AN: Alas, Naruto is still not for sale, so I cannot buy it... Enjoy this chapter!
-demonicnargles
"Speech"
thought / talking in mind
"Demon speech"
Demon thought / talking in mind
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Gaara thought about the other jinkuurichi that he had faced in the exam. He is powerful. My sand is no protection from that sort of energy. How can such a strong ninja come from a place as soft as Konoha?
Gaara shifted his weight, listening to the quiet breathing of his brother and sister in the nearby room. Once they had gotten out of the Forest of Death, summoned a sand jounin with the two scrolls, and been passed, Temari and Kankurou had immediately gone to bed, despite the fact that they had done none of the fighting. Such weakness. But then, they do sleep at night, and since we finished early in the morning, they must have missed some of their sleep. The need for sleep is a weakness. I wonder, does the other container sleep?
Gaara stared out the window at the rising sun, pondering this.
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Sakura opened the doors to team seven's assigned room in the tower, helping Sasuke to walk. The morning sunlight streamed in behind them. About ten minutes before they had reached the tower, Sasuke had awoken. He required help to walk, however, because of a strange pain all over his body. Naruto walked in behind them, heavily favoring his left leg. It had still not healed because Naruto's left side was cut off from Kyuubi's chakra.
Sasuke pulled away from Sakura once they entered the room, and sat over against the wall. Naruto pulled out the two scrolls that they had acquired in the exam, and tossed them to Sakura.
"Can we open them? I don't remember them saying anything about opening the scrolls," Sakura asked.
"Just open them," Sasuke replied gruffly.
Sakura looked hurt, but opened the scrolls. Her eyes lit up with recognition. "These are summoning scrolls! But it looks like they have to be used together to work."
"Then use them," Sasuke monotoned.
Sakura spread the scrolls out on the ground, the heaven on top of the earth, and placed her hands in the indicated positions. She willed her chakra into the scrolls.
A cloud of smoke appeared just in front of her, then dissipated to reveal Kakashi, reading his favorite book. He let out a perverted giggle before putting the book away.
"Congratulations on passing the second part of the exam. You guys will need to meet in the main room in a week in two days for announcements... And, don't be offended by my saying this, but... you guys look terrible. What did you run into?"
Sakura piped up, "We fought some sound ninja, and got their scroll, but then there was this other guy, and..." Sakura shuddered at the memory.
Naruto started where Sakura had left off. "We also ran into a pale guy. He said his name was Orochimaru." Kakashi flinched, his visible eye widening. "He paralyzed these two for a while, and bit Sasuke's neck." Kakashi looked, if possible, even more panicked. "I fought him, and after a while, he retreated."
Kakashi stared at Naruto. This boy fought that traitorous sannin and lived? But then, Orochimaru certainly wouldn't waste his full power on a genin. But even so, Naruto had improved a lot to be able to hold his own against a ninja of that caliber.
"Um... good job, guys. Naruto and Sakura, your room assignments will be given out by the front desk. You need to stay here until the meeting at the end of the exam. Sasuke, you need to come with me."
Sasuke followed Kakashi out of the room. Naruto got up and jogged towards the front desk. Sakura followed slowly behind him.
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Naruto grumbled. His sealed left side required that he sleep as much as a normal human. Naruto inwardly smiled as he realized what he was thinking. He was a human, complaining about being reduced to normal human needs. But even if he had to spend, he still needed to train, though the left side of his body healed slowly, and probably wouldn't be back to normal for another week. The normal injuries would be gone in two or three days, but the demonic chakra burns would take the longer to fully heal. Until then, Naruto would have to take it easy.
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Sakura laid in bed, even though it was almost noon. She and Naruto had run all night, and she needed to sleep. But she found that she could not. Every time she started to drift off, she would see the maniacal grin of the pale Orochimaru, or the fearsome, angry Naruto that she had never known existed until early this morning.
She could still clearly see Naruto, in the way he had looked while fighting Gaara. He was positively... demonic. One side of his body flamed with a red-orange chakra that felt evil, even at a distance. It was not the sort of evil that she had felt when Orochimaru had paralyzed her, though. Orochimaru felt cold and calculating, and was evil in the I-don't-care-about-you way. Naruto, when he had fought Gaara, had felt evil in the I-will-kill-anyone-who-looks-at-me-funny way. Sakura could still see Naruto eyes, one blue and round and one red and slitted.
Naruto had certainly changed from his youth. Sakura could remember the brightly clad little blonde who screamed out corny jokes and made horrible grades. Now, she thought that this boy, who had never gotten better than a D in anything until he had suddenly passed the Academy Exam, had surpassed her. He had gotten faster, and smarter, and stronger. And it appeared that he even used weights! Sakura had never heard of anyone but the strange Rock Lee using weights, but she had seen Naruto replace his after the fight with Gaara. What could possibly have motivated Naruto to have made such a drastic change?
Sakura rolled over again. Maybe she would eventually fall asleep.
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Kakashi drew the final few lines on Sasuke back. Now, written on the floor and continuing onto Sasuke's chest and back, was the seal that would contain Orochimaru's gift. Kakashi surveyed his work, looking for any errors. There were none.
"Are you ready, Sasuke?"
The raven-haired boy nodded. Kakashi pressed his hands over the cursed seal and applied chakra. The lines of Kanji on Sasuke and covering the floor glowed softly, then moved and formed a new seal around the snake-nin's mark.
Sasuke fell to the floor, unconscious. Kakashi sighed in relief, then spun around at a slight sound in the dark, concrete-floored room. Orochimaru stepped out of the shadows.
Kakashi immediately formed his only original technique, charging the Chidori in his right hand. "I will not let you take Sasuke!"
"Come now, Kakashi. You don't think that you can defeat a sannin, surely?"
"I can sacrifice my life to end yours."
Orochimaru laughed, a malevolent, amused chuckle. "Do not worry, Kakashi. I have not come to take Sasuke-kun. He will come to me, in time. He will come to me for power. Until then, I am willing to be patient." Orochimaru backed into the shadows, disappearing from Kakashi's sight.
Kakashi breathed a sigh in relief, releasing the Chidori. He wiped his brow to cleanse it of the sweat that had accumulated there during Orochimaru's visit. That was close. I must tell the Hokage at once.
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Naruto/Kyuubi ran around the tower complex in the late afternoon light, receiving strange looks from people walking to and from the buildings. They didn't care. We need to train, and people's opinion of us is irrelevant to our survival, as long as they did not know about our true nature.
Kyuubi growled in agreement. At least this dual control isn't as hard as it might have been. We do need to work on our techniques, though, because they will require more exact movements, and we cannot afford to be unable to use any techniques in a battle.
We'll work on that starting next lap.
The strange duo finished the lap and began running around while performing techniques, causing people to give them even stranger looks. The two halves fumbled through the seals, but after a few minutes, were managing to perform the techniques correctly most of the time.
Kit, are you sure that no one will notice that one of our eyes is darker than the other?
Nothing is for sure, but since we hardly ever talk to anyone, it is the best we can do. We need both eyes for depth perception, so we cannot afford to go with one eye covered. Besides, even if someone did notice, most people do not know about you, and with any luck, no one who does will attribute the fact to your influence.
The whiskers are longer on my side, as well.
There isn't much we can do about that. It is one thing to pass a single genjutsu past jounin. But two so close together would be bound to bring attention. It is the best we can do for now, although when we go to the announcements tomorrow, we can cover you eye instead, since we won't be fighting or training, and there are bound to be skilled ninja around.
Naruto/Kyuubi ran around a building, then made a dozen shadow clones and sprinted toward the next building.
Kyuubi, can we talk while we are like this?
I doubt it, but we can try later, not while we are out here.
The symbiotic duo continued training until late in the evening.
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"Are you sure that it was Orochimaru?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Sarutobi frowned, causing the wrinkles on his face to crease into even larger furrows. Why would Orochimaru be after Sasuke? To have shown himself in Konoha twice, he must be very focused on something, but- Orochimaru's special technique! He wants the eyes of the Uchiha! Of course!
"Kakashi, I want you to keep an eye on Sasuke. Orochimaru is trying to entice him with power, but is planning to use Sasuke's body as his vessel. We cannot allow that man to acquire the Uchiha's powers. You will stop Orochimaru from doing so, using any means necessary. If that means that you must kill Sasuke, then do so, but only if you have to. We cannot allow an enemy with such power to also have the power of the Uchiha. One such man is enough."
Kakashi nodded.
"You are dismissed, Kakashi."
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The next morning, the candidates who had passed the Forest of Death gathered in the main room of the tower, in front of the giant stone hands which formed a seal. The genin gathered on the raised tile platform that stood in the middle of the large, three story room.
Ino waited impatiently with Shikamaru and Chouji, occasionally brushing her long bangs behind her ears with a hand. The blonde hair promptly came out, and she would put it back. Shikamaru rolled his eyes. Women.
Hinata stood behind Kiba and Shino, pressing her two index fingers together. Every so often, she would look at Naruto, blush, then immediately fix her gaze on her feet.
Gaara stood in front of Temari and Kankurou, arms crossed, with his usual stoic look. Temari leaned on her fan, and Kankurou stood still, Karasu strapped onto his back and wrapped in white bandages.
The sound team that team seven had beaten had somehow gotten two scrolls and were now standing in the room, apart from everyone else.
Lee was talking excitedly to Neji about how good they were all going to do in the next part, while Tenten stared dreamily at the Hyuuga prodigy, who was busily ignoring Lee.
Sasuke stood with his arms crossed, looking down. Sakura stood to his right, looking confused at the presence of the sound team. Naruto/Kyuubi crouched just behind Sasuke and to left, his mask skewed so that his right eye was covered. His visible eye gazed straight ahead.
Seeing that everyone was here, the Sandaime walked quickly to stand in front of the assembled genin. He turned to face them.
"Congratulations on passing the second part of the chuunin exam. It is unusual to have so many pass, which brings me to this announcement. It is not customary to allow so many genin into the tournament that comprises the final part of the exam. Therefore, we will be having one round of preliminary matches before the actual tournament. The winners will progress to the tournament. The preliminary matches will start tomorrow at 8:00 in the morning. The pairings for the matches will be announced there. You are dismissed."
The Hokage walked back to the side to further discuss his plans to deal with a possible attack by Orochimaru. Kakashi needed to know everything that the traitorous sannin could do, and there was no one better to teach him than Sarutobi.
Kakashi waited for the Hokage on the side of the room. Meanwhile, he looked back at his team, and smiled when he saw Naruto's mask. I guess he has more respect for me than I thought. But it's the left eye I cover. He needs to pay better attention. Or maybe he wants to be a little different.
The genin walked out of the room slowly, discussing this new development.
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Naruto/Kyuubi walked out of the tower, replacing his genjutsu as he walked. As soon as the genjutsu was in place, he pulled his mask back to its normal position and began running. We wasted enough time sleeping and then going to that five-minute meeting. We need to train.
The semi-demon ran around the complex, performing random techniques. Suddenly a thought occurred to Kyuubi, causing him to suddenly stop. Naruto barely realized this, and the strange duo stumbled around for a few seconds before regaining their balance.
What was that for, Kyuubi?
I knew I recognized that sand kid we fought. He has Shukaku sealed in him.
Shukaku?
The one-tailed demon badger.
A badger.
Yes, a badger.
How is that relevant?
If we fight him again, it will help us to be able to predict his actions. Shukaku is the sort of demon who eats a persons soul while they sleep, which would explain the dark rings of sleep-deprivation we saw on the host. Shukaku is also a coward, which means that the host's sand will protect him even if he is unaware of an attack. This knowledge, and what we learned from the fight in the forest, will help us the next time we fight him.
Oh. Well, I guess we'll keep that in mind.
The half-demon returned to training.
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Kakashi walked out of the tower. After his talk with the Hokage, he felt so inadequate against Orochimaru. Despite his boast the previous day, Kakashi was not sure if he could have killed Orochimaru even at the cost of his own life.
Sensing movement, Kakashi looked up and saw Naruto running from building to building, his mask back in its normal position. At least he is not so foolish as to try and run around with no depth perception. It took me years to master it.
Kakashi walked along, pulling his favorite book out from its pouch. Kakashi giggled perversely as he made his way to his room.
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The following morning, the genin gathered again in the central room of the tower. Naruto/Kyuubi stood near the back of the assembled genin, arms crossed, and one part of his mask pulled over his right eye. A few feet to his side, Subaku no Gaara stood in an almost identical pose, just behind his siblings.
The sleepless demon container glanced over at Naruto. What has your life been like here, Uzamaki Naruto? Do they fear you as they fear me? Do they hate you as they hate me? Gaara saw they unmistakable signs of sleep deprivation around Naruto's eyes, though they were far from the impressive black circles that surrounded Gaara's eyes. It seems you get some sleep, though less than most. Gaara wondered why he was so curious about Naruto. Was it normal to want to know about someone like yourself? Gaara did not know. He had never led a normal life.
Gaara was roused from his reverie when the genin silenced themselves. A sickly-looking chuunin stood in front of them. He cleared his throat a few times, and began to speak.
"Welcome to the preliminary matches for the chuunin exam. Those who win here will advance to the chuunin exam's third and final part, the tournament. Although anyone may be chosen to be chuunin from the tournament, even if they lose in the first round, no one who loses in a preliminary match will be able to be promoted."
The chuunin coughed into his hand again. "The matches will all be held today. I will be your examiner, and will determine when a ninja is unable to fight, and award victories to the winners. The pairing for each fight will be determined randomly, and the contestants names will be displayed on the board behind me."
He pointed to a large board, which blinked and then displayed, "First match: Aburame Shino vs. Zaku."
The chuunin coughed again. "Let the preliminary matches begin!"
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Shino looked at the smugly confident sound ninja that stood across the tiled platform. He was vaguely aware of people cheering for him from the railed balcony that circled the room near the ceiling.
He saw Zaku smirk. Obviously this sound shinobi had never heard of Shino's abilities, or was blithely unaware of the horrifying things hordes of bugs could do.
The sickly chuunin held his hand high, then dropped it and jumped to the side of the ground floor.
"Hajime!"
Zaku pulled out a kunai, ready to end this fight at the start. Any ninja dumb enough to wear sunglasses inside shouldn't be a challenge. Suddenly, he saw a swarm of bugs pour out of Shino's gray trench coat. That changes things. The bugs flew toward Zaku.
Zaku dropped his kunai, and pushed chakra through the hollow tubing of his arm. A blast of wind blew the bugs away. Zaku drew another kunai and charged. I have to end this soon. I don't even want to think about what those bugs could do.
Shino watched the overconfident sound-nin blow the bugs away, then draw a kunai and charge. He has no chance, now. Shino dodged every thrust of the kunai, and blocked every punch and kick. Every time he blocked the ninja, he left a few bugs, which crawled to Zaku's arms and clogged the hollow tubes that allowed him to use his special technique.
Zaku tried a few more punches, then jumped back when he saw the swarm of bugs returning from wherever he had blown them to. He forced chakra into the hollow tubing of his arms...
And nothing happened. What is going on?
Zaku pushed the chakra harder, but it would not go through the tubing.
Shino spoke up. "This match is over, examiner."
The sickly chuunin looked skeptical, but kept a close eye.
Zaku stared at the leaf-nin. How dare he assume that this match was over! Zaku pushed his chakra fiercely into the tubing.
Holes exploded all over his upper arms as chakra forced its way out. Zaku screamed and fell unconscious.
The examiner coughed, and jumped to Zaku's side. He took a short look, then stood up.
"Winner, Aburame Shino."
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After medical ninja had cleared Zaku from the arena, the board on the wall flickered to life again.
"Haruno Sakura vs. Yamanaka Ino"
The two girls jumped down to the platform.
"Hajime!"
The examiner jumped out of the way, and not to soon. The instant the match began, the two girls began throwing kunai for all they were worth. A metallic ringing filled the large room as kunai after kunai clashed in mid-air.
Each girl knew that the other was equal in skill and strength. This was a battle of will.
Then the girls were out of kunai. Sakura quickly formed a seal and made two bunshins. Sakura and the bunshins ran quickly at Ino.
Ino had no idea what to do. She decided upon an image to defend against, but just before it reached her, it vanished in a puff of smoke. Wrong one.
Sakura punched Ino in the face, sending the blonde several yards. Ino stood up, and thought about what to do. She decided against having a touching flashback about her friendship with Sakura, and ran straight at the pink-haired genin. But before Ino could land the punch she had intended, Sakura dodged to the side, grabbed Ino's long ponytail, and flung the blonde back across the arena.
Ino landed in a heap. Standing up, she drew several smoke bombs from her pouch and threw them all around Sakura. Ino formed three bunshins, and together they ran into the smoke.
Sakura spun around as she heard feet running all around her. Then from one side, she heard, "Not so tough now, are you?"
Sakura turned to face the voice. She heard footsteps growing closer from where the voice had come from. Ino, you ruined the effect of the smoke bombs by revealing your position. I'm sorry I have to do this, but-
Ino smirked as she heard her clone speak. It meant that the clone was exactly opposite Sakura from Ino. So the blonde formed a familiar seal, and slumped to the floor.
Sakura froze. Why wouldn't her body move.
She felt herself jog out of the smoke and raise her hand. She heard her voice say, "I, Haruno Sakura, forfeit the match."
The she felt herself form a seal. Suddenly she could control her body again. Mind-Body Transfer Technique. I should have seen that coming.
Ino stood up as the examiner said, "Winner, Yamanaka Ino."
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Naruto/Kyuubi watched the matches, not out of concern for the combatants, but to learn things about how these people fought, should he face them later, and in case he should see something worth emulating.
It was interesting to watch the matches with only one eye. It made it more difficult to tell exactly where kunai were going, and if they would hit. They were getting used to it, though.
Naruto/Kyuubi heard Kakashi approach from behind them.
"Hey Naruto. Am I so cool that you feel the need to copy me. That's almost too funny. Copying the copy-nin. I'll have to write that down..."
Kakashi sighed. Nothing got a rise out of Naruto. "Why are you doing that anyway, Naruto.?"
Naruto and Kyuubi thought quickly before coming up with an excuse. "To see what it would be like to fight like you. Since you fight like that and you're a jounin, there must be a good reason for it."
"Ah, I see." Kakashi felt no urge to tell Naruto about the Sharingan, so he decided not to mention his reason for fighting with only one eye.
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The board shone with the new match's pairing: "Hyuuga Hinata vs. Hyuuga Neji"
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Medic-nins hauled Hinata from the arena after the fight. The fight had been a complete victory for Neji, and had lasted only 30 seconds. Hinata was too slow to hit him, and was too afraid to think clearly.
The board flickered to life again. "Uchiha Sasuke vs. Yoroi." AN: I think that's the guy's name.
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End of chapter. It would have been a little longer, but I was interrupted while writing it, and I wanted to post this on Saturday as usual, so I saved Sasuke's fight for next chapter. As with before, I demand tribute in exchange for longer chapters. Just a few words, at least.