Chapter 13: Preliminaries
Flashback:
Day 171 of capture
Naruto is still absolutely perfectly still and is unresponsive to most actions against him. He barely responds to pain anymore.
"The demon is proving to be stubborn no longer reacting to our experiments so, I think he will be defanged and declawed on top of that it's about time we neuter and castrate him since, we don't want any little demons running around besides we've gotten plenty of sperm from previous experiments to continue genetic study with that being said I've got a new idea for an experiment involving the demon it require lots of research but, we may have a way to make something new out of the demons body I can't wait to try it out." Mayuri's smile turned into a wicked grin.
This was the beginning of the end for Naruto.
Back in the present:
Naruko shakes of another nightmare from the night before and focuses ahead as the Teams assemble in line. As the instructors gather up in the balconies waiting for the Hokage to arrive.
It became apparent that 6 teams had made it through the second exam. The proctor of the second exam appears Anko mitarashi with a slightly swollen belly and congratulates them on surviving the second exam and making it here. The hokage takes over explaining that the chunin exams are a substitute for war and a way to attract clients to the village.
"Excuse me Hokage-sama but, I would like to take over for here." a sickly man says
"Very well you have the floor Hayate." The hokage states
"I am the proctor for the third exam Hayate Gekko and am here to announce that too many people remain so, we will be having preliminaries." Hayate says
"What we busted our butts, to get here and now you're telling us we're going to have to fight each other!" Kiba shouts
"Correct the chunin exams are limited to a select few who can show off the best talent the village has to offer to dignitaries who have so little precious time." Hayate says
"These preliminaries are one on one battles so, if you want to drop out it won't affect your team so raise your hands if you wish to drop out now before the preliminaries start." Hayate says
Two raise their hands but, no one else does so, they go up to the balconies to wait to be called.
"Alright Misumi Tsurugi and Yoroi Akado you are both excused please leave the room." Hayate says
The contestants hold their breaths as the randomizer billboard selects two names
"Shino Aburame vs. Kankuro" Hayate announces
Both Shino and Kankuro make their way down their respective balconies and stand in the middle of the arena floor.
"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asks causing both participants to nod
"Then Begin!" Hayate says jumping away
The two stare each other down before Shino releases his insects that quickly form a swarm. Kankuro charges and faces off with Shino in taijutsu. Soon both become deadlocked as Shino's insects cover Kankuro.
"I suggest you surrender before my insects drain you of your chakra." Shino says
"I think not!" Kankuro shouts suddenly his wrappings explode open revealing the real Kankuro who jumps away while, the Kankuro that holds shino is revealed to be his puppet crow that soon grabs ahold of Shino with six arms with blades on them. The blades shred Shino but, instead of blood all that appears is insects revealing Shino replaced himself with a bug clone.
"Shit!" Kankuro swears as he makes crow make a beeline for shino only to go slack from bugs jamming the puppet up. Kankuro separates his puppet causing the head and six arms to fly out of the main body and fly towards Shino but they quickly lose momentum as the insects eat the chakra strings connected to them and make their way back to Kankuro who is now covered in bugs that begin eating his chakra.
"Surrender now before my drain you of all your chakra." Shino states
After struggling for a little bit Kankuro finally says "I Surrender!" ending the match.
"The winner of the match Shino by Forfeit!" Hayate announces
Kankuro is carried away on a stretcher after Shino calls his bugs back. Just as the randomizer Billboard begins to reveal the next match.
"Choji Akimichi vs. Temari" Hayate announces
Both Contestants make their way down from their respective Balconies and take Center stage.
"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asks only for Temari to nod her head along with Choji who does nervously.
"Let the second match Begin!" Hayate announces as he jumps away
"Let's see what you've got fatso." Temari taunts
At this Choji becomes angry and says "I'm not fat just chubby!" before he uses partial body expansion jutsu to inflate his body and pulls his limbs in and head before he begins rolling toward Temari.
Temari sees him coming and dodges as Choji makes a turn towards her and she dodges again.
"Is that all you can do?" Temari asks as she dodges for a fifth time. So she takes her fan out and opens it fully and makes two swings left and right toward Choji that stops his momentum then, She swings her fan up creating an updraft the lifts Choji's body into the air and swings her fan down causing a downdraft that brings Choji crashing into the ground causing Choji to return to his original size knocked out.
"The winner of this round is Temari by knockout!" Hayate announces
Choji is picked up by his teacher as Temari makes her way back towards the stands.
The randomizer Billboard starts to do its thing when it reveals two names.
"Sakura Haruno vs. Shikamaru Nara" Hayate announces
"Be careful Sakura keep your head on straight and you'll be fine." Kakashi says
"You can do it Sakura!" Naruko encourages
Meanwhile, Shikamaru is groaning as he says "This is a drag why did I have to fight a girl!"
"Suck it up Shikamaru and be a man!" Ino shouts
Both Contestants make their way down from the stands.
"Are both Contestants Ready?" Hayate asks causing both contests to nod while, Shikamaru sighs.
"Let the third match begin!" Hayate announces as he jumps away
Sakura throws smoke bombs toward Shikamaru as she rushes ahead creating regular clones. Shikamaru coughs but, jumps out making a hand sign for shadow possession jutsu. As he lands his shadow goes right past the clones that don't produce any shadows and aims for the real Sakura. Who he catches just as she lets lose some shuriken that misses Shikamaru though one nicks his cheek. He stands up and reaches for his kunai pouch just as Sakura does and throws kunai at each other.
"Are you insane!" Sakura asks as both kunai deflect off of each other.
"You should be mindful of your surroundings Sakura." Shikamaru says as flings his head back and falls down causing Sakura to mimic him and flings her head head back hitting the wall knocking her out.
"Winner by Knockout is Shikamaru!" Hayate announces
Sakura is taken to lay down in the stands by Kakashi while, Shikamaru makes his way back up to the stands as the randomizer board begins randomly selecting competitors.
"Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga" Hayate announces
"You don't have to do this you can forfeit." Kiba says
"No I have to do this both for my sake and his!" Hinata says firmly
"Are you sure Hinata?" Kurenai asks
"Yes most definitely" Hinata replies
Both competitors make their way to the arena.
"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asks both of the contestants nod
"Then let the fourth match begin!" Hayate says jumping back
"You can just walk away Hinata you are destined to lose." Neji says activating his byakugan
"No I can't walk away from this I must face you brother." Hinata says activating her own byakugan
"Fine then let me show you what destiny has in store for you Hinata." Neji says as he takes his stance.
"There is no such thing as destiny but, what we make for ourselves." Hinata says taking a familiar stance.
They strike each other with their palms matching each other in blows as Hinata continues her thrusts Neji parries them with chakra infused blows and strikes back with pin point pression on Hinata's arms soon Hinata's arms are no longer able to channel any Chakra and rendering her attacks pointless. Soon After Neji begins to aim for Hinata's body and begins leveling blows against her. As she is sent sliding back toward the wall Neji says "why do you persist in this pointless exercise in futility don't you wish to end your suffering!"
Hinata coughs up a bit of blood before saying "It's not me who is suffering, but you are dear brother you along with the rest of the branch family and there is no way for you to alleviate yourself from it I feel sorry for you!"
Neji becomes enraged and plans on finishing Hinata off when his blow comes mere inches from Hinata's heart the attack interceded by Naruko who is in front of Hinata and who grabs his hand moving the blow off course from her heart.
"What's the meaning of this you have no right to interfere!" Neji shouts
"Shut up Neji I stopped you from making the biggest mistake of your life." Naruko says coldly
"Out of the way I'm finishing this match!" Neji tries to go around Naruko to strike Hinata but, is held back by the jonin's who interfere.
"So this is the protection of the main family!" Neji says Bitterly full of anger
"Neji I've told you not to let your emotions get the better of you!" Guy says holding Neji by the shoulder causing Neji to back off and move away from Hinata.
"Winner of the match Neji Hyuga!" Hayate announces
Just then Hinata falls forward coughing up blood the medics soon arrive.
"This is bad she needs emergency treatment immediately!" The medic shouts as a stretcher comes and carries Hinata away in a hurry.
Naruko watches as they take Hinata away before turning to Neji who notices here glare.
"Neji when we next meet it will be in the arena and when we do I will crush you!" Naruko says icily
"I look forward to showing that you too are inferior just as I finished showing Hinata." Neji responds heading back up the stands followed by Guy and distantly by Naruko.
The randomizer billboard again generates a new pair of competitors.
"Kiba Inuzuka vs. Rock Lee" Hayate Announces
"Woho you hear that Akamaru we got the deadlast from last year." Kiba shouts
"This is coming from this year's deadlast!" Naruko mutters under her breath with a slight chuckle.
"What did you say!" Kiba shouts from hearing her with his advanced hearing
"Nothing dog breath nothing." Naruko says innocently with a smile
"Yosh! It's time to let my flames of youth explode" Lee shouts
"Yes it's time Lee show them what you can do!" Guy shouts
Kiba walks down while Lee jumps down to the arena.
"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asks which both contestants nod.
"Good now the fifth match begins!" Hayate declares jumping back
"I'm going to end this with one punch out of pity." Kiba says
Kiba charges Lee and Lee uses leaf gale to sweep Kiba off his feet causing Kiba to go sliding across the ground.
"That does it. you're gonna get it now!" Kiba shouts as he uses the four legs technique and uses passing fang against Lee who effortlessly dodges.
This goes on for awhile, as Kiba keeps bouncing around using passing fang, but Lee just keeps dodging. When suddenly Kiba's partner Akamaru attacks Lee who grabs the dog by the front paws and faces Kiba.
Kiba throws Akamaru a food pill causing his fur to turn red to Lee's surprise as Akamaru kicks off from Lee and lands on Kiba's uses Beast human clone technique to transform into Kiba and both attack after Kiba tosses a smoke bomb towards Lee filling the arena in smoke as the two of them uses fang passing fang. Lee has trouble dodging the Assault but eventually lands a Leaf whirlwind kick to one of them knocking one of them out of the smoke. As the smoke clears he sees both of them ready to go again weighing his options he comes up with only one option the front lotus but, which one?"
Guy suddenly shouts "Lee you can take them off!"
"Guy sensei are you sure?" Lee asks
"It's ok just this once." Guy replies
"Yosh! Alright then!" Lee shouts as he sits down and takes off his weights that leaves craters in the floor. Then he gets up and disappears and provides a series of punches that he aims at the one he expects to be Akamaru who he knocks out with the blows ending the transformation. Kiba attempts to use passing fang against Lee who dodges and gets behind Kiba who lands on all fours but, gets wrapped up in Lee's wrappings. Lee then Lifts him up and does the frontal Lotus diving Kiba into the ground leaving a crater ending the match.
As Kiba is carried off by a stretcher Lee proclaims victory and heads up to the stands to hug his teacher. The randomizer billboard spits out two new competitors.
"Naruko Namikaze vs. Kabuto Yakushi!" Hayate announces
"So, it's finally my turn now huh." Naruko says with excitement
"So this is the one surprise that Orochimaru gave a curse mark to let's see if it was warranted." Kabuto says mentally
Both contestants make their way to the stage and meet in the middle.
"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asks, causing both of them to nod.
"Then let the sixth match begin!" Hayate says as jumps away
Kabuto starts off with water release: Water Bullet that Naruko counters with one of her own. As Kabuto uses Hiding like a mole technique to sink into the ground and moves toward Naruko who creates Water clones. Kabuto comes up to one and severs the tendons of a clone with a chakra scalpel causing it to burst into water. He gets out of the ground and begins to battle the water clones as the real Naruko comes in close and begins to use gentle fist on Kabuto striking his pressure points. But, to Naruko's surprise it doesn't seem to be working so, backs off as Kabuto finishes off the last of the water clones. Naruko dives into the ground and uses double suicide decapitation on Kabuto.
"Are you ready to surrender?" Naruko asks after getting out of the ground
"Sorry Naruko but, it's not going to be that easy." Kabuto says before turning into mud revealing it to be an earth clone.
"Shit!" Naruko mutters as she jumps away as Kabuto comes out of the ground striking Naruko in the abdomen.
"You should quit Naruko because that wound will cause internal bleeding if not handled quickly so, I suggest surrendering." Kabuto says
"Just as you said it isn't going to be that easy!" Naruko shouts as she stands up from her kneeling position.
"Have it your way!" Kabuto shouts back before firing a water bullet at Naruko.
"Earth release: earth shore return!" Naruko shouts causing a earth wall to rise to block the water bullet. As the blast fades she comes out of hiding and charges Kabuto performing another Water bullet but, kabuto dodges back and then lunges forward hitting Naruko in the shoulder causing her to fall.
"It's best to give up. I disconnected the ligaments in your shoulder so you can only use one arm." Kabuto says
"One arm is all that I need now!" Naruko shouts as she vanishes in a pool of smoke revealing to be a shadow clone.
"What!" Kabuto shouts as he turns to see Naruko coming out from behind the rock wall she created finishing hand signs for water release: Water dragon bullet that draws all the water on the floor into a water dragon that lunges and catches Kabuto in its maw and carries him into the nearby back wall knocking him out.
"The winner of the sixth match by knockout is Naruko Namikaze!" Hayate announces
A stretcher carries Kabuto away as Naruko makes it to the stands and sits down to let her regeneration heal her internal wounds. As the randomizer billboard reveals two new names.
"Sasuke Uchiha vs. Tenten!" Hayate announces
"Yosh Tenten it's time to show your flames of youth!" Guy says
"Right" Tenten says with a sigh
"Sasuke do your best!" Sakura says encouragingly
"Don't get to cocky Sasuke Tenten is an unknown in fighting abilities." Naruko says holding her stomach.
"Hmph" Sasuke replies with a grunt
Both competitors make their way to the arena floor.
"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asks causing both to nod
"Then let the seventh match begin!" Hayate says as he jumps back.
"Take this!" Tenten opens a scroll and hurls several ninja weapons at Sasuke who dodges and activates his sharingan reading Tenten movements as she throws at him ninja tools. Finally getting tired of his dodging pulls out another scroll that unleashes an exploding dragon strike that consists of a huge fireball that Sasuke easily counters with fire release: Fireball jutsu. Causing the fire to scatter to the sides of the arena around the two competitors.
"Alright I was saving this for the finals but, here it goes!" Tenten says as she lays down to scrolls and jumps into the air using the twin rising dragons technique to unleash dozens upon dozens of Ninja tools that she throws mid air. That Sasuke spends Dodging receiving minor cuts and tears to his clothes. When she finishes throwing them she pulls strings connected to the ninja tools pulling them all back into the air.
"This will finish it!" Tenten shouts
"You're right it will." Sasuke says holding onto a bundle of ninja tools by the wire and uses the fire release: dragon flame jutsu that follows the ninja wire to Tenten setting her and all the strings on fire. Causing Tenten to scream and fall with the rest of the ninja tools. Before she hits the ground covered in ninja tools Naruko catches her and cradles her body. As Sasuke makes his way through the field of ninja tools to the unconscious and mildly burned Tenten.
"The winner of the seventh match by knockout is Sasuke Uchiha!" Hayate announces
The medics come with a stretcher that Naruko puts Tenten on. Before turning to Sasuke and saying "That was a close match."
"Like she would have managed to hit me with a lethal blow with my sharingan active." Sasuke rebutts
"Yeah whatever Sasuke." Naruko replies as the two of them head back up to the stands.
The randomizer spits out the last two competitors.
"Ino Yamanaka vs. Sabaku no Gaara!" Hayate announces
"Ino I think it's best if you forfeit." Naruko says seriously to Ino
"What?! Why is that Naruko!" Ino says heatedly
"Because, I've seen his jutsu it will negate everything you try to do besides your families jutsu and using that I don't think you want to mess around in that guys mind." Naruko says worriedly
"I won't know until I try." Ino says firmly
Both competitors head down from their respective balconies toward the center of the room.
"Are both Contestants ready?" Hayate asks causing both to nod
"Then let the eighth and final match begin!" Hayate says as he jumps away
Ino jumps back and tosses shuriken at Gaara who catches it in his sand so, Ino tosses a sleeping gas bomb at Gaara and tries again with him apparently out of it tosses shuriken but, are caught anyways. Realizing nothing she will try will work she performs a familiar hand sign of her clan and uses mind transfer jutsu.
She possesses Gaara's body and is about to raise his hand when suddenly she loses control.
"AHHA AH AH AH AH SOMEONE TO CRUSH!" A demonic voice says as Ino screams out loud.
"I must get out! get out! get out!" Ino screams through Gaara as he performs hand signs sending her back to her body but, she doesn't respond. Gaara annoyed sends his sand toward the unresponsive and down Ino planning to crush her when Asuma interferes and swipes the sand away protecting Ino. With Ino down and Asuma's interference the proctor calls it.
"The winner by knockout is Sabaku no Gaara!" Hayate announces causing Gaara to lose interest and returns to the balcony to stand next to his sister.
""Ino!"" Naruko and Sakura shout as they jump from the stands to crouch next to Ino.
"Ino says something please!" Naruko says as she shakes Ino by the shoulders before she cradles Ino's head.
"This isn't funny Ino please say something!" Sakura says tearfully but, gets nothing from Ino whose eyes are glazed over and is slightly drooling.
The Medics come and pick her up and carry her away by a stretcher. As they leave with Ino, Sakura turns and cries into Naruko's chest as she gently holds her. After a couple of minutes they line up with the remaining competitors.
"Now you will be assigned opponents by drawing lots." Hayate announces
The lined up competitors each reach into a box and pull out a number.
"When I call you will tell me the number you drew" Hayate says
"Shino aburame" Hayate calls
"Six" Shino replies
"Temari" Hayate calls
"Four" Temari replies
"Shikamaru Nara" Hayate calls
"Three" Shikamaru groans
"Neji Hyuga" Hayate calls
"Two" Neji says
"Rock Lee" Hayate calls
"Eight" Lee replies
"Naruko Namikaze" Hayate calls
"One" Naruko responds with a grin
"Sasuke Uchiha" Hayate calls
"Five" Sasuke responds
"Sabaku no Gaara" Hayate calls
"Seven" Gaara replies
"Alright these are the matchups Naruko Namikaze vs. Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari, Sasuke Uchiha vs. Shino Aburame, and Rock Lee vs. Sabaku no Gaara." Hayate announces
"Good job everyone now that you know who you be facing you have time to train accordingly in a months time you will fight for the right of chunin but, be aware that just because, you lose you might still be promoted but, by the same token even if you win there is no guarantee of being promoted it will be up to the judges to decide." The hokage states
"You have one month to train so, use it wisely. You are all dismissed." Hayate announces
The group of Genin scatters and leaves the tower through an underground passage to safely circumvent the forest of death and make their way to the surface exit into Konoha where they scatter. Shino, Naruko, Shikamaru, Choji, and Sakura make their way to the hospital to check up on their respective teammates Kiba, Ino, and Hinata. Shino visits Kiba first to find Kiba's mother and sister lecturing him about his loss. While, Naruko and Sakura pass him to go to Hinata's room in the emergency ward having just got out of surgery. Naruko goes in while Sakura waits by the door to the room. Naruko goes up to Hinata who is resting and gently caresses her face while, the other hand is balled into a fist.
"Hinata I swear I will make Neji pay for what he's done to you I promise." Naruko says firmly when the heart monitor beeps as Hinata slowly wakes up.
"Naruko-chan?" Hinata says gently opening her eyes to see.
"Don't worry about a thing I'm facing Neji in the finals I'll settle things with him." Naruko says
"No please don't be rough on Neji it's not his fault the way he is." Hinata says weakly
"What right did he have to do this to you!" Naruko says firmly
"Because, his father was murdered." Hinata says weakly
"What does that have to do with you!" Naruko asks weakly
"Long ago Kumo sent an envoy to Konoha to broker a peace agreement but, it turned out to be a ruze in order to obtain the byakugan by abducting a hyuga that was me at the age of 3. My father killed the man rescuing me but not realizing who the man was the repercussions of which, was Kumo demanded the body of the man who killed their envoy or risk war. Instead of my father Hiashi his twin brother Hizashi Neji's father took his place as a sacrifice to avoid the byakugan being stolen since, the caged bird seal seals off the byakugan of a branch member. So, the matter was dropped by Kumo." Hinata explains
"So, he wants revenge for his father by taking it out on you instead of Hiashi who he can't stand against due to the caged bird seal!" Naruko says enraged
"It has caused him to firmly believe in fate due to being a servant of the main family that no matter how hard he tries he cannot escape." Hinata says faintly and sadly
"Don't worry I'll teach him that there is no such thing as fate but, that we decide that for ourselves." Naruko says confidently
"Thank you Naruko-chan I know you will." Hinata says sleepily
"I will I promise" Naruko says planting a gentle kiss on Hinata's lips before exiting the room and heads towards Ino's along Sakura. They arrive there to find Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino's father Inochi.
"Well how is she?" Choji asks Inochi
"She is in a coma from receiving a fierce mental attack...I don't know when or if she'll come out of it." Inochi says grimly
"Can't you fix her you are the head of the mental division of the T and I department." Shikamaru asks concerned
"I maybe the head of the mental division but, repairing mental damage like this takes the work of an expert in the medical field with specialty in mental trauma something i'm not." Inochi says sadly
"I see thank you for letting us visit." Choji says sadly
"No I appreciate her teammates coming to visit her." Inochi says with a grim smile
"I guess we better go then." Shikamaru says taking Choji by the shoulder as they walk out.
"I take it you heard all of that Sakura Naruko." Inochi speaks out into the hall seeing Sakura and Naruko.
"Yes we heard i'm sorry for what has happened to Ino" Sakura says sadly
"I tried to warn her away from trying her family jutsu but, despite my concern she did it anyway what was she thinking!" Naruko says frustratingly
"She probably wanted to show off to her friends I would know I've done the same." Inochi says tearfully
"Don't worry we'll find some way to return Ino to normal in the meantime I'm gonna kick Gaara's ass for hurting her!" Naruko says with conviction
"Thank you Naruko for your concern but, there is really nothing anybody can do." Inochi says crying as he stands up
"I will let the three of you have some privacy while I get back to work at the department." Inochi says weepingly as he walks out of the door.
"Ino I don't know if you can hear me, but I will find a way to restore you. You have my word." Naruko says gently planting a kiss on her lips gently
"She means we'll find a way to help you." Sakura says giving Ino a deep kiss. As she finishes Naruko places a hand on Sakura's shoulder as turns and places her teary face into Naruko's breasts and cries for several minutes again. When she's done she separates and takes her leave of the room along with Naruko. As they make their way down the halls Naruko spots Kankuro getting up out of bed as his sister stands beside him to escort him out of the hospital. Naruko focuses on Temari and begins to make plans to possibly get the info he needs out of her.
Naruko then returns to her apartment to get some sleep because, if things go according to her plan she is going to be in for a long month.