The sun wasn't even up when Naruto awoke. He walked around his small apartment and up to the only window in the place. He leaned against the cold seal and crossed his arms as he watched the village come to life slowly. It was finally here. The Final Exam and the chance he was training for. He was going to make Neji pay for what he did to his Hinata-hime. Naruto smirked to himself as he looked at the occupants of his house. Haku returned home the other day with a plastered smirk that still hasn't left her face and her Father grumbled the entire time about killing a bug. Naruto looked over at Zabuza who walked up to him and leaned on the other side of the window. He looked down at the young blond and nodded slightly.
"You know," Zabuza said as he looked out the window. "There isn't a lot to fear in this world."
"You fear something?" Naruto asked with a slight grin. That earned a slap across the back of his head.
"But the one thing that all ninja should fear," Zabuza said as he turned to Naruto. "Is a pissed off jinchūriki, with a score to settle."
Naruto turned to the older man as he gave him the slightest eye smile and turned back to the window. Naruto nodded to himself as he turned back to the window, all nerves gone from his system. Haku walked up behind them and gave Naruto a slight nudge. Naruto turned to her and she gave him a reassuring nod.
"I have to go and wish luck to Shino," She said softly causing the elder ninja to reach of his sword and mumble a stream of curses. Haku laughed it off and exited.
"I too have to see someone," Zabuza said as he turned to leave. "Remember there are other ways to hurt someone than just killing. Though I don't normally prefer doing it that way..."
Naruto 'Bamfed' to the old training grounds and sat down next to the one of the training logs. He smirked as he remembered as if it was only yesterday, using Hinata's plan to beat Kakashi in the Bell test. Teaching Ko how to do his perverted Jutsu. He was pulled from his day dreams by a hand that landed on his shoulder. He looked up to see Hinata smiling down at him. Naruto grabbed her hand and pulled her into his lap which caused her to blush. She snuggled into his bare chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
"You won't kill him right?" Hinata asked after a second. Naruto let out a low growl that could go either way causing Hinata to lean back and stare into his eyes. Naruto sighed in defeated.
"I will bring him to the brink of death then pull him back…"Naruto said with a slight smirk. Hinata punched him in his side. "Hey calm down you can't be getting all worked up."
"You do that to me!" She said angerly as he raised his eyebrows.
"Oh," Naruto said as he leaned down and lightly kissed her neck. She gasped slightly and squirmed a bit in his arms. Naruto laughed lightly as he slowly placed another kiss higher up on her neck. "I work you all up inside huh?"
"Damn you," She said hotly as she broke out of his grip and stood up. Face was completely flushed and she huffed. "You are trying to kill me."
"Who me?" Naruto asked as he stood and wrapped her in a hug. "Just trying to get my inspiration for the day. Now I'm ready to take on anyone!"
"Just don't hurt him too bad," Hinata said as she pulled him into a tighter hug. "And you better not get hurt yourself."
"Can't promise anything," Naruto said as he placed a single kiss on her forehead. There was a slight coughing fit and Kiba appeared behind one of the training poles.
"If you guys are done being all lovey dovey," Kiba said with a slight grin. "I will be escorting Hinata to the stadium."
"You got dog boy as your escort," Naruto said with a smirk casuing Kiba to grind his teeth. "I wouldn't want anyone else protecting you if something was to happen."
"Um," Kiba said as looked a bit confused. "What do you mean?"
"You guys do relies that Orochimaru wouldn't just show up for no reason," Naruto said as he looked at the two of them. "I've been a bit apprehensive about the entire situation. I just don't like it."
"You think something is going to happen?" Hinata said as she gripped her tanto.
"I just rather us be prepared," Naruto said. "I'm going to count on you guys to relay the message while I keep everyone entertained with the first match. Kiba if something does happen, I need you to get Hinata back to the compound. Don't let anything happen to her!"
"You have my word," Kiba said as Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Naru-kun," Hinata said as she gained his attention. "Good luck out there."
"Thanks," Naruto said as he gave her a kiss and started to walk towards the arena.
"You're late!" yelled the sick Jonin as Naruto appeared in the middle of the arena shocking the crowd. Naruto looked around ignoring the glare from Hinata's part time sensei. Naruto looked at the other contestants and smirked. Shikamaru was standing off to the side staying as close to UTR as possible. All three of the sand genin were there staring at Naruto. Shino was off to the side shaking his head at Naruto. Sauske was sulking in the middle with his arms cross. Then Naruto's eyes narrowed. Neji was standing almost opposite of him.
"No I arrived precisely when I attended too," Naruto said as he looked at Hayate with a smirk. "So in my mind I'm right on time."
"Shut up idiot," Sasuke said with a huf.
"Since all the contestants are here," Hayate said with a slight cough. "Let's begin! Neji Hyuga vs Naruto Uzumaki!"
The crowd went into an uproar. The games have finally begun and Naruto was feasting off of the energy of the crowd. Naruto looked over at Hayate as he told the other contestants to go to the observation deck which they all jumped leaving just Naruto and Neji in the arena. Naruto smirked as he walked slowly over to center of the arena. Naruto cracked his neck as he stared down Neji who looked back at him coldly. Hayate was talking but neither was paying attention.
"Begin!" Hayate finished his speech and started the fight.
"You ready to fail just like the other?" Neji said taking up his clan's stance activating his bloodline. Naruto just stuffed one hand in his pocket while he brought out his book and flipped a page. Neji's eye's twitched a bit. "ARE YOU TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY?"
"Huh," Naruto said as he looked over at him. "You say something?"
Up in the crowd almost everyone face palmed while Kakashi just turned a page in his book with a smirk.
"You are a joke," Neji said as he stood straight. "Fine if you won't take this serious then I will end this quickly."
Neji charged forward with a burst of speed causing the crowd to gasp. Naruto just flipped a page in his book, then proceeded to explode in a flash of light. Neji was blinded by the flash and stopped his attack to protect his precious eyes. Neji felt a bone crushing punch to the side of his head and he was launched towards the other side of the arena. After the smoke form the flash bang clone settled, the crowd was staring at an angry Hyuga who was picking himself up off the wall while Naruto flipped another page in his book with a perverted giggle.
"That's your boyfriend," Ino giggled to Hinata who was fuming at Naruto's antics.
"Soon to be dead boyfriend," Hinata seethed causing Shikamaru who was reading his book off to the side to slowly put it away.
Neji stood to his full height and took off towards Naruto again. Naruto ducked under another strike and jumped back from Neji's close range fighting. Naruto smirked as he saw the anger in Neji's eyes when he flipped another page. Neji was close to snapping and that's when he was going to unleash his plan. Naruto flipped a page in the book again and looked up at Neji.
"You still here?" Naruto asked as he gave him a quick smile. Neji just calmed himself and Naruto's eyes widen a bit. Yet again his plot was discovered.
"I will not be angered by your erratic behavior," Neji said as he breathed out slowly to calm himself even more. "I'm a true shinobi, unlike you. I guess it's fitting really."
"What are you talking about now?" Naruto said with a huff as he put his book away in his vest.
"That trash should flock together," Neji said with a slight glint in his eye. Naruto bared his teeth and assumed his unorthodox stance.
"You can say whatever you want about me," Naruto said calmly. Naruto's slowly started to turn from his bright blue to the deep pools of mercury. "But if you ever say something bad about Hinata-hime, I will be forced to make you eat those words."
"Two losers," Neji pushed. "Found love. How, truly fitting."
"You had your chance," Naruto said as he slowly disappeared in a whisp clone. Neji's eyes widen as he spun to strike behind him.
Naruto caught Neji's juken that was aimed for his head. Naruto's clone blew up in a flash of light causing Neji to cry out in pain as he rubbed his eyes. Naruto then 'Bamfed' in a circle around Neji leaving a flash bang clone at each stop. He jumped back and detonated all of them at once. Neji deactivated his blood line right before and shielded his eyes. Naruto smirked as the smoke settled and Neji stood there with bleeding ears yelling profanities at Naruto. Naruto put a hand up to his ear as if saying he couldn't hear him. Naruto then turned to the up roar of the crowd that was cheering for the fighting to continue.
"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?" Naruto yelled as he held out his arms and walked in a circle. Neji took that as an opportunity to attack and charged forward. Neji's balance was off from the damage done to the inside of his ears, but he corrected it the best he could in his sprint. Naruto was struck in the middle of his back which should have been a kill shot. Naruto spun and gripped Neji's arm in a bone crushing hold.
"I was told not to kill you," Naruto said darkly from behind Neji. Neji looked behind him and noticed Naruto was standing there with his book out again. "You don't deserve her mercy."
"What?" Neji said his eyes going wide as Naruto took out a kuni and held it like a detonator.
"You forgot one thing about me….I'm da bomb," Naruto said his old self showing again. "DEET!"
The explosion that followed launched the Hyuga across the arena and about a foot into the concrete wall. Neji was beyond shocked as he slowly leaned up. His entire right arm was shattered and burned. His chest had several lacerations and bleeding. He couldn't believe what was going on. He was fated to beat the dead last, the loser, the trash. How was he, the Hyuga prodigy, on his back bleeding? Neji slowly pulled himself out of the wall and stared at the blond, the one who not only defied fate, but laughed squarely in its face. Naruto nodded to Neji who had a different look in his eyes.
"You with your all seeing eyes," Naruto said as he slowly walked towards the shaking Hyuga. "Can now see. Too bad I'm not done with you yet, you still hurt Hinata-hime. And that's something that cannot go unpunished."
Neji gulped a bit as he activated his bloodline again. Pain was searing his entire body, but maybe he could just fight on. He was answered with a bone crushing punch that came from the side launching him into the waiting arms of another clone. Neji tried to strike the clone, but only his left arm working he was easily dodged. Naruto's clone kicked Neji into the air where Naruto appeared above him with three clones.
"This shouldn't kill you," Naruto said as all three clones started to glow. "But it will make sure that stick in your ass will be removed permanently."
The explosion that followed launched Neji into the ground faster than any punch or kick could. Neji bounced off the ground with sickening crunch. Coughing blood onto himself he looked up to see Naruto descending to the arena with the sun shining brightly behind him. Naruto landed across from him and crossed his arms.
"Good you're still alive," Naruto said as he looked up to the stands finding Hinata's eyes. "Neji you can't live your life being controlled by fate, you will have to fight for what you believe in. And if you need help, I will be there for you."
"Winner Naruto Uzumaki!" Hayate coughed out. The crowd went crazy and Naruto turned away from the bleeding and beaten Hyuga to bask in the glory.
"The kid loves to show off," Kakashi said as Guy was laughing at his side.
"He's basking in the all the glory of the YOUTH!" Guy yelled out causing Naruto to give the Nice Guy pose.
Naruto arrived at the observation deck and was met with several congratulations. Naruto looked over at Sasuke who was deactivating his bloodline and shook with rage. He was unable to copy the techniques and it was becoming increasing frustrating. Shino and Shikamaru were leaning over the edge of the balcony looking down at the blond girl waiting for the next contestant.
"Shikamaru you're up!" Naruto said as he clapped a hand on his back. Shikamaru just sighed as he raised his hand to call the match. Naruto smirked as he pushed harder and Shikamaru flipped over the edge and landed on his back in the middle of the arena. "Go kick ass Shikamaru!"
"Troublesome blonds," Shikamaru said as he got up and stared down the blond bomb shell in front of him. He let out a sigh and stood. "At least the scenery is nice."
"What did you say?" Yelled Temari as she pulled out her fan. Hayate called the fight and the Temari took her battle stance.
"Ugh," Shikamaru said as he pulled out his book. "Troublesome blonds."
"Is this a strategy for all Kohona Shinobi?" Yelled Temari as she watched Shikamaru turn a page slowly in his book.
"Nah," Shikamaru said as he looked up from his book. "I was just buying time."
"What?" Yelled Temari as she looked down and noticed a shadow connected to hers. She felt a weird sensation as if she couldn't control anything.
"Now," Shikamaru said as he snapped his book shut and put it away. Temari copying every move. "Hayate, as much fun as it's been. I quit."
With that the entire crowd booed and started to throw garbage at the shadow user who seemed perfectly content at staying a genin his entire carrier. Shikamaru released his hold on Temari to see her shaking with rage. She pulled her fan back and chased after the boy that was just walking causal as ever back to the observation deck. She cornered him in the hall way and pinned him against the wall with her arm. Shikamaru just looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Shikamaru asked with a small smirk.
"I want a rematch!" Temari demanded, staring into his brown eyes.
"You won," Shikamaru said as he moved her arm away from his throat and spun them around so he pressed her against the wall. "You guys don't have to do this."
"What?" She asked her eyes betraying her. Shikamaru smirked as he stood back and walked away.
"You don't have to follow them," He said softly. "Don't worry, I just figured it out. But don't think I won't defend my village with my life, or taking a few."
With that he walked back to the observation deck and over to Naruto and Shino who both gave him knowing nods. After hearing what Kiba told him Shikamaru came up with over two hundred different attacks and everything pointed to the sand team. For some reason Gaara was the key and if they were going to do something about it, they would all need to keep their chakra reserves up. Naruto looked over to Shikamaru who made a quick nod and leaned forward.
"We are all ready," SHikamaru said as he looked down at the arena. Gaara and Sasuke were standing off against each other. "Apparently the Jonin already were up to something. Kakashi just gave me a nod and walked off."
"Ok," Naruto said as he watched Sasuke get tossed around by Gaara's sand. "He's a jinchūriki."
"What?" Shikamaru hissed. Naruto pointed to Gaara and then the puzzle finally came together. "Jinchūriki. It makes since now."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked as he looked at him crossly.
"He is the main distraction," Shikamaru said as he rubbed his temples. "Orochimaru is going after Sasuke. Not for Sasuke himself but I feel he wants his eyes."
"And you forget that he promised to burn Konoha to the ground," Shino piped in. "He might be planning on taking us out and Sasuke is just an added bonus."
"True," Shikamaru said as his eyes shut. He assumed his thinking state.
"Naruto," Shikamaru said as he looked at him gravely. "I'm afraid we have to ask you to take him out."
"If things go down the wrong path we need to get Gaara out of the village and into the forest," Shino said. "You will be able to slug it out there safely."
"Hn," Naruto said as he focused his cold eyes on Gaara. Gaara was struck by Sasuke causing him to bleed from his shoulder. Gaara's eyes went dark and a manic laughing was heard.
"It's starting," Shino said as feathers fell from the sky and the entire arena fell asleep. Naruto shook off the genjutsu with the help of a quick slap from Shikamaru. Naruto turned and looked at his friends. The Sand team jumped down and grabbed their brother and escaped the arena. Naruto cursed as he noticed numerous Sound and Sand Ninja jumping from the crowd attacking the Leaf nin. Naruto turned to Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru," Naruto said as he watched Shino wake up the few that fell asleep. Shikamaru tossed a Kuni into an enemy Sand nin that tried to jump into the observation deck. Sakura and Ino appeared at the observation deck and they grouped around them. "You are in charge. Everyone, listen to what he says till you meet up with a jonin. Keep them safe Shikamaru."
"We may have a problem," SHikmaru said as he pointed to the arena. Sasuke took off after the sand siblings. "The dolt will get himself killed."
"I won't be able to attack and protect," Naruto said as he noticed Kiba escorting Hinata out of the arena with Akamaru close behind. He sighed in relief as turned to the others.
"We will go with you," Shikamaru said as he looked at the others. "Shino take point. Choji and Ino, you follow behind us at a slower pace. If we get ambushed we need you to take them out."
"Let's roll," Naruto said as he took off.
Hello Everyone!
So first as always, thanks for the reviews. I'm truly humbled by the responses I've been getting. I hope you guys enjoy this for we will be rolling into some, hopefully, great action. So let me know how this chapter stacked up, i enjoy reading your opinions. As always Read, Review and Enjoy.
Thanks again,
Take-It-Easy