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Chapter 10: Preliminary battles.

The Konoha ninja and the unconscious Sasuke arrived at the tower.

"So we're here," Ino said, "Now what?"

Naruto looked at the scrolls he had in his possession and said, "I think we're supposed to open our scrolls now."

The genin from Konoha looked at him like he was crazy.

"Naruto," Ino scolded, "That crazy lady told us not to open the scrolls."

Naruto looked right at her and said, "she said not to open the scrolls while we were in the forest she didn't say anything about opening it while we were in the tower."

With that being said everyone team took out their scrolls and the scrolls started to emit smoke.

Naruo gasped and said, "Let 'em down their summoning scrolls."

Every team threw down their scrolls just in time for large puffs of smoke to blast from the scrolls. As the smoke clear it showed Iruka Umino, Asuma Sarutobi, and Might Gai.

'Oh my god!" Naruto yelled as he saw Gai, 'His eyebrows are huge. They're even bigger than Lee's! Did he glue a pair of caterpillars to his face?'

Gai gave a shining grin to Lee, Ten-Ten and Neji and yelled, "MY YOUTHFUL STUDENTS! I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THE SECOND EXAM!"

The other Konoha genin stared at he man with a look of shock on their faces. They were also very freaked out by the sight of the man's eyebrows.

Lee then smirked and yelled, "YES GAI-SENSEI! WE HAVE ALL SHOWN OUR FLAMES OF YOUTH BY DEFEATING THE SECOND EXAM!"

The oddly dressed duo then began to yell the other's name and then finally hugged. When they did everyone was caught in a genjutsu that made them see a rising sun and a beach.

Everyone promptly made a ram seal and said, "Kai!"

Nothing happened.

"KAI! KAI! KAI!"

It was still there.

'Why won't it go away?' Naruto thought, 'Got to make it stop…got to make it stop!'

Naruto then reached out with the force and forcefully separated the two before slamming the two back together and the blonde then pulled them closer to him and growled, "If either of you do that in front of me again you will never be able to have children."

The two green clad men paled and Gai stuttered, "B-But that would be treason."

Naruto crossed his arms and asked, "Treason or a public service?"

Everyone other than Gai and Lee said, "Public Service."Gai started crying anime style tears and cried, "UNYOUTHFUL PEOPLE!"

The others all sweat dropped at the man and then the jonin, and lone chuunin started to explain what the exams were about and what the earth and heaven part of the scrolls meant. When they finished they were met with silence. It was then that they noticed that their students were gone.

In their place was a note that read:

Dear Gai, Asuma, and Iruka,

Sorry we couldn't stay for the explanation, but we had to go off and rest. We'll always remember what you told us…even thought we didn't hear it.'

Your students.

The two jonin and chuunin fell silent for a few seconds until Iruka broke the silence by growling out, "Those little ingrates."

Meanwhile…

"Oh thank Kami we got out of there," Naruto said, "I had enough lectures from Iruka-sensei to last me a lifetime."

All the other genin nodded. The academy had been pretty boring due to the fact that they had to sit through lectures and that was one thing that none of them ever wanted to go through.

After sharing a laugh, or chuckle in the case of Sasuke and Neji.

"Naruto," a voice called.

They everyone turned and saw Kushina entering the room.

The woman embraced Naruto and hugged him tight. The guys were all giving Kushina certain looks as she was very beautiful. The girls seemed a little envious of how the woman looked.

"Naruto," Sakura said, "Who is this?"

Naruto broke away from his mother and cleared his throat.

"Sorry," he said, "Guys this is my mother Kushina."

Everyone was slack jawed as they heard that.

"But I thought that…" Sasuke started, but stopped as he didn't want to go into the dobe's personal life.

Shikimaru probably would have gone into it himself, but he deemed it far to troublesome.

Naruto then left with his mother to tell her what had happened. She was surprised when she found out that Orochimaru was back and that he had tried to give Naruto a curse mark. She smiled in pride as she heard of how he fought a giant hydra in his mind and basically kicked it's ass. She smiled admirably at her son and then left to go report Orochimaru being in Konoha.

Naruto sighed and went to his room. The blonde opened the door and found Haku sitting on his bed in her chuunin attire.

Naruto smiled at his girlfriend and said, "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but why are you here Haku-chan."

Haku giggled and said, "I wanted to give you reward for making it this far, and a little good luck for what's next."

Haku smiled and walked up to Naruto wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed him. The two stayed like that for a little bit when a gasp reached the couple's ears.

The two spun around to see Hinata standing in the door. The white eyed girl's eyes started to fill with tears at the sight of her crush in another' woman's arms. The girl's tears started to fall as she spun on her heel and ran down the hall. Naruto ran after her, but lost her in the corridors.

'I know this is going to come back to bite me in the butt,' Naruto thought, 'I just know it.'

Later…

Naruto and the rest of the genin who survived the second exam stood in the main room. In front of them the Hokage stood with the jonin and proctors behind him. He explained the reasons behind the exam.

Naruto found Hinata and saw that she was glaring at Haku.

Naruto shook his head. He found his interest peaked when he heard that there would be preliminary matches to figure out who would be going to the final exam because there were so many who passed.

Naruto saw Ibiki sign something over to the Hokage. Luckily he had learned sign language from Kakashi. The blonde's eyes widened when he found Kabuto's name brought up. The blonde then reached out with the force and found Kabuto and his teammates. The blond then used to force to stop Kabuto from forfeiting like he sensed he was about to do and made his teammate Yoroi do it instead.

The board then started randomly going through names. After a few seconds it landed on two.

Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kabuto Yakushi.

The blonde grinned and then jumped down into the arena. Kabuto jumped down too.

"I warn you Naruto," Kabuto said, "even if I have failed this exam before I am stronger then I look."

Naruto chuckled at that and said, "Funny, I was about to say the same thing."

The two looked at each other as a pale sickly man strode up, "My name is *cough* Hayate Gekko the *cough* proctor for the preliminary rounds. Are both fighters ready?"

Both Naruto and Kabuto nodded.

"Right. The first match between Naruto Uzumaki and Kabuto Yakushi will now commence. Hajime!"

Kabuto started off by charging at the blonde. The silver haired genin threw a punch which Naruto dodged to the right before throwing a punch himself that Kabuto was smart enough to avoid.

The silver haired boy then struck out a chakra laced hand that the spiky haired blonde caught and then threw him into a wall.

"Kabuto," Naruto said as if scolding a child, "You might want to start trying otherwise I'm going to have to really hurt you."

Kabuto growled slightly as he focused chakra into both hands and charged. The blonde was smart enough to know something that could kill him when he saw it. The blonde dodged each strike skillfully and then caught both of Kabuto's hands.

"You pretty good four eyes," the blonde said with a smirk as he looked at Kabuto's frustrated face, "Now it's my turn."

The blonde then brought his knee up and nailed Kabuto in the stomach making him double over in pain. Naruto then unleashed strong punch to the boy's face before grabbing him by the skull and then slamming him down on the ground.

Naruto stepped back a bit as Kabuto rose up before kicking him in the ribs cracking a few and knocking the silver haired boy into

"You might want to give up now four eyes," Naruto said, "before I really bring the hurt."

Kabuto spat onto the ground and said, "In your dreams."

Naruto shook his head and said, "Okay. Don't say I didn't offer you a way out."

Naruto then held out both hands and fired a large volt of force lightning from his hands. The bolts made the silver haired genin scream out in agony. Everybody was staring in shock at what was happening before them. A lot of them were shocked that the blonde was so sadistic.

These were the thoughts of some of the people in the room.

Lee: 'I swear Naruto one day I will find a way to surpass your fires of youth.'

Gai: 'Incredible his flames of youth are so hot they have taken the form of lightning! I swear I shall trin Lee so that he may surpass your flames of youth Naruto!'

The rest of team 9, team 8, team 10: 'What the heck was that?'

Kakashi: 'At least hi didn't go overboard and slice him in half.'

Sakura: 'Nice one Naruto.'

Sasuke: 'Why is he always stronger than me? He was supposed to be the dead last a failure!'

Anko: 'That was hot!'

Gaara: 'What strength and we barely saw it. You will prove my existence Uzumaki.'

Temari, Kankuro, and Baki: 'He has that look.'

Orochimaru: 'That power is incredible. With that power combined with the Sharingan I will be unstoppable.'

Kabuto fell to the ground out cold and slightly twitching from the electric current still going through his body.

Hayate walked over to the Kabuto and checked his pulse.

The sickly looking man then said, "Winner of the first preliminary match: Naruto Uzumaki."

The Konoha 12 cheered while Kabuto's injured and slightly burned body was carried away by the medics.

Naruto was about to head up to the railing when he noticed that the Hokage giving him a look. The old man then gave Naruto a discreet sign to follow the silver haired boy.

Naruto walked up to Kakashi and said, "I have to go take care of something. Let me know who I fight in the finals okay?"

The silver haired man looked a little suspicious, but let the young one walk.

The young blonde followed the medics, but not too closely so as not to arouse suspicion. When they laid the silver haired genin in the medical bed they put an I.V in his arm and left. As they left Naruto entered the room. As soon he did in a swirl of leaves Anko and Ibiki appeared.

"This is the kid that you told Hokage-sama about?" Anko asked looking at Kabuto's broken form, "He doesn't look like he could be a problem."

Ibiki looked at his partner and said, "Don't underestimate him. I mean the former dead last tore through a bunch of mercenaries like tissue paper."

Anko nodded at that. Then she turned to the blonde and said, "Why do you think this kid might be trouble?"

Naruto crossed his arms and said, "He knew a little too much about the genin competing this year. Plus no one goes through the exams so many times unless he's trying to gain information. Something about it stinks."

At that moment Kabuto started to sir as he started to wake up. Anko was about to take out a kunai when Naruto stopped her.

"Allow me my dear," the blonde said ass he held out a hand to Kabuto.

As Kabuto woke up Naruto unleashed the force and Kabuto's mind started to cloud and his eyes lost focus.

Naruto lowered his hand and looked at the boy before saying, "Kabuto…can you hear me?"

Kabuto's eyes were still dull as he looked at Naruto and said in a monotone voice, "Yes."

Naruto grinned as Anko and Ibiki looked on in interest.

"Now Kabuto," Naruto said, "What is your purpose here?"

Kabuto answered, "My purpose was to gather information on the leaf for my master."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who is your master?"

Kabuto answered, "Lord Orochimaru."

At that name Anko clenched here fist and growled. Ibiki put a comforting hand on her shulder to try and soothe here nerves.

Naruto looked at the silver haired boy and asked, "What is your master's plan?"

Kabuot answered, "My master has joined the Otogakure and Sunagakure in an plan to invade and destroy this village. My master has put a curse seal on Sasuke Uchiha and with it he will come to lord him for power. Then my master shall gain the Sharingan and he will become closer to achieving his dream of knowing all the jutsu in the world."

Naruto clenched his fists as he heard of Orochimaru's ambition. To know all the jutsu in the world was insane.

Naruto held out a hand and said, "Kabuto you will forget what has happened here now except for my commands. You will return to your master and continue as you plan. Understood."

Kabuto nodded.

"Good. Now sleep."

Slowly Kabuto nodded off again and he slept.

Naruto turned from the sleeping boy to see a surprised looking Anko and Ibiki.

"What?" the blonde asked.

"Kid," Ibiki asked, "How did you do that?"

Naruto looked at him and said, "A bloodline I have. It allows me to manipulate the weakened along with other things. I think the only reason I was able to get to Kabuto though was the fact that he wasn't completely awake."

Ibiki smirked and said, "Kid if that Hokage idea of yours doesn't work out then you may have a future in the torture and interrogation division."

Naruto nodded and then headed back to the arena where the preliminaries were being held.

As soon as he entered he was surprised to see Hinata being carried away on a stretcher with blood leaking out of her mouth slightly.

Naruto turned to Kakasi and growled, "What the hell happened here?"

Kakashi looked at Naruto and explained.

"Hinata was put up against her cousin Neji. During the fight Neji sent a few strikes to her heart and nearly killed her. I hope she makes it. If not there's going to be hell to pay."

Naruto glared at the Hyuuga male and growled out, "I wonder how much trouble I'd get in if I ripped out that bastards eyes."

Everyone in ear shot looked at Naruto and slowly moved away out of fear that the blonde would unleash his anger on them too.

"What else have I missed?" the blonde as his sensei.

"Well," Kakashi said, "I don't really want to go into details, but you, Sakura, Sasuke, Shikimaru, Shino, that Suna girl, and the guy with make up are going to he finals so far. All that's left is Chouji, Lee, that Gaara kid and that bandaged kid from sound.

The following matches were described in two words brutal and boring.

The first one was Gaara vs. Lee.

Lee started off strong, but wasn't able to get through Gaara's defense. The strangely dressed boy then threw a pair of weights off his legs. The result was an incredible increase in the boy's speed. He was so fast Gaara's sand wasn't able to keep up. Lee then tried to end the fight with an Primary Lotus, but Gaara switched himself with a sand clone. Lee then opened the chakra gates in his body with pushed said body to it's limit. The then performed his most power move the Hidden Lotus, but Gaara withstood that too. Gaara then used his sand to crush Lee's left leg and arm. He would have done more if Gai hadn't come down and stopped him.

The next match was Chouji versus Dosu, the bandaged guy from sound. Chouji used his Human Boulder technique to try and flatten Dosu, but he missed and the man used his melody arm to hit Chouji with a sound wave that knocked him out.

Needless to say it was over pretty damn fast.

After that all of the surviving contestants were called down.

"Okay," the Hokage said, "I want all of you to pick a number from the bowl and tell us what your number is."Neji: 1

Sakura: 3

Naruto: 2

Sasuke: 5

Gaara: 6

Temari: 4

Dosu: 8

Kankouro: 7

Shino: 9

"Good," Sarutobi said as he gazed at the group, "You all have one month until the next exam. Do yourselves a favor and learn some new tricks."

With that the genin who won left.

As they walked out Naruto went up to Sakura.

"So Sakura," Naruto said, "I have to bite…how did you beat Ino."

Sakura looked at her teammate and said, "Well when the match started Ino said that when she beat me that it would prove to Sasuke that she was better for him. I just laughed and told her what he was really like. I don't know if that broke here off it. After that she tried to take me down, but I managed to beat her since I didn't spend my time being a fan girl….was I really as bad as she was?"

Naruto just kept walking.

"Naruto why won't you answer me?"

Naruto looked back at her and said, "If I told you then you'd hit me."

Later that night…

Neji slept in his bed. In his dreams he saw himself on the battle field with Naruto on the ground beaten just as fate had deemed it. Just as he was about tot walk away everything changed. the arena around him shattered and revealed a dark and barren land.

"Oh Neeeeejiiiiiiiii," a voice said.

The Hyuuga prodigy spun around to see Naruto with a grin on his face.

"You," Neji said in an annoying voice, "What are you doing here?"

Naruto gave the boy a mocking look and asked, "What? Did I interrupt your dream? I came to give you a warning about our upcoming match."

Neji scoffed and said, "I don't need your warnings. Fate has already chosen me as the winner."

Naruto shook his head and said, "Keep telling yourself that girly man. In any case you had better give me all you got…."

At that moment the ground beneath them began to quake and shatter the ground broke and the Kyuubi in all its flaming glory rose out of the ground with it's red eyes glaring at the boy.

Then Naruto and Kyuubi both said in unison, "Or hell won't be able to stop us from tearing your eyes from your skull!"

The large demon fox then launched itself at Neji.

The Hyuuga prodigy then woke up with a scream in a cold sweat.

Omake: Neji's punishment.

Naruto watched Neji's dream of beating him. The blonde shook his head.

'I think it's time for a little payback for what you did to Hinata,' the blonde thought as he sent out the force.

Moments later the boy woke up screaming bloody murder before curling up into a ball and whimpering, "It's only a nightmare only a nightmare."

His nightmare was about him turning into spandex wearing weirdo like Gai and Lee and joining them in their usual youth rants, and then being caught permanently in their sunset genjutsu.