Yo!! I'm back, and with another chapter!!! The last arc is over, but the new arc starts now!! It has been 4 months in between chapters, and everyone is ready to show what they have learned. So sit back, relax, and get ready for the Jounin Exams!!!
Chapter 12: Gather in Sand. Everyone Gets Ready!
(The path to the Sand Village: A week until the Jounin Exams)
"I knew that Sensei would have left before us, but who would have guessed that he'd leave today? It's another week before the exams." Koji said, riding the Chakra Board Shiro gave him a week ago.
"It takes about 5 days to get from the dojo to the Sand Village. He figured that the last second was the best time for you to leave." Yami said, riding on his head. "I guess, but 5 days will be cut to 3 if we travel like this." Koji said. "Of course, because you're too lazy to walk." Yami said. "Says the dog who is riding on my head." Koji said, and Yami chuckled in a dog like way.
(Somewhere along the path)
A nin was walking down the path. He decided if he left today, he could make it to the Sand Village with two days to spare. He heard a voice, and masked his chakra.
"Says the dog who is riding on my head." The nin smirked. He knew that voice. He decided to make his presence known. He jumped, and landed in front of Koji, and Koji nearly crashed into a few trees.
"What the hell!?" Koji screamed, and Yami reverted back to her original size. "Long time no see." The nin said. When the dust cleared, Sanosuke was standing in front of Koji, smirking.
Instead of the standard attire for a Rock Chuunin, he had a dark blue t-shirt on and a dark green jacket-like sweat shirt. He had on Blue Jeans, and his green headband was stil tied around his forehead. But rather than being there for show, it actually helped to keep his chestnut hair from his eyes
"Sano!!!" Koji screamed, jumping up, and laughing. "I didn't expect you to be here!" Koji said, and Sanosuke nodded. "The last leg of my training was to rough it for about a month. I ended up all the way out here, though." Sanosuke said, and smiled when Koji began ranting about how powerful he had become.
Koji was wearing a green jersey-like tank top, with a black shirt with buttons over it. The buttons were all undone. He wore a necklace with a lightning symbol dangling from it. He also had the same dark blue shorts, but instead of the standard ninja sandals, he had on a pair of black sneakers. (He'd been told on numerous occasions that those were civilian shoes, but he ignored them, saying that they are comfortable, and that's that.) His hair was a little longer, and the dreadlocks in the front could easily cover his face if he wanted them to.
"So, you any stronger?" Koji asked, and Saosuke smirked. "Of course, I won't lose to an idiot like you." Sanosuke said, and Koji waved his hand. "Idiot I may be, but we'll see who gets the last laugh!" They both chuckled, and continued their walk towards the Sand Village, which was 5 days away if they walked.
"Where did you get the board?" Sanosuke asked. "Sensei gave it to me!" Koji said, using a little chakra to turn the thing into a silver bracelet he wore around his right hand.
(Konoha: 2 days later )
"Wow, Kurenai-Sensei is getting bigger!" Kiba said rather bluntly, and sweat dropped at the glare that Kurenai gave him. She was now 4 months in labor, and it was showing a little. "That was rude Kiba." Shino said. He still wore the same outfit he had from the Second Arc, but he had a brown gourd tied around his back, assumed to be full of bugs.
Kiba's jacket was now black instead of grey, and he was currently sitting on Akamaru. "That's okay Shino. Kiba wouldn't know any better." Kurenai said. "What's that mean?" Kiba asked. "However you wish to interpret it." They turned to the voice, and saw that it was Neji and Hinata.
Both were in the traditionall Hyuuga Style Battle Robes. Neji's was dark blue, and Hinata's was light blue. "Glad to see you Hinata. You both look like brother and sister now." Kurenai said, and Hinata smiled, while Neji shrugged. "Neji-nii-san had been training me for the exam." Hinata said.
"Don't worry Hinata! We're all going to get this done!" Kiba said, and Kurenai smiled. "Neji, I'm trusting them with your care. Don't let me down." Kurenai said. Neji nodded, and they all took off for the Sand Village, which was three days walk away. They were the first to leave.
(Elsewhere in Konoha)
Shikamaru yawned and walked. Chouji and Ino told him to meet them at Ichiraku Ramen. "Took you long enough!" Ino screamed.
She had changed from her usual purple outfit, to a purple shirt, which showed her curves, and a black skirt with biker shorts under it. (Guess she took Koji's word to heart.)
Chouji had the normal Akimichi Battle Armor, but it was green, like his clothes when he was 12.
Shikamaru still had the same clothes from his youth. The only difference was that his jacket was black with red on it. (If you have played Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2, this would be his alternate outfit.)
"Don't lose your cool, Ino. I'm here, geez." Shikamaru said, yawning. "Kakashi-Sensei said to meet us here at 11:00. It's 10:55!" Ino said, and Shikamaru yawned. "Naruto told me he's always late anyway. I could have taken a nap." Shikamaru said.
"Come on. Naruto always overexhagerates! Kakashi will be here on time. He can't be one of the strongest Jounin and be chronically late." Chouji reasoned, and Shikamaru shrugged. So they waited. And waited. And, you know for the hell of it, waited some more. Finally, 2 hours after waiting, Kakashi appeared in his usual poof of smoke.
"Sorry, guys. A black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the long way." Kakashi said. "LIAR!!!!" Ino screamed, eyes white. Chouji was eating a bag of chips, so he didn't care, and Shikamaru glared at him, annoyed that he had Ino screaing while he was taking a nap. "Come on. You guys are about to become Jounin." Kakashi said.
"It's optional for these guys. It's mandatory that I fight." Shikamaru said. "That's what you get for being smart and strong enough to kill an S-Class Missing Nin." Kakashi teased, and Shikamaru groaned. "Come on. I'm ready to head to the Sand Village." Kakashi said, and everyone nodded.
(Elsewhere in Konoha)
"Alright my youthful and powerful students! Are you all packed and ready for the Jounin Exams?" Gai asked, and Lee saluted.
Lee, through the miracle of Sakura, was wearing a green shirt, and blue shorts. They looked like they fit him, but Gai cried, saying that Sakura 'stole Lee's youth!'
Tenten was wearing a blue Chineese shirt with a gold dragon on the back. Her pants were matching to her shirt, and instead of ninja shoes, she had those shoes that kung fu warriors wore. (The inspiration for this outfit is Law's outfit from Tekken 5, except blue and for girls.)
"As ready as can be, Gai-Sensei!" Lee screamed. "Good job, my youthful student! I know you will win!" Gai screamed. "Yes Gai-Sensei!!" "Lee!!" "Gai-Sensei!!" "Lee!!!!" "Gai-Sensei!!!!" Sunset, cliff next to an ocean, and a cheesy scene meant to inspire. In short: a Genjutsu so damn powerful and hard to get rid of, that even Kurenai, Tsunade, and even Kakashi couldn't dispel it. Tenten sighed in annoyance, and began the trek for the Sand village.
(Bridge)
At the bridge stood Sasuke. He was wearing a white version of his old shirt, and dark blue khaki shorts. (Once again, Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 Alternate Constume.) His kusanagi was strapped right on his back, and he looked bored.
"Teme! Your early!" Naruto screamed. He had the same clothes, except he cut the shirt and pants so that they were short sleeved and shorts. "And you're loud. Sadly we can't do anything about that." Sasuke said, and Naruto gave him a semi-glare.
"Where's Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked. "She's not with you?" Sasuke asked. "She's usually the second one here." Naruto said. "I'm surprised Naruto of all people is earlier than me." They turned, as Sakura walked towards them. She was showing that she was truly Tsunade's apprentice.
Her clothes were highly similar to Tsunade's back before she became the Hokage. She even had her old shirt that had Gamble on the back. Of course, she also had something close to Tsunade's legendary bust. "So, we ready?" Sakura asked. Sasuke and Naruto dumbly nodded. "Then lets go!" Sakura said, walking towards the gate.
"Teme. Has she always been that…ahem 'developed?'" Naruto asked. "Don't know. Her clothes never made them obvious." Sasuke said, and they both shrugged. "She did look hot though." Naruto said. Sasuke reluctantly nodded, knowing that was true. "Come on!" Naruto screamed, and began running. Sasuke and Sakura followed.
"Why are we running?" Sakura asked. "Because I want to hang out with Gaara before the exams begin!" Naruto said. "We have 5 days, dobe. If we run, we'll get there in 1 day." Sasuke said. "All the more time to hang with Gaara!" Naruto screamed.
(With Koji and Sanosuke: 3 days later)
"We have two days before the exam! We could have been there earlier, but no! You had to go back and find your necklace!" Sanosuke said, and Koji smirked. "I like this necklace." Koji said, and Sanosuke sighed in annoyance.
"Look!" Koji said, pointing ahead. There, they could see the gates of the Sand Village. But before they could reach the gate, they had to cross the desert. Koji wasn't down with running on sand, so he tossed his bracelet onto the ground, and it transformed into his grey chakra board.
"Not fair!" Sanosuke screamed, as Yami transformed into a puppy, and landed on Koji's head. "Lame." Sanosuke said, and Koji shrugged. They traveled across the desert, and in no time, the gates were catching up to them.
(Sand Village)
Sasuke walked down the street, relieved that he wasn't getting glares of resentment. Then again, leaving your village to seek power wasn't going to cause everyone to treat him like they did. Just to think, a freaking fluke in that snakes world caused his mission to put together the ultimate team to kill Itachi to be cancelled altogether. Oh well.
"Hey Teme!" Sasuke turned, and saw that it was Naruto and Sakura, walking towards him. "The others finally made it!" Naruto screamed. At the gates, entering, were the rest of the Konoha 12. "Why should that concern me? Last time I checked, they didn't care much about me back in Konoha." Sasuke deadpanned bluntly. "Because they don't see the good in you. Like we do!" Naruto said. "Hn." Sasuke mumbled.
And so, everyone of the Konoha 12 met, and began chatting. Their chatting and walking lead them to some training grounds. After a few more minutes of chatting, a dust storm kicked up, and everyone was slightly blinded. Next to Sakura, appeared a boy around their age.
He had on the clothes that were native to Sand Nin, which was the battle garbs of a desert traveler. He had black hair that came down to his back, and blue eyes that looked calculating and cold.
"Hello miss. Why must someone as pretty as you hang out with these losers?" He asked. "And who the hell do you think you are!?" Naruto screamed, stomping up to him. Before he got within striking distance, he was blown away by winds.
"The hell!?" Naruto screamed. "I wasn't talking to you blondie." He said coldly. "Hey! You can't push Naruto around!" Sakura screamed. "Baby, don't worry about that idiot." He said, and she glared at him. "It's obvious she doesn't like you. Let her go." Neji said, walking up.
"And you are going to stop me?" The boy asked, as he caused some strong winds to surround him. Naruto had Rasengan ready, as Sasuke began charging the chakra for his Chidori. Neji got into his Gentle Fist stance, and glared. "Hey Teme. This guy doesn't seem to get it. Let's teach him a lesson." Naruto said, smirking. "For once, I agree with you dobe." Sasuke said, and before they moved, a beam of electricity shot past the boy's head, nearly hitting him.
"Ah damn! I missed!" They heard someone complain. The boy, pissed, shot a blast of air at the direction of the voice. After a few seconds, he heard the voice laughing in amusment. "What's so funny!?" He screamed. Then, the dust storm he created just stopped, and standing there, confidently was the one nin they all knew.
"I was laughing because you missed!" It was Koji. To the Konoha nin that knew him personally, he looked much more confident than he did 4 months ago. "And who the hell are you?" He asked. "Give me your name, and I'll give you mine." Koji said smugly, and the black haired nin growled, lifting his hands ready to launch another Wind Jutsu. Before he knew it, Koji was in between him and Sakura.
"I wouldn't try anything on this one." Koji said, pointing his thumb at Sakura. "And why not?" He asked. "Because…she's my girlfriend." Everyone gave stunned and surprised looks, including Sakura and the Sand nin.
"He knows how to make things worse, doesn't he?" Yami asked. "Yep, that's our Koji." Sanosuke said, as they watched from a safe distance. "So, she's taken?" The Sand nin asked. "Yep. I'm the lucky nin that gets to tap that ass." Koji said, and everyone once again, looked amazed. He was so non-chalant when he said that.
"Really?" The Sand nin asked. "Then prove it." "Fine." Koji said, shrugging. Sakura didn't get what was happening, until she felt Koji bring his lips to hers.
"Oh hell! He didn't!" Sanosuke said, trying to keep himself from laughing outloud. "That boy doesn't know how to think or act." Yami muttered. The sand nin looked appalled, while the Konoha nin were stunned silent. The sand nin turned his back to Koji.
"The name's Gale Kazekiri." Gale said. "Koji Hyosuke." Koji said, as Gale disappeared in a poof of sand. Koji sighed. That was very annoying. He then felt a chill run right down his spine. He looked, and noticed that everyone had taken one large step away from him. He turned slowly, and saw that Sakura was glowing pink, and glaring with white eyes.
"Umm Sakura…please don't kill me…I got him to leave you alone…" Koji said slowly. With the traditional battle cry of CHA, Sakura charged him and unleashed a chakra filled 28 hit combo, ending it a double roundhouse kick. In short, Koji got his ass kicked big time. (It's good to have everyone back together.) Sasuke and Naruto thought to themselves.
(Later that night)
Koji decided that it was time for a little payback. He saves Sakura's ass, and she kicks his. Okay, Okay! Time for a Panty Raid! It was now about 11:00 at night. (In order to pull this off perfectly, I'm going to need to initiate all my stealth training. This won't be easy.) Koji thought to himself. So he opted for something traditional. He picked the lock, and walked in.
It was dead silent. There weren't many girls entering the Jounin Exams, but from what he saw in the village, the girls looked drop dead hot. He walked silently, albeit carelessly. He walked with his hands in his pocket, and pulled out a book. (Shiro always said his best friend was good with literature. But damn. Not only is this Grade A porn, this has a sensible plot.) Koji thought to himself, amused.
Then, he felt Sakura's chakra, along with Ino's and Tenten's. Nodding, he picked their door as well, and snuck into the room. Finding the drawer that their panties were stashed in, he smirked. Pink frilly lace!? JACKPOT!!! Now, how to use this for blackmail? At this time, Ino had woken up, slighty out of it.
"Damn. Where's Ino and Tenten's underwear." Koji mumbled to himself. "Third drawer to the right." Ino replied, walking to the bathroom. Both of them then stopped, realization hit them like a ton of bricks. "PERVERT!!!"
(Outside)
Sanosuke was walking in the village, looking for his friend. He woke up when he heard something land outside. He saw Koji's empty bed, and figured he was about to do something incriminating/stupid.
"PERVERT!!!" Yep, something incriminating/stupid.
(Back inside)
Koji ran down the hall, cursing his shitty luck. He turned, and saw that Tenten had pulled out something close to 200 shuriken. Luckily, he turned the corner just in time to avoid them, but he ran dead into Temari. Of course, it was worse than merely running into her. They both fell to the ground, his head resting right in between her heavenly valleys.
The stayed for close to a second in that position, before Koji shot up, his whole face turning red, and Temari slowly getting up, glaring viciously as she pulled out her fan. "…It was a accident! I swear! Please don't kill me!" Koji pleaded. "WIND SCYTHE JUTSU!!!" Temari screamed, and flicked her fan, as a giant blast of wind sent his ass blasting through the wall.
(Outside)
Sanosuke heard an explosion, and saw the side of the hotel the girls were using got blasted open. "Damn, what caused that?" Sanosuke asked. "Don't worry about it." Sanosuke sighed. He turned around, and began to snicker.
Koji was standing there, dirt was marred on his clothes, and a pink bra was dangling off his head. He looked annoyed. "You have fun?" Sanosuke asked, teasing. Koji glared, and then smirked. He felt the presence of Kunoichi hiding, and Sano was about to regret taunting him.
"I got you the purple lace panties you wanted." Koji said, and Sanosuke had an appalled look. He knew what Koji did, and he wasn't going to stand for it. The kunoichi were arriving, and they had to high tail it out of there. "You drag me into this!?" Sanosuke asked, obviously pissed.
"We're best friends! Best friends stick through the good and the bad!" Koji said, as they ran through the Sand Village, avoiding kunai, shuriken, and all sorts of weapons. "Best friends don't drag best friends into their battles!" Sanosuke screamed, as they turned the corner.
Dead end.
Both of them broke into cold sweats. Dead end meant game over. Game over meant that their lives, and possibly their future children, were at stake.
They turned with the intent on finding a new way, but standing in front of them were Tenten, Ino, Sakura, and Temari. "Shit." Both nin muttered. "Who wants first dibs?" Sakura asked, as all four of them held evil smirks.
(Suna Hospital)
"Tsunade-dono was right. You are danger prone." Inside the Sand Village hospital laid Koji, wrapped in bandges. Oh, but he had a guest. Sanosuke was there as well, in just as bad shape.
"He dragged me into this." Sanosuke growled, annoyed. Gaara just looked on, amused. "Shiro-san told me about the situation of you two entering the Jounin Exam. It is allowed, but I can't say any Kunoichi will be thrilled." Gaara said, as both nin glared at him.
"Shut up!" Koji said, and Gaara walked out the room. "You know I will hate you for the rest of your life for this." Sanosuke said, and Koji smirked. "But at least you can't say it was a boring night." Koji replied, and Sanosuke sighed in irritation.
ShadowRonin: And so it begins!! The Wheels of Fate are in motion, and the battle for the elite is about to begin!! Can Koji become an elite ninja, joining the Shadow Blade? Can the Konoha 12 join the ranks of Neji Hyuuga? Can Sanosuke pull it off and win? Who else will the nin meet? Find out next chapter!!
Preview:
So now it's time! Everyone is ready for the Exams!! Battles will be fought, and lives wil be tested, all for the sake of becoming a Jounin in the next chapter of Tales of a Boy and His Dog: Exams Begin! The 16 Are Chosen!!