KG: (Huff) (huff) Author's Log, day 345: Still no water. Too much sand as far as the eye can see. I-If you see my cream soda, tell it…I'm sorry I couldn't drink it all. Goodbye cruel world!
Steve:…Mr. KyuubiGoku, how long are you going to sleep on the beach? I told you that you shouldn't swim right after eating.
KG: Shush! Trying to die the heroic death over here!
Steve:….ummmmm, we've only been here for ten minutes.
KG:…..(groan) damn joy-destroying, creepy mask-wearing, stupid symbiote-carrying jerk.
Steve: Mr. Naruto paid me to do this.
KG:…no comment.
Steve: Would you please just drink your water now?
KG: Fine.
Song of the Week: If I Was A Blackbird by Silly Wizard.
Quote: "Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did," by Newt Gingrich.
Jiraiya shielded his eyes from behind a small window as he watched sparks fly across the room in front of him. The bashing of a hammer against steel annoyed his ears, but then again watching the blonde work on…whatever he was working on had been a certain change of pace of Jiraiya ever felt the need to truly comment. "You know brat, most genin would be excited to participate in there Chunin exams. You're late you know," Jiraiya said while Naruto sat at a table with a welding mask attached to his face. Naruto didn't respond to the Sannin's words and instead figured it was a good time to take up the piece of metal he had been beating for about half an hour and start adding the next element. A hint of salt to make the metal a little smoother. Naruto's hand flew into one of the jars he had at his side and he pulled out a small handful of salt before dashing it into the fire. Naruto watched the flames sear forward before he slowly nodded towards his satisfaction. With a small grunt, Naruto shifted the weight of his chair and began to bash the hammer into the metal once again. Upon seeing this, Jiraiya snorted.
"i swear brat, do you even have a decent quality anywhere? What are you going to do if they disqualify you? I don't know what ambition you have to complete, but isn't it harder to do if you're still a wet-behind-the-ears genin?" Jiraiya asked with his arms folded. To his surprise he watched Naruto stand to his feet and quickly make a clone. He then proceeded to put the hot metal into a specially-designed refrigerator before finally taking off his mask and setting it to the ground. Naruto opened the window letting the smoke and steam out of his work area before taking a rag and wiping his hands with it. He then walked over to the small door that separated Jiraiya from the room Naruto had been in. Opening it, Naruto turned to give Jiraiya a look.
"Don't be mistaken Jiraiya-san, whether or not I become chunin I will still complete my ambition. Simply tell Hokage-sama that you had me running over sealing for the Konoha wall which I did yesterday. I won't be disqualified if a Sannin is justifying my lateness," Naruto remarked as he walked up the stairs leaving Jiraiya to look at the blonde like he was utterly the most insane person to have ever walked on the face of the earth. Jiraiya's sandals clacked after Naruto as they entered the kitchen of Naruto's house and then followed to the living room.
"And why, pray tell, should I do that for you brat? Last time I remembered I have no reason to do this for you," Jiraiya said with a raised eyebrow as Naruto grabbed his shinobi pouch and kunai holster. Naruto then moved over to his headband and swiftly tied it over his head. Naruto then sent a small glare forward as he opened his door. "It's simple Jiraiya-san. Because I'm the one thing keeping Kisa-san from telling Hokage-sama about that experience the two of you shared with each other a few days ago. In my house to be exact. I don't believe the president of Exodus Metals would be too happy to know that one of the shinobi of Konoha was peeping on her. I imagine she would do the likely thing and cancel all of Konoha's funding leaving the village in a deficient. It would only be the wise course of action," Naruto said as he popped out a book and walked out the door leaving Jiraiya to gawk as he stared at said door. Yep, that kid had absolutely no good qualities anywhere. That was what Jiraiya thought as he closed the door to Naruto's house and followed after him.
Luckily Naruto hadn't gotten too far ahead. With a quick summon of a toad, Jiraiya sent a message to the Hokage about Naruto's supposed 'circumstances.' It still irritated Jiraiya greatly, but for all his life he couldn't understand the concept that was Uzumaki Naruto. What kind of life had the blonde lived to bring out such…a strong circumstance from him? He just didn't understand. He couldn't imagine the lifestyle of a jinchuuriki. In fact, in some areas, he didn't want to imagine it. Perhaps this cold, distant nature was how his godson had coped with the ordeal. Somewhere Jiraiya hoped that Naruto wouldn't have been too damaged by the affairs of his life, but he knew that it was all hollowed thinking at best. Please don't mistake Jiraiya's words. He knew that he was the last person who could call Naruto a godson or anything like that, but Jiraiya was sure that Naruto knew the circumstances of why the white-haired sannin couldn't be there for him. When Naruto had disappeared from the village those years ago Jiraiya had adamantly searched for the blond along with his network so hard that he had jumped at the slightest information leaks or wild goose chases for the chance to see him. However perhaps by doing some of these acts he would get closer to his godson and perhaps his godson would open up to him a lot more.
As Naruto and Jiraiya walked through Konoha they stopped for a moment and took notice of a Tv screen that showed not only a camera perspective of the Forest of Death, but also of the fights and teams taking place. Naruto narrowed his eyes as he watched. Looks like the two genin from Taki on Fu's team had been either eliminated or killed. So far it also looked like the two genin from Kurotsuchi's team had been eliminated as well. So the fights were already underway. It also looked like Kurotsuchi was facing off against Tenten for the time being. Naruto watched from the Tv channeled through the video cameras of Kurotsuchi shouting something while Tenten hastily flung kunai at the Iwa kunoichi. Kurotsuchi flipped over a tree branch as three kunai stuck to the side of said branch. Lifting her heels she spun on the bark before she sucked in her legs and fired off into the air. Naruto watched Tenten gasp as Kurotsuchi quickly formed a couple of handsigns before she fired corrosive liquid from her mouth. Tenten backflipped across the ground before she took her place up in the treetops. With a raised eyebrow, Naruto turned his attention away from the screen and continued walking. Jiraiya was close behind him.
It was odd to Naruto that his teammates weren't there. Naruto wouldn't pretend to say that he wouldn't have felt some sense of pride in seeing Sakura compete with what he had taught her. However he also understood that Danzo was a timely man and he most likely passed this down to Sakura in the month Naruto had asked for Danzo to spend with her. Still Naruto surmised that Sakura was probably doing other things as well. The same could most likely be said for the Uchiha. Naruto knew that Sasuke didn't have…or show the tendency to the late for anything. Though perhaps the same thing could have been said for Naruto himself. It was that he intently meant to be late, but when he found out he would be late it wasn't much for him to truly do about it. No matter the reasons, as a genin the Hokage wouldn't show him leeway because he was working on some other weapons for the village. Still what Naruto had been making had been something to help with the coming invasion. From Danzo and Root, Naruto had made contingencies of his own for this little war Orochimaru had Suna and Sound against Konoha.
"More than likely I will need Anko's help," Naruto thought to himself before he looked up at the sky. Naruto never figured that a day could be more…splendid than others, but today actually wasn't a bad day. On such a day, blood being spilled might have just been plain unsightly. With a close of his eyes, Naruto marched forward. He continued to ignore Jiraiya questions or statements about certain things. Let it be known that while Naruto respected Jiraiya's writing ability he still found the Sannin to be just as foolish as they came. Naruto didn't feel the need to actually say that.
-x-
At the Chunin Exam Stadium crowds roared in excitement as they watched the large Tv screens plastered around said stadium's walls showcasing the fights of the various genin. Most of the audience wasn't exactly sure which fights they should have been focusing on as there was so much going on, but it was all entertainment and excitement all the same. Bets and promises of money to victors were going around the stands in bundles. In actuality it was to such an extent that Amaru found it kind of hard to even concentrate on the fights themselves. Perhaps not so strange was that Temujin and Kamira could agree with her. Strangely enough, Ranke and Fugai weren't perturbed by the noises from the various people around the stadium.
"Do you really believe that the Akimichi stands a chance against the Hyuuga?" Ranke asked making Fugai fold her arms with a snort. "I highly doubt it. The Hyuuga already has three coins from fighting against two other shinobi. It also isn't a stretch of the imagination that the Hyuuga has been a highly anticipated contender to these exams. Plus looking at the Akimichi's expression at the start of the fight I imagine that he has less than confident as it is," Fugai said making Ranke nod as she looked over the other screens. Some genin were still trying to find their opponents, but they had also been lucky and unlucky at the same time. The longer they waited the more tired their opponents were likely to be and easier it was to finish, on the opposite hand it would take longer for people to assess their skills and prove them worthy of the chunin title. It was a very interesting fine line.
"What do you think Kisa's going to do?" Ranke asked forcing Fugai to sigh and roll her eyes. She turned a glance to the place where Kisa was along with all the other presidents of companies that helped the shinobi world with its power, influence, and capital investments. "I believe Kisa-san will do what is expected of her," Fugai said making Ranke nod before she turned her attention back to the screens.
Meanwhile, in the reserved room, Tsunami found it hard to keep her excitement inside as she watched the young genin perform. They were all using such amazing techniques that she had never seen before. She had found it hard to not just shout out in joy, but she was still reminded of her station. The others were looking at the sight with quiet observation so Tsunami figured to do the same. Though she found it hard to find out which screen she should look at. That said, the same couldn't have been said for Kisa. She had never taken her eyes of one screen ever since the competitors had entered the forest of death. Her eyes never left her daughter as she watched the green-haired bundle of energy rush through the forest with a look that Kisa could only define in herself at times. Naturally Kisa had been happy when Fu managed to get a coin from one of the Iwa genin that went down relatively easy, but…perhaps it was the careless way in which Fu dispatched him that worried Kisa. Perhaps as a former shinobi and former mercenary Kisa should have been happy in her daughter's skill. Perhaps it was…that it wasn't Kisa's teachings that Fu was using. Kisa…hadn't taught her daughter anything. Of course there were circumstances for this, but it wasn't an excuse. It couldn't have been. Kisa would never have the right to call Fu a daughter if she called it an excuse. With a sigh Kisa watched. "Concerned for Fu-san?" Kisa nearly jumped at the voice and turned to see Tsunami looking at her with a wide smile on her face. Kisa's mouth twitched before she felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
"Is it that spread across my face?" Kisa asked rather silently. Tsunami nodded before looking back at the screens. "I can somewhat feel how you feel Kisa-san. As a mother I understand the frustration. Kisa-san, you will see Fu-san before today is over," Tsunami said making Kisa smile rather…shakingly. The very thought terrified her immensely. Naruto told her that Kisa would be walking out of Konoha with Fu in her arms. She knew Naruto. She knew that he stood by his words. She also knew that he would help her, but…how would he help her when he wasn't even here? For as long as Kisa knew Naruto, he was never one to be late if it wasn't in the benefit of something else. Kisa understood this so what was so important that Naruto would take the risk of being potentially disqualified from the Chunin exams? Even after all these years, Kisa still didn't understand some of Naruto's logic. Still the smile on her face was genuine.
"Yeah, yeah he will. I know he will. That's the kind of brat he is," Kisa said making Tsunami nod her head in agreement. "And who is this 'he' you both are whispering about over there?" Ayano asked with a small, mischievous smile on her face as she tasted some of the food on her plate. Daichi turned away from the Tv screens and sent a look towards Kisa and Tsunami. The two women turned to the person who asked the question before Kisa smirked.
"Didn't know you liked to listen in on other people's conversations Ayano. Don't worry about the 'he'. I just imagined than I might invite Konoha to our annual event in a couple of months. I think I might have already selected a team to be our representatives," Kisa said with a small smirk making Daichi and Ayano look at her rather intensely. Ayano waved her bejeweled fan over her face sending cold air to her as she chuckled. "Oh my, is that so? I think I'll have to do the same sooner or later. But enough about the future. How about we focus on the now. So does anyone see qualities in these young genin befitting a chunin?" Ayano asked as the others looked forward.
"I would dare say that the Kazekage's daughter holds true to the title. While rather…impatient at times and being known to…toy with her enemies she is still a very intelligent young woman. Perhaps the Tsuchikage's granddaughter as well. I imagine her to be a capable jonin in the future just as her father and granddaughter. I also have in mind another young man to keep watch over." Daichi said making Kisa and Ayano raise their eyebrows.
"I suppose the Kumo kunoichi, Samui-san, has some Chunin-like qualities. Her two teammates are…unusual, but I suppose that their enthusiasm is something to be admired," Ayano said with a small smirk. It was actually one of those smirks that Kisa didn't especially like but there wasn't much she could do about it. So she just had to put up with it for the time being. Kisa stared forward. "Well I don't believe that the young boy with the red hair will qualify this time around. He has a splendid talent for fighting, however he does not show consideration for the environment nor the circumstances of the battlefield. He shows no higher level thinking than killing his opponents. Perhaps it would be better if he came back in another year," Kisa said, but the others silently agreed as well. There was something about the red-haired young man that unnerved all of them.
It was then that Zabuza, Mutsu, and Kara narrowed their eyes as they looked at the Chunin exam stadium in front of them, but Kara was the only one to speak. "Well looks like the exams just got a little more interesting. We have a late entry," she said. The business heads quickly followed her line of sight and noticed a young woman walking into the fields. Kisa recognized her immediately. Naruto, why was your team so troubling? Still, Kisa had to chuckle. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bore after all.
Meanwhile, Genma didn't move as he assessed the girl and the man next to her in front of him. The young girl walked with the poise and confidence of a highly honored chunin commander. Her long pink hair had grown to the point of going past her shoulders once again. Her hands were covered by the thick, black gloves whose origin Genma couldn't ascertain. The cheering in the crowds had suddenly grown silent. Genma didn't know when that happened. He could just tell that this girl had the firmest, hardest, green eyes he had ever seen. It didn't take long for her and her sensei to stand before Genma. "I am here to take my exams," she said rather calmly yet strongly.
Some people murmured to themselves while Amaru widened her eyes. "I-Is that…Sakura-san?" Amaru asked while Temujin steeled his eyes forward. He could tell. Rather he could…see. This girl was strong. She was a different type of strong. The chakra that exuded from her body held a sort of presence that was much different from the others. Just based on the aura and way she carried herself she was already a chunin just on those features. The jonin and chunin the surrounded the stadium could tell there was something different about her as well. Iruka and Suzume glanced to each other. There was no way. That couldn't be the same loud-mouth girl in their class that kept shouting on and on about Uchiha Sasuke. When…when did she become this? When did she have this…confidence?
Standing before her, Genma closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Haruno Sakura, you're an hour late," Genma said with a small glare, but Sakura did not waver before it. As a matter of fact, she didn't do…anything. She just stood there with the expression that Genma was going to give her the coin she needed so she could be on her way. "That would be because of me. I had Genin Haruno performing important tasks for me that required her to be late for these exams. I have ordered her to do these as a person above her rank and station. The fault lies with me," came the voice of Shimura Danzo. Genma turned to the honored councilor. He didn't know what the relationship between the genin girl and the councilor was, but it was…something if he had to guess.
Scratching his scalp, Genma turned his eyes towards the Hokage for an answer. Sakura followed his gaze and rested her eyes on the Hokage. In said seats, the Hokage, Tsuchikage and Kazekage watched. Sarutobi looked at the brightened girl before his eyes. The few times he had seen Haruno Sakura, he had never seen any other young woman her age with such…quelled ferocity. Her eyes, they looked so much like Naruto's eyes. It was like they could see what normal eyes refused to see in not just people, but in all things. "We should disqualify her. Reason or not, she's late. Lateness is unbecoming of a chunin," the Kazekage said while the Tsuchikage grumbled.
"Well chunin are known to be late to meetings and such by the orders of a higher ranking officer. I do still believe that Shimura Danzo is one of those slithery exceptions. If that man believes it was important then chances are that it was," Onoki said which surprised Sarutobi. If nothing else from Onoki, the man had a begrudging respect for the Hokage and for Shimura Danzo. He had known both for decades. While they were enemies coming to neutral, Onoki was still more than capable of showing respect where it was due. Which is why he even had a respect for the Yondaime, curse him still. However the man was a shinobi through and through and Onoki wouldn't take it away. "I believe we should let her participate. It would do good for my granddaughter to have more Konoha shinobi to beat," Okay, so maybe some sassiness had to be in there as well.
"If we do let her come then we'll have to let Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke come in as well. We don't want to show favoritism. We would also have to do this other chunin exam candidates in the near future. Genin will start to think that we will let them come in late. Are we really going to disrespect this sacred tradition like this?" the Kazekage asked. Hiruzen furrowed his brow before he closed his eyes for a brief moment. The crowds waited with baited breath before Hiruzen stood to his feet. He sent one more look at Sakura before he made it his time to speak.
"Haruno Sakura, by the three Kage seated here. We deem you…," Sarutobi didn't get the chance to finish as everyone heard another set of footsteps echoed through the stadium. Everyone turned towards the door. Atsui widened his eyes as did Amaru, Temujin, Fugai, Kamira, Ranke, and Kisa. The group of Exodus Metals workers gasped as they watched Naruto and the Sannin, Jiraiya, come into the field. Sakura and Danzo stared back, but Sakura was the only one whose eyes gleamed at the sight of her very first, true sensei coming to the field right behind her.
"You're late little brother," Atsui said with a wide grin while the Amaru smiled just as wide. Temujin nodded while Ranke smirked. "I knew it! I knew he was going to show up! I told you so!" Ranke said from her seat while Fugai swiftly nodded. The three guards for Exodus beamed with pride as they watched their young leader make his way into the field. It didn't matter that he was late. At least it didn't matter for them as well.
From her seat, Kisa watched Naruto enter the field. A small spring of resounding hope that had festered in the belly of her heart had suddenly turned into a tsunami of pride and salvation. Tsunami could see the large grin that never left Kisa's face and smiled gently in turn. She knew Naruto wouldn't abandon his family. If Tsunami even for a second believed that Naruto was capable of such a thing then she wouldn't have accepted his high-standing position. Tsunami turned her head and saw the other two heads of the companies were surprisingly silent. Ayano had a certain look in her eye that Tsunami couldn't place. The same could have been said for Daichi.
"Well, well looks like the fun has finally gotten started. Yo Izumo, how much you wanna bet the brat gets seven coins in the next twenty minutes?" Kotetsu asked with a small knowing smirk. Izumo turned to glare at Kotetsu, but he didn't say anything to the ridiculous bet. No matter how likely it sounded. However right across from them, Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai looked down at the sight rather welcoming. "I wasn't under the impression that Uzumaki Naruto knew Jiraiya-sama. Did he receive mentoring from a Sannin?" Kurenai asked. Asuma slowly took out the cigarette from his mouth. It looked like they were going to find out.
Hiruzen looked down at the sight fondly. The Kazekage's eyes somehow…darkened and yet lightened at the same time. The Tsuchikage was rather tense. He turned a small glare towards the Hokage who quickly caught sight of it. The Tsuchikage watched the Hokage's small smile. Onoki looked down. So the rumors were true after all. The Yondaime did have a child before his untimely demise. At first Onoki wasn't going to come to these exams merely having better things to do in his opinion, but when Kurotsuchi had sent him a letter about a certain blond-haired individual who looked so much like the Yondaime Onoki had to see him for himself. Yes, those eyes. Those were the eyes that he had seen in only one man his entire life. That blond hair, none could have mistaken it. Call him Uzumaki if you wanted, but Onoki was sure that the boy was without a doubt a Namikaze. "Strange. He looks just like the Yondaime Hokage," Onoki said making the Hokage and Kazekage look at him.
"Strange how some in the village cannot piece it together. A Hokage's children are generally recognized by the features of their parents. Though, we can't be certain he is of such a lineage," the Kazekage said with something of a predatory smirk underneath his veiled face. "Who knows. Genin Uzumaki perhaps will show us something about himself today. I take it that the Lord Tsuchikage would like to see his granddaughter against Naruto Uzumaki. I also trust Lord Kazekage to wish to see his son against Naruto as well?" Hiruzen asked. Onoki sucked his teeth while the Kazekage smiled. It was their initial decision that Sakura not participate in the exams for being late, but…perhaps they could make an exception for team seven…this once!
Genma glared at Naruto before sighing. "I should probably expect Uchiha Sasuke to show up next?" Genma asked before Jiraiya waved his hand for Genma's attention. "I had the brat tested for the sealing barrier over the village. His fūinjutsu could always use sharpening up and it works in the best interests of the village wouldn't you think?" Jiraiya asked. Genma raised an eyebrow before rolling his eyes. He just knew somewhere that this was a farce, but what could he a jonin say against a Sannin? The only one a sannin actually obeyed was the Hokage. Nothing more, nothing less.
"You're late Sakura," Naruto said turning a glance to his student. Sakura turned an eye to him and nodded. "It's better than not showing up at all Naruto-sensei," Sakura said. Naruto just nodded to himself though if one looked very closely they could see the smallest twitch of his mouth in amusement. While the two shinobi spoke, Naruto took a look around the stadium. He could still see the Tv screens were the fighting was going on, but people seemed to be surprised by both Sakura and his appearance. It was possible that some were waiting within baited breath for the last Uchiha. That was at least what Naruto had surmised they were all waiting for. They wanted to see how the last Uchiha would fair in these exams against the unknown opponents himself.
Sighing, Genma turned his head to the Hokage stands. Hiruzen merely nodded. Genma nodded as well. "You brats are lucky. Do try not to make this a habit again," Genma said reaching into his pocket. He swiftly pulled out two coins and placed them in their hands. "Genin Uzumaki and Genin Haruno have been allowed to take their exams. They will report to the Forest of Death at their assigned gates. Six coins together and you can leave, if you wish to stay and risk that for more fights then you may," Genma said making the two nod. Swiftly two chunin appeared next to them and took them away from everyone's sight leaving Jiraiya and Danzo next to each other. The two glanced to each other before they walked their separate ways to take their seats. As the two left Genma glared even harder as swirl of wind and leaves appeared before him as did two other people. Genma reached into his pocket. He was really getting sick of all of this.
"You'd better give us a good show Uchiha," Genma thought to himself as he noticed Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi looking at him. Kakashi eye-smiled while Sasuke folded his arms obviously more than prepared to take his exams. "Umm sorry for the entry. We're not…late are we?" Kakashi asked pleasantly. Genma's eyebrow twitched, but he could see the crowd was anxious to have to Uchiha present. Plus a nod from the Hokage had been more than enough for him. Strange that the Kazekage seemed to be the most excited of them all. With a heavy sigh, Genma pulled out a coin and placed it in Sasuke's hands.
With time, Naruto stood before his designated spot at the gates of the Forest of Death. The chunin who had escorted him away from Sakura and the other chunin. Naruto, much to the chunin's relief, finally lowered the book he was reading and started at the remnants of what used to be his home. "Remember Uzumaki Naruto, once you have lost your coin then you are defeated and much exit the stage. Lord Hokage, Lord Tsuchikage, and Lord Kazekage allowed the two of you to take these exams. I know we're not supposed to show favoritism, but…give everyone a good show," the chunin said as he patted Naruto on the shoulder. Naruto closed his eyes and exhaled a breath. Truly the man could have used a better word that 'show' for this kind of thing, but in essence that's what it was.
"Understood," Naruto said with a bow as he made his way past the gates. The chunin watched Naruto disappear into the overgrowth. With his job completed, the chunin vanished out of sight to go protect the outer wall of the village for the coming invasion.
As Naruto landed to a treetop a couple of minutes away from the gates, he pondered his choices. If Naruto were honest he didn't truly care much about being promoted. Promotions were nothing more than being publicly recognized for what you excelled in. A chunin was merely a genin with experience. A jonin was merely a chunin with even more experience, leadership qualities, and exceptional practice in the areas of ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. Naruto honestly found it rather pointless in the end. Still just because he didn't truly care about those things didn't mean that others didn't. Out of all the opponents here. Naruto figured to just go straight to what he promised. The source of his most trusted companion's troubles. The Nanabi jinchuuriki was perhaps two kilometers away from from him currently. She wasn't fighting anyone. She actually appeared to be eating from what Naruto could sense. Naruto figured Kisa might dislike him a little bit, but he would need to hurt Fu…a bit. There would be no way that he could plan this right and her not come out of it unscathed. No matter how much he tried. With a small sigh, Naruto stood to his feet. Or…maybe he'd deal with a current problem. Looking down, Naruto stared into the eyes of Nara Shikamaru, a fellow Konoha genin.
In the stands of the Chunin Exams stadium, Asuma Sarutobi smirked. "So…Naruto's first challenge is Shikamaru. This'll actually be interesting. As far as I know, I would say Naruto doesn't have a chance," Asuma said as the small smirk on his face slowly widened. Kurenai, Gai, and Kakashi, who had quickly joined them, looked at the son of the Hokage. "And what makes you say that? We learned that Naruto-san graduated the Academy before Shikamaru even could. That has to say something for his ability," Kurenai said. Though she found herself at…possible odds with Naruto interests concerning…literature, she still found a budding respect for the boy that she wouldn't find herself giving most other genin.
"I don't know about that. Naruto has been on my team for a few months and he's definitely shown not only intellect, but also a maturity that most his age don't have. You all know the reason that that's even the case right?" Kakashi asked. No one needed to be told anything else about the jinchuuriki lifestyle. An unfair one at best, but a necessary one. No one, no matter how innocent they could be in the world wasn't subject to the evil that resided in it. If the world was fair…then shinobi probably wouldn't even need to exist. Kurenai just nodded as did Asuma and Gai however as Asuma took a puff of his smoke he exhaled.
"I am sure that Naruto's lifestyle had him growing up faster than most, but I still believe that Shikamaru will win. If anything else it's because his intellect surpasses anyone else's his generation. I once played a game of shogi with him. Well that's a little lie. It was an IQ test in the form of a shogi match. You know what I discovered?" Asuma asked letting the question fester in everyone's mind before his smirk returned. "The Nara has an IQ of over 200," Asuma replied. Kurenai widened her eyes while Gai blinked. Kakashi's lone eye narrowed as he looked at the screen of Naruto and Shikamaru staring at each other.
"2-200?! Well the Nara clan has always been exceptional in having above normal intellect, but for a boy his age to be that smart," Kurenai said and Asuma nodded. "That's why he's bored or lazy. It's because things come too easy to him and he figures it out so fast that he has nothing but time to waste. It is also because of his intellect that his laziness manifests itself. When you have already solved an equation, but need to physically work it out would make anyone bored. Why put in the effort when you know the outcome? On our missions, Shikamaru has a certain aura for strategy and tactics. He's able to lead the squad effectively by coming up with various plans and contingencies. I don't think Naruto has had that privilege," Asuma said which made Kakashi smile.
"How Shikamaru ever lost to anyone?" Kakashi asked making the three jonin glance at him. "He kicks my butt in shogi, but I'd imagine that his father was much stronger than him in the game. He is a jonin commander after all," Asuma said making Kakashi nod. The Sharingan wielder didn't say anything else to elaborate on his comment as the rest of the crowd waited with bated breath.
In the forests, Shikamaru groaned. "Of all my luck I get the most troublesome person here. Why were you even late?" Shikamaru asked as Naruto raised an eyebrow. The Nara hadn't tried to obliterate him with kunai or shuriken just yet. Raising his eyebrow, Naruto leaned forward. "I had other things to preoccupy my time Shikamaru. It would have been better if you attacked me from behind you know," Naruto said dropping to the ground still very much wary of any traps around the perimeter. However judging by Shikamaru's tired expression, he didn't seem to put in that much work for it. Though Naruto, of all people, knew better than to judge by appearances.
"What a drag. So it looks like we have to fight. Why couldn't we just play a shogi match?" Shikamaru asked more to himself than to Naruto. He looked forward at Naruto's rather calm face before nodding with his eyes closed. Of course they weren't going to be doing that. Shikamaru didn't know what he was expecting by it if he were honest. As Shikamaru opened his eyes and looked forward he…merely stared forward as he saw Naruto with a shogi board in his hands.
The stadium erupted in laughter as Hiruzen gently shook his head. "Well, so it seems that someone has the audacity to challenge a Nara's intelligence, his strongest playing field. Uzumaki-san might be out before he even gets the chance to show his physical abilities. Of course I am intrigued. There is more to being a chunin that just physical strength. Mental capacity is a must as well," The Kazekage said making the Tsuchikage and the Hokage nod.
In her seat, Fugai leaned forward. "What's Naruto-sama thinking? He's never been one to let someone have the outright advantage. He has to know that the Nara are known for their intellect," Fugai said. Ranke and Kamira turned over to see Fugai's hands had gripped over themselves tightly. Amaru and Temujin looked on along with Atsui. The older blond frowned. He leaned forward as well. He hoped his little brother had something to gain from all of this.
In the executive room, Ayano chuckled. "Well this is interesting. A battle of intellect. Not something I was expecting to see in the Chunin exams so boldly. I approve!" Ayano said raising her fan with a swift nod. Kisa and Tsunami glanced to her for a brief moment before looking forward. Everyone watched as Naruto and Shikamaru set the pieces to the board.
As Naruto and Shikamaru finished setting up, the two sat on the ground and placed their coins to the side. Shikamaru looked at Naruto for a moment. Naruto slowly took out a book and began to read. Shikamaru moved one of his pawns. Naruto did the same. The smacking of pieces along the shogi board gently rung through the forest grounds. People watched silently. It wasn't as if any of the other competitors had found anyone else just yet. Well other than the fight Tenten and Kurotsuchi were having, yet that fight had slowly turned into a wait-and-see battle with both hiding effectively.
As Shikamaru moved another of his pawns he twitched when he saw Naruto reach for his King piece. Naruto moved it slightly forward before returning to his book. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes at the piece. Had Naruto not seen what he did? Shikamaru looked up to the blonde who had his eyes currently glued to the piece of literature. He then looked back down. "You know the king is generally meant for the last stages of the game," Shikamaru said. Naruto only looked at him for a moment before returning to his book. Shikamaru scratched his scalp.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru said to himself before he moved one of his other pawns. Naruto moved his left most pawn one space forward. Shikamaru moved another pawn. Seeing an opening he had his pawn jump over Naruto's. He quickly took the opportunity and took one of Naruto's pawn. Shikamaru looked up and noticed Naruto look at the board. "Tell me Naruto, what do you see the chess pieces as?" Shikamaru asked. Naruto glanced up to Shikamaru, but the Nara didn't give him the chance to speak.
"For any village anywhere the king would be the next generation. It is the duty of all the pieces to protect the next generation. That's how I see them," Shikamaru said making Naruto lightly smile. "An interesting perspective Shikamaru. Yes, I think I see that. That perspective gives the pieces a reason to fight and protect what's important to them. That is all war is. The simple desire to protect what's important to us. It is easier to kill and claim ourselves the victor than it is to trust someone else and put our lives in their hands," Naruto said. The people in the Chunin Exam stadium were oddly quiet.
"However Shikamaru, the world isn't so kind," Naruto said as he took up a piece and placed it down a little harder making the pieces clank on the board. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow as he saw that Naruto had used his king to take Shikamaru's pawn. "It's simple when a piece takes any other piece then there are reprimands. What does a next generation do when all of its protectors are gone? It stands alone and yet…the hatred that fills up in the next generation festers as it grows," Naruto said as Shikamaru placed another piece down.
People were silent as Naruto and Shikamaru continued with their board game for the past fifteen minutes. The Hokage, Tsuchikage and Kazekage wordlessly looked at each other. Countless daimyo, shinobi and citizens from various nations looked at each other. Naruto and Shikamaru continued to trade pieces. Naruto took three pawns and a rook while Shikamaru took two more pawns, a rook, and a knight from Naruto. Both continued to talk to each other at brief periods. With each clack of the pieces Asuma could see Shikamaru growing more and more worried, more and more pushed, more and more cornered. He leaned forward in surprise of Naruto's words as the blonde spoke. "It is the foolish pride of those before us that affect the lives of those to come. "The book, Shinobi Arts and Promises states 'The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.' The same applies here. If you wish to protect something then you must be willing to work to protect it. Those who claim that they want peace…are those not willing to work for it," Naruto said as placed his final piece down before Shikamaru. The Nara looked down and noticed his King surrounded by Naruto's remaining pawns, gold general, and rook while Naruto's King was surrounded by Shikamaru's remaining pieces.
"If war is to be something to protect. If the next generation is worth protecting, then both sides need to compromise in the interest of that future. Only then can the next generation truly call itself…a king," Naruto said to Shikamaru. Shikamaru looked down at the board one final time before snorting. "You really are troublesome. I'll be honest. I never wanted to be a shinobi. I was perfectly content with going to the civilian academy getting some no name job while looking at the sky and clouds in my free time," Shikamaru said as he picked up his coin and handed it to Naruto.
"However I now see I need to be here. If you say the next generation needs compromise…then I will be the one to compromise for them. No matter how much of a drag it is," Shikamaru said before standing to his feet. He watched Naruto seal the board and the pieces away before both dusted off their pants. "Naruto, do you believe true peace is possible?" Shikamaru asked. Naruto looked at Shikamaru and closed his book.
"No. So long as people have that measure of individuality that they cling so hard to then feelings will clash, ideals will be challenged, and wars will continue. However, it's foolish to think that the world can't do better than with what it has currently. While I believe true peace to be a mere ideal, I won't mock anyone for having it," Naruto said with a bow before Shikamaru watched the blonde dash off in a separate direction from the way he came leaving Shikamaru on the land. With a heavy sigh, Shikamaru stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked off to finally get out of these damn forests he had spent more of his life in than he would have liked.
In the Chunin stadium people were…relatively silent. Asuma seemed to be taking Shikamaru's loss relatively well as he talked about Shikamaru's laziness and Naruto's uncanny ability to do the impossible. "Leave it to Naruto-sama to leave the stadium in silence," Amaru said making Kamira chuckle with a small nod. "Though he was right. Peace is an abstract concept," Temujin replied. Fugai frowned from her place on her seat. She agreed with that as well. A world were killing was the norm and such, even by those like her and their group? Fugai liked peace. She thought it was very much a joy to a troubled life, but there was never such a thing as a utopia and if anyone ever claimed there was one then they too were fooled by their desires.
With time, the crowd slowly started to get rowdy again as a Tv screen shifted over to Sakura. "Man she looks different. Kakashi what have you been teaching her?" Asuma asked. Kakashi looked down at the ground rather sheepishly. However he couldn't take any pride in Sakura's appearance for himself as he watched the young girl look around with an awareness that almost no genin should have had. Her body was fluid, calm, organized. She looked like a sealed kunai just waiting to be unleashed if she needed the right target.
"I didn't train her over the month. I had left instructions to her and Naruto to work on over the month, but something interesting happened. It turns out that my cute little genin was taken by Shimura Danzo," Kakashi said and those words seemed to be like a hammer that struck down the mighty nail into a coffin for Kurenai, Asuma and Gai. "Councilman Danzo-sama had offered to train Sakura-san? Not even with the most talented shinobi in our forces has he bothered since either you or Itachi," Gai said making Kakashi nod. It was for that reason that it was such a surprise.
"That's almost as big an honor as being trained by Dad for the month. Reluctant some people are to admit it, but Danzo-sama and Dad are pretty much on equal settlements in terms of strength, combat prowess, and intellect. Honestly Dad tells me that if Nidaime-sama hadn't chosen him for the Hokage position then he would have given it to Danzo. For Sakura to be trained by him, I worry for anyone," Asuma said before the group looked interested as Sakura spotted her quarry. Asuma widened his eyes while Kurenai's hands tightened, Kakashi narrowed his eyes, and Gai frowned.
"Today just isn't your day, is it Asuma?" Kakashi asked. Asuma swallowed the lump in his throat as he took notice of Ino walking through the grounds of the forest.
Ino sighed as she leaned against a tree. She was getting a little tired from all this walking around looking for an opponent she could fight. Granted she also hoped or, dare she say, prayed that just six coins would fall out of everyone's pockets for her to collect. It not like she wasn't afraid of getting hurt or anything, but it was the principle of the matter. She figured she had a shot against some people and others she would just outright lose to. She really didn't want to face that Suna team. That red-haired guy just gave her the creeps. "If she were honest then she figured she had a shot against either Chouji or maybe Shikamaru if she could find them. Now Ino didn't wish to be a jerk, but she had to advance and become a chunin.
A snap of leaves sent a shiver down Ino's spine as her senses quickly heightened themselves to her surroundings. Taking out a kunai, Ino swallowed the lump in her throat. From the corner of her vision she took notice of Sakura entering the forest. "Fore…head?" Ino asked. Ino shivered as she watched Sakura stare at her. Her green eyes zoned in on her making Ino shiver. Sakura held up an arm and worked her wrist into small circles.
"Ino…give me the coin," Sakura said with a small glare. If Ino weren't so…scared(?) of this situation at the moment she would have gawked at the audacity that her once-upon-a-time friend had said to her. The those in the stadium watching Sakura's encounter with Ino laughed at the girl's sheer confidence in saying those words. If Inoichi were watching he would have probably been amused as well.
"Well…that is a method as well," Kakashi said with a sweatdrop while Asuma frowned and glared forward. "If I recall Ino and Sakura were pretty much equals in the academy. Though I know Ino has lost this one," Asuma said making the three jonin look at him. It was a surprise that Uzumaki Naruto had beaten Nara Shikamaru in an attempt of intellect, short it was nonetheless. Ever since that lose, Asuma had realized…his team was far behind Kakashi's team. Especially with one being trained by Kakashi, himself, Jiraiya of the Sannin, and councilman, Shimura Danzo. Kakashi rose an eyebrow while the others looked back at the screen. Even now some of the laughs didn't stop, but Kakashi closed his eye for a moment and then opened it again. Something was wrong here.
"Give you…my coin?" Ino asked. Sakura nodded without hesitation. Ino scoffed before she raised her kunai in front of her. "No way forehead! You think you're better than me? I have trained hard just like you! I was the one who befriended you when no one else would!" Ino shouted. Sakura closed her eyes and sighed. A small smile came across her face.
"Hai, you were one of my best friends Ino. Actually Ino, you still are. Over this month I had a lot of self-reflection done to me. I realized how stupid it was. Letting s crush break up one of the most meaningful friendships I ever had. That's why…I don't really want to hurt you Ino. Just…give me your coin. You can't beat me. One thing Danzo-sensei and Naruto-sensei taught me was that a ninja that toys with their opponents will be surprised when the opponent stabs them in the eye," Sakura said. Ino gritted her teeth and seethed. Was…was Sakura…mocking her?! Was she…belittling her? Was she…pitying her?!
"You want my coin Sakura? Then you'll have to pry it from me like a true kunoichi wou…," The ground shook. The earth beneath Ino's feet cracked. The trees rustled. Birds flew into the air. The sounds of something unidentified hit the air. The Tv screens caught the moment. Audience members who had initially been laughing fell silent. The sounds of a pocket of air exploding sharply into the air reigned in people's ears. That sound seemed to be playing over and over again. This sound, if anyone could guess, could only be attuned to a loud, explosive noise. The sharp blow of ringing air pockets in the wind could be heard by everyone.
In the executive room, Kisa, Daichi, Tsunami and Ayano couldn't hold back their surprise as they looked at the sight in front of them. Not even the Kage were exempt from some lack of surprise as everyone watched Sakura slowly withdraw her fist from Ino's gut and gently place her on the ground. Sakura's eyes could only be something akin to sadness and…regret. However the action was already done. Everyone watched Sakura pick at Ino's body before she found the coin and placed it in her pocket. Without another word, Sakura dashed away from everyone's view. People watched a chunin collect the unconscious Yamanaka heiress and take her out of the forest of death. No one in the stadium spoke. "Well it looks like the Hokage has many interesting shinobi this year. While I will admit that she finished off her first opponent very quickly she still showed a higher understanding and analysis than at first glance. Not only did she finish off her target quickly which is a must in the profession, but she also showed that she had to take her mission seriously. However her…pride might be an issue. Feeling that she is better than someone else might inflate her ego," came the voice of the Kazekage.
"Do not worry about such things Lord Kazekage. I have made sure to keep Haruno Sakura modest in all aspects of her training," the three Kage looked to the left and noticed councilman Danzo standing to the side with Shikaku next to him. Onoki and Danzo shared a look before the Kazekage looked forward once again. "I suppose though the only punch she threw truly had some force behind it. She might be ingenious after all. To channel wind release techniques so closely from her body and then release them upon impact is truly a sight," the Kazekage said with a small look.
"Well Sakura Haruno has trained for many hours this month with me. A shinobi is skilled in all areas, not just one. The same goes with learning techniques," Danzo replied. Don't mistake him. He wasn't about to give his student's abilities away, even if the Kage had asked. Information that could be used against the village wasn't about to pass through his lips. However Danzo couldn't help letting a small feel of pride as he watched Sakura continue off to her next destination.
From the trees, Sasuke landed with surprise as he took notice of the ringing sound in the forest. It was almost like a sound of a…bang of some sorts, but he couldn't quite place it. Like the beat of a drum maybe(?). In anyway case, he had to focus on his objective at hand. He was already late thanks to some last-minute fine-tuning with Kakashi. He had almost been eliminated from the competition and that would have made him furious. Still that wasn't the case as Sasuke might have figured, but right now he had to find himself an opponent. His head darted to his left of his location. He narrowed his eyes and offered a small smirk. With any luck on his side it was that Suna shinobi he was training to fight. Sasuke could use the challenge. "Guess I'll head that way," Sasuke said as he quickly jumped forward and into the distance.
With time, Sasuke looked down and heard someone give a loud grunt as their body fell to the ground in a heavy slump. Sasuke raised an eyebrow before glaring forward. "Don't try and deny your fated anymore. You were fated to lose at this stage. We cannot run from our fates," Sasuke heard the voice of Hyuuga Neji. On the floor panting had been Akimichi Chouji who Sasuke had gone to the academy with. The Akimichi heir looked to be in really bad shape. Just then Sasuke watched Neji take the coin from off Chouji's person and pocket it away. With a snort, Sasuke dropped to the ground. Neji wasn't even fully off the dirt ground before he glared forward.
"The same goes for you Uchiha. It doesn't matter what you do, but Fate has decreed me the winner and the Byakugan superior to the Sharingan. Nothing escapes the Byakugan," Neji said while Sasuke snorted. "I don't care about your views on fate or whatever you believe in. I'll show you and the rest of your clan why the sharingan is the most powerful dojutsu," Sasuke said making Neji sneer. Sasuke watched Neji go into his Jūken stance. Sasuke went into his own stance while a chunin moved the unconscious Akimichi heir from the battle field. Sasuke and Neji watched them take Chouji away before they glared back at each other. Kunai in hand, Sasuke quickly charged at Neji while Neji did the same. If they could listen they would hear the stadium roar with excitement over the prospect of the two rookies of their perspective years facing each other. Bets were flying around by the bundles.
In the meantime, Naruto had indeed heard the loud bang-ish sound that echoed through the forest. Stopping on a tree branch and sensing in the direction of the noise, Naruto had noticed only noticed an unconscious Ino before she was taken away by a chunin. Naruto could feel Sakura's residual chakra in that particular area and if one noticed his eyes then they would have seen them brighten for a brief period before they hardened as he turned to his left. He had been running across the treetops towards his destination for the last five minutes. Naruto saw the object of his desires. Now, time to do what he could do and then leave the rest to not only his target, but also to his companions.
Naruto swiftly performed a backflip as a kunai sailed across his face. Landing with a loud thud to the ground he looked forward as he noticed Fu glaring hard at him. "So you're my next victim? I won't waste time asking for your coins. I'll just beat you into submission before I take them!" Fu said while Naruto frowned. Awfully straightforward the jinchuuriki of Taki was. Naruto couldn't help finding some kind of resemblance to Kisa here. Like mother like daughter Naruto supposed. After all genetic traits of parents were usually passed down to offspring. It wasn't so unusual. Well, time to get started.
"Why do you fight?" Naruto asked with steel-focused eyes. Fu nearly faulted at the question before finding the time to maintain her composure. She didn't answer the question as she flung another kunai in Naruto's direction. Naruto whipped to the side and fled behind a tree. Fu growled as she hopped to one of the treetops for a better vantage point. As she landed on that tree branch Fu could only find surprise as a shadow peered over her. She looked up and gasped as she saw Naruto's heel coming over her. "How did he get here so fast?!" Fu thought to herself before she raised her arms just in time to block the heavy strike of his heel. Fu then watched Naruto twirl his body in such a maneuver that he managed to get his head near her midsection. Fu widened her eyes in surprise as brought his fist back for another strike. Fu quickly retaliated and with a quick burst of chakra pushed herself away from Naruto allowing the blond to land safely. Naruto stared at Fu and watched her frown at him.
"You're slippery I'll give you that," Fu said. Naruto didn't reply immediately as he looked at Fu for a moment. Fu felt a little unnerved by his gaze as she wondered what could possibly be going through Naruto's head. After a bit of time, Naruto stood to his feet. "You fight well yourself Fu-san," Naruto complimented. Fu didn't seem bother by his praise before she smirked. Her eyes then suddenly shifted. Taking a kunai in her hand, she dashed in Naruto's direction. Naruto quickly found the point of impact of her feet and outstretch his leg. Fu jumped over the sweeping foot before she looked down. Naruto swirled his entire body on the weight of his hand and sucked in his legs. Fu crossed her arms and blocked the dual-footed kick that propelled her into the air. With a graceful backflip to straighten herself Fu launched her kunai from her hand and three others followed suit. Naruto rolled across the ground dodging all four kunai as they stuck the tree bark. Jumping from a lone tree branch, Naruto hopped to the ground just in time to see Fu gliding through the air towards his position. Much to Fu's surprise she bashed him in the head with her own forehead. Fu would have felt elation from the act if Naruto hadn't vanished in a puff of earth and rubble. Fu snarled before her ears honed in on the sounds of shuriken gliding towards her. She jumped to avoid them just in time as they stuck in a branch.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Fu shouted as she landed on one branch. "It's foolish to give away your position just because you dodged an enemy's attack once or twice. Why do you fight Fu-san?" Naruto asked as Fu turned around. She gasped as her face collided with Naruto's fist. Naruto forced chakra through his fist as he sent Fu flying until she bashed her body into a largely built tree. Fu coughed and slid down as Naruto landed on a tree branch.
"I don't need to tell you the reasons of why I do things!" Fu shouted at him making Naruto stare impassively at her. However Naruto was suddenly on guard as Fu held swiftly sped through her handsigns. "Hijutsu: Rinpungakure no Jutsu( Secret: Hiding In Scale Powder Technique)," Fu shouted as she unleashed a large quantity of scaling powder from her mouth over the area. Naruto frowned as the powder obstructed his vision of Fu. Worse was that this type of jutsu's chakra was so bright that he couldn't even sense her in it all. With his vision obstructed, Naruto made the attempt to find his surroundings. First things first, Naruto closed his eyes. If it was too bright to see then he would get rid of the brightness.
With his vision obstructed, Naruto calmly made his attempt to move through the clouded brightness. Since he couldn't rely on sensing or seeing he had to go for other methods. He could hear the sailing of a kunai through the air and swiftly moved to counter it. As the kunai moved for his face, Naruto swirled his leg and caught the handle of the kunai before sending it back to the owner. He heard the branch of a tree snap in place. It seemed that Fu had moved from her place. "Why do you fight Fu-san? Why are you struggling right now?" Naruto asked. The forested area was eerily quiet. So…Naruto was starting to get to her. Even her silence gave away information that she probably didn't want to let out.
"It's none of your business!" Naruto heard a shout from her voice that practically threw itself from all directions. Naruto found himself instinctively ducking below a kick that was no doubt aimed to take his head off. Naruto imagined Fu having a look of surprise on her face, but he couldn't be on that for very long as he angled his center of gravity bringing him closer to the ground. With his angle his left hand crash into the dirt for leverage while he let out both his feet, His feet swept Fu off her own. With a quick strike, Naruto propelled his feet into Fu's chest sending her flying through overgrowth.
With a grunt, Naruto tried rubbing his eyes and slowly opened them. Things were blurry, but he could see the effects of the technique slowly beginning to dwindle down. It was at most a distraction technique only meant for short bursts. Naruto backflipped suddenly as Fu shot through the trees and flung several kunai and shuriken within succession of each other. Each shot stabbed the ground. "Do you fight for acknowledgement? family? yourself? everyone fights/lives/struggles for something," Naruto said as he continued to evade her strikes.
Fu cursed as she landed on the ground. She let out a punch in Naruto's direction. Her fist, much like her anger, was slowly beginning to explode in response to her feelings. She watched Naruto block her strike with his upper shoulder. Naruto then sent out a punch to her face, but she blocked that effortlessly. What truly irritated Fu was that his eyes were still closed. He still hadn't gotten over her technique which was good, but he had to be so well-trained to still fight under these conditions. Though every time he spoke he irritated her. It didn't matter what she fought for. She didn't fight for anything. She didn't even fight for herself! She fought for nothing! Fu rolled out of the way from another skillfully placed punch that Naruto let out. She huffed, but flipped away from her opponent. Naruto turned his head in her direction before going after her. "When one has nothing to fight for, nothing to live for, they are lower than the trash and dirt that litters the ground. Everything, everywhere, anywhere, has a purpose to fight for. Those who claim they have nothing merely don't know. If they truly had nothing then they would have no qualms with death!" Naruto said as he swirled his body. Fu gasped heavily as she felt the air escape her lungs. She quickly substituted herself with a log much to Naruto's surprise.
Behind a tree Fu huffed as she wiped the sweat from her brow. She watched Naruto open his eyes as he stared in her general vicinity. "F…Family? Acknowledgement? Myself? Fine, you want to know? I FIGHT TO SURVIVE! Only the strong survive! What would you know about having to survive? What would you know about having to endure? You want to know what makes me different from you? I WOULD HAVE NO ONE TO MOURN ME IF I DIED!" Fu growled. She was irritated, she was angry, she was pissed off and more than anything, she was livid!
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he watched Fu appear from the trees. He could already feel the small traces of bijuu chakra flowing through her chakra coils. Plus he could feel her KI. She was very…much against him at the moment. Good. That was what he needed. "Takigakure no Senpū( Takigakure Whirlwind)," Fu shouted as Naruto could feel the Fūton chakra coating her body. She extended her fist while Naruto tightened his own. He quickly coated his entire arm in Fūton chakra as well. Naruto watched Fu dive bomb him with an anger that he could only be attuned to someone who needed someone else. Someone who desperately wanted to be united with…someone, anyone. She wanted someone to cry for her, to give her a reason other than survival, to mourn her if she died. Naruto and Fu's fists collided and the expelled Fūton chakra exploded across the fields pulling up grass and a small number of trees. Naruto cursed as his legs buckled from the sheer pressure as the ground beneath his feet gave away. However Naruto didn't expect Fu to quickly swerve her body and knee him in the stomach. Naruto grimaced before he felt a punch to his face. Stumbling back, Naruto barely registered the handsigns that Fu had made.
"Fūton: Kyodaitoppa (Wind Release: Massive Breakthrough)," Fu shouted as she all but exhaled her breath in a vicious stream of wind that bashed into Naruto's form sending him flying before he crashed against a tree branch. Naruto slid to the ground as the fierce gust of wind continued to crash against him ripping one of the big trees from its roots. The blades of winds ripped at his clothes and his body before they sent him flying. Once the technique was done, Fu dropped to the ground and panted. Crap, she still had to retrieve that guy's coin.
Roughly the crowd was ecstatic. Kakashi's face didn't give away any surprise of this fight, but he still had to say that he was…amazed at the sight. Asuma and Kurenai were a little better to distinguish as they watched the jinchuuriki of Taki and Konoha do battle. In the other areas of the stadium platforms. Atsui frowned as he tapped his foot on the ground impatiently. "Come on Otouto!" Atsui said with a small glare. Amaru held Temujin's arm much to his surprise. Fugai looked to her left and noticed Inari slightly trembling. She narrowed her eyes before she patted his head making Inari look at her. Fugai, while not all used to it, gave him a reassuring smile. Inari slowly nodded. Ranke and Kamira glanced to each other, but they didn't say anything. Both could only hold their breath at the sight.
"I must say that I never imagined the Kyuubi jinchuuriki to be such an interesting individual. He'll make a force to be reckoned with in the future. Judging from the mark on his hand he has been partnered as well. I wonder who he partnered with," The Kazekage said making the Hokage narrow his eyes slightly, but he only gave a mirthful chuckle. "Who knows. Naruto-kun has always been a reserved individual that somehow had the knack for bringing people to him. We'll just have to see," Hiruzen said. Meanwhile the Tsuchikage was watching the fight rather intensely. The camera zoomed in on destruction that was taking place. People saw Fu grin to herself, but that grin slowly fell as everyone watched Naruto come out of the trees.
Fu trembled as she looked into Naruto's eyes as he dropped to the ground. "Why? Why?! WHY?! Why won't you die?!" Fu asked while Naruto took off his tattered jackets only leaving him in a black shirt which was covered by some mesh armor. His form slowly advanced on her. Fu felt her breath. She needed more. She needed more power. This wasn't enough. She…she would survive! She would prove everyone wrong. She wasn't going to die to some no-name genin! She wasn't going to die ever! She was going to live! She…WOULD SURVIVE! She was…afraid. If she lost her, she wouldn't survive Taki. She wouldn't survive anyone!
Fu suddenly shouted as Naruto felt the chakra surge from her body, red chakra that was. He watched it swallow her body. He frowned as he watched the ground beneath her feet shake and tear apart. The animals that were probably in the areas around them quickly flew or scurried away. "You reason for fighting is foolish Fu. Everyone dies at some point. No one is going to live for ever. Not you, not me, not anyone that resides in the stadium that is watching us fight. Fu, there is only one reason you need to live for," Naruto said. Fu snarled as she blasted towards his location. She cocked back a fist.
"Shut your damn mouth! You know nothing of what I have to fight for! I'm not going to die an animal! I'm not going to die being trampled by people who don't want me! I'm not going to die to you, to the Kage, and not to anyone else! I will survive! Because only when I survive will I understand my purpose!" Fu screamed as she unleashed her fist at Naruto's face. Naruto watched the incoming force of chakra upon his person. He sighed. Kisa, forgive him.
"Kyuubi, do I have your permission?" Naruto asked his prisoner. The Kyuubi opened a single eye before he snorted and growled out some form of approval and then went back to sleep. Naruto just nodded thankfully before he braced his body and raised his hand as he shocked Fu to her core as he caught her fist. The ground around them exploded from the mere impact as Fu, full of her bijuu's chakra, gasped. The crowd in the stadium gasped, the Exodus Metals' employers gasped, everyone gasped as they watched Naruto's own body coat itself in red, fiery chakra. "I understand the want to survive a lot Fu-san. I understand the want for a purpose. I understand what its like to have nothing to fight for. It is for that reason…that I will give you your purpose. I will take you to the people who will cry for you, fight for you, mourn for you, and who will help you survive," Naruto said much to Fu's surprise as Naruto held up a single handsign. Fu broke her revere as she tried to pull herself from Naruto's grip, but it was for not as Naruto spoke.
"Kai," Naruto said and the ground thundered in a mighty explosion that sent Fu flying through the trees. She quickly landed on a tree branch before she sucked in her legs. Someone else like her? Someone else who understood what she went through and yet…survived like this? Fu glanced up from her place on the tree and noticed the real Naruto overhead. His heel came from a standard heel drop attack, but Fu dashed to the side as his legs bashed into the tree. Fu hopped towards another tree only to see Naruto weaving rapidly through handsigns that she couldn't distinguish. "Suiton: Namihare( Water Release: Wave Rupture)," Naruto called out releasing a wave of water from his mouth. Fu watched the water travel towards her location in three separate spirals. Each danced in the air before moving for her location. As Fu turned to run, she noticed Naruto doing more handsigns.
"Raiton: Jibashi( Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder)," Naruto called out as he placed his hand into the streaming water. Fu quickly jumped away from the electrified water as it smashed into the tree at her feet. Kunai in hand, she threw it at the blond jinchuuriki. Naruto rolled to the side and threw a kunai of his own. The two metal weapons bounced off each other. Both jinchuuriki dashed for their weapons and swung furiously, yet graciously at each other. Fu made every attempt to injure Naruto as best she could, but Naruto parried every shot of hers and it infuriated her to the absolute limit. As they landed on the ground, Fu swung her leg in a roundhouse kick, but Naruto blocked it with his arm. He swung his body allowing the momentum to take over as he tried to kick at her chin, but Fu dodged it well. Fu growled while Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Don't make me laugh! No one would cry for me. No one is going to fight, mourn, or help me. I have never gotten help! I have never had anything that I couldn't take! The village elder didn't care about me. He pretended to be nice to me! His son left me. I. Don't. Need. Promises! No one in that crowd knows how I feel! I DON'T NEED SYMPATHY! I am no one's charity case!" Fu said as her kick landed against Naruto, but the blond had blocked it in time. Fu sent him into the air before she used her strength to jump up as well. Fu grabbed a hold of Naruto's leg while Naruto grabbed Fu's arm. The two stared at each other before they pushed against each other and landed.
Tsunami turned and watched sadly as Kisa continually rubbed her eyes. No doubt to make sure no one could see the small tears forming. For every kick, punch, or jutsu used, Kisa felt like Fate was perhaps mocking her for seeing this all. Her daughter fighting one of her best companions. Hearing Fu's shouting of her wants, desires, and insecurities, Kisa could only sigh. She could see Naruto fighting valiantly. Much to Tsunami's surprise, Kisa was smiling. She was somewhat happy. Kisa watched Naruto and Fu land to the ground. Fu seemed to quickly be short of breath while Naruto came to moderate breathing.
"Tell me you will get her to me. I...have never had reason to doubt your words before and I will not doubt them now. I will wait. I will do anything you want me to do. Just...please, by the time we all leave let her leave with me, in my arms," Kisa said and Naruto frowned. He took a deep sigh before slowly nodding. Naruto knew better than to give someone a hundred percent approval that they would get something done. It only hurts them that much more when you fail. Always keep it in the realm of possibility, even the possibility of failure.
"I will do what I can Kisa," Naruto explained. Kisa nodded quickly. Anyone else wouldn't have been satisfied with that answer, but Kisa wasn't just anyone else. She knew how Naruto thought and his words. This was one of the best promises that he would try to fulfill. Kisa just felt that way. She wasn't sure what Naruto was going to do, but she was sure that he was going to do something and that was good enough for her for right now.
"Thank you," Kisa said and Naruto just nodded.
Kisa looked back at the screen as Naruto and Fu stared at each other. Kisa took a deep breath before she balled her fists. "Bring her home Naruto. Bring my little wind home," Kisa begged quietly. Tsunami smiled as she patted Kisa on the shoulder. Kisa turned to Tsunami and slowly nodded. Tsunami nodded as well as they turned their attention back to the screen.
"Don't be foolish Fu-san. I am not going to offer you my sympathies. I'm not offering you my pity. The lives that you and I have are just two of the lives misfortune gives. We're not so special that we can determine where we're born. Life doesn't work that way, but life can be made better. On the promise that I made, I will make your life better!" Naruto called out as dashed in a fierce burst of speed at Fu's location. The red chakra aura around his person flared ferociously as he charged at her. Fu cocked her fist back as she dashed at him as well. Fu's roar resounded through the forest as her fist came flying like kunai through the air. "My life will never be better!" Fu shouted. The crowd widened their eyes, Fu widened her eyes, Kisa widened her eyes, and the Sandaime widened his eyes as the camera zoomed in on Naruto's face, specifically…the dead-set glare.
"Yes, it will because I…will take you home!" Naruto said as his fist bashed into Fu's. The compressed aura from the two jinchuuriki quickly fluctuated and spasmed as they connected. Leaves by the bundles blew off the trees. Fu snarled while Naruto suddenly…smiled. "Someone is waiting for you Fu-san. All you have to do…is wisely accept their hand," Naruto said as his fist and its power exploded past Fu's fist and slammed into her face. With a look that promised the future, Naruto gave one final burst and push of the Kyuubi's chakra through his coils as he used his power and his speed to slam Fu into one tree and break it. Though another and break it, another, then another, and another one after that. Finally through a set of trees, Naruto slammed Fu into one final tree. The chakra that exhaled from his fist expelled from her backside slowly knocking Fu to the ground. Fu groaned as she scrapped at the ground. She closed her eyes. She didn't survive. She would be casted away. Like garbage.
"The book, Faith in All Things, states "Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." If you need your purpose Fu-san, then I will give you your purpose," Naruto said as he leaned in close. He whispered into her ear as Fu drifted into unconsciousness. As the crowd waited for the smoke to clear everyone took notice of Naruto carrying Fu. He laid her down in the open before taking her coin.
It surprised everyone that Naruto then looked directly at the camera. He then gave a swift nod before vanishing. To almost everyone they didn't know why he did so, but Kisa did. She could feel that nod was meant for her. "Looks like you'd better get to the sick bay," Tsunami said quietly. Kisa turned to her with a wide eye before finally nodding. Standing to her feet, Kisa drew the attention of everyone in the room. "Tsunami, I'll leave things here to you for the time being," Kisa said before she marched out of the door without a word. Daichi and Ayano glanced to Tsunami who seemed a little pleased with herself as she watched a chunin calmly collect Fu and bring her to be treated.
"Something we should know about?" Daichi asked with a contemplative look. Tsunami turned to him for a brief moment before she looked back forward with a smile on her face. "The business venture is a fickle one Daichi-san. That is all," Tsunami said. Daichi raised an eyebrow while Ayano snickered to herself, but all three continued to watch the competition unfold.
-x-
Meanwhile in the sick bay area, Fu groaned as she opened her eyes. She peered at the ceiling and frowned. "I lost. Just fuckin' great. No doubt those bitchy elders are going to give me hell. I still have to make the trip back with my sensei too. Who knows if I'll even survive that trip," Fu said as she tried to lean up, but she couldn't. She could see her body covered in bandages. She groaned as she touched her cheek. Damn that guy hit hard. Yet…Fu couldn't stop her thoughts from drifting to him.
"Someone is waiting for you Fu-san. All you have to do…is wisely accept their hand," Fu looked at the bedsheets where she laid. Someone was waiting for her? Ridiculousness. Fu's head swiftly turned to the door as there came a knock on it. With a heavy sigh, Fu could just picture her sensei, but…her sensei never knocked when it came to her. So maybe this wasn't him. Fortunately, Fu didn't have to give a reply as the door handle opened. Fu blinked as she saw that woman, Kisa, come through the door and close it. One lame surprise after the other. "You look like shit," Kisa said forcing Fu to fault. The many times she had met the woman she had never known her to swear. Not that it really bothered Fu, just surprised her.
"Fighting for your life will do that. What do you want?" Fu asked getting to the crust of the issue. Kisa swallowed the lump in her throat before she moved towards the window. "You fought well. Though I don't think you'll be promoted to chunin. You let your emotions sway you too much. At least Taki wouldn't let you be a chunin," Kisa said which seemed to irritate Fu a lot more. So she shouted at least once, sue her. Not like she gave a damn about rank anyway.
"Good to know. Hope I increased your damn clientele with this village or with Taki, or whatever it is you care about," Fu said. Kisa didn't respond to the statement and only moved herself over to where Fu's dirty clothes were. She looked out into the window and smiled. Fu watched the green-haired woman for a moment before she turned to the wall. Kisa looked around the room before resting her eyes on Fu's necklace which was on a table. "Fu-san, do you really think I spent time with you, bought you food, and took time out of my busy schedule to see you merely because I wanted to thank you for increasing my 'clientele'?" Kisa asked making Fu snort.
"Everyone wants something. It's no surprise," Fu said with a fold of her arms. Kisa turned to look at Fu before she slowly picked up the necklace that was on the counter table. "Don't touch that!" Fu said making Kisa look at her daughter's eyes flaring in anger. Slowly catching herself. Fu looked away with a small curse.
"Is this important to you?" Kisa asked. Fu looked away before snarling. "It's just old sentiments. I told you before the village elder gave it to me to make me feel 'closer' to my parents. Good luck with that. It's just a cheap trinket," Fu said while Kisa chuckled. Fu turned to snap at Kisa, but watched as Kisa tied the necklace around Fu's neck. Fu's eyes never left Kisa's as the green-haired woman gently smiled.
"It…was a cheap trinket I admit. It only costed me about 2000 yen at the time," Kisa said and Fu shivered. Her eyes widened, but Kisa didn't give her a chance to speak. "But the old swindler got me good. Though I still think it's true. He had told me that it was from a monk in the Land of Wind. The winds swirled around the person who wore it. However there is another part. When both parts are united then the wind blesses them both because…they have found each other. The wind moves across the world and comes together someday. No matter how far apart it is. Just like…my little wind," Kisa said as she held up Fu's necklace, and reached into her own shirt. Fu saw her pull out an exact broken half to her necklace piece. Kisa placed the two together perfectly before sending a small smile at Fu. Fu was deadened to silence as she looked at Kisa.
"The…CEO of Exodus Metals, one of the richest businesses in the Elemental Nations and the Dragon of Taki…is…my…mom?" Fu asked swiftly making Kisa nod. The Dragon of Taki, how long had it been since she had truly been feared by her moniker?
It was silent for a few moments. Kisa couldn't imagine her daughter's face as Fu stared down blankly at the sheets. However, Kisa wasn't prepared for Fu to suddenly laugh. "If that's irony's way of fucking with me then its doing a very poor job. You really expect me to buy that?" Fu asked with a small glare towards Kisa.
"And why wouldn't you believe it? Do you honestly think I would say that just randomly to a girl I just met?" Kisa asked. Fu snorted as she, painfully, folded her arms.
"Hell if I know. No way would you be my mom. Taki told me my parents died when I was born. Heh, I was lucky enough to get that much. Most told me that a 'monster like me' didn't deserve parents. I trust me I got it all ranging from a whore of a mother to a scumbag of a father. I might not be as smart as some other people, but I'm not dumb," Fu said with a shake of her head. Kisa didn't say anything and just looked at Fu for a moment. Thanks to her years of experience she could tell that she had made Fu uneasy. Her daughter's breathing was heavy, unfocused, and clumsy. It seemed liked she was doing all she could just to calm herself.
"You might think I'm dumb, but I know why you would say that! You, a very powerful businesswoman, would naturally want a jinchuuriki all to herself; to fight off her company's enemies. You really think that just because you and I have the same hair color, same eyes, same skin tone, and same necklace piece that we're related?!" Fu suddenly shouted. Kisa blinked as she rubbed the back of her head.
"Well there are those birth certificates I managed to get as well, though that wasn't easy. You definitely have our mouth for swearing," Kisa said with a small smile and a quick nod. To be truthful, she really wanted to be more anxious than this, but she couldn't afford to be so distraught that she couldn't give Fu the impression that she might have been right in her assumptions of Kisa not being her mother. Plus for Kisa, the humor helped…somewhat.
Slowly Kisa found the chillness in the room to be suffocating. She glanced back to her daughter and noticed her looking at the bed. Her knuckles were straining so hard that Kisa could almost see the veins in them. She could also feel Fu's anger rising. Judging by the intent in the room, Kisa didn't move, but she groaned and lurched forward as Fu slammed her fist into her mother's stomach. Kisa grimaced. Her daughter really did have a damn strong punch. Kisa took a deep breath to calm herself. That…really did hurt.
"You think this is all a man joke?! You have some fuckin' nerve! Why?! WHY?! Why are you here now? Why did you and Tou-san leave me?! Why didn't you take me with you? Do you have any fuckin' idea of what I went through in that damn village? I grew up with no friends, no family members, everyone hating me and cursing at me, I had to scrape by for food, and I live in a rundown shack in the woods. I thought that everyone hated me because I did something wrong. I got stepped on, beaten up, and assaulted too many times to count, but I survived it all because I thought that if I did then I would probably show that dumbasses that I could be good, but it never worked! So I trained and fought and fought and fought some more! Now I'm here at these damn Chunin exams meeting my supposed mom after all these years. And now I…I…," Fu twitched when she saw the wet spots in her sheets and cursed.
"Just great. Now I'm crying when I spent so damn long not crying in front of anyone! I should be so damn mad at you that I don't even want to your face in front of me anymore. Kami, I don't know how to feel anymore!" Fu said while Kisa frowned. With a small sigh she sat on the bed. "Fu, how old are you? I think you'd be around Naruto's age now," Kisa said while Fu rubbed her eyes.
"Fuckin' thirteen years old," Fu said making Kisa nod. God damn, she missed twelve of her daughter's birthdays. Kisa slowly nodded as she closed her eyes. "I won't say sorry because no amount of sorries from me will undo the damage I have done to you. The only thing I can do for you now is give you the person who will cry for you, mourn for you, and help you survive. You're not going back to Taki," Kisa said while Fu glanced up at her. She had heard all that sappy crap?
"You're coming back with me, to Exodus Metals and to the family that I want you to have. I'm not going to be expecting you to call me Kaa-san or anything like that, but I am still your mother and you are still my little wind," Kisa said making Fu speechless. Fu looked at the sheets with a look that Kisa couldn't explain. Why couldn't you get me? Why couldn't I have been there now? Why did you leave me?" Fu asked making Kisa sigh.
"The Nanabi jinchuuriki. When it attacked Taki I was one of the shinobi sent to help in the containing of it. You were born just a couple of weeks after the last host died. The fight was very…intense and draining. Most of the village was destroyed and so was the surrounding landscape, but we managed to contain it until we could find a new jinchuuriki. Seeing it now I guess I should have questioned everything. Our house was destroyed, burnt to the ground even. My superiors told me that…no one survived. It was where I left you. I was…devastated. I failed mission after mission just thinking about you. Many people told me it was alright, but I couldn't take it and I left. Only now I see why they told me you died. You were the only newborn in Taki at the time," Kisa said which made Fu look out the window.
"I'm guessing you paid that Naruto guy to say all that stuff to me?" Fu asked which only served to surprise her when her mother bursted out laughing. Fu's cheeks puffed out in annoyance. "Nope, all of that was him. Our president likes to say things like that," Kisa said as Fu gave pause.
"President?!" Fu asked making Kisa nod. Fu slumped in her bed. A thirteen-year old was running one of the most powerful companies in the Elemental Nations. It was then that Fu remembered Naruto's words to her. She sent a look to her mouth who was calmly laughing at her before she blinked.
""The book, Faith in All Things, states "Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." If you need your purpose Fu-san, then I will give you your purpose," Naruto said as he leaned in close. He whispered into her ear as Fu drifted into unconsciousness. "You will leave this village…in the arms of the one who cares for you enough to watch Taki burn," Naruto said to her.
Kisa tilted her head as she watched Fu looking at her. The silence was deafening for them both before Fu took a deep breath. "I don't expect us to…be all family-giddy right off the bat, but…it's either forgive you or go back to Taki. I…think I'll stick with the former," Fu said before she noticed her mother holding out her arms. Fu blinked while Kisa frowned.
"Oh, were we not going to hug? This is usually the part in the sappy drama fanfiction that the mother and daughter duo hug it out, cry, and…say something cheesy. We not doing that?" Kisa asked. Fu couldn't resist the small upward grin on her face.
"If you like…cheesy stuff like that," Fu replied before, with all the might her injured body could muster, she moved the covers and fell into Kisa's embrace. Kisa smiled as she wrapped her arms around Fu. Fu didn't see a tear fall from Kisa's face just as Kisa didn't see two fall from Fu's face. Both stayed in that embrace before Kisa spoke.
"Welcome home, my little wind," Kisa said as Fu just sighed and rested her head to her mother's chest. One cheesy line deserves another. "I'm home…mom," Fu said making Kisa nod heavily. With a small smile, Kisa connected the two necklaces once again and made sure they stayed that way.
-x-
With the battle between the Taki's jinchuuriki and Konoha's jinchuuriki concluded, people specifically Maito Gai could take his eyes off the stunning sight in front of him. Hell even Kakashi was surprised at the sight of what he was seeing. "Please Sakura-san, I don't want to fight you. No one can beat me in taijutsu. I don't want to hurt you!" Lee said as backflipped away as Sakura's heel slammed into the ground on one of the Tv screens. Kakashi felt a bead of sweat drop down his face at the small crater Sakura just formed. "When was Sakura…capable of this?" Kakashi thought to himself.
In more ways than one, Lee was thinking the same thing as Sakura slowly withdrew her foot and turned to glare at Lee. "Underestimation is a shinobi's death, Lee-san. I would suggest that you take me seriously," Sakura said with a look that Lee felt Sakura couldn't even be forced to give. It was no one's imagination that Lee had a crush over the pink-haired kunoichi and Sakura was aware of it herself, but forgive her if that wasn't her prerogative at the moment. Right now, Lee was an enemy and he would remain as such until these exams were over. Sakura quickly flung a kunai at Lee that the young taijutsu genin quickly blocked.
Lee backflipped through the air before landing down only to gaze up in surprise of Sakura right in front of him. Her foot extended, she planted it at Lee's temple before sending him crashing through the forest grounds. Sakura flipped over some of her hair before she continued moving forward. She would have to be wary moving forward as well.
"Hmmm that girl," Ayano said with a small grin that Daichi and Tsunami frowned at. Tsunami hadn't been in this business for very long, but she could already feel an off-putting vibe from the woman that just sent a small shiver down her spine. Please hurry back here Kisa. Until a good time, this atmosphere was not going to be Tsunami's strong suit.
Lee cursed as his ears stopped ringing just in time to see Sakura burst out of the trees. She brought her leg up against for another kick, but Lee firmly blocked it with his own. Sakura raised an eyebrow while Lee bore his eyes at her. The sympathetic look in his eyes gone. "I see Sakura-san. Your eyes, they are the eyes of someone who wishes to prove themselves to the genius-type. We are much the same," Lee said and with his added weight forced Sakura to flip away. She looked at him and despite her…new outlook, she had to force a sweatdrop when she saw Lee bow to her.
"Forgive me for my insult of your dreams! I, Rock Lee, Konoha's green beast shall fight you with the burning flames of youth! YOSH!" Lee shouted while Sakura twitched. Logically, could eyes really catch on fire like that? With a shake of her head, Sakura quickly took a deep breath. Alright, the hesitation was out of the way. Now she was getting somewhere.
As Hiruzen watched Sakura slip into her taijutsu stance, he raised an eyebrow. "So Danzo has truly found someone that he was willing to pass down even his created taijutsu style. Haruno Sakura, you have grown into a splendid kunoichi," Sarutobi thought as he continued to look at the screen. The Kazekage and Tsuchikage narrowed their eyes at the screens.
Sakura and Lee blasted at each other. A loud, banging sound ran in the forest as Sakura's leg collided with Lee's. Sakura frowned while Lee grinned. Quickly Sakura swirled her body carrying her momentum as she sent her other foot for Lee's chin. Lee quickly ducked down and attempted a leg sweep, but Sakura saw it coming easily. Sucking in her legs, she jumped over Lee's attack only to realize her error when she noticed Lee spin on his hands. Lee sucked in his legs forcing Sakura to covered her body as best she could before the shattering blow of Lee's powerful legs collided with her body sending her further into the air. Sakura sucked her teeth as she held up a handsign. "Doton: Chūsei Yokubō no Jutsu (Earth Release: Ageless Desire Technique)," Sakura said before spewing a stream of mud from her mouth. Lee jumped back from the assault before he noticed Sakura form a completely different set of handsigns.
"Katon: Gōkakyu no Jutsu," Sakura shouted releasing another stream of fire from her mouth. The fire quickly trailed through the mud igniting it much to Lee's surprise as the mud splashed to the ground sending a wave of fire over the land. Lee quickly stood on the side of a tree. "What? Mud doesn't burn, at least I'm sure it doesn't. Sakura-san's youth truly does burn bright," Lee said with a small grin while Sakura landed on the tree opposite from Lee.
"YOSH! Sakura-san, you must tell me how you came up with such an amazing technique. It shouldn't be possible should it?" Lee asked making Sakura flip her slightly. "I can't do that Lee-san. We have thousands of spectators watching. For Konoha, I will keep my secrets until we have a chance to discuss it in further detail," Sakura finished making Lee groan sadly, but he understood her perfectly.
Seeing the burning mud on the ground, Lee frowned. He felt something rather…ominous about it. However his answers were justified as he noticed Sakura roll back her fist. "Fūton: Shinkū Renpa (Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves)," Sakura said before she fired a whirl of wind from her mouth into several sharp blades that sought to collide with the fire on the ground. Lee widened his eyes as he noticed Sakura released her left fist. Suddenly the wind picked up before it was covered in fire and sent launching at Lee's location. Lee watched the incoming attack in surprise.
"E…Even wind release? Sakura-san, what did you do over the month?" Lee asked in surprise before he took note of the flaming wind blades coming for him. Lee quickly raced up the tree he was standing on as he watched the blades slice the trunk in half before slowing sending the tree crashing down to the ground. Lee was forced to jump from the tree and into the air. However he looked back and the sight behind him made him shiver along with Gai, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma as Lee's eyes stared into the miraculously emerald eyes of Sakura Haruno behind him. "Ninpō: Hosokushi( Death Entrapment)," Sakura said before her hair suddenly grew. It grew and grew before it wrapped around Lee's body covering from head to toe. Lee would have savored the feeling if he didn't feel Sakura's arms wrap around his body. Lee's eyes widened in horror.
"Omote Renge (Front Lotus)," Sakura shouted as she and Lee quickly spun downward in a very pink spin drill. Lee looked down and noticed the flaming ground below him. That's what she was aiming for, but the look of confusion was apparent on Lee's face. Hell, it was even apparent on Gai's face. HELL, it was apparent on Kakashi's face! Sakura held to Lee tightly as the two slammed into the burning ground releasing a massive burst of fire, dust and earth. The camera shook while people looked on in surprise.
"That was…the opening of the first of the eight gates, the Front Lotus. How could Sakura-san have learned such a technique?" Asuma asked before they saw Gai grab Kakashi's collar. "Kakashi, what kind of training did you put that girl through to allow her to use that skill? I poured hours upon hours of years of training into Lee to even open the second or third ones. Why can Sakura-san open it after only a month?!" Gai asked rather angrily. Kakashi would have liked to answer that, if he could give an answer, but he couldn't.
Luckily for Kakashi, the answer came. "I taught the technique to Haruno Sakura," the voice said making the jonin turn to see Danzo looking at them. "C-Councilman Danzo-sama, you taught the first gate to Sakura-san? That could kill her," Gai said making Danzo smile slightly.
"Who said it hasn't? I have more of a qualification to teach her the eight gates than you do for your student, Jonin Maito Gai. Do not fret for the girl. She has more than enough potential in using this power," Danzo said looking at the screen. Gai tightened his fists. It was surreal, seeing Konoha's Most Beautiful Green Beast so angry. He took a deep breath and then looked at the ground.
"How many? How many did you put into her to have her almost kill herself?" Gai asked lowly making Danzo send him a small look. He then looked back at the screen. Kakashi couldn't help, but noticed the look of sheer pride in Danzo's visible eye. It didn't seem like an expression that the man was capable of wearing. "Now why would I reveal that?" Danzo asked making Gai shiver as he looked back at the screen.
The smoke dissipated showing Lee panting heavy. The tears to his green uniform were easily apparent. He panted and huffed as he noticed Sakura walk out of the cloud of dust. "How? How can you know that technique Sakura-san?! That technique is dangerous!" Lee said making Sakura tilt her head to the side.
"Every shinobi technique learned and made is dangerous Lee-san. From the E-rank jutsu to the S-rank jutsu. As for how I know, let's just say that the body is an interesting subject," Sakura said making Lee frown. His fists clawed at the dirt before he glared at the camera with an angry expression.
Gai could see Lee's look and sighed. Gai really didn't want to see Lee do that. Especially not to a Konoha ally, but from Sakura's use of the first gate, it was obvious that she was treating this seriously. Anything less was a large, unforgivable insult. "Go ahead Lee. Take 'em off! I allow it!" Gai said.
Somehow, someway, through the power of whatever governed the universe, Lee gave a grin before he turned to Sakura. He sat on the ground. Sakura watched reveal his weights before he slowly unstrapped them. Sakura then watched him place them on the ground. Now this wouldn't have intrigued her, if she didn't see the small crater right there. "Ahh that feels good. Now I can move freely!" Lee said making Sakura raise an eyebrow. However she didn't have to figure out what he meant for very long as her head snapped to the side from the shockwave of a punch from Lee at her side. Dear Kami, the speed just increased like ten-fold!
Sakura skidded across the ground in surprise before she jerked her head up. Only her instincts saved her as she quickly ducked her head underneath Lee's foot that probably sought to incapacitate her. Sakura glanced back up, but noticed Lee was already gone from her periphery. Cursing herself, Sakura swiftly charged her fist with chakra and slammed the ground bringing up dust. Sakura looked around as best she could, but she cursed against as Lee's fist connected with her face forcing her out of the dust and into a tree. Sakura felt the air escape her lungs before she noticed Lee coming straight for her. "You can't beat my speed Sakura-san. I am the fastest genin in the Five elemental nations," Lee boasted as he held out his leg.
"Dynamic Entry," Lee hollered as Sakura blocked her body, but it was futile as Lee slammed his leg into her forcing her body to break the tree trunk behind her before sending her crashing through the groves.
"It's over. Sakura-san has greatly improved, but I doubt she has the capabilities to stand before Lee. Her flames of youth were truly magnificent!" Gai said, the tears flowing down his eyes. However Kakashi eyed Danzo angrily. There was something Kakashi was missing here. He just knew it. Sakura was waiting for something to happen. Something was wrong with this situation. The reason Kakashi could tell, was because Danzo Shimura…never smiled.
Sakura rolled along the dirt and wiped her chin. Damn, her vision was a little hazy. "I guess that's what I get for taunting him with my own Front Lotus. Still Lee-san, you're amazing. If I was my old self I would have lost outright, but I have changed. Naruto-sensei and Danzo-sensei helped me. I could never trample on their expectations," Sakura said before her eyes shifted up to one of the trees. Far past the person with the camera, she stared hazily as Naruto watched her, his fingers intertwined. He gave her a small look which Sakura returned. Sakura shook her head and sighed.
"Yeah I am Sakura Haruno, student of Naruto Uzumaki and Danzo Shimura," Sakura said as she tightened her gloves. She then quickly stood to her feet and looked up at the sky. "This is the end Sakura-san!" Lee shouted as he appeared from behind the trees. With a large shout, Lee released the pent up energy he had inside his fist as he launched it in Sakura's direction. Sakura watched the incoming object before she held out her hand. Lee widened his eyes as Sakura caught his feet and turned to look at him.
"I guess I should fight freely too. My sensei is watching Lee-san. Sorry, but I'm not going to lose to you here," Sakura said as Lee noticed the seals that covered Sakura's body. The light flared in his eyes forcing him to close them, however this was only for a moment as they vanished. Suddenly and swiftly, Lee lurched forward and coughed as Sakura's buried her fist in his stomach. With a sharp turn, Sakura then slammed her fist into his face sending Lee flying back in the direction that he had came.
Lee backflipped in the air before he landed down and rubbed his jaw. He looked into the overgrowth and noticed Sakura come out of the forest, her body vibrating with chakra that swirled around her form. "Gravity seals…released," Sakura said as Lee widened his eyes. Lee quickly stood to his feet and with his experience, he released his fist which collided with Sakura's own fist. The two Konoha shinobi stared at each other before Sakura vanished. Lee was stunned. "This speed. Sakura-san's speed, it's…," Lee didn't have the time to finish his thought as Sakura appeared above him, her heel overhead. Lee backflipped away once again as Sakura's foot slammed into the ground initiating a loud, heavy crash. Lee vanished in a burst of speed to the top of a tree. He picked out two kunai and flung them at Sakura. Sakura watched the incoming projectiles before smirking and jumping at them both. With a twist of her body, Sakura grabbed the handle of the first one and then the second one. Swiftly she flung them back at Lee, but to her surprise he was already gone.
"Konoha Senpū," Lee shouted as Sakura covered her body from the kick that nearly made her entire being shake. Sakura collided with the ground setting up another crash before she jumped back. She swiftly went through her handsigns. "Katon: Hōkakyu no Jutsu," Sakura shouted as she fired a massive orb of fire at Lee's general area. Lee frowned upon seeing the jutsu before he blurred out of sight. Sakura smirked before she closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and then proceeded the place her hands in the fire.
"Shimura Ichizoku Hiden: Tsumi no Honō( Shimura Clan Sacred Technique: Sins of the Eternal Flames) Stage 1," Sakura said as she withdrew her hands showing the red, hot fire encasing her fists and her feet. Sakura turned to Lee who was in surprise before she vanished out of sight.
"What's the point to this?! How am I supposed to do this without ninjutsu or genjutsu?!" Sakura hollered with a huff. Danzo looked down on her from the place he was watching. Sai stood next to the Root Anbu leader looking down on Naruto's teammate with his fake smile. Misa merely remained emotionless as she could. Sakura staggered to her feet while Danzo spoke.
"These are lessons that you will learn the meaning to yourself. If you are to be a true kunoichi then you must show a higher level of thinking if you are to survive my training. I will make it frank Haruno. I do not see much worth with you," Danzo said. Sakura widened her eyes to the very blunt insult. She was ready to talk back before she watched Danzo pull out a scroll.
"Your training within this academy has been abysmal to say the least and your only strength seems to be your analytical skills which compared to that of a Nara are average at best. Compared to your two teammates you have nothing," Danzo spoke the truth that he felt in his heart. Sakura snarled before she swung her fist and buried it into the wall leaving a small indent in said wall.
"I'm not like that anymore!" Sakura protested.
Lee gasped as he looked up and noticed Sakura overhead. Sakura withdrew her fist back before releasing it. Lee ducked underneath it, but not without grunting as Sakura's flaming leg slammed him in the ribcage. Lee grabbed her leg forcing Sakura to curse before he planted his foot into her chest bashing her into one of the tree trunks. Sakura snarled as she picked herself up and went back into the fight.
Lee landed down before he saw Sakura on the ground with him. Her eyes burning with the fiery he had never seen in a kunoichi. Somehow the flames that covered her hands and feet responded to her chakra as they slowly crept up her arms and legs like a coat to be worn.
"What do you have to offer your team?" Danzo asked and Sakura trembled in anger, fear, and frustration. What did she have? She wasn't sure what she had. As far as Sakura had remembered, the only thing she did of worthy note from Naruto was when she had fought off the three Oto nin and stood her ground to Sasuke. Other than that…did she really have anything? That something that truly defined who Sakura Haruno was?
"I have nothing. Nothing makes me different from Sasuke or Naruto-kun. All three of us have speed and we're physically strong, but I don't have anything that…sets me apart," Sakura answered honestly. She didn't know what they wanted from her, but she just gave her answer.
Sakura grabbed Lee's head and bashed his skull into her kneecap making Lee grunt in pain as he stumbled back. Sakura released one of her fists before Lee did the same. The two bashed against each other before they jumped back. The pain of her fire on her hands wasn't lost to Sakura as she glared back at Lee. Lee stared at Sakura with the same competitive spirit as he wiped the blood from his nose. Suddenly, with as much speed as he could muster, Lee quickly appeared in front of Sakura. Sakura gasped and moved to block, but Lee was too fast he kicked her chin forcing her into the air. Lee kicked her higher and higher. As a man, this hurt his spirit, but as a shinobi of Konoha he was thrilled. Once they were high enough, Lee quickly wrapped his bandages around Sakura's frame. "Shit," Sakura thought to herself as Lee quickly began to spin them both barreling for the ground.
"OMOTE RENGE," Lee shouted as Sakura could see the ground coming closer and closer. She snarled as she closed her eyes.
Sai and Misa watched the display slightly interested while Danzo banged his staff into the floor making a ringing sound vibrate through the walls of the training room. "That's right, as you are now you are only the normal person of the team. When this training is over, we will discover what the person named 'Sakura Haruno' is all about," Danzo spoke. Sakura widened her eyes before shooting up her head.
The use of the Front Lotus forced the ground to shake resulting in another explosion that rocked its core down. Gai, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai could hardly speak and the same could be said for the Exodus Metals entourage. Tsunami couldn't believe her eyes. Was this that same sweet young woman she had met those times ago?
The Hokage, Tsuchikage, Raikage and Kazekage watched the fight and the others as best they could and it was truly an amazing sight to see. Orochimaru couldn't even help but lick his lips at the sight of Sakura. Such raw, untapped potential just waiting to be focus. Dare he say he probably had as much interest in this recent development as he did for Sasuke and Naruto. He was even more surprised as Sakura leapt out of the dust and the explosion with a stagger.
Sakura fell to her knee and panted heavily. She looked to see Lee's legs twitching. The two stared at each other as Sakura heaved and panted. She clutched her right hand. She then proceeded to chuckle. Who knew…fighting could be so much fun?
"Now then, Sakura Haruno. Do not disobey my orders. I said, AGAIN!" Danzo's voice rose yet maintained that air of composure and formality. Sakura snarled before she trudged back into the arena. She didn't know what she had to offer the team just yet. She only hoped that she discovered it soon and if Danzo could make it happen, if he could make Sakura find out herself, if she could make herself better to surprise Naruto, then let her get punched, kicked, and injured. It…was all worth it. Shouting, Sakura charged the group of unknown Root anbu.
"Understood Danzo-sensei!" Sakura as she held back her right hand. Lee dashed at her while she did the same. The ground beneath their feet tore apart from their feet before they slammed once more! With a shout, they both cried. "Dynamic Entry," Lee shouted while Sakura sent her fist forward.
"Naruto-kun," Naruto looked up and he noticed Sakura twirling around her food across her plate.
"Do you...think I could really become a chunin?" Sakura asked and Naruto looked down. "I believe you are capable of so much more than the Chunin rank Sakura. Never let your doubt stop you from trying. If you give up without trying then you will be nothing, but the ones who try will have the satisfaction of knowing that they tried. You have that potential," Naruto said and Sakura looked at him. The thing she noticed was the best thing she could ever hope to have. A true Naruto smile.
"Shimura Ichizoku Hiden: Hibana no Mai (Shimura Clan Sacred Technique: Dance of the Fire Blossoms)," Sakura shouted as her fist connected with Lee's kick. The camerawoman was forced to cover her eyes as the light flared over the area. The people in the stands covered their eyes as the large explosions erupted over the area. Danzo firmly nodded. "This is what sets you apart, Sakura Haruno," Danzo thought to himself as he noticed the fire flakes fall like cherry blossoms in the wind as Sakura's fist blew past Lee's foot and into his stomach sending him flying through a tree and crashing heavily into the undergrowth. As the light faded, Sakura widened her eyes as she floated in the air. With grace, she landed down to the ground. The flames that covered her fists and her legs dissipated as she panted. She lurched forward, but was surprised to see she landed on someone's backside. She looked up and noticed a sea of blonde hair.
"Naruto-sensei," Sakura said making Naruto turn around. "Excellent work Sakura. I couldn't be more proud of you than I am right now," Naruto said while Sakura chuckled.
"So…do I have to fight you now?" Sakura asked making Naruto snort. "It would be a short one considering one punch would dispel me, but when I do. you will understand the depths of my pride in you," Naruto said as he quickly rested Sakura against a tree. The clone disappeared for a moment before it returned. Sakura hazily watched him bring over the unconscious and battered Lee. Naruto then returned to her and placed something at her side. Sakura looked over and noticed the small coin for the exams.
"You've earned it well," Naruto said as he patted her head. Sakura smiled brightly before Naruto poofed out leaving Sakura alone. Just as she was about to go to sleep for a few moments, Sakura noticed an Anbu take Lee away. Her hands moved over the coin before she noticed drops of water fall to her gloves. She closed her eyes and smiled. "I…I'm not longer the weak link," Sakura said as she fell asleep.
Meanwhile, far off, Naruto stopped at one of the tree branches he was running on. He turned back to the area and smiled. "Well done Sakura. You're reward has been justified," Naruto said with a nod before he rushed off.
Gai fell to his chair in amazement just in time to see Tenten carried away by an Anbu for losing to Kurotsuchi. However despite everything Gai couldn't wipe the tears from his eyes of the smile from his face. Their youth was shining brightly and for him, that was all that mattered. The same could…more or less, be said for Danzo as well. He looked at Sakura resting before he turned around and walked up the stairs satisfied with the current results of what had happened.
"A truly amazing young woman," Daichi said making Ayano nodded furiously. Tsunami just smiled while Zabuza sported a grin of his own.
At this time other matches continued. Atsui and the other Exodus Metals workers sweatdropped when they saw Haku, Ryuzetsu and Sai come into the stands. "And who the hell did you guys lose to?" Kamira asked making Ryuzetsu shrug her shoulders. "It wasn't so much as lost, as much as it was we don't give a shit about ranks in this village so we gave up. We came here to do what we needed. Might as well watch," Ryuzetsu said making Ranke snicker and Kamira sigh. Fugai just shook her head while Amaru and Temujin smiled. Ryuzetsu and Haku took their seats while Sai bowed and went to go report to Danzo about the state of affairs.
Back at the screens people turned just in time to notice dust settle. As the dust settled some people got an…odd feeling. Dark, purple chakra swirled around in the air. Sarutobi narrowed his eyes while the Kazekage looked positively marveled. The Tsuchikage and the Raikage frowned from their seats.
In the comfort room, Kara Suba grinned viciously as she watched the sight in front of her with extreme interest. Such a power. Such a power called out to her from the very depths of her soul. Like a pleasurable elixir it healed her senses and stimulated her areas like nothing else could.
As the dust settled, everyone noticed Uchiha Sasuke stand before Hyuuga Neji, battered, bruised, and angry. His sharingan flared wildly while the Hyuuga genius widened his eyes. His byakugan was active as well. It was no doubt in some people's mind that the Byakugan vs Sharingan debate would try to be settled here, but some couldn't even speak as Sasuke seemed to chuckle maliciously. "No wonder the Hyuuga are inferior to the Uchiha. Trying to attack indirectly instead of directly on my body. You fear my chakra and what I can do with it that much? I see, well its no surprise that you're clan would love those hands, arms and eyes of yours. They're your future. You think your pathetic byakugan could ever stand up to the sharingan? You and I aren't even the same class!" Sasuke shouted as he took a breath of air and formed a handsign.
"This can't be possible. I closed off all of his tenketsu. He should be able to stand, let alone perform a jutsu. What's that chakra emanating from his body?" Neji thought to himself as Sasuke cackled. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu," Sasuke called out sending five small fire shots at Neji's direction. Cursing, Neji swiftly spun himself.
"Hakkeshō Kaiten( Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven)," Neji cried out spinning as blue chakra spun around him perfectly blocking the fire shots as they came. As Neji stopped he turned forward to face Sasuke, but noticed that the Uchiha was gone. With his byakugan and it's nigh perfect radius of sight, he widened his eyes when he saw Sasuke behind him. Sasuke grinned as Neji tried to let out a palm strike, but he was surprised to see Sasuke grab his arm. Sasuke swung it around until he planted his foot into Neji's back. Neji snarled while Sasuke chuckled.
"It's my fate to lose to you? Don't be ridiculous. An Uchiha would never bow before a Hyuuga. Say the Hyuuga are inferior to the Uchiha. Say it or I'll break your precious arms!" Sasuke said with a grin while Neji snarled. He grunted as he could feel the bones slowly beginning to snap out of place. The crowd watched dare some say horrified. Hiashi frowned before he placed his hand over Hanabi's eyes and closed his eyes tightly. Gai balled his fists while Kakashi stuffed his hands in his pockets, very much unhappy with the situation.
"Fuck you Uchiha. The Uchiha are nothing before the Hyuuga and the Byakugan. Hehe, that's why you were all exterminated by one single man. You were weak enough that it only took one person to kill you," Neji said while Sasuke remained silent. He then chuckled darkly as he snapped Neji's arms forcing a loud scream from the once proud Hyuuga. Tenten and Lee gasped from their hospital beds at the sight while Sasuke cackled.
"WELL WHO'S WEAK NOW?!" Sasuke snapped as he quickly and expertly dislocated Neji's shoulders. Neji's screams reverberated through the forest before Sasuke let him go. Neji rolled over to the ground while Sasuke searched Neji's clothing and pulled out the coin. "I will revive the Uchiha clan and kill all who stand in my way. But you were right about one thing Hyuuga. Fate is only for the strong. Now I will claim my reward…your pain!" Sasuke said before he slowly took out a kunai. Neji widened his eyes as did Hiashi. Sarutobi cursed before he waved his hand discreetly for Sasuke and Neji to be removed.
However it was for naught as Sasuke forcefully opened Neji's eyes and, in one swift stroke, stabbed the once proud Hyuuga in his eyes forcing another pain filled scream from Neji's voice. In the stands people looked away in surprise and shock of the Last Uchiha. Kara, in the room, gasped as she took a step back. Her heart was pounding and pumping. She chuckled as she looked outward with a maddening grin.
"Well hellooooo my partner," Kara said with a grin as she licked her lips. Sasuke swiftly yanked his kunai from Neji's eye sockets before walking away, the scream of Neji's his pleasure as he disappeared into the forest. A couple of chunin dropped to the ground and collected the screaming Hyuuga before taking him to intensive care. Next on Sasuke's list…was a certain sand-wielding shinobi who dared ignore him a month ago!
Gai snarled in his seat as he shot up and walked off before anyone could stop him. He didn't give Kakashi a passing glance as he left. Kakashi looked down at the ground while Kurenai and Asuma remained silent. "The backlash from the Hyuuga might really do him in this time. Pricks, they are, but not even they would take kindly to such an act. Sasuke just robbed Neji of whatever chance he had as a shinobi and as a Hyuuga. Hiashi won't take this lying down," Asuma said with a frown which Kurenai mirrored easily.
Up in the Hokage stand, the Kazekage sighed. "It looks like the Uchiha was more successful in taking a Byakugan than you ever were Raikage-dono," The man said with a look to see A frowning to him. Hiruzen sent a small look as did the Tsuchikage. "I don't know what you're training your shinobi Sandaime, but you have earned a slight portion of my respect. A shinobi who can find it necessary to put even his comrades down is one who will go far," Raikage sad choosing wisely to ignore the Kazekage for the time being.
Sarutobi didn't show any outward appearance that he had heard the Raikage. Only thing he could feel right now was the potential of Uchiha Sasuke becoming a flight risk. By this time, it was out of the bag that Orochimaru was in the village or he had at least met with Uchiha Sasuke. No one's fūinjutsu was like that, not even the greatest fūinjtusu masters.
"RAH! Blood! It's my blood!" Everyone quickly silenced themselves as they quickly turned to another screen, one that first the Kazekage to curse silently to himself. In the Tv screen was Gaara snarling angrily at Samui who was panting heavily, the blood from the top of her head flowed down the side of her left eye. She staggered back from the shout that Gaara just echoed. "Looks like your son is having a rough time with my shinobi, Kazekage-dono," Raikage shot back making the Kage narrow his eyes underneath his wardrobe. He quickly moved his hand to the left very discreetly. Baki narrowed his eyes from behind his leader. "Gaara, you fool. It's too early for that jutsu!" Baki thought to himself with a small snarl.
Samui panted as she watched Gaara glare at her murderously. Okay maybe, just maybe, Samui was a little over her head in this fight. Granted when your half-brother is a jinchuuriki, then you learn how to deal with them sometimes, but her brother wasn't psychotic. So Samui was at a little bit of a loss as one could see. That seemed to make it more apparent when, much to her surprise, Temari and Kankuro dropped to the ground. Samui looked between the siblings. "Not cool," Samui thought to herself.
In the stadium, Amaru looked to her left and noticed a person asleep. This wouldn't have bothered her if…three rows to the side of her the same was said for the people as well. Amaru noticed Temujin narrow his eyes dangerous. She blinked as Temujin's form suddenly felt hazy. "Release," Temujin said touching Amaru's shoulder. Gasping, Amaru straightened up. "What was that?" Amaru asked making the others frown.
"Wide area of effect genjutsu," Ryuzetsu said with a small snarl. Fugai, Ranke and Kamira frowned as they noticed person after person beginning to drop like flies. "Something's wrong. Everyone be on your guard," Fugai said making them nod. Atsui nodded as well.
"We should get to Kisa-sama also," Haku said. Kamira quickly gathered a confused Inari while Amaru gathered Rinko, Touka and Fu. Atsui quickly grabbed the kunai underneath his robes and held it tightly. Temujin quickly picked up Amaru while Fugai noticed some of the other Konoha shinobi beginning to find the realization as well. Haku and
Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai quickly dispelled the coming genjutsu as well. "What's going on here?" Asuma asked before Kakashi looked back at the top of the stadium where the Kage sat. He narrowed his eye before he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. "Asuma, Kurenai be prepared. We've got a slight problem," Kakashi said forcing Asuma and Kurenai to lean forward. Both nodded as they tensed their bodies. It was all they needed to as the crowd started to get jumpy from people falling one after the other. People screamed and gasped as they watched other spectators fall forward into unconsciousness.
Hiruzen, Onoki, A, and the Kazekage glanced to each other. Or perhaps it was more simple to say Hiruzen, Onoki and A glanced at the Kazekage while the man could no longer stop the maniacal grin that came across his face.
In an instant, the stadium descended into chaos as a large explosion erupted from the podium where the Hokage had sat. Kakashi gawked as did Asuma and Kurenai. Amaru screamed as Temujin covered her with debris. Before anyone could blink, everyone found themselves surrounded by Suna and Oto shinobi. Cursing, Kakashi quickly jumped to his feet and easily cut one of the enemies down letting their blood spill over his kunai. Asuma and Kurenai swiftly jumped into action as well. "Asuma, Kurenai defense formation!" Kakashi said prompting the two jonin to quickly nod as they moved their backs to each other.
In their executive room, Daichi, Ayano and Tsunami gasped as they watched shinobi flood into the grounds of the Chunin Exams. "Well I will say one thing. The Konoha tree-huggers sure know how to throw a party!" Kara said while Mutsu glared down at the battle going on. "Ayano-sama, I have to get you somewhere safe," Mutsu said urgently as he gently picked up Ayano while Daichi stood to his feet.
"Come on," Zabuza said helping Tsunami to her feet. She could just barely nod before they heard the door behind them burst open. "Nobody move! Do so and you will forfeit your lives! Control point 1, we have secured the executives that fund the nations!" one of the Suna shinobi shouted into his mic while the other three shinobi stood at his side. Zabuza quickly placed Tsunami behind him while Mutsu moved between the three shinobi and his queen. Kara licked her lips while Daichi frowned.
"Oh hells yeah! Let's get this party started!" Kara shouted dashed at a blinding speed towards the shinobi. All three were quickly surprised by her speed as she stood behind them. With a large grin, she unsheathed her sword. "You think I would let you go against my Lord? Don't be ridiculous!" Kara said as she swung her sword and stabbed it through the head shinobi's chest. Ayano covered her hand over her mouth while Tsunami shivered. However much to the latter's surprise, Zabuza was already gone. She was just in time to see Zabuza swung his large blade down over the next shinobi slicing him in half allowing his entrails to slap down to the floor. The last shinobi standing widened his eyes and backed away only to bump into someone else.
"All those who dare threat Ayano-sama will be eliminated. Hasaiten( Smashing Point)," Mutsu proclaimed before slamming his sword down effectively breaking the shinobi in his way without a care. As Zabuza, Kara, and Mutsu stood together they turned to their masters. "Time to get you three out of here," Kara said summing up their thoughts as one. Ayano blinked while Daichi and Tsunami nodded.
Far off, in the hospital room, Fu shivered as her mother stood between her and two Oto shinobi. "Skybird 1, we have found the head of Exodus Metals and Nanabi jinchuuriki. Moving to capture and secure back to Oto for extraction!" one of the Oto shinobi said while Fu snarled. Oh hell no, there was no way she was going to get taken now. Not with the very good chance that she would be able to leave her hell behind. However as Fu tried to lean up she groaned and cursed. Great, no chakra and still severely injured. Things were not looking well for her. However Fu turned and noticed Kisa with her head down. Fu felt she must have been more injured than she thought because she thought she saw a lightning current run through her mother's form. Blinking once, she widened her eyes when she saw it was real. Kisa chuckled as she took a deep breath.
"Watch carefully Fu. This is your birthright that the village denied you," Kisa said as she slammed her palms together. The two Oto shinobi gasped before they quickly flung three kunai and shuriken individually at Kisa. "Mom, look out!" Fu shouted, but she was surprise when the kunai quickly passed through Kisa and into the wall at her side.
"Kinjutsu no Raiton: Rakuyōnin( Forbidden Jutsu of Lightning Release: Embracing The Lightning)," Kisa said as Fu was forced to cover her eyes from the light her mother was exuding before Kisa dashed at her opponents. Did you really think a former jonin and former mercenary wouldn't have the skills to back them up?
-x-
As Naruto dropped to the ground, he narrowed his eyes when one of his clones dispelled. He glanced back to the village and resisted the urge to snarl. "So you have begun Orochimaru? Very well, then the rest of this exam is meaningless," Naruto said to himself as he stood up. Locking on to Samui's chakra signature, Naruto quickly dashed off towards his target location. As he dashed through the trees, he created one water clone. "Go," Was all Naruto said and the clone quickly separated from him in another direction. Naruto watched the clone go before turning his eyes forward. He ran as fast as he could. No Orochimaru, you weren't going to have it go your way like last time. To be more precise, Naruto would never let anything go your way ever again as long as he could still breathe.
KG: "I believe that when someone starts a fanfic, they should finish it. NO EXCUSES, only if the computer crashes and the files are deleted, but even then they can start again. The viewers always come first to an author." You are all jerks. How dare you throw my words back in my face. T_T I get no appreciation for my efforts.
KG: Guess I can't go back on my word can I? Hey Story!
Story: Come to challenge me again?
KG: Fuck yeah! KyuubiGoku doesn't give the fuck up! KyuubiGoku drinks cream soda and laughs at giving up! he stomps on your supposed superiority!
Story: Bring it the fuck on!
KG: CHARGE!
KG:…..yeah we're done here. Stay Breezy, Protect what's important to you, review and SEND ME CREAM SODA! Also bow down on your damn knees to the Goddess of the Cream, Miranda-sama! Respect the damn cream you ingrates!