Chapter 3

AN: To answer some questions. Gaara's birth mother, Karura is dead. Who they are calling mother? Well, you will just have to wait and see. Also for who created Otogakure, that will also be revealed later.

-Area 44, the Forest of Death-

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai were walking through the forest when, not even 5 minutes later, they were ambushed by the Sound Team from earlier.

"What the? You are the guys from earlier. What do you want?" Sasuke demands.

"We are here for the Uchiha." The guy with the mask says.

"What does that mean?" Sai asks.

"Just like it sounds. We do not care about the scroll. All we care about is attainting the Uchiha. Nothing else matters." The mask guy continues.

'Is the Otogakure village trying to pouch Konohagakure's Kekkei Genkai users? If they are, this will be really bad.' Naruto thinks as he watches the Sound Team closely.

"Forget it, Dosu. There is no need to explain anything to them since we are just going to kill them." The guy next to the mask guy, Dosu, says.

"Yeah, Zaku is right for once. Let's just kill them and take the Uchiha already." The only female says.

"Fine, Kin." Dosu says as he singles them to attack. Naruto was fighting Dosu, Sasuke was fighting Zaku, and Sai was fighting Kin. The Sound Team greatly underestimated Team 7. They were wiped out in an instant.

The blonde remembered how Dosu fought, so he didn't let him use his sound ability. He appeared behind him quickly. 'So fast!' he tried to block with his claw only for the Naruto behind him to vanish. The real Naruto now attacked him and hit him in the back of the neck.

Zaku was trying to blast Sasuke, but one of the downsides of his weapons being in the palms of his hand, it was easily to detect which way the attack was coming. Sasuke didn't even need the Sharingan for this guy, using his speed he got behind him and grabbed his arm twisting it behind his back. He placed a foot on his back and pressed hard. "Ahhhh, my arm you are breaking my..." crack "AHHHHHHHH!"

"Quit screaming!" He knocked the male out, striking the back of his neck.

Kin was possibly the easiest to finish. She tried to trap Sai in a Genjutsu of sorts, but he didn't need to break it. He created a swarm of ink beasts, and they tracked her down by her scent, and dug their teeth into her body. The sudden burst of pain overwhelmed her and knocked her unconscious.

(To me, if Sasuke and Naruto were not knocked out, and they had a more reliable teammate, they would have kicked Team Dosu's ass. Not to mention, Team 7 is much stronger in my fic than in the anime). Naruto searched through Team Dosu's things and found they had the opposite scroll that they needed.

"I wonder what that was all about." Sai questions.

"Yeah, why did they want me?" Sasuke wonders.

"I hope I'm wrong, but I think Otogakure are trying to pouch Kekkei Genkai users." Naruto answers.

"If that is the case." Sai starts.

"Then we need to warn the village." Sasuke finishes.

"Right." Naruto says then they start making their way to the tower.

-At the Tower-

Naruto takes out the scrolls for them to look at.

"There summoning scrolls." Sasuke says.

"I guess we open them then." Sai comments. Naruto nods and opens the scrolls. There was smoke and when the smoke cleared they saw Kakashi standing there.

"Yo." Kakashi greets.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sasuke exclaims in shock.

"Iruka-ototo, would have been the one to show up since he misses you; but, he got detained by his lover." Kakashi explains.

"Lover?!" Sasuke and Sai yell.

"I did not know Iruka-sensei was seeing anyone? He did not tell me." Naruto says with a pout.

"Yeah, he is dating Ibiki-san." Kakashi answers.

"That scary guy that was our first proctor?!" Sasuke yelps.

"Yep." Kakashi says simply.

"Hmm… I will have to test him to see if he is worthy of, Iruka-nii." Naruto says with a fox like grin. The rest of Team 7 shivers at that.

"Anyway, great job on being the second team to arrive at the tower." Kakashi congratulates them.

"Thanks Sensei!" They say together. They then explain to Kakashi what happened in the forest.

"That is concerning. I will warn the Hokage. You guys just worry about the exam." Kakashi reassures. Kakashi then leads them into the tower and to the waiting room. When they arrive, they see Gaara and his team already there. Kurama, now awake, notices something up with Gaara.

'Kit, that guy over there is a Jinchuriki just like you.' Kurama says.

'Oh, really, I thought he had a familiar feel to him. Do you know which Tailed Beast he has sealed into him?' Naruto asks.

'He has the One-Tailed, Shukaku. He can be a little wild at times.' Kurama explains with a tired sigh. Just thinking/talking about Shukaku makes him tired. While Naruto and Kurama were having their conversation, Gaara and Shukaku were having their own.

'Well, what do you know? One of my brethren is here.' Shukaku comments.

'Oh, who?' Gaara asks looking around.

'The blonde and if I'm right, which I always am, the kid has the Kyubi, Kurama sealed inside of him.' Shukaku explains. That makes Gaara even more interested in Naruto. Kurama and Shukaku then tense up.

'No…" Shukaku trails off.

'Way…" Kurama finishes.

'What's up?' Naruto asks.

'What's wrong?' Gaara asks.

'There's another Jinchuriki here!' They say as one. Naruto and Gaara straighten up and look at the team that just walked in.

'Who?' Naruto asks while looking over the team.

'The one in the blue kimono blowing the bubbles out of that pipe.' Kurama says.

'He has the Six-Tailed, Saiken sealed into him.' Shukaku continues. The boy looks over at Naruto and Gaara and nods his head at them in comradeship. Naruto and Gaara nod back.

'Well, this exam just keeps getting more and more interesting.' Naruto thinks as more teams arrive. When all of the teams have arrived, they were lead to this open arena room. Naruto saw the Hokage, all of the Jonin teachers, Anko, Ibiki, and Kabuto.

"I'm hungry." Choji complains.

"There's still this many people left? How troublesome." Shikamaru sighs.

"It's seems all of the Rookie Nine passed." Ino comments.

"Your team is pretty good, Kakashi-koi." Gai comments.

"Your team is not too bad either." Kakashi responds.

'So that's Gai-sensei's eternal rival and lover.' TenTen thinks.

'Just as accepted, Naruto-ototo to be here.' Anko thinks with a proud grin.

'Great job for making it this far, Naruto-ototo.' Kabuto thinks also proud of his little brother.

'So this many remain… And most of them are new. No wonder why they recommend them.' Hiruzen thinks while looking at the Jonin teachers.

"We will now have an explanation of the Third Exam from Hokage-sama. Everyone listen well. Hokage-sama, please do the honors." Anko says. Hiruzen steps forward and clears his throat.

"The Third Exam will begin. But before the explanation, there's one thing I want to make clear to all of you. It's about the true purpose of this exam. Why we do a joint exam with the allied nations. "To maintain good relations with the allied nations" and "heighten the level of the shinobi"… Do not let those reasons deceive you. This "exam", so to speak, is… The epitome of a war between the allied nations." Hiruzen explains.

"What do you mean?" TenTen asks.

"If we go back through history, the allied nations right now were… Neighboring countries that have fought each other over and over again. To avoid wasting military power, those countries decided to choose a place to fight… That is the beginning of the Chunin Selection Exam." Hiruzen continues.

"Why do we have to do that? We're not doing this to select Chunins?" Lee questions.

"Yes, this Exam does examine those who are worthy of the Chunin title. But, on the other hand, it's also a place where shinobi fight and carry their country's dignity." Hiruzen answers.

"Country's dignity?" TenTen asks.

"In this Third Exam, feudal lords and famous people from various countries who may be potential clients are invited here as guests. And feudal lords from countries with hidden villages and shinobi leaders will see your battles. If there's a significant difference in power, the strong country will be flooded with jobs. If a country is seen as weak, their jobs will decrease. And at the same time, countries are able to show how their village has grown and possess excellent military power to the adjacent countries. In other words, they can put foreign pressure on them." Hiruzen continues.

"So why do we have to fight with the risk of losing our lives?" Kiba demands.

"A country's power is the village's power. A village's power is the shinobi's power. And a shinobi's true power is only born in life or death battle. This Exam is also a place to show off the shinobi power of one's country. Since this is an exam where you fight with your life on the line, it has a meaning… And your predecessors have fought and dreamed of being in the Chunin Exam because of it." Hiruzen answers.

"But why do you say it is to promote good relations?" TenTen asks.

"I told you at the beginning to not get it confused with that. The custom of shaving one's life and fighting to maintain balance… That is the good relations in the world of shinobi. This is a life-or-death battle for your dream and village's dignity." Hiruzen explains.

"I don't care. Get onto the rules of this life-or-death battle." Dosu demands.

"Then I will now begin the explanation of the Third Exam, but…" Hiruzen is interrupted by a Jonin jumping down from the ceiling.

"Excuse me, Hokage-sama. I, Hayate Gekko, the judge, will explain." The Jonin, Hayate says.

"Please do." Hiruzen says.

"Everyone, it's nice to meet you. Everyone, before the Third Exam. There's something I want you to do… Fight in some preliminary matches to see who gets to advance the Third Exam's main battle." Hayate explains.

"Preliminary matches? What do you mean?" Shikamaru asks.

"In this case, it must have been because the First and Second Exams were too easy, I don't know… But there are too many examinees left. According to Chunin regulations, we must decrease the number of participants for the Third Exam. As previously mentioned by Hokage-sama, there are many guests for the Third Exam, so… We cannot just have a lot of matches. We are limited on time, as well. So, those who aren't feeling well… If anyone wants to quit after hearing the explanation… Please let me know. The preliminary matches will begin immediately." Hayate explains.

"Immediately?!" Kiba yells.

"But we just got through the Second Exam…" Ino says.

"How troublesome." Shikamaru mutters.

"What? What about my meal?" Choji complains.

"I forgot to mention this, but you will have one-on-one matches from here on out. So, please withdraw if you wish." Hayate says.

Nobody drops out.

"Then, let's begin the preliminary matches. It will be one-on-one match. In other words, it will be like real combat. Now since we have exactly 22 people, we will have 12 matches… And the winners will be able to advance to the Third Exam. There are no rules. You will fight until the other person dies, is knocked out, or admits defeat. If you do not want to die, please give up immediately. However, if I judge the match is over… I may stop you to prevent any unnecessary deaths. The thing that will hold your destiny… Will be this." He points to the screen on the wall behind him. "This electric bulletin board will randomly display the names of two fighters for each match. Without further ado, I will now display the names for the first match." Hayate explains. The board randomizes the names then reveals…

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Haku.

Sasuke stepped out into the ring facing off against a pretty boy. "Just so you know I have no qualms with hitting a woman." He took a fighting stance.

"I'm a man." Sasuke froze, and everyone in attendance sweat dropped. "And don't worry I have no problem kicking your ass."

"Begin!" Sasuke rushed in with a kunai, only it to be blocked by Haku's needle.

"I know all about you Uchiha's and your Kekkei Genkai I won't be holding back." using one hand he began weaving seals.

'One hand seals?'

"Sasuke get away!"

"Too late!" Ice mirrors surrounded the Uchiha.

"Damn!" Haku jumped back and passed into the mirror. Reflections appeared round and round and Sasuke found himself surrounded.

"Let us begin!" a barrage of needles rained down upon Sasuke. At first he tried to dodge, but soon was overcome by the needles.

"Sasuke!" the Nin rose up, his Sharingan activated.

"The legendary Sharingan, I will not lose!" He dove between the mirrors, letting the rain of needles fall once again. Sasuke saw it all, watching his every movement.

'Just one more…' He dodged the most of the needles, and blocked the ones he couldn't. His eyes spun, and as soon as Haku ventured out of his mirror Sasuke struck giving the pretty boy a punch to the face. Haku countered with a kick and knocked Sasuke to the ground and he slipped back into the mirror.

Sasuke smirked. He knew which mirror to strike this time. With a quick weave of signs he built up his fire chakra. He tossed some wire and had it coil around the mirror keeping Haku trapped inside. He bit the wire and launched a torrent of flames towards the mirror. "Damn it!" the mirror shattered and was blasted by the flames.

His clothing burned up, and Haku landed buck naked. "Huh guess you weren't lying you really are a guy."

"Winner, Sasuke Uchiha!" Hayate announces blushing a little at Haku's nakedness.

Haku blushed and tried to cover himself. His sensei jumps down and puts a blanket over him. His sensei then picks him up bridle style and takes him to get new clothes.

"The next fight is…" Hayate says as the board starts randomizing the names again. The board stops. The next fight is…

Shino vs. Zaku (The fight goes the same way like in the anime)

"Winner, Shino Aburame!" Hayate announces. The board randomizes the names again. The board stops. The next fight is…

Utakata vs. Kankuro