an:/I'm backk, as in, I'm getting my groove back on with the almost uber fast updates. Still not the same agile author as before, but its hard to after a little rough patch during the december-january period of my junior life. (Damn calculus and physics) Well, now I have quite a lot of time since I switched down levels. My homework load is ten times lighter, I have 45 minutes of free time for lunch, and my afternoons are slowly getting out of its chains of constant studying. Talk about having a midlife crisis at 16, looks like I'm only gonna live till 30 at this rate. Jk jk, all of you are probably like "STFU, Life only gets harder from then on, so suck it up, and quit complaining like the annoying teenager you are" Lol I laugh but whatever. It seems I have enough energy to complain. Now, enough about my life, let's get on with the review responses (Have I mentioned I love you sexy beast readers? You guys are the best 3)
Damon Furey: Oh man, you da bestttt. Thanks for favoriting and following me and my story. You are probably one of the nicest readers ever~! Please keep reading!
Darth Renada: Yeah, the whole burn out till 70 is understandable. I'd hate to do that to all my readers . that would just be cruel. I think I gotta split the story...
avengeme: Haha yes, Minato somehow survives the wrath of Uzumaki Kushina but is afraid of a little snake. (I can practically imagine Kushina single handedly strangling the damn snake XD )
Red-Hot Habanero: Love the pen name, btw. Wow, thanks for the dedicated reading! 27 chaps in 3 days...impressive indeed. I, personally, am a slow reader and I haven't bothered to read my own story from beginning to end in a while -.-" Lol, keep on reading!
yeayesyeah: You're an odd one, aren't you. But yes, Disregard the females and acquire currency.. for what? I have no clue.
narusaku189:Tis what I was going to do. This part, I guess, is just kinda like the prologue to the Narusaku that comes in when they are 15-16 (wow, my age! I guess I can relate and include some of my lack of love experience in it :D *insert sarcasm here lol) But yes. Probably have all the lovin' in the second part
The Keeper of Worlds: I hear college is difficult so I don't blame ya. Studies first, then my story! Hahaha. Thanks for supporting me from quite early on. Glad to have you back!
btw: Thanks for the poll answers! I have come to my decision...but for now! Story!
One month time skip? One month time skip.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Today! I present to you the Annual Chuunin Exams!" The Announcer cheered through the microphone.
The crowd roared, filling the stadium with cheers for the upcoming participants. The stands were high above the circular open aired arena. At the highest tower, there were two levels of spectator stands. The highest one was filled with the Kages, and below was for the Daimyos. Naruto looked up at the cheering crowd as he stood next to his three participating genin.
"I'm glad I went to pick you up, Sasuke. No thanks to Kakashi, if you were late, they would have disqualified you."
"Che- I wasn't finished." Sasuke muttered. Naruto chuckled.
"You'll have mental time to think it over. Konohamaru. You know the drill. Give a good fight, but leave the rest to me."
"Ryokai, Boss!" Konohamaru mock saluted. Naruto turned to Yoki and smirked.
"I take it that you know what to do, Aoba Yoki?"
"Yes." Yoki promptly nodded and turned away to the participant box to take a seat along with the others. Asuma walked up from behind. Naruto turned towards him.
"It's kind of weird seeing you order yourself around."
"Oh shut up..." Naruto mumbled.
"What happened to respect for seniors?" Asuma joked. He let out a sigh, letting smoke escape from his mouth right into Naruto's face.
A vein popped on Naruto's forehead as he briskly swatted the smoke away from his face.
"Refrain from smoking in my face, Sarutobi"
"Ah, gomen, gomen." Asuma rubbed the back of his head. "I'll be taking my leave now, Namikaze." Asuma turned heels and left to join the other jounin. Naruto looked straight at the Kage's box, his eyes narrowed. His eye made contact with the Kazekage, causing an unreal chill go down his spine. What was that? Naruto's eyes widened a bit before he flashed away.
Minato felt the chakra flicker and turned to his right to see his son flash in front of him.
"Namikaze Naruto..."
"A word, Hokage-sama."
"Uh, right away." Minato looked to the Kage's next to him and excused himself. Minato followed his son over to the halls outside the box.
"Wha-"
"It's him. He's here. Or rather. He's in there"
Minato's eyes flashed with realization.
"Which-"
"The w...way with which the wind blows. A bug has followed the breeze." Someone is listening in. Naruto's eyes darted to the sides. Minato's eyes followed suit. He understood his son's message and quickly nodded.
"I see." Minato looked back at the door to the stand.
"Do you think the-"
"The breeze most likely died out." He's dead.
Minato looked towards the floor thoughtfully. His head snapped up.
"Understood. Handle this under the leaves." Can't do it out in the open, take action when necessary.
"I'll send an ANBU for you." I'll be your guard.
"I'd rather not-"
"No choice. What's done is done." Naruto bowed before walking past a wall, hitting it several times. Suddenly a body materialized and slumped to the ground. Several ANBU jumped down to apprehend the spy.
"Code just in case I couldn't make get him." Naruto turned to Minato and smiled.
"Later, Tou-san." Naruto flashed away with wave,
Naruto flashed next to Konohamaru, who flinched at the appearance of his sensei.
"Ya know, you'd think I'd get used to your constant flashing without warning. But, no...scares me every freaking time."
Naruto turned to Konohamaru with a blank stare.
"Things are going a bit more rapid than we thought. We need to act fast." Naruto whispered. The two looked on to the stadium where the announcer was listing the rules, his voice drowned out as Naruto continued.
"I have our match first...for obvious reasons. I need to guard my father...clearly I can't do that with an incoming match. So..."
"Understood. How long do you want the match?"
"However long you need. I have a feeling things won't happen for a while. Just avoid maiming me and I'll try to dodge your pathetic attacks you call r-"
"Hey! They aren't pathetic! Mine are practically as good as yours."
"You wish. You still need two clones to help you..."
"That's- that's not the point!"
"Hmmm. Well, I'll be going now. Yoki!" Yoki looked up and nodded before getting out of his seat and following Naruto out.
"Later, Naruto-sensei!" Konohamaru called out.
Naruto waved as he and Yoki left.
"And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the first match of the exams! Our predetermined matches go as followed. Aoba Yoki versus Sarutobi Konohamaru! Second, Sabaku no Kankuro versus Sabaku no Gaara, Third, Nara Shikamaru versus Sabaku no Temari. And lastly, Hyuuga Neji versus Uchiha Sasuke."
Minato turned to the Kazekage.
"Are you okay with your sons fighting each other? It was a random draw so we couldn't help it..."
The voice that responded made Minato's muscles frigid.
"It's makes it more...interesting, no? Yondaime Hokage-sama."
"If- if you say so, Kazekage-san"
Minato turned back to the arena, swallowing a bit at the confirmation of his son's assumptions. His thoughts were disrupted when the announcer called out the first pair.
"Aoba Yoki versus Sarutobi Konohamaru! Please present yourself at the center of this arena!"
Konohamaru walked down the stairs, followed by Yoki who appeared just in time to hear his name called. Yoki caught up with Konohamaru and whispered under his breath.
"It will be just like training. A small spar in front of everyone. No biggie. Don't sweat it, Monkey."
"Shut it windbag. I'm not nervous."
"Says the guy with clenched fists that are shaking."
Konohamaru quickly looked down and let go of the tight grip he had. He wiped the sweat off his brow as the two boys made their way to the center. The two boys stood face to face with the proctor in the middle and his hand set out.
"On my mark, boys."
The two shifted into stance. The proctor paused, eyes darting to both boys.
"...Go!"
The proctor jumped away and Yoki and Konohamaru dashed towards each other.
Yoki resisted the urge to pick his ear while he deflected Konohamaru's attacks. Sure, some of the attacks got through his defense, but it wasn't like it mattered. The hits were too light to give any serious damage, just a few small cuts and bruises. This was ridiculous. Naruto taught him so much about speed and here the monkey was, monkeying around.
"Quit dallying, Saru." Yoki drawled.
Konohamaru kneed but was blocked by Naruto. Konohamaru paused before looking up.
"I know. Just showin' a little taijutsu" he muttered.
With that, Konohamaru jumped away and made a ram handseal.
"Kai."
Yoki smirked. Things were about to get interesting. In an instant, the Monkey disappeared. Yoki looked to the right and immediately brought his hands up to block a kick. Konohamaru was fast, but not Hirashin fast, not Namikaze fast. Yoki secured a hold on Konohamaru's ankle and yanked, taking the boy off balance. Yoki brought his fist up and charged it forward, making contact with Konohamaru's jaw. Konohamaru was launched several meters away and dumped on the dirt ground. Yoki shifted out of stance, waiting for the boy to get up.
"Are you done yet, Sarutobi?"
Asuma turned to Kakashi.
"Oi, oi, isn't he a bit harsh on my nephew? I mean, he's jounin!"
"Maa, relax Asuma. He's got an...objective..."
Asuma frowned a bit but continued to watch the match
Konohamaru drowsily got up from the floor, hastily brushing his clothes.
"Not even close, windbag."
Kage bunshin no jutsu!
15 Konohamarus formed around him, posed and ready to strike. Yoki smiled.
"Good, impressive, Sarutobi. Quite a lot of chakra, but..."
Tajuu- Kage bunshin no jutsu!
30 clones appeared around Yoki and immediately charged.
"You don't have enough to beat me."
Konohamaru's clones were decimated in a matter of seconds but Yoki's clones were also destroyed in the clone carnage. A remaining clone stood next to Konohamaru.
"Boss, we gotta do that!"
"I know..."
Yoki smirked a bit.
"Talking to your clone? It gives away a bit too much."
"That's what you think, windbag!"
Konohamaru outstretched his hand and let his clone charge chakra into it. Yoki flashed his eyes at the kage box and smiled at his father's shocked face. He turned back to Konohamaru and charged.
"As if I'd let you!" Yoki yelled.
Yoki jumped and kneed Konohamaru's face away, dispelling the clone, dissipating the ball of chakra, and sending Konohamaru into a tree.
"You're little technique takes too much time."
Yoki flashed in front of Konohamaru's barely conscious form. Naruto outstretched his arm and the ball of chakra formed in a matter of seconds. The blue orb swirled, the chime in the air as the chakra started to change the air around it signaled it's completion. The surrounding shadows were illuminated by the blue light in Yoki's hand.
"I'll show you the real way it's done." He whispered
Rasengan!
Yoki almost pulled back as a realization dawned on him, but his arm continued anyways. He smirked as his hand made contact with Konohamaru, only to have it poof away from existence. Yoki feigned shock before he whipped around and dodged an incoming kick from a dirty looking Konohamaru. Konohamaru crashed to the ground next to him, causing the ground to shake. Konohamaru, realizing his ambush failed, jumped away only to be grabbed by the collar.
"Not so fast."
Konohamaru turned under his grip and quickly grabbed on to Yoki's arm. Yoki was taken back.
"Wha-"
Rasengan!
Yoki turned his head as much as he could under his restraint to see another Konohamaru charging with a Rasengan. He turned back to the one on him who smirked.
"Shadow clone-" realization dawned on Yoki, but it was too late. Konohamaru shoved the Rasengan into Yoki's back. Konohamaru grinned in success but the look went to horror when Yoki disappeared in a cloud of smoke. A voice was heard from behind him.
"You aren't the only one who can use clones, ya know."
"Shit!" Konohamaru turned around to face Yoki but was hit straight in the solar plexus with an uppercut. He gasped in pain as Yoki drove another in the same spot. He quickly got away and hid in the trees, leaving Yoki in the clearing. Yoki grinned.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are, Saru~" Yoki coaxed.
Konohamaru leaned against the tree, cradling his stomach, gasping for air. He knew he had to lose, but it wasn't in the interest of his pride to go down without a fight. He straightened up, composing himself the best way he could. Yoki was approaching closer to his location. Konohamaru cursed under his breath. He felt like a rabbit, trapped as the prey of a fox. His heart rate quickened as the threat approached even closer.
He used his speed to appear behind Yoki as he cocked his fist back to punch Yoki. Everything went in slow motion from there as Yoki turned around and deflected his punch, pushing it to the side. Konohamaru saw the second punch coming though but couldn't maneuver out of the way. The punch went straight into his nose and everything went black.
The sickening crunch was heard in the echoing arena. Everything went silent to hear Konohamaru's body fall to the floor in a dull thud. The wind blew and the silence permeated for a moment before the crowd erupted in cheers. The proctor made his way to the pair. Medics arrived to pick up Konohamaru and take him out on a stretcher.
"Winner, Aoba Yoki"
Yoki turned to leave for the participant stands as his peers watched him closely. Asuma let his jaw slack, his cigarette falling to the floor, before he face palmed himself.
"That was too much for a genin!" He muttered. Kakashi patted him on the back.
"Maa...it's all good. Just a simple knock out."
"But..his nose!"
"Suck it up, Asuma. He saw it coming, literally" Asuma turned to see Naruto chuckling while walking up to them.
Asuma mock glared at the boy.
"Whatever, the next match is coming up."
"Next match! Sabaku no Kankuro versus Sabaku no Gaara! Please step down to the arena!"
"Sir! I foreit!"
All attention was geared towards the Suna puppeteer. His hand was raised as he stood by the balcony.
"I forfeit the match." The boy repeated.
The announcer frowned.
"A-Alright, Sabaku no Gaara wins by default"
A series of "boos" and other obscenities for the missing action was heard throughout the arena as Kankuro calmly left the participant's booth.
Minato's eyes narrowed. The Raikage turned to the Kazekage.
"Apparently, your own son is a coward. Can't fight his own brother in a light match. Che, ridiculous. Let's hope your daughter has more balls than your son."
The Kazekage didn't respond under the insult, only tipping his hat further down his face to hide his expression. His expression of pure glee. Soon...
Naruto stood guard next to Minato as he watched the Kazekage under his ANBU mask (1). His blue eyes darted under his growling fox mask, surveying the area round him. He was picking up faint chakra signatures on all four corners of the room. He thought, perhaps, they were ANBU for one of the Kages. But what struck a chord was the demonic chakra that lay hidden within each chakra signature, something dark, cold, the depravity in it was hard to ignore. (2)
He drove his attention back to the arena for the next match.
"Third match, Sabaku no Temari versus Nara Shikamaru! Please step down to the arena"
(1) foggraven: Response to your review couple chapters back, lol long time ago. As you said: hmm I think It would be kind of cool to have him occasionally act as an anbu agent for certain missions during the story but generally just be his normal jounin self, maybe during to the pre shippuden three year time skip.
Bam, wish come true. As due to majority of the poll, Naruto-kun here will be ANBU. But! Here's the catch, he's only a temporary ANBU. His main job is a normal jounin but he recieves special missions as an ANBU on the side. Therefore, in this chapter, he isn't illegally being an ANBU (remember what Minato said about impersonating ANBU?)
(2) Did I use "depravity" right? I'm trying to use vocabulary words from my english class to help, ya know, enrichen my writing. So any help on that is absolutely welcome. Tell me if I'm using a word wrong!
Jutsus:
If you don't know Kage bunshin no jutsu, at least the context will help you.
Rasengan...I don't even, no, just no.
Alright, later gators!