Authors note: Sup Dactom here to bring you chapter 8 of Great Ninja sorry it's taken so long work and school are killing me but who cares about my problems lol enjoy! ^_^
"Heh you've gotta do better than that pump more chakra into it this time!" Grinned Anko surprised at how fast Takaru had progressed in the three days they had been training.
"Alright this time I'll b-blast it in two "Katon: Inferuno Hira!" Roared the black haired boy forming the necessary handsigns for his trademark technique.
'Hmph just to think he could barley stand and keep conscious after entering first state,but after only three days he's able to weave handsigns and summon chakra without too much strain this kid is something else.' Thought Anko with a smile.
"Ok here goes everything yah!" Announced Takaru his right hand igniting in red hot flame as he charged a nearby boulder head on smashing his fist into it,burying his forearm in the rock smoke rising from the crater of his attack. "Now hah!" Said Takaru jerking his arm slightly the upper portion of the boulder exploding into burnt pieces of rubble.
"Well I think your ready for your next and final task Takaru...but this will be the most challenging." Replied the Jonin crossing her arms.
"Haha whatever it is I'll blaze through it literally!" Grinned Takaru adjusting the two thin red sashes across his chest that held his twin katana on his back,the two sashes making a "X" shaped pattern across his chest.
"We'll see I want you to activate your first state and come at me." Replied Anko calmly.
"Umm I guess..." Replied the genin still uneasy about using his cursed seal.
"Takaru you wouldn't be going against my orders now would you?" Asked the woman raising a eye brow.
"Uhhh n-no Anko-sensai I was just preparing myself that's all!" Replied Takaru quickly not wanting to suffer the wrath of the snake woman.
After a minute or two of channeling his chakra to swirl around the seal a familiar flame shaped pattern began to creep down the genins arm the white of his left eye turning black while his Iris turned a eerie yellow.
"Hmm lets see how far he's come..." Said Anko to herself as she watched the cursed flames spread over his left side.
"Hehehe!" Chuckled Takaru his head lowered as a loud chuckle echoed through the air,the feeling of Takarus chakra sending a small chill up Ankos spine.
'Damn I thought he has learned to use his mark while staying in control!' Thought the woman gritting her teeth forming the necessary handseals to revert the boys mark.
"So Anko-sensai you gonna sit there and stare or do I have to come at you first?" Grinned Takaru flashing the woman a smile while bringing up his guard.
"Hmph cocky little brat you think I'd let my guard down so easily?" Laughed Anko a clone of herself appearing to the boys right throwing a quick jab.
Catching her fist he placed a hand on one of his katana and with a flick of his wrist the Anko clone vanished in a puff of smoke.
"His hand it moved so fast I could barely follow the movement of his katana heh yes this sparring match will definitely keep me on my toes!" Smiled the snake woman pulling a kunai from her utility pouch.
Charging her head on Takaru brought his katana up in a wide arch which Anko parried with her kunai sending a shower of sparks into the air then bringing his leg up he gave her a hard kick to the ribs knocking the wind out of her and sending her back a step or two a loud "Ouff!" Escaping her lungs.
"Now I'll end it Katon...!" His technique cut short by a fist connecting with his jaw sending him a couple inches into the air the uppercut busting his lip in the process.
"Hah aren't you forgeting something Mr. Ihara?" Grinned the Jonin a black branch like pattern creeping up her neck.
"Heh forgot about your cursed seal Anko-sensai nevertheless I'm still gonna win!" Growled Takaru. "I think I've got one left in me." Muttered Takaru forming a quick handsign and pointing his now flaming fist at the kunochi.
"Hmph getting a bit serious aren't we?" Smiled Anko wickedly forming a handsign of her own while planting her feet firmly on the ground.
"Alright here I come!" Roared Takaru the pressure and heat from his technique forming a huge trail of torn scorched earth to form behind him.
"His Inferuno Hira, the pressure of his chakra is so dense I'm s-surprised he can even lift his arm, its time I ended this Sen'eijashu!" Announced Anko extending her arm as several dark brown snakes shot from her sleeve.
"Grahh!" Was Takarus only response as he quickly dashed to the left his attack colliding with the large boulder behind the Jonin the explosion from the impact of the boys jutsu blasting her forward a foot or two.
"Takaru you Baka why'd..." Began Anko but stopping when she saw the expression on the teens face.
"D-dammit still I...Still." Growled Takaru tightening his fist and gritting his teeth.
'He's terrified of...Snakes hmph I shouldn't be surprised giving his circumstances.' Thought the Jonin watching the boys cursemark recede back to the confines of his seal.
"Anko-sensai sorry I..Err the sun got in my eyes." Lied the genin bringing his guard back up.
"No Takaru take a break you've been training non stop since the begining of the three day break for the exams go clean up and take a much needed rest Takaru." Ordered Anko with a forced smile.
"Umm ok I'll go see Ten-chan and Dai see you sensei." Replied Takaru not being used to the woman being kind or plesent to him.
Meanwhile at the Academy training grounds...
"Haha Tenten your flame of youth burns so bright I need to shield my eyes." Laughed Might Guy striking a pose admiring the huge crater made from the girls newly learn technique.
"Well Guy-sensei do...You think I'm ready?" Panted the girl wiping the sweat from her brow.
"It's my expert opinion that you'll blaze through your opponents at the exams Tenten haha!" Grinned the training suit wearing man giving the girl a thumbs up and a sparkling smile.
"Guy-sensei..." Sighed the girl stifling a laugh.
XXXX
Walking his way back to the academy Takaru ran into a familiar loudmouth blonde that he had become fast friends with.
"Takaru!" Grinned Naruto waving at the black haired boy beckoning him over.
"Hey Naruto what's up bro!" Said Takaru fist bumping the jinchuriki flashing a smile of his own.
"Hows it been man,I've heard you've gotten stronger Takaru it'd be great to spar with you again." Said Naruto adjusting the katana attached to his lower back grinning when he saw Takaru admiring the ornate sheath."Haha like it old family heirloom from dad it's called Yorukaze." Bragged the jinchuriki unsheathing the silver and gold blade from the black sheath the kanji for Yorukaze inscribed in gold the sunlight reflecting off it every time the sword moved.
"Yeah it's awesome the craftsmanship is amazing I'd kill for a blade like that...As a matter of fact." Said Takaru pulling a kunai from his pouch taking a playful step towards the jinchuriki.
"Stay away from Naruto-kun,16 hit combo!" Announced a female voice as Takaru was engulfed in a flurry of kicks,punches,and bitch slaps.
"Ino-chan I..." muttered Naruto as the platinum blonde finished her attack by backhanding the black haired boy into a tree.
"Hmph you like flowers they say the Wolfs Bane is lovely this time of year Teehee." Smiled the girl hurling a dark purple flower aiming for his mouth Takaru still being too dizzy from the multiple slaps to dodge easily.
"Hey!" Objected a voice a shuriken flying in front of the boy pinning the poisonous flower to the ground.
"Phew I thought I was a goner!" Exhaled Takaru a bead of sweat dripping from his brow.
"Hey what's the big idea trying to hurt Takaru-kun!" Yelled Tenten standing in front of her boyfriend arms crossed as she stared down Ino.
"He came at my Naruto-kun with a kunai on my honor as a kunochi I couldn't let anything happen to him!" Said Ino her arms wrapped around Narutos arm as she returned the brunettes glare.
"Whoa whoa lets calm down me and Takaru were just joking there's no need to fight." Announced Naruto trying to ease the tension in the air. "Isn't that right Takaru?"
"Yeah Naruto is right there's no need to bicker." Agreed Takaru but the boys objections falling on deaf ears as the kunochi began hurling insults at eachother.
"This...May take a while usually when Ino-chan gets like this it takes a while for her to calm down." Chuckled Naruto letting out a small sigh.
"Yeah...It looks like they're gonna be arguing for a while Ten-chan rarely gets fired up like this." Said Takaru scratching his head sheepishly.
"Hey you wanna get some ramen?" Offered Naruto with a grin his stomach letting out a rather loud grumble.
"You read my mind." Laughed the black haired boy as the two walked off shoulder to shoulder the two kunochi now in a heated argument over which boy looked cuter.
Meanwhile in a secluded location...
"So is everything thing set I must report to lord Orochimaru as soon as I can." Said a glasses wearing shinobi adjusting his spectacles from the bridge of his nose.
"Yes Kabuto-san everything is set tell Orochimaru that he doesn't need to worry about a thing we Sunagakure shinobi don't waver as easily as these leaf." Chuckled the Sunanin.
"Sunagakure is allied with Orochimaru I have to tell Anko-sama about this immediatly." Gasped a cat masked anbu shinobi dashing away from the secret meeting.
"Hmph it seems we have a stray cat ease dropping on our conversation?" Smiled Kabuto adjusting his glasses a second time.
"Hah let me handle it this'll be over in an instant." Grinned the Sunagakure shinobi dashing after the anbu.
"Fuck...I've been followed." Cursed the anbu kunochi stopping on a nearby rooftop.
"You should watch your mouth girl,you call yourself anbu getting caught so easily haha." Grinned the man raising his hand wind currents spiraling around his fingers.
"I guess I have to dirty my hands and blade with your filthy blood you traitorous scumbag!" Spat the kunochi drawing an onyx black katana from her back.
"Haha lets see if that sword is faster than a blade of wind." Grinned the man razor sharp blasts of wind slashing deep into the masked anbu kunochis right shoulder and thigh.
"Fuck I don't have time for this!" Growled the girl. "Since you angered me I'll let you suffer my most painful dance." Giggled the kunochi stabbing her katana into the ground while forming a quick handsign a few streams of black raiton chakra flickering across the blade.
"Black raiton I thought only few Kumogakure nin were capable of...!" Announced the man a sharp pain shooting through his arms and legs as he fell to the ground suddenly.
"Hmph thats all you got what happened to all that bravado from a second ago hmm?" Scoffed the girl.
"Grrraaahhhh!" Was the Sunagakure shinobis only response blood spraying from his severed limbs staining the ground dark red.
"Quite your voice is so irritating,a grown man screaming like that you should be ashamed of yourself." Said the girl bringing her blade up quickly a wet crunch echoing through the air then silence."I have to tell Anko-sama about this judging from this meeting and the arrival of Orochimaru...there's a war brewing in our village." Sighed the kunochi removing her mask and brushing a lock of her long chocolate brown hair out of her Ruby colored eyes.
A hour or two later at the Academy...
The roar and excited chatter of the crowd filled the large arena style room as most people were commenting and discussing who they thought would come out on top everyone putting there money on Naruto him being the Yodameis son after all. After a few more minutes a bandana wearing Jonin walked into the center of the fighting area raising his hand to silence the crowd the first match about to begin.
"Alright everyone calm down welcome to the semifinals of the Chunin exams our first two contenders will be...Hyuuga Neji versus Hiranaka Dai.
"Hey Dais fighting that Hyuuga guy hmph wipe the floor with him Shime...Wait where is Dai?" Questioned Takaru from his seat in the audience looking around the arena but not spotting the the brown haired boy anywhere.
"Hey Takaru-kun the fight start yet?" Smiled Tenten walking up and taking a seat next to him.
"Nope Shime hasn't show up yet he's up against Hyuuga Neji hope he didn't chicken out." Grinned Takaru jokingly.
"Yeah that doesn't seem like something Dai would do he was training with Tatsuya-sensei one on one and you know how he losses track of time." Said Tenten the minute the Jonins name left her mouth the two shinobi appeared in a puff of smoke a small grin on Dais lips,both of their appearances having changed slightly Dai now wearing a brown hooded vest with what looked large ration pouches on the front with a white swirl on the back and a black shirt underneath along with tan shorts that stopped below his knees with black sandals and a black hitai-ate he wore on his arm while Tatsuya still wore his standard Jonin outfit with a pair of finger less gloves that had metal plating over the knuckles while he also wore his hitai-ate on his arm and now sported a small scar along the left side of his face.
"Haha sorry for the delay we're ready knock em dead Dai." Smiled Tatsuya vanishing in a blur of motion appearing next to Takaru and Tenten.
"Hey Sensei nice scar decided to join the club eh?" Grinned Takaru running his finger across the scar the old wound throbbing slightly an act its been doing more recently.
"Heh no lets just say Dai has a few tricks up his sleeve haha." Chuckled Tatsuya crossing his arms watching the two boys below intensely.
'Wow Shime gave Tatsuya that scar damn he's catching up to me hehe this whole exam thing is making things very interesting.' Thought Takaru with a small smile.
"So your my opponent hmph you should be grateful to face a genius like me Hikanaku Rai was it?" Smirked the lavender eyed Hyuuga.
"Hmph yeah I've heard of you Hyuuga Neji the genius of the elite Hyuuga clan nearly mastering the gentle fist technique at such a young age...Know this my name is Hiranaka Dai and I will defeat you and show you what a real genius looks like!" Announced Dai taking a taijutsu stance crouching slightly his left hand tucked behind his back,the fingers of his right hand curled and guarding his face.
"Haha your destiny is already written I wont lose my technique is flawless this will end soon." Stated Neji taking his own stance.
Making the first move Neji thrusted his hand forward quickly aiming for one of the pressure points in his neck to knock him out and end the fight quickly,Dai countering by swatting his hand aside and bringing his foot hard into the Hyuugas stomach knocking the wind out of him and forcing him to skid back a few steps.
"Like I said I'm winning this fight." Stated Dai taking his stance again.
"You...Fine I'll show you who your messing with I'll show you destiny cannot be changed!" Growled Neji taking his own stance and beckoning Dai with a wave of his hand.
Taking a deep breath and clenching his fist Dai slowly opened his eyes the usual dull green color replaced with a bright emerald green his Iris color remaining bright green instead of the usual flicker then going out,then flexing his knees he dashed forward appearing in front of the Hyuuga in almost an instant bringing his fist up to deliver a hard uppercut which Neji blocked with his left thrusting his palm out aiming for Dais chest but his attack being countered as well,the two boys in a deadlock which Dai easily won by grabbing Nejis wrist and hurling him into the arena wall Neji catching himself mid air and rebounding off the wall and landing smoothly.
"I'll admit your strength is admirable probably due to that ocular jutsu your using...Lets begin now we fight as equals." Said Neji taking and offensive stance.
"Yeah its no ocular technique,you see whenever I get angry or excited a large pulse of chakra surges through my chakra network causing my eye color to change...But enough with the anatomy lessons lets get started." Said Dai quickly bringing his guard up.
"Hmph so I anger you haha I suppose being faced with utter defeat would make anyone angry." Smiled the Hyuuga.
"Anger?" Queried Dai with a confused look." No I'm excited to be able to show my new skill against one of the villages strongest genin now you over confident pale eyed dick, lets go!" Grinned Dai appearing next to Neji catching him off guard delivering a strong kick to his shoulder knocking him to the ground.
With a scoff Neji recovered with a back flip then lunged forward giving Dai two palm thrusts the first striking his stomach causing him to double over his breath being taken from his lungs the second brought up into his jaw splitting his lip,Neji then kicked him hard in the ribs Dai taking Nejis previous position on the ground.
"Haha...Good you've finally decided to fight me as an equal lets go." Said Dai getting up wiping the blood from his lip taking his new taijutsu stance the light reflecting off his bright green eyes.
"Fine you want to feel the wrath of a Hyuuga witness your defeat." Growled Neji the veins around his eyes thickening his eye color becoming pale white.
"Byakugan the all seeing eye eh lets test that!" Exclaimed Dai appearing over Neji in a blur of motion bring his leg down to smash onto the Hyuugas head.
"Hmph its over." Said Neji simply grabbing Dais ankle hitting several spots on his leg then using his rotation technique he struck several more points in various places using the momentum from the rotation to hurl him into the arena wall cracking the cement.
"D-dammit that didn't work." Grunted Dai rubbing one of the several spots were Neji struck him a burning sensation shooting through his body whenever he touched them. "You put chakra into your finger tips not just blocking my chakra points but burning them rendering them useless." Stated Dai a serious tone in his voice.
"I told you no more games." Glared Neji taking his stance.
"What he can't do that if he hits Dai enough he'll destroy his chakra network and...Dai can't be a shinobi anymore." Objected Tenten.
"Dammit I didn't expect Neji to do something like this." Sighed Might Guy from his seat starting to stand up.
"Dai-kun! You can't give up you promised me we'd become chunin together remember!" Cried Shuriu Namikaze standing from her position in the crowd tears brimming in her ocean blue eyes.
"Yeah Shime how are we gonna be rivals if you let this ponytailed fag beat you put him in his place!" Roared Takaru pumping his fist in the air.
"Heh well as you can see I can't afford to lose Neji." Grunted Dai getting up and starting to unzip his vest and tossing it behind him the clothing falling quickly making a small crater in the earth when it hit the ground revealing several weights strapped to his chest and waist. "Tatsuya-sensei?" Announced Dai giving the Jonin a determined look.
"Hmph show them what you can do you might even teach Takaru a thing or two." Laughed Tatsuya giving the boy a thumbs up.
After being giving the go head Dai removed the weights strapped to him dashing at Neji with inhuman speed making a quick handsign then bringing his fist up he took a swing at Neji who ducked just in time thrusting his palm up quickly but missing, Dai already at his back exhaling a huge water bullet.
"I can see it...Right there!" Announced the pale eyed boy forcing his palm forward directly into the attack the huge water bullet dissipating in a shower of rain.
"That Byakugans no joke." Muttered Dai clutching his side were Neji struck him earlier.
"Hmph now you see that you've lost, and guess what?" Smirked Neji, Dai behind him preparing to throw a punch.
"W-what?" Grunted Dai his fist making a loud thwack as Neji caught the blow.
"Your in the range of my eight trigrams." Stated Neji with a grin.
"Fuc...Graaahh!" Coughed Dai the Hyuuga pressing two chakra points in his stomach then four more in his chest announcing each strike he made.
"Six palm,eight palm,ten palm!" Counted Neji each strike destroying or damaging a chakra point in his body.
"No no Dai-kun!" Announced Shuriu tears beginning to fall from her deep blue eyes.
'I...Have to move...NOW!" Roared Dai in his head before Neji could strike him for the twelfth time with a sharp turn of his body he avoided the attack smashing his fist into the Hyuugas nose a small crack echoing through the air.
"He...He dodged." Said Guy from his seat a bewildered look on his face.
"Impossible the Eight Trigrams Gentle fist techniqe is like a trap once in range escape is nearly impossible!" Gasped a pale eyed noble the Hyuuga clan crest on his kimono.
"Igposbril I hab you congered." Said Neji his words garbled due to his broken nose.
"Y...Yeah well I...can't lose this fight so lets finish this I was saving this for Takaru but your clearly...A worthy opponent as well." Grinned Dai making a careful string of handsigns then cupping his hands together a small cyclone of water began swirling in his palm.
"Hey that's the same jutsu Dai used in the forest...Wait no it looks different." Said Tenten leaning in closer for a better look the fight making everyone lean on the edge of their seats.
"I'm not losing to you!" Roared Neji activating his rotation the dome of chakra much larger than usual due to the Hyuuga pouring out so much chakra.
"I will become stronger I'll show you Matsu Suiton: Takusan Hira!" Roared Dai charging directly at Nejis rotation slamming both hands into the spiraling dome of chakra a giant roar filling the arena.
"What's that sound it sounds almost like..."
"The sound of a wave crashing against the shore." Stated Tatsuya with a smile finishing Takarus sentence.
After a few minutes into the boys jutsu clash a large pulse of force blew both of them into the ground kicking up a huge cloud of dust obscuring the audiences vision leaving nearly everyone on the very edge of their seats craning their necks to see the battles final outcome,well almost everyone as Shikamaru was fast asleep snoring softly completely aloof even though his fight was coming up soon.
"Graah! What happened what happened!" Exclaimed Takaru jumping from his seat and leaning over the railing waving his arms frantically trying to clear the air.
"Dai-kun..." Said Shuriu her voice little more than a whisper.
"No way shime lost I demand a recount dammit!" Roared Takaru pounding his fist on the railing.
"Takaru-kun it doesn't work like that sit down!" Pleaded Tenten grabbing her boyfriends arm pulling him into his seat.
After a nail biting minute or two the dust finally settled revealing a smug looking Neji standing over a unconscious and severely bruised and battered Dai.
"Hmph...t-told him he was out of his league." Coughed the arrogant Hyuuga holding his side.
"If it was so easy why do you look so fucked up shinobi!?" Jeered Takaru not hiding his anger of his friend losing the fight.
"Shut your annoying trap you imbecile or you'll end up like your overconfident friend here." Threatened Neji pointing to the ground where Dai was laying.
"Shut up geez your arrogant." Grumbled a calm sounding voice behind Neji a fist connecting with his jaw sending him a couple feet to the side before he fell to the ground unconscious.
"Haha Shime won I knew it!" Grinned Takaru picking Tenten up and spinning her before leaping from the audience into the arena giving Dai a congratulatory smack on the back causing him to fall to a knee.
"Grah! Dammit Baka that hurt!" Grunted the brown haired boy punching Takaru in the stomach.
"Haha sorry man but hell of a fight you gave out there almost as good as me." Grinned Takaru running a hand over his scar pain flashing through his expression but vanishing in almost an instant.
"Haha yeah man...Yeah." Smiled Dai looking up at the several clouds of various shapes drifting through the flawless blue sky.
"Shime...Shime...Dai! You ok?" Questioned Takaru snapping his fingers bringing Dai from his deep thought.
"Huh? Oh sorry man I'm fine i just need to rest my chakra points are literally on fire I should get some medical attention." Grunted the boy rubbing his shoulder but only making the burning sensation worse.
"Step aside you shouldn't be down here anyway please take your place back in the stands." Ordered a medical shinobi lightly pushing Takaru aside to tend to Dais wounds.
"Dai-kun did it...I knew he wouldn't give up." Smiled Shuriu fiddling with a small medallion in her hands with the kanji for faith engraved on both sides.
"Haha these kids are progressing rapidly and the technique Dai used Takusan Hira while Takarus is the Inferuno Hira, Takaru a raging wildfire while Dai a calm and thoughtful ocean just seeing these two progress so fast it nearly takes my breath away." Grinned Tatsuya taking a toothpick from his vest pocket and placing it between his teeth.
XXXX
After a few moments of excited murmurs and clamour from the audience the next fight was finally about to start as a familiar bandana wearing shinobi steped into the center of the fighting area announcing the names of the next fighters.
"Up next Yukari Tenten versus Nara Shikamaru!" Announced the man the crowd cheering hoping this fight was just as good as the last.
"Oh guess I'm up next then." Said Tenten earlier she was nervous of her match but hearing she was up against the lazy and droopy eyed Shikamaru eased her nerves greatly.
"Hey good luck with your match Tenten." Announced a kind but deep voice behind her.
"Oh um thank you...You are?" Answered Tenten turning around seeing a average looking man about twenty years of age or more with long spiky black hair that covered his left eye a large scar across his face.
"Just call me Tanaka I'm...A good friend of Takaru and I'm just here to see his match." Smiled the man waving goodbye as Tenten left to her match.
Meanwhile at the Hokage Tower...
"Hokage-sama,Hokage-sama!" Cried Minatos dark haired assistant a stack of papers clutched against his chest as he rushed into the Hokages office seeing the blonde haired man already sitting at his desk with Anko and her brunette anbu escort standing opposite of her.
"It's ok Matsu...I know." Sighed Minato lacing his fingers together as his brow furrowed.
"So Hokage-sama what's our course of action I suggest we attack the sand before they have a chance to strike us!" Announced Anko smacking her fist into her palm.
"I agree with Anko-sama lord Hokage we should strike the traitorous snakes before they have the chance to sink their fangs into us." Spoke the anbu removing her mask briefly to brush a lock of hair from her face before returning the mask to its previous position.
"No to draw our blades on the sunanin while the Kazekage and lords and royal officials from various provinces are watching would reflect badly on Kohonagakure,no I say to continue as if we know nothing but secretly increase our defenses so we will be less shaken by the attack." Said Minato sitting up from his desk.
"Yes lord Hokage understood." Replied Anko with a nod as Minato vanished in a flash of yellow light.
"I suppose I should go and make my own preparations Anko-sama." Replied the anbu starting to take a step out the door.
"Wait Akari was it I need you to do something for me, there's a genin by the name of Ihara Takaru participating in the chunin exams I need you to keep a close eye on him understood?" Asked Anko crossing her arms her face showing she was deep in thought as various scenarios ran through her mind.
"Uhh yes ma'am understood." Replied Akari vanishing in a puff of smoke leaving Anko alone to think. "Damn Sunagakure at our backs while Orochimaru bares his venomous fangs at our necks...Kami help us." Muttered Anko.
Back at the exams...
"And the winner by default Yukari Tenten!" Announced the bandana wearing jonin the crowd cheering as a puzzled look graced Tentens face.
"You...You had me Shikamaru why didn't you finish the fight you just gave up?!" Exclaimed the kunochi her mouth agape.
"One reason and one reason only..." Began Shikamaru looking over his shoulder a serious look on his face.
"Yeah what is it..." Asked Tenten thinking the boy had a deep underlying reason for not wanting to become a chunin.
"To much work for a simple Guy like me." Smiled the droopy eyed boy walking back up to his seat in the audience to finish his nap.
"Wha!?" Being the girls only response as her jaw dropped in sheer awe that someone so lazy could be a shinobi.
"I always knew Shikamaru was lazy but giving up his shot at becoming a chunin...Damn." Remarked Takaru scratching his head.
"Alright without further ado we're coming near the final few matches of the chunin journeyman exams, next up Namikaze Naruto versus Ihara Takaru!" Said the jonin the minute Narutos name left his lips the audience erupted in the cries of fan girls and some guys chanting the boys name as Naruto appeared in a flash of yellow light on the arena floor.
"Hah yes I've been dying to fight you again Takaru how's bout we pick up where we left off!" Shouted Naruto with a wide grin pulling his katana Yorukaze from its sheath pointing it at the black haired boy.
"Hell yeah we never got to see who was stronger did we huh Naruto?" Grinned Takaru pulling one of his katana from it's sheath planting one foot on the railing a bright red and orange leaf fluttering past his face while a bright green one flew past Narutos.
"Well well this fight seems like it will be exciting." Chuckled the Kazekage from his seat in the Kages booth.
Not even waiting for the announcer to say begin Takaru leapt from the stands raising his katana as Naruto raised his a loud clang echoing through the air as sparks danced across the boys blades both boys grinning widely enjoying the sheer pleasure of the challenge they offered eachother.
"I hope I'm not late I'd hate to miss this fight." Smiled Minato taking his seat next to the Kazekage.
"Oh no the fights just starting this one seems like it will be the liveliest of the evening." Chuckled the Kazekage adjusting the shroud covering his lower face only his eyes visible.
"Yes my son Naruto has been looking forward to competing in the exams." Smiled Minato sliding his hand into his pocket.
"Making the first move eh Yodaime?" Grinned the masked Kage.
"No lets wait I wouldn't want to interrupt my sons fight lets at least let the boys finish." Said Minato forcing a smile.
"I suppose the destruction of the leaf can wait,I do want to see how the boys battle plan out." Said the Kazekage raising his hand slightly calling off a unknown sunanin.
Back on the ground floor the two boys were oblivious to the upcoming attack as they continued to slash and parry eachothers blade strokes,Naruto then appearing behind Takaru in a flash of yellow light bringing his leg up for a roundhouse which Takaru blocked with his forearm.
"Huh,how'd you know I was coming from behind!?" Naruto exclaimed in excitement and slight disappointment since his attack didn't land.
"I could tell you put that seal on me when we were going at it with our blades and most everyones blind spot is the back." Explained Takaru grabbing Narutos leg hurling him into the air then forming a quick handsign he fired a fireball his way.
With little time to act Naruto making a barrier around himself with Kuramas chakra charged though the ball of flame four clones armed with kunai along with the original Naruto wielding Yorukaze free fell towards Takaru.
"Hmph your not the only one." Smirked Takaru forming a similar handsign and announcing "Katon: Buunshin no jutsu!" Two clones appearing behind him in black puffs of smoke drawing their katana the two clones engaging in combat with the jinchurikis clones the second they hit the ground,bringing his katana up Takaru once again clashed blades with Naruto the two having to separate blades then enter into another deadlock neither one of them able to overpower the other the two boys seeming to have equal strength.
"Man you have been training!" Announced Naruto leaping back forming another handsign before exhaling a giant water bullet.
"You as well it's kinda difficult to keep up!" Grinned Takaru exhaling a fireball of equal mass the two teens attacks colliding forming a thick blanket of mist that dissipated rather quickly revealing a lone Takaru standing in the middle of the floor.
"Where'd he go?" Questioned Tatsuya having faith in his student but knowing Naruto was among the one of the strongest shinobi in the village his strength even surpassing a few jonin.
"Hmph using your new technique so soon Naruto you really don't know the expression leave them wanting more." Chuckled Sasuke from his seat.
"Graah!, "Biju Senkodan!" Roared Naruto appearing to Takarus right hitting him several times and giving him a quick slash of his blade leaving a long but shallow cut along his side.
"Wha-what!" Exclaimed Takaru grabbing his side quickly leaping back in an attempt to dodge the next strike but to no avail another quick flash of light and he was brought down on a knee clutching his stomach the wind knocked from his lungs.
"Wow whatever this technique is it's way above anything I've ever seen!" Gasped Dai his arm in a sling as he leaned on a crutch.
After a couple minutes which felt like an eternity for Takaru the black haired shinobi was panting and had small but painful bruises starting to form under his shirt.
"Dammit...heh time I got serious!" Grinned Takaru picking himself up forming a handseal before placing two fingers over his right eye before removing them and snapping his eyelid open a blinding flash of light filling the arena blinding nearly everyone besides Takaru then a loud smack echoed through the air.
As the light died away restoring everyones eyesight there were Naruto and Takaru fist in palm trying to overpower the other huge grins plastering they're faces.
"Heh there's that Shakugan again." Grunted Naruto his muscles starting to strain.
"Yep as you can see its has a few new tricks up it's sleeve." Responded Takaru a huge painful throb shooting through his scarred right eye causing him to clutch his face giving Naruto an opening to strike but before he could even move a large wave of flame smacked the boy aside lightly burning his arm and knocking his to the pavment cracking slightly.
"Heh as expected Takaru you might me ready after all." Grinned the long spiky haired man named Tanaka getting up and leaving the arena.
'Woah Takaru you weren't kidding about your Shakugan being stronger...wait is that a...no it couldn't be I'm imaging things.' Thought Naruto.
'Your not imaging things kit and no it's not that I would have sensed if he was a jinchuriki no it must have something to do with that Shakugan.' Started Kurama.
"Fuck why...dammit I've gotta fight I can't space out now!" Grunted Takaru his Shakugan fading along with the tail shaped column of flame behind him.
"Hey Takaru I think its time we got serious!" Grinned Naruto a clone appearing next to him as he began to knead chakra forming he and his father's signature technique.
"Heh time for the show stopper eh Naruto?" Grinned Takaru making a fast handsign his hand igniting in red hot flame the edges of the flames a light blue tint.
"Alright get ready Takaru!" Roared Naruto charging the black haired boy the whirl of his Rasengan easily heard in the highest point in the stands due to the speed of the rotation of the spiraling chakra sphere.
Charging at eachother for the dozenth time for the evening and bringing up both their palms the two boys jutsu clashed a giant gust of hot wind rushing through the room causing some people to shield their faces Naruto and Takarus feet making indents in the ground as they struggled against eachothers techniques.
"Hah I'll be winning this time Takaru!" Grunted Naruto a few beads of sweat trickling down his face.
"N-nice try but there's just no way!" Grinned Takaru gritting his teeth try his best to overpower the blond.
"Man Takaru-kun and Naruto are really going at it I can feel the heat of their battle from here!" Gasped Tenten in awe at how powerful and determined the two shinobi were.
"Hmph I guess this Takaru is more than he appears I'd love to test his skill against mine!" Smiled the same dark haired girl Takaru had met before and after the forest of death.
"Hmph this is definitely boiling up to be a climactic battle!" Chuckled the Kazekage bringing a hand to his face as if stifling a laugh the cheering of the audience being drowned out by the roar of the clash of the teens jutsu.
'Fuck my stamina is starting to run low,I could use my Shakugan to super charge my Inferuno Hira but then my eye will throb...dammit my only other opinion is...my cursemark fuck well Anko-sensai taught me how to control it better maybe I'll just unravel it a bit.' Thought Takaru making up his mind as his free hand flew to his katana bringing it across his chest in a wide arc breaking the jutsu clash between the two Naruto leaping back just enough so he only received a small cut across his cheek.
'Alright just as Anko-sensai taught me!' Concentrated Takaru picturing the shape and form of his cursed seal and how his chakra would look spiraling around it,as he did this a black flame shaped pattern crept down his arm and up his neck but stopped there.
'Careful kit that chakra he's releasing I don't like it one bit.' Warned the nine tails Kurama.
'Yeah I feel it too Kurama-San...dammit Takaru how many surprises do you have up your sleeve?' Questioned Naruto mentally tightening his fist bringing his hand to his katana Yorukaze. 'Ready to try that other jutsu we've been working on Kurama-San?' Asked Naruto unsheathed the golden blade.
'Just don't get yourself killed kit if you die so do I.' Stated the fox spirit with a sigh lending Naruto some of his chakra causing the boys pupils to become slits and his whisker marks to thicken.
Letting out a sigh Takaru unsheathed one of his katana a dark purple aura rising off the blade like steam. "Ok I can do this!" Confirmed Takaru gritting his teeth the feeling of cold hands wrapping themselves around his mind sending a shiver through his body.
"One last charge." Said Takaru and Naruto in unison raising they're swords demonic red chakra swirling around Narutos as malevolent purple rose from Takarus without giving anyone a chance to blink blades clashed while chakra flows were exchanged another blinding flash and the sound of a body dropping were all people could here before a large explosion took everyone's attention from the fight.
"What the!...w-why am I so sleepy?" Queried Tenten as the sounds of commotion and shouting faded as she drifted off to sleep her last image before blacking out was a snow white feather settling on her knee.
XXXX
"Kai release!"
"Huh what happened?" Yawned the brunette kunochi feeling as if she had been asleep for an eternity.
"Hey stay down!" Commanded Tatsuya deflecting an incoming kunai with the back of his metal plated glove. "Now's not a time for sleep,here's what I want you to do see that Takaru sleeping down there use Kai release and wake him up find Dai and meet me back here." Commanded Tatsuya Tenten giving him an understanding nod as she rushed down to awake the slumbering Takaru.
"Dammit I've been so occupied watching my students I was completely oblivious to this attack,oh well I just have to make sure these otonin don't do any real damage." Said Tatsuya letting out a sigh as a dozen or more Otogakure shinobi charged him like a herd of bulls making him step back to assess his situation his back bumping into someone.
"Huh oh it's you long time no see Junji Tatsuya." Said a silver haired masked jonin giving Tatsuya his famous eye smile.
"Ah Hatake Kakashi the copy cat ninja how long has it been?" Smiled Tatsuya pulling the toothpick from his mouth a small spark running across it before he flicked it at a group of assaulting otonin the wooden splinter exploding in a surge of Raiton blowing them back.
"We haven't fought side by side since our anbu days,you seem older wiser and sober." Chuckled Kakashi making a quick handsign a large dog dragging a otonin into the earth never to be seen again.
"So just like old times?" Smiled Tatsuya static flickering around his forearms the blue light illuminating his ice blue eyes.
"Yep just like old times." Replied Kakashi forming the necessary handsigns to activate his Raikiri.
"It'll be over in a flash!" Announced the jonin simultaneously dashing into the oncoming hordes of otonin.
XXXX
"Takaru wake up!" Shouted Tenten so to be heard over the clash of weapons.
"Mmmh...Huh Ten-chan heh did I win?" Smiled Takaru his grin vanishing as he saw the commotion around him.
"Takaru we need to go now!" Shouted the girl as four or more otonin wielding short bladed katana descended on them.
"Dammit!" Was all Takaru got out trying to bring his blade up to defend himself and Tenten but still very groggy from the genjutsu.
"Ika Ten!" Announced a voice as a quick blur of motion disturbed the air all four of the otonin falling down hard each of they're own katana sticking from they're chests.
"Huh what the?" Questioned Tenten lifting her head a female anbu standing over the two her long brown hair flowing behind her like a cape.
"Get up now Ihara Takaru,you girl go with him and stay alive." Commanded the girl another anbu appearing next to her.
"But I Tatsuya-sensei told me..." Began Tenten before getting cut off my the anbu.
"T-tell Tatsuya Akari is with Takaru he will understand now go,I'm not asking I'm telling." Said the girl her red eyes glowing behind her mask.
"O-okay you better keep my Takaru-kun safe you hear me." Glared Tenten as she dashed off with her anbu escort.
"Alright what do you want with me?" Commanded Takaru glaring daggers at her.
"Anko-sama told me to keep you safe and at hand now come on we're too exposed out here." Growled the impatient girl grabbing his shirt collar as they retreated to a small empty hallway.
"So what's our plan of action since your in charge Ms..." Takaru said asking her name.
"Akari and our plan is to keep your stupid ass alive and breathing." Spat the girl removing her mask her face familiar but Takaru couldn't place it.
"Hey who're you calling stupid I'll...!" Began the spiky haired teen before his right eye began to throb and burn again.
"Hehe I suppose old wounds never heal eh Takaru?" Chuckled a hooded figure behind the two.
"Fuck it I don't have time for this! "Katon: Housenka no jutsu!" Announced Akari before exhaling a four giant spheres of flame that melded into one single ball of raging inferno.
"First well have to get rid of this annoying cat." Scoffed the hooded man raising his hand and easily swatting aside the attack a flash of blue emanating from his hooded face.
"What the!?,Hmph cocky bastard lets see if your blades as fast as your mouth!" Growled Akari drawing her onyx black katana as she dashed at the hooded figure assaulting him with a barrage of quick and well timed slashes and stabs.
"Hmph pretty good but my quarrel is not with you girl." Stated the man simply deflecting every strike as if it were nothing with his own blade a silver serrated edged katana with a two black and red crescent moons engraved in the hilt.
"Katon!" Cried Akari before exhaling a raging flame that would have consumed the man a firm hand was placed over her mouth as she was lifted into the air as if she weighted nothing.
"Kura:Nda Genki youjustu." Muttered the man his shadow forming a circle around his feet as Akari thrashed wildly trying to get away from his grasp the veins in her neck and face bulging as her eyes rolled to the back of her head,her hair beginning to lighten a few shades.
"Hmph your will is strong I can practically feel your spirit fighting against my technique." Grinned the hooded man.
"Back off you creep!" Roared Takaru bringing his fist across the mans face causing him to lose his grip on Akari.
"Guh...heh Takaru always did interfere when grownups were talking." Chuckled the man removing his hood his long spiky black hair drooping past his shoulders covering his left eye a long horizontal scar across his face, but what unsettled Takaru was his eyes which were flame blue with a curved pinwheel type shape around his pupil with six black flame shaped tome spiraling around it.
"W-who are you?" Grunted Takaru his Shakugan activating on its own the burning sensation in his eye increasing tremendously as if a burning candle was being held behind his eye.
"Hmph you always did have things come to you naturally Takaru your friendly personality,your skill with the blade,your talent for jutsu here since you forgot or perhaps just buried it away let me show you." Smiled the man placing a finger over his scarred eye a jolt going through his body forcing him to fall to his hands and knees his vision fading.
**Flashback**
"Takaru...Takaru!" Called a womans voice from nearby rousing the slumbering Takaru from his sleeping spot from underneath a large tree.
"Huh...mmmh..oh yeah coming mom!" Replied the boy rubbing his eyes as he got up and rushed to an nearby modest three person house.
"Finally Takaru you've been sleeping all afternoon dinners almost ready sweetie." Smiled a dark blue haired woman ruffling the boys unruly jet black hair causing him to grin.
"Sorry mom I was practicing my jatsu I can spit a fireball wanna see?!" Smiled the boy already trying to remember the handsigns to perform it.
"That's jutsu and what are you trying to do burn the house down baka!?" Growled a deep voice behind him a strong arm picking him up off the ground and putting him in a headlock.
"Waahhh! Lemme go Tanaka I'll tell pa!" Cried Takaru kicking his legs out to escape his older brothers grasp.
"Now now you two no rough housing in my kitchen,oh and Tanaka your father's looking for you in his study go see him please." Smiled the woman going back to stirring the cooking food on the stove.
"Kay ma,come on squirt!" Grinned the long haired boy tossing Takaru over his shoulder and walking to a quieter part of the house stopping at a door marked "study keep quite unless your bringing me food."
"Yo pa mom said you wanted to see me." Called the teen swinging the door open a care free expression on his face as he tossed Takaru on the ground like a cheap toy instead of a little brother.
"Huh oh yes I did,and Tanaka come on treat Takaru like a brother not some cheap ball.
"Why he bounces right back up like one." Stated the boy simply blowing one of his long spiky bangs from his eyes.
"Whaaa! Tanaka you jerk you see how he treats me papa beat him up!" Cried Takaru tugging the mans shirt pointing a sharp finger at his older brother.
"Haha what are me and your mother gonna do with you too eh?" Smiled the man pushing a few locks of his long black hair from his face his kind smile lighting up the room.
"Takaru honey there's someone here to see you!" Called his mother in a singsong voice.
"You heard ma baka it's probably your little girlfriend grinned Tanaka flicking the boys ear as he left the room.
"Tanaka!" Objected their father beginning to chew out the teen as Takaru left the room.
"Who is it mama?" Asked the young boy as he arrived at the front door turning the knob to open it.
"Oh like you don't know silly." Smiled the woman going back to her cooking.
"Mmmh! Why can't you just tell me!" Pouted Takaru the door opening revealing a girl around his age with long chocolate brown hair that reached her lower back and bright seafoam green eyes her small white dress billowing in the wind,Takarus cheeks turning red the moment he saw her.
"Hi Takaru-kun." Smiled the girl her face nearly the spitting image of a certain brown haired kunochi.
"H-hey Yumi..." Smiled Takaru as she took his hand in her soft velvet skinned one a bright blinding light filling his head as everything started to fade.
**End Flashback**
"So now you know a bit more eh baka?" Smiled the cloaked man as Takarus eyes fluttered fighting to keep open his head buzzing.
"T-t-Tanaka...why...I?" Struggled the boy tears making his vision worse as he couldn't move a muscle in his body his heart filled with rage at first but all he really wanted to do was embrace the only family member he had.
"I promise I'll explain one day little brother but until then get stronger much stronger your gonna need it." Replied Tanaka pulling his hood back up hiding his face as he disappeared in a blur of motion.
"No...no...no...BIG BROTHER!" Cried Takaru the flames around him increasing greatly for a few seconds before dieing down as he lost consciousnes again.
Meanwhile on a rooftop overlooking the Hokage monument...
"So this is your plan eh destroy the leaf,then what Orochimaru?!" Demanded Minato his Hokage cloak torn in a few places but he was otherwise unharmed.
"Never you mind the details they're too broad for your scope of thinking Yodaime." Grinned the great snake licking the blood coming from his cheek with his abnormally long tongue.
"Fine I agree lets finish this Kuchiyose no jutsu!" Announced Minato biting his thumb and slamming his palm into the earth in a giant puff of smoke he stood atop Gamabuntas back the giant toads blade already unsheathed and ready.
"Hmph Manda I'll give you a feast after this." Replied Orochimaru repeating the action a colossal deep purple snake appearing behind Orochimaru barring its fangs.
"So this is how Kohonagakure falls?" Smiled Orochimaru.
"The leaf will...not...fall." Started Minato forming a handsign a black and gold katana appearing in his hands.
"Hmph we shall see before this day is done." Smirked Orochimaru regurgitating his kusanagi pointing the blade at the blonde Hokage.
"DIE OROCHIMARU!"
"THE LEAF SHALL FALL!"
To be continued in chapter 9...
Authors note: Hope you enjoyed chapter 8 things getting suspensful and thanks to you readers out there up to 700 views keep reading guys and do forget to review and give me helpful advice until then peace love and anarchy.