Naruto Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Author's Note: Yo
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With the presence of awesome Chakra Levels still present in their surroundings, the ANBU didn't seem as frightening as they should have been. Although they still emitted higher Chakra Presences than both Gaara and Naruto had before.
Sasuke turned to look at Naruto and surprisingly found an annoyed expression on the blonde's face. It shouldn't be a surprise to him however, since he knew Naruto did not like the ANBU. The simple reason was that they seemed powerful but wouldn't dare to try and kill Naruto, which infuriated the Jinchuuriki.
"So…" The leading Shinobi started as she walked towards Naruto. She was without mask. "What have you been up to, Uzumaki Naruto-kun?" She said with a teasing voice.
"A slightly disappointing encounter." Naruto replied calmly. "Pretty similar to every encounter I have with you, Anko." Sakura and Sasuke looked surprised to see Naruto act so familiar with the second Examiner of the Chuunin Exam. "However, this one was more disappointing… And I was so hoping for this to be the one, too."
Anko took a look at the surroundings and snorted. "Though not impressive at all to me, this should be impossible for Genin. I knew you would be involved. But, Sandaime-sama told me there were two… special… Chakra signatures here. Mind explaining?"
Naruto shrugged. "I… made a new friend? He's just like a… brother."
Anko nodded her head as Naruto relayed the message in between the lines. "I see." Naruto knew there was a rule made by the Third where he could not speak of being a Jinchuuriki. He had no intention of letting his teammates know, either. "Knowing this, from now on, there will be several ANBU spread across the Forest of Death."
But the fight between Gaara and Naruto was not the reason ANBU were being deployed.
Anko feared the worst, since she believed Orochimaru was in this Forest as well. "ANBU, including me…" She finished. "Have fun, you three!"
Naruto frowned as the three ANBU Members and Anko vanished. "We now have two scrolls. I guess we should head for the tower."
"Don't you think there are other… challenges in here?" Sasuke asked. "I haven't even fought yet."
Naruto shrugged. "Perhaps we'll meet up with a few on our way out. But, I think we have already faced the most powerful of them all."
Sakura nodded her head. After all, who could be stronger than Naruto or Gaara… in a Chuunin Exam?
---
Melancholy's Smile
Chapter 4: Casual Days
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Nara Shikamaru was happy, or… as happy as a Nara like him could be. They already had two Scrolls and were on their way to the centre of the Forest of Death, even though they still had a long way to go. From the start of this second part of the Chuunin Exam, he and his team had heard screams all around him. The Chakra he sensed was amazing as well.
His team was not so powerful, he had to admit. But strategy-wise, they would come far. In the beginning, he thought targeting the other Rookie Genin Teams from Konoha would be the smartest move, but he was mistaken as he did some research beforehand.
The Konoha Team consistent of Aburame Shino, Hyuga Hinata and Inuzuka Kiba would be able to sense, smell and see them from miles away. The perfect tracking team, he knew. Inuzuka were known for their perfect senses, the Hyugas were famous because of the Byakugan and the Aburames were… feared for various reasons. Them having bugs inside their bodies was one of them, the other was that they had a good strategic mind, perhaps like he himself had.
The other Konoha team was Haruno Sakura, smartest of his graduating class. He knew she was probably the weakest of the team, but he couldn't tell for sure, because he knew nothing of Uzumaki Naruto. Uchiha Sasuke was most likely the strongest of the team, being the Top Rookie of this graduation year. But then again, he didn't know what Uzumaki Naruto could do.
But then, when the first Exam had started, he could tell Uzumaki Naruto was no push-over. He might be a lazy individual, but he could tell when someone was strong or… feared.
Sakura feared Naruto, Kiba's dog Akamaru feared Naruto and… Aburame Shino feared Naruto. The last one was his most reliable source, because Shino was a genuine person who simply was perfectly aware of what was going on around him. And then there was Sasuke. Shikamaru knew the look in Sasuke's eyes when the Uchiha looked at Naruto during the start of this Second Exam.
It was respect.
The Uchiha looked up to him, which was close to impossible, Shikamaru figured. But what was worse, Sasuke also seemed to fear Naruto.
Shikamaru knew for sure that Naruto was dangerous at that exact time.
Konoha Team Seven was to be avoided at all costs.
He never thought though, that his team would claim another scroll so easily. They came across a weak team from the Grass Country and simply used the InoShikaCho Strategy and outsmarted them.
He had been as happy as he could be, which came down to being a bit less complacent than usual. But this moment of calmness was easily broken as a team landed in front of them.
Though they were still quite a distance away from them, he feared the worst. His assumptions were proven as his female teammate sprang into action and sprinted towards the team, all the while screaming.
"Sasuke-kun!!"
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and observed team 7. 'They have fought, Naruto the most, while Sakura… is completely unscathed. From their expressions I can tell they already have both scrolls, seeing as they don't seem to be slipping into their battle stances. Coast is clear… for now.' His eyes remained on the blonde member of the Konoha Team, intent on finding out more about him and why some people feared him.
"Get lost, Ino-pig!"
Shikamaru kept his eyes from widening, but he had sensed it surely. Sakura had been gathering Chakra, a perfect amount of Chakra to a certain part of her body. But where? 'I see. She has improved a lot as well…'
Sasuke and Naruto didn't even flinch at them. 'They seem to be unable to express fear as if… they… As if they think they're the strongest team in this Exam.' Inwardly, Shikamaru nodded his head. 'Yes, the arrogance in Sasuke's eyes tells me he KNOWS his team is the strongest here.'
"You have both scrolls, huh? Which team did you fight?" Shikamaru asked as he approached the bickering Sakura and Ino, while Sasuke and Naruto were waiting for it to be done with. Chouji walked behind him, happily eating out of his bag of chips.
Sasuke smirked. "The team from the Sand. They were powerful, but we were more so."
Shikamaru kept from sighing at the Uchiha's arrogance. But he was even more worried now. The team from the Sand seemed extremely powerful. He had observed every participant of the Chuunin Exam during the first Exam. Especially the red-haired member of the team, who the remaining part of the Suna Team seemed to fear, radiated a powerful presence..
"How about you?"
"We EASILY defeated a team from Grass." Ino exclaimed proudly.
Sasuke snorted. "Must be some team." He let out sarcastically.
As much as his team hated to admit it, it had been a weak team they robbed the scroll from. Shikamaru sighed again. "Since we both have our scrolls, it's safer if our teams go together, right?" Ino piped up, still trying to get past Sakura, ready to cling onto Sasuke. "So, let's go!!"
"No." Naruto answered before anyone else could. "We seem to have some company."
Hiding his surprise, Shikamaru readied himself as did all the others.
A team from the Sound stepped out of the bushes behind Team Seven. Ino and Chouji had already jumped behind him, hoping that Shikamaru would come up with a plan soon.
"Ah, two Konoha Teams teaming up? I expect nothing less from weaklings such as yourselves." The one with all the bandages said. "But it'll be of no good. Against us, the Sound, you simply do not stand a chance."
Sasuke snorted. "Naruto, let me handle this one alone."
Shikamaru heard that. 'What, can't he tell these guys are strong? Especially their leader, or he seems to be the leader.' And although it was not a question, Shikamaru knew it was meant as a question. 'I don't understand, is he asking for permission from Naruto?'
"Go ahead, they are weak anyway." Naruto let out. "But don't take too long, this Chuunin Exam is starting to bore me. So many… disappointments."
'They are weak anyway?!' Shikamaru repeated in his head.
Even Chouji and Ino had heard that one.
Sasuke snorted as he activated his Sharingan. "Just watch me." He let out as he vanished and appeared in front of the leading Sound-nin, who could barely dodge the sudden attack and jumped backwards. Instead, the other male of the team, caught the roundhouse kick right in his face and was sent flying.
Naruto sat down on the ground as he started observing the two scrolls he wore with him, not at all interested in the fight before him. 'Perhaps opening these scrolls, might kill me?'
Sakura kept a close eye on her teammate however, worried for his safety and admiring his movements at the same time. Shikamaru saw that his female teammate was doing the same.
And just as Sasuke easily knocked the female Sound Genin out, the one with the bandages tried to hit Sasuke in the face with his metal arm. Shikamaru watched as Sasuke snorted, dodged the blow and kicked the Sound-nin away from him.
Not surprisingly, Sasuke's opponent landed on his feet.
Naruto looked up from the scrolls as Sasuke fell to his knees and started vomiting.
"Sasuke-kun!!" Both Ino and Sakura screamed.
What happened? Shikamaru was sure Sasuke had dodged that blow. 'Must be his ability.'
"Don't interfere!!" Sasuke screamed as Ino and Sakura seemed to want to run towards him. "I can still fight!!"
"You are one of few who can still stand after my attack." The Sound-nin said with a grin. "I am Dosu Kinuta. I am here to test your strength. Not for me, but for someone else." He explained, knowing ANBU were around.
Sasuke simply glared at the bandaged Sound-nin, before he noticed movements on his right. "And I am Abumi Zaku!! Remember my name!! Zankuuha!!"
Dosu sighed as a massive wind blast seemed to rip the area around Sasuke apart, but Sasuke was no longer there. Dosu was a bit surprised. 'He shouldn't be able to move like that after being hit by my sound… He's either gotten lucky and hasn't been hit thoroughly, or… He's stronger than I anticipated.' Another thing was bothering Dosu. 'Why are his teammates not helping him? Are they afraid or…' Dosu looked from the worried Sakura to the… almost sleeping Naruto, who was leaning against a tree, scrolls on the ground next to him. 'the opposite?'
Dosu didn't like it, something was wrong. 'They are arrogant! To put the scrolls like that on the ground! To not help their teammate like all other Konoha Shinobis do!' Dosu rushed towards Naruto, only to find him no longer there.
"Were you about to attack me?" Came the voice behind him.
Dosu turned to look in bloodred eyes and was frozen completely. 'H-he…'
"It's impolite to walk away from a fight. Though I don't really care about my teammate." Naruto let out. "But seeing you having so much trouble with Sasuke, I suggest not even trying picking a fight with me."
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes as he felt the Killer Intent coming from Naruto. 'He can't move because he's so close to Naruto now. I didn't expect him to be so… frightening.' The Nara looked from Naruto to the fighting Zaku and Sasuke. Sasuke could only dodge wind blasts as he seemed to be a bit injured form Dosu's attack.
As he turned back to Dosu and Naruto, his eyes widened a great deal as Naruto's… claws… were piercing both Dosu's shoulders. The scream came seconds later, catching everyone's attention.
Oh.
So that's why his teammates feared Naruto.
As the scream died out, Naruto flung Dosu's body away. "Hm, I think it's about time we go." Naruto said to Sasuke. "Sorry I interfered, but he attacked me first."
Sasuke simply nodded dumbly and walked back to Naruto. Zaku was too shocked and could tell that Sasuke's teammate was not someone to mess with. "I… we… We will get you back for this!!"
Sasuke sighed as he looked from Zaku to the bleeding Dosu. "Your teammate is still alive, I suggest you take him and your other teammate and leave this place, before Naruto decides you tried to kill him and failed."
No one understood that, except for Sakura. Shikamaru frowned, deciding he needed to remember this little piece of information.
As they watched Zaku grab Kin, his female teammate and Dosu quickly, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura turned to Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji. "Well, that was… annoying." Naruto uttered slowly. "We'll go now."
Sasuke and Sakura nodded and then they left even quicker than the Sound team had gone. Shikamaru turned to his team and let out a breath of relief. "Man… That was just way too troublesome."
But from now on, he knew to avoid Naruto when in battle. He hasn't shown much during this battle, but to deal such massive damage in seconds… Shikamaru shuddered.
Unbeknownst to him, one pair of Byakugan eyes had seen all.
---
Five days later, every team that made it was seizing each other up as they were all standing in front of the Third Hokage and a few Jounin. Sasuke and surprisingly, Naruto, got a few gazes of interest.
During the Forest of Death Exam, Temari and Kankurou were completely baffled as they saw Gaara sleep… peacefully. Without even one single sign of the Shukaku breaking out or even giving Gaara's nightmares.
The sound-nin Dosu was, surprisingly, completely healed and, though unseen by everyone, shot a thankful look at Yakushi Kabuto, a Konoha-nin, who had just left them, as he pulled back from the Exams.
Sasuke grinned in anticipation as they were explaining that there would be more fights coming. More fights where he could completely humiliate his opponents. He would now be prepared for Dosu's special attack, IF he were to fight him. The only ones who he might lose against were Naruto or Gaara. He knew how the two fought, but he had yet to discover how to deal easily with fighters like them.
And then, a board above them flashed names and names, until it stopped with two names…
Akadou Yoroi versus Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke frowned as another Konoha Shinobi remained in the fighting grounds, while the other participants all went up the stairs. "An Uchiha, eh?" Sasuke looked at his opponent with one raised eyebrow. "I do not fear the Sharingan and I'll show you why, little brat."
Sasuke snorted. "You are ignorant then, for everyone should fear the Sharingan."
As soon as the examiner for these preliminary tests, Hayate Gekkou, announced to begin, Sasuke vanished.
Yoroi's eyes widened behind his glasses. 'Shit... His speed is way above Genin!' Before he knew it, Sasuke's elbow was in his stomach, and then, Sasuke was floating above, already having finished a string of handseals.
"Katon, Housenka no Jutsu!!"
Ignoring the pain in his gut, Yoroi skilfully dodged every fireball thrown at him. Unfortunately for him, his dodging threw him straight in the path of another attack, as Sasuke had already jumped to another location and readied his next Jutsu.
"Katon, Ryuuka no Jutsu!"
Yoroi cursed as he was still dodging one fireball from Sasuke's Housenka and found he could only dodge this next attack. Still, a grin was behind that small piece of cloth Yoroi wore.
Sasuke's Sharingan eyes narrowed as his attack didn't do as much damage as he had expected. Then, Sasuke grinned. "Heh, a Chakra drainer you are, huh? You'd think that would go by unnoticed before my Sharingan?"
Yoroi shrugged. "Seeing things doesn't mean you can beat it!" He then rushed towards Sasuke, who frowned at how slow his opponent seemed to be moving.
'Is there this much of a gap between us and the other participants?' Sasuke asked himself as he advanced towards the advancing Yoroi and jumped over him. Yoroi hadn't even noticed yet, because all of this was done in high speed.
"It's over." Sasuke announced as his Kunai was touching the back of Yoroi's neck. "Despite having an ability like you do, I simply am too fast for you." Sasuke's eyes narrowed as Yoroi tried to move. "Don't push me, I will kill you." He calmly let out. "Surrender, Akadou Yoroi."
Yoroi slumped over and sighed. "Fine..."
"Winner, Uchiha Sasuke!"
Up in the stands, a certain Sound Jounin grinned, while many fangirls screamed the Uchiha's name.
---
The next matches were completely uninteresting, until it was announced his other teammate had to fight. Naruto took a look at Sakura and Sasuke. Sasuke was not even shooting the female one glance, while Kakashi patted Sakura on the shoulder.
"Sakura."
Immediately her head whipped towards him. "Y-yeah?" It was unusual for Naruto to start a conversation. Skip unusual, it was almost unheard of!
"As I have said before... Don't hold back."
Sakura nodded her head, and watched as her opponent, Yamanaka Ino, jumped down. She followed soon.
Naruto frowned at himself. It seemed rather useless to be telling his teammate those words, but somehow, he just had to. Shrugging it away, he chose to just watch this match, unlike all the others, which he had ignored.
"This better be good."
---
Sasuke and Naruto both looked at each other and couldn't help but smile. They didn't know why, but something told them to, as their teammate had won her match against Ino.
Both didn't display any signs of worry for her, but it still felt good that the entirety of team 7 had won their battles, since Naruto would surely win, of course.
Ino didn't stand a chance against the Genjutsus and the freakish strength Sakura possessed.
Kakashi nodded his head and smiled as he was glad he had entered his team in the Chuunin Exam. 'Hmm, if this continued on like this, it won't be unlikely they all will be promoted to Chuunin.'
A few matches followed and Naruto was again just leaning against the wall, with Sasuke doing the same several feet further. Sakura was on the railing, watching the battles below, while Kakashi was slowly, or better said, lazily, walking towards Naruto.
"So, Naruto. Care to explain what happened in the Forest?" He started as he leaned next to Naruto and read his 'Come Come Paradise.'
Naruto sighed. "Nothing, actually. Another failure added to the list."
"List?"
Naruto ignored the last remark as he suddenly put his gaze on Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, you can do me a favour, however." Kakashi was surprised to see him enthusiastic about this favour. "During that Forest Test, I have encountered another one just like me."
Kakashi immediately understood. No one had told him what had happened in the Forest, but he had felt the malicious Chakra as well.
"I was wondering... if there more are people out there, like me." He started. "Can you find out?"
Kakashi sighed. "I can't. I do not hold any knowledge of it. Perhaps you should ask Hokage-sama."
Naruto nodded. "Fine, fine."
And then the board flashed again.
Inuzuka Kiba versus Uzumaki Naruto.
"Let's get this over with, I have to become Chuunin." Naruto muttered as he jumped downwards and landed on the ground before Kiba and Akamaru did. "You two, are you strong?"
Kiba narrowed his eyes as he considered the whimpering Akamaru in his coat. 'This one is strong... Akamaru is having similar reactions as when we encountered that Sand Team. I didn't know Naruto was like this. I always thought he was a weakling, like that lazy Shikamaru.' He readied himself. "Ready when you are, Naruto!"
Akamaru barked, making Kiba turn his head painfully fast to his dog. "I won't, Akamaru! I'll do my best first!" Turning from his dog back to his opponent, he saw himself face to face with hundreds of Narutos all of a sudden.
"Holy... crap."
"I have to do this quick." Naruto said as he began pummelling Kiba.
Seconds later: "Winner; Uzumaki Naruto!!"
---
"That was... weird." Kakashi said as Naruto was back up in the waiting area. "Maybe next time you should try to impress the judges some more, instead of simply punching your opponent until he can't move anymore, hm?"
"I guess." Naruto responded, choosing to lean against the wall again. "I'll be staying until Gaara's match."
Kakashi's one brow above his one visible eye lifted. 'Must be the other Jinchuuriki.'
"Well, my entire little team is through this Test now, so... I have important stuff to attend to. Be good, you three." With that, Kakashi left.
Sasuke pushed himself off of the wall and turned to Sakura and Naruto. "Let's train harder from now on. I have to get stronger quick." Sasuke said. "I want to be able to beat Gaara, as well as you... Naruto."
Naruto nodded his head. "I should hope so."
Sakura nodded her head as well. "Me too! I want to be of help next time we have missions!"
Sasuke and Naruto looked at her and surprisingly, BOTH nodded their heads, but neither smiled.
---
The next day, Sasuke found himself with many weights strapped around his ankles, wrists and upper body. "I can't believe how fast Lee was. I have to get quicker than that soon." Sasuke said as Naruto and Sakura were also adjusting their weights.
"Still, he lost against Gaara." Naruto said. "So he's pretty much a weakling no matter how fast he is."
Sasuke scowled. 'Lee's probably still a bit ahead of me, so... that damn Naruto considers me a weakling too?!'
"That doesn't make him a weakling, Naruto!!" Sakura scolded. "Gaara's really strong! And just because you can beat him, doesn't mean everyone else can, too. You do know that you are freakishly powerful, right?"
Naruto frowned at the sudden interruption. Sakura never talked to him like that. Deciding he didn't really care about it, he simply chose to ignore the pink-haired girl. "Let's begin."
"You ready?" Sasuke moved towards Naruto, his Sharingan helping him. As he saw Naruto move in to attack, he noticed his Sharingan could see it all, but... due to the weights on his body; he could do nothing but watch as Naruto's fist was approaching his face. 'Oh shit...'
Sakura winced as Sasuke was sailing backwards, clutching his face as it was a perfect hit. His nose was definitely broken...
Naruto frowned at Sasuke. "Have you gotten slower?"
"It's the weights, damn it!!" Sasuke yelled, still clutching his nose.
"Oh. I don't seem to be bothered by it as much as you, then." Naruto said as he tried out his speed by running from tree to tree.
Sakura's eyes were widened. 'He has the same amount of weights as Sasuke, which is a lot, the double amount of what I have. I already move a lot slower, as does Sasuke-kun... But Naruto, how come he can still move like that?'
Sasuke noticed too. 'Another thing added to the mystery list of Naruto... How come the weights don't affect him?'
After Sasuke received some minor Medic Ninjutsu from Sakura, the trio continued their training, all the while getting to know each other more.
When evening and eventually night hit them, they were all seated on the ground. Sakura and Sasuke because they were tired and Naruto because... he had nothing else to do right now but read through a few new scrolls Kakashi had given him.
"Ne, what kind of missions will we get when we become Chuunins?" Sakura asked no one in particular as she stared up at the sky.
No one responded for a few seconds, until Sasuke spoke up again. "It better not be useless ones. If so, then I will train and go Jounin in no time."
Naruto nodded his head, agreeing with Sasuke. "Jounin get S-Ranked missions. Those Missions have the highest chance of getting killed. My goal in life right now is to have S-Ranked Missions for the rest of my life."
Sasuke and Sakura shook their heads.
"Naruto?" Sakura started nervously. "Why... Why do people hate you?"
Sasuke perked up just a little bit at hearing the question. He never asked that question, but really wanted to know the answer as well.
Naruto's expression turned troubled. "I... don't know."
Sakura just couldn't read Naruto at all. It was not sadness that was in Naruto's eyes, nor was it confusion or anger. She could only describe it as indifference, but that didn't seem accurate either.
"Hm." Sasuke didn't know what to say. People hating you was bad, but not knowing why people hated you had to be even worse.
Maybe, it was because of the Kyuubi, Naruto thought. But he wasn't so sure about it. No one ever explained to him why people hated him. Was keeping a demon like the Kyuubi away from a Village he and they all loved, a reason to hate him? No, they should be thankful, actually.
So that couldn't be the reason why everyone hates him. Right?
Perhaps it was because he was never supposed to be born? Or that he was so very ugly?
Naruto sighed. He didn't know. "I don't know. All I know is that the Village wishes for my death. All of its inhabitants."
"Uhm." Sakura started. "I don't want you dead. And I'm sure Sasuke doesn't want you dead, either?"
Sasuke didn't respond.
"Anyway, -" Naruto cut her off.
"Perhaps a few don't want me to die. But in a Village like this one, it's what most want that is important." Naruto said. "And also, it has been going on for a long time, so there must be good reason for it. They are still trying to find ways to accomplish the Village's goals. It is me, who is the problem." Naruto paused. "But I will help the Village in finding a way. By becoming Chuunin and Jounin, I will surely find the path to my death, or the end of my path."
"And then, the Village will have accomplished one of its many goals."
Sasuke and Sakura just didn't understand. But then, Naruto didn't really care for them to understand. "My goal is to follow the goals of the Village. I suggest you two do the same and follow. Grow strong and perhaps you can even help me."
All of a sudden, they felt a powerful Chakra presence approaching.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan and saw a person running by in awesome speed, heading for the Hokage Tower.
Naruto's eyes had widened as well. "That one... was a lot more powerful than Sabaku no Gaara."
Before Sakura could warn him, Naruto quickly followed after the Shinobi. Sasuke cursed and followed suit. Sakura didn't know what to do so she ran after her precious Sasuke-kun.
Following this powerful individual, Naruto grinned wickedly. "You are powerful, you are powerful. I will attack you ruthlessly and then... you will have to kill me..." He chuckled.
Behind him, Sasuke could barely keep up with Naruto, having his weights still on. 'Damn it! Only Naruto might be able to fight this one... But still, I have to see how strong I am!'
Sakura hoped everything would be okay. 'Sasuke-kun, Naruto... I hope Hokage-sama is around...'
---
TBC
Yo yo!