I am terribly sorry for the lack of chapters these past few weeks, but as you all know - exams. My exams are not over yet, but they will officially end on 17th May. Until then, here's a new chapter to appease your hunger ;)

Another apology from me will be for the cancellation of the Itachi Gaiden arc, but rest assured that that will soon be published as a story itself somewhere in the middle of Team Itachi: Shippuden.

That means that after this filler arc, we will immediately move on to the sequel. Is anyone excited?

Did anyone guess that last chapter's Question of the Day was the Question of the Day for a reason? ;)

xXFallenxBeautyxX: Every author loves a new follower. Welcome to my story! The next time we will see the beautiful Sakura will be in Team Itachi: Shippuden so watch out for that sequel.

LONGNodaichi:Anko won't let him get away ;)

Patcher: Thanks for the great review. That's exactly what my story and my writing style is all about :)

Hachibi8tails: Thanks for the awesome review once again - your ideas are certainly interesting and I'll look to implement one or two of them if I can, hopefully.

Awais: Felix is a pretty cool name for a cat!

Thanks to Arch The Ripper, demonic hellfire, akasukifangirl, Frozen Flaming Fire, xXFallenxBeautyxX, LONGNodaichi, Killijimaru, Crystal, blackmoon124, Patcher, Awais, Hachibi8tails, hateyuforever, legendaryhuntress, NarutoOutsidersrock9 and Mr. Haziq for the reviews!

"Congratulations on passing the second part of the Jonin Exams," echoed a familiar voice. "Sasuke Uchiha. Neji Hyuga."

Sasuke and Neji looked up. The Godaime Hokage, Tsunade, looked down at them from the spectator stand, the Jonin in charge of the exams behind her.

"Tsunade-sama," Asuma bowed respectfully. "It's good that you've come."

The former Guardian Ninja looked down at Sasuke and Neji, who were looking back up at them expectantly.

Unbelievable... This is the first time we've had a tag team partnership that completely defeated every single opponent in the exams. The third part of the Jonin Exams can't proceed with at least the final six participants. What should we do?

Then, he glanced towards Tsunade. The Fifth had just arrived, and had only caught a glimpse of the battle.

Asuma made a quick decision, and whispered to the blonde Hokage. She paused for a moment, but then nodded in approval.

As the unconscious form of their previous adversary, Shin Yaiba, was carted away by two helpful medics, Sasuke and Neji looked on as Asuma conversed with Tsunade.

"Alright," Tsunade spoke up, authority in her voice. "There will be a change of plan for these exams."

"Change of plan?" Sasuke questioned.

"We didn't expect only two Chunin to be left standing for this part of the exams," Asuma revealed with a small smile on his tanned face. "So we've decided, instead of proceeding to the third part of the Jonin Exams this year, we will switch it up."

Tsunade continued on for Asuma. "The two of you entered these Jonin Exams as a team. You must know plenty about the other's techniques and ability." She stopped talking for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. "Sasuke Uchiha, Neji Hyuga. Instead of proceeding to the next part of the Jonin Exams, the two of you will battle and the one who demonstrates better ability... will be promoted to the level of Jonin."

Sasuke and Neji stared at each other.

"And you may begin!"

Both Uchiha and Hyuga jumped away from each other, their tag team splitting apart.

"But our chakra levels are low," Neji argued. "We should at least be given time to rest before something like this."

Sasuke kept his eyes trained on Neji. "Neji is right. And also... why the sudden change? I don't want to have to fight a comrade."

"The first part of the Jonin Exams assesses your ability to complete a high-ranked mission successfully," Asuma said. "The second, assesses your skill of teamwork and team battling. The third was supposed to assess your individual ability and technique, as a ninja. This is the only replacement I can think of for the third test."

"That still doesn't explain why we're battling straight after the second test," Neji spoke.

"A living enemy won't let you rest after you've killed his comrades," Asuma shrugged. "Take these Jonin Exams as a mission. You have to fight no matter how exhausted you are to ensure the success of the mission."

Well, since you've put it that way, Neji gritted his teeth.

Sasuke grinned. Truth be told, he was relishing this opportunity to fight a strong shinobi like Neji himself. "Are you ready, Neji?"

"You bet." Neji placed his hands in his familiar seal. "Byakugan!"

His Sharingan reactivated, Sasuke's Chidori came to life in his hand.

I'll have to do my best to keep him away from me as much as possible, he thought. Once his Gentle Fist hits me, this fight won't be in my favor.

He decided to make the first move, and thrust his hand forward. "Chidori True Spear!"

Neji dodged the attack, and charged towards Sasuke. He's going to be trying to avoid my Gentle Fist, but I won't let him...!

Sasuke jumped back, throwing a few shuriken that failed to delay Neji's run.

Getting close, Neji attacked.

Sasuke did well to dodge, but was soon knocked to the ground with a jab to his hip.

However, on hitting the ground, Sasuke turned into a log. On it was an explosive tag.

An explosion followed, of course, but Neji was quick enough to avoid getting caught in the radius of it.

"Your speed is impressive."

Neji turned, just in time to counter his opponent's Chidori Blade.

"But I would expect nothing less," Sasuke smiled, as he pressed his chakra-made weapon against Neji's palms.

With a grunt, the Hyuga mustered all his strength to push the sword away and quickly spun around, executing his Rotation technique.

"Argh!" Sasuke was tossed back, and turned into smoke.

Shadow Clone, Neji thought. Above!

He dived off just in time as Sasuke descended.

"Chidori!"

The attack punctured the ground, creating an explosion.

As the smoke cleared, Sasuke caught sight of Neji again, calmly standing some distance away in his Gentle Fist stance.

I don't have much chakra left... I'll have to settle this as quickly as I can.

He placed his hands in the Shadow Clone hand seal, and three Sasuke lookalikes appeared.

"Get him," the original muttered.

His clones nodded, charging towards Neji.

Clones? Neji raised an eyebrow. They... He stared at them harder with his Byakugan. They don't seem to be normal Shadow Clones...

The three Shadow Clones surrounded him.

His next move was the Rotation, but the Sasuke trio jumped into the air to avoid being hit by the spiralling sphere.

They all landed on Neji, pinning him on the ground.

Now! Sasuke placed his hands in the Tiger seal.

Subsequently, the three Shadow Clones on top of Neji exploded.

"Shadow Clone Explosion!"

From the smoke, came log pieces, flying everywhere.

Sasuke frowned. "A perfectly executed Substitution Jutsu, huh, Neji?" He made hand seals and his Chidori appeared. "Chidori Sharp Spear!"

He turned, and his Chidori lengthened into his desired technique.

"Quick to react, as always," Neji remarked, as he avoided the spear. His chakra is running out. I'll just have to keep avoiding all the jutsu he throws at me, and when his chakra burns out I'll move in for the win.

Sasuke threw two kunai, both with explosive tags attached to them.

Piece of cake, Neji smiled, as he did a back-flip. The kunai embedded into the ground, the position he'd been at a few seconds ago, and exploded.

I'm going to have to try to distract him with clones and defeat him when he's pre-occupied... Sasuke's hands formed into the Shadow Clone hand seal. Two clones appeared, and both armed kunai.

It appears that they are genuine Shadow Clones, Neji scanned them with his dojutsu as they charged.

Both clones swiped at Neji with their kunai. He easily knocked away one of the clones' kunai, but as he did this, the other managed to land a small cut on his face.

Wincing, Neji kicked back, but the clone dodged easily.

The disarmed Shadow Clone started generating Lightning chakra in his fists, and threw a few punches at the long-haired Hyuga, the speed of the attacks increasing with every punch. Meanwhile, the kunai-wielding Sasuke continued to swipe and slash.

Sasuke poured more chakra than usual into these clones, Neji defended himself from the disarmed Sasuke clone, and kicked him back. As he predicted, the clone did not disperse, instead getting back up to re-engage him. They're harder to combat, and they don't disperse as easily.

Neji slammed his palm into the kunai-wielding clone, knocking him to the ground. Still, I will defeat them.

He kicked the other Sasuke away, dispersing him, and then sat on the last Shadow Clone to pin him down, before raining his palms down on the clone's chest, who quickly disappeared with a painful groan.

"Chidori!"

His eyes widened as, with his Byakugan, he watched Sasuke just behind him, intent on piercing him with a Chidori.

No... it's too late! Neji thought with despair, as he turned his head.

Suddenly, the Chidori exploded, just before it hit.

Sparks of Lightning chakra knocked both Jonin hopefuls back.

"Damn it," Sasuke cursed softly, as he felt himself weakening. I don't have enough chakra left to maintain the Chidori!

Neji ran up to the Uchiha. His chakra's burnt out, now's my chance!

Just as he got in range to deal his first hit, Sasuke's foot slammed into his cheek. "Not so fast."

"Urk!" Neji fell to the ground, his hand placed on his cheek. It was burning with pain. Even after he's used up all that chakra... he still has this much strength? Then, he saw it. The black marks of the Cursed Seal had appeared on Sasuke's face.

The chakra boost from the Cursed Seal should be pretty handy now, Sasuke grinned, cracking his knuckles. Still, it's just a slight boost. I'll have to conserve as much as possible.

Tsunade observed Sasuke. "So that's Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, huh? He looks perfectly in control."

"He is, Hokage-sama," Kakashi eye-smiled.

Sasuke disappeared.

Neji turned, but could not produce a counterattack in time as Sasuke reappeared behind him and launched a powerful kick.

He's fast!

Neji landed on his hands, and quickly pushed himself up back on his feet. Sasuke was suddenly right in front of him.

"Hya!" He quickly attacked, but yelled in pain as Sasuke exploded into lightning, electrifying him. "L-Lighting Style Shadow Clone... argh!" He fell to his knees, as the hostile electricity flowed through his body.

A second later, Sasuke's foot met his face, drawing blood from his nose and sending him flying back.

The Cursed Seal marks around his left wrist merged, and the skin on his left hand darkened. The Black Chidori appeared, and Sasuke roared as it stretched towards Neji.

"Chidori Lament!"

"What the hell?" Neji tried to avoid the streaks of evil Lightning chakra, but one eventually struck him, electrifying his body again.

Another blasted into his chest, making him scream.

Sasuke seized the opportunity to power up his right fist with his chakra. His hand glowed blue, but did not have the same intensity as a normal Chidori.

His Chidori Lament technique still activated on his left hand, Sasuke let out a battle cry and made a leap towards Neji.

"Huruuyaahhh!"

Sasuke's right hand sank into Neji's face.

Not the longest battle ever, but hopefully it's good enough. I haven't written for a few weeks so it might be a little bit rusty.

Question of the Day: Can you name all of Sasuke's Lightning Style ninjutsu and Chidori-based techniques without looking back at previous chapters?

Next chapter will be the final chapter of the Sasuke's Jonin Exams Arc and of course, finally, the final chapter of Team Itachi.