Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…
Chapter 30 – Others interfere…
Naruto was spinning in the air as he attempted to keep his wind barrier up and defending him. He was really having problems and couldn't track where the explosive tags came from. Each time he landed another tag would hit near him. The barrier took a lot of chakra to maintain, but having such a huge reserve made it so he could keep it going and use it as a possible attack if he could just get close to Neji. But the explosive tags seemed to come out of nowhere and they would be placed so that Naruto could never advance towards Neji.
"Kuso, I know Neji isn't doing this as I know he has not fully recovered from that last Kaiten when it connected with my barrier." Naruto noticed something entering his barrier and spinning in it. 'Crap! More tags!' Naruto let his barrier down so that the new set of tags would be thrown out away from him. All four blew at the same time. Naruto was engulfed in four fireballs.
Neji was watched with amusement as Naruto was bracketed by explosions. He was not sure who was helping him but he appreciated the help. But he felt that 'it is wrong for others to interfere with my chunin trial' came over him. 'This is wrong, this is my fight. Also why do Naruto's words hurt so much?' He then saw Naruto let down his wind barrier and then four simultaneous explosions engulfed Naruto.
Up in the Kage observation area Sarutobi thought, 'You have improved so much Naruto, I am very impressed. But where are those tags coming from? I cannot sense any from Neji and he is not using any shadow clones but they do seem to be coming from the stands. I will have to observe more closely.' He looked at the Kazekage, "Lord Kazekage, I hope you are enjoying the tournament so far."
The Kazekage turned and replied in a happy sounding voice, "Very much so we seem to have several promising candidates this time around. But I am almost certain that those tags are not coming from the combatants. Would you say that this would constitute an unfair involvement from the audience?"
Sarutobi nodded, "I am not sure if they are coming from the stands or not, but I am watching. We shall see how they deal with it."
Naruto staggered, his right arm hung at his side bleeding profusely and apparently shredded by the explosions. He then looked at Neji and yelled, "So this is what you call fighting fair? Have you no shame? You are using someone in the audience to help you!"
His breath labored, Naruto made a familiar hand sign, "Shadow clone jutsu." Fifty injured Narutos now looked at Neji. "We are going to beat you to a bloody pulp and then we are going to beat your friend too. Right Kodai Hyuga?" Naruto looked directly at Kodai who held another kunai in his hand but quickly put it away. "I always knew there were some bad seeds in the Hyuga clan. Now I have proof of it. So you going to give up or do I have to finish this?" Kurenai and Ibiki grabbed Kodai and nodded to Naruto.
Neji saw the pools of blood forming around each of the Narutos. "You can barely stand you will not win now."
Hayate interjects, "Naruto you can declare that Neji was using illegal help if you want."
Narutos shook their heads, "No I am going to win on my own merit, not because of a technicality. I know taking the easy win would help me in getting the chunin rank but I haven't taught Neji his lesson on what a loser and a failure can be capable of." All the Narutos go through several hand signs. "Now Neji this is going to hurt you as much as it is going to hurt me." In ones and twos the Narutos called out "Wind scythe jutsu." This sent wave after wave of chakra charged wind at Neji.
He tried to defend himself with his 'Eight Divinations, Heavenly Spin', but it eventually wore him out and he succumbed to seven or so hits from Naruto's jutsu. Neji attempted to get up, but fell back to the ground. He then rolled over and looked at Hayate, "I give up. I can no longer continue."
Hayate was about ready to call it when Neji made his statement. "Winner Naruto Uzumaki. Medical teams needed on the field." A cheer rang out from the stands.
Hinata looked at the two sitting next to her, "Well what is your opinion of the loser now?"
Kotetsu looks at Hinata, "Well he is right if he would have taken the win it would have increased his chances. But also being able to adapt increases his chances. He might just have a chance."
"But being able to do those two jutsu one after another is impressive. We shall see what happens in the next few matches. He might have what it takes to become a chunin, but I am not sure. Winning at all costs is not a good sign of a leader." Izumo comments to Hinata.
Hinata and Kiba are surprised but seem to understand. "He still has time to grow and learn, and who knows he may just have a good showing next round." Kiba comments caused Hinata to smile.
Hinata got up, "If you will excuse me I have someone to congratulate." All three nodded as she headed down to the infirmary.
Hiashi also got up and headed down to the infirmary. "Hanabi I will return enjoy the matches." Hanabi smiled and nodded to her father.
Neji was taken away on a stretcher as Naruto walked off under his own power as he followed them.
Naruto and Neji were taken to different examining rooms. "You should be fine in a little bit. You took some good hits but the damage is minor, minor cuts and bruises. You are mostly suffering from chakra exhaustion."
"I would like a moment with my nephew if I may." Everyone looked at the door and saw Hiashi as he stood there. "It should not take long I assure you."
Neji nodded to the attending medics. "I will be fine."
The medics then left the room as Neji sat up on the gurney. Hiashi handed him a scroll. "What is this more main branch lies?"
Hiashi kneeled down on the floor. "I am hoping that you are now ready to hear the real truth. About what really happened on that day."
Neji looked at the scroll, 'Wait this is my father's handwriting.' He proceeded to read the scroll. It talked about how Hizashi was sorry that he had not been around after the attempted abduction of Hinata and that he had chosen his own path. The council wanted him to sacrifice his life for the main branch but he preferred to sacrifice his life for his brother and not for the main branch.
Hiashi hoped Neji understood that destiny is what you make of it. Neji let several tears fall. Looking at Hiashi who was kneeling, "You need not kneel in my presence."
"How could I not for the son of the man who sacrificed so much for me. It is the least I can do." Hiashi rose from the ground. "I would like to talk to you about the council if you are willing. I have some ideas that you might like."
In another room Naruto sat on a gurney in only his boxers, with bandages wrapped around his right side. "Ah, come on. I will be ok soon. Can't I have my clothes back?" Naruto whined. "I do have another match later you know."
A familiar doctor just chuckled at Naruto's antics. "You will get your clothes back soon enough."
The door opened and Hinata burst in. "Are you ok Naru…" She suddenly turned bright red seeing Naruto all bandaged up, but mostly because he is only in his boxers. She just stared at him not moving.
Naruto got a curious look on his face. "What's wrong Hinata-chan?" He suddenly realized his state of undress and pulled some sheets over his lower half. "Sorry Hinata-chan."
Hinata color slowly returned to normal. "Naruto-kun, here are some of your spare clothes." She blushed again. "I think you did great. I am sorry a council member decided to interfere."
Naruto shook his head. "No worries Hinata-chan. I was able to win. And I exposed another teme out to get me." Naruto looked a little sad, "I am just tired that this keeps on happening to me."
Hinata moved over and hugged Naruto. "I love you, and that is all that matters." She then opened her backpack. "Now let's get you changed so that you can go for the next match." She said as she joyfully pulled out one of his spare mission outfits.
"You know I love you Hinata, don't you?" Naruto smiled at Hinata as he put his pants on.
"And why is that Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked teasingly.
"You are always thinking ahead. I just wish I could do that better." Naruto said as his head drooped. He finished getting on his new green and grey with orange piping outfit. "And you are always thinking of me. Okay, I should be healed in a little bit." Naruto shook his head. "I should have taken the easy win." Naruto said with a laugh. "Then I wouldn't have to go into my next fight this injured and I would have more chakra for the next fight. Damn Kodai, why was he against me?"
The door opened with Neji and Hiashi entered. Neji looked very tired and he also wore several patched cuts and many bruises. He then kneeled before Hinata and Naruto. "I wish to ask for both of your forgiveness for my actions."
Hinata and Naruto only just stood there.
Up in the stands Yugito and Shinbo patiently waited for the next match, well Yugito was never known as patient. "Hey Shinbo, do you think oniisan is ok? And I think they got that jerk throwing in the explosive tags. Do you think Naruto oniisan will be a chunin? Huh? Huh?"
"Calm down Yugito, we both know that he heals quickly, and I am sure that Hinata-sama went to make sure he has appropriate attire for his next round. Also she will make sure he is okay for his next match. As for his performance, I do not know. So, relax and calm down. Please?" Shinbo responded and he sounded a little more than a bit annoyed.
Hayate announced the next match. "Will Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara come down?"
Genma appeared next to Hayate and whispered something to him.
Hayate cleared his throat. "Do to Sasuke Uchiha not being here yet we will move his match to the end of the round and advance to the next match. Kankurou and Shino Aburame please come down now."
'I am not ready to show them my technique.' Kankurou was started to sweat. "Proctor, I forfeit!"
Shino got very angry, but the only thing that anyone could tell that it was the case was a loud buzzing noise in the observation platform.
Temari didn't want to be there if the bug user blew up so she pulled out her fan and jumped out into the arena.
"Since Kankurou forfeits Shino Aburame is the winner." Hayate coughed and looked at Temari. "You seem eager."
Naruto entered the observation platform and immediately noticed Shino's agitation. Naruto walked over to Shikamaru and slapped him on the back, but didn't notice that he had sent Shikamaru over the railing. "So what has Shino so worked up, huh Shikamaru?" Naruto looked confused as Shikamaru was no longer there. "Hey Shikamaru where did you…" Naruto then heard a thud in the arena. "go?" Naruto smiled and looked down at Shikamaru apologetically. "Sorry didn't even know my own strength."
'Damn Naruto knocking me in the arena. Now I have to fight that infuriating woman. Women, why do I have to keep fighting women?' Shikamaru thought as he looked up at the sky. He then turned and looked at Temari who was walking towards him, Shikamaru smiled and pulled out two kunai.
"Are you looking up my skirt you pervert?" Temari slammed her fan down where Shikamaru's head. Tons of dust was thrown up taking a couple minutes to clear. 'Did I get him?'
When the dust cleared Shikamaru was up on the wall standing on two kunai he had stuck in the wall. "While it might be interesting to look up your skirt, I am not a pervert and it would be too troublesome to deal with you not being my girlfriend if I did. And that fan of yours would really hurt if it hit me. So unless you want to give up and go out with me I was not looking up your skirt."
Infuriated Temari swung her open fan at Shikamaru creating a huge dust storm in front of her. When the dust cleared only the kunai were left in the wall. She smiled and looked towards the trees past the broken ground that had broken the ground during Naruto's fight.
"Are you saying you don't like women?" Temari said as she scanned the trees for any sign of the lazy Konoha shinobi.
"I like them, but find them troublesome. They either want you do something and order you to do it or they want something and expect you to know what it is. You see troublesome." Shikamaru appeared between two trees. Shikamaru did a few hand signs but nothing appeared to happen.
"Are you afraid of a real woman?" Temari said as she approached with a swagger. She then noticed a shadow came out of the trees and shot towards her. 'I forgot he uses shadows! Got to get back to his limit or I am dead!'
Tumbling and jumping back she kept her eye on the shadow, until it stopped moving forward. She then marked the distance and smiled. "So that is the limit of your ability only fifteen meters?"
Shikamaru looked annoyed, but then changed his hands into what looked like another hand sign.
"I see." Asuma said realizing what was going on.
"What is it a hand sign?" Kurenai asked questioningly.
"You could call it more of a habit than anything else." Asuma looked up as he started his explanation. "Shikamaru is more like an old man. It is a habit he does when he has to think things through. You see whenever he would get in a bind he would do that hand sign and then come up with a solution. He always does it when we play shogi."
"I don't get it. Shogi is only a game." Kurenai said.
"Well actually he thinks like a general, and strategy games are used in the same manner as someone would use maps to plan a battle. Shikamaru is a genius." Asuma said with a smile.
"You wouldn't know it with his grades. If I remember correctly his scores were nearly as bad as my student Naruto's. We both know that Naruto was not taught so that explains his grades. What is Shikamaru's excuse?" Kurenai asked.
"Shikamaru explained it as 'putting pen to paper as a waist of energy and just too troublesome'." Asuma said as Kurenai chuckled.
Shikamaru opened his eyes and moved his hands and grabbed a kunai. He then moved behind a tree as Temari swung her fan and caused a wind style attack to come his way, cutting the trees bark.
Shikamaru jumped out between the trees when the winds died down. Temari smiled and raised her fan. She started to jump back when she saw the shadow pass the line she had drawn. 'He was using the time to stall so that his shadow would get longer. Damn I should have thought about that.' Temari continues to back up until the shadow stopped.
"Temari above you!" Kankurou yelled.
Temari looked up and saw something floating down creating a shadow. 'With this new shadow his range is nearly unlimited.' She continued to evade the shadow as it turned and chased her. She stopped when she thought it had reached its maximum. She planted her fan in the ground and bent down to hide herself behind the fan. 'Ok I use a clone and then distract him with it. I can then hit him with a wind attack and finish this fight.' She starts to go through hand signs and stops. 'What is going on how did he get me?'
"Guess you are wondering how I got you." Shikamaru stood up, Temari mimicked his actions. Shikamaru turned his head a showed Temari the furrowed area that had been dug by Kodai trying to get Naruto with explosive tags. Shikamaru walked towards Temari as she walked towards him. "This is it." Shikamaru raised his hand Temari mimicked it she winced as she tried to stop her hand from raising. "I give up." Shikamaru said nonchalantly.
"What? Why are you giving up you have this match won?" Temari asked as if insulted.
"Because I can't last much longer. I have about thirty seconds of chakra left. And here I had the next three hundred moved done in my head. Oh well. Good luck in the rest of the tournament." Shikamaru smiled kindly at Temari as he released his jutsu.
"Winner Temari!" Hayate yelled to a stunned crowd.
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A/N: Sorry about the delay, my muse has ignored this story as it was going hot and bothered with my other story Uzumaki of the Whirlpool. Also sorry for the near cannon ending here I have ideas on the next chapter but have not even started it. I have to figure out what I am going to do to Sasuke… I mean how he is going to fight Gaara. I am also working on longer chapters so it maybe more than a week for an update on this story as I am working on four stories at once and that is spreading me a little thin with work and family. I hope you liked this chapter I will be starting the next chapter on Monday, should take a week or so to finish the chapter. I am catching up to my writing with my posting. I usually spend a couple times rereading a chapter to make sure I don't have many problems with it, but the requests for the ending of the Naruto vs. Neji fight was large.