Disclamer: If I actually owned Naruto, he would be a badass in the cannon. The Ocs I do own ARE badass.
Vote poll: It's still open guys, and last time I checked I have had 20 unique votes. Choice one is currently winning with choice three at a close second. Keep it up guys, the poll will close in two chapters.
Vote details are at the top of chapter 12.
A/N: I just realized that when I did that trick for the last chapter, I lost all accents on the letters for techniques. This time you will see the accents.
Now on to the fic.
–
Chapter 15: End of preliminaries
"Naruto-san. Hinata-chan." Kurenai said as the two approached her. "You're late." They were back in the room for the fights. "The matches will be starting in 1 minute I told you to be here 4 minutes ago."
Naruto chuckled nervously. "Uh, sorry about that. This tower is like a maze in certain parts."
Kurenai sighed. "Well, at least you made it before the fights."
Naruto chuckled again, and sat down against the wall. Hinata joined him. "Hey, Hinata-chan."
"Yes, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked.
"How did you manage to get your enemy into the air? All you did was pulse some chakra." Naruto asked.
Hinata giggled. "That's easy. I pushed some chakra under his feet. The chakra acted like a repellent, and sent him back up to the surface. I grabbed his shoulder when he was in range, and threw him up."
"Oh, I guess I didn't see that part." Naruto said. "Still, I loved that technique. It's somewhat similar to mine."
"Not really. Yours makes a field of impact energy a split millisecond after you punch, mine creates a wave of chakra, and flies through the enemy. Another difference is distance. I noticed that with yours you can be... 5 feet was it?"
"Yeah."
"Mine has to be 3 inches at most. Any farther and the technique wont do the damage necessary." Hinata says.
"So, you're still a close range fighter?" Naruto asked.
"Pretty much." Hinata said. "But I'm working on a new technique. Hopefully it will be ready for the third exam."
A cough was heard, and everyone turned their attention to the proctor. "Okay, the rest period is up."
Naruto looked around. The room was repaired, and even the hole in the wall was gone.
"Can I have the next match please?" The proctor asked.
All present looked to the board. It started to spin, and after about 30 seconds of long anticipation the board stopped.
"Oboro v. Uchiha Sasuke"
"About damn time." Oboro said as he disappeared into the wall behind him, and reappeared on the floor.
"Good luck, Sasuke-kun." Sakura cooed.
At that Sasuke smiled. A puppy died. "I don't need luck."
"OH, SOOO cool." Sakura said.
"Go get him, Sasuke-kun!" Ino yelled out.
"Yeah, Sasuke-kun rules!" Sakura yelled out.
Naruto held his hands up to his face. "BOO! Sasuke sucks! He's a prick! Get him off the stage! We want Naruto!" He felt everyone staring at him. "What?"
The Hokage chuckled. 'I knew that prankster side didn't die.'
Hinata giggled. "Silly."
Both Sakura and Ino predictably went "BAKA!" and then looked at their idol.
Sasuke went "Hn." And got into place on the floor.
"Are both contestants ready?" Hayate asked.
Oboro nodded, but Sasuke stayed stagnant.
"HAJIME!"
Sasuke leaped back, and then pulled out three kunai.
He already knew the trick that this boy's allies used, but he wasn't going to let his guard down about that. He activated his Sharingan.
A second later, Sasuke fell to the floor.
Naruto deadpanned. "I told you, but did anyone listen? Noooo."
Sasuke gripped his shoulder, and then deactivated his Sharingan. 'I can't use my copy wheel eye here. This damned mark on my shoulder keeps acting up.' Sasuke thought. He stood back up, and then went to look at his opponent. He knew that wasn't the real one, so he started to look around.
A kunai went into his back. He turned around, and threw them quickly, missing the enemy in the floor by just a little. Sasuke smiled. He activated his Sharingan for a split second to see the enemy's technique. He smiled, and then deactivated them quickly before he could get hurt.
Sasuke looked around slowly, suddenly a cry was let out.
Everyone's gaze turned to see the Ame shinobi laying on the floor with a kunai in his back. The shinobi quickly pulled off a hand sign, and disappeared into the floor.
After a few seconds of silence, and Sasuke just standing there, a crash was heard, and the audience looked back to near the hokage. On the floor at his feet was Sasuke holding down the other shinobi, and a kunai to his neck. "Give up."
"H-how did you get me? You didn't move at all!" The Ame shinobi said.
"You're not the only one who can sneak underground. I copied your technique, and then used it against you. I put a bunshin in place so as to alert you."
"Fine, I forfeit." The shinobi said.
"Winner by forfeit Uchiha Sasuke." The proctor called out.
"Go Sasuke-kun!" The two moro- Uh, I mean idio- Uh... fangirls. Yeah, that's right. That makes perfect sense.
"I knew you could do it!" Ino said.
"You're awesome, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura chanted.
"BOO! He SUCKS! He couldn't beat the enemy without copying! He SUCKS!" Naruto felt the stares again. "What?"
"BAKA!" Both of the fangirls run up to him and hit him.
"Ow! Just for that, I'm pulling a prank on Sasuke!" He snapped his fingers.
"YEOW!" Sasuke yelled out. Sasuke was pulled into the air... by his poke-dotted underwear. A small metal hook was attached to the rim of his undies, and a wire going up to the ceiling. On the ceiling was Kina pushing on a seal.
The fox chuckled, and went back down to Naruto. "Genius, Naruto-kun. You distracted everyone with your booing, and you attached a metal hook to his underwear before the match even started. After the match ended, you created a seal on the roof, and a wire hooked up to the metal hook. You're getting better and better at sneaking around you little fox." Kina laughed mentally.
"I only learn from the best." Naruto said back.
Several reactions happened to this. One, the two fangirls had a nosebleed. Two, several people, including the hokage and the proctor laughed. Three, all foreign ninjas secretly noted not to piss Naruto off.
Once the laughter died down, and Sasuke cutting the metal wire off, secretly vowing to kill Naruto, the proctor coughed a bit, and then asked, "Can I have the next match please?"
'Only Ino, and chouji are left from konoha. The other two are Temari, and that last sound ninja.' Naruto mental counted people off.
The board stopped.
"Abumi Zaku v. Akamichi Chouji."
Naruto smiled. "Go Chouji!"
Ino yelled out as well. "Yeah, Go Chouji! Show that sound shinobi who's boss around here!"
Both Chouji and Shikamaru both sighed mentally. 'With your bossy attitude, you might as well kill everyone here with that screechy voice.' Shikamaru thought.
"I get to fight! Finally!" Zaku said, and jumped down. Both of his arms were in slings. He looked at his opponent. "What? I have to fight this lardo?"
Ever Konoha shinobi tensed. Even Sasuke.
"What did you call me?" Chouji asked in a low tone.
"I just called you fat. What are you going to do about that?" Zaku said.
Naruto shook his head. 'Dead man walking.'
"Are both contestants ready?" The proctor asked. Chouji just stared silently, while Zaku nodded happily, completely unware of the doom to come.
"HAJIME!"
"Bubun Baika no Jutsu"(Partial expansion justu) BAM!
One second Zaku was standing getting ready to charge, the next he's in a crater in the wall. "Did anyone get the number on that fist?" He said deliriously.
"Nikudan Sensha!" (Human bullet tank) Chouji called out, and slammed into his opponent.
Everyone cringed. The poor sound shinobi was first hit into the wall by an enlarged fist from chouji. Now he was rammed into the wall again by the Akamichi's most destructive technique.
Naruto slowly shook his head. "You piss of an Akamichi, you might as well just run. Whatever is left of that sound shinobi will probably be a pulp."
After a dead silence, Chouji deflated his technique, and walked back from his work.
The proctor walked up to the crater in the wall. The proctor cringed, but stuck his hand in. Everybody waited in silence. The proctor shook his head. "Winner by knock out Akamichi Chouji."
All foreign shinobi silent added Akamichi to the "Do not piss off" list.
Chouji walked back up to his place by Shikamaru. "I'm not fat. I'm big-boned." Chouji steamed.
"And a good friend." Shikamaru said lazily. He always knew how to defuse the Akamichi.
"Thanks." Chouji's voice sounded lighter. He looked back to the floor.
Several medics had come into the room, and were peeling the almost dead sound shinobi out of the wall. "How bad is he?" The proctor asked after they checked the idio- Uh, I mean unfortunate victim.
The medics sighed. "We thought the ones done in by Hinata and Naruto was bad, but this is worse. All of his major organs are damaged to some extent. A lot of his bones are destroyed as well. He will live... but no longer as a shinobi."
The proctor walked back out to the middle of the floor. "The sound shinobi lives... barely."
Chouji sighed in relief. Yes, he wanted to hurt the enemy, but not kill him. "Glad that's over." Chouji said.
The proctor looked at the final two opponents. "Will the final two, please come down here?"
Temari got up, and walked down do the floor. Ino did as well. "Alright, It's my turn now!" Ino yelled out.
Both blondes stared at each other.
"Are both contestants ready?" The proctor asked.
Both nod.
"HAJIME!"
Ino jumps back, and throws a couple of kunai at Temari. They both missed. "What?" She threw two more.
Tenten watched the kunai's path. 'They're both on path. Ino has a good throwing hand. Why are they changing paths? There's no wind in her- Oooooh, I get it.' She said mentally.
"Fine if those wont work." Ino said, and charged Temari. She knew enough taijutsu to fight an enemy on.
Suddenly she was thrown back. Ino sat up, and looked to see that Temari hadn't moved at all, but her fan was partially open.
"You see this?" Temari said as she brought her fan forward. "There is one moon now. When you see three, you will be defeated."
Ino saw this as a real threat. If she couldn't get close, and her kunai throwing was off for some reason, how was she going to defeat her?
Ino thought it over for a second and smiled. She brought her hands up into a strangle sign.
"Ah, Shikamaru? Get off your butt and look at this." Chouji said to Shikamaru.
He got up, and looked down to see the battle. "Ugh. What is she thinking?"
"I don't know."
Temari was confused. Ino had brought her hands up into a strange formation. A circle was made by two of her fingers and thumbs. The rest of her hands were fanned out.
"Shintenshin no Jutsu!"(Mind-body switch technique) Ino called out, and a spring sound was heard.
Temari dodged. Ino slumped to the floor. Temari slowly walked up to the konoha blonde. "Stupid girl. I know all about the Yamanaka family." She was now two steps from from the girl.
Suddenly Ino lunged for Temari's throat. Temari backed up quickly and activated her wind technique. 'She pretended! Stupdi stupid stupid! I should have remember never to trust a down ninja!' She hit herself mentally, and swung her fan in a powerful arc. A second moon appeared.
Ino was hit by the fan in a solid impact. Ino was thrown to the side, but not before managing to plunge a couple of kunai into the Suna Kunoichi's body.
Temari quickly assessed her wounds. One in the right shoulder, and the other in her side near the lower left ribs. She breathed lightly, as breathing deeply would hurt her. "You stupid bitch!" She yelled out, and swung her fan with her good arm.
Unfortunately for Ino, Temari is left handed.
A third moon appeared on the fan as wind technique spewed out as the fan waved. "Kamaitachi no Jutsu!"(Sickel weasel jutsu!)
A gust of wind hit Ino dead on. Her body was sliced up as Temari walked to the center of the room. Temari folded her fan up, and slammed it into the ground. Ino landed on top of it, her clothes barely holding on.
The proctor watched it all, and decided that Ino couldn't continue... and that she would be in back pain for a while. "Winner by knock out Sabaku no Temari."
"Would all of the winning contestants please come down?" The proctor asked. A couple of medics cam out, and took Ino to the back rooms. Temari stood where she was, and took out the kunai. A medic came by and patched her up. She was told not to move the arm for two weeks, and was to go to the hospital in town to get the bandages changed in three days.
Kiba, Yoroi, Mubi, Shikamaru, Tenten, Lee, Gaara, Hinata, Naruto, Sasuke, Chouji, and Temari all lined up on the floor.
"First off, Congratulations on passing the preliminaries. You have all done well so far. Secondly, we must now pick out how the match ups for the third exam will begin." The proctor said.
"Before you go on, Hayate-san, may I say something?" and old voice asked.
"Of course, Hokage-sama." The proctor stood to the side as the Hokage came forward.
"There is one last thing you should all know. The winner of this tournament will not automatically become a chuunin. And someone who loses in the first round could become a chuunin." The hokage said. "In short, all or none of you could be selected for promotion. It all comes down to how you prove yourselves to be a chuunin."
The room was silent. The message was clear. Go all out every battle, and fight smartly every time. Or else.
"Now, Anko-san. If you please?" The proctor asked.
Anko came forward with a box.
"In this box are random balls. There are rules about this. Do not switch out any numbers, do not cheat, do not try to gain a favorable number. We will know if you do, and you will be automatically disqualified." The proctor said. He motioned Naruto to start, and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.
Naruto walked up, stuck his hand in, and pulled out a ball with a number on it. He called it out. "9."
Hinata. "3."
Sasuke. "10."
Chouji. "7."
Mubi. "1."
Gaara. "11."
Lee. "8."
Shikamaru. "5."
Tenten. "2."
Yoroi. "12."
Kiba. "4."
"That leaves Sabaku no Temari as number 6." Anko said.
The proctor finished writing something down on the paper. "Okay this is how it will go.
Amegakure no Mubi v. Higurashi Tenten.
Hyuuga Hinata v. Inuzuka Kiba.
Nara Shikamaru v. Sabaku no Temari.
Akimichi Chouji v. Rock Lee.
Uzumaki Naruto v. Uchiha Sasuke.
Sabaku no Gaara v. Yoroi Akadō.
Any questions?" The proctor asked. No one raised any hands or opened any mouths. "Then report to the Konoha stadium in one months time for the final exam. Please use the boat ferry just outside of this tower to get back to the town."
–
Kurenai found her team on the ferry ride back. "Hello you three." Kurenai said.
"Hello, Kurenai-sensei." They all said at the same time. Naruto spoke up then, "What do you need Kurenai-sensei?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I'll be working on Shino's taijutsu while you're working on your on techniques. I know you want to help him, but right now you have to focus on the third exam." Kurenai said.
"I will appreciate that, Kurenai-sensei." Shino said.
Naruto looked at Kurenai. "Not to be offensive, but aren't you a genjutsu mistress?"
"Yes, but in order to be a jounin you have to be jounin level in multiple areas. What do you think my second area was in?" Kurenai said with a smile.
"Taijutsu?" Hinata said.
"Exactly. And my third area was in kenjutsu."
"Sword play?" Naruto clarified. She nodded. "Then where are you're swords?"
She smiled. "Kunoichi never reveal their secrets."
"Fair enough." Naruto sighed. "Just tell me you aren't a Togatta."
"I'm not a Togatta." Kurenai said. "Though I have been asked -multiple times, mind you- to join them."
"They've all gotten a bit more forward. Hell, I think Tenten might be a second Anko." Naruto said.
"Anko?" Hinata asked.
"You don't know her?"
"No, I know she was our second proctor, but other then that, I don't know her all to well." Hinata said.
"Well, to describe her in three words. Senbon, Dango, Scary." Naruto said. "That pretty much sums her up."
"She doesn't sound so bad... except for the scary part." Hinata said. "Maybe I'll have to meet her."
"NO!" Both Kurenai and Naruto said at the same time. Anko had a way of changing people to their darker sides, and with Hinata being very impressionable...
"Anyways, I wish you both luck in your training. I want to see both of you in the final three." Kurenai said. She walked away. "Shino, come with me." She said. Shino got up.
"I'll see you two later?"
"Sure."
Naruto sat there for a moment, and then suddenly asked. "What does she mean by final three?" Naruto asked.
"No clue, but since we are on different branches, we could only fight in the end. That means we have to beat everyone in the way." Hinata said.
Naruto smiled. "Then let's make a promise. A promise to fight well, make it to the end, and then go all out."
"Promise!" And she held up a pinky. Naruto took it in his own pinky.
"Promise! And I never break my promise." Naruto said.
Elsewhere on the boat ride
Ino and Sakura were off to the side. To say they were sad that they lost was an understatement. They were hugging each other and crying over it.
"But I wanted to become a chuunin with Sasuke-kun!" They both cried.
Elsewhere on the boat ride.
Akamaru yipped happily. "We finally get to ask mom for those scrolls." Kiba said. "Now we can train in the secret arts of the Inuzuka clan."
Akamaru yipped once more. He was happy his owner was happy, and, secretly, learning knew things.
Elsewhere on the boat ride.
Shikamaru was lazy sitting back, and watching things float by. His friend chouji was busy eating a bag of chips.
"So, what are you going to do for the exam, Shikamaru?" Chouji asked.
"I think cloud gazing." Shikamaru said. "It's too troublesome to do much else. 'Sides, you know I just want an average life. Average family. Average wife."
"You mean like your mom?" Chouji teased.
"Hell no. She's a troublesome blonde, and I don't think I'll ever marry a blonde. They're so troublesome." Shikamaru said.
"Whatever you say." Chouji said.
Elsewhere on the boat ride.
Temari was sitting with her brothers when she sneezed.
"You okay sis?" Kankuro asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a tickle in my nose." Temari said. "I wish it wasn't so cold here in konoha."
"Same. I miss the desert." Knakuro said.
"Hmm." was all Gaara said.
–
Naruto finally made it back to his personal training ground. "Phew, it's nice to be back."
"Welcome back, Naruto-san." Nelrim's voice echoed before he showed up on his favorite spot on a rock. "Kina, Jiraiya, and I have a special training session this month."
"Please save it for tomorrow. Right now, I'm a bit tired." Naruto said.
"I was going to give you a day off today anyways. We just wanted to tell you what you're in for. First off, you will be finishing up step 3 of MK faster then anyone else in history. Second, you will finish the last step of rasengan. It might even only take you a day or two for that, since you seem very close."
"A few hundred balloons, and I might." Naruto said frustrated. He had finished the first and second steps in a day.
Flashback
"Okay, gaki." Jiraiya said. "The first step to the rasengan is spinning." He held up a balloon, and performed the necessary action. The water balloon burst after a second. "You must learn to spin the chakra in one hand." He threw a balloon at Naruto. "Now, I'll come back in a bit-"
Pop.
"How did you do it so fast?" Jiraiya was dumbfounded.
"Well, it's somewhat similar to my training to work up to MK. I had to move leaves in different directions. The same applied here. I had to move water in different directions." Naruto said.
"How did you know which way to turn though?" Jiraiya asked. "Most people don't."
"Turn which way?" Naruto asked. "What do you mean?"
Jiraiya sighed. He walked up to Naruto. "Which way did you turn it?" And he put his hand on Naruto's head."
"Um, mostly to the left." Naruto said.
"Weird, you're chakra spins to the right." Jiraiya said. "Try spinning it to the right this time."
The balloon popped faster then last time. "Wow, that was surprisingly easier. I had to force it last time."
"That was the whole point to the first step. Learning to spin in the correct direction, and in multiple directions. Now, since it seems you beat both me and Kakashi in the first step time period, I'll give you the next step." Jiraiya said. He held out a rubber ball. "The second step is power." And the ball exploded in his hand.
Naruto smiled. "Let me try." Jiraiya smiled, and tossed the hanyou a rubber ball.
"Good thing I stocked up in town, but what will I do with all these extra water balloons?" Jiraiya said.
"Oh, oh! Can I have them?" Naruto said as he tested the weight of the rubber ball.
"Sure, but what are you going to use them for?" Jiraiya said.
Naruto smiled innocently. "You'll have to see later. Anyways, the second step is power, right?" Naruto held up his hand, and added a lot of chakra to the ball, and spun it like in the water balloon.
KABOOM!
The rubber ball exploded from the amount of chakra Naruto used. Naruto shook his hand. He had been blown back several feet, as had Jiraiya. He wasn't expecting that.
"How the hell did you do that? It took me an entire month to blow that rubber ball!" Jiraiya said.
"Simple step 1 of MK makes me learn how to channel, concentrate, and release large amounts of chakra at will. This was somewhat similar, only I had to add a spin to it." Naruto said.
Jiraiya sighed. "Fine, since you beat the first two, in record time, might I add, I'll give you step three. There is NO WAY you'll beat this step in one day, as it took me 2 full months to learn this step." He held up a balloon, and... nothing happened.
"Uh, am I missing something?" Naruto said.
"Here, I'll perform what I'm doing on my other hand." Jiraiya said. He held up his other hand, and a bright blue ball formed on it. "The final step to rasengan is form. This is the highest level of chakra shaping that I know of. If you can complete this step, you'll have completed the rasengan."
Naruto was dazzled by the light. This was the first time he had seen the rasengan completed. "Alright, sounds like a challenge. I'll beat this in less then 2 months then."
End flashback
And he still hasn't figured out how to do that.
"Whatever, you'll do it. You're already performing the impossible by learning the MK so fast, you can do this, too." Nelrim said.
That brightened Naruto's spirit a little.
"Now, the third thing we will work on this month. Do you know about advanced chakra manipulation?"
Naruto wracked his brain for an answer, but nothing came up.
Nelrim sighed. "Of course not, you really didn't pay attention to much in the academy. Alright, from the beginning there are two versions of advanced chakra manipulation. The first version is what you're doing now with the rasengan, which is chakra shape. Making a literal shape out of pure chakra. The second version is elemental chakra."
"I've heard of that before." Naruto said.
"Now, you've seen it before. Remember the Suna girl, Temari?" Naruto nodded. "Well, she's completed her wind manipulation training. She can use wind as if it was second nature to her."
"So, the whole point about elemental training is to?"
Nelrim sighed. "It's to make all of your elemental attacks even stronger. You already know what your affinities are, but until you complete your elemental training, I'm afraid that those techniques you got from the hokage will be next to useless."
"Oh."
"So rest up. Tomorrow you have a big day." Nelrim disappeared.
Naruto decided he needed to visit the hot springs.
–
Naruto checked the girls side to make sure that Jiraiya wasn't peeping. He didn't want another hot springs trip ruined. He saw no one by the fence, and Naruto nodded.
He walked into the male's side of the springs, changed clothes, and entered the springs with only a towel on.
Naruto thought back over what happened on the chuunin exams so far.
He had successfully made a seal to cheat on a test. He had broken the record for the fastest team to beat the forest of death challenge. He had beaten a sound ninja into pulp.
Naruto looked down to the water.
He had found out who his father was.
Naruto was happy he had finally found out about his parents. He learned all he could from Jiraiya about his mother, and someday he hopped to learn more about his father.
Naruto put a hand on his scare.
"I failed that mission the moment you got that gash on your neck."
The third said those very words to Naruto. The old man looked really sad when he had said that.
Naruto's thoughts moved on. 'What else happened on that trip?'
Naruto blushed a little.
He kissed Hinata.
Truly, Naruto didn't know what to think of the girl. She was one of the first to look out for him. She was a sweet girl. He smile was pleasant. She had a great attitude. She was one of his real friends.
So what were these fuzzy feelings he was having?
Naruto mulled it over.
–
"I thank you all for coming." Sarutobi said as he sat down at a round table. He looked up to see who was sitting there.
Hyuuga Hiashi. A man with a stoic personality. He was the head of the Hyuuga clan. His pale eyes, and brown hair was the perfect example of a Hyuuga. The man was feared across the known world, and has been seen mercilessly killing his enemies. He was a man few would dare cross.
Inuzuka Tsume. Current head of the Inuzuka clan. She was a mystery to the hokage. One moment, she could be happy, swift, and carefree. The next, she was dangerous, and cold. The woman had the markings of an Inuzuka, meaning the red marks on her cheeks. Her wild brown hair was a common trait among the Inuzuka. Her eyes had a way of always telling you what her mood was, and right now, she was in her dark and dangerous mood.
Akimichi Choza. Leader of the Akimichi clan. The Akimichi clan was different, as the leader is always chosen by strength, not status. Thus, leader was a proper term. The man had the 'big-boned' trait that usually shows up in all Akimichi, due to the excessive amount of energy needed for their techniques. He had long wild red hair, and the leader marks on his face.
Yamanaka Inoichi. The only heir to the Yamanaka clan. His hair was a dirty orange, and had a bright personality. He was dedicated to his duties, and a good thing to. He was just under Ibiki in the torture and interrogations department.
Hawk. Much was unknown about him outside of the ANBU. He was the current head of the entire ANBU division, and was known as one of the best battle leaders in the world. The man had dark, tamed hair. His Hawk mask was a white base with red markings on it.
Raccoon. Another ANBU. This one was the leader of the assassination and information gathering squad. Again, like all ANBU, not much was known about him. The only fact they know is that if the man didn't want to be seen, well, let's just say his enemies never even knew about him. His mask had a black base to it with white markings. His black hair was pulled into a low ponytail.
Nara Shikaku. The laziest genius the hokage has ever known. The man could come up with 20 different ways to kill you with a piece of string, a piece of tissue paper, and a stick. Probably more then that even. The man was also a drunken fist master, but unlike most, the man could control himself. The man had the same hairstyle as his son, Shikamaru. Currently, the man was looking half dead, as he fought back a yawn.
Higurashi Shozen. The current head of the weapons division in Konoha. The Higurashi clan has always been known for their abilities to make good weapons, and make good weapons better. They had a unique set of sealing techniques that could not be dismantled. The man had on a Chinese style martial arts outfit that had been dyed with red as the main color, and blue as secondary. He had shoulder length brown hair, and a defiant twinkle in his brown eyes. His appearance made him look to be mid thirties.
Morino Ibiki. Head of the ANBU torture and interrogations department. The man was large, and his face made you seem insignificant. The man had a cold expression on his face. He didn't show emotions much.
Hatake Kakashi. Leader of the jounin division. He was a laid back man, but he knew when a situation was serious. Kakashi was never late for a life or death situation. As the leader of the jounin division, Kakashi had to know when and where all konoha jounin will be at any given moment. Even on missions. It's a hard job to do, as jounins are skilled in stealth.
Inuzuka Hana. Leader of the chuunin division. She, like her mother, was a wild and dangerous individual, but could have a surprisingly cool head for an Inuzuka. She also takes care of three nin dogs known as the 'triplets', highly unusual for the clan. As the leader of the chuunin division, she had to be up to date on all of their missions and whereabouts.
Umino Iruka. Leader of the genin and academy divisions. Iruka, as the leader of these divisions was in charge of all civilian safety protocols, as well as know which academy students were okay to go on to shinobi or kunoichi status. Sarutobi knew of the man's dark past.
Finally, Moukai Iruzo. The head of the medical division in Konoha. The man was of an indifference attitude. Always looking for better ways to save people was his main goal. He had on a pair of glasses that held close to his eyes. He had dark brown streaked blond hair that was brushed back. His eyes were steel blue. When people stared into his eyes, they swore they saw nothing. His appearance made him looked to be mid forties.
"I assume you have all read the reports on the table in front of you?" They had all nodded. "Good. Now, let's discuss 'Operation: Eagle.'"
–
The sun rose the next day.
Naruto yawned loudly. He smacked his lips, and got out of bed. He stepped over several wires, and traps laid all over the floor, and got the milk out of his refrigerator. He popped it open, and took several gulps.
"Ah, nothing like a gulp of milk in the morning to wake you up." Naruto said. He walked passed a bunch of trap wires and sealed explosives, and made it to the bathroom. He started the shower, let it get warm, and took a nice long wake shower. After all the shampoo scrubbing was done, he got out, went passed the traps once more, got dressed for the day in his usual black clothing, and went back to the kitchen. He ate several bowls of cold cereal. After he cleaned his place, he put on his kunai and shuriken pouches, grabbed his backpack, and left out the front door.
A tick mark appeared on Kina's head. "Goddamn ruts."
–
Naruto appeared at his usual training ground. "Hello, everyone."
"Hello, Naruto." Nelrim said. "Have a nice sleep?"
"You bet. Even all the pranks in the world couldn't get me today." Naruto said happily. Just as he said that, several gallons of green glop was pored onto his head. "Goddammit."
"That's what you get for being arrogant." Nelrim said. He chuckled a little. "Kina got you good."
Naruto sighed. "I'll go get changed." A few minutes later, he was all clean. "I swear I go through my clothes faster then anyone else in this whole village."
"Now don't say that. The ANBU are pranked just as much as you are. If not, more so." Nelrim said. "Remember the time they all turned purple and green?"
"Ouch, okay yea, they go through more maybe." Naruto said. "Anyways, you said I would be starting elemental training today?"
"Yes, quite so. We'll only start one at a time though. First off is your family's main element. Wind." Nelrim said.
"Okay, so what do I do to train that?" Naruto said.
"Well, you'll be learning it in two different ways. The first way is how people learned about wind in the first place. The second is how the Suna do it." Nelrim said.
"Okay, that makes a lot of sense. I mean what difference is there?" Naruto said sarcastically.
"Actually a ton. You see, back in the days of the sage of six paths, no one knew what even chakra was. Now, we have advanced versions of it. So, how do people learn about these things?" Nelrim asked.
"I don't know, actually." Naruto said.
"To be truthful, no one does know how they found out about elemental composition. Only 3 people on this planet even know a tiny bit of the truth. Fortunately for you, I don't count as a 'person' so I know about it. Hell, I was around when they found out about chakra." Nelrim said.
"Okay, so what do I do?" Naruto asked.
"First off, you're going to create exactly 500 clones at 50 percent. Next, 250 of those will go with Kina to learn the Suna way, as she knows all about it. Meanwhile the other 250 will be coming with me." Nelrim said.
"Alright, what about me?"
"Strength and speed training." Nelrim said.
"Ah man. Anko again? She's a monster." Naruto said.
"Make the clones you pussy." Nelrim said.
"Fine." Naruto put his hands up into the infamous cross, and exactly 500 fazed into existence.
"Good job, I can see you can pull off the correct amount in large numbers." Nelrim said.
"Yeah, it's getting easier now that I know about it." Naruto said.
"Okay, half of you with me, the other half go to the river." Nelrim said.
Naruto stood in an emptied out field. He sighed. Suddenly his hand jerked up, and caught a senbon going for his temple. "You know, Anko-chan, I'm getting tired of just dodging all the time."
"I know, so I hired Tenten again." a voice called out somewhere.
At that, Naruto froze. The wind brushed by in the field for a moment, and then a large boom, as Naruto ran for his life. Maniacal laughter echoed through the forest.
–
In a heavily forested area.
Nelrim was dashing along until the forests got so thick, they couldn't see the sky. He stopped, and waited for the clones to catch up. The little prick was fast for being so small.
"Alright, you clones. Time to form up. Today you will be learning how shinobi originally learned elemental manipulation." Nelrim turned around to see them determined to learn anything new. "In order for you to understand how this will work, you need to forget all you learned about chakra. Everything. Because this goes outside of what is normally taught. You will each spread out, and find a tree for your own, but stay in hearing distance of my voice."
The clones nodded, and found a tree for their own. Nelrim's voice grew quieter and mistier as he talked. "Now, put your hand on the tree, close your eyes, and listen." He disappeared.
The clones did just that, but they didn't know what to listen to. They just kept at it though, hoping to see what he meant.
–
By the river.
"Okay you maggots. Today you will begin the Suna's version of wind manipulation. This is the hardest version out there, but the results will be more amazing in the end. I want each of you, to pick up... a rock." Kina called out.
The clones shrugged, and went to find a rock in the river. After they picked it up, they looked back to Kina. "You're going to cut this rock in half with your chakra alone."
"But, how do we do that?" Asked a clone.
Kina sighed. "How to put this. It's really hard to explain. Imagine your chakra getting thinner and sharper. Then make them collide. Like a pair of scissors."
The clones looked down at the rock in their hands. They had to cut it by making his chakra thinner, and sharper?
Some of the clones went to dry ground, and sat down to think, while others tried to imagine just that, and cut the rock.
–
Five hours later, sometime around noon. Back in the heavily forested area.
A clone finally got frustrated. "GAH! I don't understand! What does he mean by listen?"
"I was wondering about that, too." clone number 2 said.
A loud scream and an explosion was heard.
Clone number 2 then sighed, "Then again, it's hard to concentrate when the boss screams like that."
Nelrim reappeared. "That's enough all of you. Come here."
"Finally." some of the clones said.
"What did you hear?" Nelrim said.
Many of the clones sweat a little, and then deadpanned.
"Nothing, eh? I was expecting that. You need to calm down. Don't focus on everything, focus on just plain listening. It isn't a specific sound you need to hear. Just listen. Take a deep breath everyone, and go back to your trees." Nelrim said.
Many of the clones nodded, and went back.
One of the clones closed his eyes, and put his hand on the tree in front of him.
Wind rustled in the leaves. There was something else. He opened his eyes, and moved to another tree. He took another deep breath, and listened once more.
Nothing this time. Just the wind rustling in the leaves. Wait, there it was.
The clone opened his eyes once more, and moved away from the group. Repeating this process until he was far out of any range of sight or sound of the other clones.
He put his hand to the tree once more.
–
The clones by the river about the same time.
Many of the clones were getting tired. They were running low on juice, and the expiration time was due any minute now.
Kina came back to the river side. "Any progrees?"
"I managed to crack my rock." A clone in the back said.
"I managed to make a nick."
"Good, that was amazing process. Everyone dispel in the usual matter." Kina said.
They nodded. They all turned to each other, and started playing games of rock paper scissors. Whoever won, dispelled. Whoever lost moved on to the next clone nearby.
Soon only one was left. He sighed. "Lost 10 games in a row." and then dispelled.
Kina giggled, and then went back to where the original Naruto was getting tortur- Uh, training.
–
Naruto was in the middle of a field. He was breathing heavily, and sweat dripped down his brow. His eyes shooting back and forth for the smallest sign of danger.
He lifted his foot up, and placed it on the ground 2 inches to the side.
200 weapons, all ranging from senbon to shuriken to swords and pics flew at Naruto from all angles.
Naruto Breathed out once. He closed his eyes, and imagined his chakra moving throughout his body. He breathed in, and then let out a yell. His arms flew out from his sides, and palms faced the forest edge. A large crater formed around Naruto. The weapons stopped in midair, and either just plain dropped, or flew backwards.
Naruto gasped a little, and dropped to one knee.
"That's enough weapon dodge training for now." Nelrim said.
"Aw." Two voices went, and dropped down from the trees. It was Anko and Tenten. "We wanted to play some more." Anko said.
"By the way, Naruto-kun, what was that last technique you did?" Tenten asked.
"Need to know basis, Tenten." Nelrim said.
Tenten pouted a little, but brightened soon after. "Fine, but I'm still waiting for your answer, Naruto-kun." And then she hopped into the trees, and left for town.
"See ya later, squirt." Anko said, and took off as well.
Naruto looked at the ground. The crater reached a radius of about 2 meters. He looked to the side, and saw many places destroyed from his MK. Part of the training was to get him used to using it, so that he could use it on instinct.
It was working...
Naruto stood up, and pulled three kunai out of his back, and a shuriken out of his arm. He bent over and took three senbon out if his shins.
… mostly.
This was also working his pain tolerance, but he swore if he wasn't getting so strong by training like this, he'd beat the shit out of Nelrim for letting those two train him.
"Naruto, we're still going to have to work on you completing step three. You're destroying too much ground, and using the Karada Joseki(Body expelling) just now almost destroyed your clothes." Nelrim said.
"Hai, hai." Naruto said. He sat down to catch his breath. He had just received memories from all of the clones by the river. "Hey, where are the clones you went with?" Naruto asked.
"Oh, here and there. They'll be training constantly until they expire." Nelrim said. "Which wont be for another 2 days."
"Ah, okay." Naruto said.
Kina appeared. "Okay, break for lunch, and meet back in an hour. You'll be continuing MK when you get back."
"Hai." Naruto said.
"Oh, and don't forget, you'll also be continuing seal training with Jiraiya as well." Kina said.
"Got it. Now, can I go eat now?" Naruto asked.
Kina and Nelrim stared at Naruto for a bit. "Go." They both said.
Naruto was off in a dash.
–
In the middle of town.
People were walking by minding their own business. Then some of them stopped, or just stared as they walked by. They saw a black trench coat wearing shinobi crawling on the ground towards Ichiruka's.
Some of the civilians thought they should help, while others thought this might be some sort of act.
No real shinobi would crawl on the ground because he was starving... right?
Kakashi was minding his own business, reading his smut in public -of which several females, both civillian and kunoichi, swore to burn it someday- when he suddenly tripped.
He landed face first into the ground.
Now that had people stopping altogether. This had to be an act. A shinobi was crawling on the ground, and a second shinobi, the famous son of the white fang, tripped over the first one.
Some of the kids nearby giggled.
Kakashi was the first to get up. He looked to his book, which he saved by holding it in midair, only to gasp. It wasn't his book. It was a book on manners.
Kakashi panicked, and search the ground, until he found Naruto. He stopped, and pulled the boy up by his hand. He poked the boy's head. "Crap he's dead. So now that I can't blame him for my missing book," He started, and threw Naruto off to the side, "I can look for my real book."
He pulled out a magnifying glass, and followed some unknown trail.
Nothing happened for the next few minutes, until Naruto giggled a little. He stood up, and held up the smut book. "Who wants to burn this?"
Several females raised their hands.
Naruto tossed the book to a kunoichi. "Have fun." And Naruto walked into Ichiruka's. If Naruto had looked back, he would have seen a very scary scene... To perverts that is.
Nearby the springs.
Jiraiya was... 'researching'. Suddenly, he felt cold, and small. Somewhere out there, one of his many books was being mutilated. A tear fell down his face.
"Ah, oh well. Such is the things in life." Jiraiya said, and then turned back to peek into the springs.
Something was wrong. All he could see was water. "Where'd all the babes go?" Jiraiya asked the air.
"Here." A female voice behind him said.
Jiraiya turned around slowly, a petrified look on his face.
Several girls were behind him, all of them wearing towels. The lead one was a blond girl who was slightly taller then Jiraiya. The girl had pigtails. She cracked her knuckles. "We were waiting for you."
Back at Ichiruka's.
"Ah, justice was served today." Naruto said, with a smug look on his face.
"Oh, how so?" Ayame asked.
"Pervert's numbers one and three got hit today." Naruto said smiling.
"What about number two?" Ayame asked.
"Oh, that's right." Naruto said. A clone popped up behind him. "Activate seal number 48 in our room."
"Got it boss." The clone said, and ran off.
Naruto turned back to the counter. "I'll order a Miso special to start." Naruto said.
"Sure, and foxy-chan here?" Ayame asked, as Kina showed up on the counter.
"She'll have the usual." Naruto said.
"One Miso special, and a tender stake to start." Ayame said, and went into the back.
5 minutes later.
"Okay, here you go." Ayame said. A big bowl was placed in front of Naruto. "What shall be the next course?"
"3 beef, and 2 shrimp." Naruto smelled the addictive fumes.
"Okay!" Ayame said.
"Wait a second, Ayame-nee-chan."
"What is it, Naruto-kun?" Ayame asked.
Naruto held his hand up to his ears, and said. "T-minus 10... 9... 8..."
In the hokage's office.
Ever since Naruto told him about shadow clones, he's been abusing it left and right. All the paper work was in the down pile of the box, and right now, the old man was enjoying a good book.
Another puff of smoke exited his mouth, as he breathed out. He enjoyed a good smoke.
He would have to thank Naruto once more for the idea. He loved all the extra time he was getting. Every time his assistant came in with work, his clones would take the paper's and shuffle through them. Of course, he had to be careful and dispel them everyone in a while.
It's barely been two days, and already he felt more relaxed then usual.
He looked back down to his book. "Okay, let's see how Tenchi gets out of this one." He giggled.
After flipping the page one more time to find out the ending to his book, a sudden bang was heard in the office. Dread filled Sarutobi's eyes.
Back at the ramen shop.
"... 2 ..1."
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" A loud yell was heard.
"And that's pervert number 2." Naruto said smiling.
"Why number them like that?" Ayame asked.
"Number 1 is the biggest pervert, and it goes down from there." Naruto said.
"So, the hokage is number 2?" Ayame asked. She recognized his voice.
"Yeap." Naruto smiled.
"Good job, then." Ayame smiled. "Is there any other perverts?"
"Yes, but those are the big three." Naruto said.
"Can you name a few?" she asked.
"Well, there are also the big three female perverts." Naruto said. "But, it's good when they do it."
"Like who?" Ayame asked, a small blush appearing on her face.
"Well, number 3 is Anko." Naruto said. "Number 2 is Tenten."
"And, who's number one?"
"Well. If I said, then that would spoil the fun." Naruto grinned.
"Just tell me." Ayame said.
"Hinata." Naruto deadpanned.
Ayame laughed. "You're kidding. That shy cutey?"
"No way. I've seen her follow me halfway through town. She isn't nearby right now, but she does follow me a lot." Naruto sighed.
Ayame laughed. "I think you're mistaking her for something else."
"Like what?" Naruto asked.
"Well, that would be telling. And a girl never tells her secrets." Ayame smirked, and then left to the kitchen.
Naruto sighed. "I'll never understand girls." He paid for his meals, and Kina's steaks, and left.
–
Back at the training ground.
"Alright Naruo." Nelrim said. "Make 100 clones, and make them go to Jiraiya by the river."
Naruto nodded, and did so.
"Okay, let's continue step 3, shall we?"
"What should we work on first?" Naruto asked. "Karada Joseki? Or Taishissou(Great dash)?"
"Neither. As I said earlier, you need to learn to expel the concentrated chakra more subtly. In other words, not destroy ground." Nelrim said.
"So how do we do that?" Naruto asked.
"This is why step three is so dangerous. You learned the beginning mechanics, but now we have to get you to learn how to make the chakra flow in a direction. Right now, you're just expelling the chakra straight outwards. What I'm about to make you do will help you angle your chakra expelling. For instance, instead of coming straight out of the bottom of your foot, it will come out from the back of your heel. But it's still using the same tenketsu." Nelrim said.
"How the hell do I do that?" Naruto asked.
Nelrim sighed. "Watch this." A small circle of water that appeared from thin air streamed around Nelrim's head. "See this water? It's flowing in a single direction. Now, observe."
A rock came up form the ground, and intersected the stream of water. The water splattered everywhere. The rock then was pulled out from the stream, and sliced in half.
"You look like you need a cool down." Nelrim said. The rock, now having a flat and smooth surface went back up into the stream of water. The rock was angled just so, so that all of it splashed into Naruto's face.
"Thanks for that, Nelrim-san." Naruto said. He was feeling a bit hot in the black clothes.
"No problem. So, did you see what I did? I used this rock to angle the water. It was still moving forward until it his the rock." Nelrim said.
"I get that much, but how does this help with learning step three?" Naruto asked.
"That you have to learn on your own. Now, have your palms face a tree." Nelrim said.
Naruto did so.
"Now, do not move your hands. Not one inch. And then make the chakra go down, instead of at the tree." Nelrim said, and then disappeared.
Naruto was thoroughly confused.
–
At the river.
"Alright you maggots. Which one of you pulled off that prank earlier?" Jiraiya asked. His arm was in a cast. He had a black eye, and the clones couldn't tell, but they thought they saw several slap marks on his face.
The clones quickly pointed at one specific clone. "He did it!"
"Ah, you guys are such swell companions." The lone pointed at clone said sarcastically.
The clone was picked up by Jiraiya. They looked at each other in the eye. Suddenly, he started poking the clone. "Weird, how did you pull off a solid transformation?"
Several clones looked at Jiraiya like he lost it. "What do you mean?" asked a clone.
"I mean, usually a henge isn't solid. But the clone I groped during all that misfit was clearly a solid girl."
Several clones looked at Jiraiya skeptically.
"And the detail to the feminine henge was outstanding. It felt like the real thing." Jiraiya said.
"Yes, and?" A clone asked.
"All this begs to a question. How much of the female anatomy do you know? And how do you know Kotai Henge no jutsu(Solid body transformation justu)?" Jiraiya asked.
"Ko-tai Henge?" a clone asked.
"What, you're seriously telling me you do a solid transformation by pure instinct?" Jiraiya asked.
The clones looked at Jiraiya like he was crazy. "Isn't that what a henge is? The boss always thought that the henge was a solid thing."
"Not really. It's a small genjutsu type ninjutsu." Jiraiya said.
"You mean a ninjutsu that could also be counted as a genjutsu?" A clone said.
"Yes. Tell me, how much training did you put into henge?" Jiraiya said.
"Well, at first it was just an illusion, but it always faltered. After a while of training, we found out that this was suddenly easier to hold." The clone explained. "We just trained at it until it became normal. We always thought everyone else just did the same thing."
"Hmm, that explains the henge. Now," Jiraiya sat down, "Please explain how you know the female anatomy so well for a 14 year old." Jiraiya stared at Naruto.
"Weeeeeeell." Several of the clones blushed a bit. "Kina had Anko help us."
"She... what?" Jiraiya looked confused.
"Well, we wanted to be able to transform into either gender, and since ours was supposed to be real, well, we wanted to make sure we didn't mess up. Sooooo." The clone started, but didn't finish.
"She seriously didn't make you do it with Anko, did she?" Jiraiya said.
"No, no no. The boss didn't do anything, except that Anko was also drunk at the time, and she would be loud unless, the boss... well um.. fondled her." the clones sighed sighed.
Jiraiya sighed. "Your father's luck must be a genetic thing. He was always lucky with the women." Jiraiya cried in a corner. How that corner got there, Naruto would never learn. Just that you don't question things when reality becomes surreal.
"Well, what about our seal training?" The clones asked.
"Ah, that's right!" Jiraiya bounced back.
"Weren't you just crying in a corner?" One clone whispered.
Jiraiya pulled out several books from his scroll. "Here ya go, tykes. Enjoy. Any questions, please come ask me." He walked off to the edge of the clearing, and sat down with his notebook out. He just got a new idea for a book.
–
Tbc..
That's it for now. I can't think of anything else to add to this chapter.
Next chapter will be the beginning of the third exam.
Ja na.
Omake: The "GET NARUTO ON OUR CLAN!" festival. Part 2.
Naruto was walking along. He had just pranked the Hokage's office three days ago, and he was hoping to get some relaxation time. Well, fate hates him at the moment... for no apparent reason.
"YOSH! NARUTO!" Gai said. "JOIN OUR YOUTHFUL CLAN OF LOGISM, AND LET YOUR YOUTH SHINE!" (Caps lock ftw)
Naruto had to cover his ears up. After the man yelled, Naruto rubbed them and said, "Sheesh. Could you yell any louder?" Only then did Naruto realize his mistake.
"YOSH! IS THIS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU!?"The earth was rumbling.
"No." Naruto said flatly, and walked off.
Gai dropped to the ground. "My youthfulness cannot change this one."
"DON'T WORRY, GAI-SENSEI!" The smaller clone of Gai came up and yelled. "I'LL CHANGE NARUTO FOR THE BETTER!"
Lee ran passed Gai, and up to Naruto. "COME JOIN US!"
Naruto turned around slowly. "And let me guess. If I don't you have to do one thousand reverse crunches?"
"NO! I'LL DO 2 THOUSAND!"
"And will Gai-sensei join you?" Naruto asked.
"YOSH! OF COURSE HE WILL!"
"Then no." Naruto said calmly, and walked off. Sometimes, a prankster has to be cruel.
Tcb?
Omake: Nelrim.
Some of you may be wondering what Nelrim does in his spare time.
Jiraiya was currently sitting in the hot springs. A giggle or two would escape his lips every once in a while.
Hovering above the man, peaking through another peep hole, was the infamous cat. A creepy giggle escape his mouth.
Some of you may be trying to ignore what you just read, others will never wonder again. Either way, this will haunt you.
End.