Sakura and Ino looked at each other. Sakura gulped. As did Ino. Both tied their headbands around their heads as they walked out to the stadium. They didn't speak as Sakura walked across from Ino. Both breathed in heavily before sakura spoke, "So Ino-pig what kind of tricks do you have for me? Whatever you have won't be able to beat me. I've gotten a lot stronger since our last fight,"

Ino smirked, "Like I'll tell you. But it'll be more than enough for you for sure,"

Genma then looked to the pair, "Are you two ready?" Both combatants nodded, "Good. Begin!" Genma jumped back. Steam began radiating off of Ino right away. She jumped toward Sakura with incredible speed. Sakura ducked with speed I didn't know she had. She punched Ino in the stomach and then grabbed her and kicked her toward one of the walls. Ino flipped mid air and jumped off the wall and landed beside Sakura and grabbed a fist before it could hit her.

Sakura pulled away quickly, "Boil release... Steam like... Your not the only one with something special Ino-pig," Sakura grinned before going through hand seals, "Demonic illusion: Flower mist," A giant pink flower appeared before Ino, Releasing pollen that paralyzed her. Ino immediately recognized it as genjutsu. She broke out quickly and an explosive tag was flying toward her. It detonated before it could reach her and smoke filled Ino's vision.

Ino felt Sakura's chakra in many places. She recognized it as a chakra storage tag. Now her sensing would be almost useless. Ino was worried right away. Did Sakura learn Fuinjutsu? She knew how dangerous it was firsthand thanks to Naruto. Ino jumped up into the air as soon as the smoke cleared and channeled boil release chakra to the soles of her feet. Steam came out of them right away and she was speedily bouncing through the stadium.

Elsewhere underground Sakura was going through hand seals, "Earth style: Rising bomber," Above ground a not to big but still big earth pillar with explosive tags all around it rose as Ino was crossing through the area. The pillar hit Ino into the air and the pillar exploded. Ino quickly spat out water in the shape of a dome toward the explosion as she fell. Ino hit the ground soon after and Sakura rose out of the ground and threw a poisoned senbon at Ino. ino Kawarimied out of the way and behind Sakura and punched the pinkette straight in the back with a steam-enhanced punch.

Sakura kawarmied as to not get injured. Both combatants were beginning to get tired and it showed at this point. Their chakra reserves weren't the best.

Ino smirked at the sight of Sakura, "What getting tired already?" She then rushed toward Sakura without any boil release chakra. Sakura blocked a punch before getting stabbed in the leg by a senbon.

Sakura grinned knowing she was just poisoned, "No but are you? You don't have any of that special chakra anymore don't you Ino-pig? Getting tired are we? Lets end this soon so you can go take a nap," Sakura threw a tag behind ino before getting punched. She threw another tag after recovering before going through more hand seals, "Earth style: Earth bullets!" Sakura spat out a dozen earth bullets at Ino which were all dodged. Sakura smiled as she placed the third and final tag. Ino was in the middle of them all.

Ino looked around her and gulped before looking at Sakura, "This wont work forehead," I then recognised what Sakura was about to do. A barrier.

Sakura smirked as Ino tried to jump at her and put her hand in the rat seal, "It will," She then went through three more hand seals, "Cherry blossom barrier!" Sakura bit her thumb and slammed her hand onto the ground. A barrier formed of cherry blossom leaves formed around Ino in a triangle shape.

Ino looked ar the barrier. I could see the gears turning in her head, "These are real cherry blossoms!" Ino then punched the barrier, " I know what to do," She coated her fist in boil release chakra, "Boil release: Unrivaled strength!" The barrier shattered apart and cherry blossoms were sent everywhere.

Sakura cycled through hand seals once more, "Cherry blossom paralysis!" The cherry blossom petals released paralyzing pollen to Ino. She again sensed it was a genjutsu. She quickly broke out of it and dodged a punch.

Ino had an idea of how to beat sakura and formed a single handseal, "S-" She was punched by Sakura before she could finish. Ino then grinned, "Got you," Sakura looked confused for a second before realizing something. She couldn't move, "I win,"

Sakura cursed before sighing in defeat, "You won... How did you get so strong so fast?"

Ino crouched down to Sakura. Sticking a senbon into her before speaking, "I had help the entire way. I didn't even know I had boil release a month ago yet I had help in learning how it works. I know you had help to but you didn't ask for help from anyone else. Do that and people will help you get better," Ino then walked away tiredly as medics began taking Sakura away.

Genma came back down to the arena, "Winner, Ino,"

Kage stand.

Hiruzen smiled upon seeing the fight end. It was a good fight, "Both were good at scheming their next move. They were a good match for each other indeed. I do find it strange one of my genin has boil release though,"

Rasa nodded, "It is indeed strange that a konoha genin, a Yamanaka at that has a kekkei genkai. It isn't unheard of though for things like this to happen,"

Ay nodded, "Indeed. One of my jonin has lava release. That was a good fight indeed though. I believe you have your first two definite chunin Hokage-sama,"

Hiruzen nodded, "They do deserve their chunin vests indeed. Although their childish namecalling will need to be worked on I am afraid,"

Both kage nodded, "Yes that is the only blight against them. They aren't perfect like my genin is," Ay then looked to Rasa, "Still not going to pull your son out?"

Rasa shook his head, "I am afraid not. Gaara shall beat his opponent with ease,"

Hiruzen smirked, "I wouldn't be so sure about that," Hiruzen had faith in his genin/student. Kukui would beat Gaara or at the very least stop him. Hiruzen had to have faith.

Before "Rasa" Could say anything in retaliation Genma announced the next fight, "Will Dosu Kinuta and Rock Lee come down,"

Kukui pov.

"My money is on Lee," I said immediately. Ino, Neji, Mika, and Tenten nodded. I am sure Ino saw Lee in the forest kick some ass and I am 100% sure Lee wouldn't lose to someone like Dosu when he was at the very least shippuden Lee level.

Neji then activated his Byakugan, "Fate has decreed the winner already, Lee will win,"

Mika rolled her eyes, "For once I agree with your fate bullshit. Lee will kick that glorified Mummies ass!"

Ino nodded, "Lee is scary good... He will win for sure,"

Tenten shushed them, "The fight is about to start!"

I nodded, "Yeah lets not get distracted by the- HOLY SHIT LEE IS KICKING HIS ASS!" I pointed to the fight.

Lee vs Dosu.

Lee kicked Dosu with practiced ease. Dosu couldn't do anything really. Dosu acknowledged that and used his sound to try and disturb Lee's movements. It worked for a second before Dosu felt a kick again. Dosu grabbed Lee's leg and swung him away. Lee flipped mid air and landed into a perfect nice guy pose.

Dosu knew from experience he'd lose to Lee and possibly die. So before he could feel his spine in his head he decided to forfiet. Before he could raise his hand he felt a punch hit his chest. He was sent into the wall. He climbed out and tried to attack once more but he felt a kick hit the back of his neck.

He was knocked out.

Lee looked at Genma with a grin, "That was a great warm up. I belive it is time for the next fight now," Lee practically teleported away with his speed.

Genma looked at the awestruck crowd, "Winner Rock Lee,"

Kage stand.

Rasa and Ay looked at a smug Hiruzen, "What are you feeding your genin Hokage-sama? By no means that is a genin,"

Ay nodded, "That has to be Might Gai," Ay then sighed, "Your crop of genin has been good these last few years,"

Hiruzen chuckled, "I'm afraid that is just his student. He's been training him for nearly four years at this point. He isn't even the best genin here,"

Ay then smirked, "I'm afraid your right. My genin's fight is next. I'm afraid this is the end of Konoha's victory streak in this exam,"

Hiruzen smirked, "Ah but my genin had wind release jutsu. So unless your genin has fire jutsu then I wouldn't be so sure about her victory Raikage-dono,"

Ay's smirk only grew larger, "Oh we will see Hokage-dono,"

Orochimaru's pov

Orochimaru was a patient man. He had waited years for Kimimaro to grow up and become the perfect body, He had spent countless hour experimenting on his own body, He even spent a fair majority of that time making the curse mark work. But his patience was being tested today. His invasion needed to be perfect. So he had to sit and talk with his old monkey of a sensei and the meathead Raikage. Luckily none of the guards surrounding them were talking. That would make this unbearable.

The Raikage was a surprise. A welcome surprise. But still. Though Orochimaru was sure he'd help him defeat the old monkey and burn Konoha to the ground. But he still didn't like the man. Then there was the fact Sasuke-kun wasn't fighting Gaara and the cyclops brat was instead. The timing for the invasion could be slightly off because of that. Then there was the very annoying fact that there was another fight before that. Some of the fights have been worth watching like Sasuke-kun vs the Uzumaki brat that gave him so much trouble in the forest of death.

But ones like this were bound to bore him.

Orochimaru wished he killed some more genin in the forest. It would have made things a lot quicker.

Sadly his plans were curveballed by some lucky snot-nosed upstarts. Oh well most would die anyways. Maybe the Kyuubi jinchurriki would live so he could twist him into a weapon. No need to risk Karin. But still, he could always try one of his weaker followers and see if they could earn a rise in rank.

Oh well, he'd just need to wait until his plans would begin.

Hopefully, he wouldn't have to wait long. Soon enough the Procter called the next wretched match of the exams, "Would Tenten Higurashi and Karui come down to the arena?"

Tenten vs Karui

Karui glared at Tenten as they looked at each other. Karui was confident she could win within seconds... If she needed too. Karui felt confident she didn't need her ace in the hole, "I'll beat you this time," Karui was confident she would win. As soon as she beat this witch she'd beat her teammate into the ground. and then her Uchiha teammate.

Tenten looked at Karui confidently, "I'll beat you. You won't win. I've been training for this very fight," Tenten was also confident that she could win. She had a few aces up her sleeve involving wind jutsu and some new weapons.

Genma looked at both combatants, "Are you two ready?"

Tenten nodded.

Karui grinned, "I am. I'll beat your genin subordinate with ease," Lightning crackled to life in Karui's hands

Genma shrugged, "Okay. Begin!" Genma jumped back. Tenten dodged a lightning-enhanced fist from Karui right away. Kicking Karui to the side and throwing a kunai at her. Karui flipped mid-air and grabbed the Kunai. Karui channeled lightning into it and threw it at Tenten.

Tenten unsealed a pair of trench knifes and used them to block the Kunai. She grinned and channeled wind chakra into them. She slashed the air with them and a blast of wind shot toward Karui. Karui dodged. Channeling lightning to her feet instead of her hands.

Karui then dodged Tenten's fist with the trench knife firmly in her grasp. Tenten broke the block and tried to stab Karui. Karui pulled her hand away and dodged. She kicked Tenten as she dodged gaining the first strike for the battle.

Tenten flinched but turned around and blocked a lightning enhanced fist with her trench knives. She kicked Karui who channeled lightning through her leg. Tenten channeled wind chakra through it to counteract the Lightning. Karui smirked and punched Tenten in the stomach. Sending her recoiling back.

Tenten recovered quickly to dodge a lightning covered Kunai, She then jumped back with Karui following and went through hand seals, "Wind release: Great breakthrough!" Tenten spat out a gust of wind which dissipated the lightning chakra on Karui. Tenten smirked and punched Karui with the trench knives. The blade barely scratched her as it wasn't directly attacking. Karui was shocked as she was sent flying away.

Karui recovered enough so she could dodge Tenten and her trench knives. Karui quickly went through hand seals, "Lightning release: Electromagnetic murder!" A large blast of lightning shot out of Karui's hands toward Tenten. Tenten jumped out of its way and Karui smirked, "Lightning release: Lightning dragon!" Karui raised her hands and a lightning dragon manifested and roared.

Tenten gulped and ran. The lightning dragon followed her and Karui was laughing. Tenten suddenly turned around and went through hand seals, Wind release: Wind cutter technique!" Tenten slashed the air a few times and blades of wind appeared running into the powerful dragon. Trying to push it back. Tenten used this time to throw a kunai at Karui who had no choice to dodge. The lightning dragon dissipated.

Karui cursed, "Fuck... Damnit you witch that wasn't supposed to happen," Karui channeled lightning to her fists and feet and ran toward Tenten and punched her in the sternum with speed that outclassed pretty much everyone else's here. Tenten dodged another punch and grazed Karui's arm with her wind chakra enhanced trench knives, Leaving a deep wound. Karui cursed again, "I'll bash your skull in for that!"

Tenten smirked, "I'd like to see you try," Tenten then went through a few hand seals I hadn't seen in a while, "Wind release: Divine mountain wind!" A large blast of wind came from Tentens trench knives toward Karui. Karui couldn't dodge in time and was sent crashing back towards the wall.

Karui groaned as she got out of the wall which may I add had lots of holes in it. She glared at Tenten whilst breathing heavily, "You leave me no choice... I'll need to use my trump card," Karui channeled lightning chakra all throughout her body, "Lightning style: Lightning armor jutsu!"

Everyone in the shinobi portion of the crowd was shocked... The Raikage's lightning armor jutsu. Tenten gulped as A fist smashed into her chest and then a kick into her stomach. Karui then threw Tenten to the wall and punched her one more time for good measure.

In an instant I restrained Mika as we were both silently seething at the show of needless brutallity.

Genma looked at Tenten as medics took her away, " Winner Karui,"

Karui smirked, "I knew konoha genin were weak,"

I saw Genma roll his eyes.

Kage stand.

Ay clapped upon seeing Karui win, "I knew she would win. Hokage-dono your genin was good but not as good as mine. I'm afraid she'll beat your other genin as well,"

Rasa chuckled, "It seems Gaara has some worthy competition after all,"

Hiruzen simply smirked, "My genin fought well. Nobody could have kept up with that speed except maybe Lee-kun or Neji-kun. I noticed that her technique wasn't complete yet. It seems she still needs some work before she becomes as proficient as you Raikage-dono,"

Rasa nodded, "Yes I also noticed she needs more work before she is as good as you,"

Ay nodded, "We have been working on the jutsu for a long time but sadly we weren't able to get it down completely in the months time we had,"

Both Hiruzen and Rasa's eyebrows rose, "So she's your student eh? That makes sense since she does have the jutsu,"

Ay nodded, "I have been meaning to get a few students to personally train for a while and this was a great opportunity to see how good I was at the teaching thing. I've got to say I understand why you've taken on your students Hokage-sama,"

Hiruzen nodded, "Teaching is rather enjoyable. Your disciples get to learn from your mistakes and successes and become better shinobi because of it. It is truly a magnificent feeling watching their first chunin exams," Hirzuen got a glint in his eye at that.

Ay nodded, "Indeed,"

Rasa decided to cut the conversation short, "I do believe the next fight is beginning soon. My son will absolutely beat your genin Hokage-dono,"

Hiruzen chuckled, "I sincerely doubt it,"

The Procter then called the final match of the first round of the finals, "Would Kukui Tanku and Gaara of the desert please enter the arena?"

Chapter end!

Alright, we now have set the stage for the final showdown. Well of the chunin exams of course. Honestly I'm nervous about writing the fight. Like this basically shows if my MC is a Gary stue or not. Well not really the few fights after that will but still. I kinda need to make Kukui seem OP(well to be fair he kinda is tbh... He uses three chakra affinities and is already a jutsu inventor at 13) But I don't want to... Perhaps I have another way. Yeah I think I do. Anyways I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I sure did. It was fun to write Sakura vs Ino especially as it showed the development Ino has had over the past 58 chapters(Although she hasn't been here for like 20)

Anyways I'm hyped for the next chapter. I somehow made it past the exams and now we are going to be at the crush soon. It feels weird Ya know? Knowing that I'm about to write the turning point for this fic(Yes it will be the turning point. That will be made more clear later) It is going to be the moment where Kukui needs to step up his game and become stronger. It is the moment I need to not be an idiot and write something good. It just feels weird knowing what I'm about to do could scare away a lot of people. I will damn well stick to it though as I'm not thinking of how or why things happen again.

In other happier news. By the time this chapter is uploaded or soon after I upload it we've hit 500 favorites... It feels incredible knowing that 500 people. Yes 500 of you beautiful bastards have enjoyed my work enough to favorite it. You are all my motivation to keep going and to keep writing this fic. Again thanks everyone.

So now finally the question of the chapter!

Question: So which character from another anime/tv show/book/movie do you think will fit into Naruto? Either as a person, because of their skill, or in general. I think Himiko Toga and Shota Aizawa(Both from MHA for the uninitiated) would fit perfectly for wildly different reasons.

Anyways see yall again soon hopefully!

Tobi-kun out!

Ta ta!