her as she is considered weak by the clan elders, not to mention she's regarding as the timid girl in the background who never really does much. As much as I like her that's kinda who she was in part 1 and in this I haven't begun to change that a lot yet. She only doesn't stammer anymore because she's known Naruto for the longst out of the entire Rookie 9, and Konoha 12. He did catch up...what are you talking about? Sasuke admitted he was weaker than Naruto in the last chapter of Naruto I believe...and no I don't mean Gaiden. Sasuke was aiming to kill in that fight, and the fact that Naruto wasn't proves he was holding back and still won. Your blatant hatred of Sasuke though is annoying. Not to sound like a dick, but it doesn't actually make you seem like you hate Sasuke, but more of the fact that you hate that anyone can match Naruto...which is just gonna be life. There's always someone stronger. Hell, I'm still positive Kaguya's stronger than both of them separately right now.

The Wait is Over

Shikamaru groaned as he heard his name being called for his match. "Hinata that's a tough act to follow," he stated, groaning even more as he saw Temari unleash her fan and glide down onto the arena. Hinata blushed. "I apologize Shikamaru-san."

"Come on Shikamaru!" Sakura said. "You can still do this!" Shikamaru gave Sakura a very dull look but she simply shrugged. "What I think you should follow up on Hinata's act and win."

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his head. "So troublesome." Sakura grew slightly irritated at the comment and kicked Shikamaru out of the competitor box…flying over the balcony towards a plummet in the ground.

Shikamaru cursed, just barely managing to land on his feet. "Troublesome banshees," Shikamaru stated. Temari looked at him, a little amused but still thinking he was no threat. 'If he's that lazy he might as well give up. He's too weak to defeat me anyways.'

XxX

"Come on Shikamaru!" Ino shouted, pumping her fist in the air. "Follow up on Hinata's victory!" Choji grabbed some chips, stuffing them in his mouth. "Calm down Ino. This is too troublesome for Shikamaru to likely try all that much." Ino glared at him causing Choji to sweatdrop, his face looking a little paler. He knew not to piss of Ino.

"I think Choji's right on this one Ino," Tenten stated. "Shikamaru just doesn't seem like the type of guy to try very hard." Naruto nodded. "Because he isn't, he's lazy Ino. I mean sure, the guys a genius, and with that alone if he tries he can beat Temari. But he'll likely just forfeit the match because it's troublesome."

Ino looked about to yell before Choji interrupted. "I never said that." Tenten and Naruto looked at him, confused. "I thought that was what you were implying," Tenten stated. Choji shook his head. "I mean I think Shikamaru will in fact try and at least fight a little bit. I just don't think that once he wins he's going to want to continue to move forwards in the tournament."

Naruto scratched his chin. "You have a lot of confidence in him winning this round." Choji shrugged. "What can I say? I've known him since I was a kid, Shikamaru's a genius. And fears his mother."

Naruto gave Choji a look but the Akimichi said nothing causing Naruto to simply look down at the arena. Tenten also looked relatively confused, however she didn't care about this match. It was just an appetizer to her. She only wanted to watch one other match after Hinata and Neji fought.

'Lee,' Tenten thought, looking at Gaara.

XxX

Shikamaru looked at Temari. "You wouldn't simply give up for me would you? My mom said I need to pass at least one round of the tournament and I really don't feel like fighting, much less a girl at that." Temari's eye twitched. "You got a problem with fighting girls huh!" Temari then, ignoring any command from Genma, rushed forwards, bringing her fan down on top of Shikamaru. The impact caused a cloud of dust to spring up, however when it cleared it showed Shikamaru standing on two kunai that were stabbed into the wall.

'I didn't even say go,' Genma thought. 'This girl has some anger problems.' Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome blondes. Is there some sort of trigger in all of you that makes you go off at the most random of times?"

Temari glared at him. "So you managed to dodge huh? Well then try this on for size!"

Temari hefted her fan upwards, splitting the wall, forcing Shikamaru to jump away. 'She has some freakish strength. Close combat isn't an option here,' Shikamaru thought. Shikamaru landed, frowning as he saw Temari already unfurling her fan.

'She's not holding back. She's immediately unfurled her fan unlike when she simply crushed that girl from Oto with a swing of her fan. So she's good at any range. I'll have to play sneaky to beat her. How troublesome.'

"Kamaitachi no Jutsu (Sickle Weasel Technique)!" Temari swung her fan at Shikamaru. The air currents created when Temari unfurled her fan combined together, rushing towards Shikamaru, creating a vacuum pocket. As the gale shot towards Shikamaru it warped into the shape of a tornado, however Shikamaru was ready, jumping away.

Shikamaru pulled two explosive kunai from his kunai pouch and threw them at the incoming tornado. The tornado easily sent them flying away, however the explosion from when they released destabilized the tornado, causing it to disperse. Temari smirked. "Impressive."

Shikamaru glanced at her as he hid behind a tree.

"You used the wind generated by the explosion to destabilize my tornado, and you used the smoke generated to hide. A good strategy, especially from what I saw from your match with that Dosu guy from Oto. However, as long as I don't get hit by your shadow I'm safe from your jutsu."

Shikamaru couldn't deny Temari the fact that she got it wrong. As long as she was attentive she could avoid his jutsu. 'And of course the sun is directly above the arena offering no form of shade. She'll see my jutsu coming from a mile away. I have to stall for time.'

Temari however swung her fan again. "But if I destroy all the cover you can't hide can you!"

Shikamaru didn't know if it was Temari's intelligence or the universe attempting to murder him, but Temari had aimed her attack in the right direction forcing him to dive out of the way of the incoming tornado. However the furious wind currents still sent Shikamaru flying away, slight cuts on his clothing.

Temari heard the sound of Shikamaru sliding on the ground, sending another tornado once again in Shikamaru's direction. Shikamaru frowned, drawing another explosive kunai and throwing it at the tornado. The explosion, like the previous one, destabilized the tornado.

'She knows where I am now. Crap.'

XxX

Ino frowned as she looked at the battle raging below her. "I can't believe it. Shikamaru can't find any way to fight back." Tenten glanced at her. "You mean no matter what Shikamaru was capable of fighting back?" Ino nodded frowning to herself. "Shikamaru has always been able to fight back, even when we took our Jonin test. We all played shogi and Shikamaru nearly beat Asuma. When we got attacked on our first C-ranked mission it was Shikamaru who came up with the strategy to defeat the bandits. Even in the Forest of Death Shikamaru was the person who used a plan to get our scroll."

Naruto frowned. "Choji is this true? Because if anything it seems like you guys are relying on Shikamaru here."

Choji frowned. "That is true. Whenever we couldn't outright beat anyone Shikamaru was the one who always came up with the strategies. To find out that he can't actually fight back against that Temari girl isn't comforting."

Naruto glared at the ground. "So what you're saying is that you two completely relied on Shikamaru. Are you freaking kidding me guys? Come on. Your team format is pretty simple, Shikamaru's the brains, likely always will be, and Choji is the brute force. Ino, you're the deceiver of the team…if that word works in this instance. Anyways, the point here is that just because you guys have a brain on the team doesn't mean that you shouldn't be well rounded."

Kakashi smiled. "Look at my cute little genin…acting as if his team isn't similar."

Naruto blushed. "We're pretty well rounded!" Kakashi nodded. "Yes…slightly." Asuma laughed at Naruto's expense but couldn't help to nod. "Despite Kakashi poking fun at you, you do have a point there Naruto."

Tenten frowned. "Still Naruto you're team is still pretty unbalanced. I mean when it comes to you you're really fast and really good at ninjutsu and fuinjutsu. You're taijutsu is okay, but it could use some work. Your strategies also for as long as I've known you have been rather…half-assed. You pull out strategies from your ass, and usually they end up working, but without cultivating that you'll never be able to be a tactical fighter. As for Sakura, she's good at genjutsu and iryo ninjutsu, but she lacks any real knockout power. She pretty much relies on trapping you in her genjutsu. The only reason one could say she won against Ino was because Ino didn't train."

Ino glared at Tenten for making that comment, but didn't say anything. She couldn't deny the truth in her words. Still, she had done some training over the month…not a lot…but some.

"As for Sasuke…I'd have to say he's the best rounded of your team. He can come up with sound strategies and has the knockout power to back them up. He is decent in kenjutsu and with his Sharingan he picks up on things quickly. Not to mention his ninjutsu is on a level that is comparable to your own Naruto. He's also physically stronger than you."

Naruto frowned. "I'm still the fastest genin in Konoha…"

Tenten rolled her eyes. "Lee."

"…Second fastest…"

XxX

Temari unleashed another blast of her jutsu, only for Shikamaru to manage to get out of the way once again, however she still destroyed a good chunk of the arena again. "Is all you are good at hiding," Temari called. "If it is color me unsurprised. We both know you're not stronger than me, just come out and admit your defeat, it's manlier that way."

Shikamaru groaned. "Troublesome blondes…" he mumbled. "I can't get near her without getting cut to shreds, and if anything about the start of this battle shows, getting near her isn't a good idea for someone like me who isn't stronger nor faster than her. But if I keep doing this eventually she'll get me. She isn't putting enough chakra into those blasts to wear herself our any time soon."

Shikamaru sighed. "This is such a drag. I may be the number one at hiding and running, but at this rate I'll get cut to bits before the sun is finally in a position where I can do something with it. She'll see my shadow coming from a mile away as it is now."

Shikamaru frowned wrapping an explosive tag around a kunai. 'Let's see…I can't bind her with the Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Imitation Technique) and she's clearly stronger than me.'

Shikamaru launched the kunai before he formed the handsigns for his jutsu. Temari's eyes widened as she saw the kunai coming easily, deflecting it, however the explosion still kicked up a cloud of dust. Shikamaru smirked. "Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Imitation Technique)!" Shikamaru's shadow shot forth across the ground, headed directly for Temari. Luckily, or unluckily depending on how you look at it, the smoke cleared before the shadow had connected with Temari's own, allowing her to get a full view of what was going on.

"Crap," Temari called as she reacted, doing several backflip to get away from the ever-advancing shadow. However at a certain range the shadow stopped and retreated back to Shikamaru. Temari smirked, placing her fan on the ground and drawing a line.

"I see through it now," Temari said. "Your Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Imitation Technique). You can manipulate any shadow your in…even your own. But there's a limit…no matter how thin you stretch it it will only reach so far correct?"

Shikamaru frowned. "You're intelligent as well…I really got the bad end of the stick here didn't I?"

XxX

"You have an impressive daughter Kazekage-dono," Hiruzen said. The Kazekage smiled. "Well yes, I did have some of the best Fuuton users in Sunagakure train her. She is always a very intellectual fighters as you can see. I'm afraid this is where it will be ending for that Nara boy."

Hiruzen smiled. "We shall see Lord Kazekage. You should not doubt the power of the Nara."

XxX

"Oh no," Choji mumbled. "She found out his distance limit."

"So that Suna kunoichi is intelligent. This could prove problematic for Shikamaru," Kakashi said. Asuma laughed at Kakashi's expense. "Come on now Kakashi, Shikamaru is more creative than that. The kid always does beat me in shogi."

Ino frowned, before standing up and cheering. "Come on Shikamaru! You can beat this dessert rat! Get creative out there!"

XxX

Temari smirked. "Any last words before you lose? Because I'm about to end this fight!" Shikamaru sighed. "The spunky ones…I hate the spunky ones." Temari smirked, unfurling her fan once more. "I really don't care if I become a Chunin or not, it just means work either way. But I guess getting beaten by a female isn't exactly good."

Temari's eye twitched at the comment before she swung her fan. "Kamaitachi no Jutsu (Sickle Weasel Technique)!"

Shikamaru dove out of the way of the technique, dodging the brunt of the attack, however his leg got a few cuts. He frowned at the shallow cut. "You know," he began. "The only reason I become a shinobi in the first place was because I could do what I wanted. Who knew it would be so much work? Fighting you kunoichi…it's really troublesome."

XxX

Naruto paled as he noticed Kurenai, Anko, Margaret, and Tenten all glaring at Shikamaru with unfathomable feminine rage in their eyes. "I'm going to skin that brat alive," Anko mumbled. Ino blanched waving her hands at them. "Calm down! Shikamaru isn't sexist or anything. He just thinks its a mans job to protect the woman. He doesn't think we're less than men or anything. He's actually a real gentlemen if you get passed all that laziness."

Kurenai still looked absolutely livid but she decided to take Ino's word for it. "I'll still put him in a genjutsu so strong that Anko can prank him to death."

"Aw Kure-chan you're so sweet…but I want him to suffer."

XxX

Shikamaru leaned against a tree, his jacket now off revealing his green-lined mesh shirt. Shikamaru tied the jacket around his kunai before he drew another one, attaching a flash grenade to it. 'This should increase me shadow's length, which should catch her off guard. Even if she does manage to avoid it, if I can reach far enough to reach the jacket when I throw the kunai with it I should be able to get her."

Shikamaru smirked launching the kunai with the flash bomb on it. Temari smirked, blocking it with her fan before she cringed at the bright light given off by it. Shikamaru wasted no time in launching his other kunai in the sky before attempting another Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Imitation Technique). Temari, her eyes just recovering from the bright flash of light didn't see the shadow coming and her eyes widened as she found her body frozen.

"What's going on," she cried as she attempted to struggle from her bindings. Shikamaru smirked. "Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Imitation Technique) success." Temari's eyes widened. "What, what are you talking about?" Shikamaru smirked. "Don't worry, I'll let you see." Shikamaru craned his head downards, and Temari mimicked the action as she was forced to by the jutsu. Temari's eyes widened as she saw her shadow connected to Shikamaru's. "But how, I stayed behind the range?" Shikamaru smiled. "Yes you did. However, certain objects like flash bombs that create a better source of light can increase the shadow's size. That's how I got you."

Temari frowned, "I can't believe it. I guess I underestimated you." Shikamaru sighed. "Yeah well it was still really troublesome." Shikamaru glanced upwards, Temari's eyes following before he threw a kunai, freeing his jacket. "No way," Temari mumbled. "You had another backup plan just in case I avoided the shadow?" Shikamaru shrugged. "What can I say? My mother is troublesome. Anyways, I guess it's time to wrap things up."

Shikamaru reached into his kunai pouch, drawing a kunai and an explosive tag. However, Temari, who was not wearing a kunai pouch, drew nothing but air, simply mimicking his actions. Shikamaru tied the explosive note around the kunai before he prepared to throw.

"Give up or people will likely be picking up your body pieces." Temari cursed, but conceded. "Proctor I give up."

Genma nodded. "By her word, Sabaku no Temari has given up. The winner is Shikamaru Nara."

XxX

"Alright Shikamaru!" Ino yelled, pumping her fist in the air. "Good job! Keep it up!" Choji's eyes were actually open as he looked down on the field. "Wow…Shikamaru didn't give up…I knew his mother told him not to but I honestly was expecting him to do it anyway."

Naruto gave Choji a look. "Didn't you just say you thought he would win this fight?" Choji shrugged. "I never stated that my thoughts were correct." Asuma laughed, facing Kurenai, Kakashi, Anko, and Margaret. "And that my friends is 10,000 ryo from each of you. I told you he'd get passed the first round." Anko frowned, glaring daggers at Asuma, handing him over a wad of cash. "I can't believe you were actually right." Asuma smirked, counting the money he got from each of his fellow Jonin, bar Gai, "Well the kid has an IQ of over 200…I'm not surprised."

"200!" The surrounding crowd shouted, completely shocked. An IQ of 200 was something completely unheard of. A few civilians dared to reckon that that was even above Hiruzen's own.

Naruto would have called bullshit on that thought.

XxX

"Impressive," the Kazekage stated, although he was clearly disturbed by his daughters loss. "That boy clearly shows the Chunin level intellect. In fact, I'd go far enough to say that he would be an excellent general."

Hiruzen laughed. "He must get it from his father. He has an even higher IQ than Shikaku does even, even if by one. The boy is a walking genius. Now if only would could get that laziness out of him."

The Kazekage nodded. "I have to concur. I think he'd make an excellent Chunin. His strategies are quite excellent. He fooled my daughter into thinking she knew his range when really he was capable of extending it, not to mention just in case she avoided it he had a backup plan. Truly a great strategy."

Hiruzen nodded. "Agreed. Still, do you not feel discouraged that your daughter lost?" The Kazekage frowned, although Hiruzen could not see it. "I am not pleased, I will admit, however she did so the capable strength of a Chunin. However she was too gullible and didn't think to push her advantage to stop the Nara from strategizing. She is not ready for being a Chunin."

XxX

"Impressive," Sasuke said. "I honestly was expecting Shikamaru to give up. And he came up with a pretty damn good strategy to win it too. Still, he shouldn't have explained how he did it. Now I know how to beat him."

Shino nodded. "I have to agree with Sasuke. Why? Because now everyone knows to get away from Shikamaru when there is a large flash of light and that he stacks his strategies."

'Temari lost! No way…that Nara brat…he'll be a problem during the invasion. I'll need to get him out quickly. I can't believe the Genin of Konoha could prove so much of a problem,' Kankuro thought.

"Yosh! Such brilliant flames of youth demonstrated by Shikamaru! The strategy was brilliant. I will work harder in my intellect to match such a great strategy," Lee called, clenching his fist. Sasuke gave him a look, unnerved by the eccentric Genin. 'We really need to stop letting him hang out with Gai.'

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Well I do agree but there's no reason for you to even be considering the way that jutsu of his worked Sasuke," Sakura stated as Shikamaru and Temari began to walk back up to the competitor's box. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, looking at Sakura strangely. "Why's that," Sasuke asked, a slight smirk playing on his face. Sakura reflected his smirk. "Because after Shino's match you'll be going up against me…and you won't be getting passed me." Sasuke smirked."I like the enthusiasm Sakura…but you haven't caught up to me yet."

"Why are you two already so excited? It's not even your match yet," Shikamaru stated, cracking his neck. "I swear all of Team 7 is just pure trouble." Sakura rolled her eyes, an act mirrored by Sasuke as they looked at Genma, calling down the next competitors. Kankuro frowned at this.

'What's going on? The invasion should have begun the second Temari's fight ended…but the signal hasn't been raised. I can't let any Konoha shinobi learn what I've done to Karasu before the invasion and then expect to fight them. I should give up.'

"Proctor, I give up," Kankuro called. Genma frowned at that answer but nodded, instead calling down Sakura and Sasuke. Sasuke, Sakura, and Shino all looked at Kankuro with suspicion. 'Why would he give up…he had no reason too. What's he hiding?' Sakura thought.

Sasuke kept his frown on his face before he lept over the ledge, looking at Sakura with a smirk on his face. He glanced the seal on his wrist before he walked over to stand next to Gemna. Sakura soon followed him.

Sakura smirked as she glanced at Sasuke. "You ready," she asked.

"Never been better."

XxX

"Margaret," Anko said, drawing the female's attention. "Yeah?"

"You trained Sakura and Sasuke, partially at least for both of them. If you had to compare their growth from what you saw…who do you think would win?"

Margaret frowned, looking down at her two pseudo-students. "If I had to think on what I saw them both mastering," Margaret began. "I'd have to say that Sasuke will likely win."

Ino nodded. "I can't say that's unexpected. Still, Forehead's clearly put in a lot of work." Naruto frowned. "I think…" he began, "I think Sakura will lose." This got Kiba's attention. "You want Sasuke to win?" Naruto shook his head furiously. "No, I think it would be a better confidence booster for Sakura if she won, and I doubt Sasuke wouldn't get promoted anyway, but I think Sasuke will win."

Anko smirked. 'I'm glad. The part of the month Margaret and I were training Sakura was the light part. I gave her a ton of counter moves and raised her chakra level when Margaret left to train Sasuke with Kakashi. She didn't sleep for five days. I only stopped her because she was finally getting the starting signs of sleep deprivation. She has a crap ton of endurance…and used to have a crap ton of energy pills.'

XxX

"Let the match between Sasuke Uchiha of Konohagakure and Sakura Haruno of Konohagakure begin!" Genma said, shooting away to watch the fight, ready to intervene when ready. Sasuke smirked launching himself forward immediately, kunai in hand. Sakura frowned, drawing a kunai from her bag and stopping his charge.

"Are you sure you wanna keep this up Sakura? I'm not gonna go easy on you you know." Sakura smiled. "I've never been so confident in my life," she responded sharply, launching out with a kick that sent Sasuke skidding backwards. Sakura wasted no time in attaching a flash bomb to her kunai before throwing it at the Uchiha. Sasuke deflected the kunai, however the flash of light still went off, blinding him briefly. Sakura used this to rush in, launching a blow to Sasuke's stomach that connected, before she attempted to throw an elbow at his neck, however he blocked the strike and kicked her harshly in the chin, sending her flying upwards.

Sakura flipped in midair, landing on her feet.

"Impressive Sakura," Sasuke commented, his eyes turning into the crimson of the Sharingan. "You truly have earned my respect, you should know this before we begin."

Sakura smiled, "Good to know. Although I'll be earning a lot more than respect by the time this fight is over!" Sakura weaved through handsigns, something Sasuke mimicked.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)!" The duo let two large spheres a fire forth, the balls clashing in the center of the arena and greatly increasing the temperature. Sakura smirked as she looked at the massive column of fire the two jutsu were beginning to create, and she decided to take advantage of it. She weaved through handsigns, confident Sasuke couldn't see her chakra flow through how dense the chakra of the jutsu was.

"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique)!"

Several small fireballs shot from Sakura's mouth, going into the raging inferno. Sasuke, still looking at the inferno in a sort of daze, was surprised by the fireballs bursting through it. Sasuke cursed, barely dodging the balls. He glared at Sakura as the blaze began to die down.

"I see you're serious."

"Of course."

Sasuke frowned, putting a hand on his seal before he mumbled a brief Kai (Release). The Kubikiribocho popped out of the seal and Sasuke grasped the handle before pointing the blade at Sakura. "Let's go Sakura."

XxX

"Hokage-dono, the Kubikiribocho? You should be wary of Kirigakure shinobi." Hiruzen nodded. "That has already been noted "Kazekage-dono."

XxX

Tenten glared at Naruto, despite having already seen the blade. "You know Naruto, I'm still irritated that you didn't even think to give me the blade." Naruto paled. "Ten-chan, I did I really did. Sasuke still just wanted it though, and because he was there Kakashi-sensei gave it to him. If anyone blame Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi suddenly felt a vast amount of killing intent. He turned ever so slowly to see Tenten playing with a kunai, eyeing him dangerously. 'There is a disturbance in the man,' Kakashi thought. Asuma shivered, feeling slightly uncomfortable. 'Why do I feel like I should run?' The only male in the presence that wasn't affected was Gai who was mumbling something about Sakura and Sasuke showing each other their flames of youth.

"Thanks a lot Naruto," Kiba mumbled, glaring at the blonde. Naruto gave Kiba a sharp look, despite the fact he felt like his family jewels were threatened.

XxX

Sakura frowned, jumping backwards a bit more as Sasuke drew his blade. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the move before he smirked. 'So she's afraid of getting in close huh? It's the range. I see…but she must know that she doesn't stand a chance against me in mid-to-long range. What's her strategy here?'

Sasuke rushed forwards in an attempt to slash Sakura however Sakura drew a small bomb. 'Thank you Anko-sensei…also known as 'Psychotic Bitch'.'

Sakura then threw the bomb which Sasuke cut in half, however a large purple cloud suddenly exploded from the bomb causing Sasuke to frown and cover his nose before he accidentally breathed any in. "You wanna tell me what's in that bomb Sakura?"

Sakura smirked, staying silent. 'Anko taught me about basic poisons, but I still have to just use regular poison bombs to actually use them. But that specific one is combustible so…'

Sakura weaved through handseals. "Katon: Kasumi Enbu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Mist Blaze Dance Technique)." Sakura breathed out the flammable gas into the poison cloud, Sasuke's legs tensing as he saw chakra intertwine with the poison through his Sharingan. Sasuke prepared to jump, however he was too late as Sakura through an explosive kunai into the mist.

The explosion was massive, shaking the entire arena and kicking up a massive cloud of dust. As Sakura looked at it she couldn't help but smirk.

'I did it.'

XxX

"Damn it Sakura!" Anko yelled, getting Margaret's attention. "What is it Anko? That was a brilliant combination by Sakura." Anko frowned. "No…even though the poison is flammable…blowing it up like that renders the specific poison she used useless. And the Uchiha brat didn't breathe in the paralysis poison. The only thing that might have hurt him is the explosion."

"So she messed up," Asuma reasoned. Anko nodded. "Still…the explosion must have done something."

"No," Kurenai said. "Look." As the explosion cleared all that was left was a pile of ash. "He got out using a Kawarimi (Body Replacement)." Kakashi smirked. "And this is where Sasuke turns the tide of the battle."

XxX

'Impressive,' thought Danzo as he watched Sasuke fight. 'He has keen eyes, and great reaction speeds. Right now his is a hard rock…but he can be crafted into a diamond...'

XxX

Sakura frowned as she saw the pile of ash. 'He got out with a Kawarimi (Body Replacement) which turned to ash under all the fire and heat. Alright…but where is he now? He's not in front, above, or behind.'

XxX

"Sasuke has an overall advantage in this fight," Kakashi said, drawing everyone's attention. "When training Sakura actually has to learn the technique. That isn't the case with an Uchiha."

"The Sharingan," Kurenai mumbled, her eyes widening. Kakashi smiled. "Yes…out of my many jutsu…I bestowed quite a few on him. And all he has to do to learn them is see them and have the capability to do them. And obviously I made sure that he would have the capability to use the one's I gave him."

"Damn you Kakashi," Anko said, glaring at the usually laid-back man. "You really put a lot of work into him." Kakashi shrugged. "It's only because of his Sharingan. If it wasn't he wouldn't know nearly as many jutsu as he does now."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Sharingan Smaringan. Sakura isn't out yet."

"Yeah!" Ino cried.

XxX

However, despite Naruto's support of his pink-haired friend two hands grasped her ankles, causing Sakura's eyes to widen.

"You lose."

Sakura suddenly was dragged underground as Sasuke shot out of it, a smirk on his face. "Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique)." Sakura glared at Sasuke. "Damn it," she mumbled, looking up at Sasuke's crimson orbs. Sasuke smirked. "Looks like I win Sakura. You put up a good fight, but you still lack the capability to defeat me." Sakura smirked. "Really? You're not the only one who learned some jutsu Sasuke." And with that Sakura…stayed there.

However, Sasuke noticed the difference, directing his attention elsewhere. "You substituted with a clone…but how?" Sakura smiled, launching several kunai with flash bombs on them. Sasuke however deflected them and closed his eyes, saving himself from a painful blast of light. Sakura rushed inwards, slamming a punch in his stomach once again before kicking him the chest. Sasuke skidded backwards as his eyes snapped open.

"It's rather simple," Sakura began. "Bunshin Taiten (Clone Body Switch). It's actually a medic-nin ninjutsu. Using a clone's chakra as a focal point the user can switch places with the clone, without handseals."

Sasuke frowned. "You sure have progressed in this month Sakura. I'll give you that." Sakura gave off a cocky smirk, however on the inside she was frowning. 'Crap! This is bad! I only have three more tricks to pull out of the bag. I didn't think he'd make me reveal so many so soon. I was positive that explosion got him.'

Sasuke swung his blade at Sakura, forcing her to backpedal to get away, however Sasuke followed, swinging his sword like a maniac. "Come on Sakura! I wanted a fight." Sakura smirked, "You'll get one." Sakura jumped into the air, looking down on Sasuke. 'Come on, take the bait,' Sakura thought. Sasuke did as he jumped towards Sakura, eager to fight her. Sakura smirked as she weaved through handseals. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique)!" The small fireballs shot from Sakura's mouth shooting at Sasuke from several different angles. Sasuke smirked, twirling the Kubikiribocho deflecting the fireballs.

Sakura frowned as the fireballs were deflected, the fire dissipating to reveal shuriken inside of them. Sasuke smirked before raising a leg, kicking Sakura to the ground.

XxX

Anko glared at Kakashi. "Lazy ass what the hell did you teach that kid? Before the Chunin Exams he was not able to wield the Kubikiribocho like that!" Kakashi smiled at Anko…not that anybody could see it. "As I said, Sasuke's Sharingan, in a similar manner to Naruto's clones, give him an unfair advantage in learning jutsu, whether it be ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu. So I took advantage of that. I pumped him full of ninjutsu he could learn, and gave him some genjutsu yes. However, what the two of us mainly worked on, hands-on at least, was physical strength exercises and taijutsu. Did you not notice the extra muscle he had when he came in?" Anko frowned. "I didn't think it was that much." Kakashi smirked. "Sorry."

Naruto however glared at Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei you dick!" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What did I do Naruto? I thought you would be glad to know your rival has become so much more powerful." Naruto nodded. "I am happy…but if Sasuke knows more ninjutsu than me I'm gonna be pissed! I'm the ninjutsu-expert on our team damn it!"

Kakashi nodded. "You're also the most attack-central genin on our team, and you should even surpass Sasuke in that when you start getting into more advanced wind-style jutsu."

Asuma raised an eyebrow. "Naruto, you know what your elemental affinity is?" Naruto nodded. "Wind." Asuma smirked. "Well then, as one of the few other wind element ninja in Konohagakure really, I'd be pleased to show you a few tricks." Naruto cheered. "Yes!"

Margaret frowned. "Hey! I'm here too you know!"

Naruto blushed in embarrassment as did Asuma.

XxX

Sakura rolled out of the way just before the Kubikiribocho impaled itself into where she had just been. She glared at Sasuke."You trying to kill me!" Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Sakura, why would I kill you? You're my teammate." Sakura blanched. "You did just try and run me through with the Kubikiribocho."

"Like shooting a fireball at you is any less dangerous."

Sakura blushed in embarrassment. "Point taken," she mumbled. Suddenly Sasuke weaved through handseals before he launched a Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique) at her. Sakura's eyes widened as she ran through handseals before slamming her hands on the ground. "Doton: Doryūheki (Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall)!" A sturdy-looking earthen wall rose up in front of Sakura, stopping the fireball. Sakura hid behind it, frowning at the heat surrounding her before she jumped. Her hands weaving through handseals. "Katon: Rendan Boshide Qiuti (Fire Release: Barrage Destructive Spheres)!" Sakura raised her hand, and from it, several fireballs shot forth towards Sasuke, shooting through the flames of Sasuke's jutsu. Sasuke's eyes widened as he saw the sphere's shoot through the flames before he jumped, avoiding the jutsu, however his eyes widened when he saw the fireballs expand and nearly hit him.

'That's a useful jutsu. Still…Sakua's playing smart…if she keeps using chakra to cloak her handseals from density I won't be able to copy any of her jutsu. She's only using jutsu that I know when I can see her hands. Whether or not its coincidence doesn't mean she's not doing a damn good job. Let's try this out.' Sasuke landed and weaved through jutsu, once again using the Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu (Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique).

Sakura frowned when she saw that Sasuke was no longer around. However, the second she saw a hole in the ground she jumped, barely avoiding Sasuke grabbing her ankles, however Sasuke was prepared, already weaving through handseals and launching a Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique). Sakura frowned, unable to dodge the technique. 'I can't waste chakra on a jutsu that isn't that dangerous.' Sakura drew a kunai, just in case Sasuke had shuriken in the fireballs and slashed at each of them, despite there not being a shuriken in any. Sakura frowned at Sasuke as she landed, fire on her clothes that she quickly patted out. Sasuke smirked at Sakura. 'It worked.'

Sasuke then hopped out of the earth, shooting more fireballs. Sakura leapt away from them, slowly being corralled towards the wall, unknown to her. Sasuke smirked before he flew through handseals, frowning as sweat began to bead down his brown. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)!"

Sakura frowned as the jutsu came near her, preparing to leap away before her eyes widened, a tree next to her blocking her path. She turned to shoot the other way and avoided the technique, however Sasuke suddenly appeared swinging the Kubikiribocho, with Sakura in the perfect position to be bisected.

Sakura cursed, barely drawing a kunai in time before she was sent flying from Sasuke's brute force, slamming into the ground soon afterwards. As Sakura slowly rose Sasuke rushed forwards.

XxX

"I must say Hokage-dono the 'Last of the Uchiha' is fairly impressive." Hiruzen smirked, slightly proud of Sasuke's growth. Not because he trained him, but because as Hokage he felt pride whenever a shinobi of his village did well.

"Yes, he certainly is capable. But he is simply attacking with his brute force still. When he cornered Ms. Haruno was debatably the first time he used strategy in this entire fight. As a Chunin you need more than brute force. You need the brains because you will be commanding an entire team."

The Kazekage smiled. "Exactly."

XxX

Naruto frowned as he looked down on the fight. "Sakura's getting pushed back. She was doing well in the beginning, but she's burning through her chakra quickly. Not to mention Sasuke's outright stronger than her. She couldn't turn this into a battle of attrition nor could she have turned this into a slugfest. She's staying out of fist-fighting range pretty well but…this isn't going to be easy."

"It's going to be impossible," Tenten said. Naruto glared at her causing her to raise her hands in defense. "Look, I'm not saying Sakura's weak, but Sasuke's on a whole other level. I don't think Sasuke's even going all out on her. He looks like he's holding back. Remember, Kakashi-sensei said that he learned a lot of jutsu, yet he's just using the same jutsu in this battle. He's not going all out yet."

Naruto frowned, unable to deny Tenten's logic but he still didn't like it.

XxX

Sakura frowned as Sasuke charged forwards. 'I can't get away in time. I guess close combat it is then.' Sakura finished two quick handseals, ending in the tiger. Sasuke brought his blade down, however Sakura barely avoided the blade before swinging her hand upwards. "Katon: Enha Kishuu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Blazing Blade Surprise Attack Technique)!" A curved, scimitar like blade of fire wrapped around Sakura's arm, lashing out at Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes widened before he jumped back, however he immediately rushed in again. Sakura lashed out with her blade, forcing Sasuke to deflect it as she tried to get away, however Sasuke kept pressuring her, eventually backing her into a wall. Sasuke swung his blade downwards, "It's over, Sakura!"

Sakura frowned, raising her blade, however Sasuke stopped his swing before he kicked her in the side, sending her flying into a tree. Sakura groaned as she attempted to get up, however Sasuke's Kubikiribocho was at her neck.

"Yield."

Sakura frowned, growling lowly to herself. "I give up," she said. Sasuke nodded, sealing the Kubikiribocho as he extended a hand towards Sakura. Sakura took it and stood up.

"And the winner is Sasuke Uchiha."

The crowd went wild.

XxX

"Very impressive," the Kazekage stated, as if he was noting something. Hiruzen smirked. "Thank you. He truly will become a great ninja."

"Better than his brother?"

Hiruzen frowned at the mention of Itachi Uchiha, however he did nothing else to reveal his displeasure. "Undoubtedly."

XxX

"Damn it," Naruto mumbled. "Sakura lost…" Kakashi raised an eyebrow…not that anybody could see him actually do it. "Naruto, aren't you happy your teammate won?" Naruto nodded. "Yeah I'm glad the bastard won…but Sakura has been the underdog on our team. I was really hoping that she would surprise everyone and get the victory." Kakashi nodded. "I understand that. Still, Sakura did a good job out there Naruto."

Naruto smirked. "I couldn't agree more."

Tenten smirked. 'Naruto's so easy to manipulate its cute.'

XxX

Genma cracked his knuckles as Sakura and Sasuke walked up to the competitor's box, noticing that the Hyuga and Aburame both congradulated them both, while offering their condoloneces to the Haruno. Genma shrugged, fumbling with the senbon in his mouth before he proceeded to speak.

"Would Rock Lee of Konohagakure and Sabaku no Gaara of Sunagakure please come down?"

XxX

Naruto frowned. "Gai-sensei…you should have taken him out."

Gai gave Naruto a look. "Gaara is powerful, but Lee hasn't come close to going all out in the Chunin Exams." Naruto frowned. "Gai-sensei you don't understand! The power that Gaara wields is unnatural. The way he manipulates sand. It's like how in the Academy they told you about the different-"

"Enough Naruto!" Kakashi said, actually surprising the blonde with his voice. He was completely serious. Naruto looked at him to, about to argue, however Kakashi sent him a look causing Naruto's eyes to widen.

'Kiba, Tenten, Ino, and Choji don't know what a Jinchuriki is. Revealing their existence to them in this way wouldn't be good for them, especially Tenten.'

Naruto frowned, clenching his teeth but nodding reluctantly. Kakashi nodded. "If it gets out of hand remember Gai can always stop the fight."

Naruto frowned. "I'll try."

Hey guys it's Kuma Akuma. I don't have much time to talk, so I'll just briefly say I changed Guy to Gai, because I felt like it (it's easier to understand when I doublecheck), and no before you Sasuke-fans get angry that he seemed to have trouble with Sakura, no, he did not go all out. Gosh. Sakura possessed a challenge but she wasn't good enough yet. She still has a lot more room for growth that I'm gonna get into. It's gonna take her a long while to finally reach Naruto and Sasuke's level, which she will eventually do. That's it that's all. Oh, sorry for the long wait. I had a family reunion in June, I got a new dog (making the count to 2 now, and the new one's only 5 WEEKS OLD! He peed on my bed...TWICE!) And for the majority of June I just had the biggest fucking writers block. So there's that. Also with my gaming work that I do so yeah. But you guys don't care about my excuse's or personal life. ONWARDS!