Chapter 6: Preliminary Tournament Trouble.
Disclaimer: All material utilized in this story is owned by Viz Media, Masashi Kishimoto, Geoff Johns, and DC comics the current rights owners to Naruto and the Green Lantern respectively this story is of my property covered under the fair rights usage act.
Recap
Demon/Ring speaking
It had been a full day since the events of squad seven going up against Orochimaru and Sasuke going mad back in the forest only for Naruto as the Blue Lantern to remove it earning Orochimaru's ire, and a full night since Sakura obtained the Star Sapphire ring. The group made it to the tower with Sasuke waking up the next day. He questioned what happened back in the forest, about why Naruto suddenly vanished replacing a clone while The Blue Lantern appeared. Naruto explained that he went to find help and left a clone so Orochimaru wouldn't know he snuck off. He also added he found the Blue Lantern who went on ahead of him. Sasuke was doubtful about Naruto's explanation but was too tired to bother arguing or prying for more questions because there were bigger things to deal with, like the continuation of the Chunin Exams.
During the third day, Sakura had approached Naruto who was currently in a part of the forest that was still close enough to the tower but, also far enough away to not be seen was practicing with his ring. "Okay here we go." Naruto said as concentrated long and hard to try and bring whatever it was he was thinking about into existence unaware of his stalker until he heard a twig snap from behind him. "Who's there? Show yourself!" He ordered as slowly Sakura came out from behind the tree she was hiding behind. "Sakura, you scared me for a moment." Naruto said breathing a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry Naruto but you were gone when I woke up this morning so I went looking for you." She said.
"Why would you come looking for me?" Naruto asked the pinkette with an eyebrow arched.
"Well, I need your help in figuring out how to use this ring." She said as she held up her left hand showing the ring.
"That's easy Sakura, each ring is powered by a certain emotion as you probably know." Naruto said as Sakura nodded her head. "Where mine is powered by hope yours is powered by love, so I'm guessing that in order to use it you have to focus on the person or thing that you love the most, but that's my guess." Naruto said as he put his hand behind his head and scratched nervously unsure as to how to explain it all. Nodding her head again Sakura decided to give it a shot, she closed her eyes and focused her love at a nearby tree and fired a large crystal beam at the tree encasing it in its preserving grasp.
"I did it Naruto I actually did it!" Sakura said as she grabbed Naruto in a bone crushing bear hug turning Naruto's face as blue as his ring.
"Sakura, I-I can't breathe, need air!" He wheezed causing Sakura to blush and let go of him. The following day Team Gai arrived and Lee went off to scout the remaining teams but at the same time get some training in with his ring, much like Naruto, Lee had restrained himself from using his ring for the first two stages of the exams even until he met up with Naruto again at the tower.
"Greetings Naruto, it's a pleasure to see you again." He said with his trademark smile.
"Oh hey Lee, what brings you here?" Naruto asked as he watched Sakura fly through the dense foliage.
"I was hoping to have a spar with you no rings or lanterns just straight hand-to-hand combat." He said as he removed his ring and stuck it in the pouch he kept attached to his belt while Naruto did the same with his ring before he looked up and noticed the violet streak blazing through the trees. "Pardon me Naruto but who or what is that up there?" He asked pointing up in the foliage.
"Oh that's Sakura except now she's a Star Sapphire." Naruto said which caused Lee's eyes to bulge.
"If she's a Star Sapphire then does that mean…" Lee was about to ask before Naruto cut him off.
"Yes, she's a lantern like us the only difference is that where you draw your strength from willpower and I draw mine from hope, her ring draws it from love." He explained to the bowl cut lantern as the two then stood half a clearing apart and then charged at one another and threw punches at one another's face which sent them both back, meanwhile up above them, Sakura was oblivious to what was going on until her ring snapped her out of it.
"Warning: True love threatened. Defense of true love required immediately." It declared.
"What are you talking about what do you mean by true love being threatened?" She asked her ring when suddenly a violet tendril attached to her heart and pulled her back towards where Naruto and Lee were going at it tooth and nail until finally they looked up and then noticing that Sakura was aiming her ring hand at them Naruto gulped in fear at what was to come.
"Lee I think we better call this battle a draw." Naruto said.
"Naruto what do you mean I haven't even begun to fight?" Lee asked him until Naruto pointed up and Lee saw Sakura in her Star Sapphire uniform causing him to blush but then he started sweating bullets as Sakura's ring constructed not one but two giant crystalline fists.
"YOU IDIOTS!" Sakura screamed as she let the fists fly punch both the lanterns into a tree. However even when they hit the boys the fists still wouldn't leave as now they opened up and grabbed both boys by the scruff of their shirts as Sakura ranted at them for being so stupid as to go at each other again but more so at Naruto for telling Lee that he was the Blue Lantern. Eventually Sakura calmed down to change back into her normal attire for Naruto explain why Lee was talking to him.
"Sakura listen to me please, Lee's a lantern like us that's why he sought me out." Naruto explained to the girl as Lee held up his lantern battery and ring.
"Oh I'm sorry I thought Naruto was revealing himself to you as the Blue Lantern Lee." Sakura apologized.
"It is alright Sakura, to be honest I've been through worse than what the test has thrown at us so far." Lee said as they trio of lanterns went back inside the tower. Soon after that the full five days had come and gone, soon enough the remaining teams arrived consisting of the other rookies, The Sand Siblings, The Sound team, and Kabuto's team.
"Alright, I would like to congratulate each of you for making it this far in the Chunin exams!" The Hokage announced, "However, because we got more teams that passed than we thought we have to have a preliminary match so that we can cut this huge crop in half."
"So before we begin, is there any of you wishing to withdraw now?" Anko asked.
Kabuto suddenly raised his hand, "Yes I am wishing to withdraw." Kabuto said.
Naruto glanced at Kabuto "Backing out Kabuto? What's the deal?" Naruto asked him.
"Sorry Naruto, but I'm still worn out from my fights in the forest to get here. Sorry but I guess I need to wait another few more years." Kabuto replied as he left while Naruto with his eyes squinting feeling something was amiss.
As Kabuto left the Sandaime began again, "If that's all, then I'll hand this over to your new instructor." He said as a pale white skinned Jounin with bags under his eyes approached.
The proctor let out a cough before speaking, "Hello, I am Hayate Gekkou. For these preliminaries you will be chosen randomly to fight in combat another random Genin. Your names will be displayed on this screen above our heads," A huge screen was lowered down and their names were displayed. "The rules are simple. Anything goes, but when I tell you to stop, do so." He explained.
"Let the match-ups begin!" The Hokage called as the machine started mixing up the names and after a minute the first two names that came up were 'Sasuke Uchiha' and 'Yoroi Akadou'. Sasuke smirked, 'Looks like they already picked the best for the opening.'He thought to himself as Naruto and Sakura glanced at their teammate hoping he wouldn't flip out like before even with the curse mark gon some of it's influence still remained in Sasuke's psyche.
"Very well will those who were selected remain here, the rest of you go above into the catwalk where you may observe the fighting from a safe distance." Hayate instructed.
So everyone besides Sasuke and Yoroi left for the catwalks. The Konoha genin were on one side, while the foreign ninjas were on the opposite side.
Naruto watched from the railing and looked on to each other genin wondering which of them he would be forced to fight but heard Kiba's voice, "Hey Hinata, Shino you see that blue guy anywhere?"
"Nowhere." Shino noticed.
"Wonder where he is?" Hinata asked.
"Where who is?" Kurenai asked.
"We ran into this guy in the forest decked out in blue calling himself the Blue Lantern," Kiba explained and turned to Sakura, "What happened to him Sakura you know?"
Sakura was nervous but remembered her promise to Naruto, "Well he helped me find Naruto, and told me he had to take his leave." She replied to the dog ninja.
"Well if he's not here that means he didn't make the cut hah!" Kiba joked as Naruto's fist tightened, "What a bummer I wish he would've made it that way I can show him a thing or two." He chuckled.
'Why you!' Naruto thought in irritation before Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder signaling for him to keep calm and he did so. They watched as the match was about ready to proceed.
"This first match Sasuke Uchiha versus Yoroi Akadou," Hayate began, "Let the first match of the preliminaries begin!" He shouted as he raised his hand to signal the start of the match.
Yoroi made some hand signs and his right hand started to glow blue with chakra. Yoroi started with punches aimed at the Sasuke, but he was able to dodge all of the blows for a while. Sasuke started becoming light-headed as he fought; Yoroi was able to give Sasuke a glancing blow with his right hand off Sasuke's right shoulder. Sasuke suddenly felt weaker as he was caught by Yoroi's right hand on his forehead. Sasuke felt his chakra being leeched from him.
"Hey, you're absorbing my!" Sasuke figured out what was happening to him.
"That's right; I can steal your chakra boy. You might as well give up now because you're going to lose." Yoroi said getting ready for another blow.
"Sasuke!" Sakura called while Naruto watched wondering how he'll get out of it.
Sasuke finally kicked Yoroi in the chest breaking his hold on him as he lay in pain. He then kicked him off of him.
'I hope this works.' Sasuke thought.
Yoroi started to advance towards Sasuke again to steal more chakra, "I have you now you little punk." Yoroi said. Just then Sasuke disappeared, "Where'd he go?" Yoroi asked.
Suddenly Sasuke was beneath Yoroi, and kicked up sending Yoroi into the air, Sasuke jumped up behind him, as they reached the tip of the kick.
"Konoha Kage Buyou (Leaf Shadow Dance), how do you know that move?" Yoroi asked.
Lee looked shocked, "That's my move!" he complained.
Naruto thought, 'I guess Sasuke got something out of his spar with Lee and not just a loss.'
Sasuke was behind Yoroi, pressing his fingers into his back, "I had to borrow this move. But it is all original from here." Sasuke said, he then attempted a kick to his right side, which was promptly blocked. He then spun around and hit Yoroi's left side.
"Shishi Rendan (Lion Combo)!" Sasuke yelled.
Sasuke sent Yoroi crashing into the ground. Both were lying on the ground. Sasuke slowly got up to a shaky standing position. Yoroi was not moving and Hayate called the match in Sasuke's favor, making Sasuke the winner of the first round.
"Alright Sasuke!" Sakura called while Naruto smirked, 'Well Sasuke congrats.'
Sasuke fell to the ground, but was caught by Kakashi's knee. Medical ninjas came out and took Yoroi out of the hall on a stretcher while one came over to Sasuke.
"Is he ok?" the medical ninja asked.
"Yeah, he'll be fine. I'll take him to the hospital." Kakashi said as he and his student vanished with a puff of smoke.
Soon the computer started up again with the drawing and the two names that came up were 'Shino Aburame' and 'Zaku Abumi'. Hinata, Kiba, and Kurenai turned to Shino who nodded and walked his way down to the arena. While by the sound genin their Jonin had disappeared, so Zaku just went on ahead down to the arena.
"Hope Shino knows what he's getting into." Naruto said.
"Yeah the guys from Sound are no joke." Sakura added.
"And look at his arms," Naruto noticed they were in slings, "They still haven't recovered, but if he really was out he would've withdrawn when given the chance."
"You may begin!" Hayate calls.
Throughout the fight Zaku had kept on defense from Shino and his insects, mostly due to the fact his arms were in casts.
"Look at Shino go." Kiba cheered.
"He's doing amazing." Hinata added.
"Well I think it might be too soon to speak." Naruto pointed down at Zaku.
They saw Zaku taking his arms out of their slings, "Finally I can move them." He smirked wickedly.
"So he was just stalling for time so they could heal?" Sakura asked.
"It looks like that." Naruto replied.
"Now it's personal!" Zaku shouted using the air vents in his palms to blow Shino away.
Shino however used his insects to create a wall around him thus shielding him from the attack. Zaku got ready for another attack but felt something wrong with his arms.
"Hey what's going on my arms aren't working?" Zaku gasped not seeing any air eject from the tubes.
"That's because." Shino began as he approached, "I had several of my insects fly into your air vents and plug them up, and now you're only getting built up pressure behind the blockage." He explained to Zaku.
Zaku was feeling all this pressure building up in his arms trying to find a way out. It did find a way out, but the result was exploding on Zaku's arms apart. The pressure built up and caused his arms to blow off. Kin and Dosu were shocked as Zaku fell on his back. Hayate knew that this match was over, "Winner Shino Aburame." He declared.
Hinata and Kiba cheered while Kurenai smiled. Naruto clapped as well. As Shino approached the balcony he was greeted by his team. "Congratulations Shino, that was awesome." Hinata said.
"Yeah you nailed him." Kiba added.
"Thank you." Shino replied taking his position to watch the fights.
They then watched the screen as the next names were drawn. The next two names that were drawn were 'Misumi Tsurugi' & 'Kankuro'. The two genin went onto the arena and waited for the go, "You may begin!" Hayate called.
Kankuro took the thing he was carrying wrapped in bandages and sat it down beside him, "Let me do you a favor and end this battle quickly." The Suna genin said.
"You can't end it if I end it first!" Misumi growled as he charged throwing a punch to Kankuro but he blocked the attack, "Gotcha!" Misumi declared.
"Huh?" Kankuro gasped as Misumi's arm started wrapping around Kankuro's body like a snake, followed by his legs and other arm trying to strangle the black clad ninja.
"I've dislocated every one of my joints, softening my body, and with my chakra, I can control it permanently." Misumi explained.
Naruto watched eyeing the two eager to see how this match would turn out while curious about what Kankuro was carrying on his back. "I don't know what you got in that thing," Misumi said to Kankuro, "But so long as I got a hold of you, you can't use it!" Misumi then rung Kankuro's neck causing everyone to gasp but Gaara and Temari looked unaffected.
"That had to hurt." Sakura cringed.
"It's not over yet Sakura." Kakashi said confusing her as she looked back.
They looked seeing little pieces of skin fall from Kankuro's face and turns around to see it wasn't Kankuro at all, "Gotcha!" the fake called as several arms emerged from it and bound Misumi's body.
"What the?" Misumi gasped as the fake Kankuro threw off its disguise revealing to be some wooden thing with three eyes wild brown hair, several limbs and such while wearing a gray shredded cloak. While inside the bandage thing emerged Kankuro with chakra strings attached to his fingers to the obvious puppet. "The real one was inside using chakra to control this puppet!" Misumi gasps.
"Let's see how you like Karasu's death hug." Kankuro smirked as the puppet squeezes the life out of Misumi, "Enough I give!" Misumi begged.
Kankuro smirked as he made Karasu drop Misumi and Hayate approached, "Because his opponent has given up this match goes to Kankuro." Kankuro smirked making his way back to his team.
The group then watched and noticed the next two names to come up were 'Ino Yamanaka' & 'Sakura Haruno'. "Well Sakura this is it." Kakashi said.
"Yeah, perfect." Sakura said wanting to face her rival. Soon the two kunoichi made it to the area and got into fighting stances. "This is the chance I've been waiting for Ino, I'm finally going to prove to you I'm stronger than you are." Sakura declared.
"In your dreams Sakura." Ino replied.
"If you two are ready, begin!" Hayate called.
Ino and Sakura went at it in a spree of kicks and punches like it was a Taijutsu fight. Naruto watched suddenly hearing Kurama speak in his thoughts, 'So Naruto who do you think is going to win this one? Your teammate?'
'In all seriousness Kurama, it could be a close match.' Naruto admitted as he continued watching. Sakura and Ino continued fighting getting more violent until they both delivered a double punch to each other which left both of them unconcious.
"Since neither contestant can continue this battle is a draw." Hayate called as Kakashi and Asuma shunshined down and carry their respective student back up to the catwalk where they laid them down to rest up. "They should be fine nothing too serious." Kakashi said as they woke up.
"Who won?" Ino asked.
"Neither of you did." Naruto answered.
"It was a draw?" the girls complained.
"Afraid so, but on the brighter note, none of you won yet none of you lost." Naruto replied.
Naruto helped them up and whispered to them, "Don't worry if there's a next time both of you will be even stronger then you can prove who's better but for now be glad you're even. Until then all is well between the two of you." Naruto said as Sakura blushed at his words and smiled knowing how true they were.
"Well Ino let's make a new promise, we'll both train even harder for next time." Sakura said.
"Agreed." Ino shook hands with Sakura as Naruto smiled.
Soon they watched as the next two names were drawn and soon they popped up reading 'Tenten' & 'Temari'. Soon enough the weapons kunoichi met with the Suna kunoichi on the arena. "If both participants are ready, you may begin!" Hayate called.
Lee and Guy already started cheering loudly for Tenten. Tenten jumped backwards gaining some distance before jumping high and threw some shuriken at Temari who did nothing. Suddenly Tenten's shuriken hit the ground and she landed back on the ground in shock, "I missed?" She asked in surprise.
"What was that a warm up, or is this match getting to you so much you cannot concentrate?" Temari mocked.
"This can't be Tenten never misses!" Lee gasped.
"You're right, something is definitely up." Guy agreed.
"I agree to." Naruto replied.
Tenten growled at her slipup but kept calm, 'Don't loose focus now. She must've used something to deflect my shuriken, but she didn't even move.'
'Time to wrap this up.' Temari thought reaching for the fan on her back.
'So that's it!' Tenten thought as she started running around Temari encircling her. She jumped above pulling out a sealing scroll, "Try this on for size!" she unraveled the scroll as she twirled around with the scroll encircling her as it released multiple weapons.
"That Temari's going to be in for a sharp rain storm." Naruto joked.
Without even moving Temari made the weapons miss. Tenten landed back on the ground still holding the scroll, 'No way! She dodged everything I threw at her without even moving?' she thought.
"Sorry girl, but I'm untouchable." Temari chuckled.
Tenten smirked knowing she still had another trick, "Well I didn't want to have to use this move, but you left me no choice!" she said as she pulled out two summoning scrolls.
"She's using it already?" Lee gasped as well.
Tenten sat the two scrolls by each of her sides and crouched down forming hand signs, "Soushouryuu (Twin Rising Dragons)!" she shouted as a huge puff of smoke erupted. Soon two dragon heads made of smoke were encircling each other which revealed to be the sealing scrolls unraveled. Tenten leapt up and unleashed many weapons throwing them one by one at Temari.
Temari smirked, "No matter what move you make it's all the same!" Temari shouted unleashing her fan and waved it sending a gust of wind at all the weapons making them fall to the ground.
'She's manipulating wind?' Naruto thought.
'And she's very good at it for her age too.' Kurama thought.
Tenten landed back on the ground, "I'm not finished!" she flipped back high into the air and revealed to be holding onto strings that were all connected to her weapons that began rising up into the air. Tenten flung her arms forward thus causing the summoned weapons to be aimed back at Temari, "I got ya now!" She bragged only for her thoughts of victory to be short lived.
"Not quite!" Temari smirked waving her fan again causing a huge gust to blow Tenten and all her weapons backwards.
"Tenten's move failed." Lee gasped.
Temari looked up Tenten who just got back to her feet, "Well girl it's been fun, but it's time to end this!" she pulled her fan in front of her and vanished into thin air with it.
"Huh where'd she go?" Tenten gasps.
"Over here!" Temari called.
They all looked to see Temari riding on her fan like it was a magic carpet or something. She landed in front of Tenten, "Time to wrap this up Kamaitachi (Cutting Whirlwind)!" she waved her fan releasing a concussive wind. Tenten got caught in the wind and was lifted up and held in the air by a tornado.
"Tenten!" Lee and Guy cried.
The vortex that held the screaming kunoichi up started to cut her skin with slicing winds. The vortex died down and Tenten fell down with her back colliding with Temari's fan.
"This match is over, the winner is Temari." Hayate coughed as Temari threw Tenten off her fan like she was a piece of garbage. Lee and Naruto quickly jumped to her aid with Lee catching her.
"You should not treat someone who fought her absolute hardest like that even if you did defeat them." Lee roared in anger at Temari but she just ignored him.
"Forget it Lee right now we need to focus." Naruto said as Lee nodded his head and both lanterns stuck their power rings underneath Tenten's back slowly healing any spinal damage.
The medics took Tenten away as Temari joined her siblings back on the catwalk. So everyone waited for the next match up, and the names that popped up were 'Shikamaru Nara' & 'Kin Tsuchi'.
Shikamaru gasped and groaned, "What a drag."
Over by the two Sound genin Dosu whispered to Kin, "Remember he manipulates shadows." Reminding her about what happened in the forest before Green Ranger arrived.
"Got it." Kin headed down to the arena where she and Shikamaru met.
Shikamaru groans, "This is so not my day, I don't even know what to expect from this girl." He said to himself.
"You may begin!" Hayate calls.
Shikamaru readies his one hand sign, "I'll start it off!"
"Hah, don't tell me you're going to use that stupid shadow thing of your family." Kin mocks.
"Oh shut your mouth!" Shikamaru shouted, "Ninpo: Kage Mane no Jutsu (Shadow Imitation technique)!" he called sending his shadow for her own.
"If this is all you got this is going to be too easy!" Kin shouted stepping away from the incoming shadow and threw two needles with bells connected to them.
Shikamaru ducked and the needles hit the wall behind the lazy ninja. "Bells?" he wondered but then scoffed, "Oh please what a novice move. Next your going to throw two more needles but one with a bell and another without a bell, I'll be able to avoid the one with the bell without noticing the other one." He said to his enemy.
"You sure talk a lot don't you?" Kin asked throwing more needles, but Shikamaru avoided them.
"You're not that tough are you?" Shikamaru asked until he heard a ringing sound. He looked back and sees the bells ringing but nothing was around to shake them. "But how?" he wondered until he looks real close at the needles and sees them attached to threads, "Threads?" Kin smirked and Shikamaru turned back, "Oh man!"
"Too late!" Kin shouted throwing two needles that hit Shikamaru's arm.
"One inch higher and it woulda been a fatal hit," Shikamaru plucked the two needles out of his arm. "Ok my turn."
"Sorry but you won't be getting one." Kin moved the threads connected to the bells causing them to jingle.
Suddenly the jingling started irritating Shikamaru's ears and he stars hallucinating. "What's happening!" he strained as he attempted to cover his ears.
"My bells are able to disrupt the hearing of an enemy and cause them to hallucinate," Kin explained, "And don't try blocking the sound out because it's futile." She finished explaining.
"Come on Shikamaru pull your act together!" Ino called.
"Imagine what your mom will say!" Chouji added
Soon Shikamaru started noticing a dozen of Kin's holding needles, and soon he felt them strike into his body. "You're going to end up looking like a hedgehog after this match." Kin mocked him and was about to launch another round of needles until all of them stopped, "What's happening, I can't move my arms!" she cried as the other Kin's disappear leaving the real one. Dosu gasped wondering how this happened.
"Looks like my Jutsu was a success." Shikamaru smirked as he stood up.
"But how, you couldn't have caught my shadow." Kin said.
"Get your eyes checked and look below you." Shikamaru motioned. Kin looked down and saw the shadow of the threads on the floor of the arena that led a trail to her and his shadows. "You didn't count on the shadow of your threads did you?"
"It doesn't matter, now all you can make me do is mirror your movement." Kin spat.
"You are so annoying, let me show you." Shikamaru reached for a shuriken causing Kin to do the same thing.
"What're you up to?" Kin asked as she did what Shikamaru was doing. "You throw that shuriken at me, you'll only attack yourself!" She said in terror.
"Makes it kind of interesting doesn't it?" Shikamaru asked as he got ready to throw.
"You wouldn't." Kin gasped.
"Let's see who ducks first!" Shikamaru shouted as he threw his thus causing Kin to do the same.
As both shuriken headed for their targets, Shikamaru ducked his head backwards. "Big deal I'll do that too…UGH!" she groaned realizing when she ducked backwards her head banged against the wall of the building causing her to be knocked unconscious.
"That's using your head." Shikamaru said back flipping onto his feet and plucked the needles out of his body.
"The winner of this match is Shikamaru Nara!" Hayate called.
Ino cheered while Chouji just munched on his chips, and Asuma chuckled to himself. Shikamaru makes it up and walked past Naruto, "Smooth move there Shikamaru." Naruto said as he gave thumbs up to his lazy pal.
"It's no big deal." Shikamaru yawned.
Everyone looked to see the next two names to come up and suddenly the names coming up were Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka.
"Well looks like it's my lucky day." Kiba smirked arrogantly.
"It's about time; I was getting bored standing around." Naruto added.
Around him the ones closest to him were thinking, 'Good luck Naruto do your best.' Sandaime thought.
'Show everyone just how strong you've become.' Kakashi thought.
'I know you can win Naruto.' Sakura thought.
Naruto jumped from the catwalk landing on the arena as Kiba made his way down with the two standing on opposite ends. "Hope you're ready Kiba, because I'm gonna put you down." Naruto declared.
Kiba growled, "All so full of talk Naruto, we'll I'll show you." Kiba retorted
Hayate stood in the center, "This next match between Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka will now commence. If you are ready fight!" He ordered.
"Stay back Akamaru I got this one." Kiba smirked as Naruto frowned, "Insulting me thinking you don't need your partner? Well guess you'll have to learn the hard way." Naruto said as he got into a stance.
"We'll see!" Kiba took off to attack Naruto but before he could make contact Naruto flipped over Kiba and delivered a roundhouse kick knocking Kiba off his feet.
"Whoa?" Kankuro gasped.
"He's better than we thought." Temari added.
"How'd you dodge my attack?" Kiba growled.
"Simple, I jumped." Naruto chuckled.
"Alright if you wanna play tough, then I will to. Shikyaku no Jutsu (Four-Legged technique)!" Kiba called as his body started looking feral. "Now here I come!" he tackled for Naruto who either dodged or blocked his strikes.
"You're gonna need Akamaru for this one Kiba, because I'm not your only opponent," Naruto said as he summoned five shadow clones, "Let's go boys!" Naruto ordered as they surrounded Kiba delivering some martial arts moves impressing the Jounin.
"Kakashi did you teach Naruto those moves?" Asuma asked.
"Yes, it could only have been the work of you my eternal rival!" Guy ranted as Kakashi looked at him.
"You say something Guy?" He asked the bowl cut Jounin.
Guy groaned, "Curse you and your coolness Kakashi!"
"But seriously Kakashi did you teach him those moves?" Kurenai asked.
"Actually I didn't." he answered.
"Then what have you been teaching him?" Kurenai asked irritated that he makes it like he taught nothing to Naruto.
Before Kakashi could speak Sakura's cheering for her teammate broke their conversation and they watched Naruto beat Kiba senselessly. Naruto and his clones stood together, "Gee Kiba is that all?" Naruto asked.
Kiba frowned, "Hardly! Akamaru let's go," He downed a soldier pill and fed one to Akamaru whose coat turned red, "Juujin Bunshin (Beast-Man clone)!" Kiba called as Akamaru transformed into Kiba making two of them. "Now let's you see how you stand up to this, Gatsuuga (Dual Piercing Fang)!" the two struck for him and his clones resulting in a crash with smoke to follow.
"Naruto!" Sakura called in worry.
When the smoke cleared it showed the clones were gone and Naruto on the ground looking beaten and bruised, "Hah, guess that's it for him." Kiba chuckled until Naruto poofed.
"What? How did?" Kiba gasped until he looked up seeing Naruto drop kick the top of his head sending him crashing onto the ground.
Akamaru Kiba jumped backwards as Naruto went to face him but found Kiba holding onto his ankles, "Let go!" Naruto tried shaking him off.
"Akamaru now!" Kiba called as Akamaru Kiba used the Piercing Fang move heading right for Naruto.
'Closer, now!' Naruto thought grabbing Akamaru Kiba before his attack connected with him and threw the dog onto his owner putting them in a pile. Akamaru returned to his dog form as Kiba got up.
"Ok Naruto, you asked for it!" he charged at Naruto and the two engaged in hand to hand combat until Naruto tripped him up and Kiba laid on his back but rolled backwards up to his feet and continued going at it with Naruto.
'Hope you're ready to taste defeat Kiba cause I'm about to end this.' Naruto thought as he summoned a dozen clones that each went at Kiba confusing him until two clones threw their right arms back with a windup before upper cutting him into the air a bit as two clones were catapulted upward above Kiba and slugged him downward as he crashed into the arena not moving.
Hayate noticed he couldn't continue and announced, "Naruto Uzumaki is the winner." He said with a cough.
"Alright Naruto that's the way!" Sakura cheered.
'Wow Naruto's definitely not the same as before. I think I like this new him.' Ino thought.
Kakashi eye smiled at his performance, after Kiba was taken away by medics Naruto had returned to the catwalk being congratulated by Sakura and Kakashi before they waited for the next two names. The next two names that popped out were 'Hinata Hyuga' & 'Neji Hyuga'. Everyone from Konoha gasped in surprise. Kurenai and Shino looked at Hinata who was shocked as ever. While Guy and Lee saw Neji had no emotions at all. Both of them walked down, side by side to the floor below. Neji stood calmly, his feet apart and shoulders back. His arms were relaxed at his sides. Hinata looked forward at him keeping her cool and knew not to show any signs of nervousness.
"If you're ready you may begin!" Hayate shouted before jumping back.
Hinata got ready to charge but Neji spoke causing her to halt, "A word of advice. Give up."
Hinata suddenly froze in place while the genin were surprised as Neji continued, "Fate has already declared me the winner when our names were drawn, save yourself the humiliation of defeat and walk away now. Otherwise I guarantee you will regret ever trying to fight against me." Neji continued to berate her bringing down her self confidence while Naruto started frowning as he finally had it as he shouted, "For the love of Kami shut your smart mouth! Hinata ignore what that teme says, you have what it takes! I know you do!" He said giving the shy heiress a boost in confidence.
"Naruto," Hinata whispered to herself as she was surprised at these words of encouragement but nodded knowing he was right and addressed Neji, "I'm not backing down Neji!" She declared.
Neji scowled in response, "Don't blame me if you die." both activated their Byakugan.
So Hinata and Neji went at it with their gentle fist art which was from the observants POV to be an even match. However as Hinata continued pushing herself to her limits to show everyone Neji just got more furious.
Hinata soon realized that Neji's blows were going straight for her chakra network to disable her chakra flow and he started striking for lethal organs. Then both stood on opposite ends with Neji looking as calmed as ever while Hinata stood there with blood dripping from her mouth and such all while trying to keep on her feet.
"Don't you get it, no matter how hard to fight you'll always be a loser nothing more and nothing less." Neji lectured her.
"You're wrong Neji," Hinata began weakly, "People are not determined by fate and destiny, people determine fate and destiny, and you I'm afraid let this ridiculous talk cloud your mind and judgment, and you will never find peace until someone wakes you up from it!" Hinata said as her breathing labored
Neji was shocked and looked totally pissed off charging her in blind rage, "You're so full of talk!" he screamed ready to strike until in a flash Hayate stood in front of Neji with a hand to the genin's forehead, Guy in back of Neji with his arms restraining his shoulders, Kakashi gripping his right arm, and Kurenai restraining his left arm.
"Neji that's enough it's over! And you swore you wouldn't let your family grudge into this fight!" Guy ordered him like a real sensei.
Neji relaxed and stopped, while Hinata sighed in relief but coughed up more blood and fell backwards. Before she could hit the ground Kurenai caught her.
"Hinata!" Naruto gasped as he went down to check on her.
Kurenai looked Hinata over, "She needs to get to the hospital quickly." She cried,
soon the medics collected her and Naruto watched her leave looking sad until a scoff broke him out of his thoughts and saw it came from Neji, "Don't feel sorry for her. She was doomed a failure and like all failures they meet the same fate of losing to their superiors as is it their destiny." Neji said not feeling any regret for what he did to his cousin, and showed it with a smirk on his face.
Naruto growled as he grabbed Neji by the collar while the Hyuga showed no sign of fear, "You are a shameful Konoha shinobi! You had no right to talk down upon Hinata like that! Should we ever meet in battle I'll show you Hinata was no failure as I am not!" He declared with anger in his voice
Naruto released him and walked away followed by Kakashi. A few minutes later everyone waited for the next names to be drawn, and the two that came up were 'Gaara' & 'Rock Lee'.
"Yosh, I shall show you all the power of youth!" Lee ranted before leaping from the catwalk and onto the arena.
Gaara vanished in a Shunshin of sand and appeared on the arena. Kankuro and Temari smirked and spoke to each other, "This guy doesn't stand a chance against Gaara." Kankuro said to his sister.
"If you're ready you may begin!" Hayate called.
Lee began charging forward throwing a punch but a wall of sand blocked his blow, so he tried using his other arm to punch but met the same results.
"Whoa where's that sand coming from?" Sakura asked.
"The gourd on his back." Naruto replied looking at it until Kurama called.
'Naruto!' The fox called out to his host.
'Kurama what is it?' Naruto asked.
'That's no ordinary sand emitting from that boys gourd." The demon told him.
'What do you mean?' Naruto asked again in his mind.
'Only one creature can manipulate sand like that, Shukaku.' Kurama replied.
'Shukaku?' Naruto asked as his eyes widened.
'Yes, another one of the tailed beasts the Ichibi.' Kurama explained.
'So another Jinchuriki.' Naruto thought wondering if Gaara was brought up just like him in his childhood or possibly worse. Back on arena Lee started releasing a barrage of Konoha Senpuu (Leaf Whirlwind) kicks at Gaara who didn't even move because the sand in his gourd kept coming out and blocking the attacks.
"Why isn't Lee using Ninjutsu or something else?" Sakura asked.
"Because Lee able to use Ninjutsu or even Genjutsu for that matter." Guy explained.
"Seriously?" Sakura asked.
"That's right, so when he was assigned to be my student I trained him in the art of Taijutsu, so he can show the world you don't need Ninjutsu or a bloodline to be a strong ninja." Gai said as they continued watching Lee struggling to land a blow to Gaara but the shield of sand kept blocking him. "Lee it's time take them off!" Gai called to his pupil.
"Hai Guy-sensei!" Lee replied reaching into both his leg warmers and pulled out weight straps, when he threw them aside they crashed into the arena leaving two huge craters.
"Isn't that overdoing it Gai?" Kakashi asked as looked as his friend and eternal rival the latter of which Kakashi and I would use extremely loosely.
"Yes it feels easier to move. Now here I come!" Lee vanished.
Soon he was throwing punch after punch and kick after kick to Gaara who was shocked because his blows were getting past his shield.
'He's moving like lightning.' Naruto thought but noticed even with the extra speed Lee still wasn't landing a blow against Gaara.
Guy seeing it wasn't making a difference called, "We have no choice, Lee open the first gate!"
"What?" Kakashi gasped, "Guy are you nuts?" He asked him.
"Kakashi, this boy has a dream to follow. And as his sensei it's my duty to see that this dream comes true." Guy answered.
Lee opened the first of the celestial gates and was able to launch Gaara into the air in order for Lee to perform the Omote Renge (Front Lotus). Soon he started opening up the other gates thus turning his body beet red and he began pummeling and kicking the hell out of Gaara which was shocking everyone, but mostly the red heads siblings. Lee had finally opened the fifth gate looking extremely exhausted from opening the previous gates and the affects they had on his body. Gaara lay on the floor of the arena looking like a mess, until his face cracked off and dissolved into sand.
"What's happening?" Sakura gasped.
Gaara's body cracked open revealing an unscathed Gaara. "He shedded out of a sand cocoon shaped like his body." Neji was surprised.
Gaara manipulated his sand and grabbed one of Lee's legs and one of his arms, he clenched his fists tight and the sand squished Lee's leg and arm causing him to scream in pain. As Gaara was about to go for a final strike Guy stepped in and stopped the attack. Seeing as it was clear who won Hayate labeled Gaara the winner and the Suna ninja shunshined in sand back to his team.
Naruto overheard the medics talking about how Lee's injuries were very severe and that he may never be a ninja again. The sound of that brought Naruto down knowing he would've made a great Lantern. With only two more names the final genin of Chouji and Dosu went onto the arena floor, unfortunately for Chouji he was taken out by one move bringing the prelims to and end.
Soon the winning genin composed of Naruto, Shino, Neji, Dosu, Shikamaru, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro minus Sasuke met on the arena presenting themselves in front of the Hokage, Hayate, Anko, and Ibiki. "With this the third exam preliminaries are finished!" Sarutobi finished.
With only nine competitors now, they were each assigned a random number by Anko.
"State your number you have drawn." Ibiki ordered as he looked at Neji first, and saw the boy show him the number in his hand.
"I got two." Neji said showing the paper with the number written on it.
"Nine." Temari said.
"Three." Gaara said.
"I have eight." Shikamaru showed his.
"Mine's seven." Dosu said.
"I have five." Shino showed them his.
"I got six." Kankuro said.
"I got number one." Naruto said.
"Then that leaves Sasuke Uchiha with number four." Sarutobi said.
"Alright. We have your names, numbers, and who you will be facing one month from now in the finals in the Chunin Stadium," Ibiki showed them a list, "Study it well." He ordered.
Match 1: Naruto vs Neji
Match 2: Gaara vs Sasuke
Match 3: Shino vs Kankuro
Match 4: Dosu vs Shikamaru
Match 5: Temari vs winner of match four
"You now know who you are fighting in one month. Good luck to all of you, as you will need it for the road ahead in preparing for what lies ahead of you." The Sandaime said as he looked at the competitors.
Naruto turned to Neji who could tell he was going to look at him, "Looks like I have a chance to avenge Hinata's defeat. See you in a month." He said as he dashed off out of the tower heading back for the village and raced towards the hospital changing into his Blue Lantern costume and taking flight. When he reached the hospital, flew into a back alley and touched down to change back into his normal attire, before running up to the reception desk and asking the nurse there where Lee was.
"Excuse me, could you tell what room Rock Lee is in?" He asked the receptionist.
"Rock Lee let's see he's in room 233." The women said as Naruto thanked her and raced up to the second floor as fast as he could when he got there he found Lee conscious and downtrodden.
"Hey are you okay Bushy brow?" Naruto asked his lantern brother.
"Oh hello Naruto yes I'm fine but the doctors tell me that I might never be a ninja again due the extent of my injuries." Lee answered.
"Lee that's unlike you to say something like that, you can't give up, I won't give up on a finding someone to help you I promise you this and I never go back on my word cause that's my nindo my ninja way, all will be well Lee." Naruto said he pulled out his Blue ring and Lee's Green ring once Lee's ring was exposed to Naruto's blue ring both rings immediately went to work trying to heal Lee's body.
"Cellular regeneration, bone restoration and realignment commenced." Both rings said at the same time while Lee smiled.
"You are right Naruto if I gave up now and gave into my fear then I would be unworthy of being called a Green Lantern and I promise you I will not let that happen ever!" Lee declared. Finally the glow of the rings reached Lee's injured hand as Naruto smiled at his handy work before long Lee was back up on his feet again. "Thank you again Naruto for restoring my will to train now if you excuse me, I have to do a little training with Gai-sensei." Lee said as he changed into his Green Lantern costume and flew out the window.
When Lee left an ANBU Black Ops ninja appeared in the room. "Naruto Uzumaki, you are requested at the Hokage's office now." The ninja said.
"Okay I'm on my way." Naruto said as he took flight to the Hokage's office. "I wonder what the old man wants me for." He asked himself as he soared through the sky.
Well folks there you have it, The preliminary rounds are in the books. Now comes the training arc and not only will Jiriaya the Gallant and perverted be teaching him but someone else will be coming from a long distance away to train Naruto in the art of wielding hope guess who it is. Until then read and review folks please do the latter as much as the former.