Hello my loyal readers!!! The tales series continues, as Koji and friends go through the exams, waiting for the next fights!! For now, they rest and wait. So, let the free day commence!!

PS: I have fixed my other two stories, and I am able to update them now. So, if you like this story, you may like the other two, but personally, I feel this is my best work for the moment.

Chapter 19: Koji's Big Adventure w/ Neji!! Shadow Blades vs. The Association!!

Koji woke up early the next day. He was summoned by Shiro to the inn that the Shadow Blades were residing in. The only reason he was actually awake was because had stoppd and gotten a few giant Pixie Sticks on the way. "This is the inn." Koji said, standing in front of it. He walked in, and began to search for the room the Shadow Blades were meeting in.

(Shiro's Room)

"I am glad to see that you all arrived at so early in the morning." Shiro said. Zaku and Dosu were sitting next to each other, while Kin was resting her head on Koji's shoulder.

Kidomaru was yawning, while his bottom two arms were scratching his stomach. Sakon was having a conversation with Ukon, while Tayuya and Jirobo were arguing again. "Okay. You all know that we are here to gauge Koji's skills and determine if he is worthy enough to be a member of the Shadow Blades." Shiro said, and they all nodded.

"But that is merely a mission. Our true goal is to prevent the Akatsuki from doing anything." Shiro said. "Akatsuki? Why would they be here? They already got Shukaku." Jirobo said. "They could be after Orochimaru. The guy did betray them and get away with it." Kidomaru said.

"If it were only that, I wouldn't be worried." Shiro said. "Are they here for Naruto?" Kimimaro asked. Everyone's eyes widened. "Why him?" Koji asked. "That boy. He possesses something that the Akatsuki wants. Ever heard of the Nine-Tailed Beasts?" Shiro asked.

"Of course! What person hasn't!?" Tayuya asked. Koji slowly raised his hand, and shrugged. "Well, they were demons who wielded powers beyond the control of any human alive. The strongest of them all was the Nine-Tailed Fox, Kyuubi. The only reason he was stopped was because the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village sealed it in a child." Shiro said.

Everbody let thaty information sink in, before Koji's and Tayuya's eyes widened. "You don't mean.." Koji started. "That Orange kid is the one?" Tayuya asked. "Huh?" Zaku asked. "Yes. He holds Kuyuubi inside of him." Shiro said, and everyone's eyes widened.

"No way. Naruto is a…demon holder?" Koji asked. "He is. The demon doesn't see to be able to possess him, but he probably can draw it's power." Shiro said. "So, our side objective…" Sakon asked impatiently. "Is to prevent that." Shiro said. Everyone nodded, and disappeared from the room. "Was it wise to let Koji know of Kyuubi?" Nekobe asked. "I believe he will do what is right." Shiro said.

(Outside the Hotel Shiro was in)

"Some meeting eh?" Kidomaru asked. He had followed Kimimaro and Sakon out of the hotel. "Why are you here, loser?" Sakon asked. "Does it matter to you?" Kidomaru asked.

"Don't want some loser following us around." Sakon replied. "You annoy us, Kidomaru! Why don't you leave before we kill you?" Ukon said, popping up from Sakon's neck. "Like you would." Kidomaru replied, smirking. Sakon was about to retort, before Kimimaro thrust his hand up.

"Quiet. Can you feel it?" Kimimaro asked. Both nin stopped their squabble to feel around using their chakra, and felt like something powerful was around. "We feel it." Sakon said. "Let's check it out! I bet it's something fun!" Kidomaru said. "Maybe something that will give us a challenge." Sakon said, as the three nin disappeared.

(Elsewhere in the Village)

Koji yawned in annoyance. It was only 7:00 in the morning, and it was way too early for anyone normal to be awake. But the sound of wind picking up caught his ear. He walked to the area, and found Temari there, practicing her Wind Jutsus.

(She uses Wind Style Jutsus a lot. I got an idea.) Koji thought to himself. "Hey! Referee-chan!" Koji said, and Temari turned to him. "Oh. It's you." Temari said. "You say it as though you know me." Koji said. "You are pretty well known." Temari said. "That's beside the point. Can we spar?" Koji asked. "Huh? Why me?" Temari asked.

"You know those Wind Jutsus, like that windbag." Koji said. "You mean Gale? You prepping yourself to fight him?" Temari asked. "Yeah. In my eye, he is the one I need to beat if I want to win." Koji said. (He must think he can take Naruto and Sasuke.) Temari thought to herself. "Sure. I can help you." Temari said, unfolding her fan.

"Great! Don't hold back!!" Koji said, using a dark blue bandana to tie his hair back.

(Heading out the Village)

"Hey, Blade! Why must you insist on being so annoying?" Sidestep asked. The three Association Nin kept their hoods up to prevent sand from getting in their eyes. "Why do you insist on being so damn stupid?" Blade asked, smirking (though no one would know) as Sidestep growled.

"Enough." T.K said, and both nin sighed. "Yes, oh fearless leader." Blade said sarcastically. "Smart-ass." T.K said. "Woah!! It talks AND makes jokes!" Blade said. By now they were about a mile from the Sand Villages Gates, when they all stopped. "We know you are following us. Come out!" Blade said. The three Association Nin stood next to each other as Kimimaro, Kidomaru, and Sakon appeared in the blink of an eye, in front of them.

"Hn." T.K said. "Well lookie here! A Spider." Sidestep said. "And lookie here. A bunch of people so ugly that they hide themselves behind hoods." Kidomaru said, smirking. He didn't expect the three nin to look like they were looking at each other, before they all lowered their hoods.

T.K's orange spiky hair defied gravity like always. His black eyes looking bored and indifferent.

Blade's hair was dark blue, and came down to his shoulders. He had a Popsicle stick in his mouth. His Dark Blue eyes held amusement.

Sidestep was about to toss his entire robe off, before Blade grabbed his arm. "You remember what Xin-sama said. Next time you take your robe off and show that god-awful pimp suit, he would kill us." Blade said.

"That's not nice." Sidestep said, as he merely lowered his hood, stunning the Shadow Blade nin. "It's the return of the Afro from hell!!" Blade said, smirking. "Fuck you!" Sidestep said, his brown eyes piercing Blade's, who smirked back . "Sorry, Gay-Bo. I don't roll that way." Blade said, and Sidestep glared quite fiercely.

"Are these three freaks really the one's emitting that enormous chakra?" Kidomaru asked. "Don't let their stupidity fool you. They are really dangerous." Kimimaro said. "Seems like their leader is pretty smart." Blade said. "Stronger than the other two." T.K said.

"He's mine." T.K finished. "He wants a piece of you, Kimimaro." Sakon said. "I'll take the Sadist looking one. The two idiots can fight." Blade said. "I'm not an idiot!!" Sidestep and Kidomaru screamed at the same time, before they all smirked at each other.

At the same time, Kimimaro and T.K disappeared somewhere, along with Sakon and Blade disappearing somewhere.

(In the Village)

Koji was now awake for sure. He had left from training with Temari at around 9:00. He thought he felt six nin moving quickly, but dismissed it. He walked around the village, until he saw Hinata, along with Sakura, walking around. He was about to go talk to them, but he felt another presence. He felt the chakra, and smirked.

"Hey, Brother White Eyes!! Why you hiding?" Koji said outloud. "My name is Neji." Neji said, appearing from the shadows. "Hey! That was neat! I only sensed you because your chakra spiked slightly." Koji said. "Hn. What do you want?" Neji asked.

"You were tailing Hinata and Sakura. Why?" Koji asked. "Besids the fact that it is my duty to protect her, I would feel better if I knew what she was doing." Neji said. "So you don't trust her?" Koji asked. "I don't trust those around her that aren't part of the Konoha 12." Neji said.

"You obviously aren't going to stop tailing her. I think I will join you." Koji said. "What? Why?" Neji asked. "A friend always helps a friend in need." Koji said. Neji nodded reluctantly, and they both took off into the trees.

(Battle: Kido vs. Side)

Kidomaru and Sidestep smirked at each other. "So, I get stuck with someone who can't let disco die, eh?" Kidomaru asked. "And I get stuck with a Spiderman reject." Sidestep retorted.

"Okay funny guy. Why are you three here?" Kidomaru asked. "We merely wish to kill Koji Hyosuke." Sidestep said. "Why?" Kidomaru asked. "If you must know, Prophecy stated that the Association would fall when someone who could travel between worlds appeared." Sidestep said.

"You mean Koji has that power?" Kidomaru asked. "He is here from another world. He may not know how, but he might be the one." Sidestep said. "Sorry, but Koji is under the protection of the Shadow Blades. If you want him, you come through us!" Kidomaru said, as he activated his Curse Mark, enveloping him in Dark Chakra. The marks that covered his body began to appear, before Sidestep smirked. "I say we let the music play!!" Sidstep said, as he worked his Ninja Magic and caused the beat to play.

(In the Village)

Koji and Neji watched from afar as Hinata and Sakura ran into Ino and Tenten. The four kunoichi smiled to each other, before they all took off. Neji and Koji looked on to where they were going, and sighed in irritation. The girls had just walked into a mall.

(This is going to suck…) Both nin thought to themselves. Koji and Neji gave each other a pained look, before they followed the girls in. "You know, you're pretty good at this Neji." Koji said. "I try." Neji said. "Are you in any way a pervert?" Koji asked out of the blue, causing Neji to trip.

"No!! Why would you ask something as stupid as that!?" Neji asked. "You know. Good at hiding, eyes that can see through anything. Most perverts would kill to have that. I'm surprised Ero-Jii-san hasn't sought you out yet." Koji said. "Who's Ero-Jii-san?" Neji asked.

"Jiraiya." Neji then knew what he was talking about. Jiraiya is, after all, a Legendary Pervert, and a powerful nin. "Don't let the Super Perv corrupt you!" Koji said. "I won't…" Neji said.

(Battle: Sakon vs. Blade)

Sakon was already covered with the Curse Mark when Blade decided that knowing the reason they attack Koji was no longer important. He pulled the Popsicle stick out of his mouth, and held on to it.

Sakon charged, and tried to punch him. Blade merely sidestepped, and thrusted the Popsicle stick. Sakon was about to make a crack at the fact that he was using a Popsicle stick, but stopped that thought when he felt enormous chakra charging at him.

He slid out of the way, confused. "What the hell?" Ukon screamed, shooting out of Sakon's neck. "I didn't see the attack at all." Sakon said. "Of course you did. You just didn't see the catalyst for the attack." Blade said. "The catalyst?" Sakon asked.

"You would like to see, wouldn't you?" Blade asked. Ukon growled in anger, as he activated his Second Level Curse Mark. "Come on brother! Let's kill him off now!!" Ukon screamed.

(Sand Mall)

Neji and Koji decided that tailing the girls successfully warranted some food. They stopped to get some food. Koji got a cup of Ramen, while Neji settled for a Rice Ball.

"Operation Tail the Kunoichi seems to be working out quite well, Neji-taichou!" Koji said, saluting. "You are an idiot, you know?" Neji asked. "And you are a no-nonsense boob. What's the big deal?" Koji asked. "You're infuriating." Neji said, shaking his head. "Thank you!" Koji replied, smirking.

(Battle: Kimi vs. Blade)

Kimimaro and T.K were zipping all over the place, as bone weapons and fists clashed. Kimimaro was already in Curse Seal: Level 2 and was actually having a tough time against this foe.

(This man isn't some typical Rogue Nin. He has skills to be considered an S-Rank Criminal.) Kimimaro thought to himself. "Dance of the Falling Forest!!" Kimimaro said, as he jumped into the air, and began spinning. His rotation caused bones to shoot out of his body. T.K dodged the attack by zipping around, and jumping up and kicking Kimimaro dead in the gut. He hit the ground hard, and flipped away. Kimimaro then stood, as he began charging his chakra.

(He has more gas?) T.K thought to himself. Kimimaro began exuding black chakra, as he was surrounded by a dome of black chakra. When the dome broke, he was in Curse Seal Level 3.

His clothes had changed into an outfit similar to Ichigo's Bankai outft from Bleach. He pulled out a black bone katana, and stood in an offensive stance. "Incredible power." T.K said, and then he smirked, thrusting his hand forward. "Won't hold back."

(In the Village)

"Well, I must say. This is incredibly boring." Koji said. Neji nodded in agreement. The girls had left the mall, and were merely touring the town. It was nearing 6:00 pm.

"Mission just got interesting." Neji said. They saw Temari walk to the girls, and invite them to what looked like a bar. Both nin sweat dropped. Temari may be old enough for a drink, but the others were a few years short. Both gave each other stern looks, before the disappeared into the bar.

Koji and Neji grabbed a nearby booth, and sat there. "Okay, any reason they would be in a bar?" Koji asked. "Hn." Neji replied. "I assume you have no idea either." Koji said. Neji nodded, and they both sighed.

Well, so far, the girls haven't been drinking anything alcoholic. Temari looked like she had a small amount, but she was merely tasting them. Sadly, the drunkards were too…drunk to know better than to hit on a bunch of 15/16 year olds who, ironically, looked incredibly developed for 15/16 year olds.

Neji and Koji began to think. How do you get rid of a bunch of drunkards? Koji then looked like he had an idea, and smirked evilly. "What are you planning?" Neji asked. "Follow my lead." Koji said, using a Transformation Jutsu.

Sakura, Hinata, and Ino shouldn't have been too surprised to be hit on, but they thought this was absurd. These men were around 30 years old, and they were hitting on 15/16 year olds. "Hey, a cup of juice for me?" The girls turned, and saw a young man, who looked to be 19.

He got his juice (apple, oddly enough, which caused some of the regulars to sweatdrop, not knowing this place sold apple juice. One regular would whine out 'I want apple juice.'), and nodded to them. "Good day, eh ladies?" He asked.

They all took a look at this interesting boy. He had long silver hair, and dark blue eyes. The boy raised an eyebrow when the men began flaunting around the girls again. "Hey mates! All of you are aware the lasses are only 15?" He asked. They all gave him some sort of weird look.

"You running up on our territory?" They all asked, as he sweat dropped. "Is that a fight you be asking for?" He asked. They all surrounded him, and he glanced towards the girls. "Ladies, I be asking you to kindly step out and enjoy your night out at another place." The boy said, as he stood in the center of what was about to be one hell of a bar brawl.

Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Tenten and Temari walked out when they spotted Neji walking towards them. "Hinata-sama. Where have you been?" Neji asked. "Nii-san! I was hanging out with my friends." Hinata said. Neji held his look, before he sighed.

"Come on Hinata. It's about time to head back to the rooms." Neji said, as a man flew through the windows of the bar. "Let's go."Neji said, as they walked away. Through the broken window, Sakura saw that young man go into a stance that was incredibly familiar.

(Elsewhere, a few minutes later)

"Hey Koji, where did you get a black eye from?" Sanosuke asked. "I had a small workout earlier. Got a lucky hit on me." Koji said, smirking. "That shiner says it was quite a hit." Sanosuke said, smirking. "Whatever. I'm going to the hospital to get an ice pack." Koji said.

When they got there, they were surprised to see the rest of the Shadow Blades standing outside a room. Koji looked at what they were looking at, and his eyes widened and his face became a little pale. (Due to slightly tanned skin, no one knew)

Kimimaro, Kidomaru, and Sakon were in there, as Medic Nin were working on the three. From what he saw, Kimimaro had four slash marks across his chest. Kidomaru had what looked like a large ass bruise on his chest, and a few ribs looked broken. Sakon had cuts that looked like a Katana went crazy on him, and some stab wounds that seemed to be caused by a Rapier. Shiro handed Koji a letter.

"What's this?" Koji asked. "A message." Shiro said, and Koji's eyes widened. He ripped the letter open, and read it. He didn't look like the letter affected him, and he put it away. "I'm calling it a night." Koji said, walking out the hospital, grabbing an ice pack.

(Outside)

As Koji was walking, he was clenching his right hand. That note was made specifically by them. He knew it. It was a threat that was very real. "Hey Koji." Koji looked up, and saw Neji walking towards him. "You get the girls home okay?" Koji asked. "Yeah." Neji said. Koji nodded, and began to walk past Neji.

"Is something bothering you?" Neji asked. Koji stopped, and froze. Clenching his fist again, he turned around, with a fake smile. "I'm good." Koji said. "Why lie?" Neji asked, and Koji's eyes narrowed a little. "What?" Koji asked. "Your right fist clenching and unclenching signifies that you are frustrated." Neji said. Koji knew he was reading him like a book, so he sighed.

"Neji, you are someone I trust. Can I ask you not to betray that trust until the time is right?" Koji asked. Neji nodded slowly, and Koji opened his letter, and read it:

Dear Koji:

We hope you are enjoying what life you have left. Once we decide we've had enough, you will die. It is written by Prophecy that you will be the one that may have the power to stop the Association, but to us, that's a load of shit! Hope you met the three that were in the hospital. Consider it a warning.

Signed: Blade, Sidestep, and T.K

Koji sighed as Neji had his eyes closed. "You plan on telling anyone?" Neji asked. "No. This is my issue. I don't want to involve people." Koji said. "Valiant, but foolish." Koji glared at Neji. "Should you ever be in Konoha, I will involve myself." Neji said.

"I don't need your help!!" Koji screamed. "I didn't say you did. I merely wish to help." Neji said. "Why?" Koji asked. "Isn't that what friends do?" Neji asked, and Koji sighed. "Friends, eh?" Koji said, before he smirked. "I guess I have no choice but to hold you to that." Koji said, and Neji smirked at him.

"Of course. I am a Jounin after all. I can handle more than you can." Neji said, and Koji's eyes became dotted. "You saying you're stronger?" Koji asked. Neji's smirk grew. "Of course I am." Neji said, and Koji smirked. "Well I guess that once everything is over, I will have to show you the error of your ways!" Koji said, thrusting his right hand in front of his face. Neji smirked.

"We'll find out one day, won't we?" Neji said, and they both chuckled a little.

(Outside the Village)

"That was no fun!" Blade said. "We should have killed them!!" "Unnecesary." T.K said. "If we had killed them, then we would have made another unnecessary enemy. We want to be able to take over the world, not have everyone on it united to stop us." Sidestep said.

Blade sighed in irritation. "What's the next agenda?" Blade asked. "Soon. All will be revealed." T.K said. "Woah! Four words!!" Blade said, and the other two Association Nin had veins of annoyance on their heads.

(The Village Arena)

The next day came, and this time, the referee for the fights were none other than Kankuro. "Alright. I will be proctoring the fights for this particular round." Kanuro said. "So now, let's begin with the first fight!" The board lit up, and began reeling.

When it stopped, there were a couple of gasps, and some murmurs.

But notably there were also two smirks.

(Finally. I get my shot at you.) Both nin thought to themselves. They entered the arena, and stood across from each other. Koji Hyosuke and Gale Kazekiri would finally get the match they both wanted.

ShadowRonin: Yep. Association 15 has made their move, and announced their motives. Will Koji be able to fend off this threat, or will they finally end his life. And who will win the Exams? Stay tuned to find out!

Next Chapter: Koji and Gale step up, and take each other on in one of the most anticipated battles of the Jounin Exams. Both are powerful, and have an element at their command. Who will win? The Lightning Warrior, or the Desert Storm? Find out on:

Chapter 20: The Hurricane vs. The Storm!! Piercing Claw Fails!?