Chapter 12

The names rapidly flashed across the screen, illegible to all but the quickest eyes. Two names unfamiliar to any of the Konoha Genin were shown.

"If you will, please leave the combat area. The Jounin by those doors over there will lead you to your box seats. The two combatants, however, will remain."

Nodding their consent, the Chuunin hopefuls cleared out and went to their respective boxes. They were separated by village. All the Genin were put in a box with each of their respective villages Genin.

The Konoha Genin walked into the open door to see…. Absolute luxury. Huge high backed leather recliners were lined up in front of the tinted window. A very impressive array of refreshments and beverages were available in the cupboards to the left of the room. The maroon leather of the chairs blended well with the dark blue carpet and violet colored walls. This wasn't the gaudy violet you see on flashy t-shirts, nor was it the bright violet you sometimes see on cars. This was a deep majestic violet that any king worth his mettle would love to have on his thick velvet cloak, in the typical fairy tale king style.

Each person took their seats and procured their preferred snack as they sat. The typical goings on between the Konoha Genin was… going on. In other words, Naruto and Hinata were sniggling, Chouji was slowly enjoying his snack (a tip from Ibiki-sensei) Sakura and Ino were fawning over their 'precious Uchiha', who was as cold as ever, reining indifference. Lee was 'stealthily observing' his rival, Neji, who was glaring at Hinata. Everyone else was watching the match, completely oblivious to their actions.

Naruto, however, was deep in thought.

(Flash back)

Naruto stood in a forest. He was still rather weak from chakra exhaustion, and the little he had wouldn't last him longer than a few days. He would have to gather it as quickly as possible before going to the Chuunin exams.

'Damn it. How can I possibly do this? At the rate I usually go, it will take me nearly a year to get full again, and if I rush it, I could kill entire sections of the forest, or even disrupt the balance of the Earth… wait… I GOT IT!'

Naruto dropped his crutch and gathered a fair amount of the latent chakra around him, just enough to make a Kage Bunshin.

POOF

"You know what to do…"

The clone nodded and jumped off into the tree tops. Naruto did the same, but in the opposite direction. As they leapt from tree top to tree top, they gathered as much chakra as they dared. Finally, just as soon as they made enough to make one clone, they did so and the two separated. Soon, each clone made a clone, and each of those clones made a clone. It continued this way. If you happened to be a bird flying over this section of the forest, you would see a multitude of white dots flying through the tree tops, randomly splitting into two white dots every once in a while.

After nearly an hour, over 50 square miles were occupied by Naruto clones. Finally, they each spread out in equal distances, and started gathering as much chakra as they could without the usual bad side effects.

Minutes passed, and slowly each clone gathered as much as it dared. Finally, the original Naruto stood up. With a smile, he sent the mental signal to each clone to activate the next step.

A massive POOF resounded throughout the forest in stereo as each clone dispelled itself. Instead of dissipating, the smoke that is generated flew back towards the epicenter of the area covered by the clones, which happened to be where Naruto was standing. The mist wrapped itself around the boy, slowly seeping into his body. A blue aura surrounded Naruto, much like it did when he fought the ANBU in his last mission. This time, however, instead of rolling off of him, it was absorbed into him. The seal on his stomach glowed an ominous red that contrasted greatly with the blue of the chakra surrounding him. Slowly, the aura diminished and receded. Finally, after nearly 15 minutes of being levitated by his own chakra, Naruto finally set foot onto the ground. With a contented smile, he let himself fall into unconsciousness, dreaming of a certain pale eyes fiancée of his… (For this scene, imagine the part in Prince of Persia, Sands of Time, where the Prince drank from that fountain and was levitated and was all glowy… that's what this looks like.)

(End Flash Back)

He smiled as Hinata pressed herself deeper into his embrace. He responded by lightly squeezing her hand and nuzzling the side of her neck. Slowly, his eyelids became heavier and heavier. The warmth, the comfort, and the handy dandy built in vibrating massager in the recliner helped him slowly drift off. Just as he was about to pass into dreamland, he was poked on the shoulder.

"Anata…Anata… NARUTO, WAKE UP!"

Naruto's eyes flashed open only to see Hinata's amused and annoyed expression.

"What is it, Hina-chan?"

"You're up next."

"..O…Ok…"

Over the speakers in the box he heard the Jounin referee say "Will Hyuuga Naruto please enter the combat area."

Naruto grinned

"Time for my 'dynamic entry'"

Hinata giggled and pulled him into a very passionate kiss that left him somewhat dazed for a few seconds after she finally pulled away.

"Go get 'em, Naru-chan"

Naruto smirked, as was taught to him by the Hyuuga, before disappearing in a flash of blue.

The crowd in the private boxes, as well as the few higher ups who were watching from the front of the room instead of a box of their own, watched in anticipation. The general thought going through their heads was something along the line of 'Finally, we'll get to see the 'Shadow Wraith' of Konoha in action first hand, and live to tell the tale…'

Suddenly, the floor of the room distorted. It became a liquid, while still retaining its texture and color. To imagine what it looks like, think about how, when you were a kid, you used to hack a loogie and drip it out your mouth and see how far down it goes before sucking it back up again without dripping any. Inverse that 'drop' shape, and imagine it rising from the ground. That's what the entire audience saw. It started swelling before popping with a small… pop. The 'liquid' dissipated to reveal the floor where it started completely undamaged.

Where the weird loogie-like bubble was before now stood… Naruto. His pale crème colored Hyuuga training jacket was immaculate, as was his black pants. The only difference between this outfit and the outfit he wore on his graduation day was that instead of white bandages like Neji, his were black, and instead of wearing his forehead protector around his left leg, he wore a wrist band that had a metal plate on it with the Leaf symbol engraved on it. (he only uses his 'Wraith' costume when on serious missions or when he gets into a serious fight)

All in all, he looked like a blonde Hyuuga with slightly discolored eyes and spiky hair.

His opponent was a Mist nin, if his forehead protector was any indication. He wore typical black Shinobi pants and sandals, and a dark green t-shirt. Over this was an off white trench coat that would, no doubt, blend in perfectly in a fog. His mist forehead protector was sewn onto the breast of his trench coat, like a name tag on a soldier's uniform. His hair was an interesting color. It was a deep, dark, almost pine colored green. He wore it in a style that was bizarrely similar to that of the Uchiha style. His eyes were a deep green as well, just a shade or two lighter than his hair. He had two deep green marks under his eyes that vaguely resembled geometric-styled boomerangs. They followed the curve of his lower eyelid, only about a half of an inch below it. The expression on the boy's face was a mixture of curiosity and a little anxiety, but was covered by a mask of anticipation.

"So, you're the infamous "Shadow Wraith" huh. You don't look so tough"

"Fighters ready? Begin!"

Naruto just slipped into a typical Jyuuken stance. Much like the Byakugan, when Naruto needed to concentrate enough to see the tenketsu, the veins around his eyes bulged out, giving the use a very intimidating stare.

"Heh, though so. Time to show you what a real Shinobi can do"

With a few hand seals, the boy slowly gathered a mist around himself. The mist drifted off of him in a strange parody of Naruto's Shadow Mist technique he used on his mission. The mist seeping off the boy slowly started forming… speakers.

It took almost all of Naruto's will power not to sweat drop at the sight.

"I bet you're wondering what this is about, ne? Well, I think I'll save you a monologue like the ones you Hyuuga are so famous for and just show you."

With a snap of his fingers, the speakers started playing. The pulsing thump of the hardcore trance that was being played resonated in each and every person's chest, giving them a feeling almost like they were being physically struck.

The Mist Genin grinned most evilly before slowly closing his eyes. Slowly, he let the music take over. His moves suddenly seemed to fuse into the sound of the song. It was like his body became the physical representation of the music.

Naruto frowned before launching a few shuriken at the dancing Genin. The guy just sidestepped without missing a beat. Finally, the music reached a slow point. The high pitched, yet strangely calming chord being played was the only sound. Slowly, the boy's eyes opened. Killer intent suddenly spiked out of the boy. Despite being a master of killer intent himself, Naruto was rooted to the spot. The music suddenly launched directly into a full blown hardcore climax of the song. As it did so, the Genin launched himself at Naruto. The first few hits painfully connected, but the pain was enough to snap Naruto out of his stupor.

As the music played on, the two seemed to flow with it. The mist nin attacked in tandem with the changes in the music, while Naruto blocked them, giving the illusion that they were dancing. In truth they were, only it was a dance of death. Their flowing, graceful, water-like movements slowly blurred faster and faster. It finally got to the point where only the most experienced could keep up with their speed. Finally, with a loud final thump of the music, the two flew apart. Both crashed into the opposite walls of the arena.

A plume of dust and debris covered the impact points. Slowly, as it drifted away or settled onto the floor, the figures of two people were revealed in their respective areas. Naruto was standing in front of a rather large crater in the wall, but looked mostly unharmed. The other Genin wasn't so lucky. He was down on one knee, breathing heavily.

"You're good, you know?"

"Thank you. Your technique is rather unique as well. Perhaps if you put a Genjutsu that used the music to disorientate your opponent, you would do better."

"Wow… I never thought of that…"

Naruto smiled.

"Now, I think it's time to end this."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing…"

Naruto smoothly dropped into a very advanced Jyuuken stance, while his opponent cued another song, this time heavy metal, screaming singer included

With a burst of speed in time with the heavy strumming of the guitar, the Mist Genin shot forewords. He made a few seals before calling out "Mizu Bunshin no jutsu!" Several of his copies appeared next to him. They continued running at Naruto, who just held his stance. Suddenly, time seemed to stop. Even the music went quiet.

"You are within range of my divination."

Everyone's eyes went wide, as even the Mist Shinobi knew about the Hyuuga Divination Field.

With a sudden burst of chakra, Naruto jumped forewords, calling out each series of strikes as he landed them.

"Two strikes, four strikes, eight strikes, sixteen strikes, thirty two strikes, sixty four strikes!"

"Hakke, Rokujuu yonshou" Naruto said in a calm voice. "You no longer have the ability to mold chakra. You will also find it difficult to move. Be lucky, I only used processed chakra. You should regain use of your arms and legs in a few hours."

"Winner, Hyuuga Naruto."

Applause came from the stands where the Mizukage and his attendants watched. Smiling, Naruto reached down and grabbed the Mist Genin's hand, pulling him to his feet.

"Hey, that was a good match."

"Yeah… I lost though…"

"Don't worry about it too much. In case you didn't know, I'm Hyuuga Naruto."

"Daisuke. Mizu Daisuke."

"Mizu, huh. I'm guessing you were an orphan, weren't you."

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Isn't it standard procedure in Kirigakure to give their orphans the surname Mizu when they don't have any official record for them?"

"Y…Yeah…"

"You know, I was an orphan until I was six."

"What? Really?"

"Yeah. Then I developed these eyes, and I was adopted into the Hyuuga. My surname before that was Uzumaki, but I'm sure that was one given to me in the aftermath of the Kyuubi attack. You're familiar with that… event, aren't you?"

"Y…Yeah."

For a minute, the silence was oppressive as the Medic nin that made their way to the Genin arrived, checking over Daisuke for any injury.

Naruto suddenly reached into a pocket and pulled out a scroll. He opened it and used the pen that was wrapped in it to write something down quickly. By the time the medic nin were done loading their patient onto the stretcher, Naruto had torn off the note he wrote. Rolling it up quickly, he walked up beside the injured Mist Genin.

"Hey, if you ever need help, send word to the Hyuuga compound in Konoha, ok? Be sure to ask for either Hyuuga Naruto or Hyuuga Hinata. Oh and here's a small parting gift."

Smiling, Naruto tucked the piece of paper into the boy's hand.

"A… Arigato."

The boy slowly unwrapped the paper, and read it over several times. "Genjutsu..." he muttered. 'Hyuuga Naruto... I'll remember you...'

Naruto smiled and walked away. He made his way up to the box, where he was greeted enthusiastically by Hinata and Chouji.

"Naruto-kun!"

Hinata glomped him before he had a chance to take even one step into the room.

"Good job, Naruto."

Thanks, Chouji."

Making their way back to their chairs and resumed their preferred activities. After a minute, Hinata finally asked "Naruto, why did you give that paper to that guy?"

"Because, Hinata. He reminded me of how I used to be before I was adopted. He… His eyes… they were the eyes of someone who is always alone… eyes full of hurt."

"I… I see…"

"I'm glad, Hina-chan."

The next match was being chosen, as shown by the flashing names on the screen. Finally, the next two names were shown on the screen.

"Match 3, Rock Lee versus Akimichi Chouji."

"YOSH! It's my turn!"

Chouji sighed. "Of all people, why did I have to get the 'fashion challenged' weirdo?"

They made their way down to the middle of the arena.

"Begin"

Lee shot out like a flash, pulling up into one of his typical moves.

"Konoha Senpuu!"

Chouji stepped back and avoided the kick to his head, but failed to see the next one to his ankles. Falling hard, he dodged the next few blows by rolling around on the ground and pushing himself up into a back flip, landing on his feet.

"You are quite acrobatic."

"You're an eyesore, but I'll give you the fact that you're fast."

"Thank you. My flames of youth burn brightly! I only hope that your defeat will not diminish your flames, only that they may burn brighter to match the beauty of mine!"

Chouji, instead of talking, took the opportunity to flash through some hand seals. Not bothering to announce his jutsu, he watched in amusement as a huge gust of wind blasted the spandex-clad weirdo into the wall of the arena.

"Less talk, more pain, Fuzzy-Brows."

(As Naruto is now somewhat formal, Chouji developed a tendency to make nick names for everyone he meets.)

Lee got up and charged again. They two traded blows and blocks, seeming on even ground. Smirking suddenly, Lee's 'punch' turned into a hand grabbing… something. Chouji didn't have the time to react as he felt the ninja wire wrapped around his feet tighten. He felt himself leave the ground as Lee started to spin, swinging Chouji along for the ride. Finally, Lee let the poor boy go, yelling "Konoha Taifuun!"

BOOM!

From the point of impact against the side of the wall, cracks spread out like spider webs, reaching all they way to the lip of the arena wall. With a rumble and a crack, the entire wall collapsed on the place where the poor boy lay.

By the time the dust and dirt cleared and one could see clearly, a pile of rubble lay where Chouji had fallen. Rocks the size of cars lay piled upon each other, along with a fine mixing of sand and gravel. In short, it was impossible to have survived.

"No… Chouji!"

"Chouji…"

Naruto and Hinata watched in horror. They waited, hoping, praying that some sort of movement could be seen, but… there was nothing. Even Lee himself seemed shocked that he had done so much damage, even killing a fellow Konoha Shinobi.

"No…nononononoNO…. NO!"

Naruto's yell reverberated through the arena. His cry of anguish was so full of heartbreak that even the most battle hardened Jounin were moved. Tears unashamedly streamed down his face as he and Hinata openly wept for their fallen team mate.

"Such a sad turn of affairs… Winner…!"

Before the referee could finish his statement, a rumbling shook the arena. Rocks shifted and groaned as they were forcibly pushed aside. With a sudden spike of chakra, the pile of rubble exploded outwards, sending Rock Lee and the referee into the opposite walls. From out of the wreckage crawled a somewhat bruised and beaten Chouji. His shirt was ripped off and his pants were in tatters, although they held together enough to allow him some decent modesty. Instead of the butterball he was a few years ago, there stood a very well sculpted figure. He still had a layer of fat, but it wasn't as prominent as it was before, and you could easily see the well toned muscled rippling beneath the surface of his skin. He reached up with a bandaged hand and wiped the small stream of blood that came out of his mouth. However, what everyone in the arena was staring at wasn't his figure, or his blood, or the fact that he had turned a small hill of rubble into a 30 foot crater. It was the seal on his chest.

The circle that covered his entire torso contained an intricate geometric pattern that held a myriad of Kanji and other unknown symbols. From the outside of the circle, a strange pattern of tribal tattoos ran down the length of his arms, legs, neck, and even on his face. The entire thing glowed a dark and ominous red, bathing the boy in a barely visible red light.

"Didn't think I'd have to reveal this so soon…"

"I see…"

"I don't have all day, Lee. Let's finish this."

"…Gai-sensei, forgive me."

Lee reached down and patted each leg. He suddenly jumped and twisted in mid air, turning into a back flip. Kicking each leg, he sent each weight flying at incredible speeds directly at Chouji.

Chouji's hands extended themselves towards the ground, his palms down. With a sudden jerk, he brought them up just as the weights reached him. Two spikes of pure stone rose out of the ground to intercept the projectiles. When the dust cleared, the two spikes were devastated, but it was obvious that Chouji was unharmed, as the weights hadn't been able to continue their journey.

"NANI!"

"With this seal, I can control earth, to a certain degree. My elemental affinity is earth, and this just allows my chakra to control it at will. It drains my chakra rather quickly, but thanks to my training, I recover faster than it drains."

"I see. Then, it seems that I'll have to use…'It'"

"NO, LEE! IT'S FORBIDDEN!"

"I'm sorry, Gai-sensei. I will not loose this fight."

Lee darted out of sight only to appear inside Chouji's guard. His kicked upwards at his chin and made contact, only to be thrown back 20 feet howling in pain.

A large bar of earth stood in front of Chouji, having obviously slammed into the attacking Taijutsu specialist before he could complete his kick. Lee slowly stood up.

"Time to go wild…"

Again he disappeared, only to reappear only to throw another blow at Chouji. Walls, spikes, and even flying balls of earth foiled most attacks, and most of the others that got through were blocked by Chouji's arms and legs. However, the few that managed to land solid blows still hurt him, slowing him down. The constant use of his power also was draining his chakra.

Again, Lee jumped to the attack again. This time, Chouji swept his hand up and out, sending a wave of earth at the oncoming boy.

"AAHHHH"

Lee was, yet again, thrown against the wall. He couldn't escape in time, and found that stone shackles now pinned his arms and legs to the wall. Spikes rose up out of the ground and closed the distance

They stopped, millimeters from Lee's stuck body.

"Referee, he is unable to move and if I so please, I could skewer him. This match is over."

"Not yet, it isn't."

With a sudden puff of smoke, Lee disappeared and reappeared behind Chouji. The massive kick knocked the boy forewords, only to get kicked in the chin and get shot into the air. Bandages wrapped themselves around Chouji's body, preventing him from moving. Suddenly, he found himself spinning and heading straight towards the ground.

BAM!

The impact threw yet another cloud of dust into the air. Again, the entire audience waited in anticipation for the dust to clear. When it finally did, they found Chouji floating on his back in a puddle of mud, obviously unconscious. Lee was barely standing a few feet away, breathing heavily.

"W…Winner, Rock Lee…"

Silence. Everyone was too stunned to believe the outcome. The powers and skills shown in this match made the other two matches look like academy students in a street brawl. As Lee collapsed onto his back, Neji jumped down to stand next to him.

"H…How did you do that Kawarimi? I thought you couldn't use jutsu."

"Kawarimi tags. Gai-sensei helped me make them. They work just like the jutsu, only I don't need hand seals and I can only go where the tag was before. The little chakra I have can be used to activate them, but I still can't use jutsu…"

With that, he fell unconscious, a smile on his face as he saw Gai-sensei standing over Neji. The look of pride on his face was more than obvious.

"Let's go, Neji."

The Medic Nin took the two shinobi to the infirmary so they can rest and be healed. Gai and Neji started walking back to the box, but stopped when they heard the referee speak

"Hyuuga Neji versus Hyuuga Hinata"

DUN DUN DUN! Sorry I'm so late. I've been busy between studying for ACT and SAT tests, homework, my new job, and playing EVE Online. Yeah, I know, in other words, I've just been lazy. Well, no more. I'm gonna try to update a lot more often. Again, sorry for being so late. Anyways, I don't gotta lot to say, so… Laters!