So a little background info on this fic. It is something I started up for xxxYin-Yangxxx and his fic "Naruto: A Hero's Tale." Which is a thousand times better than anything you'll find here. It's a Naruto Harem fic and I'm helping him sorta. SO anyway this was going to fit with that but we decided not to do it but I'll release it here. Enjoy.
Also I have posted like one thing on this site so if the format is off or what not please forgive me.
Please use this or anything in this fic as you want. Good luck and I look forward to reading what you all write. Thanks.
'Chunin Exams Finals?' Mentally scoffed Naruto Uzumaki, 'the Fourth Shinobi War is more like it.' Naruto was currently staring down his, Team 7's, opponent in the Chunin exam finals. A measly Grass genin team looking, for all intents and purpose, already beaten as they stepped out onto the field or at least 'they' did ten or so minutes ago.
The grass team had crawled out as timid and cautious as a newborn deer and stood across from the Jewel of Fire Country, Sasuke Uchiha AKA Satsuki Uchiha with his/her team. 'And don't even get me started on that,' Naruto scoffed to himself again.
After introductions, ahem, Sasuke's name being called and endless roaring from both nobles and villagers alike that drowned out everyone else's name, the referee announced the start of the match and the absolute clusterfuck that would come to be known as "The Day of Bloody Leafs."
I don't know how to fucking format a line break
"Hajime," the sickly jonin bellowed seconds before leafs joined the grass that grew across the arena. Concrete walls dozens of feet tall blocked the glaring sun that reflected from the smudged Grass headbands. The Chunin Exam stadium was packed wall-to-wall.
Sasuke shot forward just as planned while Naruto and Sakura stood back and waited just as Kakashi told them too. 'Cannon fodder?' Naruto found him scoffing and unknowingly mirroring his actions in just a few short minutes. Kakashi's words rang through his head causing indignation and anger to replace the blood in his veins. Sasuke's first successful hit sounded oddly like Kakashi's stupid book closing.
More bullshit linebreaks for a flashback within a flashback
"Now team," Kakashi's words stopped Team 7's spar and called all attention to their instructor, "I've got good news and bad news." Kakashi's eye crinkled up to hide his unease and internal discomfort at the news he was about to deliver. "Now as you all know this year's Chunin exams is special due to no small part of this team. The attention the Leaf got from our rescue mission has attracted nearly every single hidden village to compete in these exams in an attempt to regain face and to scout out the rumored Team 7 that broke enemy ninja teams out from prison."
The responses from Team 7 were predictable if you knew the team, Sakura looked, understandably down due to being captured with Yugao, Sasuke had a superior stoicness but the barely upturn of his lips showed he was excited for the upcoming matches, and Naruto had a wide, beaming smile that the sun would be jealous of.
In secret, Kakashi would admit he took a small amount of sadistic pleasure as he delivered the next bit of news to his team, "That means that Sasuke will be the star of the show." It took a few minutes for the team to come down from their high and process the news.
Team 7's expressions perplexed their leader he expected yelling and screaming from at least two of them. Sakura seemed to realize some part of why and nodded her consent. She was conflicted, Kakashi could see it in her eyes, and so angry but she was resigned to her decision. Sasuke, or 'Satsuki,' Kakashi corrected in amusement, was seemingly going through a myriad of emotions. Charcoal eyes flickering to his blonde genin almost made Kakashi snort out loud, 'Young love.' Those eyes after just the briefest moment then darted over to the only official Kunoichi on Team 7. This time pride burned inside Kakashi as he gave another 'eye-smile' to his team. Satsuki was coming along nicely. The fact that Sakura, of course, didn't realize that her beloved 'Sasuke-kun' was in fact female but also developing feelings for the one genin, who Sakura at one point hated more than any other, amused Kakashi to no end. Why did he even read Icha Icha? His team was infinitely more entertaining.
"WHY!?" The word was hissed out with a healthy dose of killer intent and resentment, that Kakashi thought they were under attack. It got worse, however, when Kakashi looked into familiar cobalt blue eyes and was forced to take a step back. "Minato-sensei?" Kakashi's words slipped out before he could catch himself luckily Sasuke and Sakura were too focused on their third team member to pay attention to their sensei.
Naruto was furious. How dare Kakashi? He had broken himself multiple times over the last month just to be able to get out from under the Uchiha's shadow not that he would blame her for it. His last month had been spent training nearly sixteen hours a day to be able to show the world the next, self-proclaimed, Hokage and Kakashi had the gall to say he wouldn't be able too? There'd better be a good fucking reason.
Kakashi was overwhelmed. It was unfair that Naruto looked so much like his father. How was he supposed to do anything when it was like his sensei was there judging his every move? Even now flashbacks from the war were invading Kakashi's mind to the last time he had seen those eyes so cold, Obito's death had taken its toll on more than just Kakashi.
"Naruto," Kakashi attempted to buy himself some time to calm his nerves and shaking voice, "Jiraiya has reported some troubling news. A rumor has leaked that 'The Last Uchiha," here Kakashi shot Sasuke a glance and took a moment to savor the disgusted face the onyx haired genin made when he used the title Sasuke hated before continuing, "was on the team that saved Wave nation, fought Zabuza, and rescued the kidnapped nin. As far as the elemental nations and, most importantly, the elemental Royalty is concerned, the Last Uchiha has single-handedly completed three A-ranks with my help, most don't even realise he is on a team. Konoha wants to take advantage of that and use the Uchiha's lingering prestige to bring in more customers and clientele."
Kakashi was relieved when some of the tension eased out of Naruto's shoulders. He continued his explanation, "Sasuke is an important piece of this year's exams. We have to make him look as good as possible and that means making his unknown team… you both… look like, well, cannon fodder." Team 7's sensei felt heartbroken when Naruto seemed to bleed all emotion and deflate. His eye's colored stormy gray with emotion were focused intently on the ground and he simply spat one word in response, "Fine."
The rest of Team 7 shuffled uncomfortably; the camaraderie had vanished and left something ugly in its place. Kakashi did the only thing he could and attempted to cover up the hostile feeling by continuing his news, "Now that the bad news is over," the words hung in the uneasy silence like physical weight, " I'll give you the good news." This time Kakashi kneeled down to look his team in the eyes or at least two of them, "I can never express in words of how proud of this team I am. You brats started out as the most disappointing team that I had ever tested, but the team you've become is the best in the village." 'For genin,' Kakashi finished silently.
The silver-haired jounin stood and gave Sakura a piercing look and spoke with a heavy tone laced with disappointment, "Sakura. You started out a terrible ninja and a even worse Kunoichi," Sakura looked crestfallen, but lightened up with Kakashi's tone, "But now I'm proud to call you a comrade. Tsunade's training has pushed you leagues above your fellow genin." Sakura was beaming in pride and gave a resolute nod when emerald met onyx, but then she shot an almost-bashful yet thankful look to the blonde genin. It was thanks to Naruto that Sakura even got training from Tsunade. Kakashi would never bet against Naruto that was for sure.
"Sasuke," Kakashi continued, "you were arrogant, spiteful, and egotistical. You were a loner and couldn't stand the thought of being in a team, you viewed everyone beneath you and your only thought was on the death of Itachi," here Sasuke's fist tightened briefly before relaxing, "but, like Sakura, you've come far. Almost a complete one-eighty from your old behavior and someone worthy of the Uchiha name." Sasuke smirked in response but Kakashi could detect the hint of wetness in her eyes. 'Females; so emotional.'
Finally Kakashi turned to his last student, "Naru-," he was interrupted by the student he was talking to, "Is this meeting over, Sensei?" Their sensei was frozen mid-word before giving a heavy sigh. He directed his attention to his team but left a concerned eye on his wayward student. "Good luck in your fights tomorrow."
Before anyone could do or say anything Naruto had gone up in smoke and disappeared from view. Kakashi's empty words lingered in the air.
Mother Fucking Line Break
The words still stung Naruto even a day later, but "For the good of the Village" he'd be cannon fodder, but he'd be the best damn cannon fodder to exist. For now though, he'd simply stay back and let Sasuke man-handle the grass team and have an easy win. Or at least, that's what was supposed to happen.
The first inkling that something was wrong was when the only genin not currently being beaten black and blue by Sasuke was staring with unabashed hunger at Sasuke. The second was when the same genin pulled a large scroll from a cloud of smoke that was taller than even Jiraiya. The third didn't happen until Sasuke had put down both of the grass nin's teammates and was attempting to knock the scroll out of the last one's hands. The last nin put Sasuke down faster and harder than Jiraiya had Naruto during training. Fourth was instead of using the scroll on the downed and dazed Sasuke or his gobsmacked team the male/female (Naruto wasn't quite sure) nin placed the scroll on the wall of arena. Finally, the familiar laughter set every hair on Naruto's neck as high as it could possibly reach.
NO MORE FLASHBACKS LINE BREAKER
"Kukuku….." The Kage were already standing but the scroll had been activated and the disguised Orochimaru had successfully taken the entire elemental nations hostage. Ebony lines split the arena into dozens of pieces, endless swirls and loops covered the entirety of the Chunin exams' audience. Black ink slathered every available body and left dark tattoo-esque markings. Every Nin, villager, and Daimyo was trapped in their own bodies at the mercy of the Snake Sannin.
Cursemarks. Orochimaru had given everyone a curse mark he, alone could control. "Kukuku… I've done it Sensei," the grass nin's golden eyes locked with the Hokage, sadistic glee clear. "I'm going to destroy the leaf village and take the precious Sharingan right in front of your eyes." The unrepressed elation was sickening to the recovered members of Team 7, who were huddled as far from the mad man's reach as they could be with Sasuke being pushed to the back of the team.
Even as they watched with horrid fascination, Orochimaru's hands peeled off of the scroll and took stumbling steps towards his goal. Sakura voiced it first, "He's weak….that seal must've of taken a lot of chakra to activate. We just need to pull it off."
This time Naruto couldn't keep it in and his raging emotions got the better of him, "OH. Is that it, Sakura? Just get past the S-rank Sannin and missing-nin and hope he doesn't kill us while we just peel the seal off?" Sakura looked wounded at his comment but stayed focused on the monster walking towards them.
Sasuke, surprisingly spoke up in defense for his teammate, "Naruto calm do-"
Twice in as many days Naruto interrupted someone, "No, you shut the fuck up Uchiha," the word was spat. Even when Naruto had spoke of Orochimaru, it hadn't had as much loathing. "I am sick and tired of you and your stupid fucking name. Uchiha this and Uchiha that. Who cares!?" The audience was stunned silent as the "demon brat" ranted at the scion of the almost lost clan. Even Orochimaru watched in amusement. "Your clan is dead and isn't coming back. Ever. What right does the Uchiha have to make me act like CANNON FODDER!?" This time it was Sasuke who flinched back like he'd been hit but he stayed silent this time.
Naruto shook his head in disgusted dismissal, his chest heaving and turned back to the most prominent thorn in his side. Naruto acknowledged Sasuke out of the corner of his eye and spoke in an even tone, "I don't blame you for your name or hold it against you. But if you stay here and cower like your clan did when Itachi killed them you aren't worthy of the Uchiha."
The audience gasped, as did Sakura. Sasuke was stunned silent but Orochimaru was the one who broke the stalemate. "Kukuku…...well said Naruto-kun. What will you do now I wonder?"
Naruto simply disregarded the Sannin and let loose his signature jutsu. "Kage Bunshin."
In hindsight, it was a rather simple way to start a battle against an S-rank shinobi. Seventeen clones flashed from a cloud of chakra smoke and towards their target. Orochimaru seemed to humor him and shifted into his Taijutsu stance. The lead Naruto launched a haymaker at the Snake's torso while two readied drop kicks from above while still four others slid from below to knock his legs out from under him. It was testament to his skill and genius that Orochimaru didn't bat an eye at the number of opponents and simply decimated them.
The snake sannin stopped the punch cold and sent the clone soaring skyward and crashing into the clones from above. The four clones below tasted the bottom of a sandal and were quickly dispersed. The last eight abandoned any semblance of a plan and simply launched themselves at the pale ninja. They got within inches of the acclaimed genius only to transform into smoke from strikes faster than they could see. Poof Poof Poof. Fifteen clones gone and not one touched Orochimaru.
The last two clones and their creator stopped short and nervously glanced between each other and their target. A sinister smirk and a raised eyebrow was Orochimaru's answer. For some reason, that seemed to steel the clones' resolve. Two flared their chakra and jumped at the sannin, fox grins in place. Suddenly the arena shook as dual screams of "Bunshin Daibakuha" and blasts equivalent of an A-rank tag went off point-blank on the sannin.
The final Naruto jumped through the smoke in an attempt to finish the job while the Sannin was either blinded or hurt, but the only thing that was waiting on him was a pale hand to wrap around his throat. Gasping and choking, Naruto struggled to free himself from his captors grip. Orange clad legs kicked rapidly and hands clawed at the white clamp that held him aloft.
"NARUTO!" Several voices laced with worry and heartbreak screamed out; most notably among them was Fu, Hinata, Kakashi, Jiraiya, Tayuya and surprisingly Tsunade and Shizune. The Hokage sat stoically at the scene, but anyone with eyes could see the sheer, overwhelming helplessness in his eyes.
"Goodbye Naruto-kun." A squeeze and the sound of bones breaking signaled the end of the number-one-knuckle-headed-most-surprising ninja of the Hidden Leaf. Everything in the universe seemed to disappear and focus on the limp body in the fallen Sannin's hands. In that same moment, Orochimaru's death was promised by no less than thirteen different people.
Then time resumed and just as everyone was going to lose control; the body and Orochimaru's smirk disappeared into smoke. The Sannin actually looked baffled. Golden eyes widened comically and jaw hanging open just enough for someone to call him on it. Hope seemed to blossom in the audience and even the ever stoic Ibiki let out a guffaw in the silence.
At the peak of the this period, where hope outgrew the sorrow, where the audience stood to cheer, where Nobles and villagers alike began to shout out his name; Naruto Uzumaki, the dobe, the deadlast, the failure, the no-name orphan, the pariah of Konoha, launched himself from his underground hiding place and landed a textbook uppercut on the Snake Sannin's unguarded jaw.
And the audience erupted. Even as the twin kicks of Naruto's burrowing clones sent the Sannin airborne, his name was screamed by a hundred different voices. "Uzu." The dirty clones shouted, their echos of explosions covered by the crowd. The pale nin seemed to regain his wits and tried to stop his flight. Four clones were waiting for him and sent the Sannin higher with shouts of "Maki" and an equal number of explosions. The crowd provided the "Naruto" and as Orochimaru left the smoke and reached the peak of his flight, Naruto's voice shouted out above all the other noise. "Explosive Barrage." Five clones flipped and just as the last syllable ended, Orochimaru was granted five simultaneous A-grade explosive drop kicks.
The crowd went wild. They had seen it; Orochimaru had bled. A genin had drawn blood first against a Sannin. It was unprecedented and it set the blood of shinobi boiling. Naruto landed into a backwards roll and set himself in a sliding three-point stance until he slowed to a stop. Dust marked his path and ended in a bigger cloud of chakra smoke where his opponent was hidden or dead. Naruto doubted it, but a guy can hope, right?
The dust spread out as the cheering was transformed into unsettled murmuring. Naruto's eyes were focused on the cloud with uncharacteristic focus. The tiniest, briefest glint allowed Naruto to redirect the Kusanagi sword with a, now, sheared kunai. Even with the failed stab, the legendary blade had managed to cut several sunlight bright hairs and the deep navy cloth of Naruto's headband.
The sword swung out and back around causing Naruto to launch his broken kunai into the cloud while side flipping the blade. Clang. His kunai shattered with sparks as bright as stars.
"Kukuku…...you'll never win Naruto-kun. Why not just give up? Give me Sasuke, no one would blame you. Genin, barely six months out of the academy, can't defeat a Sannin." The Sannin's mocking words sounded serene but it only caused Naruto to grit his teeth, which were then forced open from a punch that folded the young boy like a lawn chair and buried him in the arena's wall.
Naruto attempted to give a biting retort, not to mention, his soon-to-be famous, 'Talk no jutsu', but surprisingly it was the wallflower of Team 7 that answered.
"W-we won't let you o-or any-," Sakura's voice was barely more than a whisper that the smallest breeze could have carried away but as profound as her words were, they reached every ear in the colosseum, and even as she spoke; her voice gained the confidence that Tsunade had instilled, the steel and backbone of a proud leaf Kunoichi, "one take Sasuke away from us. He belongs to Team 7 and Konoha; not you, nor his brother."
Sasuke was struck by the conviction his teamma-No, his friend's voice held. She was willing to fight and die for him. 'Is this the Will of Fire Kakashi mentioned?' It felt nice like coming home. 'Home!?' The very thought speared Sasuke to his core. 'Yes, home. Konoha has become my home.' As if the thought strengthened him, Sasuke rose to his feet; his body automatically falling into the arrogant slouch the Uchiha were known for coupled with a superior smirk, but the one thing that set him apart was the fire in his eyes. The same fire, Hiruzen noted, that Madara had held upon first joining Konoha. The Uchiha's flames fanned once more!
"Hn. Konoha is my home. I'm not going anywhere and as a loyal leaf shinobi, I will defend her to my death. Without the Uchiha there wouldn't be a 'Will of Fire'." Sasuke radiated smug pride and contentment. His chakra flickered around him and the shadow it cast seemed to show his clan standing proudly behind him.
The dust had finally cleared and Orochimaru's form was revealed. Most of his weight on his back foot and his clothes as clean as they were before Naruto had kicked him around the only difference was a small cut above his right eye, no doubt from a clone's foot. Before he could speak, however, Naruto's voice cut in.
"Jiji, himself, said it." Naruto's voice took on an amusing mockery of Hiruzen's,"The village, the children, the adults, and every single animal in this village is my friend and family. They trust me to lead me and in turn, I trust them to protect this village. That, Naruto is the Will of Fire. The ability to depend on other's strength when you need it and letting them depend on you." Naruto climbed on top of the rubble that littered the ground after his impact with the wall. He stood as tall and proud as the Hokage monument that framed him, arms crossed and feet spread apart with his jacket flapping in the breeze behind him; he resembled the late Yondaime to a startling degree.
Once more, Naruto's voice echoed across the open ground and somehow inspired everyone,"As future Hokage, I will stop you from taking my family from me. As Naruto Uzumaki, I never give up and never back down that is my nindo. As a member of Team 7, I know breaking the rules makes you trash, but..," Here Sasuke's and Sakura's voice joined his and for the briefest moment, blue and green and black flashed. "Those that abandon teammates are worse than trash."
Silence met the declaration of Team 7.