A/N: I wish to apologize for the extremely long delay but between life and writer's block this is the first time I've been able to even think of writing anything. I'll try to make things up to you in this chapter and hopefully get back into the swing of things and resume my normal writing and updating schedule. For now let's get back to our story.
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Only three hours after the beginning of the second portion of the Chunin Exams the three rookie teams converge on the same location. "So who's still missing a scroll," Naruto asks taking a seat on an over grown tree root.
"We've got both scrolls," Shino answers for his team leaning against the tree directly across from the blonde boy.
"Same here," Sasuke adds rubbing a kink in his neck from his previous battle, "Damn Ame-nins fight dirty."
"This coming from the guy who kicked his own cousin in the nuts during a sparring match," Kiba chuckles scratching between Akamaru's ears.
"So," Sasuke asks, "What's your point?" After everyone has a quick laugh they proceed towards the tower wanting to end this part of the Exam as quickly as possible.
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They only manage to travel for a little over five minutes when they run headlong into a sudden explosion of wind. "HANG ON," Sasuke yells channeling chakra into his feet in order to remain standing on the branch though he is forced squat down and hold on with his hands as well.
Naruto barely manages to use his own chakra to latch on to his tree branch when Ino comes sailing past him. Acting purely on instinct he throws his left arm out just in time to grab his fellow blonde around the waist preventing her from being blown away from the rest of the group.
Quickly using his family's techniques to their fullest Choji expands his torso and both of his arms to just over twice their normal size enabling him to latch on to both trees on either side of himself. As inadvertent as it may have been this quick thinking saves not only himself but also Sakura and Akamaru from being blown away by the powerful wind Jutsu.
Kiba's hands and arms scream in protest as his claws dig in deeply as he struggles to remain latched onto the branch while Hinata's strangle hold makes breathing difficult at best as the young Hyuuga struggles to hang onto to his neck. Both Shino and Shikamaru's own efforts to remain stationary mirrors Sasuke's as they squat on their own branches channeling chakra through both their feet and their hands.
"Kukuku…" comes the amused laughter as the wind finally begins to die down. "I must say I'm certainly impressed that children such as yourselves were able to stand up to my Jutsu." Dropping down in front of the Genin is the longhaired Kusa Kunoichi they all remembered seeing during Anko's explanation of this portion of the Exam.
"Is it just me or does this Exam keep getting weirder and weirder," Ino asks as she and Naruto join Sasuke on the same branch with the rest of their friends regrouping right behind them.
"It's not you," Naruto answers as he sniffs the air trying to locate any other unwelcome visitors. "Shit…" he almost snarls as he begins summoning up his chakra, careful to avoid tapping into the Kyuubi's power for now, "Everyone out of here NOW…"
"What's the matter Naruto-kun," the Kunoichi asks in an almost singsong voice, "You're not scared of little old me, are you?"
"Damn straight," Naruto replies placing himself between the Kusa-nin and his friends, "You reek of snakes and aside from Anko-san only one other person I ever heard of possessing that contract was you… Orochimaru."
"Kukuku…" the disguised Sannin says with an amused smirk. "Since you've figured it out then you must know that fighting me is useless," the Serpent Sannin says, "So please step aside and let me have Sasuke-kun and you and your other friends may leave in peace."
"Not happening," Naruto tells him as he brings his hands together in a familiar sign. "Mass Shadow Clone Jutsu," he calls out filling the entire area in a huge cloud of smoke.
As the smoke clears Orochimaru is at first impressed that what he thought of as just a little more then a mere Genin could actually perform such a chakra intensive Jutsu that fills the area with literally hundreds of what he knows are solid clones covering every branch above, below and around him leaving little room to move.
This however is swiftly replaced with annoyance as he realizes that an equal number of clones are Transformed to appear as each of the other eight Genin, making it nearly impossible to tell the real shinobi from the clones. "Very impressive Naruto-kun," he nearly growls, "But these imitations won't keep me from my prey."
Orochimaru's first and possibly biggest mistake is in underestimating Naruto's abilities to use his Jutsus to their fullest potential. However, it is his second mistake that proves to be nearly fatal, as Orochimaru lashes out at the nearest clone it bursts setting off a chain reaction that causes the other clones to explode leveling the forest within a quarter mile of the initial blast sight.
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The explosion rocks the entire forest causing every animal to rush for cover in a mass exodus as well as ensuring that every shinobi within several miles of the training ground knows that something major has just happened. As dust and debris sails past the nine Genin racing for the safety of the Tower Kiba chances a glance and his blonde teammate. "Think you over did it a bit," the young Inuzuka tells him.
"Maybe just a bit," Naruto admits stifling a yawn from his position on Choji's back, the Akimichi heir haven taken to carrying his friend following the other boy's sudden expenditure of so much chakra so quickly. "Still… it worked."
"You think you got him," Sasuke calls back from his place at the front of the group.
"Doubt it," Naruto answers barely clinging to conciseness. "Orochimaru's a Sannin," he reminds them. "Best I could hope for is that it was enough to scare him off," he says before yawning again. "That explosion should have alerted every ANBU and Jounin within a few miles," he adds, "So if he's as smart and as cautious as Raven-Nissan says he is then the possibility of being discovered when they show up to investigate should be enough to make him leave the village for now." Resting his head on Choji's shoulder he yawns once more as he closes his eyes. "Wake me when we get there," he says before finally letting sleep claim him.
"Baka," Sasuke whispers softly as he turns back around to keep an eye out for possible trouble ahead of them. With his back to the others none of them can see the faint half smirk on his face or the hint of gratitude in his eyes for the boy that quite possibly saved him from only Kami knew what kind of fate.
Less then an hour after their encounter with the Rouge Sannin the group arrive at the Tower just matching the previous record for this portion of the test. Going their separate ways they each enter a different door in order to officially complete the second part of the Exams.
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At the end of the fifth day all nine Rookie Genins plus the other three remaining teams stand before the Hokage, their Jounin Senseis as well as several other Jounin of Konoha in a large arena awaiting instructions on the next part of the Chunin Selection Exams. Looking over at his former students and his young Ward Raven can't help but smile at how proud he feels for having some small part in the shaping the future of not only the twelve young up and coming Konoha Genin before him but also the future of their village's military force as a whole.
"I told you they'd be ready," he reminds the Hokage beside him.
"That you did, Raven-kun," Sarutobi smiles at his adopted son, "That you did."
After a brief explanation of the importance of the Exams themselves as well as a small if somewhat boring speech about fostering friendship and goodwill between the Countries of the Shinobi Nation Raven steps forward and instructs the Genin to move to the observation decks on either side of the arena floor while the first combatants of the Preliminary Matches are selected.
Up on the electronic bulletin board the words: Kankuro vs. Shino Aburame flash in big bold golden letters. "Will the first contestants please enter the arena now," Raven calls up to the pair of Genin.
"Good luck Shino," Ino says wishing her normally silent teammate well in his match.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru says with just the faintest of smiles shaking his head offering his support in his own lazy manner.
Shino, for his part, simply nods to his teammates and their Sensei before making his way down to the arena. Once there he stands across from the Suna Genin offering no outward signs of what may be going on behind his dark sunglasses and the high collar of his gray trench coat. At Raven's signal Shino holds out his arms as his insect partners swarm out towards their intended target forming a buzzing and ever-expanding chakra consuming cloud.
Caught completely unprepared and with nowhere to run it takes only moments for the Kazekage's eldest son to fall victim to the Aburame heir's technique resulting in a painfully one-sided victory for Shino. The silent shinobi makes his way back towards his team as the medic-nins carry his unfortunate opponent towards the back.
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"Well that was quick," Naruto comments as Shino passes by. "Glad I didn't blink or I'd have missed it."
"It's always the quiet ones you've got to watch out for," Kiba says. "Especially in the bedroom," he adds with a smirk.
"Guess that leaves you two out," Sakura tells them causing both boys to grab their chests in mock pain.
"Ouch," Naruto chuckles, "Major burn Sakura-chan… Guess we're finally starting t rub of on you."
"They grow up so fast," Kiba sniffs wiping an imaginary tear from his eye, "I'm so proud." They all share a good laugh at that as the next pair of names appears on the board.
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Down in the arena floor Sasuke stares at his opponent and can't help but feel that he's somehow being cheated out of his chance to show what he's really capable of. "You've got to be kidding," he finally says shaking his head in disgust. "I entered these Exams hoping to find some competition and you want me to fight this…this weakling?"
"Who are you calling a weakling, loser," Zaku demands. "Oto maybe a new village but we're a hundred times better then this worthless pile of shit you call home."
"You even talk like a weak shinobi," Sasuke replies in a bored tone. "Having to insult others just to make yourself feel tougher then you really are. You're so far beneath my level it's an insult to even be in the same room as you."
Up in the stands Choji shakes his head as he munches on his chips. "Sasuke stop playing around and just finish this already," he calls down to his Team's Leader.
"Please Sasuke-kun," Hinata adds though her voice doesn't carry as far as her larger teammate. "There's nothing to be gained by trading words."
"Fine," Sasuke sighs as he slips into his fighting stance, "But I still say this is a waste of my time."
"I'll show you who's a waste of time," Zaku says as he brings his arms up and levels them at the Uchiha heir's head. "Decapitating Air Waves," he calls out using his chakra to channel sonic waves through the tubes in his arms. Sasuke simply rolls to the side avoiding the initial attack easily and continues to dodge each subsequent attack the Oto-nin makes drawing ever closer to his opponent.
"Damn it hold still," Zaku yells as his frustration begins to rapidly grow. Seeking to end the match on his next attack he allows his anger to cloud his judgment and completely miscalculates the distance between him and the Uchiha.
Before his opponent even has the chance to launch his next attack Sasuke drives his fists forward and activating the blades in his armguards slices straight into the tubes and through both of the other boy's hands and arms. Zaku howls in pain, as Sasuke's blades are now the only things holding up his now rapidly bleeding and completely useless arms.
"I told you that you were beneath me," Sasuke informs his as he retracts his blades allowing Zaku's arms to hang lifeless at his side. "May you know the peace in death that you could not find in life," he says bringing his right arm across Zaku's throat as the blade on that arm once again shoots out of his armguard. Turning around he walks back to this Teammates as Zaku's now headless body falls to the floor behind him.
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As Sasuke passes Team Seven he can't help but notice the solemn looks on their faces as well as understanding behind their eyes. "You did the right thing," Naruto tells him.
"Thanks," Sasuke replies as he joins his own Team. Neither his teammates nor Asuma say anything though Hinata does give him a reassuring smile before returning her attention to the arena floor.
"How could Sasuke-kun just kill him," Ino demands in shock at what they had all just witnessed, "That Zaku guy may have been a jerk but even he didn't deserve to die like that."
"Ino don't," Shikamaru tells her quietly.
"Don't what?" she asks. "Sasuke just murdered him," she tells them.
"Ino," Kurenai says getting the younger Kunoichi's attention. "Sasuke did the right thing," she informs her Genin. "While the medics could have easily saved Zaku's life there was no way to save his arms after the damage they received. His career as a shinobi was over," she tells the blonde girl. "He would have required around the clock assistance with for even the most basic daily tasks that we all take for granted like getting dressed and eating. For any shinobi that is a fate far worst then death," she says with a hint of sadness in her voice. "As hard as it maybe for you to understand right now Sasuke did the right thing and gave him an Honorable death. Don't look down on him or condemn him for that."
"But…but…" Ino begins but cannot find the words or even the heart to argue with her Sensei after hearing that explanation.
"It would appear that you are next to compete, Shikamaru," Shino says ending any further discussion on the subject as the next match is revealed.
"Troublesome," the Nara heir sighs as he looks at up at the board. His eyes widen ever so slightly as he sees the name of his opponent. Looking down at the arena floor he sees Gaara waiting for him and can feel the bloodlust radiating off the redhead even from where he's standing. "I forfeit," he announces just loud enough for everyone to hear, "It'd be too troublesome to walk all the way down stairs just to get killed."
"Winner by forfeit Gaara," Raven announces not really blaming the lazy Genin for his decision.
"Mother wants blood," Gaara says in an eerily chilling calm voice. "If he will not fight me then she shall have yours," he says as sand begins pouring out of his gourd heading towards Raven.
Raven simply swats the sand away as his eyes change from their normal onyx to slitted green. "You forget your place GENIN," he says staring down into Gaara's eyes. "You will return to your Sensei and your Team or you will not leave this arena alive," he growls as a dark green demonic aura begins to radiate off of his body filling the room with a killing intent so strong that it paralyzes even the Hokage himself with fear.
Gaara stares at Raven with wide eyes as he feels Shukaku cowering in the back of his mind and for the first time in his life he truly knows what real fear feels like. "Ye…yes…yes sir…" he stammers as he slowly backs away from the Jounin and makes his way back to his Team never once taking his eyes of the terrifying man. 'Who is he?' he wonders to himself.
'Hachibi,' comes the frightened reply of his still cowering tenant, 'Stay away from him or he will kill us.'
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After the brief is somewhat unnerving interaction between the two Jinchuurikis the next pair of contestants make their way down to the arena floor. "Now this should be a good fight," Asuma tells his Team.
"What do you mean," Ino asks looking at Team Ten's Jounin Sensei.
"Lee is a Taijutsu Specialist," TenTen answers for the bearded Jounin knowing both Genin better then the blonde Kunoichi, "While Naruto is a Ninjutsu Specialist."
"Don't forget that Naruto's also the most unpredictable shinobi our generation has ever seen," Sasuke adds with a hint of an amused smirk as he prepares to watch what promises to be an intense and hopefully exciting match.
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A/N: And… CUT… I know I'm evil leaving you hanging like that but that's why they call it suspense. Don't worry I already have the rest of the Preliminary Matches worked out and will hopefully have the next chapter written up and posted by this time next week. I also hope to have the next chapter of Naruto Meimeikira written and posted by that time as well but I'm still having a little trouble getting the first half of the chapter just right so we'll see.
Anyways as always comments suggestions and praise are always welcome as is constructive criticism. That being said until next time…
Later,
Raven