116 reviews! Christ.
In the last chapter I said Itachi was going to meet Kin. I meant Sasuke's parents, and not Itachi. Sorry :P
imsabbel: Finally got you to say "like it" in one of your reviews. :D
Guest: When I saw I "hooked another reader" I literally went "yesssss". Thanks! :)
TheOrangeStar802: Whut? I like weird pairings. Heh
Aurora-chan: Pedo-snake man sounds like a brilliant name. :P
Pyr00tje: Going down the Fourth Hokage's nose indeed ;)
Thanks to Blood-red Moonlight, imsabbel, Corpj123, Guest, TheOrangeStar802, Akatsuki no Kyara, Aurora-chan, Pyr00tje and The True Not Important for the reviews!
The door of the biggest house in the Uchiha Compound flew open.
"Sasuke, you're late for-"
Sasuke rushed into the house, a girl lying on his back.
Mikoto Uchiha raised an eyebrow.
Fugaku walked into the living room.
"Sasuke, being late for dinner is not-"
The clan head then caught sight of the girl on his son's back, and grunted.
"Who's that girl, Sasuke?" Mikoto asked first.
"Um, she's Kin. She says she's going to die tomorrow," Sasuke said nervously.
Fugaku rolled his eyes.
"Sasuke, you need to be at the stadium early tomorrow," Mikoto scolded. "I want you to take this girl home, wherever she lives, come back for your dinner, take a shower, and go to bed."
Fugaku then noticed Kin's forehead protector.
"She is not of the Leaf." He frowned. "Is she here for the Chunin Exams?"
"Yeah," Sasuke nodded. "Father, Mother, she says she's going to die tomorrow," he insisted. Hesitantly, he asked, "Can she stay here for the night? I don't want her leaving this place."
"Sasuke, you don't know anything about this girl," Mikoto shook her head. "All you heard is she's going to die. How will she die? Why will she die? I think it's all a big joke."
"She says she's going to be some kind of sacrifice in a Reanimation Jutsu or something."
Fugaku froze.
Mikoto froze as well.
"R-Reanimation?" Mikoto stuttered.
"There's only two techniques I know that's called the 'Reanimation'," Fugaku grunted again. "And only the Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation needs sacrifices to conduct."
"Then..." Mikoto started.
"Yes," her husband frowned. "The technique created by the Nidaime! But the only living soul who can use that is..."
"... Orochimaru."
The mention of the snake man's name made Sasuke gasp. Did his parents know who Orochimaru was?
"We have to inform Hokage-sama immediately."
On the roof of the house, Kabuto listened intently, all the while berating himself for not taking Kin back to Orochimaru when he had the chance. Now the plan was going to be foiled.
He contemplated breaking into the house and killing everyone inside, but afterwards considered his chances of success and decided to leave the Uchiha Compound instead.
Orochimaru-sama is not going to be happy with me...
"Sasuke! Sakura-chan!" Naruto greeted happily as his teammates walked into the booth of Ichiraku Ramen.
"This is the last time we're gathering at Ichiraku's, Naruto," Sakura swore, as she watched Naruto finish what was seemingly his fifth bowl of ramen. "Come on, let's go!"
"Haven't you ate breakfast yet?" He whined.
"Already eaten," Sasuke shrugged. "Come on, we don't want to be late."
"Okay! Goodbye, old man!" Naruto waved to the owner of the stand.
"Good luck, Naruto!" Teuchi smiled.
Team 7 raced to the stadium, and eventually reached, just on time.
They joined the assembled Genin who'd passed the preliminaries. Naruto glanced at the crowded atmosphere of the stadium, taken aback by the sheer number of people who were going to watch the third exam.
Shikamaru and Choji were hanging out at one corner. They waved to the team.
The Sabaku siblings were also in another corner of their own. Naruto fixed his gaze on Gaara, wondering how he could defeat the sand-wielding Genin.
Tenten and Shino were both in corners of their own, hanging out alone. Shino looked as lonely as ever, while Tenten had closed eyes and seemed to be taking a nap.
"Just on time, Naruto," Shikamaru smirked, walking over with Choji. The Akimichi boy was, as usual, munching on his chips.
"Hey, Shikamaru!" Naruto yelled into his face. "Have you been training hard, huh?!"
"Not really," the shadow manipulator shrugged. "I spent these two months lazing around, watching clouds and learning a new jutsu. That's all."
"You're going to lose, then," Sasuke looked towards Temari. "None of those Sabaku guys are pushovers."
"Meh," Shikamaru shrugged again. "I don't care about losing. Choji and I are here against our own wills, anyway," he sat down, prompting Team 7 to sit down as well. "I would give up, but if I did, Ino and Asuma-sensei will be spending the next week chewing me off."
As Naruto and Sakura conversed with Shikamaru and the chip-munching Choji, Sasuke looked away.
I hope Kin's alright...
"Welcome to the stage for the third and final stage of the Chunin Exams, everybody."
Hiruzen Sarutobi proceeded to give a long, drawn-out speech. He plopped back down onto his seat, but quickly got up again as the Fourth Kazekage made his appearance.
Hiruzen smiled and nodded at the Kazekage.
We were lucky Sasuke ran into that girl from the Sound, the Third thought, as he proceeded to converse with the 'Kazekage'. I wouldn't have guessed you would try to invade Konoha during the Chunin Exams... I would never have guessed you would ally with the Sand and pose as the Kazekage! But we are well-prepared for you, thanks to your subordinate. Ironic, isn't it? Orochimaru...?
He shot a knowing smile at the disguised Orochimaru.
The Hokage himself had interrogated Kin in the early hours of the morning, after she'd sobered up with a good night's sleep. He didn't exactly approve with Ibiki's methods being used on a young girl.
Through this, the old Hokage had learnt everything about the Sand-Sound invasion, and what Orochimaru planned to do the next day.
Hiruzen had then called an emergency meeting, and now almost every shinobi of Chunin-level and above knew of the coming invasion, and they also knew what role they were going to play to defend their village after a three-hour long meeting.
You won't have your way today, Orochimaru.
Hidden microphones around the huge arena of the stadium amplified the voice of Genma, the proctor for the final exam.
"Sasuke Uchiha and Kankuro Sabaku. Please come down to the arena now to begin your match."
"Uchiha! Uchiha!" The crowd chanted.
Sasuke leaped into the arena, followed by Kankuro.
In the stands, Itachi and his parents watched Sasuke get into a taijutsu stance. Remember our training, Sasuke, he thought. Show the Sand what you've got.
"The Uchiha is up first, what luck." Izumo grinned.
"Yeah," Kotetsu agreed, seated beside him. "We are in for a pretty entertaining battle."
"So you are the Uchiha boy everyone's been talking about in this exam," Kankuro smirked, unwrapping the bundle on his back to reveal his Crow puppet. "I can finally test my puppet skills against someone worthy of witnessing them."
"Your puppets will be in pieces when I'm done with them," Sasuke replied harshly. He knew this puppeteer was going to be having an instrumental role in the invasion later on.
"Oooh. Bold words," Kotetsu grinned.
"Hmph. We'll see about that, Uchiha-san." Kankuro flexed his fingers, and Crow moved forward.
"Alright. The first match. Sasuke Uchiha vs Kankuro Sabaku." Genma nodded, stepping back. "Begin."
More cheers for Sasuke filled the arena.
They both look evenly-matched, Kiba thought, sitting in the audience along with Hinata. If Sasuke hasn't been training hard for the past two months, he has no chance against this puppet guy. He looks strong.
"You can have the first move," Kankuro smirked.
"Sharingan!"
Activating his dojutsu, Sasuke felt the familiar pain sting his neck as he dashed forward to engage the puppet.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Blasting a fireball at Crow, Sasuke was dismayed as the puppet emerged from the smoke, unharmed.
"Crow is a puppet, and not a human being!" Kankuro chuckled. "He won't be affected by your weak attacks!" He thrust his arm forward. "Go forth! Crow!"
The puppet shot towards Sasuke, a scythe protruding from it's chest.
"Sasuke!" Naruto yelled.
Sasuke dodged the blade with ease, and used Crow's head as a platform to jump towards Kankuro. Seeing this, the hooded puppeteer jerked his arm back, and Crow flew backwards to defend it's master.
"What a troublesome puppet," Sasuke commented, as he felt his kick sink into Crow's face.
"It's effective," Kankuro corrected, as Crow's blade attacked the Uchiha. Sasuke jumped back just in time.
I guess it's time for this, Sasuke felt his neck, where the Cursed Seal was on the verge of breaking out.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu."
The mini fireballs were dodged by Kankuro easily, but Sasuke's true purpose was met rather quickly. The Cursed Seal broke out, and black marks covered half his face.
Hiruzen leaned forward, his eyes widening. Itachi didn't take care of the seal?
Orochimaru, in his Kazekage disguise, smirked with delight.
"Now, the real battle begins," Sasuke warned his opponent, as chakra burst out of him.
"What is this evil chakra?" Kankuro muttered, feeling a little fearful. "Crow!" He yelled. His puppet's mouth opened, and poison senbon flew towards Sasuke. The Uchiha boy made no attempt to dodge, and the senbon sank into his arm.
Gotcha, Kankuro grinned. This battle is mine to win.
Unfortunately for the puppeteer, as Sasuke plucked the senbon off his arm, the wounds opened up by the needles healed in a flash.
It's too bad for you this mark enhances my immunity, Sasuke thought, leaping towards Kankuro. Your poison attacks will have no effect against me.
"Take this!" Kankuro yelled. Crow fired senbon towards Sasuke again, but he brushed them off easily with a kunai. Said kunai was thrown towards Kankuro, but Crow jumped in front of the Suna Genin and knocked the short weapon away with it's scythe.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
Sasuke unleashed his strongest Fire Style technique, sending a gigantic, roaring flame dragon towards his opponent. The crowd watched on in awe as the dragon slammed into Kankuro and exploded with a bang.
"That's the end for him!" Naruto grinned.
"Sasuke-kun is so strong," Sakura said in awe. She was amazed by her teammate's new ability to control the Cursed Seal.
Gaara was watching the battle with little worry etched on his face.
As the smoke from the Dragon Flame Jutsu cleared, Sasuke frowned to see a salamander-like puppet. It's body split open to reveal Kankuro within.
Gaara smiled. He knew his brother would use the Salamander.
"What?" Sasuke growled.
"Crow, my puppet, is for offense," Kankuro got out of the hollowed body. "But Salamander is for defense." He waved his fingers and Crow reappeared. "If I take cover in Salamander's body, I don't have to worry about taking a hit or two."
That idiot, he's revealing all his secret techniques, Temari face-palmed.
Salamander disappeared in a puff of smoke as Kankuro resumed using Crow.
"I'll just have to get to you fast enough before you use your Salamander then."
"Probably," Kankuro chuckled. "But don't bet on it being successful. Besides you still have to deal with Crow!" He thrust his arm again, and Crow jumped forward to attack.
Diving away as Crow's scythe descended on him, Sasuke charged towards Kankuro, his enhanced speed allowing him to reach the hooded teen before his puppet could defend him.
"Eat this!" Sasuke landed a punch on Kankuro, knocking him backwards. Taking out a kunai, he swiftly slashed off the almost-invisible chakra strings connecting Kankuro's fingers to Crow, and the puppet fell to the ground.
"What...?! "
"Without his puppets, a puppeteer is rendered useless," Sasuke performed a few hand seals.
"Rookie of the Year, alright. He's doing this troublesome thing so effortlessly," Shikamaru pointed out. "That Genin from the Sand has no chance against him, even with his troublesome puppets."
Kakashi, from the stands, recognized the hand seals.
"He's already using that technique... that was quick."
Beside him, the one named Tenzo and Might Guy looked at him.
"That technique?" Tenzo asked, puzzled.
"Kakashi, my eternal rival! Don't tell me you taught him the-" Guy started.
"Yes," said Kakashi simply.
"But he's not even your student," protested Guy. "Focusing on helping other Genin is most unyouthful!"
"Itachi's saved my life before," Kakashi said with a sheepish eye-smile. "So this is a favor in return. Anyway, Shino only uses his parasitic insects, and that's only something his clan can train him in."
Back in the arena, Sasuke did the last of the hand seals and focused his Lightning-natured chakra into his right hand.
"You bastard," Kankuro growled.
"Call me what you like," Sasuke replied. "But this battle is over."
"W-What is that?" Naruto stared at the amount of Lightning chakra assembled into Sasuke's right hand.
"Kankuro! Get out of there!" Temari shouted in warning.
Raising his Sharingan eyes to confirm Kankuro's position, he charged.
"Chidori!"
Sasuke's hand slammed straight through Kankuro's chest.
"No! Kankuro!" Temari gasped.
Looking up, Sasuke grunted. 'Kankuro' was now a spiky-haired, three-eyed freak. Withdrawing his hand, Sasuke kicked Crow away and turned. Kankuro was now where Crow was lying earlier.
"You ripped a hole in my puppet," Kankuro said angrily, raising his hand. New chakra strings shot out and connected with Crow's body.
He performed the Substitution Jutsu just in time, Sasuke thought. Sheer luck. It won't happen again. Now I just need to find an opening once more to hit him with the Chidori a second time.
"You scared me, you idiot," Temari called angrily.
Kankuro looked up at his sister and simply gave her a cheeky smile, before swinging his arm. Crow, despite having a ripped hole in it's chest, leaped forward and raised it's six arms. Senbon shot out from every arm.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
The mini fireballs destroyed every single senbon. Sasuke got into a taijutsu stance again.
I'll need to conserve chakra if I want to use another Chidori. I'd better resort to taijutsu now.
This is frustrating, Kankuro groaned. I haven't even been able to land one scratch on him.
Surging forward, Sasuke used the speed his Cursed Seal gifted him to zip past Crow. When Kankuro pulled his puppet back, Sasuke got in the way and, once more, cut off the chakra strings with a kunai.
"Damn it," Kankuro swore. "W-Why are you... How are you so fast?! No one has managed to cut off my chakra strings twice in the same battle!"
In an instant, Sasuke was in front of Kankuro, and he grabbed the hooded boy by his collar, before throwing a strong punch that sent him crashing into a tree. Sasuke marched up to the fallen puppeteer, and continued raining punches on his face.
Hauling the puppet master up, Sasuke threw him forward and prepared his finishing move.
He's going to use that Chidori again, Kankuro frowned. I have to stop him!
Reconnecting the chakra strings to Crow, Kankuro swung his arm, causing Crow to come forward. Sasuke made no attempt to dodge, and instead focused on charging up his Lighting Style attack.
Crow was on Sasuke in an instant, and used the scythe on it's torso to stab the young boy in the abdomen.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura shrieked.
"Sasuke!" Itachi rose to his feet.
Suddenly, 'Sasuke' turned into a log.
"Chidori!"
"Gaaaaaahhh!"
Kankuro coughed out blood as he felt something stabbing into his lower back. He turned slightly to see Sasuke.
"Now, you die," Sasuke said coldly, in a twisted voice. His eyes were now glinting madly.
No! Gotta... regain control...
Sasuke's eyes flickered for a moment, and returned to their original self. Withdrawing his hand, Sasuke grabbed Kankuro and slammed him onto the ground.
"Kankuro!" Baki roared from the stands.
Placing his foot onto Kankuro's chest, Sasuke folded his arms, at the same time pushing the Cursed Seal back.
That was... spectacular, Hiruzen leaned back into his chair. He controlled Orochimaru's Cursed Seal effectively! Anko couldn't do that very well.
"Looks like I win."
Kankuro couldn't speak. He felt rushing pain in the spot where Sasuke had impaled him, and passed out.
"Kankuro Sabaku can no longer fight." Genma nodded. "That means Sasuke Uchiha is the winner." He pointed towards Sasuke.
Cheers rang throughout the audience.
Temari was about to jump down towards the arena, but a cloud of sand appeared in front of her.
"Gaara!" Temari snapped.
"I'll go, Temari." Gaara said calmly. "Your match is the next up. Don't worry about Kankuro. I'm sure he'll be okay." Jumping down into the arena as Temari gave a defeated nod, Gaara lifted the fallen Kankuro up.
"Medics!" Genma called. Soon, Kankuro was carried away on a stretcher, with Gaara accompanying his older brother.
"It is now time for the second match. May Shikamaru Nara and Temari Sabaku get down here, please?"
Too short, in my opinion, but nevertheless I'm happy with squeezing out another chapter. Kankuro may have seemed a little pathetic but that's because Sasuke was powered by the Cursed Seal. In the next chapter, Temari and Shikamaru begin their battle. Till next time!