Normal speech
Thought
Nine-tails/Other big voices
InnerSakura
A/N:
Disclaimer
I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely for my, and hopefully everyone else's, enjoyment. Thank you!
Recap:
Sasuke: Heh… this is getting interesting…
While all of this went down, they were all being watched by three other figures from the cover of the trees…
"So, what do you think?" one asked.
"Well… nothing serious, but… that black haired Leaf and the Sand brat with the gourd… let's keep our eyes on them," came one that was wrapped in bandages from head to who knows.
The Chunin Exams
Hokage's Tower……
3rd: You've all been assembled for only one reason… It should be obvious by those here… In a week's time… seven days from now we'll announce it properly. On the first day of the seventh moon… the Chunin Selection Exam will commence!! First we'll hear from those who are watching over the new crop genins…
Three Jounin, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma, stepped forward…
3rd: Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma… are there any genin that you would like to enter into this year's Chunin Selection Exam despite their inexperience? As you already know… when a genin has properly completed at least 8 missions… may technically qualify to take the exam if nominated by their sensei… Now starting with Kakashi…
Kakashi: I lead Team 7: Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno… Under the name of Kakashi Hatake, I nominate all three to participate in the Chunin Selection Exams…
Kurenai: I lead Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame… Under the name of Kurenai Yuuhi, I also nominate all three for the Chunin Exams…
Asuma: My squad is Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chouji Akimichi… Under the name of Asuma Sarutobi, I nominate all three…
Whispers could be heard as the three Jounin recommended their students…
3rd: Hmm... All of them… How rare…
Iruka was so shocked by what he had just heard that he didn't believe his own ears. Iruka couldn't just let this happen. He had to speak up…
Iruka: Hold on a second…! Lord Hokage, with all respect, the names that were just mentioned were all my students at the academy… I know their skills and abilities. Every one of them is talented, but it's far too early for them to take the exam. They need more experience… I can't understand the Jounins reasoning. If they try now, they're sure to fail the exam…
Kakashi: I became a Chunin when I was six years younger than Naruto is now…
Iruka: But Naruto is nothing like you!! Are you trying to destroy these kids?!! The Chunin Exam is…
Kakashi: As you should know, they're always complaining about the missions not being challenging enough, especially Naruto. Maybe failing the exams would teach them a lesson. Experiencing some pain could do them some good… it could even be a little fun…
Iruka: WHAT?!!!! What did you say!!?
Kakashi: … Well… that was a joke… I didn't mean anything fatal of course… Look, I can understand your feelings Iruka. It must upset you, but…
Kurenai: Kakashi stop this already…! You've said enough…
Kakashi: On the contrary… Iruka needs to hear this… He needs to stay out of this, they are no longer your students… as of the time they passed and became true Genin, they became mine…
With that, and word from the Hokage, this discussion was done…
Team 7, the genins, were patiently (well not so patiently) waiting for their sensei, who was late once again. Sakura seemed to be going mad as she began to rant about Kakashi's punctuality, and anything that had to do with the bad things men do. As she continued Kakashi finally arrived, greeting his team with a cheery attitude and another excuse… but he couldn't sell it.
Kakashi: This is sudden but… I've nominated you guys for the Chunin Selection Exam… *handing each an application form*
Naruto and Sasuke appeared to be more than satisfied with this. Naruto was so ecstatic that he gave Kakashi a great big bear hug…
Kakashi: Though this is just a nomination, whether or not you take the exam is an individual's choice. Those who wish to are to sign and deliver those papers to room 301 by 4pm tomorrow… That's all…
With his job done, Team 7's meeting was adjourned. All the Team 7 genin could think about were the strong opponents they would encounter and how tough the exam would be. This excited the boys, but…
Sakura: … I… don't want to… I can't even keep up with Sasuke, or even Naruto… and now the Chunin Exam…
The next day……
Team 7 met up and headed to the academy. Naruto was bouncing off the walls with excitement, Sasuke seemed content, but Sakura was acting unusual. She seemed extremely nervous, which was to be expected, but she looked like she would cry at any moment…
They arrived at the academy with time to spare and headed to their destination. On the way, something caught their attention. There were two guys knocking other people around while blocking entrance into the room…
One boy in a tight green bodysuit pleaded for entrance but was knocked on his butt. A girl with brown hair in buns and a pink sleeveless shirt with baggy pants then stepped up pleading the same case, but she too was swatted away. Everyone around looked on in horrified shock. If these two didn't step aside, then their hopes of even trying to become Chunins would be dashed…
Sasuke: I don't care about these others… but you will let me pass… And remove this surrounding created with genjutsu. We're going to the third floor. *Team 7 approached*
The other genins appeared to be confused as they didn't understand what Sasuke was getting at…
Sasuke: Sakura, I'm sure you noticed it first, right? You do have the most improved analytical skill and genjutsu know-how on our team…
Naruto: He's right! I didn't really notice it myself, but I'm sure you did…
Sakura looked at the both of them and nodded her head with a smile, finally, on her face. She seemed to regain herself in that moment…
Sakura: Of course, I noticed a while ago. This is actually the second floor.
Sasuke gave a faint smile as the genjutsu was removed and it was revealed that they were indeed on the second floor…
"Not bad, for a lucky guess, but I'm not impressed with you or your lame teammates…"
Naruto: I might've been a little slow on the genjutsu but…
Before he could finish, he and Sasuke were attacked. They both saw it coming and motioned to counter, but before either could connect they were interrupted by a certain green clad ninja…
Sakura: That was so fast… He was able to slide in block Sasuke's and the other guy's kicks… I thought he was weak getting knocked around like that…
Sasuke: Blocking my kick with little difficulty… What's with this chakra in this guy's arms?...
"Lee… What happened to the plan? You're the one who said we shouldn't draw attention to ourselves," a long haired guy said approaching the green clad ninja.
Naruto was still locked in his own little struggle with the other kid, but he couldn't help but notice something specific about the guy that just stepped forward…
Naruto: Those eyes… they look like…
As Lee and his teammates talked among themselves, Sasuke noticed that the injuries that they had sustained earlier had seemed to disappear all together. Apparently done with their little "meeting", the green ninja made his way over to Sakura and introduced himself…
Lee: Hello… my name is Rock Lee and I know that yours is Sakura…
Sakura: What…?! A stalker…?!
Lee: How would you like to be my girlfriend? I shall protect you with my life!!..."
Naruto put a halt on his little scuffle as he heard Sakura decline. In doing so, Naruto's attacker embarrassingly crashed into a wall thinking he had a clear opening…
Naruto: … So, what's going on here? *stepping between the two*
Lee: I would like for Sakura to become my girlfriend!
Naruto: … Is that so? *looking at Sakura then looking Lee up and down* … Well, good luck with that, I mean if she won't go out with me I seriously doubt that she will with you.
Lee: And what do you mean by that?!!
Sakura: He means that you're weird looking. I mean just look at that haircut, those eyebrows, and your outfit. It's all just a little… weird! Besides, I'm not interested in boys, just… Sasuke…
Realizing that he had been rejected, Lee slumped his head in woe. But this did not stop him as he still valiantly vowed to protect Sakura with every fiber of his being…
Sakura: … Y-Yeah… you do that… Come on Naruto, Sasuke, let's get out of here… before something else weird happens…
Sakura grabbed Naruto by the arm and led him along, but as Sasuke turned to leave he was stopped by Rock Lee's long haired teammate…
"Hey you… What's your name?" he asked.
Naruto: What is with all these guys being so curious about Sasuke…?
Sasuke: When asking for someone else's name, it's complementary to give your own first.
"You're a rookie right? How old are you?..." he proceeded.
Sasuke: I don't have to answer to you.
Sasuke then turned and made his way over to Sakura and Naruto. The guy that he declined to answer to appeared to be angry at the disrespect of such a… rookie.
Naruto: If you want, I could tell you my name. I'm Naru-… Whoa!!!...
In a rush to leave as quickly as possible, Sakura yanked Naruto along in hopes of getting away from her new… "admirer".
Naruto: H-Hey!! Stop pulling me Sakura, I've got some unfinished business to take care of. Me and Sasuke never got to finish our fight with Kotetsu and Izumo...
Sakura: Kotetsu... and… Izumo…? The two that are usually stationed at the village's gate…? But how…?
Naruto: I could tell by their chakras. Even though they're older and more experienced, they don't seem to be too good at hiding their chakra signatures like Kakashi sensei or my grandpa…
They continued on their way when they were interrupted by…
Lee: Hey you!! The guy with the attitude! I would like to fight you…!
Sasuke: … What, right now…?
Lee: Exactly! *jumping down, taking an unusual stance* … I am Rock Lee! When you want to learn a person's name you should introduce yourself first… right?... Sasuke Uchiha!!... I want to fight you so that I may test myself against the heir to the genius Uchiha clan!... Plus… *looking over at Sakura*
This caused Sakura to feel uneasy as she went over every "weird" thing that was wrong with him. This, however, did not deter Lee from blowing her kisses which, from an animated and comedic style, Sakura dodged as if her life depended on it.
Sakura: HEY, KNOCK IT OFF…!! I WAS DODGING FOR MY LIFE JUST NOW…! IF YOU KEEP IT UP, I'LL KICK YOUR ASS MY SELF!!
Sasuke: Challenging me, knowing of my clan… Do you really want to fight me to test yourself or is it to leave an impression?... Either way, I think it's foolish. You're about to learn… what the name Uchiha is all about…!
Lee just smiled at this as he would get the chance to face off with the year's #1 rookie and hopefully impress his crush in the process. As they were about to begin, they were interrupted by none other than…
Naruto: Waaaait!!... I don't understand everyone's obsession with Sasuke. If you're looking for a good fight, then you should be challenging me…! I've been itching for one for a while now, so let's do this!
Lee: But it is not you who I want to fight, so please… stay out of this…
Sasuke: You heard the guy Naruto. He challenged me… so this is my fight.
Naruto: Is that the way it's gonna be? *walking half-way between the two* … Fine then, I could care less about which one of you I fight. As a matter of fact… I got an idea…
An evil-like grin took its place on Naruto's face as he begun to explain his idea on a more fun and efficient way to determine which of the three was better…
Naruto: … A three way free for all brawl. This way everyone is happy…
Naruto makes a suggestion to prove how anxious he is...
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Rock Lee vs. Sasuke Uchiha...
Next chapter: The talented, the hard worker, the genius - 3-way brawl...