Chapter 26 – other's training

Shino was panting as his father looked on "Again." Shibi commented without emotion. "You must be one with your hive. I know you can do this. Gaara of the sand has similar ability to you in how he controls that horde of sand that he carries. You have the advantage you can talk to your family and they will talk back to help you find a weakness. Now try again. Remember you are trying to outsmart your opponent not just beat him to a pulp. That is for your teammate to do." This elicited a smirk from Shino.

"Which one? Both like close combat." Shino questioned.

Shibi continues the spar between his colony and his son's. "True. But which has become stronger in your estimation?"

"Are you asking in absolute strength or the most progress? Hyuga-san has made the most progress, she has become much stronger. I would attribute this to my other teammate. He seems to be able to bring out the best in her ability and others I have observed. I hope this continues. For pure and absolute power and strength it would be my jinchuuriki teammate Uzumaki-san." Shino replies.

"How so? How do you know about his status of a container?" Shibi says with a raised eyebrow.

"Well Uzumaki-san gave too many hints on what he was and I figured it out after the time my insects went wild when I was suffering chakra exhaustion if you remember that time." Shibi nodded. "Also he told me later on, in a display of trust for his team so that we would not be surprised if he used the Kyubi's chakra. He has done so on a few occasions and I have been impressed."

"Did you know that he is in control while he is using the Kyubi's chakra? He has been able to access that vast well of chakra at times where the team would never have been able to survive, and it is thanks to him we have had the success we have. I am sure if I am presented an opportunity to battle with him in the chunin exams I will not win."

"Have you heard that the whole Uzumaki clan has moved in with the Hyuga?" Shibi comments as he ducks a few stray insects.

"Your control of your insects is astounding at usual father. And yes I have known for a few days that Uzumaki-san and his 'kin' have moved in with the Hyuga. I also know that he has been training hard and spending time with Hinata-san, hoping she will get better after the fight with Neji Hyuga." Watching his son for a reaction, he saw one. Shino's control on his insects wavered for a second. Shibi smirked, "I see you also have some bad feelings towards the Hyuga. How would you fight him?"

"Fight him? I will not have too. Naruto will more than likely take Neji's life in the fight. But if not I would of course keep my distance and allow my colony to weaken him. More than likely have them stay under the ground until I could coax him into walking over them. I would surrender if this did not work. I would not risk the safety of the colony to get revenge." He recalled his colony to him. "What is next on the training agenda?"

"Will we do?" A familiar voice boomed across the yard. Zabuza and Haku were standing at the entrance to the Aburame compound. "Would you like to train? You know that punk Naruto is back in the hospital again. Also Haku and I figured we would spread the love and help our friends out. We already beat up that Sasuke punk." Zabuza laughed evilly as Haku just nodded with a pleasant smile.

"Good afternoon Aburame-kun and Aburame-sama." Haku bowed to both Shino and Shibi.

"Naruto is back in the hospital? Did he injure himself training again?" Shino asked.

"Hell no, that Neji punk ambushed him at the door to his room. But that resilient punk should be out in a few days and back in fighting form in a week or so. I am sure he will be even more pissed off at that Neji kid when the day comes for the exam. Heh, I am betting on Naruto with all my money. If this information leaks out he will give me even better odds." Zabuza laughed. "So you want to do some training? Haku and I are just itching to let off some steam. We promise we won't hurt you much."

All Shino could do was raise an eyebrow as a response. Shibi nodded to this turn of events.

Several miles away in a secluded glade there was a loud crash Shikamaru Nara looks very tired. He looked exhausted but saw a large round object coming his way. He flashed through several hand signs and then had an expression on his face of utter fear. 'Ah man, I don't have enough chakra.' He then dived for the most convenient bush to hide behind.

"Come on Shikamaru, you need to keep your head in the game. You need to build more stamina." Asuma commented.

Shikamaru stood up and was standing shakily. "That is easy for you to say. You are not the one who is almost out of chakra and trying to stop a rolling Choji." This comment elicited a smile from his friend and teammate Choji.

"Well we could go for some barbeque and help you get back your strength." Choji said with a laugh.

Asuma just shook his head. 'One just wants to eat the other is lazy. My last student is a loud mouth. Maybe I can get Kurenai to switch one loudmouth for another.'

Both Naruto and Ino sneezed at the same time. 'Someone must be thinking about me.' They both thought as they both rubbed their noses.

Elsewhere in the forest Tenten had a look of absolute anger on her face. "No I will not train with you. With the way you attacked Hinata, and the way you are treating Lee, I will do no such thing. I know you are angry at the main branch thing but you went too far. You could have killed her. You know that Naruto was not pleased with you, heck I am almost positive that Shino will also come after you if you get that far."

Neji looked solemnly at Tenten. "Naruto will no longer be a problem. He will not be able to attend the finals. As for that pathetic excuse for a bug user, I am not worried. I am only worried about Gaara and Sasuke, as both will be hard competition. That is why I am asking you to help me with a technique that is an ultimate defense. Will you help?"

"Why? You treat most everyone as below you. I seem to be the only exception. Why is that?" Tenten asks.

"You are a very competent kunoichi. You are an expert at long range attacks with weapons." Neji responds.

"Ok but you will fix your attitude or we are finished with this training." Tenten retorts angrily.

"I will do as you wish. Now stand at least seven meters back. You can then start an attack with your weapons." Neji changes his stance and activates his Byakugan.

Upon a cliff top Sasuke is nursing several cuts. "Come on Zabuza didn't hit you that hard." Kakashi jokingly comments.

"It's not Zabuza that hurt me more. Haku and those damn senbon, I was already tired, then she used her ice chamber to cut me to ribbons. I could avoid what Zabuza was hitting me with, but I can't beat Haku's Kekkei Genkai when I am that exhausted." Sasuke retorted.

"Yes, but you needed the stamina boost, especially if you want to have a chance against Gaara. What worries me is what they said about Naruto being attacked by Neji. The council may let this go and try to disqualify Naruto." Kakashi said with a worried look in his eye.

"So what if the dobe is disqualified. He shouldn't have even made it to the finals. He got off easy with Ino just giving up like she did. Anyways he was just showing off to his loser girlfriend." Sasuke rudely snorted.

Kakashi looked very angry. "Do you even know what real work is?" Sasuke looked at him with an arrogant glare. "Naruto would spend about twelve to fifteen hours a day training when he left the academy and joined his team. You complain after about five hours. Naruto does not have the gift of the sharingan to copy others ninjutsu. Did you know I have been his guardian since he was almost six? He was slated to be on this team with you and Sakura, I'm glad he was not." Sasuke started to roll his eyes. "Learn some respect or your training ends here."

Sasuke bows, "My deepest apologies Kakashi sensei."

"The council ordered me to train you. Now start again." Kakashi orders as Sasuke charges.

At the Aburame compound Zabuza and Haku both were now leaving as it was later in the evening. "Shino I am sure that Naruto would enjoy you visiting him at the Hyuga compound and trying to cheer him up." Haku said with a smile.

"I am not so sure I could 'cheer him up' as you so aptly put it. But it would be good to see him and see how he is doing and see if he will be able to make the exam finals. I would prefer that Neji not get a bye for his first match and have an easy time with either Gaara or Sasuke. I am sure that Kankurou will not be easy to defeat but I do thank you for your assistance in training. I will be more careful when dealing with those who have a Kekkei Genkai." Shino replied.

"We were glad to help you out. You know we are only able to do D rank missions here in the village while we are still on probation. I look forward to seeing you again over the next few weeks. Good luck with your training. We will not let the others know about how you are training. Good bye and thank you and your family for dinner." Haku says as she and Zabuza head home.

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter