Foxfish
Sorry about the wicked long wait for this chapter!
Midterms hit me and after that there was no time to write, all the way up to finals, ugh!!
But that's done now and here is the extra long awaited chapter!!!
Please tell me what you think of it and again I'm sorry that it took so long...If it's any consolidation I didn't even have time to play Warhammer Online, that's how swamped I was.
Disclaimer- I don't own Naruto
XxXxX
Ages:
Naruto and Isaribi and the Rooky Nine: 12
Anko: 22
Yamato: 24
Kakashi: 26
Third Hokage: 70
Gin- 15
Hyuuga Haran- 23
XxXxX
'Thought'
"Speaking"
"Jutsus/Demon speaking"
"Fish speaking"
XxXxX
Previously
The next day Naruto found himself outside of the ANBU headquarters.
Adjusting the pack on his shoulders Naruto took a deep breath and walked into the building.
XxXxX
Now
'Preparing for the third chunin exams is hard work' though Isaribi grimly.
Going to bed at night Isaribi could feel every joint worn out and every muscle on fire.
Anko was putting Isaribi through the wringer, training her in advanced moves as well as going over all the basics and strategies with her.
Two weeks into her training she got up as usual at 5:00am and started to get ready for the day ahead. Getting dressed and eating a light breakfast Isaribi left for the training ground she and Anko had been using before even the first light of the day creped over the horizon.
The training ground was that same training ground where years earlier she and Naruto had met Kisame when he brought his genin team to compete in another chunin exams. Seeing that she was alone, Isaribi slipped off her coat and bandages before plunging into the water.
Relishing in the feel of swimming in the cool water Isaribi swam gentle warm up laps in a wide circle as she thought about how her training was progressing.
Anko had given her a chakra card to test her chakra type a week ago and it came back that she had an affinity towards water.
This came as no big surprise for Isaribi and Anko began to teach her some more powerful water jutsus.
But at the same time, Anko had also been going over some basic earth and even a fire jutsu. In Anko's own words, "Just because you have an affinity for water doesn't mean you should limit yourself. What would you do if you found yourself without any water at all?"
As Isaribi continued to swim around her thoughts drifted towards Naruto. So far this was the longest they have ever been apart, and Isaribi felt the void where he usually was.
According to Anko, the first month is called Hell's Month by the ANBU, filled with grueling training, nonstop drills, and very little sleep. Designed to wash out any of the potential ANBU trainees that didn't have the right stuff. -1-
Then after that, those who survive Hell's Month were considered trainees , allowed to go on basic missions and guard duties but still had to keep a grueling regime of training and evaluation by their ANBU superiors. During that time they were taught all that an ANBU needed to know, from tracking, to stealth, and even special ANBU fighting styles.
Those who couldn't keep up or failed just one of their examinations were drummed out but those who stuck through at the end of the year were officially recognized as members of the ANBU, assigned to their squad and allowed to add color to their masks.
Just thinking about the shear level of training and dedication required made Isaribi cringe, but she knew Naruto could handle it. The guy did love to train. But one thing that bugged Isaribi was why Naruto got chosen for the ANBU. The first night Naruto was gone she asked Anko and even she was stumped.
Naruto is strong for a genin, and with the Kyuubi he could overpower many people but he wasn't nearly at the level for the ANBU. Was it because during the fight with Gaara that he showed the ability to somewhat control the Kyuubi? If so do they plan on making Naruto use the Kyuubi for every fight? That just didn't make sense.
She even asked Yamato the next time she saw him and even he didn't know the full reason. According to a rumor he heard the Hokage took advice from his former student Jiraiya that Naruto was ready for higher level training, but those who think they understand Jiraiya disagree.
-2- Another rumor said that the Hokage's former rival Danzo originally suggested the idea and after seeing Naruto's latest battle decided to take the dead man's advice.
And others were saying that Naruto was put in ANBU to keep an eye on him and so that he didn't pull and 'Itachi' and try to kill half the village.
No one, not even Naruto knows the truth, but Isaribi really didn't have much to be concerned about, yet. Just the other night when Yamato came over, while he couldn't give any details, said that Naruto was holding his own and doing about average in the grueling training.
Finishing her last lap Isaribi felt a pang on regret as he left the water. It felt so natural and right that she didn't want to leave it. Worst still, lately when she's been getting out of the water she's been getting sore on her arms, legs, and even her hips, and not the kind of soreness she usual gets from staining herself too.
Nothing was there but the feeling kept on lasting longer and longer each day. Rubbing her right forearm, she could almost imagine that she felt what appeared to be a bump, but it diapered just as quickly.
Shaking her head Isaribi fully exited the water and shook the water from her hair. Hearing footsteps approaching, Isaribi looked up to see not Anko, as she expected, but Gin approaching her.
"Hey Isaribi-chan!" Gin said happily.
"Gin-kun" she replied back. "What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like? I'm here to train with you. Give you someone to fight. Haran-sansei and Anko-san should be coming soon. He said that he wanted to talk with her about something."
Nodding her head, Isaribi moved to the center of the clearing to meet Gin and the two began to lightly trade punches and kicks at each other.
"I heard about Naruto-kun getting into the ANBU" said Gin conversationally as he ducked Isaribi's roundhouse kick.
Isaribi almost slipped when he said this but kept on fighting.
"How are you holding up? I mean, you two practically spent every waking moment together and now he's just gone" said Gin with concern in his voice.
"It's...been an experience, getting used to being by myself, but truth be told we didn't spend all out time together. Often we would split up and do our own things before meeting again. And it's not like I'll never see him again. Once Hell's Month is over he will come home at night and on his days off so I'll get to see him then... Besides Anko said that we spent too much time together and to 'forge a proper relationship' we need to grow on our own."
When Isaribi said what Anko told her she said in a 'Anko like' voice that caught Gin off guard and caused him to start laughing. So preoccupied with laughing he failed to dodge out of the way as Isaribi kicked his legs out from under him.
Still laughing as he hit the ground he laughed out, "Warn someone the next you do that!"
Getting to his feet and dusting himself off he continued. "She has a point though. While long distance relationships can be hard, extremely close relationships can sometimes be even harder. I had the same problem with my former teammate, Rei. We did everything together but when we tried to have a relationship, there was nothing for use to talk about. Everything became, routine...needless to say, it didn't last."
"Oh...Gin, I'm sorry for making you bring that up I-"
"What do you have to be sorry for? We're still friends and it's not like she's dead, just can't be a shinobi anymore."
"But-"
"And besides, I'm the one who brought the topic up" said Gin, placing a hand on her shoulder. "How 'bout we step things up a little, eh?"
After that day training took on a different schedule. Isaribi still world wake up before first light, but instead of just training with Anko she would now also train with Haran and Gin.
With Gin there it gave her someone to spare with that was close to her level and the level of her opponents while Haran knew more water based jutsus that Anko.
She also began to develop a game plan for the exams. Her first opponent will be Hyuuga Hinata so Isaribi thought that Haran would be able to help her out, but she was mistaken...
"Haran-sensei, can you give me any inside tips on Hinata-san? I already know about the 360 x-ray vision of the byakugan, but is there anything else you can tell me?" asked Isaribi hopefully after one of their practice session.
Haran went stiff and silent for a moment before looking at Isaribi with calculating eyes, "No there isn't anything I can tell you."
"Ah, come on!" pouted Isaribi playfully. "Just a little insider's tip, she is a member of your clan and all..."
"No, and I will not discuss this again. We are done for today" he said before walking out of the clearing.
Isaribi huffed with indignation.
'What's his problem all the sudden?'
It wasn't until latter that night that Anko explained the situation to Isaribi.
With Hinata as Isaribi's first opponent, Haran was facing a conflict of interests. On one had he wanted his student to win, but on the other hand he wanted the heir to his clan to win. He was literally stuck between a rock and a hard place.
He knew his job both as a teacher and a jonin of Konoha was to insure that all the genin under his command were trained to the best of their abilities but he was also loyal to his clan and by default Hinata.
XxXxX
As the days passed by her training continued and soon the day of the third chunin exams was here.
Isaribi got up before the sun even began to color the sky, excitement and nerves keeping her from getting a few more hours of sleep.
Making her way to the kitchen Isaribi was greeted by Anko and Yamato just preparing to make breakfast.
"You're up early" commented Anko as Isaribi walked in. "You sure you don't want to sleep a little more?"
"Can't, too nervous" said Isaribi flopping down at the kitchen table.
"Yea, I know what you mean" said Anko, "when I took my chunin exam I was so nervous that night I could barely sleep."
"And how did it go for you?"
"I stood out amongst all the genin present and defeated every one of them" she said with a smile.
"I was made a chunin and because of the skill I showed that Orochimaru first took me as his apprentice..." Anko's voice trailing off and the room becoming dead silent.
"I lost against my opponent" said Yamato as he joined the two ladies at the table with some toast for everyone. "luckily it was a fellow Konoha-nin so he didn't kill me. I had to wait till the next exam before I could advance."
Looking over at Isaribi as she picked at her food he smiled "Don't worry, you'll do great! You have more experience than any of the other genin and I know you are ready for the promotion. You just have to show the audience that too."
The room was quiet for a little as they ate their food and the sun began lighten the sky.
"Do you think Naruto-kun will be able to see the exam?" asked Isaribi looking up from her food.
"I don't know. Last I checked he was still trying to learn the necessary skills for the ANBU and his 'final' isn't for at least a week, so baring a full scale invasion he won't be able to leave the ANBU compound" said Yamato looking a little guilty.
"But even if he can't be there in person, I'm sure he will be rooting you on from where he is" said Anko with a smile.
"And betting on you too" added Yamato.
This made Isaribi look up at Yamato confused .
"What? It's sort of a tradition to bet on who will pass..." said Yamato.
"But I thought that was just for the people in the stadium?" asked Isaribi.
"Well, the ANBU and a few other place like to do it too" countered Yamato.
"Like who?"
"Well the professional casinos, street gamblers, hell even the coroner gets in on it."
"Ok, now you making it up" laughed Anko. "The coroner? Please."
"It's true" said Yamato getting all animated. "They take bets on the number of casualties. Go ask them yourself if you don't believe me."
"I think I just might" chuckled Anko.
From her seat Isaribi began to chuck a little the tension that was building up began to release itself and she finally began to be able to relax.
XxXxX
The relaxed feeling she had was able to last the entire morning and as she stood in the stadium listening to the perpetually coughing Hayate explain the rules butterflies began to dance in her stomach.
Isaribi had her bandages and cloak on, but she knew that when the battle stated they would come off and everyone in the stadium would be able to see her green scales. Not the most comforting of thoughts for her but as she felt the scrolls at her waste she grew confident again.
"Ok, first match is between Haruno Sakura and Nara Shikamaru! Everyone else please leave the arena floor!"
Making their way to the waiting both the genin looked down at the field as the two combatants squared off against each other.
From his seat in the stands, Kakashi watched with heated anticipation. For the past month he had been practically working with Sakura one on one, and just giving pointers and tips to Kiba and Sasuke or having them help Sakura too.
He could hardly wait to see how she would do.
Down on the field Hayate looked at both Sakura and Shikamaru before yelling "Begin!"
Immediately Shikamaru jumped backwards as Sakura let out a flurry of kunai and shuriken at him.
As he dodged the weapons he went through the hand seals and began to extend his shadow.
This is what Sakura had been waiting for and she threw a explosive ball high into the air between them.
Seeing this Shikamaru barely had enough time to close his eyes as the bomb exploded in a blinding white light and phosphorus flairs began to rain down on the field.
Seeing only spots Shikamaru jumped back, but not soon enough, as he was hit by a glancing kick from Sakura.
Sending his backwards with his arm numb and bruising quickly Shikamaru's vision began to return.
There were phosphorus flares burring all over the arena, playing havoc with the light and destroying the shadows as well as screwing up his vision. 'But how is she seeing me? This should be affecting her just as much?"
He got is answer as she closed in again. She had put sunglasses on, apparently they were hidden under her headband that was on her forehead.
'Clever, but two can play this' he though as he detonated a smoke bomb as she neared'
Unable to stop her forward momentum in time, Sakura found herself within the smoke and the shadows it created.
Quickly jumping up Sakura just avoided a darker shadow that reached out towards her and she exited the smoke.
Her phosphors flares were at half strength and as the smoke cleared she saw that Shikamaru was nowhere to be seen.
Quickly making two regular clones of herself Sakura began to scan the arena and move away from the wall and the forest, where the shadows were returning.
As the flares died down a shadow snaked its way from the trees and as Sakura jumped to avoid it, it suddenly connected to another shadow that came out of nowhere. With renewed strength it latched on to her and Sakura could feel herself losing control of her body.
From his hiding spot Shikamaru smiled. He was happy that the trick with his jacket actual worked and now it was time to wrap this up. Only thing now was to...
He didn't have time to finish his contemplation as a small bundle fell from Sakura's now open hand and reviled itself to be another phosphorus flare that destroyed his jutsu as it hit the ground.
'She must have been holding on to it the entire time, waiting for me to make her drop it'
Knowing that the gig was up he jumped from his spot just as Sakura made it to him. But instead of running away he did something different. Moving forward, Shikamaru took advantage of a gap in her attack and laughed an attack of his own.
Aiming for pressure points, Shikamaru jammed both is hands into her arm pits to get at the pressure points there before she could repulse him.
Backing away from him, her arm feeling numb Sakura swung at him with her left arm, but it was sluggish and uncoordinated, allowing him to easily avoid it.
Attempting to capitalize on this, Shikamaru grabbed onto her arm, but before he could do anything, she was replaced with a log.
Thinking quickly, Shikamaru jabbed a kunai into the ground just as a pair of hands were reaching up to get him before jumping away.
Sakura emerged from the ground looking battered as her left hand bleed profusely from the kunai logged in it.
"Give up Sakura-chan, I have you bet" said Shikamaru lazily.
"Not on your life" said Sakura with a smile as she pulled out a red bag and threw it up in the air.
Thinking it was another flare, Shikamaru closed his eyes only to find that there was no flash. Instead was greeted by stars in front of his eyes as Sakura landed a chakra enhanced punch directly to his face.
Feeling teeth come loose Shikamaru got up an looked at Sakura who was frozen in place.
"Capture, successful" he said as he spit some blood out, with Sakura mirroring his movements.
Taking a deep breath Shikamaru said, "Still won't give up?" Reviving nothing but a glare from Sakura he sight, "Oi, proctor, I give up."
Silence descended the stadium only broken by Choji crying out "But you've got here where you want her!"
"I need a team for this to work and I'm tired so I give up." Shikamaru said lazily as he rubbed his neck, Sakura still mirroring him.
"Winner, Haruno Sakura!"
XxXxX
Up in the stands the Hokage sat next to the Fire Lord. While the other villages might have sent diplomats none of the leaders showed up due to the fact that only Konoha shinobi were in the exam. While it did worry him about the news he was hearing from Suna, about finding out that their Kazekage had been killed and that they were blaming Oto he could hardly let that distract him on a day like today. So the Oto and Suna 'surprise' attack had been foiled by their jinchuuriki's impatience. Oh well, best play the role of the oblivious friend who didn't realize you contemplated trying to kill him.
"They both seem skilled for their age, but I don't understand Hokage-dono is why the boy gave up like that?" asked the Fire Lord next to him.
"It's because of his clans ability. While great for working with a team it doesn't work as well individually."
"Would you say that either one is chunin material?"
"From what we saw today and from what I've heard, Nara Shikamaru is a tactical genius well suited for the role of a chunin. But this match was such that that genius was hard to spot. It might have been due to Haruno Sakura also being extremely intelligent. I can see the boy as a chunin but I will wait a little bit more before deciding about the girl."
Pausing their conversation they heard Hayate call out, "Next match is Hyuuga Neji vs. Rock Lee!"
XxXxX
Down on the field the two team mates squared off.
"Today I will prove to you that I am stronger!" cried Lee.
"Don't be foolish Lee, you are fated to be beaten by me" as his byakugan activated.
Smiling Lee said, "Maybe so, but you never know until you try!"
"BEGIN!" shouted Hayate
Not wasting a second Lee rushed at Neji and the two began to exchange a flurry of blows before Lee jumped back with a smile.
"You're as strong as ever, so let's take this up a notch!" said Lee as he unbuckled his leg weights.
In a flash Lee was gone and from the crowds perspective Neji was exchanging a flurry of blows all around him with a faint shadow.
Finally having enough of this, Neji cried out "Kaiten!" as he spun around creating a vortex of chakra with him.
Moving away from the spinning vortex, Lee kneeled on the ground a little out of breath and looking a little worn out. Burses could be seen where Neji landed hits against him with his jyuuken and Lee watched as Neji stopped rotating and faced him in a defensive posture.
The crowed was silent. Even for most of the ninja in the crowed they couldn't keep up with what just happened. Kakashi could, but only because he had his sharingan out.
"Guy, you've created two monsters" Kakashi said with both aw and a little admiration in his voice.
"They burn passionately with youth! SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT!!!!"
Back on the arena floor the two teammates reactions to their sensei was completely opposite. Neji scowled even more while Lee grew even more exited.
"I've been training the developing this attack just for you Neji-kun. I hope you like it" he said as he began to unravel his arm wraps.
Standing up and doing what looked like a flex, Lee unlocked the first chakra gate, and then, much to Neji's astonishment, disappeared.
The next thing that Neji knew what that he was flying up into the air and Lee was right behind him.
Neji tried to counter him, but Lee wrapped him up in the bandages and they both went spinning into the ground.
Slamming Neji head first into the ground Lee leapt away just in time and looked at the creator were his teammate once was, but finding it empty.
Hearing the ground crack underneath him, Lee quickly jumped away as Neji emerged spinning a Kaiten.
"You're attack would have killed anyone else, but all it did was jumpstart my Kaiten for me. Like I said before, you are destined to lose this match."
Not even bothering to reply Lee just stood up and in quick succession released one chakra gate after another. His skin turned red and the power began to flow off of him.
Not waiting for Lee to finish whatever he was planning, Neji quickly launched an attack, reaching Lee by the time the fourth gate was open.
Hitting Lee square in the center of the chest, Neji was shocked that there was apparently no damage done and was blasted into the air.
In the air even his byakugan and all his skills couldn't see Lee as he was bashed around before being sent crashing into the opposite wall of the stadium.
Coughing up blood and feeling that the majority of his bonds were broken Neji slipped into unconsciousness as the still red lee landed in front of him.
The power fading from him, Lee just stood there in front of Neji as Hayate and the medics rushed out.
"The winner is-" Hayate was about to say before he noticed Lee. Standing their his eyes were rolled back into his head and blood could be seen coming out of the corner of his mouth. A large hole was seen in his jump suit in the center of his chest and the skin underneath was an ugly purple color.
Quickly calling for another team of medics, Hayate announced "Draw due to double knock-out!"
XxXxX
Up in the stands Guy quickly made is was down to the medical center as people began to talk about what they just witnessed.
'That's the chunin exams for you. A contrived reason for teammates to try their hardest to kill each other. And by the looks of it, one or both might have succeeded.'
"Next up, Mako Isaribi vs. Hyuuga Hinata!"
Hearing this, Kakashi perked up a little, 'Let's see how this will turn out.'
XxXxX
Down in the arena to two girls paired off against each other.
Hinata looked a little hesitant but quickly put on a stoic appearance as she faced Isaribi, her byakugan already active
"Begin!"
Taking the initiative, Hinata quickly launched a series of attacks trying to bring Isaribi down.
Countering the attacks Isaribi suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving Hinata tangled up in Isaribi's jacket.
Quickly ducking, Hinata just avoided Isaribi fist, but the moment she hesitated when she got clear of Isaribi's jacket clearly cost her a foot in the stomach that send her skidding on the ground.
Quickly chasing after her, Isaribi was forced to dough the shurikens as Hinata righted herself.
Backing away Isaribi ran through here options. The problem was that there wasn't enough water on the arena floor. No worries.
Grabbing the two scrolls from the waist Isaribi slid her blood over them before slamming them both into the ground.
The ground all around the arena began the bulge and crack and torrents of water began to erupt from geysers in the ground before coming back down as a heavy rain.
If it was anyone but a Hyuuga or Naruto and Isaribi, the heavy rain would have obscured their vision, but no such luck for Isaribi.
Hinata rushed towards Isaribi, ignoring the muddy ground and the ever growing pools of water but had to quickly dodge as Isaribi began to unleash water jutsu after water jutsu upon her, or more specifically, water bullet no jutsu.
Similar to her water blast no jutsu, this one added a spin to the ball of water, making it more accurate and more deadly.
To blasts came close to hitting Hinata but she was able to neutralize then before they hit.
Going through more hand seals, Isaribi made the water in the pool she was in to form a super fast ribbons that moved so fast that the water became sharper than a razor, and deadly accurate too.
Dodging the narrow streams of water Hinata felt one of them cut through her shirt and the skin underneath. Gritting her teeth Hinata ran through her own hand seals before thrusting her hands out in front of her.
Following her movements, the water pools closest to her pushed out as a wave towards Isaribi, forcing the girl to move out of the way or be flattened by a wall of water.
Using her being off balance to her advantage Hinata rushed at Isaribi and quickly landed a series of jyuuken strikes all over her body. But to her dismay, the Isaribi in front of her turned into water.
Soon Hinata found herself surrounded by five Isaribi's and quickly she intercepted all of them and turned them back into water.
But they served their purpose by distracting Hinata long enough for the real Isaribi to get close enough.
With a chakra enhanced screech of her sonar, Isaribi burst one of Hinata's ear drums, disorienting her before moving in to deliver a flurry of punches.
Hinata tried to defend herself but was overwhelmed and soon Isaribi had her pined to the ground in the mud and the pools of water.
The two struggled like that for a while, rolling around, much to the delight of the males and some of the females in the audience before Isaribi had Hinata thoroughly pined where her head in a pool of water.
Isaribi waited for Hinata to stop struggling a bit before pulling the girls head out of the water and securing her hold on coughing girl.
Seeing that the fight was over and Hinata still trying to dislodge the water that worked its way into her lungs, Hayate shouted, "Winner, Mako Isaribi!"
XxXxX
From their seats Anko and Yamato smiled and cheered for Isaribi as she exited the arena.
"That was certainly a good match" smiled Anko.
"Yes it was, let's hope that it showed off her skills to the judges" said Yamato glancing up at the Hokage's booth.
Anko was going to say something else when Hayate called out, "Next match Haruno Sakura Vs Aburame Shino!"
XxXxX
Down on the arena floor Shino and Sakura faced off against each other.
'Ok, his bugs can eat chakra so I have to get him before that can happen' though Sakura as she prepared to fight, her left hand still sore even after the medics were able to heal the wound
"Begin!"
Leaping towards Shino, Sakura sent a roundhouse kick strait to his head. Shino attempted to parry it with his arm but Sakura pushed her chakra behind it and both his arm and her foot connected with his head.
But instead of being sent flying backward Shino exploded into a mass of bugs that quickly swarmed over Sakura.
Emerging from his hiding spot underground a couple of feet away Shino looked at the struggling Sakura as his bugs swarmed all over her.
"Give up Sakura-san, you've lost-" Shino was saying when Sakura exploded into a log and his bugs started to move ... behind him!
Quickly turning Shino grabbed Sakura's fist with both hands right as it was about to collide with his head, wincing slightly as he felt the impact of Sakura's chakra enhanced punch.
He only needed to hold her for a few seconds as the swarm of bugs began to approach from behind him and more began to crawl from under his skin.
Grinning Sakura used her free hand and began to form hand seals.
Shino remembered what had happened during her match in a preliminaries and tried to dodge out of the way, but Sakura's other hand held firmly onto his arm.
Taking a deep breath Sakura released three small fireballs which Shino dodged by tilting his head, but they weren't aimed at him.
The three fireballs collided with his incoming bug swarm, burring most of them to a crisp and scattering the rest.
Wincing as he both felt and heard the death cry of his precious kikai, Shino left himself open for Sakura to bring her knee right up into his groin in an attempt to incapacitate him.
Doubling over Shino made it appear that he was falling before he used his leverage and superior weight to flip Sakura around and slam her into the muddy ground behind him. Slamming his knee into her back Shino pined her and released all of his remaining bug onto her.
Sakura let out a cry of pain and began to struggle ever more desperately as she felt the bugs bite into her and her chakra began to be drained.
She felt her energy leave her and soon darkness crept into the back of her eyes before she passed out completely.
"Winner, Aburame Shino!" called out Hayate as medics carrying the unconscious Sakura away and one went to Shino.
"The final match will be between Mako Isaribi and Aburame Shino in 15 minutes" Hayate called out before exiting the arena.
XxXxX
From his seat Kakashi got up with a smile. He was proud that Sakura had even made it this far and while he did expect her to become a chunin this was a valuable learning experience and she had grown tremendously from it.
'Well there's always the next exam in six months...'
Getting up he began to move town towards the medical room, but stopped and turned around.
"You two coming to see your teammate?" he asked looking at Kiba and Sasuke sitting next to each other in seats near his.
"Sure, why not" said Kiba as he got up.
"Fine" huffed Sasuke.
'Now to only get these two up to par too...'
XxXxX
Shino and Isaribi stood facing each other waiting for their match to begin.
Shino looked like his previous fight had never happened and Isaribi was standing before him without her jacket on.
"You two ready?" asked Hayate as he looked at the two before raising his hand.
"Final match of the chunin exams, Mako Isaribi and Aburame Shino...Begin!"
Both jumped back and began forming hand seals.
The standing water in two of the pool on either side of Isaribi shot out in two narrow streams that cut through the wall of earth that Shino made to defend himself, but when the wall was down he was nowhere to be found.
Looking around Isaribi was caught off guard as a Kunai sailed from the trees and impacted against her shoulder.
But instead of bleeding or even falling over, Isaribi collapsed into a pool of water.
Silence descended upon the arena floor and the people in the stands edged forward to see what was going on. Both of the combatants were hidden from view.
From one of the former geysers Isaribi made her way into a series of tunnels that her water scrolls created.
From what she observed with the water clone, Shino was hidden somewhere in the trees. His bug colony was low on strength so she could be assured that he would fight this match more cautious than the last.
Smiling to herself she began to move towards the direction of the trees in the underwater tunnel, relying on her sonar to tell her where to go.
If she remembered correctly there were at least two geyser holes in the trees, but Shino would also know this too.
From his hiding spot in the trees Shino listed to the reports that his bugs where brining him. They had lost track of the female kikai's scent which meant that she was somewhere underwater.
'I've laid traps around those two geysers, so where will she come up?'
For five minutes it appeared as if nothing was happening when Shino started to notice the accumulation of fog.
'So that's her game' Shino though as the fog increased, becoming thick and coming up to near the tops of the trees.
'this arena is helping her out, allowing the fog to accumulate faster and not disperse.'
Suddenly two simultaneous explosions rocked the trees as the traps by the geysers in the forest detonated.
Turning to face the explosions Shino almost missed hearing the sound of kunai whizzing through the air, but they weren't targeting him.
As each kunai landed in the forest the explosive tag attached to them detonated and Shino was forced to flee is hiding spot as the trees splintered and collapsed all around him.
Quickly running to the wall, Shino avoided the shuriken that were thrown at him from the different pools of water and quickly began running up the wall until he was well above the fog.
Crouching there vertically along the wall Shino contemplated his next move. While the fog would hamper her vision just as much as his own, it was an environment she was used to. An idea came to Shino and he used a replacement jutsu to replace himself with a piece of one of the fallen trees.
Isaribi was waiting for Shino to come down, but when only a splintered log came crashing down she scanned to fog around her. She had a few water clones made and had them scattered around the arena floor when she heard the splash of one of her water clones being dispersed. -3-
Crouching low to the ground and listening with all of her senses, Isaribi waited for Shino to approach.
Two more splashes were heard, one was able to put up a little bit of struggle before being taken down helping to pinpoint Shino's location. But how was he finding her clone's so easily?
Her answer came as she caught a glimpse of one of Shino's bugs landed on her shoulder before diapering into her shirt.
She didn't have to wait long before she picked up the slight movement of Shino approaching from her left, as well as the sound for bugs approaching from behind and her right.
When Shino got to where the female but was telling him was Isaribi all he found was the poor bug floundering in a pool of water.
Cautiously Shino began move away, but not fast enough as a weighted chain lashed out from a nearby pool of water and wrapped around his torso.
With a grunt he fell onto his back and started to be dragged towards the water.
If he was taken into the water, the fight would be over, so Shino struggled with all his might and sent is bugs along the length of the chain.
However, the source of the chain was underwater, shielding Isaribi from attack, and Shino was dragged into the pool of water.
For the most part, the pool only consisted of a couple of inches of standing water, but he felt his head and the back of his neck go other a lip.
Shino struggled to be able to bring his hands into a usable position, but they were pinned tightly against his body.
"Surrender" came Isaribi's voice in his right ear as he felt the prick of a kunai against the back of his neck.
As the fog began lift the audience got a clear view of what was happening. From their perspective Shino was just laying on a pool of water and tied up in a chain when he called out,
"I surrender."
Nodding from his position along the wall Hayate called out, "Winner, Mako Isaribi!"
The chain around Shino loosened allowing him to get up and to the surprise of the audience allowed Isaribi to climb out of the pool of water behind him.
XxXxX
Sarutobi, The Fire Lord, and the various other nobles and judges gather around a table.
"What about Haruno Sakura?" one judge asked.
"Intelligent and resourceful, she does have the qualifications of becoming a chunin."
"But she does lack a variety of moves and chakra reserves" said one diplomat from her seat.
"Yes, but being a chunin is not about power level, it's about ability to lead genin and other chunin into combat. Her record speaks for her intelligence the two fights we witnessed shoes not only her skill but also her resourcefulness."
"I agree with that assessment" said the Hokage, "and the same can be said for Nara Shikamaru."
"So you will make them both chunins?" asked the Fire Lord.
"Yes, but I will tell them that they both need to continue to grow stronger and increase their repertoire of moves."
"Moving on, I can say we can pass over Hyuuga Neji, Rock Lee, and Hyuuga Hinata. While skilled in their own right, they do not have the material to lead troops into combat yet" said the Hokage to a course of agreements from all present in the room.
"That just leaves us Mako Isaribi and Aburame Shino" said one of the nobles.
"Both clearly have a firm grasp on tactics as both their battles showed. Especially the last battle, as viewed by our Hyuuga friend here." said the noble nodding to a member of the Hyuuga clan next to her. They both commanded their troops, the bugs for Shino and the water clones for Isaribi remarkably well, and they both used the available environment to their advantage."
"Agreed, so with no objections those two will also be made into chunin?" asked the Hokage, expecting no one to counter him.
"So it's settled, Nara Shikamaru, Haruno Sakura, Aburame Shino, and Mako Isaribi will be made into chunin of Konoha."
XxXxX
-1- Based of the "Hell Week" that US Navy Seals go through at the begging of their training.
-2- I had Danzo get executed because he was hiding and using Root for anterior motives. This was briefly mentioned before when I said that Sai is on team 8 in chapter #6. Please note that I had to edit that part a couple times, so if you read that chapter when it first came out you might have missed it.
-3- I'm going with the idea the water clones don't transmit their experience back to the user, only shadow clones do.
Longest chapter yet!
Sorry again for the wait for this to come out, I wanted to work out all of the details and school had been getting in the way...
So what did you think?
Ja ne!