As Hinata was the first to awaken, she looked up and saw Naruto had stood watch over her all night. All she could do was smile at such generosity he showed to her; she started to feel that she was not a great friend to him as he was to her. She decided to treat Mikado as he treated her.
"I see you're up early Hinata and ready to go. Let's wake the others and then we will leave in an hour and head straight to the tower" as Naruto stretched his body to get the kinks out.
"I am surprised no one attacked us last night" said Hinata as she stretched along with Naruto after a rough night on the ground.
"Well I made a shadow clone last night to warn me of any danger just in case someone was stupid enough to try anything." Naruto could not believe how beautiful Hinata looked first thing in the morning, she put the sun's bright rays to shame with her smile.
"Wait you made a shadow clone? You are so full of surprises Mikado, you'll definitely make Chunin this year" as she stared at him in amazement.
"Let's go, we don't have time for you to admire your new boyfriend. We leave now and head straight to the tower while everyone else is still asleep. Mikado thanks for your help but I want your group to leave my squad right now!" As Sasuke said it with authority.
"Sasuke don't be rude to Mikado and his squad, they came in the middle of the night to help us. We have a plan and we should stick to it, we all can make it with no problems we just have to trust each other" said Sakura as she approached him.
As all eyes were on Sasuke he gave a sneer to say do whatever you want and started to get his equipment to make it to the tower. Naruto knew that to make sure everything goes as plan and not to have any arguments was to bend and let Sasuke have his way.
As both squads packed their belongings, they ate just enough to get the energy they needed for the run to the tower. Sasuke could not take his eyes off Naruto and he was going to make sure that his squad was going to listen to him and not Naruto. As they approached a little past the half way mark, some ninjas from the Stone village stopped them. There were fifteen of them and they overwhelmed all the inexperienced ninjas with their number.
"Give us the scrolls and you can leave in peace otherwise you get your ass kicked big time by us" as the tall ninja stared at the six of them.
"Everyone stay back I got this, none of you interfere with me or so help me you will suffer the same fate as them" as Sasuke pulled out a set of kunais.
Naruto looked at Sasuke and decided that if he wants them that badly he can have them. Sakura and Hinata looked worried; they thought the stress of the exams started to take its effect on Sasuke behavior and mind. As the Stone ninjas looked at Sasuke, they recognize him as rookie of the year. They smiled as he walked in the middle of the area and challenged them all. As they rushed their adversary, he quickly made quick work out of five of them and attacked the others with great tenacity to bring them down hard and fast. Naruto thought Sasuke had finally somehow got over whatever was holding him back. As he kept fighting, he took down another five and was looking impressive for someone his age group. As the last five came, they were a different story and almost annihilated Sasuke. Sakura and Hinata were going to help but Sasuke told them to stay out of it. As the Stone ninjas pounded Sasuke, Naruto noticed a spike in Sasuke's chakra along with his hatred and evil intent coming from the seal. Sasuke body formed and unusual pattern and his eyes changed into something almost demonic. Everyone was shocked except Naruto and his teammates. Sasuke grabbed his enemies and quickly started breaking bones and decimating any who came his way. Naruto noticed that this was a different type of curse seal; it looked as if it was unstable and it increased the user's strength and speed but it looked like you lost part of your reasoning as well. Sasuke looked at the ninjas that were no longer moving his bloodlust rose even more, he quickly attacked Sakura when she approached him to stop. As she screamed Cree and Kazuki tried to stop him but was batted away like flies.
"I'm going to kill you, you pink haired little slut!" Sasuke's eyes changed again with more bloodlust than before.
Hinata quickly activated her bloodline ability to hit his chakra points but he caught her hands and looked as though he was going to break her arms. Naruto quickly grabbed Sasuke's arm and use his momentum to make them roll away from the group, Sasuke released Hinata's arm as him and Naruto tumbled to the ground. As Sasuke rolled over and caught his balance he moved at a speed unmatched and punch Naruto so hard in the jaw he thought he would pass out from the blow. As Naruto rolled with the blow, he knew that Sasuke's bloodlust was coming from the seal. Sasuke attacked Naruto again punching him repeatedly; Naruto could not recall him every being struck so many times by one opponent. As Naruto fell down, he thought he would have no choice but to kill Sasuke. As Sasuke came rushing over for the killing blow he was stopped by Hinata who struck every single chakra hole to cease his attack. Naruto was so surprised that Hinata was able to stop Sasuke's rage; Naruto was so relieved he was about to kill Sasuke right in front of Hinata and Sakura. As Sasuke fell down looking drained as if he ran a hundred mile marathon.
"What happened to Sasuke? He was going to try to kill us all, what is that mark that gave him all that strength and speed? He can't return to the exams he will kill everyone at the Chunin exams" as Hinata looked so terrified that she stood there shaking uncontrollably.
Naruto went by Hinata's side and took her hands to calm her down, he quietly whispered to her that she did great and that everything will be fine. All she could do was smile; as he looked at Sasuke he wondered what to do about this situation at hand.
"I don't know but the only chance he has is to get him back to the exams so they can treat him" as Naruto looked down at the exhausted Sasuke.
As Naruto went over to the beaten Stone ninjas, he grabbed all of their scrolls they stole. As Shikamaru and his squad came out, Naruto pulled out a kunai until he recognized they were Konohan ninjas. As he looked at all three he tossed the bag of scrolls to Shikamaru.
"That's what we needed, thanks "as Shikamaru grabbed the earth scroll" as he looked at Naruto he had a feeling of Deja vu'.
Since we have more allies now, we can make it easily to the tower now, I will carry Sasuke. The rest of you stay in a two by two formation. Sakura, Cree and Kazuki are you all right from that attack?" As he went to check on Cree as she was visibly shaken by that experience also.
"Sasuke tried to kill me, he meant it, I seen it in his eyes" as Sakura could not get a hold of herself, her crush wanted her dead.
Hinata went to console her friend and told her it was time to move on. As all of the Konoha ninjas darted toward the tower, they had no resistance from the other ninjas who just let them passed. As they went into there, respected areas Hinata gave Naruto a hug and thanked him. Naruto was so shocked that he blushed hard that the rest of the group just stared because they never saw Hinata be so forward to someone she hardly knew. Ino could not believe it, usually all she does is focus on Naruto but Hinata was smiling. As Sakura walked up on the two of them she thanked Naruto as well as she asked to speak with Hinata in private. Naruto bowed and regrouped with his comrades.
"Hinata we have to tell someone about Sasuke, he could kill someone and we will be responsible because we fail to warn the instructors" as she looked at Sasuke and got a cold chill.
"I know he's too dangerous to compete with the rest of us, you didn't see what he did to Mikado he nearly killed him" as Hinata looked at Sakura.
"He nearly killed Mikado? That is even more of a reason to tell someone, Mikado is skilled as they come and if he could not handle Sasuke what do you think he will do to us? As Sakura began to cry a little.
As they parted from their friends they came to their room and their teacher Iruka was there waiting for them when they combined the scrolls. As they were glad to see their old teacher he said he came with instructions and advice. Iruka told them all about the scrolls and their meaning, as they listened carefully Iruka told them that they had another test to prepare for. As they followed him into the next room there, they saw other ninjas waiting for the other part of the exam. As they looked around the Third Hokage came out and told them that they would be squared off against each other to advance to the final part of the exam. He said all those who cannot continue must raise their hands to quit or if they know someone who is too incapacitated to fight let the proctor know now. Sakura was about to raise her hand when Sasuke told her to put it down and that he was fine and he would be able to control what was happening to him. Fearing Sasuke would hate her and trusting his words, she put her hand down. Hinata looked at Sakura as Sakura shook her head to say no to disqualify Sasuke.
As Naruto looked up, he saw Kabuto, Cree and Kazuki raised their hands.
"Cree, Kazuki why do you have your hands up? We have a mission and you're dropping out now?" As Naruto, looked puzzle by all three of his comrades' actions.
"Kazuki and I refuse to lose our lives by the hands of Sasuke, you seen him it was nothing but pure hatred. We serve lord Orochimaru faithfully and he wants us by his side. How can we do that if his prize Uchiha destroys us? Said Cree as she walked away and wished Naruto luck.
"I have my own mission Naruto-kun from Orochimaru himself that's why I can't compete but you have to with the rest of the group as Kabuto pointed to two other ninjas wearing Konoha headbands.
Sasuke stayed focus on the screen to see who fights, Kakashi came over and told Sasuke do not use his Sharingan or it would activate his curse seal. Sasuke was shocked and nodded his head to say he would not.
As they matches began the first one up was Akadou Yoroi versus Sasuke Uchiha. As they came out to face each other. Sasuke quickly launched himself toward his adversary, as he swung wild he finally connect a hit to his foe. As Akadou looked at him and laugh he wave his hands toward himself to say bring it on. Sasuke rushed him again but was quickly caught in an arm bar, as Sasuke looked he thought that he would have to submit from the pain in his arm. As he struggled his curse sealed started to activate, he quickly fought the urge to use it. Sasuke quickly lifted himself up and kicked Akadou in the side, as he yelled in pain. Akadou quickly grabbed Sasuke again but this time he started to drain Sasuke's chakra. As he started to drain him completely, Sasuke jumped back and released a quick fireball at his competitor. Sasuke distracted him long enough to get behind him and performed a spinning kick three times to his head, Sasuke quickly grabbed Akadou by his waist and back suplex him on his neck knocking him out.
As Anko talked to the Third about Orochimaru and her confrontation with her former sensei and about his plans for Sasuke. She told them that Sasuke was the prize of his affection. The Third Hokage noticed that Sasuke did not rely on the curse seal and he fought it off all by himself. As Sasuke was taken aside by Kakashi, he headed out the door to take care of the curse seal.
As the matches continued Naruto was excited to see the other Genins show their abilities. As Sakura went against Ino, he never saw that much strength in two women in love fighting for Sasuke's affection. As it ended in a draw, Naruto was shocked that they remained friends after a brutal beating they both took from each other. When Shikamaru won, he could not believe that he was a smart as they come, he had always thought that he was a slacker, which was no longer the case. Naruto now thought that the only one that could have a chance of defeating him would be Shikamaru. As Temari defeated Tenten to advance, she gave an icy stare at Neji to say she just defeated his little girlfriend. Gaara defeated Rock Lee so badly that his sensei had to interfere before he killed the bushy brow shinobi. Kankuro defeated his enemy in record-breaking time. The bug handler advanced as he searched for Naruto at the top of the stadium as he looked through his shades to say that Naruto was next. Naruto just ignored his glare and continued to wait for the next match. Choji was next but he failed so miserably against the Sound ninja Kin and was eliminated within a minute.
As they called Hinata to come down to the arena to face her cousin, she was extremely nervous about facing Neji. As Neji approached his cousin, he steady berated her with insult after insult until Naruto called down to tell Hinata that she was a great ninja in her own right and not to listen to him, he told her she has her own type of power and ninja way. He yelled that she could defeat him, to believe in herself was the greatest power in defeating ones opponent. As the referee yelled start, Neji attacked her with extreme hatred in his fist, he became relentless on her destruction. Hinata struggled valiantly to fight on equal ground with her cousin but he overpowered her in every way. He eventually was able to defeat her but she was badly beaten almost unable to fully stand. As she said a few words to him, he flew into a rage and tried to attack her after the match. Naruto was ready to jump down and stop him when he saw two Jounin stop his attack. As he watched her fall, he jumped down to see if she was okay. As he held her, Hinata could feel something strange when she was close to him, her injuries seemed to heal instantly and she was feeling much better by the second. As Hinata looked up, she did not know what Mikado/Naruto did to help her feel better. The Third Hokage looked at Naruto in astonishment and continued to stare at him; he could not understand what type of strange chakra that was being released.
Hey cub I took care of your stupid little girlfriend keep your mind on your own match, you need to put our plan into action soon. First we take care of Orochimaru and then whoever else stands in our way!" As the Kyuubi started to get annoyed with Naruto's infatuation with the Hyuuga girl.
"Hey you bright eyes! Was that really necessary to try and hurt her that way? How dare you do something like this!" Naruto's anger began to rise as he looked at the smiling teenager as he gave a condescending look at Naruto.
"She should have realized that she was no match for me, she should have forfeited the match as soon as the proctor said go. It was her fate to lose to me." Neji kept smiling at Naruto. "With these eyes I see all and I know everyone's weakness and fate. You want to protect that miserable failure only shows that you too are weak and simple minded to be a ninja! If you challenge me you will meet the same fate as your stupid little girlfriend!" Neji continued to smile at the boy who was holding his cousin.
"It wasn't fate you long haired asshole! It was your fist and your hatred! And keep grinning at me like that and you will be wearing that smile around your ass! Since you believe in fate so much here's a preview of your destiny'; I'm going to dig out your eyes with my trusty kunai and squashed those precious fate seeing eyes right in front of you! It will be your fate to carry a white cane with a red tip for the rest of your miserable little life!" Naruto stared at Neji, that threat unnerved the young prodigy.
Naruto told him that he hope to fight him in the finals as they argued back and forth, Naruto told him it would be his pleasure to show Neji pain like never known before personally. As Sakura looked down at Mikado holding Hinata, she knew Neji just stepped into a world of hurt. Ino asked what is really up with Hinata and Mikado. She never seen someone who cared for Hinata that way as Ino kept staring at the young lovers.
"Mikado what type jutsu did you use on me? How come I feel better than I ever felt? I was almost on death doorstep but it feels as though nothing happened "as she continued to look at him.
As Kurenai looked at Hinata, she saw a young man that looked like a knight in shining armor ready to protect the love of his life. The whole stadium looked at the two of them and especially Gaara, how could someone who has all that power and potential fight for someone else other than yourself was beyond him. As the proctor called Mikado down to face his opponent. Dosu Kunita was up and was prepared to take on Naruto.
"I hear from everyone that you're very good I wonder if its true? My sound is faster than a blink of an eye, you don't stand a chance against me kid" as Dosu continued to look at him like a nineteen-twenties movie mummy with one eye being covered.
"Yo Raggedy Andy why are wrapped up like that, are you that unappealing to look at? That's not very intimidating outfit, it says my mom was too lazy to buy or make you a Halloween costume`! You said your sound could take me out in a blink of an eye. You better not blink with me because I'm just that fast Mummy Boy" said Naruto as he pissed off his opponent with a new nickname for him.
As everyone looked at the match, they heard many rumors about this mysterious young Genin and they wanted to see his abilities for themselves first hand. As the referee yelled start Dosu quickly raised his hand and aimed it Naruto, as he looked up confused to see him gone. Suddenly Dosu felled down knocked completely out by a chop to the neck. Naruto was behind him looking down at his opponent.
"I told you not to blink didn't I? As Naruto looked up at the stadium many Genins, Chunin and Jounins looked in astonishment at his speed and power he displayed. Hinata smiled at Naruto at his success on defeating an opponent in record-breaking time defeating Kankuro's record entirely.
"Yo Neji don't worry, I won't be this fast when it comes to me and you!" As he looked up in the stadium staring at Neji with hatred. "I'm going to drag it out nice and slow until you're begging Hinata for forgiveness for lifting your hands for seriously trying to hurt her , only then will I put you out of your misery!"
"We may have problems when it comes to this ninja, he is demonstrating phenomenal skills way past any Genin I've ever seen" said Temari as she stare at the dark haired powerhouse.
Gaara just smiled, he wanted the Uchiha but now he had another prey in his sights as he smiled the most devilish grin to himself thinking about how alive he would feel for killing the boy below him.
As the Hokage came and talk to the winners they were told they would practice for three weeks and return and face their new opponents. As each looked up on the screen they saw who they had to fight. Naruto was glad he had Neji but he did not care who else was fighting as he headed out of the coliseum. Hinata and Sakura rushed to catch up with Mikado, as they approached him he smiled at the two.
"What can I do you for?" As Naruto tried his best not to stare at Hinata as they stood in front of him.
"Nothing, we wanted to thank you again for everything and to tell you that what you did in there was amazing. We hope one day that we can repay the favor" said Sakura.
"Mikado you don't want to say hello to your old sensei?"
"Pervy Sage what are you doing here? I thought you were out getting research for your new book." As Naruto ran to shake Jiraiya's hand." I am ready to become a Chunin now so I entered the exams, so far it's going good."
"I've seen your exhibition, damn that was impressive, I don't think I could have done it better myself" as he smiled at his former student. "So are you going to tell me why you just left me a note and disappeared, I mean you can be honest with me Mikado?" As he looked into his eyes.
"I heard what you said earlier about my anger and you were right, I needed to sort through it but I'm coming to terms with it though" Naruto knew it wasn't true, the more he stayed with Jiraiya the less anger and hate he felt in his heart and soul. He knew he needed that anger to make his ambitions come true.
As they talked, Hinata and Sakura came up to Jiraiya and looked in amazement at the Sannin.
"That's why you're so good, you have a Sannin as a sensei; your student is phenomenal he helped us out so much in the Forest of Death that we owe him everything. He is kind and caring and protective of his comrades you have a great pupil who will go far as a shinobi" as Sakura continued to praise Naruto.
"Mikado can we meet later so we can talk?" Said Hinata as she turned almost a crimson red.
"Sure" as Naruto glowed with passion on hearing those words come out of her mouth.
As they left, a figure was on top of the building was listening to every word, Sasuke could not believe it Mikado was the pupil of a Sannin. He never too much liked Sakura in fact she was his biggest fan, now she was this Mikado's biggest supporter and it was driving him insane that he was below everyone's radar. He walked away angry thinking he needed sensei like Mikado has.
As Jiraiya continued to talk to Naruto, he could not help but smile.
"What are you grinning about?" Asked Naruto as he looked at Jiraiya.
"So it seems that you bagged yourself Hyuuga babe and not just some random Hyuuga babe but the heir to the Hyuuga throne no less. See hanging around me you picked up some pointers on picking up the babes" as Jiraiya patted Naruto on the back.
"She's in love with someone else, I can't compete with that because she has really strong feelings for him" as he continued to walk and look down at the ground in a depressed state.
"Ouch that got to hurt, sorry to hear that but the way she looked at you it was like she had fallen for you already if you ask me" as he looked at his friend.
"I wish, I tried everything and I mean everything, I even read your damn pervy book which by the way is totally disturbing. Men and women don't talk or act like that in real life, saying about two sentences to each other and then they go somewhere to have sex , come on who you trying to fool? Said Naruto as he gawked at him.
"Happens to me at least nine times a week, but don't worry I will teach you how to win that beauty you so desire in your loins. Her father on the other hand may beat you to a bloody pulp, better be sure she's worth it. Hiashi is very stern and the only way you can date her is to be a very strong shinobi and show him that you have remarkable skills to date his oldest daughter, which I can help you with your skills of course" as he continued to smile at Naruto.
"I thought my life was difficult before but now that a woman came along I like it got so very complicated and emotionally tiresome. Plus I can't seem to say anything right in front of her but for her it's like she's got it all figured out what to say and do. I thought I knew women but boy was I wrong, the more I think I understand them, the more I realize I'm a fool for thinking that" as Naruto put his head down to stare at the ground once again.
(Sigh)" Welcome to the wonderful world of dating kid, get use to it you'll never get it right just go with the flow and hope you don't screw up too badly and apologize. The best thing I can tell you is treat her like you would treat yourself but double it for her" as Jiraiya patted his pupil on the back.
"I wish I could have met you two when I was younger, I bet my life would be so different if I had you and Hinata. I probably could relate better to my fellow man and been a good person." Naruto could not believe that every time Jiraiya was around, he would drop his guard down revealing part of the hurt side of him that he wanted forgotten completely.
"Hey you're still young, I got a lot to show you. But first let's go somewhere a little less crowded." As Jiraiya pulled out a pencil and notebook.
"Awww man are you kidding me! You want to go and peek at the women in the bathhouse right now don't you?"
"Consider this part of your training for the Chunin exam, you will need stealth, ninjutsu…"
"You know that you're corrupting my innocence right?" As Naruto stop in his tracks.
"Nonsense my boy, as your sensei I must show you the beauty of the ninja world through peeping at beautiful women. Being a ninja isn't always about fighting and doing ninja missions my boy." Jiraiya grabbed Naruto's shoulder and pulled him close to him.
Naruto smile from ear to ear. He wondered if he had a grandfather would Jiraiya be like him. As Jiraiya looked at Naruto, he saw that finally the boy in front of him dropped the mask he was hiding behind and began to reveal his true self.
