Chapter 4
The Preliminary Rounds Part 2
As looks exchanged between the shinobi eagerly awaiting the next match, Zaku and Kin stood next to each other waiting for the names to appear while Dosu stood behind them paying no attention to the screen as he pondered the absence of Orochimaru and his true intentions. Than the screen lit up again, scattering the names at random until it finally stopped Dosu, and Kin were safe, two leaf ninja's were selected for the next match. Choji Akimichi versus Misumi Tsuguri.
Hayate- Would the next two opponents please come forth.
Asuma- Hey Choji, if you win this fight I'll treat you to an all you can eat buffet my treat!
Choji- Excited. What!? You mean it sensei?! Shouting. All right Asuma I'll win this one for sure!
Misumi and Choji made their way to the center of the arena.
Choji- To himself. Aw, man this guy is way older than me, and I don't even know what he's capable of I might as well surrender now. But if I do, that means no buffet. Aw man, why does this have to be such a difficult decision?
Shikamaru- Cheering. Come on Choji you can do it!
Ino- Cheering. Let's go Choji!
Zaku- To Kin. Hey, check it out. It's that bad tempered fat kid from the forest.
Hayate- Let the third match between Choji Akimichi and Misumi Tsuguri begin.
Misumi- Adjusting his glasses. Ok, I'm not going to toy around with you all day so let's finish this quickly.
Choji- Cockily. Gotcha' I guess I'll just have to speed things up than won't I?
Not wasting any time, Misumi charged Choji. He threw a right hook towards Choji, and it was quickly blocked. Misumi smiled, as his arm began to stretch and constrict around Choji's. Misumi's other limbs did the same as his legs limited Choji's movement and he used his other arm to grapple onto Choji's neck.
Choji- Scared. W-what is this?!
Misumi- Well, you see I can dislocate all of my joints and by using my chakra I can extend and control them with ease.
Choji- To himself. Oh no, I better think of something quickly or I'm done for! I can't move my arms I'm going to have to use something else because my jutsu's are of no use to me now.
Choji than remembered Hayate's words "It is encouraged that a contestant surrenders to avoid a fatal outcome".
Choji- Well, I guess it's the end of the road for me.
Ino- Shouting. C'mon fatso!
Shikamaru- Cheering. You can do it fatty!
Choji- Enraged. GRRRR! That's it! No quitting, time to win this for the Leaf Village, and for the all you can eat buffet!!!!Just you two wait until I clobber this freak, I'm gonna come after you next Shikamaru!
With a sudden burst of strength, Choji was able to bring his hands together to form a series of hand signs.
Choji- Shouting. Expansion jutsu!
Than Choji's body expanded in a globelike fashion, Misumi was forced to stretch farther to keep a good grip on him.
Choji- Are you ready for this? Shouting. Ultimate Leaf Tai jutsu!
Choji's head and limbs receded into his body as Misumi expanded his joints further attempting to crush Choji's chest and, prevent his jutsu.
Choji- Shouting. Human boulder!
However Misumi's attempt went in vain. As Choji began to rotate rapidly, Misumi spun along with him, than Choji made direct contact with the ground spinning with great speed as Misumi was crushed by the great amount of mass that the human boulder possessed. After about thirty seconds of being trampled, Misumi was flung from the rotating flesh boulder and slammed against the floor with his limbs out stretched, Misumi was hardly breathing. Choji than stopped himself once he realized that his opponent had been hurled from his body. Hayate raced in to inspect Misumi's body he crouched down to check his pulse, he was still alive but just barley, his ribcage had been crushed in and all of the bones in his arms and legs were completely shattered.
Hayate- Standing up. The winner is Choji Akimichi. Signals the medic.
Choji- Shouting. Oh yeah, all you can eat Asuma, you better not back out now!
Asuma- To himself. What have I done? This is going to cost me a fortune.
Dosu- So, the fat kid managed to pull it off. Cockily. Well, I guess that means that we have one less opponent to worry about in the next round.
Zaku and Kin- Chuckling.
Hayate- Clears throat. Let us begin the next round.
The screen scattered the names again ask the ninjas stared down the screen with a great amount of anxiousness. Than two kunoichi's were selected for the next fight. Ino Yamanaka versus Sakura Haruno.
Choji- Cheering. Go Ino!
Shikamaru- Shouting. Come on Ino, you've got this one in the bag!
Ino- Making her way to the arena. Sakura huh? This is practically an ensured spot in the next exam.
Naruto- Cheering. Come on Sakura, show this Ino girl who's the boss!
Lee- Cheering. Yes, go Sakura, blossom my beautiful little flower.
Sakura- To herself. Ino, I won't lose to you not anymore! Not ever again!
As Hayate began the next match, team mates and remaining kunoichi Tenten, Kiku and Kin watched intensely, but Dosu had much trouble focusing, he was having a little dilemma of his own.
Dosu- To himself. What could he possibly be up to? And why is Sasuke so important to him?
Dosu pondered those questions over and over as the battle raged onwards, the two rivals fiercely battled one another almost completely identically, using the same jutsu's as each other and countering them over and over again. They took many pauses to stare each other down or to taunt each other but this battle was about to come to an end.
About fifteen minuets into the battle Ino cut off her hair and threw it to the floor in front of her. Many shocked faces stared at the spectacle wondering what was she going to do next.
Ino- Furiously making a hand sign. All right I'm ready to end this! Get ready to tell everybody that you lost to me bill board brow! Makes a circular hand sign with her index fingers and thumbs.
Sakura- Hm, you fool. Don't tell me you're preparing to use the mind transfer jutsu?
Sakura than rambled on about the ability of and the flaws of the mind transfer jutsu such as the slow rate at which it moves and the fact that the energy from the user will not be able to return to her for a couple of minuets if she were to miss. Sakura than began to race around Ino in a circular motion.
Ino- Mind transfer jutsu!
Both of the girl's heads dropped down as their bodies fell limp.
Sakura- Tauntingly and looking up. Nice aim. Ino! Well, than it looks like you're done for, now it's time to claim my spot in the next round.
Sakura stepped towards Ino whose body was still dangling, and than noticed that she could not move. She looked down now realizing the blue chakra vices around her ankles.
Sakura- Amazed. What? No way!
The chakra snaked its way through the hair that Ino had thrown to the floor.
Ino- Looking up. You fell for it Sakura! Ha, I finally caught you. Chuckling. You are so predictable; all those hand signs earlier were just a ploy to lead you into my trap. Standing on the chakra rope with her right foot she stands up. Time for the mind transfer! Makes the circular hand sign again. Now there's no way I'll miss with this! Shouting. Mind transfer jutsu!
Silence fell upon the crowd as they were eagerly awaiting the outcome of Ino's jutsu. Both of their bodies became limp again as their arms dangled at their sides.
Sakura- Smirking. That's really unfortunate.
Choji- I can't believe it, Ino missed.
Lee- Sakura has been-
Naruto- Nice one Sakura!
Sakura- Not quite.
The jutsu was successful, Ino was inside of Sakura's body!
Sakura- Raising her hand. I Sakura Haruno, surrender to Ino Yamanaka.
A great amount of shock and confusion raged about the room as the other shinobi wondered what had just happened.
Hayate- Nodding. All right than. This match has come to an end, the winner, Ino Yamanaka.
Sakura- Making hand sign. Mind transfer release!
Sakura's body fell to the floor as Rock Lee and Naruto dashed in to retrieve her. Ino stood up and walked back to her team mates with a feeling of satisfaction.
Choji- Great stuff Ino! That battle was really intense!
Ino- Thanks Choji! Well I guess that just leaves one of us than. Turning to Shikamaru.
Shikamaru- Relaxed. Don't worry about me. To himself. Aw man, now they're really counting on me to win and all these guys seem really strong. What a drag.
After Sakura's teammates had taken her to the upper level the screen flashed and scrambled the names of the fighters. Two more kunoichi were selected this time, Kiku Yakamono versus Tenten.
Hayate- Cough. Would the next two contestants please come forth.
Kiku, the voluptuous ninja from the Rain Village made her way down the staircase as she strutted about when she moved. Kin stared her down one of her rivals was about to show the room what she had to offer. Tenten also proceeded down the stairs she was cheered on by her team mate Rock Lee and her sensei Guy.
Lee- Cheering. Go Tenten, show the Rain Village whose boss!
Guy- Cheering. C'mon Tenten! Remember what we trained for.
Tenten- To herself. They're all cheering for me, I cannot let them down. Tightens headband. Time to make this little girl cry!
Hayate- Um, ok let the fifth match between Kiku Yakamono and Tenten begin. Steps out of the way.
Tenten glared at her opponent with much ambition and determination, however Kiku seemed very uninterested as if she had something else on her mind.
Kiku- Frustrated. Are you gonna start or what?
Tenten- Hmph, you're really impatient aren't you? Well I guess I'll just have to end this fight quickly for you than too huh?
She blew her bangs from her left eye.
Kiku- In a dry tone. Whatever.
Tenten, now growing annoyed with Kiku's cool demeanor, raced in for the attack. She leaped in the air and attempts a kick with her right leg, Kiku lifted her left arm up and brushed it off as if Tenten was an insect. Tenten quickly jumped back and pulled a scroll from her pocket, she whipped it about the air in a very sophisticated manner, she made a few quick hand signs and grasped the end of the scroll in her left hand. Quickly she hurled her right arm about and summoned a barrage of weapons, enough for an army to use.
Kiku- Am I actually gonna have to move for this one?
Kiku, frustrated with the interruption of her inactivity pulled a small deck of cards from her right pant pocket.
Tenten- Arrogantly. What, you think a deck of cards are going to stop an arsenal of weapons? I guess it's true what they say; one cannot hope to possess beauty and brains!
Kiku- Shuffling her deck. Who says that? Flashed a series of hand signs.
Kiku than drew a card in her right hand with her two fingers, her index and middle finger extended holding the back of the card, than she slapped the card to the ground and flung her left hand behind her.
Tenten- Cautiously. No, that hand sign, could it be? No, there's no way a genin could be able to pull off such a powerful jutsu.
Kiku- Heh, guess again! Shouting. Thunder style jutsu! Chain lightning!
Kiku's cards split from the deck levitating and they spinning about her body in a clockwise like motion creating a barrier and deflecting all of Tenten's weapons as the lightning charged up. Suddenly a bolt of lightning raced from the cards and thrashed through Tenten's ironclad attack.
Lee- Shouting. Tenten, quickly get out of the way!
She quickly leaped to the side in order to avoid the fatal blow but still received a small jolt.
Tenten- Catching a breath. What's wrong with you?! You could've killed me!
Kiku- Well than, I guess you're catching on.
Ushio- Smirking. Well well, looks like Kiku's really riled up. I almost feel a slight pity on that fool she's going up against.
Tenten- I guess I'm just going to have to play by your rules than won't I?
Kiku gave her opponent a twisted smile and than dashed to finish the battle. Tenten leaped into the air and started to throw a whole new series of weapons downwards to her opponent, but Kiku's speed proved too much for Tenten. After she had launched all of her weapons downward she needed to hoist them back up so she could thrust them again, now was Kiku's time to strike. She jumped up and delivered a painful uppercut to Tenten's jaw, she flinched. Kiku clenched both of her hands together and slammed them down hard on Tenten's head. Tenten was unable to withstand the blow and she fell to the floor/ Kiku dived down to the ground and somersaulted underneath her. She laid on her back and extended her right leg catching Tenten on her spine. This impact caused Tenten to let out an agonizing scream, Kiku than launched her off of her foot and into the wall. However before they collided Rock Lee jumped in the way to intercept her. He caught her unconscious body as her limbs dangled from his arms. He slid backwards barley catching himself in order to prevent her from any further damage.
Lee- Furious. Have you no honor? What shinobi wounds an opponent who cannot fight back.
Kiku glared away as if she didn't know she was being addressed.
Lee- Infuriated. Look at me when I speak to you!
Kiku- And what if I don't? What are you gonna do about it? You're just a little boy with a freaky haircut. Moves her hair in a very seductive manner. So just stay out of my way.
Lee- Charging. Why you!
Ushio quickly sprung himself from the upper deck in front of Kiku protecting her from Rock Lee.
Ushio- Threatening. You have a very short temper, I would watch it if I were you.
Lee and Ushio stared each other down until Kiku pulled him away and dragged him back to the upper deck.
Hayate- The winner by interference is Kiku Yakamono.
Lee- To Tenten. You fought well, rest easy. Lays her down on the stretcher that the medics have brought in.
Ushio and Kiku make their way back to the upper level as does a very frustrated and prideful Lee.
The screen flashed through the names again and two were selected rather quickly this time, Shikamaru Nara versus Sang Fujushima.
Ino- Screaming into Shikamaru's ear. Come on Shikamaru you can do it!
Asuma- Placing his hand on Shikamaru's shoulder. Go get him.
Shikamaru- Yeah yeah yeah, I already told you not to worry about me. To himself. Aw man, what a drag. After seeing that last rain ninja fight it makes me wonder what I'm in for.
Sang- Smiling. Oh good, I get to fight a leaf ninja. Turning to Ushio. This will take me about a minute.
Ushio- Try not to kill him too quickly.
Sang- You know I never do, it's just not nearly as satisfying!
The two fighters walked down the staircase and to the center of the arena.
Hayate- Looks at both of them. You know the drill. Walks away.
As Hayate stepped out of the way Sang charged Shikamaru and delivered a punch to his gut. Shikamaru flinched as he tried to regain his breath, but Sang gave him no chance he slammed his right fist into his left cheek than attempted a left jab to Shikamaru's nose but he jumped backwards just evading the attack. Sang turned and stared him down with a vile and disgusted look in his eye, Shikamaru now realized his opponent has a very short temper and a lust for blood. Sang dashed towards Shikamaru but was soon stopped for he was unable to move his entire body.
Sang- Confused. What's happening? Why can't I move?
Shikamaru- Smiling. You fell for it buddy, just look down.
Sang looked down to see that their shadows have been forged together as one.
Sang- Shouting. What jutsu is this!?
Shikamaru- It's my shadow possession jutsu while I hold onto your shadow you will be completely unable to move and, raises his right hand as does Sang, I can control your movements.
Sang- Unimpressed. Well that's stupid, so all you're doing is delaying the inevitable, you are going to lose to me you can't do anything with this pointless jutsu but lengthen this match.
Shikamaru released his jutsu without Sang realizing it and performed a leg sweep knocking him from his feet. Sang landed on his back and stood up, he looked about the room and saw his enemy making a break for it.
Sang- Shouting. Is this how this fight is going to go on you run and I chase you?
Shikamaru- Yep, that's pretty much it.
Choji- To Ino. What is he doing? That rain village guy is an animal he's going to get himself killed!
Ino- He's thinking.
Sang- Well I guess if you're not coming to me I'll just have to come to you. Sang flashed a couple of hand signs than shouted. Ice style jutsu! Icicle blades! Large icicles formed over his arms and grew very sharp towards the edges forming a sword like structure.
Shikamaru- I still don't see the point of those.
Sang now growing agitated with his opponent's sarcasm, he pointed his right arm at Shikamaru. A light flash briefly disabled Shikamaru's vision,
Sang- Shouting. Icicle shards!
Shikamaru than felt a blinding pain in his left arm. He opened his eyes and looked down, there was a large sharp chunk of ice in his arm, and there was a huge amount of blood trickling down his arm.
Ino- Screaming. Shikamaru!
Shikamaru- Worried. Ah, my-my arm!
Sang- Chuckling. See, my blades are a little bit more practical than you took them for.
Shikamaru- I-I can't move my arms!
Choji- Oh no!
Sang- Smirking. Precisely! You didn't think that I shot you randomly now did you? You may be able to feel the chill up your bones, mainly because that's where it's located straight through your forearm and through your bone. That arm is completely useless to you now. So it's time for me to have a little fun!
Sang charged him with his blades drawn as his arms were extended behind him, he pulled back his right arm, aiming for the kill but suddenly he stopped!
Shikamaru- Smirking. Gotcha'
Sang- Amazed. What!
Ino- Cheering. All right Shikamaru!
Kiku- To Ushio. Well, I guess it's just the two of us that make it through.
Ushio- Brilliant! This, Shikamaru fellow must be a genius to turn Sang's jutsu against him!
Sang- What no way! I-I punctured the bone!
Shikamaru- Not quite. Holding out his arm. See just missed it. Your aim must be a little off huh?
Sang- Furious. When you release me I swear I'll rip you limb from limb!
Shikamaru- Release you? I plan on ending this now.
Sang- Chuckling. Are you forgetting that you possess no talent other than this stupid jutsu? What could you possibly do?
Shikamaru- Nothing, but you could do it for me!
Sang had forgotten about his icicle blades.
Shikamaru- This may hurt a little. Punches himself in the stomach.
Sang's eyes opened wide and blood gushed from his mouth as he collapsed to the floor.
Hayate- Signals medic. The winner is Shikamaru Nara.
Ino- Shouting. Yeah Shikamaru!
Shikamaru- Breathing heavily. All in a days work.
Shikamaru's sensei Asuma came down to congratulate him on his victory and to inspect the large icicle in his arm as the medical team carried Sang off in a stretcher.
Asuma- To Hayate. Hey can we get a medic over here.
Oboro- Putting his hand on his head in frustration. Sang you blood thirsty fool he was so caught up in his blinding rage and thinking to hard of how he was going to kill his opponent he never even thought for a second that his own jutsu could be turned against him.
Asuma- Congratulations Shikamaru! To himself. I can't believe it, my whole team made it through to the next round!
Choji- Excited. Oh yeah the Ino-Shika-Cho trio made it through! Shouting. Look out everybody the three of us are unstoppable!
Ino- Punches Choji in the head. Would you cut that out?! If I were you I wouldn't want to aggravate any of those three foreign teams.
Shikamaru- What are you doing fat boy? Calm down!
Choji- Enraged. What did you call me?!
Zaku- Watching from across the arena. Oh man, this is going to be easier than I thought.
To be continued…