an:/ So, I have given you another slow update...I almost feel bad...almost XD nothing better than some suspense right? Alright, the match between Temari and Shikamaru is gonna be plain boring, but it's basically gonna be canon. Nothing much, just an abbreviated version of the fight. Other than that, er, yeah. A bit of Ooc on Sasuke's part because frankly I hate emo Sasuke.

Review responses:

urworstnightmare: So, I have no idea what you were talking about, so I did the only thing I could do at the given situation, laugh. I'll hold you to your promises, though. If I do in fact make fun of a story, I'll leave it to you to keep me in line. I didn't moderate your view. But since I don't want to have your review shown on my reviews, I'm gonna keep it between you and me. Is that alright with you? I hope it is, because that's how it's going to be even if you kick and scream. As for my fanfiction career, do your worst.

Doomslayer10000: Ah thank you. I plan on making Sasuke...not so broody, I hope. Maybe this chapter will kinda change that, I hope again. Sasuke is a weird character...as for Konohamaru, I feel like he is downplayed in the series so I hope to shed light on what the real Sarutobi Konohamaru and what he can do. Obviously he's gonna be badass XD

Tsuukiyomi: Yes, the subtle hints of who was Minato's guards...

Damon Furey: I don't really plan on having Naruto intimidate people as an ANBU but his mask was part of his war outfit so they know him by his mask (because he didn't want to be known in the Kiri wars) Fear factor is there indeed. Response to PM: US of A :P

Foxxel: Sadly, 29 didn't come out as fast TT TT I didn't have access to a computer till now...how depressing is that.

Mathiasosx: Wow, thanks for sticking with me! I'm glad you liked my story. (I totally understand the laziness. Sometimes I read stories that are really long...and don't review till like, chapter 60, whoops)

rocker101: Now it may not have appeared here...but I got Sasuke to learn the jutsu he's always wanted...just not now...I totally get what you mean, but...I'm not gonna have him go up against gaara...whoops? But no fear. Chidori will be there on his list of jutsus.

Zatheko: Thank you! Sasuke's match is heree! (yay!) Sadly, the update speed was short lived... kinda made me depressed... :(

avengeme: Oh pish posh. Raikage has every right to call whoever he wants a coward. He's the raikage! Hahaha but of all seriousness, the Raikage doesn't really know much about the bloodthirstiness of Gaara, so yeah...as for the fight with Orochimaru...you'll just have to wait and seeee...

The Keeper of Worlds: Oh I am so gonna enjoy writing the upcoming chapters, this is like...the watershed of everything.

SakuraFairy1990: Bingo!

Minato Namikaze Uzamaki: This chapter won't top the previous one, the next one will though! So hang in there!

NahNoNada: You changed your name didn't ya. Females stumbling over their trousers...

Naruto discreetly stretched his muscles as he stood post behind Minato. His eyes never leaving the arena as the Nara and the Suna nin walked down to the center of the arena. Naruto could already see the Nara looking around at his surroundings, analyzing everything, while the Suna kunoichi strutted pridefully to the center, unaware of her surroundings. The two stood still at the center as the proctor stood between them

"Are you two ready?..."

They shifted into stance.

"...Go!"

Shikamaru immediately jumped away as Temari whipped out her fan to hit him. Well, it was a new fan since the last one was burned away by acid, cheers to a certain weapons mistress.

"Che, stand still, will ya, boy?" Temari snarked.

"Unlikely. How about you?"

Shikamaru stopped a few meters away and knelt down.

Kagemane no jutsu!

His shadow extended towards Temari but she knew better. She kept dodging backwards, racing the shadows to the river.

"I know you Naras are all about shadows. You can't trick me."

Shikamaru stopped his shadow, or rather, the shadow stopped extending itself, struggling to go farther, but unable to.

"So that's the extent, huh." Temari smirked. She dragged her fan across the ground to mark his reach.

"Looks like if I just stand here, you can't reach me. I'll get you when you give up."

Shikamaru sighed and rolled his eyes.

"This is troublesome..."

Naruto looked away as the Kazekage gave a sudden movement, like a lurch. The other two kage's didn't seem to notice as the Kazekage looked like he was suppressing a fit of coughs and gags. I guess stealing someone's skin isn't as foolproof as most thought.

He brought his attention back to the four mysterious chakra signature and frowned. They seemed eerily familiar, like he had felt them before, somewhere, somehow. The feeling of this...malice, it didn't seem quite right. Naruto tapped Minato's shoulder and nodded. Minato waved him away and Naruto flashed out of the box.

The fight seemed absolutely repetitive. Shikamaru would pause a moment before starting his jutsu up. Temari just stood still, fan lodged in the ground at the edge of the outstretched shadow. Konohamaru couldn't help but yawn in boredom. This was absolutely boring to him, there was no action, no exchange. Hell, they didn't even talk. Just a few smirks from the Kunoichi every time the shadow jutsu failed. Shikamaru sat cross legged against the wall of the arena, waiting in the shadows.

Sakura watched from above and knew immediately what was going on. Shikamaru was a genius! His plan, while a bit long, was understandable. Sakura continued to watch, absorbing in every movement, every chess move.

Naruto stood behind the other genins, most of whom were lazily sitting in their chair, sleeping even. He had to say, the match was pretty anticlimactic but hey- every plan needs time. Naruto had some clue of what was going on, but he continued to watch as the plan unraveled before him. This guy just keeps getting more interesting!

Shikamaru's shadow suddenly extended over the mark, catching the kunoichi off guard. Unfortunately for her, her fan was caught in the shadows and she couldn't take it with her as she dodged.

"How-"

"Wouldn't you like to know." Shikamaru drawled.

He sat back down from his position and plopped himself against the wall.

""Man, this is boring..." He turned away and returned his focus to the clouds above.

Temari clicked her tongue as she marked the extent of his shadow with her foot, unable to reach her fan. Shikamaru took off his jacket as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. Temari caught movement as Shikamaru threw a kunai up. She didn't bother look at where the kunai went since it went completely off target. (an:/ can anyone guess why? har har har, lol this is so bad)

"Wow, you Konoha nins suck! Talk about lack of accuracy."

Shikamaru pushed himself off the wall and tried the jutsu again. Temari smirked and rested her hands on her hips. I know you're going by time, so if I step back-"

She jumped back a few steps.

"-You can't get me."

Shikamaru continued his jutsu as it stretched to where her fan was. Then it went past to where her present marker was. Temari smirked as it made its way towards her but stopped a few feet away.

"See-"

Suddenly the shadow veered off in a different direction into a blob on the floor...A shadow. It was too late, as the jutsu attained new energy from the random shadow, it dashed at incredible speeds towards the Kunoichi and ensnared it in it's grasps.

"H-how"

Shikamaru looked up, causing Temari's head to follow suit. Temari caught glimpse of the kunai he threw. It was floating with his jacket tied up in a form of a parachute. She glared, her teeth clenched.

"D-damn you..."

Shikamaru began to raise his hand, causing her to do the same. She tried to resist but the jutsu was too strong, her body's will leaving her as her arm raised up high.

Shikamaru then let go of the 's hand dropped but Shikamaru's hand did not.

"I forfeit." He continued.

Then Konohamaru jumped from his seat.

"What!?" he yelled. "You practically won! You waited all that time to forfeit?"

"I'm out of chakra. I wouldn't be able to continue my match for the next round."

The proctor, amongst the confusion, appeared between them and called the match.

"Er, by default, the winner is Sabaku no Temari."

The cheers came trickling in at the obscurity of who the winner was of the match. It came out awkward till it became a somewhat pleasant clap. No, actually, it remained an awkward applause as the medics took Shikamaru and Temari away, even though they weren't really hurt. What an awkward match.

Naruto turned and headed for the main lobby. He shifted over to the side of the hall just as an ANBU appeared next to him.

"Long time no see, Inari boy"

"Long time no see, Zabuza. How's ANBU life treating you?"

"Pleasantly. Haku is having fun teaching at academy."

"I will never understand teaching little chillin'. The genin are enough for me, and they're my age."

"Ha, just wait brat. You're little father will unload another bunch on ya after these ones become chuunin."

"Please don't remind me of the inevitable."

Zabuza laughter barked through the halls.

"So I heard there's a little fight comin' up, if ya get my drift."

"I take it you're excited?"

"Damn straight. My blade hasn't been in a real fight lately, all just assassinations. It's in dire need of blood" (an:/ the whole iron aspect of the blade I forgot to mention in the previous fight)

"Hmm. I have a feeling it will come soon. So, be on standby"

"Why else am I here? Saw your previous match, by the way. Intense for your own student, dontcha think?"

"Why does everyone know who I am?"

"Er, the meeting? Remember?"

"What? Oh, right! Geez, I have so much on my mind lately. The whole invasion thing, it's hard to get my mind wrapped around some details."

"Boy, you're slipping. Anyways, I'm no psychiatrist, so lay off. I gotta go. See ya, Inari-boy" Zabuza waved as he performed the standard Konoha shunshin. Naruto smirked and continued his way to change into "Aoba Yoki".

"Final match of the first round! Uchiha Sasuke versus Hyuuga Neji! Please come down to the center of the arena!"

Up in the stands, the Uchiha clan, or what's left of it (1), glared to the right of themselves, right at the Hyuuga clan, who were glaring with equal ferocity. The clan heads looked at each other.

"Uchiha."

"Hyuuga"

The two clan head's clipped greeting ended as fast as it started as their attention was directed to the match between their contenders. The Hyuuga prodigy versus the Uchiha prodigy.

Sasuke and Neji walked down the stairs, a sense of pride and arrogance around them made the air heavier. Each trying to outclass the other in royalty. They "gracefully" made their way to the center of the arena where the proctor waited. Naruto resisted the urge to roll his eyes. I thought that by making Kakashi teach him, this wouldn't be a problem. Naruto clicked his tongue.

The two boys stood ready at the mark.

"Are you both ready?..."

They got into stance, both activating their doujutsus. Uchiha's Sharingan flared to life as the Hyuuga's Byakugan manifested.

"...Go!"

Both boys cocked their fists back and launched it at each other's faces. As if a mirror were between them, they both tilted their heads back, letting the other's fist fly past their face. They both regained their bearings before Neji started his gentle fist. Sasuke's sharingan started to spin as it read each of the Hyuuga's movements. He dodged, ducked, and twisted under and around the strikes that came flying. He went on offensive a few times when an opportunity was found, only to be deflected by the Hyuuga with his all-seeing eye. They shoved each other back and breathed heavily.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Hyuuga Neji."

"It seems...that fate has brought us together today."

"What fate." Sasuke smirked.

"What do you think?" He sneered. "The two prodigies of the biggest clans of Konoha...or should I say the biggest versus the former."

"Take that back." Sasuke spat. Neji ignored him and continued.

"It's really a shame that three fourths of your clan died off, by another Uchiha no less. At least...the Hyuuga are more loyal..." Neji sneered.

Sasuke shook with anger.

"You...you're DEAD!" Sasuke roared.

"...By your own brother, on top of it. What...a...shame" Neji emphasized.

His Sharingan started to spin wildly until a third tomoe formed within his eye. He screamed as he charged forth, his Sharingan almost pulsing. Neji smirked and got into stance. At the last moment, Neji launched his fist out at fast speeds, expecting the Uchiha to be too blinded with rage to catch the motion. But, oh, how wrong the Hyuuga was. Sasuke dodged the fist, eyes not leaving Neji's own doujutsu. Not giving him time to react, Sasuke shot his fist out at Hyuuga's face, launching Neji several meters away.

"Don't...don't you dare ever say that again." Sasuke growled.

Neji got up on his feet. "I think, this will be a lot easier than I thought. Fate has deemed me lucky tod-"

"Fuck fate. There is no fate."

"Of course, there is. Why else would I be fighting you? Fate has given me the chance to prove the worthiness of the Hyuuga family."

"Don't you get it? There is no fate! The reason why we are having a match is to prove whether we are worthy of chuunin. Don't take your silly clan ideals into this. I thought my Sensei drilled that into you last time..."

Least to say, Fugaku was taken back. His son, the new heir of the Uchiha clan, has decided to put clan ideals behind to fight. For himself. It was shocking, but somehow he felt proud. Proud that his son was a cut above the mindless Hyuuga, fighting for more than just clan orders.

Naruto leaned back against the wall and smirked. That's absolutely correct. He's going to have to treat his student with a crap ton of tomatoes after the match.

"Uchiha..." Neji growled.

"They call you the prodigy of the Hyuuga. You know what they call me? Uchiha Sasuke. Anyone can be a prodigy, only a handful get recognition or their name. What have you done for Hyuuga Neji, not for the prodigy of the Hyuuga?"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear anything from scum like you."

"Your loss of identity makes me sympathetic-"

"I don't need sympathy" Neji spat.

"Of course. you don't. What you do need, is your ass handed to you on a silver plate. Who better than Uchiha Sasuke to do so?" Sasuke smirked as he entered a new stance.

"Uchiha!" Neji yelled as he charged.

Sasuke's hands started to glow blue until they bursted out cracklings with lightning. He shifted lower into a stance as the crackling grew bigger. Sasuke's whole body started to develop the glowing blue sheen until he was encased in lightning chakra.

The Raikage started to sputter.

"This-this kid!"

Minato let out a dry chuckle.

"It seems, Raikage-sama, that the Uchiha heir has upped you one..."

"Che-"

Beji stopped his charging when he noticed the chakra pouts if his body exploding with chakra. Chakra with an elemental affinity.

Raiton: Kirin no shippo no muchi

Sasuke crouched and whipped his leg out into a wheel kick. With the lash, a pulse of lightning chakra formed, accelerating closer to Neji at an incredible rate. Like a whip, the lightning slashed at Neji, launching him several feet away, crackling with lightning. Sasuke then practically flashed in front of Neji.

Raiton: Kaminari Suzume

At point blank range, Sasuke sent a jolt of electricity through Neji, causing the Hyuuga to let out a scream of pain.

"Why- why do you do this.." Neji winced in pain, breathing heavily. "Why- do you try so hard? Why do you defy your clan? You're not sealed with a bird cage seal...you don't know ANYTHING!"

"I've been brandished with a seal too. Not by my clan, but a controlling seal no less. Does it look like I'm following anyone's orders? It's not my clan, or anyone else, that decides my fate. I do. Anyone who thinks otherwise, is dead to me. Anyone who follows orders mindlessly, is dead to me. I'm done following orders, question is...are you."

Neji used his last strength to look up and saw Sasuke looking down at him, still encased in lightning. Without another word, Neji felt another shock of lightning pulse go through him and everything went black.

"Winner is Uchiha Sasuke."

The audience broke out into cheers. Sasuke slumped back, the chakra armor disappearing into the air as he fell back onto the ground. The medics made their way to the two boys and carried them out on stretchers. Naruto flashed next to them.

"How's it going, Sasuke."

"Sensei...I feel exhausted."

Naruto smiled. "You did well out there...good job"

Sasuke smirked and closed his eyes. Naruto flashed back to the stands. The announcer started again.

"Those advancing to the next stage: Aoba Yoki, Sabaku no Gaara, Sabaku no Temari, and Uchiha Sasuke. Please wait another thirty minutes for break time."

Orochimaru was getting giddy with the thought of the invasion. All he had to do was give the signal and his agents in the crowd would put all the benighted civilians into a Genjutsu, and he would kill the Hokage, Namikaze Minato, the one who took the position away from him. He was suppose to be the Yondaime Hokage, not some green jounin that caught light of some many. With all the access to the forbidden jutsus, Orochimaru thought Minato was stupid to turn down the opportunity.

Namikaze Minato. The man that took away his opportunity. Well, for compensation, he'll just have to take away his life. Imagine that, to kill off the most prized Hokage, the one who defeated a bijuu, the one that killed off thousands of Iwa nin, taking a name greater than the Sannins themselves, the one who will fall at the hands of Orochimaru. His thoughts were impeded by a fit of coughs.

Orochimaru couldn't stand the Jutsu he was in. It's deleterious effects were starting to take toll as he felt his insides turn. He would have to make the invasion start soon if he wanted to be in top shape to fight Namikaze. All he had to do was wait till the man's son left. The stupid kid was the ANBU guard that stopped by every so often. He glanced over to the blonde Hokage contemptuously before he broke out into another set of suppressed coughs and gags.

"Sir? Are you alright?"

Orochimaru felt a hand on his shoulder and stiffened. He started to panic at the thought that Minato had touched him. One touch and the man would have tagged you with his seal. That would be the end of it. He turned to see the ANBU, Namikaze Naruto, looking over at him in concern. He straightened himself out and relaxed.

"Yes, yes" he waved the boys hand off.

"Alright, sir."

Naruto straightened out and walked towards the door. He still couldn't shake off the feel of the four fetid chakra signatures at each corner. He had a rather acerbic countenance under his mask as he left to change back into Aoba Yoki. Something was going to happen soon. It was only imminent and the sense of foreboding was too hard to ignore.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, recovered from his fit of coughs, had now dawned a malicious smirk. His tongue ran across his bottom lip. Underneath his cloak sleeve, he revealed a blade dripping with purple liquid. The animosity in his eyes could no longer keep itself hidden as he slowly tipped the Kazekage's hat down to cover his face.

Namikaze Minato. Prepare to Die.

(1) What is this? Is this foreboding? Can you guess why Itachi is looked down upon now?

*cowers in fear in a corner* DON'T KILL ME! Alright. So, I kinda left you on a sorta weird cliff hanger. Let me tell you though, the next few chapters are the chapters I'm going to enjoy typing so much. So if I don't update fast enough, it's because I want the next couple chapters as awesome as they can be. Now that the little petty fights are over, the real badassery begins! Not much of a poll aside from the fact that I will for sure now, split the story. Expect this story to now have a sequel in which NaruSaku becomes prominent and the "Shippuden" will occur. Well, I think that's it. Hope you kinda enjoyed Sasuke's bit of OOC. I don't want him emo and shit so I decided to change him...on a whim. Yay for improv!

Jutsu translation:

Kagemane no jutsu: Well well well...it's Shikamaru's awesome jutsu. Shadow imitation jutsu

Raiton: Kirin no Shippo no Muchi: Lighting release:Kirin's tail whip (I decided to keep the Kirin theme for Sasuke...no taka...I hate the bird...and the team...damn them (I hope that wasn't a spoiler...))

note on Sasuke's chakra coating: No it's not really the Raikage's jutsu. It was just to protect him from Neji blocking his Chakra points and to help with the Kirin tail whip...if that makes any sense
That's it...right?

Matta neee!