Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing some reactions to Naruko's victory over Gaara and Shukaku, along with the rest of the matches of the first and second rounds. So, without further ado.
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The entire arena was still completely silent, long after Naruko and the Suna Siblings had left the arena floor. Everyone was still looking at frozen statue of Shukaku in fear and amazement, most of the Ninja had even believed they were under a Genjutsu and tried dispelling it. But instead, nothing changed, they had all just witnessed Naruko Uzumaki, who was written off as the deadlast and a pariah, take down a Bijū.
The silence was finally broken, when Anko spoke.
"Well, I sure hope someone picks up that phone..." Stated a madly grinning Anko, getting the attention of those around her.
"BECAUSE I FUCKING CALLED IT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The Snake Mistress exclaimed, while laughing like a mad woman at how much she won from this fight.
"FUCK YEAH! A FIFTY BILLION RYO IS MINE BITCHES!" Anko shouted, grinning widely at all the money she just won, and all the dango she can buy!
Immediately, Anko ran off to collect her winnings, while everyone else was snapped out of their shock, and began talking amongst themselves.
"I can't believe that just happened."
"Did you see the size of that dragon?"
"Forget the dragon, the Uzumaki brat changed the weather!"
"I bet the fox bitch is finally showing her true colors."
"I feel sorry for anyone who gets in her way."
"Figures, only a demon could beat another demon."
"Oh man, my girlfriend is going to leave me, with how much I lost in this fight!"
"You think you're worried?! What am I going to tell my wife, when I tell her that our kids won't be going to college!"
While most people were either amazed, or still in disbelief at what they had just seen, with a few of them stewing on how much they lost on this fight. There were a few, who muttered about how the "Kyūbi Brat" was showing its true colors. Though these people were fewer in numbers, with some of the villagers now beginning to have doubts of Naruko being the Kyūbi. Given they were used to associating the Kyūbi with fire, not ice.
Meanwhile, with the Jōnin and Rookies, they were just as amazed and shocked at what they just saw.
"So Ino, still think we should have moved on in the Exams?" Shikamaru asked, looking at his blonde teammate, who had been reduced to a stuttering mess, as she tried to comprehend what she just witnessed.
"Really, grateful Naruko went easy on us." Chōji muttered nervously, as he ate his chips, thankful that Naruko didn't unleash this power on them.
"Damn troublesome ice girl, I knew I shouldn't have entered this thing." Said Shikamaru, gazing up at the frozen Shukaku, knowing that it'll definitely serve as a permanent reminder.
Don't fuck with Naruko Uzumaki.
"Uh, on second thought, she can keep the weapons." Tenten said, looking very pale, as she stared down into the arena.
She had planned to find Naruko and get her weapons back, but after what she just witnessed…yeah, Naruko can keep them.
"It's not possible, it's not possible, it's not possible, it's not possible…" Neji muttered to himself as he shook his head, refusing to believe what he just saw.
It shouldn't be possible, Naruko couldn't have been able to defeat Gaara. Fate dictated that she was a failure, and would remain a failure, while Gaara would have killed her. And yet, what Neji just saw proved that wrong, but he refused to believe it!
Nobody can go against their fate, nobody!
'So how did she win?!' Neji mentally demanded, trying to think of a possible explanation to how this happened, one that didn't destroy his beliefs.
"YOSH! Naruko's Icy Flames of Youth are truly burning brightly! I swear, I will not stop until my Flames of Youth burns just as bright!" Lee said with fire in his eyes, while Gai gave him a thumbs up and a beaming smile.
"That a boy, Lee! Never stop, and always push yourself! After the Finals, we shall work together to stoke our Flames of Youth!" Said Gai.
"Hai Gai-sensei!" Lee replied, with tears in his eyes.
"Damn, I'm glad the kid's on our side." Muttered Asuma with wide eyes, while Kurenai could only shake her head in disbelief, unable to believe that she just saw the deadlast defeat an actual Bijū.
*Kage Booth*
"My…that was…quite the spectacle, Hokage-dono." Orochimaru muttered, now completely worried and close to panicking at the power Naruko displayed.
How is this possible?! How could that brat possess this kind of power?! His Five Pronged Seal should have kept her from accessing the Kyūbi's Chakra!
'Unless, the Kyūbi was what was preventing her from accessing this power!' Orochimaru thought, his eyes widening at the idea he had inadvertently allowed Naruko to awaken this power, by placing that seal on her
If that's true, what other powers did she awaken without the Kyūbi's interference? Could she have awakened her mother's Chakra Chains?!
'I've made a terrible mistake.' Thought Orochimaru, realizing he just made things even more difficult for his invasion, even more so with Gaara taken out.
"Yes, that was…definitely an interesting battle." Said Hiruzen, just as shocked.
He had been prepared to interfere when Shukaku had emerged, that is until Naruko's declaration, and decided to wait and see what the Uzumaki did. And he hadn't been disappointed, as not only did Naruko somehow develop a way to fly, but also possesses such control over Ice, that she can conjure a storm and a massive dragon made of ice.
The fact she was able to do something that most Kage would have trouble with, defeat a fully formed Bijū, but it looked like she wasn't even tired from it.
The Hokage then looked to the side, when he saw Jiraiya appear in a Shunshin.
"Jiraiya, what're you doing here? I thought you'd have left by now." Said Sarutobi, with Jiraiya looking at the statue of Shukaku in shock.
"I was about to, but I sensed the Bijū Chakra and made my way back. But it's apparently already handled. So, when did you learn to use Hyōton, sensei?" Jiraiya asked, believing his sensei stopped Shukaku.
"Actually, I did nothing. Naruko was the one who fought Shukaku and froze it." Hiruzen revealed, with Jiraiya's head snapping towards him with a disbelieving expression, expecting him to start laughing at the terrible joke.
Only to see his face was deadly serious, before looking back at the frozen statue.
'Huh, the brat really is like her old man.' Jiraiya thought, smiling slightly at how Naruko is like Minato, even better if she's taking down Bijūs when she's only thirteen.
"Well, I guess I can stick around, and see what else will happen." Jiraiya stated, leaning against the railing, while Orochimaru mentally groaned at yet another setback.
'Sure, why not. What else could possibly go wrong?' Orochimaru thought, as he could just see his plans falling apart, before his eyes.
*Competitors Booth*
"Yeah, fuck that! If I end up fighting Naruko, I'm forfeiting!" Kiba stated.
He's confident in his abilities, but he sure as hell isn't fighting someone that could beat Gaara, much less a fucking Bijū!
"That…would likely be for the best." Agreed Shino, his normally stoic voiced tinged with shock, while agreeing with his teammate.
If he ends up fighting Naruko, he'll forfeit.
"HA! YES! Way to go Naruko, represent Team Seven!" Sakura cheered at her teammate's victory.
While she had been shocked at the power Naruko displayed, and terrified when Shukaku appeared. The fact that Naruko managed to win in the end, was nothing short of amazing.
It was just too bad that Sasuke and Kakashi weren't here to have seen the fight.
'This…complicates things.' Kabuto thought, while gulping, knowing that Naruko has just tipped the invasion far out of Orochimaru's favor, and into Konoha's.
The fact she was able to defeat Shukaku, while likely bringing Gaara, and possibly his siblings, to her side, only reinforced the belief that the invasion would now fail.
It also made Kabuto contemplate his plan of betraying Orochimaru. He had originally planned it at a later point, after the invasion, to see the result of Orochimaru's fight with the Hokage. But after seeing Naruko defeat Gaara and Shukaku, it made Kabuto consider betraying Orochimaru much sooner, rather than risk facing Naruko's wrath.
'Perhaps I should offer some "new information" to Naruko, of what will happen.' Kabuto thought, knowing it'd be good to get on the good side of the person, who could likely freeze him from the inside out.
*Arena*
Genma looked at his watch, he figured it'd be good to give everyone a few moments to collect themselves after the last match. Though he looked up, when he saw Kakashi and Sasuke appear in a swirl of leaves.
"Genma, what happened?" Kakashi asked, having sensed the Bijū Chakra from where he and Sasuke were training.
Worried, Kakashi had grabbed Sasuke and gotten back to Konoha as fast as possible, in case the village was being attacked.
"Kakashi, you just missed the party." Said Genma, while pocketing his watch, with Kakashi looked at him in confusion.
"Party? What're you talk…" Kakashi tailed off, as he and Sasuke finally took in the large amount of snow and ice, along with the gigantic frozen statue of Shukaku.
"Uh, Genma, mind explaining." Said Kakashi, shocked at what is in front of him.
"The short version, your student nearly plunged the village in eternal winter, and created a giant Ice Dragon and took down a Bijū." Genma summarized.
"My student…you mean Naruko?!" Kakashi asked, shocked that Naruko did this.
Sure, Sasuke and Sakura had told him that Naruko apparently awakened the Hyōton Kekkei Genkai in the Forest of Death. But that she had already mastered it to the point of altering the weather and defeating a Bijū.
Kakashi didn't even think that was possible!
Sasuke, meanwhile, looked at the frozen Shukaku with clenched fists. Naruko had gotten strong enough to defeat a Bijū in a single month. And all he's done is increase his speed and learn the Chidori.
'After these Exams, I'm going to my Clan's Jutsu Archives.' Sasuke thought, knowing there'd be plenty of Jutsu there, that he could learn to get stronger, since he refused to fall behind.
"Yeah. Also, Sasuke Uchiha's match is last, given he didn't arrive with everyone else. Now, do you mind heading up to the stands and booth, we're going to start the next match." Genma said, with Kakashi nodding absentmindedly, as he and Sasuke left the arena, intent to get more details of just what happened.
Once they were out of the arena, Genma turned his attention back towards the crowd.
"Would Shino Aburame and Temari please enter the arena!" Genma said, with Temari flying down on her fan, while Shino walked down, with both opponents standing across from each other.
"The next match between Temari and Shino Aburame will now begin, Hajime!" Said Genma, while jumping away.
"Dust Wind Jutsu!" Temari said, swinging her fan, unleashing a powerful wind that kicked up a layer of snow and sand, making Shino cover his face, as his vision was blocked.
Jumping onto the giant ice block, Shino hummed in thought as to what his course of action should be. His best bet would be to get a few of his insects on Temari and begin draining her Chakra. Though that was easier said than done, given her fan and Wind Jutsu would be able to easily knock his insects away, before they could even get close.
Temari narrowed her eyes, before biting her thumb and spreading it across her fan. She wanted to end this quickly, while also trying to conserve her strength for the invasion. Though she had a feeling that she and her siblings were actually going to be defecting to be fighting Oto and Suna, while defecting to Konoha, when all's said and done. Given Naruko and Gaara were now friends, she guessed. And she honestly wasn't willing to risk fighting Naruko in a death match, nor did she have much love for her father and village, given what they did to Gaara.
"Summoning Jutsu: Quick Beheading Dance!" Temari shouted, swinging her fan again, creating a whirlwind and summoning Kamatari to ride the wind.
Seeing the giant sickle wielding weasel coming towards him, Shino quickly jumped away, thankful he did so just as the weasel's sickle left large gashes in the ice.
Landing on the ground, Shino pushed up his glasses, before promptly turning around.
"I forfeit." Shino stated, surprising Temari.
"What?! You're forfeiting?!" Temari demanded, annoyed that her opponent was giving up.
"Yes, if I were to continue the match, I would only end up wasting both our time, until you inevitably defeated me. Why? Because your Wind Jutsu makes it so my insects are unable to get close enough to begin draining your Chakra, along with removing any chance I have of getting close in engaging you in a Taijutsu battle. Therefore, the logical solution is to forfeit and work on overcoming these weaknesses, for the next time I take the Exams." Shino explained, as he exited the arena, with Temari's eyes twitching in anger, since she couldn't argue with that logic, but she still didn't like.
"Very well, Shino Aburame forfeits! Winner, Temari!" Genma announced.
Grumbling, Temari dismissed Kamatari, and made her way back up to the competitors' booth.
"Would Kiba Inuzuka and Kabuto Yakushi enter the arena!" Said Genma.
"Alright! It's our turn Akamaru, let's do this!" Kiba said, as he and Akamaru jumped down, followed shortly by Kabuto walking down.
'I can't show what I'm truly capable of, but I already have all the information I need to take these two down, with little effort required. I just have to put on a convincing show.' Kabuto thought, as he entered the arena.
"The next match between Kiba Inuzuka and Kabuto Yakushi will now begin, Hajime!" Said Genma, before jumping away.
*Competitors Booth*
'He's holding back.' Naruko thought, mentally smirking, as she watched Kabuto "barely" dodge Kiba's attacks.
He was rather convincing, and Naruko was sure that everyone, or perhaps almost everyone, was fooled by his performance. But after the merge with Esdeath, Naruko was able to put together some things about Kabuto that didn't add up. The number of times he's taken the Chūnin Exams and failed, being far too helpful to them at the start of the First Exam, and the amount of Chakra she can sense he has, with it almost being comparable to Kakashi's.
But what really shows he's not who he says, is his intelligence. His Ninja Info Cards, containing information on the Five Great Nations and their Ninja, the fact he knew how many missions Gaara has been on, and that he never once received a single injury, it all screamed spy.
Naruko was also reminded of Dr. Stylish, when compared to Kabuto. Both were brilliant, medics, and were good at hiding their true selves. Thankfully, Kabuto didn't have the same eccentric personality as Stylish.
'Hm, perhaps he'd be a good recruit for the Jaegers.' Naruko thought.
During the month break, Naruko had considered creating a new elite team, like Esdeath did with the Jaegers. Thankfully, she'd have an easier team finding recruits, given that unlike the Empire and Teigu, everyone in the Elemental Nations had powers, thanks to Chakra.
Plus, she couldn't help but feel nostalgic about leading her own team again, the reborn Jaegers, in honor of her former comrades.
"Winner, Kabuto Yakushi!" Genma announced, pulling Naruko from her thoughts..
Looking, she saw Kiba and Akamaru on the ground unconscious, with the Inuzuka heir painfully clutching his abdomen, showing how he was taken down, while Kabuto looked exhausted and injured from the fight.
'I'll give him this, he's a talented actor.' Naruko thought, seeing Kabuto purposely let himself be injured, to help sell the act.
The next match was between Sakura and Hinata, with Naruko giving her full attention, wanting to see if Sakura actually improved during the month break.
'This match will probably be pretty even, if Sakura has improved, that is. Especially given Hinata's timid nature, it all really depends on if she can grow a backbone, and actually fight back.' Naruko thought.
She knew it was cruel, but honestly, she didn't think Hinata should even be a Ninja, since she was too kind-hearted and nice. If she wanted to become a ninja, then it should have been a Medic-Nin, at least then she could properly take advantage of her kind nature, rather than it endangering herself and her comrades on the battlefield, if she were to freeze up.
'Her sensei doesn't help matters, either.' Naruko thought, glancing up at the stands, where the Jōnin were sitting, knowing Kurenai had bond with Hinata, and thus never really pushed her to improve, always taking it easy on her, along with Kiba and Shino.
Pushing those thoughts aside for the moment, Naruko turned her attention back to the arena, just as the match started.
*Arena*
The moment the match started, Sakura ran towards Hinata throwing a series of punches and kicks, which Hinata dodged.
"Why aren't you attacking?" Questioned Sakura, frowning, since Hinata could have attacked when she dodged, but didn't.
"Wh-what?" Hinata said, ducking under a kick from Sakura.
"Attacking! Why aren't you attacking?! You could have hit me or grabbed me just then, but you didn't!" Sakura said, upset that Hinata wasn't fighting back, since if she was going to win, then she wanted to actually earn the victory, rather than just fight someone who only dodged.
"Come on Hinata, I know you can fight back! So do it and show everyone why you deserve to have gotten this far!" Sakura encouraged, Hinata surprised at her words, before nodding in determination.
"Ri-Right! Byakugan!" Said Hinata activating her Dojutsu and began striking at Sakura's Chakra Points, the pinkette surprised at the sudden strong assault from the normally timid girl but was glad she was finally fighting back.
This lead to the fight being more evenly matched, with Sakura being the one having to dodge Hinata's palm strikes, while waiting for an opening. Unfortunately, Sakura ended up slipping on a piece of ice, leading to Hinata striking her in the leg.
"You're within my range of division." Said Hinata, as she began striking Sakura's Chakra Points.
"Two Palms!"
"Four Palms!"
"Eight Palms!"
"Sixteen Palms!"
"Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!" Hinata said, delivering a final strike to Sakura's abdomen, sending the girl flying back.
Hinata sighed, before looking at Sakura in worry, hoping she didn't hit her hard enough to cause any permanent damage. Only for the Hyuga to be shocked, when she felt a pair of hands wrap around her ankles
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"
Hinata gave a small scream, as she was pulled underground up to her neck, while in front of her, Sakura pulled herself out of the ground. Confused at the sudden appearance of a second Sakura, Hinata looked at the one she attacked, only to see it dissolve into mud.
"A Mud Clone, I switched with it when I slipped." Sakura said, having learned a few Earth and Water Jutsu from Kakashi, during the month break.
Hinata struggled to try and escape her bindings but couldn't move. Finally, Hinata sighed in resignation, and nodded in defeat.
"Due to her opponents inability to continue, Sakura Haruno wins!" Genma declared, as the crowd cheered.
"You did really good Hinata, how about we spar again in the future, when we've gotten stronger." Sakura offered as she pulled Hinata out of the ground, with the Hyuga nodding with a small smile.
"I-I'd like th-that." Replied Hinata, sad that she lost, but was glad, knowing she tried her hardest.
With that the two girls exited the arena, while Genma addressed the crowd
"Up next is Sasuke vs Yoroi, as the final match of the first round of the Chūnin Exam Finals." Genma announced, as the two aforementioned Genin came onto the field.
Naruko was barely paying attention, knowing Sasuke was going to win. And she was proven right, as not even ten minutes into the fight, Sasuke had Yoroi in the air and using an attack he called "Lions Barrage", to take Yoroi out of the fight.
"And that concludes the first round of the Chūnin Exams Finals! We will now be allowing the Finalists a break to rest for the second round!" Genma said.
"Truly, today is a day full of surprises, ain't it?" Kakashi asked, while chuckling, as he sat alongside Asuma and Kurenai in the stands.
"These matches not only showed their fair share of surprises, but also went against everyone's expectations...except those that believed in my team~." Kakashi Stated, taking pride in the fact that his team had made it past the first round of the finals, while also rubbing it into his colleague's faces
That made Kurenai, whose mood barely got better seeing Hinata try her best, get worse as she looked away, getting a frown from Asuma.
*Later*
Naruko sighed in contentment, as she sat in one of the break rooms, drinking the tea she just made. She was thankful for the break between the first and second rounds, as her fight against Gaara and Shukaku took a lot of her energy, both maintaining her flight, utilizing Ice Storm Commander-In-Chief, and creating the Ice Dragon.
Of course, she still had more than enough energy and strength for the coming matches, but it was still good to relax.
The reincarnated Kunoichi's attention then turned to the door and smiled when she saw Gaara enter the room.
"Gaara, what can I do for you? Would you like some tea?" Naruko asked, as Gaara sat down across from her.
"No thank you. I came to tell you of an invasion that will happen soon." Gaara said, bluntly.
This made Naruko pause mid-sip and look at Gaara as she sat her cup down.
"I take it this invasion was orchestrated by Orochimaru." Said Naruko, figuring that the Snake Sannin was behind this, given her team's encounter with him, in the Forest of Death.
"Yes. He managed to convince my father, the Kazekage, to participate after the Wind Daimyo started sending more mission requests to Konoha than Suna. I was intended to unleash Shukaku once it started, but I don't plan to do that now." Gaara said, refusing to go against the one who gave him a second chance.
"And what of your siblings?" Naruko asked, wondering if they'd still go through with the invasion.
"They already agreed that they won't take part and will help fight Suna and Orochimaru's forces." Answered Gaara, with Naruko humming in thought.
And in all honesty, Gaara won't really lose any sleep, no pun intended, at the fact that he was betraying his village. Since he never had any love for Suna, in a long time, since it had died with Yashamaru, during his uncle's failed attempt at assassinating him. A sentiment that Temari and Kankuro actually shared with him, they just were not as open with their resentment towards their father and village, as Gaara was.
Making a handsign, Naruko created four Shadow Clones and sent them to inform certain people to be on guard, not wanting to set anyone off by revealing an invasion would happen. Along with using the Mind's Eye of Kagura to search for any Suna and Oto Ninja that would have infiltrated the stands and point them out.
"I thank you for informing me of this, Gaara." Naruko said, standing up, with Gaara nodding.
"I wish to show you weren't wrong in sparing my life, and that I can be better." Stated Gaara, with Naruko smiling before ruffling his hair, surprising and confusing Gaara at the gesture.
"You don't have to do anything to prove yourself, Gaara. I know that you are better now, and I never planned to kill you. But I appreciate the gesture." Naruko said, before exiting the room, to make her way back to the competitors booth, only to stop and look at Gaara.
"Oh, and would you do big sister a favor? Make sure Kankuro doesn't try forfeiting our match. I have to pay him back for when we met." Said Naruko, smiling wickedly, before leaving the room.
Though before she could reach the booth, she ran into Kabuto.
"Naruko! I'm glad found you." Kabuto said smiling, with Naruko raising a brow.
"Is there something you needed, Kabuto?" Asked Naruko.
"No, but I just wanted to say that during the month break, I was able to get some more information on Otogakure. Given how easily one of them took me out, before the First Exam, I figured it'd be good to learn more about them. Even if they are a minor village." Kabuto said, shrugging, with Naruko smirking slightly, as she saw what he was doing.
"And what did you find out?" Naruko asked.
"Well, I'm not sure if it's true, but apparently Otogakure could possibly be connected to Orochimaru, one of the Sannin and a traitor to Konoha. Again, I'm not sure if this is true. But after thinking about it, it was suspicious that a team from Oto showed up now, when the Chūnin Exams are held in Konoha. Even more so, as I've noticed there have been more Ninja on patrol, than usual." Said Kabuto, frowning in suspicion, while crossing his arms, with Naruko nodding in agreement.
"Yes, rather strange. But thank you for telling me this, Kabuto." Said Naruko, with Kabuto waving it off.
"Of course, we're allies after all." Kabuto stated, with Naruko smirking at his words.
"Indeed. But I have a question in this case," She said, getting the silver haired "Genin's" interest.
"Do you have any information about Orochimaru? Or even any ideas of how much he could have improved, ever since he left the village?"
This surprised Kabuto, before an idea came to his mind and he decided to show her with two of his Ninja info cards, showing Orochimaru's stats from before he left the village, to where he was now, respectively, getting a hum of approval from the dual haired girl.
"Hmm hmm hmm, yeah this'll do. Thanks a lot, Kabuto." Naruko said, pleased with the information that Kabuto has provided her.
"Of course, like I said we're allies after all." Kabuto stated, as Naruko grinned a bit sadistically.
"Of course, allies. Though if something does happen Kabuto, do be careful. I can tend to get carried when fighting, as I'm sure everyone saw. Wouldn't want anyone to be caught in the crossfire, now would we." Said Naruko with a vicious grin, making Kabuto gulp slightly, with a nervous smile.
"Ri-right." Kabuto said, walking away, before he showed just how nervous he was.
*Later – Arena*
"Alright! The first match of the second round, between Naruko Uzumaki and Kankuro shall now begin!" Genma declared, as Naruko jumped down into the arena.
Kankuro gulped and paled, when Naruko gave him a shark-like smile.
'Oh hell no!' Kankuro thought, preparing to forfeit the match.
No way was he facing that sadist! Especially knowing that she'll want payback against him for the hit he gave her!
Unfortunately, before Kankuro could forfeit, Gaara promptly pushed him over the railing.
"What the hell Gaara?!" Kankuro said, shocked at the betrayal.
"Naruko said to make sure you didn't forfeit, and that she wanted to pay you back for before." Gaara answered, with absolutely no sympathy.
This caused the arena to fall completely silent, as everyone began thinking of what just happened. With most people glaring at Kankuro, after coming to their own conclusions. True, most of them may not like Naruko, which was an understatement of the century, but even they had standards, damn it!
"Oh, come on! I didn't even hit her that hard!" Kankuro shouted without thinking.
Not a moment later, Kankuro's eyes widened realizing how his words could be taken, and saw the entire arena now glaring at him, heck a few were already booing him and throwing trash!
"Boo! You STINK!"
"Go Suck A Dildo!"
"Wa-wait! It's not like that!" Kankuro exclaimed, only to be stopped when everyone heard sniffling.
Looking, they saw Naruko with tears in her eyes.
"It-it's t-true. My-My te-team and I-I m-met th-them be-before the E-Exams, s-so I-I we-went t-to gr-greet th-them, and-and he hit me! Ri-right across m-my f-face!" Naruko cried, pointing at Kankuro, who gawked at her, before hearing everyone starting to mutter and glare at him.
"Th-then, wh-when I-I tr-tried as-asking for an-an ap-apology, h-he hit me again! Th-then he-he hi-hit my te-teammates, wh-when th-they t-tr-tried d-defending me!" Naruko exclaimed, with her tears now trailing down her cheeks.
"Oh, that's bullshit! That didn't happen!" Denied Kankuro.
"It's true, it happened!" Sakura said, holding back her smirk at the revenge prank Naruko was doing.
"Totally happened!" Added Sasuke, enjoying this way too much, as well.
"Just take your beating like a man, Kankuro!" Temari said, finding this more amusing than she should.
Kankuro couldn't believe this, everyone was against him! Looking at Naruko, Kankuro saw she was smiling evilly at him, and dragged her thumb across her throat.
"SEE! See, she's smirking at me!" Kankuro shouted, pointing at Naruko, though the moment everyone looked at her, she started crying again.
"Oh Kami, it's happening again! Why do you hate me so much?!" Naruko cried, falling to her knees as she bawled her eyes.
"Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit! Bullshit!" The Crowd was chanting, as they glared at Kankuro, with even the people watching via television joining in the chanting and glaring.
All while Kankuro's image on the television screens turned red.
"KILL HIM!" Hinata shouted, surprising her entire family, as she glared at Kankuro.
"Let the match start! Hajime!" Genma said, while shooting his own glare at the Suna Ninja, before jumping away.
'Okay, okay, no problem. I just have to forfeit and hide for a while. Maybe I can even see about faking my death, since we're defecting to Konoha, anyways.' Kankuro thought, before Naruko suddenly shot up and charged forward.
Before Kankuro could even react or forfeit, Naruko jumped straight towards and drove her heeled boot…straight into his crotch.
~Ave Maria~
Everything seemed to go in slow motion for Kankuro, as he released a high-pitched squeal of complete pain and agony, having never experienced a pain like this. In fact, he could have sworn that he heard, even for a few seconds, the heavenly choir of Angels up in Heaven, due to such pain he was in! Then, everything immediately sped up, as Kankuro was sent flying into the wall, before sliding down, whimpering as he did so.
Naruko's attack caused the entire stadium to fall silent, while all the males instinctively held their legs together.
"Yeah, fuck Kankuro!" Someone shouted.
"Did, did you kill him?" Genma asked, jumping down, while looking at the Suna Ninja's unmoving body, thinking Naruko hit hard enough to kill him.
"No, but I'm sure he wishes he was dead." Stated Naruko, smirking wickedly, as Kankuro instinctively curled into a ball, cradling his crotch.
"Right. Winner Naruko!" Genma declared, with the crowd cheering at Kankuro's punishment, while Medic-Nin came and got Kankuro out of the arena.
"The next match between Kabuto Yakushi and Temari will now begin!" Said Genma, with Temari preparing to jump down, before Kabuto spoke up.
"I forfeit! That last match took more out of me than I anticipated." Kabuto said sheepishly, knowing if he won this match, then he'd have to face Naruko, and he wanted to avoid that, after seeing her defeat Shukaku.
But after seeing what she did to Kankuro, he's definitely avoiding any risk of fighting her.
'Are you kidding me?!' Temari mentally raged, while slamming her fan down on the railing.
She was hoping to get to fight at least once! Instead, both of her opponents have forfeited, and there's no way she's fighting Naruko!
"Very well, Temari wins by default! The match between Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno will now begin!" Said Genma.
Both Sasuke and Sakura jumped down into the arena and stood across from each other. Looking between the two, Genma nodded.
"Hajime!" Genma said, before jumping away.
Instantly, Sasuke jumped into the air and went through handseals.
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke said, releasing a large fireball at Sakura, with the pinkette going through her own handseals.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!" Said Sakura, as the surrounding snow transformed into a wall of water in front of her, just as the fireball impacted it.
The resulting collision created a large amount of steam, that covered the arena floor. Landing in the steam, Sasuke activated his Sharingan and looked around for where Sakura could be.
'Not above, not behind, not the sides, that only leaves…' Sasuke thought, jumping onto top of the block of ice, just as Sakura's hands came out the ground, intent to use the same trick on him she used against Hinata.
And Sasuke had no intention of falling for the same trick, twice. Having already been buried to the neck down by Kakashi, during the Bell Test.
Pulling out a handful of shuriken, Sasuke went through handseals once again.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!" Sasuke shouted, unleashing a volley of tiny fireballs, while throwing the shuriken into them.
Sakura quickly jumped out of the ground, as the fireballs chased after her.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" Said Sakura, slamming her hands on the ground, creating a large rock wall in front of her, stopping the fireballs and shuriken, as well.
The girl then ducked down, as Sasuke jumped behind her and tried delivering a punch, only for it to be dodged. Sakura then swiped Sasuke's legs out from under him.
"CHA!" Sakura shouted, pulling her fist back and tried punching Sasuke, while he was on the ground.
Sasuke managed to roll out of the way in time. and was thankful for it. when he saw the ground actually cracked from Sakura's punch.
Figuring it'd be better to end this quickly, rather than risk being hit by an attack like that, Sasuke quickly went through handseals and grabbed his wrist, channeling only a small amount of Chakra into it, creating a layer of lightning around his hand.
It wasn't an actual Chidori, just enough to give someone a good shock.
Acting quickly, Sasuke jumped up and sped behind Sakura, placing his lightning covered hand on her back, with the girl crying out at being electrocuted, before finally falling unconscious.
"Winner Sasuke Uchiha! And with that, the second round has come to an end! There will be another break, before the third round, which will be a three-way fight between Naruko Uzumaki, Temari, and Sasuke Uchiha!" Genma said, with the crowd excited at seeing the final match.
*Later*
Sakura groaned as she opened her eyes, finding herself in the infirmary. It took a moment for her to remember what happen and look down sadly.
'I lost.' Sakura thought, but wasn't really surprised, given her opponent was Sasuke, and he had already been stronger than her.
But at least she could say she did her best, and she has improved during the month break.
"You've gotten stronger."
Surprised by the voice, Sakura looked and saw Sasuke standing by the doorway.
"Sasuke?" Sakura said, confused why he was here, did the final match already happen.
"You've gotten stronger during the month break, stronger than you were before. Just don't start slacking off." Sasuke said, before walking out the room.
Sakura was surprised by his words, before she smiled widely, knowing that was the closest she'll get to praise from Sasuke. And it made her determined to get even stronger, to prove she wasn't a deadweight.
*Hallway*
"We must be under a Genjutsu, considering I'm a sadist, you're acting nice, and Sakura's actually training seriously." Naruko said, leaning against the wall, getting Sasuke's attention as he exited the infirmary.
"What do you want?" Sasuke asked, as he looked at his teammate.
"Just thought you should know, there's going to be an invasion starting soon, organized by Orochimaru, with Suna helping. Though Gaara and his siblings won't be taking part and will instead fight the Oto and Suna Ninja. I've already informed certain people to be on guard and identified the Oto and Suna Ninja hidden amongst the crowd. I'm telling you, so you won't be surprised if our match is interrupted, and to conserve your strength." Naruko said, with Sasuke's eyes widening hearing an invasion was going to happen.
Though he supposed it made sense, given what Kakashi told him about Orochimaru during the month break.
"Alright, I'll make sure to conserve my Chakra. But Naruko, once everything is all said and done, I want a proper match against you." Sasuke said, wanting to see just where he measures up against Naruko, after seeing what she did to a Bijū.
Hearing this made Naruko smirk and nod, having every intention to have a proper match with Sasuke, once they've dealt with the invasion. With that, Naruko walked away with an excited and wicked gleam in her eyes, in anticipation for the upcoming invasion. The carnage, the chaos, the weaklings she'll get to slaughter.
'This, this is my true Nature.' Naruko thought, grinning, as soon, she'll be back in her natural element.
So, what did you think, good. Yep, Naruko shocked everyone with her victory, with most not believing the supposed deadlast took down a Bijū, except Anko who has much richer than before. We also see that Jiraiya has returned and Kakashi and Sasuke showed up earlier, due to sensing Shukaku's Chakra only to see the aftermath. We then go onto the remaining matches, which aren't that long or weren't shown as I wasn't able to think of a lot for them. Then we have a break with Gaara informing Naruko of the invasion and Kabuto telling her some "new information" he's discovered before going onto the second round, with it starting out with Naruko paying Kankuro back and turning everyone against him, before proceeding to unman Kankuro. We then have Sasuke vs Sakura with Sasuke being the winner with Sakura doing her best, earning her praise from the Uchiha. Finally Naruko informs Sasuke of the invasion and to conserve his strength, all while eager for when the invasion begins. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out