Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I own none of it.

Summary: A more rational Danzo takes on team 7. The world changes accordingly

Chapter 13 - The Third Exam

hr

The rest of the month passed quickly for Team 7. They spent their mornings together, their afternoons with their senseis, and their evenings with friends. Every now and then one of them would get pulled away by Danzo to check in, and he would make observations on their training and ways they could improve. But for the most part he seemed… Distant at best.

But eventually the day of the tournament came, and Team 7 was ready. Sasuke in the lead and backed-up by Naruto and Sakura, they stopped for one final time. Just as they did their ever elusive sensei stepped out of the shadows of the gate they were passing through.

"When you come out the other side of this tunnel, you will represent the very best of what this village can accomplish. Both during and after the exam, pull no punches." Danzo leaves a pause for effect.

"It's time to show the world the might of Team 7."

"Hai Sensei!" They all clap a fist over their chest and incline their heads. When they look back up their sensei is gone. They nod at each other as they start walking again, planning to be just in time to be announced.

The stadium was a massive dome filled by an open field and some wooded areas, overlooked by three large viewing areas. A notable feature, to Naruto at least, were the "support beam" that seemed to line the stadium topped by dog heads. It seemed Dazno really did have a plan if Gaara became a problem.

The other two teams were already present and they were just in time to hear the proctor start the announcement. Only with Sasuke's ever perceptive eyes could someone have seen a nearly invisible Root agent switch out the proctor's cue cards just as he went to take them out of a puch.

"Ladies and Gentleman! Welcome to the Third Phase of the Chunin Selection Exam!" The crowd roars to life in excitement as up in the Kage box Danzo joins standing next to Hiruzen's seat. "Thank you all for joining us here today! It is my great pleasure to introduce our visiting team! Please welcome all the way from Sunagakure no Sato, the children of the noble Kazekage! Led by Infinite Blades Baki, and undefeated in battle, Sabaku Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro!" The crowd cheers politely as Temari waves back.

After the crowd settled somewhat so the proctor switched to his next card and continued. "Welcome now the first of our home teams, introducing Konohagakure no Sato Squadron Nine, led by Konoha's Great Green Beast Maito Gai himself! Hyuuga Clan Prodigy, Hyuuga Neji! Successor to the legendary strong fist, Rock Lee! And Aspiring Weapon Mistress Tenten!" The crowd roared to life now, clearly this was a house favourite team, Lee and Tenten waving enthusiastically.

But when the crowd settled and Genma switched to the final card his eyes went wide before looking up at the Kage box. Seeing no reaction from Hiruzen he assumed this was as planned and continued. "And finally, this year's rookie team. Konohagakure no Sato Squadron Seven, led by the Councilor Shimura Danzo, the Darkness of Shinobi himself. I present to you Haruno Sakura, this year's Kunoichi of the Year, Uchiha Sasuke, last loyal son of a founding clan and Rookie of the year. And last but certainly not least, she's spent her whole life living a lie for her own protection. Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto! Hidden daughter of Lord Fourth himself and princess of the Uzumaki clan!"

The crowd went silent as everyone in attendance had their breath taken away by the shocking revelation. And while Naruto herself was also nearly in shock, her teammates stepped to either side of her and raised her hands in the air, Sakura whooping at the top of her lungs inciting the crowd into a roaring cheer loud enough to be heard outside the village.

Up in the kage stand, Rasa's eyes were as wide as the crowds even as Hiruzen's narrowed. "My my, Lord Hokage. This is an unexpected turn."

The venerable Hokage allowed his features to soften, better to lie about it then admit he'd been duped. "Ah yes, young Naruto has led a difficult life, but-" he paused only for an instant before continuing, trying his best to keep information consistent. "She, from my understanding, is more than ready to be in the public eye." A side eye at Danzo "Isn't that right Councilor?"

Danzo inclined his head slightly as he spoke. "Oh course Lord Hokage, my team is more than ready for any and all opposition." He throws a glance at the Kazekage. "I trust your children's defeat won't spoil village relations."

The Kazekage smiled behind his veil. "Of course not Councilor-san. However I wouldn't count my lot out yet, Gaara's never so much as been hurt never mind defeated. Other than by myself of course." His dark laughter unsettling the older kage.

"Yes well Rasa-Dono, I suppose we'll see."

Once the crowd finally settled down the proctor began again. "Now that all teams have been introduced the format will be as follows, there will be three, three way matches. In each match one member of each team will enter the arena in a no hold barred free for all. If I decide someone is out, my decision is final. If you continue to engage someone that I've called out you will be disqualified. If I decide to stop the match for any reason you will comply or be disqualified. You are all up for individual promotion and as such the performance of your team overall will not affect your odds of promotion, but choosing your fight poorly will. The order you select your fighter will be random. To start, first fighter selection goes to Team 7!"

After a quick look between them Naruto goes first, knowing the crowd was eager to see what she could do and that she'd more or less be able to deal with whoever came out. The opposition ended up being Tenten, who had picked second, and finally Temari had picked Third. As the three of them squared up they appraised each other.

Naruto's outfit had changed again, she wore a purple, sleeveless kimono blouse with orange trimmings held close by a traditional obi with a long, streaming bow tied to it, mesh armour underneath it and knee length hakama pants. The Uzumaki spiral emblazoned proudly on the back. Traces of sealing lines were visible coming up from her neckline and going just under her left ear. (Her outfit is based on Honoka)

Temari's outfit consists of a single light purple-coloured, off-the-shoulders garment that extends halfway down her thighs, with a scarlet sash tied around her waist. A large battle fan on her back and a cocky smirk complete the look. While she didn't know much about Naruto's abilities Tenten had been called a weapon mistress so she knew she only really had one opponent in this match.

Tenten wears a pink sleeveless qipao-style blouse with red sleeve trimmings and yellow fastening buttons and dark green pants, weapons pouches and scrolls littering her person. She was eyeing Temari's battle fan wearily, her apprehension poorly hidden.

It was probably because of those nerves that the moment Genma called "Hajime!" she immediately jumped back and unfurled a pair of scrolls. Rising into the air she began to pelt the arena with a myriad of weapons as she called the name of her jutsu "Twin Rising Dragons!"

But to everyone watching it was obvious that this was a bad situation for her. Naruto had yet to react at all, and Temari just smirked as the horde of weapons fell towards them. Just as she was about to get hit she quickly slid back, spinning her fan off her back as she opened it to unleash her "Slicing Whirlwinds" jutsu, scattering the weapons all around the stadium. Naruto had still yet to move and the crowd was waiting with bated breath.

But Tenten wasn't done, the barrage of weapons she had unleashed had apparently been wired, and were now being manipulated back at her two opponents, and while Temari brushed them aside with her fan once more, Naruto broke out in her old signature prankster grin before without so much as a single seal flexed her ocean of chakra and Temari's eyes went wide.

Before the two of them swapped places.

In the Kage box, Hiruzen's eyes were wide with wonder, mirrored by Rasa's under his veil.

"My my, Sarutobi-dono. Your genin seems to have taken the replacement technique to new heights." The excitement in the Kazekage's voice was evident even as Danzo's smirk became more pronounced.

"Yes the next generation is truly a beacon of the will of fire. You Naruto has overcome much to obtain her strength."

Danzo takes a step forward to stand next to Hiruzen and get a better view of the arena. "You haven't seen anything yet."

Temari was stunned for a moment by the sudden forceful swap, but she didn't have long to be now that she was once again in the path of the tempest of steel rapidly approaching. She didn't have enough room to swing her fan properly but she was nothing if not resourceful. Dropping into a shoulder roll she managed to generate enough momentum to activate her jutsu again, once more saving her from the immediate threat.

But this time Naruto hadn't been idle, and the moment she arrived in Temari's position she shot off like a rocket towards Tenten, a blast of wind in her wake kicking up a cloud of dust. As she sped towards Tenten the girl could only be reminded of Lee's frightening speed, but more frightening still was the green aura Naruto seemed to blow onto her kunai as she moved, the short blade appearing almost more of a scimitar now. Tenten summoned a blade of her own to attempt to defend, a beautiful katana that would certainly hold against any normal kunai.

But not against Naruto's "Wind Release: Vacuum Blade". One of Danzo's signature vacuum style techniques he had passed on. The fierce technique cut through the expensive looking katana like butter, before she felt Naruto's forearm crash into her throat. While the strike wasn't intended to injure it still hurt, and showed very clearly that had she wanted too she could have decapitated her.

"Tenten, out!" The proctor called, but the match was far from over and Naruto flicked the wind coated kunai at Temari just as the sand genin was regaining her feat. Temari's eyes went wide at the display of incredible wind manipulation from someone outside of Wind Country, but she didn't have time to admire, she needed to dodge. Spinning out of the kunai's path she opened her fan wide and poured as much chakra as she could into her jutsu as she dared.

Only she watched Naruto grin again as she launched her jutsu, a feeling of foreboding building before she watched Naruto poof into smoke and be replaced by the kunai she had just thrown. Which meant Naruto was right behind her. In an act of desperation she dropped her fan and spun, bringing a kunai of her own to bear as quickly as she could, she was shocked to feel it bury into Naruto's head.

But as her eyes caught up with her arm she realized she'd been had. Not a drop of blood, and a shit eating grin as the Naruto she'd just sunk her kunai into popped into smoke.

A shadow clone. And just as it popped she felt cold steel pressed against her throat and Naruto's voice in her ear. "I win!"

And the proctor agreed. "Winner of the first match, Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto!"

The crowd exploded with cheers, but back on the field Temari had to know. "How did you?"

And as Naruto stashed her kunai and stepped away she was happy to answer. "When I switched places with you I hid in the smoke and made a shadow clone. First thing I got it to do was kick up a bunch of dust so I could hide." She put on a big smile as she scratched the back of her head. "Sorry I scratched you with my jutsu, I can fix that for you if you like?"

But that just confused Temari further, she hadn't been hit by any jutsu. Unless… Her hand shot up to her face and touched her cheek, causing her to wince and coming up bloody. "What?"

Naruto looked sheepish as she answered. "Yeah, the vacuum blade is so sharp you can't really feel it, I had to have a finger put back on while I was learning it. Here give me your hand." Temari is still stunned but does as she says, and Naruto makes it look like they're shaking hands with a bright smile on her face. While they're shaking hands a delicate glowing gold chain made of pure chakra snaked around their hands, and Temari felt for just a moment Naruto's vibrant ocean of chakra wash through her system. But as quickly as it happened it was gone, seen only by the two of them and the proctor.

When Temari touched her cheek again she found her skin smoothed over and healed. In fact she just felt… Better, like she hadn't just got her ass kicked. "Why would you help me like that? We're not friends."

Naruto's smile fell a little at that. "I know your brother's pain. I don't want him to lose his sister today, we both know you'll need your strength."

Temari's heart stopped and she went white as Naruto turned to leave. "W-w-what do you mean?" She managed to choke out around her mounting fear.

Naruto stopped and looked back at her, speaking just loud enough to hear. "Kyuubi no Yoko." and let her eyes flash red and slitted for just an instant before she jumped back to her team.

"Sabaku Temari, return to the contestants box please we need to start the next match." The proctor called over to her.

She couldn't stop herself from shaking as she returned to her team.

"The next match will now begin! Team 7 won the last match so they get to pick last. Team 9 will pick first!" Genma announced.

Suddenly a green blur launches into the sky, falling into a roll before springing up in front of the proctor. Thumb extended skyward and with the sun glinting off his smile, the newly arrived genin proclaimed for all to hear. "I, Rock Lee, will gladly accept the challenge."

Genma's eye twitched as he looked up to the stands and saw Gai making the same pose. "Great, now there's two if them." He muttered to himself before continuing. "Next, would the Sand Team send their next contestant."

Up in the booths, the Sand Team had already agreed Kankuro would take the second match but Temari was pleading with him. "Just forfeit Kankuro. Please. They already know the plan somehow just save your tricks."

"Fine fine." Kankuro relented. "I still have to go down there though, I'll be right back."

As he jumped down to the ring, the proctor called for Team 7's entry, and Sakura jumped down into the arena. Her hair is in a pixie cut now, and she just wore her bomber jacket open with a sports bra and armored mesh underneath. A pair of black cycling style shorts under a pink mini skirt and a pair of heavy combat boots completed the look along with a set of plated leather gloves that seemed to be simply covered in seal work.

"Sakura-chan! Your muscles are absolutely rippling with the power of youth! I hope this will be a most glorious match!"

Battlefield presence was one of the things she'd been working on with Ino, and having spent so much time with Jiraiya she couldn't help but take on some of his mannerisms when putting together her "Battle Persona" with Ino. "Ha! You know it Lee!" She strikes a pose (I sorta picture like Randy Orton's pose.) "But you know, from the east to the west Team 7s the best, and if you tangle with the Galant Sakura you're gonna leave a mess!" She finishes pointing at Lee with a big smile.

Lee's eyes are full of stars though. "So cooooool! After this fight I may have a new eternal rival!"

Sakura just pumps her fist with a grin. "Heh, If you're as good as they say we're gonna need a new arena when we're done." She looks at the proctor. "We ready to start this thing?"

Genma stares in shock that this could possibly be a student of Shimura Danzo, but eventually manages to shake himself out of his stupor. "Uh, right, of course. Hajime!"

But as he jumps out of the way, another voice can be heard. Kankuro's.

"Actually I forfeit." And the arena is filled with boo's as he returns to the competitors box.

Sakura just kinda shrugged and looked back to Lee, who gave her a thumbs up before they both squared off. At first they were at a standoff for almost a minute, until a leaf touched the ground and in an unspoken signal the two tai-jutsu experts launched themselves at each other. Lee with his "Dynamic Entry", and Sakura with a vicious overhand haymaker.

To the audience though it just seemed as though they went from standing, to Sakura standing in Lee's spot facing back towards where'd she come, and Lee dug into the dirt. Well, that and the almost thundering boom of the earth being destroyed from where they both kicked off, and where Lee was driven into the dirt. As the dust settled one could see Lee almost cartoonishly pull himself out of the ground before dusting himself off.

Sakura was frowning slightly but Lee's voice cheered her up some. "Ah Sakura-chan! I'm terribly sorry for that. It seems I underestimated you. Allow me to stop holding back." And as Lee pulled up his leg warmers, thick heavy lead weights were revealed, which left craters as he threw them aside. Seeing the amount of weight he'd dropped brought a smile back to Sakura's face.

"Now that's more like it!" And they jumped back at each other, far more even now. Lee was faster, having focused more on his legs. But Sakura was stronger and had incredible reaction time. The bout went on this way, the two of them effectively flashing around the arena, shockwaves ushering out from them every time they connected, the dirt steadily getting more and more torn up filling the air with dust.

Only then, the arena went silent and still. No one could really see what was going on and even Lee was looking around confused. "Sakura-chan! You were right they will need a new arena after this. Do you have a jutsu that could clear the dust so we can continue?!" He called out good naturedly.

It was really unfortunate then, that Sakura was not a fair fighter. And with the air still full of dust Lee got confused as his feet started to sink into… Was that mud? He didn't have long to think about it though as he felt the air moving, and being unable to move his feet he threw himself backwards into a limbo stance. Just in time as he felt cold steel pass just over him, even if he could tell she had swung with the blunt side of whatever massive weapon she was using.

This however, was not a great situation for Lee, and he knew he needed to change things up. As he felt Sakura maneuver her weapon around to come down for a vertical slash (again with the blunt side he was sure), Lee focused his chakra and called out. "Gate of Opening: Release!"

The blast of chakra was the last thing Sakura expected and it threw her off balance, and pushed all the dust away, revealing for everyone the small swamp she had created to trap Lee in. But what caught more eyes was the sword in her hands.

Kubikiribocho, the executioner blade of the hidden mist.

Up in the stands Naruto was whooping and hollering her support for her teammate, and the badass reveal of the sword Danzo had given her just a week before the exam. Unlike a katana there were no real techniques to learn, it wasn't much of a finesse weapon.

You just needed to be freakishly strong. Which somehow this thirteen year old girl had managed to do. It was quite the sight really.

But then Lee was rocketing towards her at speeds unseen till now, and she couldn't possibly maneuver that giant sword fast enough to block. But then the sword was gone, poofed back into the seal on her gloves as she rapidly repositioned her now unencumbered hands before resummoning the blade.

Just in time to meet Lee's "Leaf Rising Wind", effectively stopping the blow from knocking her into the air. Danger averted she resealed her blade as she used chakra to adhere herself both to the ground, and to Lee as she grabbed his outstretched leg to initiate a grapple of sorts. Not wanting to give him a chance to wrestle she turns and overhead smashes Lee into the ground, now with a grip of his leg and him face down in the dirt, she falls forward rolling herself in and pulling the leg up she lands on his lower back. She quickly anchors herself to the ground again as she pins Lee beneath her.

The crowd is in awe of the display of power from these two children, and the diversity of ways in which Sakura was fighting. And she uses their roaring as a chance to whisper to Lee. "Hey, I know this is awesome and all, and yeah I'm sure you can open more gates." She adjusts her pin to be a little less painful. "And yeah I've still got a whole 'nother level of tricks up my sleeve. But I know what the gates will do to you and I can't tell you why but I need you to be able to fight again after this. Can we please just call it here?"

Lee thinks for a moment, knowing he either needs to open another gate or do as Sakura says. He nods coming to a decision. "I shall honour your request on one condition, Sakura-chan. You have to spar with me every week we're both in the village." He twists in the pin to show her his smile.

"Yeah I can live with that."

"Then." He stops whispering. "Proctor! I forfeit!" He lets the energy of the gate flow away as Sakura lets him out of the pin. They both stand up and dust themselves off as Genma returns to the arena floor.

"Winner, Haruno Sakura!" And once more the crowd erupts, as Lee runs over to her to raise her hand in victory. Huge smiles on both of their faces as the proctor looks around the arena in shock.

Up in the stands Sakura's parents had to pick their jaws up off the floor. While team 7 did occasionally stop by, they didn't make a habit of talking about their training.

In the Kage box Danzo was doing the closest thing anyone had ever seen, to beaming in pride. There were Jounin in the stands that weren't comfortable seeing that level of taijutsu, never mind from genin. And the unveiling of Kubikibocho? He could feel the disdain radiating off "Rasa".

"It seems it may have been a wise decision for your son to withdraw, Rasa-dono." Hiruzen spoke as he smoked his pipe. "He has the look of a puppeteer, and I doubt he would have fared well in that particular match up."

"Yes well Hiruzen-dono, it's important for a puppeteer to know when to take the stage. Kankuro made the best decision he could have in the situation." The Kazekage spoke softly through clenched teeth. Suna was being made to look the fool in this, and Konoha was only looking better and better. "I'm sure my youngest, Gaara-kun will put on a better showing." He laughs somewhat. "He is afterall, undefeated in battle if you don't count myself."

"Yes I'm sure the next match will be a spectacle. From my understanding both young Sasuke and Neji are proud sons of their respective clans, and two of the most promising young ninja in the village." Sarutobi humble bragged. Today was making Konoha a lot of money, and he was in a good mood, Even with some idea of what was to come.

"We'll see I suppose."

Back on the stadium floor the three remaining genin were squaring off, Gaara grinning maniacally, almost twitching in anticipation. Neji, upright and attentive, his gaze backing down from no one. Sasuke though? Now in traditional Uchiha battle robes with his anbu gear beneath and sword at his side. Ever present sharingan eyes spinning lazily, he looked on with feigned but practiced indifference.

In the competitors box Naruto was sitting between Sakura, and strangely Lee. Someone who looked closely might be able to see that Naruto had a hand on either of them, and they were steadily looking more refreshed. Lee looked at her in wonder and had to ask quietly. "Naruto-chan, are you a med-nin?"

Naruto's signature foxy smile answered. "Not really, just an Uzumaki." As if that answered the question. But Lee didn't have time to keep asking as the proctor called a start to the match.

As soon as the proctor's feet left the ground Neji's Byakugan was active, and not a moment too soon it would seem as a torrent of sand was launched at them by Gaara. Keeping his composure Neji began his spin. "Eight Trigrams Palms: Revolving Heaven!" Could be heard shouted as the sand was blasted away from him.

Sasuke though? The sand appeared to go right through him, only for him to fade away to be revealed standing on the other side of Gaara. Hands resting on the kashira (pommel) of his blade he feigned a yawn. Neji's eyes were wide, having never seen anyone but Gai move that fast. Because while most people in the stands assumed it was genjutsu, the Hyuuga prodigies' eyes knew better.

Gaara appeared stunned for a moment, before beginning his assault again, only to be met with the same results. This time though while Sasuke continued to look on impassively, Neji closed the distance to attack. Gaara's sand returned to him to block Neji's strikes, but the gentle fist was more than a palm strike. With every blow he landed against Gaara's sand shield he was knocking the chakra that sustained it away, and as the sand fell to the ground Gaara began to understand Neji's plan. Of course Gaara couldn't let that happen so he had the shield erupt into spikes, forcing Neji back for a moment.

The moment he did Sasuke made his move. Quicker than the normal eye could see he was inside Gaara's guard, sword bathed in lightning plunged through his gut. Sasuke "Hn'd" dispassionately as the sand clone disintegrated and the real Gaara appeared.

Unfortunately for Neji, right behind him. But luckily for Neji he was one of the few people that really could see behind himself. He moved to start his rotation but suddenly found himself not able to. His feet had been encased in sand. Even as the panic began to set in he found himself being encased in sand.

Only until, suddenly he wasn't. His previously perfectly groomed hair began to stand on end as he was pushed out of the encroaching sand by an electrified hand courtesy of Uchiha Sasuke, the burst of electrical chakra blasting the sand away as it turned to glass. The proctor recognized an extremely powered down version of Kakashi "Chidori" technique, and between that and the sand called it. "Hyuuga Neji, out of the match!"

"What!?" Neji turned to face the proctor in outrage. But his opportunity was short lived as he suddenly found himself being thrown to the proctors feet by Sasuke. As he picked himself up he heard Genma explain.

"Either Gaara's or Sasuke's jutsu could have killed you had Sasuke wanted them to. You're out of your league here kid."

Neji had a hard time processing that idea until he focused his vision on the match at hand once more, and saw what kind of monsters he'd been in the arena with.

Lighting and fire danced around Sasuke as he blurred in and out of vision. Whittling away Gaara's defences one layer at a time. Sasuke's mastery of shunshin, unseen since his cousin Shisui was alive. After images and genjutsu layered over each other, punctuated by the chirp of his lightning enhanced blade and the roar of his clans fire jutsu.

Gaara's defences were mighty, Shukaku provided an automatic defence that was almost perfect. But Sasuke was moving faster than Shukaku could manipulate the sand through Gaara's seal, and Gaara's sand armor was becoming more glass than sand. Whenever he tried to counter attack he found only empty air where the elusive Uchiha had been previously. It wasn't long until Gaara was at his breaking point.

"ENOUGH!" His maniacal cry split the air with a wave of foul yellow chakra, before all the sand he had left seemed to swirl around him before hardening into a smooth dome of sand protecting the red-headed sand genin. Sasuke stood to appreciate his options as he felt the malicious chakra build. But when he looked up at the stadium he realized it might not be his fight anymore as he noticed Baki rapidly approaching from the stands. That could only mean one of a few things.

Up in the stands a mysterious "Anbu" agent had just activated a wide scale genjutsu across the arena, lulling most of the civilians to sleep.

In the Kage box "Rasa" took hold of Hiruzen before jumping onto the roof, a purple barrier erupting around them by the "Kazekage's" bodyguards.

It only took a moment for Hiruzen to kick him away, tearing away his Kage robes to reveal his battle attire, as Orocimaru pulled off his Rasa disguise to reveal what a monster he was. His dark laughter echoing across the roof. "Kukuku, it seems even now you're still ready for battle Sensei, I admit I admire your conviction in the face of your… age."

Only it wasn't Hiruzen that answered, as Danzo stepped out seemingly from Hiruzen's shadow. "Only the very strongest Shinobi survive to be our age snake." He spat out with venom. "Today I intend to prove that you don't belong amongst our ranks."

Outside the village snake summons began to be summoned by squads of Oto and Suna Shinobi.

The invasion had begun.