Chunin Exams Arc 3
Chapter 9 THE CHUNIN EXAMS BEGIN
The Next Morning
June 26th
"Late...again...why do we even bother coming at the time he gives us" Naruto whined
Hinata giggled as she nodded internally agreeing with her blonde crush.
Sasuke grunted "Yea I actually wouldn't have minded a bit more sleep"
Naruto smirked 'Oh this is perfect' he deviously thought. "Why Sasuke so you could dream about Sakura some more" he said smugly
Sasuke quickly turned his head sporting a slight blush "What the hell are you talking about dobe"
Naruto snickered "Is that a blush that's very unlike an Uchiha to blush and what I'm talking about is the fact that for a whole 5 minutes last night you actually paid attention to a girl for once...maybe you've finally taken my advice and pulled the stick out your ass and have some fun"
Sasuke was fuming "Shut up Baka...and for your information I only looked because she didn't do anything fangirly last night which was surprising all I thought was that maybe she's finally given up on it and focused on her own training"
"Yeah Yeah...hmmm maybe I should go tell her that now you're interested in her...yeah I think I should" Naruto said preparing his signature jutsu, about to cross his fingers he quickly dodged a kick from the last Uchiha.
"You wouldn't dare" Sasuke growled
"You must not know me very well and to think we've been on this team for how long and you still don't know what I'm capable of...ok I won't do it..." he snickered "...if you can knock me down in a spar."
Sasuke was surprised at this "Right here right now?"
"Right here Right now, no jutsu no Sharingan just me and you" Naruto nodded
Sasuke smirked "Like I need it to beat you dobe"
"Naruto-kun, Sasuke-san don't do this not here" Hinata tried to stop them but it was too late
Both Genin charged at each other dodging or parrying punches and kicks, this went on for another 2 minutes until both were about clash punches.
'When the hell did he become good enough to match me blow for blow' Sasuke thought as he drew his left fist back
'I wonder what Oba-san is cooking for dinner tonight' Naruto wondered as he drew back his right fist back
Just as they were about to clash both of their fists were stopped by a hand.
"Geez I know I'm late but you don't have to fight about it" the silver haired jonin said slightly pushing his students away from each other
'Thank Kami Kakashi-sensei showed up...even if he is three hours late' Hinata thought to herself
Kakashi asked "What were you two fighting about anyway"
"We were just sparing no big Kakashi-sensei" Naruto replied
Sasuke just grunted
'Hehe I overheard the whole thing hmmm it seems that Sasuke may have noticed one of his female peers...finally' the masked man thought "Well anyway I know this is a bit sudden but I recommended you for the chunin exams all three of you." he handed then three slips of paper "Here are your application forms, now this is all voluntary it's up to each of you if you don't feel ready you can wait till next year"
"Alright" Naruto yelled out running up to Kakashi giving him a hug
"Hey don't slobber on my vest" Kakashi growled playfully "There's no training or missions today, take time and think it over. Whoever wants to take the exams sign the application and come to room 301 at the academy it's at 3pm 6 days from now that's it see ya" he poofs away quickly that's when Naruto just bursts out and starts laughing.
"What are you so giddy about baka" Sasuke asked still annoyed their fight was interrupted
Naruto turns around and is holding a small orange book.
"N...Naruto-kun is that what I think it is" Hinata asked nervously blushing
"Yep its Kakashi's favorite book hehe" the blonde smiled
"When did you..." Sasuke begin to ask then he just smirked
Naruto took a sniff and froze slowly, turning his head to see Kakashi standing right behind him leaking heavy killer intent. "Ummm hi Kakashi-sensei"
"N-A-R-U-T-O..." Kakashi said cracking his knuckles a shining glint in his visible eye
A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Sasuke and Hinata were holding up a bruised and beaten Naruto, while Sasuke was actually smiling as they walked.
"Glad to know my pain brings you so much joy Sasuke" Naruto whined Hinata giggled "You too Hinata-chan" he pouted
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun but you should not have stolen Kakashi-sensei's Icha Icha book" she said still giggling slightly when Naruto started grumbling
The trio continued to walk when Naruto thought about something. "So...is everyone going to enter the Chunin Exams I know I am but, I'll respect either one of your choices"
"I'm going" Sasuke said nonchalantly
Naruto turned to Hinata and he could see the worry and nervousness in her beautiful white eyes. "Hey Hinata if you do chose to enter you do know that we'll have your back we are a team after all"
Hinata looked deep into his deep blue eyes and she knew he was telling the truth and that everything would be alright.
Sasuke nodded "Even if that teams captain is a blonde dope"
"Well if that's how you feel Sasuke this Blonde team captain says we have 5 days to prepare, so for the next 5 days we'll be working on team combos and strategy I don't know what this exam will hold for us but I want to at least be somewhat prepared" Naruto told them to which they all nodded
6 Days Later
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata all met up at the academy together thinking about the events that happened over the last few days. All the genin had been 'attacked' by an unknown ninja and all had defeated him. Naruto in particular didn't fight the ninja at all; he could tell that it was Iruka in a Henge by his scent. After that Team 7 had met up everyday and now were pretty confident about their teamwork. During Naruto's training sessions with Kurama the bijju explained that his dojutsu 'Kyugan (translates to Fox's Eye)' among other things could be trained and controlled so they worked on only changing his eyes instead of the full transformation and the amount of chakra he would be putting out. Needless to say, he was basically close to perfecting it much to Kyuubi's surprise.
Now as the three walked into the building up the stairs they saw a huge gathering of people.
'Wonder what's going on hmmm' Naruto thought seeing that none of them had yet noticed the trio he held his hands out and stopped his team ushering them back to the corner of the stairs.
"Naruto-kun whats wrong..." Hinata asked
Naruto silenced her by placing a finger on her lips causing her to blush. Naruto on the other hand was trying to listen to the commotion.
A punch could be heard as a young boy with a bowl cut, bushy eyebrows and wearing a green jumpsuit got knocked to the ground.
"Your trying to take the Chunin Exams at that level what a joke" one weird kid with three bandages on his face said
"Yeah maybe you should quit, kids" his partner with a leaf bandana instead of the normal headband added on
"Please just let us through" one girl wearing a pink top with her hair in buns but they knocked her down as well
Naruto pondered 'Something isn't right here I thought Kakashi said room 301 but this is the 2nd...wait a minute?'
Sasuke was getting antsy "Naruto why did we stop?"
"Hinata-chan use your Byakugan and tell us what floor we are on" Naruto commanded
"We are on the 2nd floor and..." Sasuke was saying before it clicked
"We are in a genjutsu" Hinata said deactivating he dojutsu
"Good just what I thought now we can make our entrance" Naruto replied
The crowd around them begin to murmur one called out "How cruel"
The bandaged boy squinted "What did you just say, were being nice compared to the chunin exams which are extremely dangerous"
"Some who have taken these exams have either become ninja or died trying, a chunin is the commander of a squad it's his responsibility for failing any mission and the death of their subordinates"
"Well that's a strong argument but we'll pass" Sasuke commanded as Team 7 walked through the crowd
"Oh and what makes you so sure" the boy with the bandana spoke
Naruto sighs "It's simple really this is a genjutsu" now more murmurs were heard through the crowd
"Ohh so you figured it out huh" the boy replied
"Yes we did, the exam is being held on the third floor..." Hinata spoke in a slightly bold tone
"This is the 2nd floor" Sasuke finished her sentence
The bandaged boy cracked an eye open "You're all pretty good, but just being able to detect it isn't enough" he finished and flipped up about aiming a kick, Sasuke being closest went in first.
'Oh brother here we go' Naruto thought but noticed out the corner of his eye the guy in all green moved quick as lightning 'Damn he's even faster than me or Sasuke'
The Green clad boy appeared in the middle of the two opposing kicks stopping them cold without flinching.
'He's fast' Hinata thought then she turned and saw something that made her sad...a certain boy.
'He stopped my kick that's some kind of chakra he's got in his arms' the last Uchiha thought
A boy wearing a white top with black shorts and a long ponytail and the same bun haired girl from earlier walked up to the green clad kid.
"Hey what happened to not revealing our true talent, you're the one who didn't want to draw attention to ourselves" the boy with the ponytail said to his teammate having yet turned to the other three
"I just did not want to see any unnecessary violence that is all" the boy said
The pony tail boy shook his head and then out of the corner of his eye he saw the other team. "Hey you there...what's your name?" he says looking at Sasuke ignoring the blonde and the girl
Naruto crosses his arm with an impassive look on his face. He notices the guy with the pony 'Hmmm another Hyuga not as nice as Hinata though' he thought, while Hinata stands behind him a bit.
"It's common courtesy to give your own name before asking someone elses" Sasuke replied in a stoic tone
"You're a rookie aren't you how old are you?" the ponytailed boy asked smugly
Sasuke remained as stoic as ever "I'm not obliged to answer that"
"What's that?" the other boy growled slightly but then turned his familiar eyes to the girl standing behind the blonde. His look turned to one of disgust which didn't go unnoticed by Naruto or Sasuke.
"Hinata-san" he spat out her name
"N...Neji-niisan" Hinata replied nervously
Neji smirked "Hmph still as weak as ever..."
It happened in the blink of an eye. Naruto had Neji pinned up against the wall holding him by his collar, his blood red eyes glaring at the white eyed boy before him.
"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY ABOUT HER?" Naruto said his voice dripping with blood lust
Everyone who was around looked on in shocked silence. Sasuke was stunned. 'When the hell did he move...'
The green clad boy was shocked 'He is almost as fast as I am hmmm'
The bun haired gun was speechless. Neji looked at the blonde boy in front of him. 'Even I did not see him move' he cleared his throat "I called her what she is...a weakling" Neji said again with a smirk on his face
"HOW DARE YOU INSULT HINATA-CHAN!" Naruto roared and drew his fist back about to bash this guy's head in. Neji slowly raised his hand prepared to use juken on this fool
"NARUTO-KUN STOP!" Hinata yelled to him he stopped his fist inches away from Neji's face. Naruto turned back to look at her. She almost cried when she saw his blood red eyes.
Naruto seeing his friend's discomfort he turned back to Neji and then dropped him on his ass.
"THANK HER...SHE JUSt saved your sorry ass" Naruto said calming down from his angry high deactivating his eyes he turned back to his team "Team 7 move out" he commanded in a slightly dangerous monotone voice
Hinata and Sasuke followed after their blonde teammate as they headed to the 3rd floor. Inside the room off to the side the same 2 rude boys from earlier poof away to reveal a couple of older chunin.
"So that's the bunch of misfits Kakashi and Gai have been going on about, I guess they passed the first test turning in the application forms."
"Yea I see and that blond kid means business this might turn out to be interesting"
WITH NARUTO
The trio of Team 7 walked in silence, Naruto in the lead still fuming about the earlier incident. Hinata was walking behind him and she was worried she had never seen that side of Naruto before except for that Sand Team incident.
"Naruto-kun...thank you for defending me...but w...hy d...did your eyes t...turn red"
Sasuke perked up at hearing this, he had seen it as well and wondered just what was going on with Naruto 'He was right in what he said I thought I had the dobe figured out...but I really don't know a thing about him'
Naruto had been dreading this day "Hinata I..." he caught someone's scent behind them "Come on out of hiding before I kill you I am not in the mood"
"Alright" the green clad kid stood on top of the rail "I am Rock Lee and I came to apologize for my teammates rudeness." He jumps down from the rail and stares at Sasuke "I've also come to fight Uchiha Sasuke right here right now"
"So you know me huh" Sasuke said
Lee got into a taijutsu stance "I challenge you, everyone is always talking about the Uchiha Clan and how great they were I figured you'd be a good test for me"
"You've heard of the Uchiha Clan but you're challenging me you must be more psycho then you look...if that's possible, you wanna know more about my clan then I'll teach you the hard way" the ever stoic Sasuke replied
"Bring it on" Lee replied giddy
"Oi bakas we don't have time for this we need to get to room 301 for the Exam" Naruto called out with his arms crossed
"Naruto-kun is right we have to register by 3:00pm Sasuke-san" Hinata added on
"What's wrong Naruto I thought you liked a good fight don't worry guys this will only take me 5 seconds" Sasuke smugly told his teammates
Naruto sighed "Fine go for it I don't care" he leaned against the pillar behind him 'Don't say I never tried to save you from an ass whooping' the blonde thought
And an asswhooping is what it was Lee kept getting though Sasuke's guard and just when he was about to finish it a tall man who could have been a clone of Rock Lee appeared and scolded Lee for breaking the rules, then bring him into an awkward embrace casting a horrible genjutsu where the two are hugging on a cliff with the sun setting and the waves crashing again the cliff...it was a true nightmare. After Lee told Sasuke that his real target was his own teammate and Naruto explaining why he lost, the trio finally made it to Room 301 and who do they find just outside of the door waiting for them.
"Yo" a certain silver haired jonin said lazily "Glad you came Hinata for your sake and the others, now you can all formally register for the Chunin Exam ya see only teams of three, excluding Takeru's case can enter the Exam. When I told you that it was your choice alone to enter or not it wasn't a complete truth." he paused "I didn't want the guys pressuring you and at the same time I didn't want you to feel obligated to enter because of feelings you have for Naruto or Sasuke...I wanted you to come of your own free will and now you're all here and for the right reasons." he watched as all three smirked he could see the determination on their faces
"Hinata, Sasuke and Naruto I'm proud of you" Kakashi praised with an eye smile "I couldn't have asked for a better team good luck" he said stepping aside and allowing them to enter
"We won't let you down sensei" Naruto said giving a thumbs up as they entered the room
'Holy shit...' Naruto thought
'Hmph' Sasuke thought
Hinata's heart skipped a beat 'Oh my...'
Before them in the room there were many many other ninja from rival villages. They were all staring at our favorite trio with disgust. This was slightly unnerving to Hinata and even Naruto and Sasuke felt a bit nervous but they also felt an unwavering excitement at all the challenges they might face.
"Yo Naruto-kun bout time you guys showed up"
Naruto and crew turned to see Takeru standing beside Ino, Shikamaru and Choji. They also saw Kiba, Sakura and Shino.
Keeping his voice low he walked up to his friends. "Hey guys whats up I'm glad we're all here"
"Yea but this seems like such a drag" Shikamaru replied with his usual lazy tone
Ino sighed "Why do I have to have the lazy bum on my team" she slumped a bit
Takeru smiled and then looked to his little brother and his team "I hope everyone is well rested and ready this looks like a nasty bunch"
"Well I think this is going to be fun at least for those good enough to make the cut, right Sasuke...Naruto" Kiba said smugly
Naruto simply answered with an impassive face and a shrug of his shoulders which made Kiba get a tick mark.
"Kiba careful you don't get overconfident" Sasuke replied with a smirk
Kiba smiled "Just you wait we're gonna blow you guys away, we've been training like crazy"
"Oh and we haven't, honestly Kiba don't go underestimating your opponents. We may be friends but in this exam we are also enemies remember that" Naruto replied stoically making Kiba grind his teeth.
"Na-ru-to!" Kiba growled
"Hey you guys"
"Hm" all the rookie ten turned to face this guy wearing an all purple outfit with a light brown sash, a white t-shirt, glasses and a leaf headband called out to them walking up.
"You might want to try keeping it down a little, I mean you guys are the 10 rookies right fresh out of the academy...I wouldn't go making a spectacle of yourselves, this isn't a class field trip"
"Who are you anyway" Ino asked slightly annoyed
"I'm Yakushi Kabuto..." he replied pointing a finger toward the other teams "but look around you've made quite the impression"
They all looked around them and saw that every person in the room had they're eyes on them. A couple of Amegakure genins glared hard at the rookies.
"See those guys they're from Amegakure very touchy" Kabuto told them his voice was low enough for only the 10 to hear. "This exam makes everyone tense and you don't want to rub them the wrong way, but I guess you can't help it you're just rookies after all you remind me of myself from a while back"
"Kabuto, right?" Sakura asked
"Yeah"
"This isn't your first time taking the exam?"
"No its...my 7th...they're held twice a year so this is my 4th year"
"Wha..." Shikamaru looked surprised "So I guess all those rumors about the exam being tough are true
'Something doesn't still well with me about this guy hmmm' Takeru thought to himself, Ino noticed the furrow in his eyebrows but decided to say nothing about it right now.
"Wow a vetern you must know alot about the exams" Sakura replied "You could give us some insight on what to expect"
"Sure maybe I could help you kids out with my..." he pulls cards with orange backs out from his pouch "...Ninja Info cards"
This sparked everyone's interest but more so Sasuke and Naruto.
After a lengthy explanation of his cards Kabuto explained why the chunin exams are actually held.
"So do those card have any info on the other candidates" Sasuke asked the boy
"They might...got some one special in mind" Kabuto replied with a smirk
"I might"
"Well I can't say it's perfect but I've got something on just about everyone including you guys of course...so just give me a description or anything at all" Kabuto bragged
"He's Gaara no Sabaku and there's Rock Lee of Konoha while you're at it" Sasuke asked with interest
"Aww no fun you even know there names that makes it easy" Kabuto pouted "Here they are"
"Show em to us" Naruto said in a focused calm voice
After finding the cards on the two shinobi asked for and giving brief info on them, the info about Gaara never being harmed on any mission actually shaking some of them. Kabuto told them about each of the villages that sent teams there to compete.
"Although Otogakure is new and small just springing up out of nowhere they are a mystery" he said putting his card away unbeknownst to him the three Sound Shinobi heard every word he just said.
All of rookie 10 were in some form a bit shaken even if some of them didn't show it. Hinata was worried yes about the exam but more so about holding Naruto and Sasuke back. The princess turned to see Naruto visibly shaking. 'Oh Naruto-kun what could you be thinking'
What she didn't know was that he was shaking...with excitement.
Outside the Room
Kakashi had not left just yet. He replayed the conversation he had with Iruka and Gai when he had recommended his Genin for the exams.
'I wish I was as sure as I sounded then...I wonder how they're doing even the calmest of them must be shaken by now' The silver haired Jonin thought then he heard something.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh listen up the name is UZUMAKI NARUTO and I'm going to beat every single one of ya no one's gonna stop me from reaching my dream DATTEBAYO!" the blond yell out at the top of his lungs
Kakashi smiled leaning against the door chuckling at his student 'Naruto-kun good luck I hope whatever you're planning help you all in these exams'
Back Inside
Ino just shook her head and quietly looked at Takeru "What's he doing?"
Takeru just smiled and leaned down "He is psyching them out making them think he is loud mouthed and weak so they will underestimate him" he whispered into her ear
Sasuke just smirked 'Naruto...'
"Naruto-kun" Hinata said softly with a smile on her face, his ruse toward the other actually helping to build her confidence more.
In the crowd there were whispers going on.
"Hmph that's the same kid as before..." Kankuro said "Hard to believe he actually had you worried Temari''
"Hmph" was all the sand kunoichi could say
"What's this guy's deal he goes from quiet and deadly to loud and annoying" the same bun haired girl from before said to her teammates
Neji scowled and replied "Ten Ten there seems to be more to this...Naruto then meets the eye"
"Hmmm you are right Neji but the kid has passion" Rock Lee said to him
Over toward the middle the 3 sound shinobi were glaring at the rookies and Kabuto.
"You heard what he said about the Sound Village he called us little...a mystery" a tall boy with spiky hair and a sound headband connected to headgear said to his team
The other male on his team was wrapped in bandages with only his right eye uncovered wearing a large fur jacket replied "I heard"
"I say we teach this guy some manners" there female teammate said
"Yes time to clear up some of the mystery for him, update his information let him know that if you insult Sound Village you better be ready to pay the price" the wrapped guy said evilly "You ready..."
"Yeah" both his teammates replied and they dashed throughout the crowds headed for the rookies.
Kabuto noticed it but so did Naruto who pinpointed the sound as the headed for Kabuto, he looked to Takeru who saw it as well. Takeru shook his head telling Naruto not to act and watch knowing that if they had to face these guys it'd be good to know what they are capable of. Kanukro was about unleash his weapon when Gaara placed a hand in front of him. The wrapped boy began to lift up left sleeve revealing a metal arm brace of some sorts. The other sound male jumped up and threw two kunai at Kabuto making him jump back. As he stopped sliding back Kabuto was face to bandage with the wrapped boy who was about to swing his left arm, taking the shot he swung at Kabuto who easily dodged the blow.
'He's almost as fast as me and Naruto' Sasuke thought
Kabuto stood there confident in his ability when suddenly his glasses shattered and broke. Everyone stood either in shock or just not caring.
"So it's that kind of attack huh" Kabuto said taking off his broken specs then something happened his vision got blurring, his head light he dropped to his knees and threw up.
"What the hell happened he didn't even touch him" Kiba asked
"Argghhhh" Naruto started bellowing out and he dropped to his knees holding his ear as well
"Naruto-kun what's wrong?" Hinata she was fast by his side
"Hey what happen to him why is he in pain no one attacked him" Sakura asked
"It...*pant* was some...sort of jutsu...that attacks...the ear...or something...cause my ears are ringing" Naruto replied in agony breathing hard
'And with his enhanced hearing even at this distance it affected him...that some kind of jutsu' Sasuke thought
"Huh well well you're pretty smart kid you somehow figured out what my jutsu is...guess you go next" the wrapped boy
Suddenly a large smoke bomb went off at the front of the classroom. "ALRIGHT YOU BABY FACED WIMPS PIPE DOWN AND LISTEN UP..."
Soon the smoke cleared and 8 people stood in the front of the room one with scars on his face wearing a bandana headband and a black trench coat spoke.
"It's time to begin, I am Morino Ibiki your proctor and from this moment on your worst enemy" he glared hard at everyone in the room
S/O 8
Jose19: While I agree with you on the paring of Naru/Hina I do like to explore when I read and see who else can be paired up with our blond hero and as far a Kishimoto ruining the story and characters hmmm not so much but like I always say to each his own (pm me if you wanna talk more about it)
Ayrmed: See that wasnt too long was it lol
TaraUzumaki: You keep making me blush with your praise I am not worthy thank you...THANK YOU ALL FOR your kind words and enjoying this story
RyoshiMorino: Yes yes they are and dont worry when I get to the point you'll see...YOU'LL ALL SEE MWAHAHAHAHAHAH
Rose Tiger: For you and everyone else Ill never stop until this story draws to a close
cook563: Thank you yea always writing toned down stuff before the shit hits the fan is always fun :) oh just you wait lots of changes good changes coming
crashriot: Welcome aboard the crazy train hope you continue to enjoy this story