Naruto Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Author's Note: Yo!
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No one ever told her she was a silent kid. Hell, people thought she was loud, extremely so when Uchiha Sasuke was around. But in the presence of someone like Uzumaki Naruto, her senses simply told her to be quiet. Even that strange voice in her head that pops out every now and then, was completely silent.
As they were both eating ramen, Naruto in a very normal way and Sakura in a pretty rushed way, she noticed that the entire Ramen Stand they were seated in was quiet.
Except for the boiling water.
"You want another bowl, miss?" A young girl asked her, disturbing the strange silence.
Sakura looked up from her bowl and her musings to notice Ayame, the daughter of Teuchi, owner of the Ramen Stand. "No, thanks!" She said a bit cheerily.
"I am done eating as well." Naruto suddenly spoke up. He then turned from Ayame to Sakura. "This was... weird." He then rose from his seat, put down money to pay for both him and Sakura, she dully noted, and headed for the exit, with Sakura hurrying after him.
"N-Naruto, wait!"
Once outside, Naruto looked at Sakura, before looking around. "This Chuunin Exam... I hope I won't be disappointed."
Sakura shivered, knowing how he would become just that. "The Chuunin Exam. Only the best Genin from every Village participate. I'm sure there will be lots of powerful people."
Naruto nodded. "Then I suggest you try and kill me as well."
Sakura's eyes widened. "... Why?" She slowly let out, petrified by his advice.
"Sasuke has grown a lot in trying so. Perhaps if you do the same, you will become a lot stronger as well." He gave her one last look. "Don't hold back."
Sakura's eyes were still widened as Naruto froze several feet away from her. Another boy, standing in front of him, was frozen as well.
They were both eerily alike.
Naruto, who seemed to radiate coldness, his Chakra even an ice cold blue, was frozen in... excitement?
The other boy, Sakura observed, was a Suna Nin with red hair. The expression of pure indifference etched upon his face let her know he could be Naruto's equal.
After a staring contest, the Sand Shinobi chose to glare at Naruto, while Naruto suddenly grinned. "You seem strong. Can you kill me?"
The redhead seemed to snarl a bit, Sakura couldn't tell. To her left, she saw two other Sand Nins rushing towards Gaara. Probably the boy's teammates, all three here for the Chuunin Exam most likely. "Gaara!" The one with the paint all over his face yelled. "They're Konoha-ni"
And suddenly, they were frozen in their tracks. Sakura herself included. The Killer Intent was higher than she felt from him, but what was more disturbing was that the red-haired Suna-nin was releasing an equal amount of it, doubling the danger.
"Shut up." They both coldly let out. The message was perfectly clear, these two were destined to fight each other and no one was allowed to interfere.
After what seemed like a decade, Naruto and Gaara stared at each other again. "I am Sabaku no Gaara. Who are you?"
Naruto smiled in satisfaction. "Uzumaki Naruto."
Gaara returned the smile, or grin... "You seem strong as well." The smile vanished and was replaced by a glare. "I will kill you during the Chuunin Exam, Uzumaki Naruto." Gaara turned from Naruto to his teammates. "Let's go."
Sakura was too confused to react as Naruto spoke up again. "I'm excited."
As Naruto turned to leave, Sakura couldn't help but think as she stared at the three Suna nins. 'That guy is just as scary as Naruto.'
---
Melancholy's Smile
- Chapter 3: Demon Meeting
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"Interesting."
Sakura looked up from her spot to see Sasuke stand on the roof of the Ramen Stand. "Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke jumped down and landed next to Sakura. "He's made a new... friend, hm? A powerful one, too." He said as his glance landed on Gaara's back. "I suggest you take Naruto's advice and try and kill him." He ignored Sakura's gasp. "It's the fastest way to become strong."
Sakura wanted to say more, but Sasuke was already gone.
---
Naruto hadn't felt this sensation often, but he liked it. There was at least one person worth facing during this Exam.
Sabaku no Gaara from the Sand Village.
It was a strange feeling, this chill running over his body.
"Excited, right?"
Naruto didn't even turn as Sasuke joined him down the road. "Yes. This Chuunin Exam might not be so bad."
Sasuke nodded his head. "Indeed. Let's go train some more."
Naruto snorted. "You can't kill me anyway. But it doesn't hurt... to keep trying."
Sasuke snorted back. "I guess so."
"I'll join!"
Both Sasuke and Naruto turned around to see Sakura standing there, with a determined look on her face. "But I won't try and kill you, Naruto!"
Naruto frowned while Sasuke shook his head.
"But I'll do my best... to defeat you!"
Naruto continued frowning, while Sasuke smirked. "Let's start, then."
---
Sasuke was impressed. What had Kakashi been training her in? The Genjutsus she was casting were not bad at all. It was draining a lot of Chakra from his Sharingan to dispel them. He was panting slightly, even.
"You bore me." Naruto started. "These illusions do nothing else."
Sasuke watched as Sakura ran towards Naruto, who had yet to move away. His Sharingan observed Chakra being gathered in her... fist?
The blow was unexpected, to all but Sakura.
It was enough to crush bones, that was for sure. As Naruto flew straight through a tree and was slammed through half a boulder, he couldn't help but be slightly... amazed?
Sasuke had winced. "Kakashi taught her well. Her excellent Chakra Control... allows her to do things like this. Using Chakra to strengthen her blows."
But it took a lot of Chakra to do so, as seen on Sakura's tired expression and twitching hands. But then again, she had already cast a few Genjutsus on both him and Naruto.
Yes, he was slightly impressed and wondered whether he needed to be able to things like that as well..
Naruto plucked himself out of the boulder, his face completely fine again. "I suggest you hit me harder next time." Naruto voiced as he performed handseals. "My turn."
Before he could, though, Sasuke appeared in front of him and kicked him in the stomach, following up with roundhouse kick that sent him upwards. Sasuke performed lighting fast handseals after that. "Katon, Karyu Endan!!"
Sakura's eyes were filled with disbelief. That Jutsu was truly powerful!
As Sasuke finished the awesome Fire technique, he saw Naruto landing on the ground several feet away from him, with burned clothes. Other than that...
He was perfectly fine.
'If Naruto performs techniques against Sakura, it might be dangerous... He pours way too much Chakra in his attacks.' Sasuke thought. 'This Chuunin Exam probably needs all three of us to enter, so he can't kill Sakura right now..' He glanced at Naruto. "Come at me, Naruto."
Naruto remained standing, a bored look on his face. He performed a few handseals. "Fuuton: Renkuudan!!"
Sasuke's eyes widened. 'That Wind Blast's going for me AND Sakura.' He turned and ran towards Sakura. 'I won't be able to make it to Sakura.' He turned over his shoulder and noticed he had to jump.
Now.
"Sakura, jump!!"
Shocked by the massive Wind Blast, Sakura remained on the ground...
Until Kakashi interfered and pulled Sakura out of the way. After dusting himself off and shaking Sakura back into the land of the living, the Jounin stared hard at Naruto. "Naruto." Kakashi started. "Don't use such powerful techniques on your teammates. Ever."
Naruto frowned. "This technique wasn't that powerful."
Kakashi sighed. "It could've killed Sakura."
It was short, but Kakashi saw understanding in Naruto's eyes. "... I see."
"This is an interesting spar right here." Kakashi said as all of them calmed down. "I'll join. Me and Sakura against you two."
Sasuke smirked. 'Heh, now we hold the possibility to take Kakashi down... Or do we?' Sasuke gathered a lot of Chakra in his eyes and got ready.
Naruto simply stood there.
"Let's begin!"
---
After having stolen the show from the Konoha Genins known as Lee, Neji and Ten-Ten, Sasuke found himself face to face with Lee.
After forcing two Chuunins to dispel their Genjutsu, the two seemed to have acknowledged each other strengths.
"You are Uchiha Sasuke!" Lee exclaimed. "Will you fight me?"
Sasuke snorted shortly. "Have you ever faced anyone with the Sharingan?"
Lee shook his head. "No! But geniuses will be defeated with hard work!"
Sasuke snorted and stepped forward until a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Allow me."
Sasuke frowned as his teammate stepped past him. "Naruto?"
Naruto nodded his head. "This Genin holds a lot of stamina. You two fighting will result in you getting tired. I don't need an exhausted teammate during these Exams. While I don't really care about you losing or winning, I do care about becoming Chuunin." Naruto sent a bored gaze at the weird Genin in front of him. 'A Chuunin gets more dangerous missions.'
Lee examined Sasuke's teammate and noticed nothing out of the ordinary, except for the blonde's dead eyes. "Excuse me, but I am not interested in fighting you!" He let out. "I wish to fight only Uchiha Sasuke!"
"I am stronger than Sasuke." Naruto said. Unbeknownst to him, Sasuke felt a bit annoyed at the statement, even though it was true. Lee suddenly had shiny eyes as he noticed Sasuke didn't deny the statement.
"Very well!" And then he rushed forward.
Naruto noticed that this Lee guy was even faster than Haku, the Ice warrior he had faced a week ago. Lee easily bypassed Naruto's defense and hit him squarely in the face.
To Lee's surprise though, the blow didn't seem to truly be received. 'This guy's strong... My blows seem too weak!'
After trying every combo he could think of, he realized Naruto was not hurt at all! Lee stopped moving in front of Naruto and bowed in respect. "It seems I can not hurt you like this. May I know your name?"
Naruto glanced over at Naruto and Sakura, before facing Lee again. "Uzumaki Naruto."
"Naruto-kun! I will fight you more seriously now! My name is Rock Lee!" Naruto didn't seem interested at all in why Rock Lee was loosing the bandages around his wrists.
A bystander watched all of this but chose not to interfere.
Circling around him in awesome speed, Lee made the move and noticed that it had sent Naruto flying. Following him in air, Lee used the 'Kage Buyou?' Sasuke noticed.
Wrapping the bandages around Naruto's body, they were spinning crazily, until Lee smashed Naruto into the ground with massive power. "Omote Renge!!" Lee yelled.
There was no delay at all as Naruto jumped up from the crater in the ground and turned to the panting Lee, completely unharmed. "You do not hold the power to kill me, Rock Lee. Nor do you have the power to defeat me." Naruto then glared at him. "You do not interest me, so I suggest you don't try and face me team again."
Lee was shocked, completely shocked. No one should be able to walk away from his Lotus move without any scratches. Yet here this guy was standing, completely fine, except for his clothes. "You... how?" He let out between breaths.
Lee wanted to ask more, but Naruto had appeared in front of him. Usually, Lee would be able to dodge attacks like this easily, but he had just used the Omote Renge, so he was hurting.
Lee got smashed into the wall behind him. Lee coughed once before he readied himself for another attack.
Naruto simply turned away, followed by his team.
As Lee watched them go, a Jounin appeared beside him. "Lee."
Lee turned to see Gai, his Jounin Instructor, standing right next to him. "Gai-sensei!"
"That boy... not even your ultimate move will work on him." He let out, on which Lee's eyes widened incredibly. "Yes. I think even Neji doesn't stand a chance against him."
---
"Oh, look who's here! It's the stuck up bastard!"
Shino winced as Sakura hit Kiba in the face with... strength his bugs told him to fear? Inwardly, Shino was shaking his head at Kiba's antics, something he had been doing since they were in the same team.
Hinata looked worried for Kiba as she slowly walked towards him.
"Don't you dare refer to Sasuke-kun with names like that!" Sakura hissed and Shino was sure he sensed Chakra around her fists. His bugs told him they really wanted to drain that Chakra, that perfectly organized Chakra.
His bugs suddenly died down in activity, though, as the remaining team member of team 7 walked in. Shino's eyes narrowed behind his eyes. 'He has gotten powerful.' Shino mused. 'Before, he simply neglected his training because he couldn't get harmed.' Shino's bugs were quite intelligent. 'But his Jounin Instructor seemed to have convinced him to start training.'
Naruto was just standing there, arms hanging limply by his sides as he stared towards all the other participants for this Chuunin Exam. He didn't radiate any Killer Intent, but Shino knew better. That one has to be avoided during this Chuunin Exam.
---
It was a good thing he didn't care for a lot of things. Threats did nothing to him; warnings didn't even seem to reach his ears.
This test was ridiculous. Although he couldn't even answer any of the questions, he found himself not caring at all about this test. This person, Morino Ibiki, he knew the guy and his games. His pathetic Genjutsus which seemed to drain more Chakra from the old guy than himself.
This was all just a game again. Not Genjutsu, but still a game. He couldn't wait until he could face Sabaku no Gaara. Naruto had already spotted him in this classroom.
This Exam was going to be good. Although he held no expectations, he still looked forward to it. Gaara, a Shinobi from another Country, had told him he would kill him.
He had better not be lying.
---
The Forest of Death, a name that clicked well within his mind. Naruto wore a grin on his face when the Special Jounin, Mitarashi Anko, had announced the name of the forest before them. It didn't go unnoticed by his teammates.
"Naruto?" Sakura nervously started. Naruto rarely smiled, after all. "Are you okay?"
Naruto even chuckled shortly at that. "I'm fine."
Sasuke sighed, understanding Naruto's excitement. "We better stick together, though. The goal is to gather scrolls. So we'll be attacked by three Shinobis. Splitting up is not an option."
Sakura nodded. "We need to pick out a team that looks weak. Perha-"
"The team from the Sand." Naruto interrupted. "I'll look for them. I don't care what you two do." Sasuke looked a bit irked to find he had been ignored for the most part of his short speech before.
"Fine, I'll go with you. He seems to be the only interesting one in this Exam anyway." Sasuke gave in, on which Sakura turned even more worried. "You guys have weapons with you?"
Sakura nodded, while Naruto shook his head. "I don't need weapons."
The gates opened for them.
"Let's go."
Naruto's eyes were red, Sakura and Sasuke noticed.
---
Temari and Kankurou were not worried at all. Their little brother was with them, after all. He was Suna's ace and he would hold his end of the bargain definitely, because he was Gaara, the Demon Shukaku, as many saw him.
This Chuunin Exam was nothing. Everyone present did not even stand a chance against them, let alone Gaara.
Except for that one. But Gaara would handle him.
"He's coming."
Temari looked sideways to see a maniacal grin on Gaara's face. 'He's using the Sand Armor, but still his insane expressions are showing through. He must be really excited.' She looked ahead of herself and felt several Chakra signatures approaching. 'This could become dangerous, after all.'
Kankurou sighed as he skidded to a halt on the ground. "Shinobi from Konoha, three of them." He informed his brother and sister. "It's..." He turned to Temari. "That one."
Sasuke landed in front of the trio first, Sharingan fully loaded.
Next to him, Naruto landed sloppily. His eyes were filled with amusement as he pointedly ignored Temari and Kankurou and gazed at Gaara.
Behind the two Konoha Nins, Sakura stood a bit nervously, but Chakra was already being gathered around her fists.
"Uzumaki Naruto, you and I will fight now." Gaara stated before he faced his siblings. "Do not interfere."
Sasuke smirked. "Sakura, let me handle the other two. I need a warm-up."
Kankurou snorted. "A warm-up? Kid, you don't know who you're facing. We already know all about the Sharingan."
Sasuke shrugged. "Then why are you not surrendering? Facing an Uchiha means certain defeat, after all."
Temari's panic settled in as she noticed Gaara and Naruto were itching to fight, both releasing Killer Intent unlike any she ever felt before. 'Be careful, Gaara... He seems to be stronger than any other Shinobi you have faced...' She thought.
It came as a shock. The Killer Intent froze all of them, it was simply too much. Only Naruto and Gaara could move now.
"Sabaku Kyuu!!"
Naruto allowed the sand to grab him.
Gaara grinned with bloodshot eyes. "Sabaku SouSou!!"
The satisfying sound of bones crushing gave Gaara's ears a limitless sense of satisfaction. Until... the sand moved? Chakra shot the sand all around him and freed Naruto from his grasp.
"Interesting. You can crush all of my bones at once... But it didn't kill me. What else can you do?" Naruto said as he seemed completely fine.
Gaara's eyes widened. No one ever has survived this attack of his. But then, he grinned. This kill would give him a lot more pleasure than his usual killings. "Uzumaki Naruto, you amuse me greatly."
Temari's and Kankurou's eyes were widened and filled with disbelief. This guy survived Gaara's Desert Graveyard and looked completely fine even! They were facing someone on equal grounds with Gaara...
What's worse, it seems Gaara was about to transform. And neither of his siblings could stop him, because they were too affected by the Killer Intent. But then again, even without that, they still wouldn't be able to stop him.
Naruto's eyes opened up a bit more in recognition as weird Chakra seemed to circle around Gaara. "You... can use this Chakra as well?"
Gaara simply ignored him as Sand was slowly surrounding him and protecting him. In a matter of moments, Naruto could only see a Sphere of Sand. He seemed a bit bored and turned towards Gaara's teammates. "You two are just as pathetic as my teammates. To think you have a powerful teammate such as Gaara. You are very fortunate. He can kill easily."
But then the blonde's eyes narrowed. "But can he kill me?"
The sphere of Sand exploded into nothingness and Naruto licked his lips as he saw Gaara's transformed right arm. Gaara's eyes narrowed as Naruto seemed to have changed a bit as well.
Yes, his eyes, they were bloodred. And the Chakra around Naruto... was the same as his?
"I am told that if I fight my opponent with the best of my ability, they, in turn, will do their best as well, to end my fighting, my existence." Naruto uttered, a hopeful tone added to his voice.
Gaara chuckled dangerously. "Yes! To prove my existence I will end yours!!"
Naruto chuckled back. "Let's go, then!"
Gaara's eyes widened. He didn't expect the blonde to be so quick. Even Sasuke was astounded to see Naruto this powerful. Sakura couldn't even follow his movements.
Bone shattering, that's how powerful the blow given to his nose was. Gaara was sent into a tree and wasn't getting up soon. Naruto simply followed up and grabbed him by the face, the red Chakra around his body releasing a massive lust for torture.
Gaara screamed in pain as Naruto rammed his fist through his chest, the poisonous Chakra of the Kyuubi entering his system. "Arghhh!!" Coughing out blood, Gaara swiped wildly with his arms to get Naruto's claw out of his chest. Naruto jumped backwards and grinned.
"You... don't die easily either, hm?" Naruto chuckled, but was disappointed as Gaara struggled in pain. "What's wrong? Are you not used to pain?"
Temari was filled with fear at how easily this individual was handling Gaara. 'This guy... just what is he!?'
Kankurou, too, was petrified. 'Konoha Shinobis are... like this?!'
Sakura shuddered at how demonic Naruto seemed to be with the malicious red Chakra around him. She felt... worried?
"Ughh..." Gaara slowly rose to his feet. Shukaku's Chakra was fighting hard to deal with the poisonous Chakra Naruto had entered into his body. "What... did you do?!" He dropped to his knees, his body burning in pain. "Poison?!"
"Run away, child!! He is the Kyuubi! We don't stand a chance!!" His 'mother' screamed. "Run as fast as you can!! He will obliterate us!!"
Gaara didn't understand. Mother was never afraid. But he now knew it. This kid was something else! "Uzumaki Naruto... I..."
"Give in!! Surrender! Admit defeat or he will kill us!!"
He coughed out blood. The Shukaku was succeeding in getting rid of the Kyuubi's poison, but it might take a while. "You... Aurghh!"
Naruto sighed, the red in his eyes darkening. "You said you would kill me, weakling!"
It was too much. This stranger called their little brother a weakling! Kankurou and Temari didn't know what to even think. Until, Sasuke started moving. "Naruto... Let me deal with them." He let out, finally free from the bind. "I could use some training."
Naruto glared at Sasuke. "Gaara will be my kill. You can have the other two."
Sasuke nodded and rushed forward. Kankurou did whatever he could to break free and just managed as he blocked Sasuke's kick to his head. He immediately launched his puppet at Sasuke, sending him upwards.
Naruto watched the two fight, glad they were taking the fight somewhere else. He had no need for interruptions to kill another liar. "Ready to die, Sabaku no Gaara!!"
"Awaken, child! Speak! Make a deal! Do something! He will kill us!!" The Shukaku screamed.
"I concede defeat." Gaara let out with a struggle. He still couldn't move his body because of the poison, but he was surely recovering. "You are more powerful than I am."
Naruto chuckled. "A bit too late for than, hm?"
"Release me!! Let me out!!"
Naruto's eyes widened a bit as Gaara was suddenly surrounded by smoke and seconds later, he was towering above him in another form. "A demon?" Naruto suddenly laughed like a madman. "How suitable!! Yes, a demon surely can kill another demon!! Kill me!!"
"Tanuki Neiri no Jutsu!"
Naruto sensed the sudden change in Chakra and just couldn't wait. "Attack me!! Try and kill me, demon!!"
"No..."
Confusion hit him in full force. "No?"
The Shukaku looked down upon Naruto and shook its head. "Kyuubi no Youko. I will not release futile attempts at taking your life. I can not defeat nor kill you." He calmly let out, but his voice was full of respect, Naruto noted. "Please, spare our lives. Allow us to become... allies."
Naruto seemed to consider him. "You seem different."
"I am the Shukaku. The demon within Gaara."
"Within Gaara, hm? Just like me, then." Naruto let realization hit him. "You, at the moment, hold the highest capability, you're the one who's the closest of being able to kill me." He chuckled. "Train, train. Grow stronger and try and kill me, then, Shukaku. Until then, we shall be allies. I will not end your existence today."
"Thank you, Kyuubi no Youko." Shukaku bowed its head. "What is your human name?"
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"I owe you greatly, Uzumaki Naruto."
"Train your vessel well, Shukaku." Naruto let out, on which the Shukaku nodded.
With that Shukaku released the transformation and Gaara, surprisingly landed on his feet. The poison was now out of his system and he gazed towards Naruto.
To Temari's complete shock, Gaara bowed. "Until we meet again, Uzumaki Naruto." Free form the Killer Intent, Temari and Sakura could move again. "Do not engage with them, Temari. He can kill us all... easily."
Temari dumbly nodded as Kankurou and Sasuke landed in the clearing. "Gaara?" Kankurou asked as he was ready to face off with Sasuke again.
"Cease your attacks." The red-haired Suna-Nin ordered. "We will move again. He is far more powerful than you can imagine."
Kankurou noticed Gaara was addressing Naruto and nodded, understanding they would be killed if they didn't move now. "We will meet again, Uchiha Sasuke. And then, I will defeat you!"
Gaara walked towards Naruto and handed him their Scroll. He then bowed again and without a word, left them.
Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke watched them move away.
From a small distance, Orochimaru had watched it all. He would be unable to move now, for ANBU were already on the way to investigate the awesome power being displayed just before. Enraged, Orochimaru turned away and vowed to approach Uchiha Sasuke on another day soon...
Shaken, Sakura let out a sigh of relief and noticed her surroundings. Or lack of surroundings. Still, she was getting used to it, surprisingly. "Sha-shall we move?"
Sasuke shook his head. "They want explanation."
Naruto sighed and Sakura looked a bit dumbfounded.
Until ANBU landed in front of them.
---
Yo! Sorry for the late update.
Busy, busy with school and all that...
Next chapter will focus on the Rookie Nine as Team 7 encounters one of the other Konoha Teams...
Ja na!!