Hello and sorry for the wait for this chapter. I am so psyched to get this chapter up cause this is where all the action starts. Good news is I finally got the computer into my room so chapters might be coming in faster now. But unlike some I only type when I feel like it so I ain't making promises but I will try and devote some time to type although I will stop if it seems forced, but I will aim for AT LEAST one chapter a story per month seeing as I will probably only have two stories going at once. Anyway I have nothing to say so enjoy. And FYI there will be some minor plot developments in this chapter and some major ones in the next. And I think I am going to start shortening the chapters so that I can get them out faster.
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
"Demon/Summon speaking"
'Demon/Summon thoughts'
Chapter 3: The Chuunin Exams begin
-Konoha council chambers-
"And seeing that you have a bloodline and are the only wielder of the bloodline Go-Ruden-Manako loyal to Konoha you are eligible to for the C-R-A. (Clan Restoration Act-and for those people who don't understand it means you can have multiple wives so you can have more children with the bloodline although the wives are usually picked out for you.) Do you wish to use the C-R-A?" Sarutobi droned on to the black-clad figure in front of him already knowing the answer.
"I refuse." Cerino Delgada answered stoically staring blankly at Sarutobi. There was an immediate uproar of shouts as answer mainly from the civilian council.
"You dare refuse such a generous offer from us!" Screeched one Haruna Haruno one of the civilian council.
Cerino immediately snapped his stoic glare at her causing her to visibly flinch. "If I'm not mistaken this is a military matter not a civilian matter. So you are just here as spectators and thus have no say in the matter so hold you tongue before I am forced to remove it!"
"What did you say you little brat!" Haruna screeched back.
"Haruna shut up or I will be forced to 'ask' you to leave!" Sarutobi said effectively shutting up the civilian council. "Seeing as he ain't of legal age he can't be a part of the council but that does warrant him a seat! That alone gives him a higher standing in the council than any of the civilian council members so you would do well to not oppose him!" Haruna although red in the face didn't retaliate.
"Now now there is no need for such violent words. Although I do wonder why you would refuse such a generous offer made by this council. It can only benefit your clan." Said an old war hawk known as Danzo.
"I see things differently than you and thus I will keep the reason I refuse silent seeing as you couldn't even begin to comprehend the first three sentences." Cerino calmly stated while taking a jab at Danzo who visibly reddened.
"I would learn to respect my elders if I was in your shoes young man. I was also a shinobi and thus know enough to handle you and I can do anything you can do." Danzo retorted. Off to the side Kushina, Tsume, and most of the council where taking interest in the verbal spar.
"Oh yeah…clap." Cerino said with a smirk as Danzo began to compete with a tomato. Most of the council began to snicker.
"That is enough. Cerino would you please come by my office tomorrow morning for we have to discuss certain…'issues'." Sarutobi interrupted.
"Gotcha!" Cerino said turning to leave. "Oh…and one more thing!" Cerino halted in the doorway. "The ANBU operative Nii Yugito is under the protection of my clan so if any form of threat towards her, and I don't care if you just look at her wrong. Any such offenses will force me to call in…heh… 'Old Debts'." He said glaring at each on of the council members meaning that he was serious.
Sarutobi was as white as a sheet of paper. "Now Cerino you know what that would do to Konoha and we have already discussed this."
"I know and quiet frankly. I. Don't. Care. Your lucky I dropped them in the first place, but if you cross me I swear to God I will 'check in' on those debts…tenfold. Do I need to remind you of the valuable information I gave you upon my arrival? And don't forget what is at stake here." He then turned and walked out of the council chambers.
The chamber was immediately filled with the din of voices as they began to discuss the meeting. But one voice rang out above the rest. "Sarutobi what did he mean by 'old depts'?" Shukaku Nara asked.
Sarutobi just sighed and replied. "You don't want to know but I will tell you this. You will find out eventually and I can tell you no matter what you do he can and will cash it in if it comes to that. My advice to you is to just stay out of his way."
A while later the rest of the council began to file out of the chamber. "What do you think Cerino was talking about?" Tsume asked Kushina as they began to walk back towards the clan district.
"Don't know. But it definitely scared Sarutobi so I say we just stay on his good side." Kushina answered thoughtfully.
"Yeah I guess so." Tsume replied.
-The Delgada Estate-
"Yugito!" Cerino called as he entered the Estate.
"Hey Cerino your back. I just got finished showing Zabuza and Haku around so they are getting situated into their rooms!" Yugito said practically bouncing into the room.
"Yeah well I just got done putting the council in their place so everything should be fine. Nothing more to do then to just wait for the chunnin exams to start." Cerino said flopping down on one of the couches in the living room Yugito sitting next to him.
"…Cerino?" Yugito said nervously biting her lower lip.
"Yeah?" Cerino asked knowing that when Yugito bit her lip it meant that it was important.
"…Cerino…I'm ready." She said gaining confidence in the end.
Something flashed in Cerino's slitted eyes…was it pity, worry? "Sis you know you don't have to yet. It can wait until after this is all over." Cerino answered genuinely worried.
"That's just it Cerino!" Yugito all but shouted. "This is the deep breath before the plunge and I want to be able to make myself useful when the shit hit's the fan!" She apparently had wanted to say this for a while. "Back when we first arrived you took out all your missing-nin by yourself cause you knew I could barely lift a kunai even after you ran twice as far as me with even less rest! I want to be able to help too! You did it in the middle of a battle and you had no time to rest! But it won't be like that for me! I'll have you their and I won't have to worry about fighting right after so lets get this over while we can"
Cerino was silent for a good minute. He then sighed. "Alright. You win. We will do it tonight. I'll go get the seals ready." He said as he headed off to the far side of the compound.
-the next day-
Cerino entered Sarutobi's office as the light filtered in from the window. "Ah Cerino! How good of you to come. Sit down we need to talk." Sarutobi said noticing the dark bags under Cerino's eyes.
"Alright." Cerino said as he sat down in front of Sarutobi silently. "So what is this all about?"
"First I would like to ask you if what you said about the debt in the council chambers was true?"
"Damn straight they were!" Cerino said before seeing Sarutobi about to object he silenced him with a look that clearly said 'theirs more'. "Look if Orochimaru does manage to mark Sasuke it would be in the villages best interest if I do go through with it…or at least that half of it."
Sarutobi sighed silently before taking another puff out of his pipe. "I guess your right. But what about the other half of the 'debt'?"
"I will only cash it in if they give me reason to." Cerino promised. "Was that all?"
"Yes that was all. You may go to your team meeting." Sarutobi answered as he continued to shuffle through his paperwork.
"Good cause I got a proposition for you." Cerino said as Sarutobi glanced back up at him.
"I am about to propose an idea that might seem risky and idiotic but in fact will benefit us both, and in return I will give you the answer on how to defeat your…'sworn enemy'?" Cerino said glancing at the mountain of paperwork in-between him and almost an instant Sarutobi was kneeling in front of him anime style. "PLEASE! OH GOD PLEASE TELL ME!"
Although a little creeped out Cerino decided to give him the answer. "Two words my senile old friend 'Kage Bunshin'."
Next thing Cerino knew Sarutobi was banging his head of the wall muttering 'stupid, stupid, stupid, so that's how he did it.'
"And what of this 'proposition' you spoke of?" Sarutobi said after he finally got seated.
"Well…"
-ten minutes later-
"Well I have to admit it does sound crazy but considering its you I will arrange for it to happen, but I suggest you head off to your team meeting seeing as you are already 15 minutes late." Sarutobi said while a trio of clones worked behind him.
"Alright see you later." Cerino said as he walked out the door. "Oh and by the way…" He called back in the doorway. "Yugito won't be able to perform her ANBU duties for the next month so you better cook up a story for her."
"Alright I'll get started on that shortly." Sarutobi said with a curious look but knew better than to ask as he pulled out his favorite 'novel'.
-training ground seven-
As Cerino entered the area it became evident even from a distance that there was more than 4 people their. As he drew closer he recognized Teams 8, and 10 there sitting and what appeared to be talking.
Hey Cerino! About time you got here we were about to leave without you!" Naruto called out as he caught sight of the black-clad enigma as many called him now a day.
"Yeah yeah me and Sarutobi had to discuss some things! What's going on?" Cerino replied as he drew nearer.
"Well me and the other sensei's thought it would be a good idea to get you all together for a team meet up. You know…to talk about what's happened in the past couple months." Kushina answered with a grin as she stood up with the others. "We were going to head to a nice barbeque restaurant but got caught up waiting for you so lets go."
Soon later they entered the restaurant and threw a few table together and began to discuss things such as training, missions, boys, training, girls, new moves, boys, training, and girls were a few of the topics discussed. Very soon the discussion got to scars, and soon after Kiba showed them the scar on his back from his first Gatsuuga as he compared it to one of Naruto's from when he was training with his mother in the art of the sword across his chest.
"Hey Cerino wear did you get those scars across you face?" Kiba asked.
Cerino smirked before answering. "A bear. One of the Tsuchikages specially trained ones at that!"
Everyone could just stare in amazement. "You actually managed to take one of the Tsuchikages war bears?" Kakashi said as he remembered coming across some of them during the war.
"Yeah…well I guess you could say that. Apparently a group of rock-nin went rogue and was able to take on with them. They fled and eventually made it to my home nation and the Tsuchikage posted a special mission to either recapture it or kill it. My squad and several others joined up and tracked them down. The nin separated the rest of my squad and I was stuck with the bear. I guess it finally got tired of the jabs I kept giving it with my spear to it charged and rammed me to the ground.
Dam thing nearly took my face off, but I was able to get my spear dug into the ground in time. Caught it right in the chest and the bears weight did the rest, but it slid far enough down the shaft to take a swipe at me. I barely fell back in time!" Cerino answered running his fingers down his face along the scars most likely remembering the fight. "I couldn't see straight for a week!"
"That's very impressive although I bet the Tsuchikage wasn't happy about losing one of his prized bears." Kakashi said with an eye-smile.
"Yeah he cut the amount of the payment in half for compensation for the squads 'stupidity'! Not to mention his once thirty bears is now at about 5 or 6!" Cerino answered with a grin.
"Yeah well I think we all now that the Tsuchikage is an asshole!" Kushina said as they all enjoyed a good laugh.
A couple hours later the teams split up and headed to the respective training grounds. "Well I hope you guys enjoyed that! Now I have something very important to tell you all." Kushina said as she got serious or as Naruto liked to call it her 'sensei-mode.'
"The chuunin exams will be held in about a month-and-a-half so we will be cutting back on the missions to push in some extra training so be ready tomorrow to be pushed to your limits." She said and she and Naruto headed home.
Later on that night Cerino went to bed with only one thought going through his head. 'And so it begins.'
-two weeks before the exams-
"Well there couldn't have been a more sorry ass day for the weather to pick to drop a surprise shower on them." Tsume said as Teams 7, 8, and 10 were meeting up discussing what to do as the genin stood around and talked.
"We can't train in this weather we would catch a cold for sure." Kurenai said as she stared out the window as the rain pounded against the window in a relentless mission to soak everything and every one caught in it.
"We could always train in one of the clan houses." Kakashi said as he continued to read his 'book'.
"I don't think my compound's training dojo is big enough for it though, and neither is Tsume's. Even if we put two teams per compound there wouldn't be enough room." Kushina said arms crossed thinking on what could be done.
"Yeah it looks like we are going to have to call off training for the day." Tsume said looking disappointed. She and Hana would sometimes join Team 7 for their training and this was one of the few days Hana could actually come.
"I think mine could do the job." Cerino said popping up out of no-where like usual. You would think with wearing combat boots it would be impossible for him to sneak up on you…guess again.
"Really?" Kakashi said looking over at him.
"Come see for yourself." Cerino said as he exited the tower with the rest of them at a signal from the jounin.
Cerino lead them though Konoha at a fast pace jumping from rooftop to rooftop crossing a few jounin, chuunin, and ANBU along the way seeing as the rooftops were like the shinobi's highway.
Very soon they stopped in front of a clan compounds main gate. Which Cerino opened by placing his hand on it and sending a burst of chakra through it making many intricate and complicated seals appear. Without question they crossed the wet yard and entered the main compound.
"Yo! Yugito!" Cerino called as he entered the house continuing on into what looked like the living room. A rather large living room at that.
Yugito was reclining on the sofa in her pajama's looking rather ruffled and tired. "Hey Cerino. Didn't expect you back so soon." Yugito said in a tired voice not noticing the people looking around in the doorway.
Cerino's home was surprisingly clean and well kept. On the opposite wall was a rather large bookcase crammed to the limit with its share of books. Several of the books were scattered around the coffee table and some of them were on Yugito's lap. "Yeah but as I'm sure you've noticed there was a freak thunderstorm and I offered the dojo for them to train in." Cerino replied kneeling down beside here.
"Oh." Yugito said noticing the group of ninja in the doorway some focused on her others still glancing around. "Well Haku and Zabuza are already in there for the day so don't be surprised if Zabuza challenges you to another spar." Yugito said with a weak smile.
"Don't worry about me, but on another note is their anything I can get you?" Cerino said earnestly.
"One of your milkshakes and a couple extra pillows would be nice." Yugito said with another smile.
"Coming right up you just rest." Cerino said before turning to the group. "You guys can dry off in here theirs some towels in the cabinet their." He then left the room.
As suggested they dried off and then sat down on some of the many couches and armchairs in the room.
"So your Yugito. Cerino's mentioned you from time to time." Kushina said with a greeting smile.
"Yeah well me and him arrived here together and we…well he was able to buy this place and furnish it and this is were we've been since." Yugito answered with a smile in return.
"You sick?" Kurenai asked taking note of her state.
"Yeah. Came down with the flu or something about 3 days ago and I haven't been able to shake it off yet." Yugito answered leaning back looking even more tired.
"Cerino seems to be taking good care of you." Hinata said still looking around.
"Yeah he is. I swear he might be a work-o-holic but when someone close to him is hurt or in my case sick he drops everything and seems to be able to always make time to take care of us." Yugito said sighing.
"Seems to be quiet the family man." Tsume said from he spot next to Kushina.
"Yeah you should have seen him when he came and got me! He nearly killed himself getting here traveling through the nights and taking very few rests. I nearly had to knock him out to convince him to rest that night, but he was right…the people who were chasing him caught up with him that night and attacked my house. Luckily he anticipated that and sealed all of my stuff and we were out before they even made it inside." Yugito said.
'He must have told her not to disclose any vital information seeing as she is also talking cryptically.' Kushina thought as she filed the 'for now' useless information away.
"So you guys came here…all the way from Kumo?" Hana asked now getting interested in the conversation.
"Yeah…it wasn't easy either." Yugito answered with another sigh. "It was so nice to be able to sleep in an actual bed. Heh Cerino was so on edge I was afraid I was going to have to tranquilize him to get him to relax."
"Yeah and for good reason!" Cerino said as he entered the room again with several pillows under one arm and a large glass of what they guessed with a milkshake.
"Yeah well you need to loosen up and enjoy yourself from time to time." Yugito said as she accepted the glass and helped him arrange the pillows.
"Maybe later, but now I got to go and show these guys the dojo and most likely have another kenjutsu spar with Zabuza." Cerino said with one of his wolfish grins.
"Well don't hurt him like you did a couple weeks ago." Yugito said still smirking.
"Yeah yeah but remember he asked for it!" Cerino said with a grin.
And so Cerino led the group through the many halls of the house seemingly towards the far side of the compound. "And here we are!" Cerino said as they came to a sliding panel.
"Cool lets see how big this place is!" Naruto exclaimed as he slid it open only to be dumbstruck on what was on the other-side. They were standing in the entrance to what looked to be a storehouse or something. Although it was empty it was dark damp. "This is your dojo." Naruto said with a sweat drop.
"Naruto…remember this when you are in my house 'nothing is what it seems.'" Cerino said pinching the bridge of his nose as he slid the panel closed. Once closed he drew a kunai and sliced the palm of his hand wide open surprising them as it began to bleed heavily.
He swiped his hand across the door and once again an intricate set of seals appeared across the panel and at once they're a din of metal on metal. Removing his hand from the door showed them that the gash across his palm was quickly healing bathed in an emerald green glow. Opening the door for them Cerino revealed a bright-lit room that could easily fit the teams present and several others with two familiar figures in the center of what appeared to be one of the many training rings.
Kakashi's first thought was that this would definitely be Gai's students Tenten's paradise if she ever had one. Spreading across the walls was every type of weapon imaginable. From maces to scythe's, beautiful zanbatou's to daggers they covered three of the four walls. As they entered the room Zabuza and Haku noticed them. "Aren't you a little early?" Zabuza said as he leaned on his sword.
"Well because of the freak thunderstorm outside I have offered the dojo for the teams to train so you are going to have to deal with it." Cerino said as he walked up to the duo.
"As long as they don't get in our way." Zabuza responded glancing at the group.
"Hey guys!" Haku said cheerfully slightly sweaty from her previous spar.
"Hey Haku." Hinata answered as the rest of the group began to greet them.
"Well…now that the politics are out of the way how bout a rematch?" Zabuza stated not really making it sound like a request.
Cerino just sighed. "I guess I have no choice. What's the score…31 to 0?"
"30 TO 0 CAUSE YOU TRIPPED ME DURING THAT MATCH A COUPLE WEEKS AGO!" Zabuza yelled clearly embarrassed.
"Alls fair in the shinobi world but ok fine 30 to 0, and I take it that 'kenjutsu only' rule is still in effect?" Cerino said lazily as he stretched.
"Of course it is!" Zabuza said doing his impersonation of Iruka's Big Headed jutsu.
"Fine fine." Cerino yawned out as he went over to the section of the wall dedicated to zanbatou's.
He pulled down a double-edged zanbatou that was colored black and white. The blade was about the same length as Zabuza's zanbatou but was easily about twice as wide. The whole thing was pitch black except for two pure white striped going down the blade about halfway between the edge and the center of the blade. Along this white strip was carved intricate seals and runes that were colored black to stand out. Both sides of the blade were identical and the hilt was a pole about the size of Zabuza's hilt except at the edge of it was an outward facing half-moon arc. Cerino hefted it up as if it weighed nothing.
Stepping back into the ring Cerino simply rested the hilt of the sword on his shoulder. "Kushina if you would please start the match?" Cerino asked politely while staring down Zabuza.
"Ok…" Kushina said obviously nervous as she raised her hand ready to start the match.
"I'd step a little farther back if I was you." Haku said to the remaining group as she joined them. "They usually only stay in the ring for the first half of the fight." She answered seeing their curious looks.
Getting the picture the rest of the group backed up against the wall as Kushina began the match. "START!" She yelled throwing her arm down and leaping back to join them against the wall.
Zabuza immediately leapt forward swinging his blade left horizontally. Cerino met him with his own identical swing. Both swords clashed and continued on before Zabuza swung right and Cerino once again copied him and the blades met once again in mid-air before continuing on their course. Zabuza once again swung left and once again Cerino copied him with the same results, but Cerino let his blade continue on spinning on the spot before delivering a much stronger leftward swing to Zabuza who barely had time to block.
Zabuza was knocked off-balance by the force of the blow and Cerino capitalized on this as he began his assault forcing Zabuza to try every move in the book to either block or evade the strikes which ranged from lightning-quick strikes to stronger yet slower swings…but not that much slower.
The group which had been forgotten could only stare in awe at how Cerino quickly forced one of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist on the defensive and kept the pressure on assuring that Zabuza didn't have time to strike back only block. Any of the group who knew anything about the art of kenjutsu could easily see how skilled Cerino was now that he was going all-out against Zabuza…lucky him.
Cerino brought down his blade in a devastating hammer-blow that luckily Zabuza was able to side step causing the blade to be imbedded in the floor, but before Zabuza could finally strike back Cerino spun keeping a-hold of the hilt of his sword and delivered a quick straight kick to Zabuza's stomach causing him to stumble back. Retching the blade from the floor Cerino finished his rotation by bringing his sword down diagonally. Zabuza seeing this was barely able to bring his blade up in time.
The blades clanged together loudly but due to Zabuza not being able to fix his footing his blade was forced downward along the path of Cerino's blade and flung from his hands as it skidded across the floor banging against the wall. Reversing his grip Cerino brought the half-moon ark at the edge of his sword up and with force shoved Zabuza back into the wall that he had forced his to pinning him by the neck by imbedding the ark in the wall.
There was a silent pause as both combatants glared at each other Zabuza a little higher than Cerino seeing as how Cerino had him lifted up of his feet. "NOW it's 31 to 0!" Cerino said triumphantly and he released Zabuza who crumbled to the floor coughing and hacking.
"You kicked me!" He wheezed out as Cerino reset the zanbatou from where he got it.
"But I still had my hand on my sword so that counts as a kenjutsu move." Cerino said with a smirk as he lifted up Zabuza's sword and throwing it back to the owner.
"So did you when you tripped me!" Zabuza retorted as he stood back up trying to salvage some pride by not rubbing his neck.
"Fine then it's 32 to 0." Cerino said as he stretched.
Zabuza only face planted before being drug off by Haku before he could retaliate. Cerino sighed before turning back to the still gawking group. "What?" Cerino recited his seemingly favorite word.
"Well that was…impressive." Kakashi said as they began to split up the groups.
"Well after that 'display' I guess we are all amped to get started so lets start with the beginning exercises!" Kushina said as they're group Tsume and Hana included began they're warm-ups.
After they got those done they began the individual exercises that targeted the individuals weaknesses. After getting those done for the day they moved on to the main course of training which was individual projects, or training the genin chose for themselves.
As Tsume helped Kiba with his idea of improving the Gatsuuga and Hana helped Hinata with her chakra expansion exercises and improving her kaiten, but before they could begin Cerino called them over. "I got something that might interest you guys!" Cerino said as he led them to the only wall that wasn't covered in weaponry. The wall was bare except for a lone panel that stood alone and untouched.
Opening the panel he entered a room that was small compared to the other room but what was inside it was surprising. Along the walls were racks and on these racks were scrolls. But not just any scrolls but jutsu scrolls and scrolls on the fundamentals of chakra and advanced chakra exercises.
"In this room are scrolls containing jutsu's from each element, jutsu's that my clan have copied, and my clans personal jutsu's and training exercises, and those are basic to advanced chakra exercise and techniques!" Cerino said pointing to a rack labeled 'chakra'. "Now those scrolls." Cerino said as he pointed to a rack embroidered with his clan symbol. The others could only stare in astonishment
"Are my clans personal jutsu's and exercises so don't bother, but those…" He said as he pointed to the racks embroidered with the kanji's for: fire, lightning, wind, earth, water and chakra. "You can use. Feel free to take some of them home with you, but I want them back before the beginning of the chuunin exams!" He finished with a smile.
"Cerino…" Kushina said glancing around with awe. "There must be enough scrolls here to cover the common elemental jutsu in their entirety!"(What she means are the regular jutsu's such a the fire dragon jutsu and grand fireball and the like.)
"There is…along with some that have been lost to the ages." Cerino said gesturing to the scrolls on each rack labeled 'forgotten'.
"Wow." Was all Naruto said staring at all the scrolls his mind going a mile a minute.
"Hey Naruto!" Cerino said walking over to the wind jutsu rack and pulling off the scrolls labeled intermediate, expert, and forgotten. "I would recommend these scrolls for Konoha doesn't have very many scrolls on wind jutsu's and they only really have the beginner stuff so here you go. And get this: in the forgotten scroll there is instructions on how to make wind blades!" Cerino said grinning.
No ones been able to make wind blades since your father recreated them but trust me his will be nothing compared to yours when you're done. You can also channel these through your sword so it can enhance your kenjutsu style also! I would give you some on sealing also but I dare say that your father's notes should be more than enough."
Naruto only nodded dumbly as Cerino dropped the three scrolls into his hands "Cerino…" Kushina began looking nervous. "We can't take these."
"Of course you can!" He said grinning ear to ear. "The reason I am not offering this room to the other teams is because just that. You're my teammates. It's my job to help you guys get through these exams just as it is you're to watch my back. Besides in a couple weeks time those teams out their will very well be your opponents."
"And Hinata!" He continued cutting Kushina off. "Here's some advance chakra control exercises that will also increase your chakra capacity. Keep on working like this and you will make an excellent medic-nin one day!" Cerino continued making Hinata blush as she accepted the scroll he offered her from the chakra rack.
"And you Kiba…" Cerino said causing Kiba to snap at attention. "These are some advance chakra techniques that you can use to increase your strength, speed, and agility, and of course you can look at it too Tsume, Hana!" He said taking another scroll off of the chakra rack. "I would also recommend you share those with the others on the team so you guys are on the same level in chakra."
"And Kushina…" Cerino said adopting a mellow tone as he moved to his clan's rack. "I believe this is yours." He said as he removed a scroll with a whirlpool design they had over-looked.
Kushina gasped immediately recognizing the scroll. "Where did you find it?" She said as she shakily accepted the scroll.
"I didn't find it, but my late Uncle Miroku did." Cerino said as he looked at Kushina's shocked face as she held the scroll as if it would fall apart if she squeezed to hard.
"Apparently he had friends in Whirlpool and when he heard of its downfall he left to investigate. He found this among the ruins, and the rest of his life was spent looking for a survivor of the Uzumaki clan.
"Now seeing as that's all I've got for now lets go before the other teams get suspicious." Cerino said leading them from the room Kushina lagging behind as she still held the scroll.
"Come-on Kushina we don't have much time before it's training is over so we need to head out." Cerino said noticing she hadn't moved from the spot. "Hey!" Cerino said a little louder placing a hand on her shoulder.
Kushina jumped at the contact but she tore her eyes from the scroll. "It's in perfect condition and you can began teaching your son the jutsu's your clan was famous for making." Cerino said in a softer tone. Although he was relatively surprised when he was pulled into a bone-crushing hug.
"Thank-you! Oh god thank-you so much!" Kushina whispered as she continued to hug him.
"I would normally say 'thank my uncle' but seeing as he isn't on this plane anymore I will accept your thanks on his behalf." Cerino said pulling out of the hug.
Kushina chuckled as she wiped her eyes. "I thought this scroll was lost forever, and I wouldn't be able to pass on my clans legacy to him like me and Minato always wanted to."
"Yeah well we need to get going so we can discuss this later." Cerino said exiting the room Kushina at his heels.
As they entered the dojo they noticed the other teams were preparing to leave also. Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata were gathered together along with Tsume discussing something in whispers.
"So…looks like your going to be busy." Cerino said smugly as they laughed nervously thinking of all the work they had ahead of them.
Out of the corner of his eye Cerino saw Sasuke glaring at the group from a far. He had observed them entering the separate room and had been eyeing Yugito when he left and entered the living room. And he didn't try to hide the heated glare he gave Cerino when he defeated Zabuza. Apparently he was smart enough not to try to activate his doujutsu in someone else's compound.
"Well…looks like its time to head out so everyone thank Cerino for his hospitality and we will leave." Kakashi said with one of his famous eye-smiles and as the genin muttered their thanks they began to make their way through the compound.
As they entered the living room once again they found Yugito had fallen asleep during her reading. "I believe you guys know the rest of the way so I will see you guys tomorrow, but right now I have to take care of her." Cerino said as he picked up the books around her and replaced them.
The group nodded and headed towards the door escorted by Haku and Zabuza. "So how have you guy's been doing here?" Tsume asked.
"We've been good. Cerino's given us some room and kept us fed. He even offered us the dojo for use after about a week of recovery so it's been good." Zabuza answered politely…well as politely as you can get with him.
"So you've been busy?" Naruto asked them as they got to the door and began to make their way across the grounds.
"You kidding Zabuza here is a slave driver and Cerino is just as bad. Get those two together and you almost immediately got a spar on your hands. Even though Zabuza here hasn't even been able to so much as nick him! And now we are at 32 to 0 with Zabuza being the guy in the landslide." Haku said with a gigantic sweat drop as the others obviously felt sorry for her.
"HE TRIPPED MY AND THEN HE KICKED ME!" Zabuza retorted as he tried to keep some dignity. But they ignored him as they headed to the gates and left heading towards their respective homes.
-day of the beginning of the chuunin exams-
Things had been going as planned this far. Everyone in Team 7 had been training long and hard on the abilities in the scrolls Cerino had given them. Soon they all knew all sorts of different ways to use their chakra to enhance their skills. That along with the intense chakra control exercises they learned they were all feeling confident about their chances in the exams.
Naruto had been training diligently with the wind scroll he was given and he soon was able to create perfect wind blades with his sword although he couldn't do them with simple swings of his arm like Cerino had demonstrated. Kushina had also begun teaching him some of the jutsu's from the Uzumaki clan scroll Cerino had given her. He's gotten the basics down but Kushina didn't want to let him learn the bigger ones since they would take too long to learn.
Hinata's chakra control went through the roof along with her proficiency with the Juuken stance allowing her to engage opponents in close combat and not worrying about getting in the way. Kiba learned some of the more advanced Inuzuka clan techniques from Tsume and Hana and was of course feeling very confident that he and his team were all going to become chuunin.
As the group went up the stairs they ran into a commotion on the second floor. As they neared the saw a small group of chuunin-hopefuls gathered around the door to room 301. "Something's not right here? We are only on the second floor room 301 should be one floor above us?" Hinata said studying the group.
"Yeah it is. I think it's a Genjutsu to test us and weed out the unqualified genin from the group." Kiba said studying the sign.
"Yeah your right lets keep quiet and continue on up." Naruto said as they mover on.
As they neared the 'real' exam room a fountain of water erupted in front of them taking the form of Kushina. "Good your all here! I wouldn't be able to let you continue if you all didn't show up!" She said grinning at her students. "Well this is it! Once you enter this door there will be no turning back. But know this! You all have made me proud." She continued beaming. "You've all worked so hard to get to this point, and I have the utmost confidence in you. So go in there and give it your all, and remember even if you don't make chuunin I will still be proud of you!" She then disappeared in another fountain of water leaving behind three proud genin and one regretful black-clad enigma in her wake.
"Well let's go!" Cerino said grinning.
Upon entering they found the other room jam-packed with genin from all over the elemental nations. Some turned and glared at the newcomers while other's remained indifferent. The group quickly found the other leaf genin from their year and joined them.
Soon after Team 8 walked in along with a bunch of other grumbling genin that the other genin recognized as the teams that fell for the Genjutsu. Another noticeable feature with the bruised cheek Sasuke was now sporting which Sakura was squabbling over like it was fatal.
"Hey Shino what's going on?" Chouji asked as the bug-user joined them looking relieved to get away from them.
"We got to the second floor and we noticed the Genjutsu you must have already seen. I suggested like you obviously did to go and leave the weaker genin behind, but Sasuke decided I was wrong and pointed it out to the other teams. Then as we continued on a member of Team 9 challenged Sasuke to a fight that he accepted. And then I had the distinct pleasure of watching the Uchiha have his 'ass' handed to him on a silver platter." Shino said in his ever-stoic drone.
While the other's stared amazed at Shino's…SHINO'S choice of words Sakura was about to screech only to be interrupted by a voice. "You might want to pipe down you are attracting some 'unwanted' attention."
Turning they saw a leaf genin a three or four older then them staring at them. Glancing around they noticed that he was right. Even more of the genin were glaring daggers at them. "Yeah and who are you." Kiba said challengingly.
"Easy their kid. My name is Kabuto and this is my seven time taking the exams." The newly dubbed Kabuto said scratching the back of his head looking embarrassed.
"Man you must have some luck." Naruto said looking sympathetic.
"Yeah last exams I injured my leg and couldn't continue, but if I have gotten anything out of this ordeal is a lot of information." He then brought out his stack of ninja cards and explained them to him. "Any requests?"
"Rock Lee and Cerino Delgada." Sasuke looking dead at Kabuto.
"Aw that's too bad you even know their names!" Kabuto said pulling out two cards. But before he could even get the first one revealed those two and his whole stack burst into flames.
"And if you were smart you wouldn't flaunt your information around. That and you would have a spare deck with you." Cerino said looking rather relaxed from his spot against the wall.
Kabuto simply blushed in shame and anger at him before he caught the glare Cerino was sending him. Kabuto swallowed hard before he began explaining the elemental nations and the chuunin exams.
"The only nation that doesn't participate in the exams is Shadow." Kabuto continued pushing his glasses along the bridge of his nose. "They prefer to be left alone. Though they have some of the strongest shinobi ever to be seen within their ranks. That combined with Organization XIII they are widely feared and every nation has tried to be their ally though they still remain neutral." Kabuto said before Shikimaru cut him off.
"What's this…'Organization XIII' I've never heard of it."
"Ah you haven't heard about the Organization…well no one really knows a lot about them but it is said that it is a group of shinobi in Shadow although their true numbers aren't known. But it is said that each and every one of them are on par with the legendary Sannin in their prime. It is even rumored that they have a fully-fledged demon amongst their numbers." Kabuto elaborated causing many of the listening genin to shiver at the thought of such power.
"That's not true." Yumi said from her spot in Naruto's mind.
'What?' Naruto responded as Kabuto continued his explanation on the other nations.
"No demon would ally them selves with just one nation without good cause, and even then they would only protected them. They would never fight for them!" Yumi said trying to figure out if it was just a rumor or true. "If it is true my guess would be that it is actually a Jinchuuriki who can use their demons power, but again this is just a theory if the rumors true." Yumi finished still in her thinking pose.
'Alright I need to pay attention so love you.' Naruto said as he withdrew from the link.
"Love you too." Yumi said before the link closed.
Kabuto was just finishing up his explanation with the Sound nation. After he finished with his explanation a sound genin charged him obviously angered by his remark about how 'sound is a new country and shouldn't really be a threat.' But before the mummified shinobi could strike Kabuto with a large gauntlet on his arm Cerino appeared out of no-where grabbing the gauntlet. There was a second's pause before the gauntlet cracked and a second later shattered causing the mummified shinobi to stagger back clutching his arm.
"You asshole that was expensive!" Dosu shouted.
"Then you shouldn't get caught so easily." Cerino said glaring at him causing the ninja to back down returning to his other two male partners. (Yes MALE you will see why next chapter) Turning back to Kabuto he whispered to him. "You owe me one." Before returning to his post on the wall.
Soon after that the proctor Ibiki barged in and told them all to pick a card and sit in the assigned seat. Naruto ended up sitting beside Sasuke and one of Team 9's genin Tenten. Hinata was positioned behind Sakura and beside Ino who flashed her a nervous smile which she returned. Kiba sat behind Neji and two seats from Shino with Chouji directly to his right across the isle. Cerino was way out there with Rock Lee the closest to him sitting three rows in front of him Although he was sitting beside the only female of the sand team Temari who was eyeing him warily obviously seeing how strong he was.
As Ibiki was explain the 'name of the game' (or the rules) many of the leaf ninja began catching onto the hidden message he was sending by reading between the lines. When the test started they put their plans into action.
Hinata used her Byakugan to copy the answers from all around her. Kiba used Akamaru who was sitting on his head. Naruto cast one of the Uzumaki's basic clan jutsu's known as 'Uzumaki Style: Water Manipulation' that he used to make himself a small mirror of water above him that he used to copy off those around him. Cerino activated his Go-Ruden-Manako in his right eye only and used that by resting his hand over his eye.
While Temari was answering the ones she knew waiting for Kankuro to get the answers to her she caught a glint of gold to her left. Glancing over to the ninja she was observing before she first though it was only a trick of the light she saw, but upon closer inspection she saw that his right eye had turned pure golden! He was covering it up by resting his head on his hand conveniently covering it up. She saw him turn towards her and she blushed at the wolfish grin he sent her way.
All around them teams were being picked off one by one. Some went silently while others had to be dragged out kicking. Ibiki seemed to be enjoying himself up at the front of the room with that sadistic grin plastered on his face. The sand genin with the coif and make-up on had to go to the bathroom, and returned shortly later dropping something on Temari's desk discreetly as he passes.
Just after team 17 got kicked out Ibiki called for silence. "Alright you maggots now there are some 'special' rules for the tenth question which you can choose to take or not!"
"What do you mean we can choose to take it or not." Kankuro said just as curious as the rest.
"You can choose whether to take it or not because if you get the question wrong you will not be able to participate in any chuunin exams hosted in Konoha ever again!" Ibiki said grinning if possible even more sadistically.
This brought an immediate uproar. "What do you mean never again there are people in here who have taken it before!" Shouted a nameless leaf genin.
"Well unlucky for you I wasn't proctor last time they were held here." Ibiki replied smugly.
Slowly yet surely most of the other genin began to drop out one by one. "Last call for anyone who still wants to drop out!" Ibiki shouted after the last team exited the room. When no one moved he grinned once again. "Well then the rest of you…pass!"
This once again got uproar as a response. And once again Ibiki silenced them as he explained the tenth question. But before he could finish a ball of cloth came crashing through the window unfurling to reveal a banner that read 'The sexy and single Anko Mitarashi: The Second Exam Proctor!' Many sweat drops appeared at the sight of the banner and the 'ahem' minimally clad jounin in front of them.
"Hey Ibiki I think you are losing your touch you let 28 teams pass!" Yelled the jounin in front of them to Ibiki who was just emerging from behind the banner.
"Your early." Was her reply.
"Yeah well you know how I like to make an entrance." Anko said in a sugary sweet voice before turning back to the genin. "Listen up maggots you are to report to Training Field 44 in 25 minutes if you are even one second later you are disqualified!" She yelled before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
After 25 hectic minutes for some every team stood in front of a gate. Behind it was some of the biggest and most ominous trees anyone has ever seen. "Welcome to Training Ground 44 or more commonly known as 'The Forest of Death'!" Anko yelled with an all to familiar sadistic grin.
"Now before you all enter the forest or even before I explain this part of the exam you are to sign these wavers stating that if you should be severely injured or most likely killed during the next parts of the exams Konoha won't be held responsible!" She said as she shoved a stack of papers into a genin's arms to be passed around.
As the teams signed the forms silently most of the teams couldn't help but keep on glancing at the ominous trees separated from them only by a chain-link fence. When all the forms were signed and handed back in Anko continued on to explain the exams.
"Now you will be given one of two scrolls one is the heaven scroll and the other is the earth scroll. Now your objective is to get you and your entire team meaning that you can't be missing a teammate. To the tower in the very center of the forest which is about five miles from here. But…there's a catch while you got to get to the tower with not only your scroll, but the other scroll as well. You may not open the scrolls at any time during the exam! The results will be…unpleasant! And you only have 5 days to do so!" Anko continued still grinning sadistically.
"So every team is your opponent but you most likely will not know what scroll they have until you 'defeat' them, and not only are the other teams your problem but the forest itself is a problem also. It is inhabited by many cute and deadly creature and plants so you are in a sense in enemy territory." Anko said gazing fondly at the forest disturbing many.
"Now which one of you maggots are Team 7 from Konoha!" She said turning back to the group. Team 7 reluctantly stepped forward. "Ok now since you are one man up than the other teams here one of you will be separated from the group with the other scroll so you don't need to fight the other teams but find you teammate before another team. Now you have five minutes to strategize before the beginning of the exams!" She yelled at the teams.
"Well this is a problem." Kiba said as Team 7 discussed their options. "When one of us are separated from the group they are easy targets."
"I'll go." Cerino volunteered.
"You sure man if I go me and Akamaru can high-tail it to the tower and get there and wait for you." Kiba argued.
"Do you have a doujutsu that can see everything in over a five mile radius?" Cerino countered with an eyebrow raised.
"Oh yeah…well I guess you can go. What's the plan?" Naruto said clearly forgetting about Cerino's doujutsu.
"As Kiba put it only in reverse. You guys high-tail it to the tower and I will track you." Cerino said clearly not worried.
"And if we are attacked, or more importantly what if you are attacked?" Hinata expressed her worry for her teammate.
"If you are attacked you can fight them and take their scroll, or run. If I'm attacked I will try and evade and the like don't worry about me that's my problem." Cerino said as Anko called them over to receive their scrolls.
"Now which one of you maggots will be the loner?" Anko said addressing Team 7.
Cerino simply stepped forward calmly awaiting her orders. "Ok then you will be given a ten minute head start on the others so get in there!" She said opening the gate only for a black blur to whip by her and into the forest. The other chuunin lead the genin around the forest and to separate gates that would be opened in ten minutes as said.
Once a good ways into the forest Cerino activated his Go-Ruden-Manako. Searching for his targets he quickly found them and veered of to the left intent on cutting them off. Ten minutes later the teams were let into the forest and he second part of the chuunin exams had begun.
-End-
Yes bad place to stop it but there had been an additional 10 pages that I deleted and moved to the next chapter so that one is about halfway done already. Now expected the next chapter of Lucario in about two or three week's cause that is about the same amount of time it took me to type this. I will probably be going back and updating the other chapters shortly also so don't be surprised. The same goes with Lucario I will probably take the time to go back and separate all of the dialog and such. And on another note-I would really like for you guys to actually start leaving reviews and comments instead of just adding the story to your favorites or what not. You'll find that I take constructive criticism quiet well. As long as it isn't about my grammar that I know sucks, but hey at least I am spelling at least halve way decently unlike some people whose stories I've read. So I know I am not the best but I am far from the worst. The reason I don't like people commenting on my grammar is cause I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT IT AND I STATE IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN! Except for the one comment in Lucario about separating the dialog that you unmistakably noticed I took to heart. So without further ado.
See you next time!
Cerino the Ultimate Shinobi