Here's the next chapter of my brand new Story. As I mentioned previously, this story is a what if scenario. You could say that I'm re-writing what originally happened in the Anime. I hope that's ok with you readers… Anyway, this chapter is a little slow like the first. The plot doesn't advance that must, but there's a few things going on at the same time…

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Chapter 2

"Uneasiness"

Though still a bit nervous to the task in front of them, the group was confident and determined. All you had to do was look at their faces; and you could see it. It didn't matter how ridiculously hard or stupid the situation looked, because the only thing that mattered was for each of them to prove to themselves and to others just how strong they were……….how strong they would become.

"So….you guys ready? asked Guy.

"Yes, we're ready." said Neji. "I'll be the first one to try it…….but before that, could you explain the rules again?"

"As I said earlier, you each have to walk up to a tree as best as you can and simply knock it down. But here's the catch…….you have to knock it down with your bare hands; No doubt you'll be exhausted when you reach it. Also…..you're not allowed to hit it with a ninjutsu. Understood?"

After hearing this, Neji looked at the small tree that was a good distance away from him and began to take his first step. It took great effort to move his feet, let alone walk, with those heavy weights bringing his feet down on every step. But at least he was moving…….about 3 steps a minute. After half an hour, he finally made it to a small sized tree. At that moment, he felt as if he was about to collapse. Sweat was rushing down his face and he was breathing hard. It reminded him of a normal training session; after it was finished…. Struggling to keep his balance, he examined the tree with his Byakugan and began to search for a weak point--a crack from within-- to strike. After finding one, he tries to strike that point—using his clan's special taijutsu— but as he tries to thrust his hand out……he looses his balance.

"Neji!" yelled Naruto. "Come on, get up and try again, you're stronger than that!!"

"Yeah." said Guy. "Show us the TRUE power of the Hyuga. Thought you were an expert of taijutsu."

"This…..is…..ridiculous." said Neji struggling to get up. "I'll try one more……time."

Neji manages to get back up on his feet and tries it again. To everyone's surprise, the tree breaks in half and slowly topples over. Satsifed, Neji falls out on the ground and starts to take the weights off.

"Alright." said Guy. "That was excellent!! What strength…..what determination ….what—"

"Great! It's my turn." yelled Sakura, pushing Naruto out of the way as she slowly started to take some steps. But again, it took awhile for her to make it to the tree. About the same time it took Neji to get there. When she did….everyone noticed that she was barely sweating!! With a smirk on her face, she clenched her fist and began focusing her chakra to it…..The tree was simply gone.

"Yeah!! How was that Guy Sensei?!! yelled Sakura

Both Lee and Guy had their mouths wide open in shock, still wondering how such insane strength even existed. Both of them were not even looking at the ground (which split open), but were looking at her fist…… it was nothing less to expect from the one who was trained by Lady Tsunade herself.

Finally, it was Naruto's turn. Just like Neji and Sakura, Naruto managed to make it up to his tree; breathing heavily and sweating of course. But for some reason he just had to pick the one that was bigger than theirs………combined.

Small bridge near the Hokage's office building

"So what's up Skiamaru?" asked Choji

"Yeah." said Ino. "What do you want to talk to us about?"

"Well, you see…..I was going to Lady Tsunade's Office to give her a full report about how my mission carried out. But when I walked in, she was quietly talking to Kakashi and Shizune also. So I excused myself and closed the door. But you know me; I wanted to figure something out. So I stayed by the door, and tried to get as much information as I can."

"So, what is it? C'mon I can't wait any longer." said Choji anxiously.

"I didn't get that much, because Tsunade caught me spying. But I managed to hear three things. In fact it might be all that I need."

"Shikamaru!" yelled Ino

"Alright….alright. She was talking about something that has to deal with Jiraiya, Naruto and (sighs)……Akatsuki."

"What about them?!" yelled Choji

"I told you, Tsuande caught me. That's all I know. But I can tell you that when I saw Kakashi walking out of the building, he just stopped and stared into space. He looked a little uneasy."

At that moment, the three of them saw Shino, Kiba, and, Hinata running towards the Hokage's residence….

Tsunade's Office

The three burst through the door and dashed straight up to her desk and stopped to catch their breath. Akamaru laid flat on his belly and stared at lady Tsunade with a straight face.

"(Sighs) Why can't I have just 10 minutes to myself?" said Tsunade. "I seriously need a padlock for that door…"

"Lady Tsunade…" said Hinata "We think someone or something is lurking in the forest outside the Village."

"She claims that she saw something unusual with her Byakugan. Something that appeared to be a snake. But the thing is.....it was metallic." said Shino

"Did you smell anything Kiba?" asked Tsunade

"Nope. But in all honesty ma'am I think the whole situation was a misunderstanding. It could have been any ordinary object just tossing in the wind."

"Well just to be sure," said Tsunade. "I'll send a few ANBU to check it out."

After agreeing to her decision, Hinata and Kiba walked out of her office, with Shino walking slowly to the door. He stopped right before exiting….

"Out of curiosity ma'am…..Why send ANBU?"

"Well…..you just can't be too careful these days."

As Shino walked out, he wondered whether or not he was the only one who remembered or even heard that sound…..

Training Field— just past noon

"Why don't you find another tree to hit?!! yelled Sakura. "You're only making dents."

Laid out on the ground—ignoring her—Naruto mustered up what was probably the last bit of his strength, and got back up to his feet. His tree did have several dents in it. Some of the dents were from his fists and the others were from the weights. The latter caused heavy damage to the trunk. But Naruto decided not to kick it anymore because he almost broke his leg earlier.

Alright! I'll try one more……time." said Naruto breathing heavily as if he would pass out at any second. "Here we Go!!"

Naruto focused a little chakra to the palm of his hand (Similar to what he does to form a Rasengan) but he made sure that he didn't form one. After thrusting his hand back slighty pass his head, he then shoved it forward with all his might and smacked the tree with all of his remaining strength. He immediately fell out on the floor after doing this. Both Guy and Lee looked at each other and sighed because it appeared that Naruto had failed. Sakura shook her head and was worried that Naruto would be dissapointed for the rest of the day. But suddenly everyone heard a loud snap; better yet a loud pop. Guy's eyes widened after realizing what the sound was.

He immediately dashed forward to pick up Naruto from the ground and to move him to another spot. After doing so, him and the group watched in amazement as the tree slowly tipped over and smacked the ground…

In a room of Darkness

In an unknown area..... there it was. A statue. One with strange eyes and other mysterious carvings. The darkness is thick here, with no room for light. And then suddenly, images appear one-by-one.........quickly turning into Silhouettes. One can only see eyes......especially THOSE eyes. There is no introduction, no acknowledgement, no delay. A meeting begins.....

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And there you have it. Chapter 2. I'll try not to take so long to post next time. But I hoped it was worth the wait. I'm waitng anxiously for comments.

Bran The Man